If It's Too Loud...

It must be summer... Album of the Week : Artist : Let's Eat Grandma Album : I'm All Ears Quick Description : Weird, compelling indie pop. Why You Should Listen : Let's Eat Grandma is buzzworthy right now anyway, and this might put them on the map. Overall Thoughts : Let's Eat Grandma isn't experimental per se, but they kind of remind me of a lot of experimental acts. In a way, they have a feel to them like a lot of other strange acts before them, but something about this album just absolutely clicks in terms of being a viable, interesting, compelling listen. I can't say that you'll pull a song or two out and add it to your mixes, but as a cohesive whole with a challenging approach, there's absolutely nothing better this week. Recommendation : Definitely a top listen this week. Artist : The Rails Album : Other People Quick Description : Good ol' British folk rock. Why You Should Listen : These guys absolutely get it. Overall Thoughts...

Artist : Jim James Album : Tribute To 2 Quick Description : A covers record from a beloved indie act. Why You Should Listen : Covers albums are always at least worth a shot. Overall Thoughts : Another cover record timed to coincide with the rerelease of an earlier covers EP, what is really noteworthy to me is how kind of bland and dull the whole affair is. There is no real life breathed into these songs, instead resulting in an album that almost feels intentionally dull. It’s…weird. I don’t get it, but I also can’t say that I necessarily “get” Jim James from a solo perspective period. Ultimately, I just hope I’m missing the boat entirely. Recommendation : Skip this unless you have reason otherwise. Artist : Diablo Swing Orchestra Album : Pacifisticuffs Quick Description : Is it metal? Is it indie? Is it disco? Why You Should Listen : You want to know the answers to those questions. Overall Thoughts : This is easily the most confusing, strangest genre mashup I’ve heard...

We're quite open with our love for cover songs here at If It's Too Loud..., and today we bring you one of the most obvious choices for a cover that we've ever brought you before. Jim James of My Morning Jacket was basically created to make complex, dense musical arrangements. He has an upcoming covers album coming out, and one of the more obvious choices is the first song we can currently listen to: His version of The Beach Boys' "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times." The song, originally off Pet Sounds , is a gorgeous, lush ballad, with instrumentation far more complex and involved than it seems on first listen. James' version of the song is an almost perfect recreation, with just a few slight changes here and there. You can watch the video for Jim James' version of "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" below. It is off the album Tribute To 2 , which is a sequel to Tribute To . The first in the series was an EP of The Beatles and G...

Happy election day! Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos. But we're all distracted by the election today (and rightfully so) and I really need to learn to do these on the weekend, so a quick hit today: Great Listens This Week Artist : STRFKR Album : Being No One, Going Nowhere Quick Description : Electro-rock from an underrated group. Why You Should Listen : It'll get your butt moving. Overall Thoughts : I just loved this listen and can't wait to go back to it. It's a really solid piece of electronic music that doesn't feel nearly as angry or angsty as the group's name would suggest. A solid listen on a whole, and I feel like it's on par with their other work. Recommendation : One of the best of the week. Artist : American Wrestlers Album : Goodbye Terrible Youth Quick Description : Solid indie rock. Why You Should Listen : They sound familiar, but have a great way of putting together some hooky songs. Overall Thoughts : There's th...

Jonny Fritz feels like he should be a household name. The artist formerly known as Jonny Corndawg (I've typed Corndawg instead of Fritz at least three times already) has played Newport, recorded with Dawes as his backing band, and sang on Middle Brother's "Middle Brother." While he's known, he's not your aunt knows his name famous yet.  Fritz takes another shot at superstardom with his upcoming album Sweet Creep. It was produced by Jim James of My Morning Jacket and he once again enlists Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes to record the album, which they did in three days. The first song, "Are You Thirsty," is just about as laid back and spacey as current country and folk gets. Fritz has this unique ability to sound both retro and futuristic at the same time.  Sweet Creep will be out October 14 on ATO Records. You can watch the video for "Are You Thirsty" below. For more information on Jonny Fritz, check out his website . 

Ah, the 2013  Newport  Folk Festival. This might have been one of the greatest weekends of my life. Sure, there weren’t quite as many acts that I was ecstatic to see as the 2011 and 2012 editions, but that just left more room for pleasant surprises  and discovery . I had to miss the opening day of Friday, but I arrived bright and early before the music started   on Saturday . It was probably the best decision I ever made, as I missed the legendary  Newport  traffic and started my festival experience stress-free without missing a single band.   First off, I headed up to the Quad Stage (probably my favorite stage of the festival this year) to see Hurray for the Riff Raff.  Alynda  Lee  Segarra ’s  voice is haunting on her records, but live it  is a  whole new level of beauty. Since they just released an album of mostly covers, the fantastic  My Dearest Darkest Neighbor , it’s surprising that they stuck w...