If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Cheekface Album : Emphatically No. Quick Description : I don't know how to describe this, exactly... Why You Should Listen : ...but it's awesome. Overall Thoughts : This is an odd one. It appears we missed their 2019 debut, and that's too bad because this album is kind of amazing. The delivery is so deadpan and matter-of-fact, the songs quite the story, and it just works in a way it shouldn't? That's not a knock against it - this album made me laugh a few times and I'm excited to get back to it. "'Listen to Your Heart.' 'No.'" is the lead track, and you'll know pretty quickly whether this works for you the way it did for me. Recommendation : Truly an acquired taste, but one I loved. Artist : Harmony Byrne Album : Heavy Doors Quick Description : Gorgeous singer-songwriter music from Australia. Why You Should Listen : Something about this album grabbed me from the very start. Overall Thoughts : We missed this on...

Photo via Facebook Milwaukee Record has a monthly video series called "Public Domain" where they have local musicians perform songs in the public domain. The latest has Fox Face covering the standard "There'll Be Some Changes Made." The song was published back in 1921 and has been recorded by musicians such as Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett. Obviously Fox Face are quite different from those other artists, with their current take on riot grrrl and punk. Fox Face absolutely destroy their version, making it completely their own. It's loud, angry, and more than a little metal at times. I'm honestly not familiar with earlier versions of this song at all, but I hope it ends up sticking around for Fox Face. You can watch Fox Face perform "There'll Be Some Changes Made" below. For more on Fox Face, be sure to check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp .

Fox Face isn't made for me. Hell, I just discovered they share a name with a character from The Hunger Games. This isn't meant for middle aged men with kids and mortgages. But the original wave of riot grrrl wasn't meant for me, either, and I still loved it. Fox Face is just pure raw aggression and true anger. With song titles like "Nasty Woman" and "I Believe in Science," there is no question who their anger is directed at. Fox Face get a key element of riot grrrl right that a lot of people miss: Despite the anger and aggression in any song from that genre, there is still a sense of fun. They may want to kick someone's teeth in, but they're going to mock them mercilessly first. Songs of note: "(What You're) Good For," "Clever Girl," "Toxic."

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...