Jackson+Sellers - "Waste Your Time"

Photo by Ashley Osborne

At certain points, I feel like the duo of Jackson+Sellers (Jade Jackson and Aubrie Sellers) might be too mainstream. And a song like "Waste Your Time" is really, really poppy. But, I think that might be the fact that Jackson+Sellars both have mainstream vocal chops. They could probably make it pretty far on one of those singing shows on the TV. But "Waste Your Time" is this great meld of country, pop, and grunge. Seriously, it's fantastic vocals and guitars that are filled with distorted fuzz and twang at the very same time. And it even ends with a killer distorted guitar solo at the end that would make J Mascis proud.

Jade Jackson says of the new song:

“Waste Your Time was my heart's way of ringing out the last few drops of a toxic relationship. When I started strumming the chords and scribbling down the lyrics I was in a place of weakness. After I put the pencil down and finished the song I felt strong again. It helped me move on.”

You can listen to "Waste Your Time" below. Breaking Point is due out October 22 on Anti- Records. You can pre-order/pre-save a copy here. For more on Jackson+Sellers check out the duo's website.

Lorne Behrman - "When I Hit the Floor"

Photo by Alex Bershaw

NYC's Lorne Behrman is formerly of The Dimestore Haloes, L.E.S. Stitches, The Dead Tricks, and The Sweet Things. He's recently released his debut solo single, "When I Hit the Floor." This new track is just pure rock 'n' roll. It's a clean sounding rock song that could have been huge in the 1980's. The speak-singing lyrics are reminiscent of Tom Petty, and musically it's not too far off from classic Heartbreakers. The song may be a smoother rock song, but you can still hear plenty of grit they didn't quite clean up.

Lorne Behrman tells the story behind the new song:

“'When I Hit The Floor' is about substance abuse; it’s about hitting bottom. Consequences come and go, and you stop caring. You scare people away or alienate them by your actions. They worry about you, but then let go. All these feelings closed in on me when I was in my daughter’s room during the time of writing the song. 

"Before I got sober, every night I would go to bed I would pray to God to take my life. I didn’t want to wake up. I hoped everything I ingested would take me away. I remember one time my daughter said something about me dying; she said “you would never see me again.” That is etched in my mind, and is one of the lyrics in the song. It took a minute to clean up, but on November 30th 2019 I became sober. The chorus in this song is about the faith you find when you fall down the stairs and you’re still alive. It’s sad but triumphant—you come to the edge of the cliff but you don’t jump. Instead, you change the course of your life."

You can watch the video for "When I Hit the Floor" below. When I Hit the Floor is due out October 15 on Spaghetty Town Records. For more on Lorne Behrman, check out the artist's website.

First Listen: New Releases and Music We Missed for 13 August 2021

Another slowish week, so playing a little more catch-up.

Artist: Watchhouse
Album: Watchhouse
Quick Thoughts: Watchhouse is the former Mandolin Orange, a band we love around these parts. The Americana duo has always been consistent, and this rebranding of the name doesn't impact the quality of the music at all. This is really just rock solid Americana with some near-perfect execution, and continues along the trajectory they've set over the years. A favorite this week, for certain.
Songs of Note: "Better Way," "New Star"

Artist: Liz Bills
Album: Liz Bills & the Change
Quick Thoughts: This is a rootsy, soul-tinged affair from a Massachusetts musician that deserves some attention. Liz Bills has an impressive voice and knows how to put a song together, and when it all comes together perfectly, it's hard not to fall for it. I didn't know Liz Bills before Ken sent this one over to me, and I appreciate the introduction - I'll absolutely be coming back for more.
Songs of Note: "Somebody Else," "Gasoline," "Come Back Down to Me"

Artist: El Michels Affair and Liam Bailey
Album: Ekundayo Inversions
Quick Thoughts: So I don't know Liam Bailey at all, but I'm going to look him up now. A singer-songwriter from the UK, he aligned with Leon Michels of El Michels Affair for his previous records (including 2020's Ekundayo, released on Michels's label), and this record is basically a reimagination of the album with the sort of retro buffet El Michels Affair offers. This is truly great, and while I'm looking forward to going back to the original album to see what I missed, I do wonder if this version of it will be the one that sticks with me for the long term.
Songs of Note: "Conquer and Divide," "Angel Face," "Walk With Me," "Ugly Truths," "Superstar"

Artist: Suzie Ungerleider
Album: My Name is Suzie Ungerleider
Quick Thoughts: I had thought this was a new act for me, but I learned after the fact that Suzie Ungerleider previously performed as Oh Suzanna and had a number of solid alt-country albums. This new release is definitely a quieter, more folky affair, and while I don't know whether that's from coming out from behind a pen name or a recent change of pace, but it's still a favorite of the week. She's rebooting her image, and there's no better time to hop onto this particular bandwagon.
Songs of Note: "Summerbaby," "Baby Blues," "Sweet Little Sparrow"

Artist: girlhouse
Album: the girlhouse ep
Quick Thoughts: Wanted to highlight this one in particular as it was a really fun indie rock record with pretty much no filler. With only six tracks, I kept getting surprised and really wanted more when it was all said and done. girlhouse is a name I'll be keeping in mind in the future, because there's nothing but upside here. Make time for this one.
Songs of Note: "pretty girl in la," "loaded gun"

Artist: Josienne Clarke
Album: A Small Unknowable Thing
Quick Thoughts: A lot to love about this folky singer-songwriter effort. I can't recall how I tripped up on this, but it has so many solid songs throughout that I really loved so I had to give it a highlight here. It has a softness to it that's unexpected, and some catchy points throughout that make it worth the time. Don't miss out on this one.
Songs of Note: "Like This," "Sit Out"

Of note:

* The Cocker Spaniels - The Cocker Spaniels Are Still Alive, and So Are You (Lots of good power pop in here.)
* Recognize Ali and Bronze Nazareth - Season of the Seven (Solid rap tunes.)
* Joshua Burnside - Higher Places (Raw roots.)
* Pomplamoose - Impossible à Prononcer (French-language album from the internet superstars.)
* Lovelorn - What's Yr Damage (Super heavy with some really incredible moments.)
* Typhoid Rosie - Queen of Swords
* Jade Bird - Different Kinds of Light
* The Harmony Motel - Topical Depression
* Hate Club - Tightly Wound
* Spud Cannon - Good Kids Make Bad Apples
* Joy Orbison - still slipping vol. 1
* Andrew Hung - Devastations
* Quicksand - Distant Populations
* Wednesday - Twin Plagues
* Devendra Banhart and Noah Georgeson - Refuge
* Magic Castles - Sun Reign
* Bendigo Fletcher - Fits of Laughter
* Proud Father - The View of Earth From Mars

EPs:

* Little Hag - Breakfast (A delightfully nsfw offering.)
* Gabbo - Gabbo
* Double Star - Say Something Now
* Lila Blue - Not Yet
* Morly - Eilogy
* Jackie Hayes - There's Always Going To Be Something
* Tristan Arp - Alternate Looking Glass
* Kalie Shorr - I Got Here By Accident
* MALINDA - The Folks I Love
* Brin, Dntel, More Eaze - Futurangelics
* 808 State - The Extended Pleasure of Dance

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Dustbowl Revival - Is It You, Is It Me (Deluxe Edition)
* Khruangbin - Mordechai Remixes

Also out:

* Dill the Giant - WEED MAN SON
* Iggy Azalea - The End of an Era

Hayley and the Crushers - "She Drives"

Photo by Thomas Ignatius

For their latest single, "glitter trash punks" Hayley and the Crushers crank up the glitter part of their description. "She Drives" is pure 60's shimmery pop. It couldn't possibly get more bubblegum pop than this song. I've previously compared them to Letters to Cleo joins the Warped Tour, and the Letters to Cleo comparison sticks on this new one, but more Go! than before. It's a fun pop song with just enough of Hayley and the Crushers' punk edge to keep it interesting.

As with any great pop song, the bubblegum sound does mask a much less cheery story. Hayley Crusher Cain explains the story behind the song:

"I wrote 'She Drives' in the bathtub, after getting a stressed-out call from a friend who had just had a massive fight with her partner. This friend of mine is known to drive like a bat out of hell on a normal day. But after this particular fight, she drove and just kept driving, eventually ending up in Malibu. I was inspired by the idea that we can't outrun our worst feelings, but it sure is human nature to try.” 

You can watch the video for "She Drives" below. The song is currently available as a single via Kitten Robot Records. You can get a copy of the single here. For more on Hayley and the Crushers, check out the band's website.

BettySoo Covers Rodney Crowell

While stuck in quarantine like the rest of us, Nobody's Girl's BettySoo turned to music. She chose songs that reminded her of the before times, and one of those songs was Rodney Crowell's 1978 song "Ain't Living Long Like This." BettySoo's version of the song is very faithful to Crowell's original. The only real difference is a 2021 version is going to have slicker production than a song from 1978, and hers is just a little more pop than Crowell's. Covers of classic 70's country are always welcome here at If It's Too Loud..., particularly if they're as great as this one.

In a press release, BettySoo talks about her connection to the original song from Rodney Crowell: “I can't remember when I actually first heard Rodney Crowell's songs as Rodney Crowell's songs, but I also can’t remember a time songs like ‘Ashes by Now’ and ‘Shame on the Moon’ didn’t exist.”  

You can listen to BettySoo's version of "Ain't Living Long Like This" below. For more information on BettySoo, check out the artist's website.

Alanna Royale - "Fall In Love Again"

Photo by Angelina Castillo

We've been all in on the current neo-soul movement, particularly releases from Colemine Records. The latest single from the label is from Alanna Royale. "Fall In Love Again" is exactly what we expect from Colemine. It's classic soul with just a modern touch to it. Sure, it's a throwback, but not completely. Soul just has that timeless quality to it naturally that "Fall In Love Again" could have been recorded any time in the past fifty years, except for the smoother, modern production. The showcase in the song is Royale's vocals, and for good reason. Her voice is just suited to this style of music, and her backing band complements her perfectly. The song has been designed to her voice impeccably. 

You can listen to "Fall In Love Again" below. The single is available now via Colemine Records. You can get a digital copy here. For more on Alanna Royale, check out the artist's website.

(Green River) Festival Friday (on a Monday) - Bella White

With the Green River Festival returning August 27-29, we're going to highlight some of the lesser known artists playing that we're most excited to see. The bottom of the poster at any festival contains some gems you don't want to miss, and especially so this year at Green River!

If you've been paying any attention to If It's Too Loud... over the past few months, you've probably noticed that I've become completely enamored with the music of Bella White. The twenty year old artist originally from Calgary but now Nashville based does this amazing blend of classic mixed with modern Americana. Her vocals are completely mesmerizing, and even if you just kinda like folk or bluegrass her 2020 album, Just Like Leaving, is going to quickly become an all time favorite. Pus, she's been releasing a series of bedroom recorded covers, which are totally our thing here. She's just such a compelling performer, and I've been excited to one day see her perform, so I was thrilled to see she was playing Green River Festival this year.

When Green River released their schedule last week, I was a little disappointed to see that Bella White was opening on the main stage. It's a tough slot, with many festival attendees not having arrived, and the majority of the ones that have still milling around and trying to get their bearings. However, if anyone is going to get them to pay attention, it's going to be White. Upon further examination of the schedule, and I was thrilled. White will also be playing the Artifact Cider Stage at 6:40 pm, meaning I'll be able to see her perform twice in the same day!

Bella White is playing Saturday at the Green River Festival. Unfortunately, only Sunday tickets remain, but you can purchase yours and get more info at www.greenriverfestival.com. 

Calicoco - "Underneath"

As thrilled as we were with Calicoco's last single, "Heal Me," last month, their latest may just surpass the last one. "Underneath" is an epic. Despite coming in at just over four minutes in length, it just feels longer. It's a huge indie rocker with Calicoco's 60's crooner vocals edging it just ever so slightly into pop territory. That's truly simply because their vocals are just so compelling and irresistible that you're going to be mesmerized, even as the music may try to repel you with dissonance. This kind of giant song is going to have us preaching on the Calicoco bandwagon even more than we have been in the past.

You can watch the video for "Underneath" below. Underneath is due out September 3 on Dadstache Records. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on Calicoco, check out the artist's Facebook and Twitter.

Carissa Johnson - "Wasting Dreams"

Photo by Jaina Cipriano

In a recent Facebook post, Carissa Johnson says that her upcoming album "... might be my synthiest one yet but it's also the most hardcore." The Boston singer/songwriter isn't wrong. "Wasting Dreams" is dripping with synths while still being an organic sounding rock song. Johnson has always had this amazing talent for crafting pop rock songs that still have enough of an attitude and an edge to be straight up rockers. Somehow "Wasting Dreams" sounds both rough and smooth. It's both pop and punk without being even remotely pop punk. If this new single reflects what's on the rest of the album, Carissa Johnson isn't going to be our little secret in the Boston area for much longer.

You can watch the video for "Wasting Dreams" below. Blue Hour is due out November 12 on A Diamond Heart Production. You can pre-order the album here. For more on Carissa Johnson, check out the artist's website.

Little Hag - Breakfast

I spent last week with my family in the Asbury Park area of New Jersey enjoying the sun, ocean, the boardwalk, Korean tacos from MOGO, and donuts from Purple Glaze. While I was there, Little Hag released a new EP. I was excited to check out the songs on Breakfast as soon as they came out, but as soon as they were released I realized that this might not be family listening as the three songs are entitled "Piss," "Blood", and "Cum." 

But, titles aside, Breakfast is phenomenal. "Piss" is a weirdo little alt-pop song that will infect your brain fully and have you subconsciously singing "The world is my toilet." "Blood" may be Little Hag's finest song yet. It's intensely confessional song that shows the pop side of indie rock, but in a cheery, heartfelt way. "Cum" is what Laura Stevenson would sound like in Bizarro World. And I mean that in a great way.

You can watch the video for "Piss" below. Breakfast is available now via Bar None Records. For more on Little Hag, check out the artist's Linktree.