If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Jon Beckley If you've been attending Water Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys shows over the last few months, you'll be familiar with "Dino Domina." The song has been a capital "B" Beast when the band plays it live. It did make an appearance on A Little More Life , their 2018 RPM Challenge album, but compared to the live version the A Little More Life  one felt like a not fully realized demo. Well... we finally have a full official version of "Dino Domina," and it's mind blowing. The song is pure intensity. It might just be the loudest, most aggressive of all of Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys's recordings. But, since it's Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys, it's also hip destroyingly funky. It somehow melds metal, hip hop, punk, and artsy noise rock all into one of the most unique musical experiences around. You can watch the video for "Dino Domina" below. I would highly recommen...

For whatever reason, The Misfits are a band that I've just never connected with. I've never been able to figure it out, since in theory I should adore them, but their music has just never worked for me. But, strangely, I love Misfits covers. Obviously, I need to share this three songs release from Orange Hell. Put out by Funeral Party (naturally...), Orange Hell are a band that is anonymous, but are known outside of the name Orange Hell. Instead of aping the sound of The Misfits and cranking out yet another note for note rendition of these songs, they go in a different direction and slow them way down into fuzzed out, almost plodding, dream pop songs. You get these completely delightful, if mopey, songs that you're used to hearing fast and loud. You can listen to Orange Hell's version of "Skull" below. You can get your own copy of Orange Hell's EP via Funeral Party's Bandcamp . For more on Funeral Party, check out the label's website . Orang...

Some great stuff this week. Album of the Week : Artist : Antarctigo Vespucci Album : Love in the Time of E-Mail Quick Description : Manic, amazing power pop. Why You Should Listen : You've loved Jeff Rosenstock up to now. Overall Thoughts : A few years back I tripped up on Jeff Rosenstock’s album Worry and pretty much fell hard for it. Antarctigo Vespucci is a power pop duo featuring Rosenstock and Chris Farren, both of which are contemporaries/colleagues of blog favorite Laura Stevenson, and this weird incestuous mishmash of singers and styles comes up with this amazingly awesome and manic and catchy and hooky and abrasive record that is easily one of the best of the week and might just be one of the better releases of the year. We’ll see, but this shouldn’t be missed. Recommendation : A wonderful listen this week. Artist : Eliza Shaddad Album : Future Quick Description : Solid indie singer-songwriter stuff. Why You Should Listen : This has broad appeal and some ...

Photo by Khoi Huynh The latest single from San Francisco's Karla Kane was co-written by one of her musical heroes, Martin Newell. "Goodguy Sun" combines the feel of sunny California and the melancholia of England. It has a very orchestral, almost show tune quality to it, and reminds me a ton of Ben Folds (particularly his collaboration with Nick Hornby) and Nellie McKay. "Goodguy Sun" has a wistful, melodic feel, and just enough darkness hidden inside of optimistic melodies to keep it interesting. You can listen to "Goodguy Sun" below. The song can be purchased as a single via Bandcamp . For more on Karla Kane, check out her website . Goodguy Sun by Karla Kane & The Corner Laughers

I first discovered the Descendents way back in 1997. I was in college, and their video for "I'm the One" was on 120 Minutes . I saw them in Northampton, MA at that year's Warped Tour, completely oblivious to the fact that I was seeing legends, and that I'd go twenty one years without seeing them again. Since Milo returned to the band full time in 2016, I couldn't get in when they played their show at the Sinclair for Converse, the show at Royale sold out too fast, and their Providence show just didn't work out. When I saw they were playing Worcester, the city in MA closest to my home that has shows, I knew I had to go. Saturday night at the Palladium in Worcester brought out a diverse crowd. I don't believe there were original fans from the 80's, but lots of people that discovered them in the 90's were there. Plus, there were a lot of kids that probably consider Blink 182 to be old school punk. Being over forty, I situated myself at the bac...

Store Front either met in the most or least punk rock way, depending on your perspective. Back in 2013, Peggy Wang was working an office job while playing bass in The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. She heard someone in the office singing The Replacements and met writer Amy Rose Spiegel. The two started writing songs together, and five years later have formed Store Front and are releasing their debut single.  To keep the band forming in an office vibe going, "Go for Broke" is about living in New York City and trying to pay your rent while still having a creative outlet. Musically, "Go for Broke" reminds me of 90's bands that are now reclassified as dream pop like Belly or Lush, but a more upbeat version of those bands. Plus, even before I read their bio and saw that Spegel was a writer the song had a literary feel to it. You can listen to "Go for Broke" below. The single is available now on Store Front's Bandcamp . For more on Store Front, chec...

I love Halloween, but even I think I may have gone a bit too far on this year's If It's Too Loud... Halloween playlist. Starting on November 1, 2017, I started a playlist and tossed just about any song I thought would be good for a Halloween playlist on it. What we end up with is a forty five song, nearly three hour playlist. Just about every style of music we cover is included on this. You get indie rock legends (Luna, Buffalo Tom, Lee Ranaldo), heavier artists (The Jesus Lizard, Clutch, Faith No More), Americana/roots (Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Lucero, Murder By Death), current indie rockers (Caroline Rose, Melkbelly, A Place to Bury Strangers), some hip hop (Mr. Lif, Cypress Hill), and a whole lot more. It's perfect for this weekend's Halloween parties (which is why we aren't waiting until Monday) and to listen to while you hand out candy on Wednesday. Enjoy!

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 really miss these cover song compilations from the 90's. Back in 1992,  Freedom Of Choice (Yesterday's New Wave Hits As Performed By Today's Stars)  was put together to as a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood. As the title says, it's "Yesterday's New Wave Hits As Performed By Today's Stars." Well, by stars they mean indie rock stars, and this one does have some of 1992's finest indie rockers contributing. It also has a bunch of artists I've never heard of outside of this compilation, but I'll focus on what I find to be the highlights.  I'm always going to lean towards any contribution from Sonic Youth. Here they...

Mountain Man (the formerly from VT now from NC folk trio, not the Worcester, MA metal band of the same name) are kind of a forgotten favorite here at If It's Too Loud... They popped back up into our radar with an Everly Brothers cover for the Our First Hundred Days project before finally releasing a new album last month. Now they are back with a trio of covers for Aquarium Drunkard's The Lagniappe Sessions. It's an interesting assortment of songs from Kasey Musgrave ("Slow Burn"), Neil Young ("Through My Sails"), and Fiona Apple ("Hot Knife"). Mountain Man truly make each song completely their own with their blend of quiet harmony based folk. Fiona Apple's "Hot Knife" is completely reimagined as an a cappella song, with Mountain Man's voices swirling around each other. For someone who loves cover songs, these three are a true treasure. You can hear Mountain Man's The Lagniappe Sessions over at American Drunkard . For m...

Photo by CJ Harvey We don't typically cover new video releases if the song has been out for a while, but as always there are the occasional exceptions. "Jeannie Becomes a Mom," the latest video from Caroline Rose's excellent 2018 release LONER, is the type of video that just doesn't get made any more. It reflects what is truly great about Caroline Rose's current sound: It's both insanely fun and serious, and has a strong DIY feel while still looking/sounding great. The song itself is about not being able to outrun time. Rose has this to say about the song/video: “Jeannie was my first foray into making really fun, sort of weird pop music. I wrote the whole song, including the programmed drums, on a little digital synthesizer called the OP-1. It felt like a relief making something that still told a serious story but tasted like candy to my ears. It's a direction I'm definitely going to keep exploring.  The story, like life, is meant to be a kin...

Normally when an artist realizes that their classic album is twenty years old, they release a deluxe reissue with every version of songs ever recorded, rarities we already bought on UK only singles, and maybe a live cut or two just to make sure to squeeze every last dime out of us (and with the music industry being what it is, can we blame them?) Not Matt Pond PA. This is the twentieth anniversary of their debut album Deer Apartments , so they're just giving it away as a free download. For some reason I have never delved this far back into Matt Pond PA's catalog, and I somehow missed this back in my college radio days, but Deer Apartments is simply brilliant. While there is still the fantastic hook filled songwriting rooted in Tom Petty style Americana, it's all immersed in a heaping helping of late 90's indie rock. I'm pretty embarrassed this is my first listen of this album.  You can download Deer Apartments for free over at Matt Pond PA's website . Of cou...

The latest song from Boston's Daisybones is a weird little mix of power pop and indie rock. Typically power pop is associated with a huge sound made specifically for arenas or at least large theaters, and sure, "Beautymark" does have a big sound. But somehow it's a big sound in a lo-fi kinda way. Plus, there's a slightly odd, not quite quirky late 90's feel to it that reminds me of bands like Cornershop. For a little added 90's feel, listen for lyrics like    “I'm such a narcissist, I love the way I hate myself.”  It's a great huge while still feeling grounded sound we highly recommend.  You can listen to "Beautymark" below. Gold , the new album from Daisybones, will be out November 9. For more information on Daisybones, be sure to check out their Facebook and Bandcamp . Gold by daisybones

Photo by Georgie Craw Adding to the insane amount of great music coming from New Zealand lately is Tiny Ruins. "Olympic Girls" is squarely planted in our current favorite genre of music: Equally in the worlds of both indie rock and neo-Americana. There are strong elements of roots music, but the instrumentation pulls it away from folk a bit and indie the realm of indie rock. It also includes just the slightest hints of Celtic music, particularly in Hollie Fullbrook's vocals. It's generally a straightforward song with these odd and interesting flourishes that keep sucking you right in. You can watch the video for "Olympic Girls" below. Olympic Girls , the album, will be released on February 1 via Ba Da Bing. It's Tiny Ruins's third album but first American release, and can be pre-ordered here . For more on Tiny Ruins, check out their website .

A fairly busy week again. Album of the Week : Artist : Carly Dow Album : Comet Quick Description : Deliberate and meaningful folk music. Why You Should Listen : Carly Dow is a name you should know, and is a name I hope becomes more well-known. Overall Thoughts : A friend for another publication turned me onto this one (link) and it’s a really solid, workmanlike folk record. Hints of a lot of different influences and song structures throughout make this a really enjoyable listen with a lot going for it. I feel like we haven’t had a roots record come out as of late that is this good, so put it in the rotation- it’s probably going to end up as your favorite listen this week. Recommendation : Best of the week by far. Artist : Wolf Girl Album : Every Now and Then Quick Description : New indie rock with some lo-fi flair. Why You Should Listen : Feels like those great early indie records of 15 years ago. Overall Thoughts : A favorite this week, this is a great, semi-lo-fi a...

Photo by Shervin Lainez I'm beginning to love Spotify's Singles Sessions. They typically feature an artist performing one of their own songs followed by a cover. As I'm sure you know, we love covers here at If It's Too Loud..., and considering we love Rayland Baxter and The Kinks, we're obligated to tell you about Rayland Baxter covering The Kinks. (Oddly enough, this is the second cover of The Kinks's "Strangers" we've brought you this year, the first being from Major Murphy .) Baxter's version is completely true to the original, with just the slightest hint of his country/folk sound. We're pretty sure if you're into either Rayland Baxter or The Kinks, you're going to want to hear this. And since you're obviously a fan of both, it's completely a must hear. You can listen to Rayland Baxter's version of "Strangers" below. For more on Rayland Baxter, check out his website . 

When a band calls their song "If You're Gonna Drive, I'm Gonna Drink," no matter what style of music they play, you know exactly what you're going to hear. Leland Sundries might not normally play old school honky tonk style country, but "If You're Gonna Drive, I'm Gonna Drink" certainly fits that. The song does go off into an unexpected 90's alternative by way of The Beach Boys towards the end, so it does remind me a bit of Cracker's country output.  What is strange is that you would expect a b-side called "Lone Prairie" would be more of the same, but while it does have some country elements, it's much more straightforward alt-rock. It's the kind of 90's alt-rock that was heavily country based and influenced even though none of us could or would recognize or admit that back then. You can listen to "If You're Gonna Drive, I'm Gonna Drink" below. The latest single from Leland Sundries is availab...

After listening to the newest single from Wargirl, I was surprised to find out they are from Long Beach, CA. Their sound is more English, or at least New York than outside of Los Angeles. "Poison" is a slinky disco meets post punk song. It's a really unique sound that they credit from being from Long Beach. According to guitarist Matt Wignall:  “No matter whether you see us or hear us, we always come across as a diverse bunch: ethnically as well as in terms of gender and preferences. However, whilst this may be considered colourful elsewhere, in Long Beach it is totally normal. Nobody else sounds like us, and yet we sound like the environment we come from.” Wargirl also credits The Clash's Sandinista! as a major influence, which makes perfect sense. You can watch the video for "Poison" below. Wargirl's self titled debut album will be released on October 26 on Clouds Hill. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Wargirl, check them out on Twitte...

As I mentioned earlier this week, we don't cover a whole lot of heavy music here at If It's Too Loud..., so when we do, you know it's because we really like it. Massachusetts's SkyTigers are one of those bands we can get into. Their debut EP, Appetite for Reconstruction , is a five song burst of thrashy heavy metal meets hardcore punk. I would simply classify it as hardcore, but the guitar solos are too epic to just be called hardcore. Plus, they somehow have some great pop punk harmonies hidden in the noise. Normally this is something I hate, but SkyTigers prove that heavy music can have hooks.  You can listen to "Knuckleduster" below. SkyTigers's EP, Appetite for Reconstruction , is available now for free on Bandcamp . If you choose zero for the "name your price" option, at least give them a follow on social media. You can find them on Facebook here . Appetite for Reconstruction by SkyTigers

Photo by Aaron Blakely Shogun and The Sheets are the new project from Royal Headache's Shogun. Hailing from Sydney, their debut single, "Hold On Kid," is a rollicking throwback to the early 2000's garage rock revival, albeit a synth heavy version. It also includes a heavy dose of soul, coming across like an amped up version of ? and the Mysterians.  While "Hold On Kid" is the A-side, I really have to mention the B-side, "Pissing Blood." "Pissing Blood" starts off like a garage rock Black Sabbath before it morphs into a noisy, guitar heavy soul ballad. I personally think this should be the A-side, but it could just be me. You can listen to "Hold On Kid" and "Pissing Blood" below. Shogun and The Sheet's debut 7" is available now on What's Your Rupture?, and can be ordered via Bandcamp . For more on Shogun and The Sheets, check out their website .  Hold On Kid B/W Pissing Blood by Shogun And The Shee...

Photo by Alex Muro It's rare to find a band that has an original take on traditional folk while still staying traditional. "Between Two Nighttimes Lightning" from Albany's Neighborhood of Make Believe has that feel to it. The band utilizes accordion and brass instruments instead of the typical string instruments, which gives the song a modern take (their press release calls this Neo-gypsy, and I'd have to agree). The song seems to ramble naturally in whichever direction it felt like going in. While most music feels controlled, "Between Two Nighttimes Lightning" feels like it just happened and this recording is merely a document of that occurrence. You can listen to "Between Two Nighttimes Lightning" below. Two Nighttimes , the debut album from Neighborhood of Make Believe, will be out November 12 on Five Kill Records. You can pre-order your copy on Bandcamp . For more on Neighborhood of Make Believe, check out their website . Two Nightti...

Sorry for two weeks of quick hits in a row - I was out of town at a wedding, so I was unable to do as much prep. Should be back on course next week. Must-Listens : * Dusty Stray - Estranged * K Michelle Dubois - Harness * The Watson Twins - Duo * Yowler - Black Dog in My Path * Arc Iris - Icon of Ego * Anna St. Louis - If Only There Was a River * Matthew Dear - Bunny Of note : * Adwaith - Melyn * John Hiatt - The Eclipse Sessions * Tom Morello - The Atlas Underground (very polarizing) * Ben Katzman's DeGreaser - Quarter Life Crisis * The Persian Leaps - Pop That Goes Crunch * Haley - Pleasureland * Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Rocket * Jess Glynne - Always In Between EPs : * Young Jesus - The Whole Thing is Just Here * Live - Local 717 * Alexa Melo - Mute EP Also out : * Blues Traveler - Hurry Up & Hang Around * Tom Robbins and Ben Lee - B is for Beer: The Musical * Django Django - Marble Skies * Young the Giant - Mirror Master * Elvi...

It's very rare that two artists with two of my favorite albums of the year tour together, but when that happens I know I have to go out, even if it's a late night show on a work night. Obviously this is what happened when I saw that Molly Burch and Olden Yolk were playing together at the ultra-tiny Lilypad. Olden Yolk played first as a duo. They invited the crowd to move forward and sit on the floor, creating an even more intimate experience. Olden Yolk are a quiet, mellow band, and are even more so as a duo, so luckily the crowd was impeccably attentive without any chatter. I forgot just how great their debut album from earlier this year was. "Gamblers On a Dime" and "Vital Sign" could not have sounded more perfect. Sometimes quieter indie rock/folk doesn't translate live, but for Olden Yolk it couldn't have been more of an ideal setting. I saw Molly Burch back in 2017 opening for Sallie Ford. The past year has seen her grow as a performer. On...

We're always happy to bring you any new music from Spirit Family Reunion, and we're especially happy when it's a particularly great song, and a cover! "It Isn't Nice" was originally written by Malvina Reynolds ("Little Boxes") in 1963 and arranged by Barbara Dane & The Chambers Brothers in 1966. In 2018 it's been updated by Spirit Family Reunion. It's a song extolling the virtues of protest, saying that while most forms of protest may not be considered "nice," sometimes you need to not be nice. The updated portion is very obvious with lyrics that include " They separate children at the Mexican border / And shoot our good neighbors for driving while black." I don't think there is any current band that is more perfectly suited to updating a classic folk protest song like this than Spirit Family Reunion are. The band says about the song: Dear Friends, Much of the misery, suffering and exploitation that is so pa...

We don't cover a ton of metal here at If It's Too Loud..., so when we do you know it's something we really like. New Hampshire's LIZZY have cracked our code. They've just released a four song EP that clocks in at twenty four minutes long. Dirty War Machine is this great mixture of a few of our favorite styles of metal. It has a lot of the feeling of the plodding side of Black Sabbath, the sludge of the Melvins, the groove of early Queens of the Stone Age, and the insane noise bursts of Lightning Bolt, all in the same song. The album opener, "Get High or Die / The Death of Sun Tzu," takes nearly five minutes to fully kick in, but when the drums start it's fully worth it. "Noise Parade / Spina Bifida" careens wildly from spastic metal to sludgy drudgery and back again. Metal may not be our usual genre of choice, but we can't recommend LIZZY enough. You can listen to "Noise Parade / Spina Bifida" below. Dirty War Machine is ava...

We're absolutely thrilled to bring you the premier of the new single for "Spiders," the new song from Brooklyn's Forever House. Forever House started off in the world of improvisation, jazz, and classical music. Whatever you have in your head, you should just throw that out completely, because whatever you picture I can pretty much guarantee that they sound nothing like that. (Vocalist Meaghan Burke does play a cello, but that's where the similarities end.) Instead "Spiders" is this absolutely insane blast of what they call "sloppy-math/avant-grunge," maniacally careening between intense quiet parts and explosive bursts of noise before going into a bizarro crooner-esque mode. James Moore's guitars remind me of The Jesus Lizard and Pete Wise's drumming reminds me of Steve Shelley at some points. It's a crazy intense sound that we can't highly recommend enough. You can listen to "Spiders" below. Eaves , the debut alb...