If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Glen Phillips Album : There is So Much Here Quick Thoughts : I recognize that I am a little biased when it comes to Glen Phillips, as Toad the Wet Sprocket is a top five band for me and the frontman has put together a formidable solo career as well. This latest album shows us a singer-songwriter that just knows how to put a song together, and the outcome here is a bold and bright affair that might be his best solo effort since Winter Pays for Summer . Just a rock solid listen overall, and something that I am super psyched about. Songs of Note : "Stone Throat," "I Was a Riot," "Big Changes" Artist : Pohgoh Album : Du Und Ich Quick Thoughts : I did not know who Pohgoh was prior to this week, and apparently I've been missing out, as this is by far my favorite album of the week and has a very strong case to being one of the better albums of the year. While I know the old souls around us might find the "midwest emo" mockery to be ...

A two-parter this week. Here is the first half: Album of the Week : Artist : Glen Phillips Album : Swallowed By the New Quick Description : First full album of original music in a decade from the Toad the Wet Sprocket lead singer. Why You Should Listen : Glen Phillips is great, and this is his best output since Winter Pays for Summer . Overall Thoughts : To say it's been a decade for Phillips doesn't tell the full story, as Toad the Wet Sprocket has reunited and Phillips has been involved with multiple side projects over this time. But it's been forever since he's done a straightforward solo album, and whether these are new songs or songs he's had in the hopper, they're some of his best work. It's an album I listened to shortly after having the best day I've had in ages, and it resonated fully from the start. Not a bad song to be found, and not a bad point stands out. The lack of a standout track on first listen might be a drawback long term...