If It's Too Loud...

Their upcoming collaborative EP is coming out tomorrow, but we have one last single to share from Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses. The duo have covered Foreigner's classic single "I Want to Know What Love Is," and it's everything you need it to be. Acoustic/folky covers of over the top classic rock hits aren't anything new, but Sam Beam and Ben Bridwell breathe new life into the trope with this one. It's a fun cover that doesn't feel as tongue in cheek as it would have twenty or so years ago. Of course, it's a collaboration between Iron & Wine and Band of Horses, so it's going to come across as more moody than Foreigner's original, but the love of the classic song is still audible. Sam Beam says of the latest cover: “​​ Brad Cook suggested this one and the little kid in me who remembers skating around the roller rink in the 80’s imagining he was Lou Graham sat up and said ‘Yes, let’s do it!’ Such an amazing chorus! Our ve...

Folk covers of hip hop songs tend to come across as novelty songs, but when it's Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses) covering a song from Kendrick Lamar and SZA, everything gets elevated. It's been ten years since Sam Beam and Bridwell have collaborated, and their version of "Luther" is amazing. They completely avoid the silly/novelty trappings of a folk/hip hop cover, and reimagine Lamar and SZA's hit as a gorgeous folk song. Something about the song shows that they have complete reverence and respect for the source material. It's a fun cover, but not a funny one. Plus, it will have you wanting to dive back into the catalogs of everyone involved in the song. Ben Briswell says of their new cover: “ Working with Sam again feels like a homecoming in so many ways. To circle back ten years after Sing Into My Mouth and expand the project is a wonderful dream relived.  "I chose to focus on ‘Luther' after kinda hitting a wall wondering which so...

And here's the rest! Artist : The Sweetback Sisters Album : King of Killing Time Quick Description : Why You Should Listen : Overall Thoughts : The Sweetback Sisters are probably going to be compared to The Secret Sisters a lot, even though their genres are not mixed in quite the same way. At the core, the idea is similar with an act giving great tribute to a sound of the past, and The Sweetback Sisters dutifully deliver. I have no issues with this album at all except that it feels somewhat light as opposed to truly having a lot of gravity. And there’s nothing wrong with light on a whole, which is probably why I enjoyed this the way I did. I’ll keep coming back to it, for sure. Recommendation : A fun listen this week. Artist : Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real Album : Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real Quick Description : Pure, unadulterated country rock. Why You Should Listen : You like Jason Isbell and the like. Overall Thoughts : Lukas Nelson was ...

I've been a huge fan of Prescott Park's live music line up for a few years now. It's live music from insanely great nationally touring bands in a beautiful waterfront park for next to nothing. Seriously, since it's a public park they technically can't charge an entrance fee, so instead they charge a $8-$10 "suggested donation." Trust me, though. You're going to be more than happy paying the suggested donation since it's usually a fraction of the band's normal ticket price and you'll want them to keep putting these on. I make the extra long trip whenever I can since I enjoy the venue more than some Boston theaters, and I've seen a few artists that tend to charge more than I like paying here for $10. Usually there are a handful of If It's Too Loud... approved bands every year, with the majority of the artists being more suited to our parents. This year though... wow. Here is a small selection of bands I think our readers will be exc...

Here's the rest from this week! Artist : Clairy Browne Album : Pool Quick Description : Clairy Browne goes solo with a record that's surprisingly poppier than anticipated. Why You Should Listen : Her work with Clairy Browne and the Rackettes is great. Overall Thoughts : This is about as nontraditional a traditional modern pop record will get. On one hand, this feels like it could fit right on modern pop radio, but, on the other hand, this has a classic/edgier sensibility better delegated to the alt-pop space. You mix in songs like "F.U.B." and you get an album that feels both all over the place and kind of perfect. I honestly loved it, and I'm looking forward to more time with it, but if you're looking for something more straightforward, this might not be it. Recommendation : A great listen, but clearly not for everyone. Artist : The Coathangers Album : Nosebleed Weekend Quick Description : Some great power pop from a female trio. Why You Shou...

Filled with surprises and whimsy! Album of the Week Artist : Jason Isbell Album : Something More Than Free Quick Description : Jason Isbell's (formerly of the Drive-By Truckers) latest solo offering Why You Should Listen : Jason Isbell has a modern alt-country/roots sound with a classic country sensibility, and the two match up better on this album than anything he's worked on previously. Overall Thoughts : This is my album of the week for a reason. It's a little less polished, a little more raw, and it just works . Feels like an important, killer album by someone who is really hitting his stride musically. Recommendation : A wholehearted required listen this week. Artist : Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell Album : Sing Into My Mouth Quick Description : An album of covers from Iron & Wine and Band of Horses's Ben Bridwell. Why You Should Listen : You enjoy cover songs and softly-sung folk music; you think the world needs more Talking Heads covers. O...