Callow - "Go Down"

Photo by Alanso Cat

Back in August we started getting excited for Callow's self-described "noir folk," even though I thought the ties to folk were thin, but still there. With their newest single, "Go Down," I'm a little more confused. This new single is slightly more folk, or it isn't? It still has an intensity even without the volume of "Always About the Ones Who Have It All." "Go Down" trudges away for over five minutes, and seems to have more in common with Dinosaur Jr than Trampled By Turtles, but much slower and more methodical than you associate with either band.

You can watch the video for "Go Down" below. Mothdust, the new album from Callow, will be out October 19. For more on Callow, be sure to check out their website.

Turqouiz Noiz - Pray for Rain

There's been a wave of modern psychedelic music the past few years, and we've been all for it. If you love psychedelia but hate the hippie vibes it usually entails, the new album from Oakland's Turqouiz Noiz is worth your time. Sure, it has some trippy qualities, but it has some punk aggression mixed with some of the poppy noise of indie rock. A song like "Meaty Mart" sounds like if Guided By Voices were more into drugs than booze. "1984" is an insane, frenetic burst of energy and noise, like if the Descendents's "Wienerschnitzel" was a fully formed trippy song. "Paperbag" is a little more traditionally psychedelic, like a more mellow version of The Stooges's freak outs.

You can listen to "Meaty Mart" below. Pray for Rain is available now via Related Records. You can get your copy via Bandcamp. For more on Turqouiz Noiz, check them out on Facebook.

Precyce Politix - "To the Giants"

Photo via Facebook

The latest single from Raleigh, NC's Precyce Politix is everything I used to love about hip hop. There isn't even a shred of R&B in this song. It's purely hip hop. Throughout the song there is this high pitched whine, almost like in a horror movie, that creates a strong tension. What keeps you listening is this groovy sample that gets played in anywhere from 1-5 notes. Plus, Precyce Politix has a strong, intense flow you can't not pay attention to. Plus, it's rare for hip hop to actually be intimidating these days. The video for "To the Giants" features a group of masked men and one woman in a dilapidated house, which is terrifying. The song repeating the word "Kill" as an almost chorus, and ending with the word repeated over and over won't leave you with the warm and fuzzies.

You can watch the video for "To the Giants" below. Just to show how this isn't your typical hip hop artist, the video is inspired by Slipknot's "Duality." For more on Precyce Politix, check out his website.

First Listen: New Releases for 28 September

Artist: Aurora
Album: Infections of a Different Kind
Quick Description:
Why You Should Listen:
Overall Thoughts: I think what is interesting about this mini-album is how seemingly fully-formed Aurora came to us. There is a difference between being stuck in a rut, like we see with countless acts on follow-ups to successful efforts, and pushing the boundaries of what clearly worked in a debut. The strength of this is in its cohesion – there aren’t any songs that jump out as individual pieces as we got with the first full-length, but it’s a better unit of songs in comparison. Fans will like it, newcomers will like it, there’s nothing wrong with this.
Recommendation:

Artist: Miss World
Album: Keeping Up With Miss World
Quick Description: Sugary sweet rock straight out of the garage.
Why You Should Listen: You need something to change/maintain your peppy disposition.
Overall Thoughts: Bubblegummy poppy rock music that just makes me happy. There’s not a lot more to say about Miss World than that, as I’ve been somewhat obsessed since their EP came out a while back. They know how to write a great hook, the songs are infectious, and if songs like “Click and Yr Mine” or “Put Me in a Movie” don’t grab you, I might have to hold an intervention.
Recommendation: A favorite this week.

Artist: Hello June
Album: Hello June
Quick Description: Solid indie debut that should be getting a lot of buzz.
Why You Should Listen: You probably already love everything about this.
Overall Thoughts: This is an album that offers so much of what I want in a musical experience. It’s flawed, but it’s kind of perfect that way. It’s sort of a distillation of a lot of different musical ideas and genres into a really unique, fragile package that I know I didn’t fully grasp on first listen. This is a must-hear piece this week, and I can’t wait to spend more time with it.
Recommendation: One of the top releases of the week.

Artist: Marissa Nadler
Album: For My Crimes
Quick Description: Queen of dark folk's new album.
Why You Should Listen: Nadler is one of the best at what she does.
Overall Thoughts: Marissa Nadler has been a lowkey favorite of mine since before we started this blog, and the new album is Nadler at her best. No one does folk music quite like Nadler, and she is clearly in a groove that is working. This is a solid starting point for anyone not on the bandwagon yet, and a worthy entry for existing fans.
Recommendation: Nadler is always a must-listen.

Artist: Amber Arcades
Album: European Heartbreak
Quick Description: Latest album from an artist poised for a breakthrough.
Why You Should Listen: A slight change of pace doesn't make this less worthy.
Overall Thoughts: Of the many directions I anticipated Amber Arcades to go, a quieter and more introspective route was not one of them. That's not a bad thing - a more stripped down and vulnerable approach works here, and the result is an album that I really did enjoy from top to bottom even if the sort of song I was looking for to get trapped in my head didn't pop up on first listen. Give this a shot, you won't regret it.
Recommendation: Worth the time.

Artist: Hater
Album: Siesta
Quick Description: Solid singer-songwriter-style rock.
Why You Should Listen: Hater is doing some interesting things here.
Overall Thoughts: On one hand, yes, this is another female-fronted alt-style singer-songwriter piece. I can't get enough of it, and neither can the music marketplace, apparently. Still, this one is both different in its overall approach while still not quite making the leap into the sort of thing that would turn it into something great instead of good. There's more than enough here to make the whole package worthwhile, but you may enjoy the parts more than the whole.
Recommendation: Give it a listen if you have the time.

Artist: Elysian Fields
Album: Pink Air
Quick Description: Intriguing alt-rock.
Why You Should Listen: This is unique in its presentation.
Overall Thoughts: This act has been around for a while, but I only learned of them recently. There's definitely an alternative rock sound here that is balanced out by a bit of a quiet and precarious tone. Personally, I loved it - much like Hello June, there's not much that sounds like this and the take on this music is worth the time and energy. Don't miss out.
Recommendation: Listen to this one this week.

Artist: Spesh
Album: Famous World
Quick Description: Retro alternative rock.
Why You Should Listen: You went to college in the mid 1980s, or aspire to be that person.
Overall Thoughts: This is a really intriguing listen. It's absolutely a throwback record, and reminds me a lot of 1980s college rock radio (or at least my perception of it). The songs are tight, the music solid, and it stands out for being so unique even when it is so clearly trying to resemble a specific sound. This was the big surprise of the week, and should not be missed.
Recommendation: Check this out.

Artist: Amy Ray
Album: Holler
Quick Description: Solo record from one half of the Indigo Girls.
Why You Should Listen: If you have an idea of what the Indigo Girls sound like, this will be different.
Overall Thoughts: My knowledge of the Indigo Girls basically begins and ends with "Closer to Fine," so I don't know how rootsy it gets. This album, however, feels pure and honest as an Americana effort, and I challenge you to listen to "Sure Feels Good Anyway" and not think it's one of the better recent roots songs going. A solid effort for fans and for those not so into the main attraction.
Recommendation: Worth the time.

Artist: Kero Kero Bonito
Album: Time 'N' Place
Quick Description: Latest by the not-quite-J-pop indie act.
Why You Should Listen: Say what you will about them, but they're consistently unique.
Overall Thoughts: I never know how to describe Kero Kero Bonito, since they wear so many references on their sleeve yet blend them in such a weird way that shouldn't work but does. This surprise release is surprising in how accessible it feels while still being strange and artsy. I, of course, loved it.
Recommendation: You'll know quickly if you agree with me or not.

Of note:

* Lala Lala - The Lamb (Shades of 90s alt – doesn’t always work, but has some great tracks and might work for those who like the more reverby alt stuff)
* Loretta Lynn - Wouldn't It Be Great (Good to hear she's still got it)
* The Joy Formidable - Aarth (Uneven at points, but has a lot of good moments)
* Alt-J - Reduxer (Remixes and reimaginations of their most recent album)
* Bliss Signal - Bliss Signal (Loud, abrasive, electronic metal. Not quite industrial, but still great)
* Roosevelt - Young Romance
* Young Galaxy - Down Time

EPs:

* Oori - We Share Our Blood (A definite highlight)
* Ratboys - GL (8-bit Version) (Does what it says on the tin)
* Yuni Zouma - EP III

Also out:

* Toots and the Maytals - Ska Father
* Mudhoney - Digital Garbage
* The Living End - Wunderbar
* Logic - YSIV
* NAAVI - Ultra
* Slow Crush - Aurora
* All Them Witches - ATW
* Cypress Hill - Elephants on Acid
* The Rick and Morty Soundtrack

Live Shows: Supersuckers, The Cove Music Hall, Worcester, MA 9/28/18

Despite listening to the Supersuckers since the 90's, I had never seen them live. For some reason it's just never quite worked out. Once they announced their 30th Anniversary Big Show was coming to the distant suburbs, I knew I had to make it out for a night of big loud rock.

In all the ads and promotion for this tour, Supersuckers let everyone know exactly what they were going to get: Songs from the recently released Suck It, a short country set, and The Smoke of Hell and La Mano Cornuda performed from start to finish. Supersuckers took the stage and blasted out the first three songs from Suck It ("All of the Time," "The History of Rock 'n' Roll," and "Dead Inside") before going into their country set. Eddie Spaghetti talked about how their first country album was badly received in 1997 but seems to be liked now. The funny thing is that in 2018 there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between their country material and their rock 'n' roll songs. Some of the country highlights included "This Life (Would Be a Whole Lot Better If I Didn't Have to Share It) With You" and "Holdin' the Bag," which Spaghetti introduced by saying "This song is about a guy who doesn't want to get stuck holding the bag. It's called 'Holdin' the Bag.'"

Then came the highlight of the night: The playing of 1992's The Smoke of Hell and 1994's La Mano Cornuda. (The band even recited the answering machine message from the beginning of "High Ya!") As with any night of a band playing a classic album from start to finish, it takes a bit of the mystery and surprise out of the night, but you also get to hear songs you would never hear otherwise. Spaghetti made quite a few self deprecating remarks about how Supersuckers never really broke into the mainstream, such as how Sub Pop wanted to release "Mighty Joe Young" as a single, and the band refused. He mused that he can't remember why now, and wondered what would have happened had they listened. "Creepy Jackalope Eye," the first song off La Mano Cornuda, got a bigger reaction than anything off The Smoke of Hell, so perhaps that album could have been the break through they never got if something different had happened. They also joked that they were going to play "On the Couch" despite knowing the crowd was sick of it after it received so much radio and tv play in 1994. After the nostalgia part of the night was over, the band did their patented fake encore break where they stayed on the stage before breaking out Suck It's ode to autoerotic asphyxiation, "'Til I Die."

At one point, Spaghetti mentioned that their style of rock isn't exactly fashionable and they keep playing for dwindling audiences. That was definitely evident in Worcester Friday night, as the show was modestly attended. Not sure if that is how their shows normally go, as Worcester and The Cove Music Hall aren't exactly known as a hotbed of original live music. The other two shows the club was advertising the most were a Journey tribute band and a Tool tribute band. It's sad when original rock from the 90's don't draw as well as bands covering hits from the 70's and 90's.

Eli Paperboy Reed featuring Big Daddy Kane - "99 Cent Dreams"

In one of the oddest (and most perfect) pairings of the year, the newest single from Eli Paperboy Reed features a verse by Big Daddy Kane. How did this pairing happen? Big Daddy Kane named Reed as one of his top 10 favorite current singers on Instagram, and the two struck up a friendship. 

Their song together, "99 Cent Dreams," is one of the purest throwbacks I've heard in years. The song is pure Eli Paperboy Reed throwback classic soul, as you'd expect. It calls back to the days of your youth when you'd desperately try to scrounge up 99 cents to buy something from the store, and at that point in your life it's all you really needed. Despite it being a classic sounding soul song, once Kane's verse kicks you'll start daydreaming of the days of the late 80's/early 90's when every song needed to have a rap verse in the middle. This is pure nostalgia in every great possible way.

You can watch the video for "99 Cent Dreams" (which is also packed full of nostalgia) below. You can purchase your copy here. For more on Eli Paperboy Reed, check out his website. For Big Daddy Kane, check out his website.

Forgotten Fridays: Everybody Wants Some: A Loose Interpretation of the Musical Genius of Van Halen

Forgotten Fridays is an occasional feature here at If It’s Too Loud... where we go back and find the lost records of our glory days. We played these on our college radio shows, put them on countless mix tapes, and then forgot they existed. We go back and remind you of their existence, and help decide if they were any good.

I absolutely loved all the tribute albums back in the 90's. This might be one of my absolute favorites. In 1997, Boston label Cherrydisc put out an all Boston tribute to Van Halen. As the title states, some of the covers are much less faithful than others. In fact, legend has it that The Elevator Drops submitted a cover that turned out to not be a Van Halen song. No one realized it until the very last minute and it got pulled. That's how much the people behind this compilation knew about the Van Halen catalog.

We get not one but two versions of "Eruption." The first is The Reverend Ed Broms performing the guitar masturbation classic on a church organ. The second by Crick Diefendorf is played on a banjo (I believe?). Trona's version of "Could This Be Magic?" is much more faithful to the original than I remembered, as the original is basically a swing song. Talking to Animals turn "Everybody Wants Some" into a cocktail party jazz classic. Cherry 2000's "Atomic Punk" is a slinky indie rock song that may be like the original? Not sure, I can't place that song in my Van Halen knowledge. "Why Can't This Be Love?" by Gigolo Aunts takes the Van Hagar original and re-imagines it as the groovy 60's power pop it was truly meant to be. Honkeyball's take on "Take Your Whiskey Home" is exactly what you would expect from a Van Halen tribute album from 1997. Mary Lou Lord tackles the most well known of all Van Halen songs, "Jump," and makes it her own singer/songwriter track in the way only she can. "Feel Your Love" as done by Fuzzy is packed with so much joy you'd expect it to be a Christmas song if it was in the background. Sam Black Church cranks out a version of "Romeo Delight" that could be a SBC original if you didn't know any better.

There are more covers, but these are the highlights. This is a tough one to track down. It's not on Spotify, and only a few songs ended up on YouTube. Your best bet might be buying a physical copy on Amazon. But it's worth it.

Maria Kelly - "june"

Photo by Ryan Shockey Davis

Ireland's Maria Kelly is set to release an EP that chronicles her move from Dublin to Berlin. The first single off of that EP, "june," embodies the uncomfortable feelings associated with a move not just to a new city but a new country. Kelly's voice is absolutely beautiful and will suck you in. It's the instrumentation that is slightly uncomfortable. It's filled with twinkling electronic sounds and just the slightest hints of guitar. While sounding beautiful, it does give the listener a sense of discomfort and anxiety, but it's completely worth listening to.

You can hear "june" below. Maria Kelly's new EP, notes to self, will be released on Veta Records. For more on Maria Kelly, check out her website.

Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers - "Apocalypse Now (& Later)"

I was a bit skeptical when I saw that Laura Jane Grace's solo project, Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers, was releasing a new album on Bloodshot Records. Bloodshot Records is the home of Lydia Loveless, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Banditos, etc, and I wasn't sure how Laura Jane Grace would fit on that label. With "Apocalypse Now (& Later)," she fits in perfectly. The new song isn't fully punk and it isn't fully country or folk, but neither is anyone else on that label. "Apocalypse Now (& Later)" is very reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen. It melds together the two sides of Springsteen (the bombastic classic rock anthems of "Born in the USA" and "Born to Run" with the folk/protest singer of Nebraska. And, seriously... is there anything else that anyone wants besides that?

You can listen to "Apocalypse Now (& Later)" below. Bought to Rot, the new album from Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers, will be out November 9 on Bloodshot Records. You can pre-order the album on Bandcamp. For more on Laura Jane Grace, follow her on Twitter.

Various Artists - Keep Safe Boston | KSB2018 | For Everytown for Gun Safety

Keep Safe Boston has been releasing these amazing and massive charity compilations for a little while now. They bring together a bunch of diverse Boston artists for a different cause each time. Past causes have included Fenway Health and RESPOND, INC, Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention. The latest compilation released back in August [editors note: WHOOPS!] is to raise money for Everytown for Gun Safety.

As for music, KSB2018 is 36 songs and it includes some of our already favorites. Gray Bouchard (Salem Wolves) New Waves it up on "Savin Hill." Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys contribute "War Gospel," which has been a live staple as of late and on subject for the charity. The I Want You's contribution, "The Rise and Fall," tempers down their usual power pop perfection and amps up the funk and noise. And, with any 36 song compilation, there are always new favorites to discover. Horse Mode's "Spaghetti Lee" reminds me of an amazing Pavement/Mogwai show I saw in 1997 by somehow combining both bands into one of the best (mostly) instrumental songs I've heard in years. Baabes crank out a sloppy under two minute punk song with "Gimme Yours." Sam Gelton's "Mercy" feels like a John Carpenter soundtrack attempted to go folk. Ryan Lee Crosby goes a little more traditional folk (but not much) with "The Hustler."

It will be basically impossible for you not to find something you love in Keep Safe Boston's latest compilation. You can get your copy now via Bandcamp for a minimum of $1.00 (or roughly 3 cents per song). For more on Everytown for Gun Safety, check out their website.