illuminati hotties Cover Whitney Houston

Photo via Facebook

Our love of covers is well documented here at If It's Too Loud..., and we have a special love for covers that completely change the meaning of the song. Whitney Houston's beyond classic "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" is a celebratory song. The message seems to be happiness equals wanting to dance with somebody. In the hands of Los Angeles's illuminati hotties the song takes on a more somber and depressing feeling. Instead of celebrating the joy of wanting to dance with somebody, this new take is more about sitting alone and wishing you had somebody to dance with. Whitney Houston and 80's pop purists won't enjoy illuminati hotties's version, but the rest of of will.

You can listen to illuminati hotties do "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" below. The single is available via Tiny Engines. For more on illuminati hotties, check out their Facebook.

The Hussy - "Sorry"

Madison, WI's The Hussy first formed as a duo in 2008 with Bobby (NOBUNNY, Cave Curse) and Heather Hussy (Proud Parents). No idea if they're actually related or if this is like The Ramones, The Queers, or Screeching Weasel. In 2015 they added a third member, Tyler Fassnacht (Fire Heads, Proud Parents). Their press release calls them "trash punk," but judging by their latest single "Sorry," I hear a lot more fuzzed out power pop and just plain ol' rock 'n' roll than anything trashy or punk. When a band does fuzzed out power pop this perfectly, that isn't a bad thing at all. "Sorry" also includes a few flute solos, so prepare yourself for those.

You can listen to "Sorry" below. Looming, the new album from The Hussy, will be out September 27 on Dirtnap Records. You can pre-order the album here. For more on The Hussy, check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp. Current tour dates are below the song.

09/13 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry

09/14 - Madison, WI @ Mickey's Tavern

09/19 - Chicago, IL @ Reed's

09/20 - Springfield, IL @ Dumb Records

09/21 - Fayetteville, AR @ Backspace w/ The Wirms

09/22 - Dalls, TX @ Ruins in Deep Ellum

09/23 - Austin, TX @ Hotel Vegas w/ Xetas

09/24 - New Orleans, LA @ Circle Bar w/ Thelma and the Sleaze

09/25- Hattiesburg, MS @ The Looney Bin

09/26 - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone - Gonerfest 16!

10/11 - Madison, WI @ Crystal Corner Bar - Turkeyfest 10 w/ Vacation

10/12 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall w/ Oh Sees & Prettiest Eyes

10/13 - Detroit, MI @ Outer Limits

10/14 - Cleveland, OH @ Little Rose Tavern

10/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rock Room

10/16 - Washington, D.C. @ Slash/Run w/ Natural Velvet

10/17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Century

10/18 - New York City

10/19 - Stamford, CT @ Boy's Club w/ Jacques Le Coque

10/20 - New Haven, CT @ Three Sheets w/ Jacques Le Coque

10/21 - Boston, MA @ The Greek w/ G Gordon Gritty

10/22 - Providence, RI @ News Cafe

10/23 - Salem, MA @ Front Street Coffee House

10/24 - Montreal, Quebec - Canada @ Quai des brumes

10/25 - Buffalo, NY

10/26 - Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR

Very Good - "Adulthood"

Photo by Sergio Carrasco

For those of us that enjoy off-kilter rock, the latest single from Very Good is a goldmine. The New York City based band has released "Adulthood," which is a rambling, bizarre little six minute song. The vocals on "Adulthood" just sort of drone on and on, very rarely stopping, in a Bob Dylan or Ramblin' Jack Elliott way. But musically? It's a completely different world than those folk legends. It's not quite noise rock, but maybe noise folk rock? Instruments just kind of meander in and out, usually when Sean Cronin decides to take a vocal rest. It's kind of like a less linear Neutral Milk Hotel or a freaky Violent Femmes. Regardless, this is a great weirdo song, if you're into this kinda thing.

You can listen to "Adulthood" below. Adulthood, the upcoming album from Very Good, will be out October 11. You can pre-order the album via Bandcamp. For more on Very Good, check them out on Facebook.

GA-20 - "Lonely Soul"

Photo by John O'Donnell

GA-20 are a Boston based band made up of Pat Faherty and Matthew Stubbs (of Charlie Musselwhite's band and Matthew Stubbs and The Antiguas). The project is a modern version of traditional blues, R&B, and early rock 'n' roll. Their new single, "Lonely Soul," is all of that. It's very heavy on blues and soul, but they also throw in early rock 'n' roll, making "Lonely Soul" very reminiscent of bands like ? and The Mysterians and The Box Tops. From the opening scream, you know this song is going to be a lot more rock 'n' roll than most neo-soul songs out there today.

You can listen to "Lonely Soul" below. Lonely Soul the album will be released October 18 on Karma Chief Records/Colemine Records. You can pre-order the album here. For more on GA-20, check out their website. Current tour dates are below the song.

Sep 06 - Strange Brew Tavern - Manchester, NH 
Sep 07 - Tree House Brewing Company - Charlton, MA
Sep 25 - ONCE Ballroom - Somerville, MA

The Gala - "GIMME GIMME"

Even though they released a full length album just five months ago, Boston's The Gala are back with a new single. "GIMME GIMME" is a burst of old fashioned garage rock with a more modern punk edge. The organ is really what gives the song its vintage feel, but organ always makes me think of 60's style garage rock. Unlike most vintage garage rock, "GIMME GIMME" is all punk fury, but with harmonies and melody. The true hero of the song is Emily Doran's vocals. She straddles the easily ruined line of harmony and punk edge spectacularly, playing equally in both worlds. Just as you think she's about to go too far in either direction, she tears into the other direction in the nick of time.

You can listen to "GIMME GIMME" below. The song is currently available via The Gala's Bandcamp. For more on The Gala, check out their website. 

First Listen: New Releases for 30 August

2/3rds through the year. With that said, not a ton of highlights in what was otherwise a busy week...

Artist: !!!
Album: Wallop
Quick Description: The dance punks back again with another great listen.
Why You Should Listen: They've been the model of consistency for ages.
Overall Thoughts: I love !!! and they can do no wrong. The new album? More of what they do best while still evolving with the times. The lead track is awesome and the album simply flows all the way through. New converts always welcome, but this will not disappoint longtime fans, either.
Recommendation: A favorite for me this week.

Artist: Lana Del Rey
Album: Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Quick Description: Latest from the retro pop songstress.
Why You Should Listen: Lana Del Rey occupies a space all her own.
Overall Thoughts: No one else sounds like Lana Del Ray, and this album might be one of her more accessible efforts. I never quite know what to make of her on a whole, but that is not a bad thing at all – the enigma is part of the whole package, and part of why what she does works so well.
Recommendation: A solid listen.

Artist: Noel Wells
Album: It's So Nice!
Quick Description: Debut album from the actress/comedian.
Why You Should Listen: Don't assume this is another weird passion project from some actor.
Overall Thoughts: We’re fans of Noel Wells in all her endeavors thus far (seriously, Mr. Roosevelt has not been seen by enough people), and this album is the perfect sort of end-of-summer poppy singer-songwriter material that I am looking for. This is played very straight in a lot of ways, and the result of this album is just something I enjoyed from start to finish.
Recommendation: A great album this week.

Artist: Rebecca Lou
Album: Bleed
Quick Description: Aggressive indie rock.
Why You Should Listen: Toes the line between alt and indie rather perfectly.
Overall Thoughts: I liked Rebecca Lou's earlier release, and this as a proper full-length expands on the sound that worked so well starting out. It doesn't throw any real curveballs and doesn't try to be anything it isn't, and that's to its credit. If you're not grabbed by the opening moments of "Not 4 You," I'm not sure what else to say.
Recommendation: Worth your time.

Artist: Dump Him
Album: Dykes to Watch Out For
Quick Description: Solid, classic-sounding punk.
Why You Should Listen: It's what you'd expect from a punk record.
Overall Thoughts: Political, angsty, a little grungy, and at only 23 minutes for 10 songs, this is exactly what I expected from the album going in. A truly good punk record, and there's not much else to say about it.
Recommendation: It's what you think it is, and worth hearing.

Of note:

* Black Belt Eagle Scout - At the Party With My Brown Friends (This is sneaky good.)
* Future Teens - Breakup Season (A lot to like about this band.)
* YACHT - Chain Tripping
* Joan Shelley - Like the River Loves the Sea
* Olivia Jean - Night Owl
* Rosemary Fairweather - Heavenly: A Second Collection of Songs
* Jesse Malin - Sunset Kids
* Whitney - Forever Turned Around

7 Song Albums:

* Spritzer - Not Allowed

EPs:

* Pharmakon - Devour
* Jack Drag - The Summer of Cuts and Bruises
* Salami Rose Joe Louis - Sitting With Thoughts
* Phebe Star - Ice Tea Liberace
* Calicoco - Remnant

Also out:

* Tool - Fear Inoculum (Yep, it's a Tool album.)
* Ezra Furman - Twelve Nudes
* Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Bryce Dessner, Eighth Blackbird - When We Are Inhuman
* Nina Keith - MARANASATI 19111
* Natasha Bedingfield - Roll With Me
* Sheryl Crow - Threads
* Joell Ortiz - Monday

Calicoco - Remnant

Earlier this year I discovered Calicoco's 2018 album Float, and saying I was blown away would be an understatement. It's been a regular on my musical rotation, so I'm thrilled to have a new EP from Calicoco to check out.

Remnant is a gorgeous and simple release. Until I read about the EP, I had no idea these were simply demos recorded on Giana Caliolo's phone and computer. They may be simple, but they all sound like finished products, at least to my amateur ears. It's four songs of simple, modern folk-ish music. If songs like "Market" and "Now I See It All" sound this complete as compelling as solo acoustic demos, I am impatiently looking forward to a proper release to hear these fully fleshed out!

You can listen to "Market" below. Remnant, the new EP from Calicoco, is available now via Dadstache Records. You can get a copy over at Calicoco's Bandcamp. For more on Calicoco, check out their website.

Friday Freebie: Wuzee - Cyanide Bath

It took me a while to figure out why I like Cyanide Bath from Wuzee. The Michigan rapper has a weird, awkward flow that doesn't really sound like anyone else. It was kind of a challenge to listen to. Then I realized: Wuzee has a weird, awkward flow that doesn't really sound like anyone else. And once it clicks with you, you're 100% in for the rest of the album. Plus, the music isn't smooth and mainstream pop like most of hip hop. There's a weirdness and awkwardness to the music, too, the kind you normally only get with indie rock. Wuzee does the kind of hip hop that helped me bridge the worlds of hip hop I listened to in early high school with the alt- and indie rock that defined my college and adult years. It took me a little bit to tune into that, but it's a sound I didn't know I had been missing as much as I was.

You can listen to "Make Yourself God" below. If you enjoy it, you can download the album using the "name your price" option on Bandcamp. If you choose the $0.00 option, make sure to follow Wuzee on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Partner Covers Rush

Partner are one of those bands I love despite not being their target audience. A middle aged straight cis gendered white dad isn't who a self described "Canadian Queer Post Classic Rock" band envisions as their fan. On the other hand, I'm 100% Rush's target audience, even though I've never been a fan. So what happens when Partner covers Rush?

It works shockingly well. Partner normally perform songs that while they may not be novelty songs are at least humorous. I expected a little bit of tongue in cheek on this cover, the kind we used to get in the 90's when a band would do a semi-ironic cover. Partner play "Limelight" completely straight. Maybe because respecting Rush is Canadian law, but according to Partner:

"We watched a documentary about RUSH and we fell in love with the band. They seem like such nice guys. It caused us to hear the music in a new way, with a much deeper appreciation. By doing the cover, we hoped to pay tribute to our newfound appreciation and to expand our horizons as musicians by learning these unique and complex arrangements."

You can watch Partner's take on "Limelight" for Polaris Cover Sessions below. For more on Partner, check out their website. Current tour dates are below, including an American tour with Titus Andronicus. Sadly, there isn't a New England date, because seeing them opening for Titus Andronicus might be the only way I don't stand out as the Creepy Old Guy at one of their shows.

USA supporting TITUS ANDRONICUS

Oct 31 – Deluxx Fluxx, Detroit MI

Nov 01 – Zanzabar, Louisville, KY

Nov 02 – Drkmttr, Nashville TN

Nov 03 - Low Key Arts, Hot Springs AR

Nov 05 - Club Dada, Dallas TX

Nov 06 – Barracuda, Austin TX

Nov 07 – Satellite, Houston TX

Nov 08 – Santos, New Orleans LA

Nov 09 - Alabama Music Box, Mobile AL

Nov 11 – Churchill's, Miami FL

Nov 12 – Crowbar, Tampa FL

Nov 13 - Will's Pub, Orlando FL

Nov 14 - High Dive, Gainesville FL

Nov 15 - The Earl, Atlanta GA

Nov 16 - 40 Watt Club, Athens GA

Nov 17 - Radio Room, Greenville SC

Nov 18 – Mothlight, Asheville NC

Nov 19 - Pinhook, Durham NC

Nov 20 – The Camel, Richmond VA

Nov 21 – Black Cat, Washington DC

Nov 22 – First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia PA

Nov 23 – The Bowery Ballroom, New York NY

CANADA

Nov 28 - The Garrison, Toronto ON

Nov 29 - 27 Club, Ottawa ON

Rosa Bordallo - "Lost on the Coast"

Photo by Varvara Mikushkina

Rosa Bordallo has one of the more interesting bios we've encountered in a while. Born of CHamoru heritage and growing up in Guam, Bordallo moved to New York City at 19 for film school. She has played in post punk band cholo and recorded solo under the name Manett. Her upcoming album is the first under her own name. Her heritage inspires her music, as the indigenous CHamoru have been subjected to brutal occupation by Spanish, Japanese, and American forces. Her move to New York also created an intense sense of distance from her birthplace, both geographically and culturally.

This is reflected in her latest single, "Lost on the Coast." The song is a gorgeously sparse one. Somehow, despite how lo-fi the song and instrumentation is, it's a lush soundscape. It's quiet and lonely, but somehow hopeful. Even though the song is sparse, it has a deceptively complex arrangement. 

You can watch the video for "Lost on the Coast" below. Reef Walker, the upcoming album from Rosa Bordallo, will be out October 18 on Time Castle Recordings. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Rosa Bordallo, check her out on Facebook (which is still under the Manett moniker).