If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Ashley Gellman "Heavy Metal" might be my favorite of Madi Diaz's songs, and she's released a new version of it from her upcoming UN-unplugged edition of last year's phenomenal Fatal Optimist. The original version is just Diaz and her guitar, and the re-worked version includes drums and Lucy Dacus singing backup vocals and taking on a verse. Even with the added elements, "Heavy Metal (UN-unplugged)" feels more raw and stripped down than the original. The emotions of the song are heightened, and Diaz has added something extra special to an already deeply emotional song. We've long been confounded that Diaz isn't one of the most popular artists of her generation, and this version of "Heavy Metal" only helps prove us correct. Madi Diaz says of her latest single: “Doesn’t Lucy Dacus just sound like Frank Sinatra with a velvet cape and gloves on? I could listen to her verse in my ears on repeat. I was so honored when she agreed to ad...

Photo courtesy Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts I always try to make it a point to listen to a song that's sent to us before reading the accompanying press release and band bio. While listening to "Strangers" by Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts, I started making connections, like we music reviewers do. You know what I'm talking about. "It sounds like Band X hung out with Band Y at a drugged up rave," etc. The comparison I made for this song was that it sounds like Cheap Trick meets the current crop of more pop Americana that's all the rage these days. Turns out Miles Nielsen is the son of Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, so maybe some things are just hereditary. All family connections aside, you should give "Strangers" a chance. It's a great blast of pop Americana, but more in line with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers than The Lumineers. It's a confessional song about being able to open up to strangers instead of close friends ...