If It's Too Loud...

Album of the Week : Artist : Fox Face Album : Spoil and Destroy Quick Description : Solid, energetic punk rock. Why You Should Listen : You're looking for something a little more authentic. Overall Thoughts : There has been no lack of female-fronted punk acts as of late, and Foxface definitely comes across as the rawest of the batch so far. It reminds me a lot of Be Your Own Pet, except it feels more authentic? And then I was won over for good with their take on “Toxic,” which was awesome. So this was a favorite of this week, and I can't wait to dive back in. Recommendation : Good for everyone, great for punk fans. Artist : Mark "Porkchop" Holder Album : Death and the Blues Quick Description : Garage-influenced blues rock. Why You Should Listen : Another authentic-sounding listen. Overall Thoughts : This is just a really fun, really solid blues rock record. Definitely some garage elements here, and would have really fit right in 15 years ago but work...

I can't tell you how good it feels to have a week jam-packed with new releases AND have them all be high-quality releases from top to bottom. Everyone can find a winner from this week's offerings. Andrew Jackson Jihad - Christmas Island : I'm a fairly recent convert to Andrew Jackson Jihad, a band that combines the melodic/instrumental sensibilities of The Mountain Goats with the best irreverent parts of the anti-folk movement. Christmas Island is their fifth album, and it's certainly their most ambitious from a musical level with a lot of the same craziness of their previous. Leadoff track and single "Temple Grandin" is a fuzzed out blast, and the album continues along a bit of a madcap vein throughout. I fully recognize that this band isn't for everyone (my wife in particular is displeased with them in general), but if this is truly your thing, you're in for a treat. Fujiya and Miyagi - Artificial Sweeteners : I first heard Fujiya and Miyagi...