If It's Too Loud...

When I first heard about The Town & City Festival happening in Lowell, MA, I assumed it would be limited to local Lowell area bands, and maybe a Boston band or two with Lowell ties. "A Fall Celebration of Music and Art in Lowell" just gives off a local vibe. When the line up was announced yesterday, to say I was pleasantly surprised would be a huge understatement. There are some local artists playing (Arlen, D-Tension) but there are some huge favorites of ours, also. Playing are "new" favorites like Kingsley Flood and Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys. But somehow the festival are legends Edo G, Damon and Naomi, and Kristin Hersh (!?!?!?!?!!!). And they are throwing in a bunch of artists that we always see listed and mean to check out but never quite get around to it (Abbie Barrett, Analog Heart, Frank Morey, Oldsoul). Of course, there are more to be announced, but you can check out the current line up on the poster to the left. The Town and The C...

A slower week after last week's big one. Artist : Soft Science Album : Maps Quick Description : Shoegazey pop rock. Why You Should Listen : This is the best release from last week that we missed? Overall Thoughts : We missed this from last week, and I’m glad I tripped up on it. It has some alt-rock elements mixed with some shoegaze, and there are simply hooks for days on this. In a week where I liked a lot of things but didn’t love anything, this would otherwise be my album of the week. As it stands, though, this is a stellar listen that should have some real longevity in my rotation, and it’s different than a lot of what I’m hearing lately. Recommendation : Worth your time. Artist : Lykke Li Album : so sad so sexy Quick Description : The European alt-popper is back with something truly great. Why You Should Listen : Lykke Li has always pushed boundaries and made some great music. Overall Thoughts : It’s been a while since we heard from Lykke Li, and this is a f...

Photo via Facebook It feels like it's been forever since we heard any new music from Kingsley Flood, but a lot has happened in the world since Another Other  was released in October 2016, so that's probably it. The band has been on the threshold of superstardom for a while now, and every release just seems to be the one that will bring them there. If "Find Me Out" is any indication, their new album could be the one to do it. The song starts off in typical (aka great) Kingsley Flood fashion, with their blend of Americana infused indie rock. Although it's a pretty straightforward mid-tempo rock song, something about it just feels more urgent. It builds on this and becomes this mini epic that feels built for the huge fields of the summer festival circuit. We've said this before, but if there is any justice, this will be their breakthrough. You can watch the lyric video for "Find Me Out" below. Neighbors and Strangers , the new album from Kingsley ...

Normally we don't tell you about a new video for a song that's been out for a few months, especially when we've already covered the album . But, this is Kingsley Flood,who we love, and it's a particularly engaging video, so there you go! Kingsley Flood recently released a video for "Try," the second song on last year's spectacular Another Other. The video features frontman Naseem Khuri running in slow motion through the streets of Washington DC with a backdrop of a variety of street murals behind him. You eventually realize he's being chased by an assassin, dressed like a "man in black" style secret agent. The main focus of the video are the beautiful murals, and it exists as a reminder of how much art we walk by and miss every single day. You can watch the video for "Try" below. For more on Kingsley Flood, be sure to check out their website . If you haven't checked out their latest album, Another Other , yet, make sure you ...

An interesting release week! Album of the Week : Artist : Kingsley Flood Album : Another Other Quick Description : New album from the local favorites. Why You Should Listen : Kingsley Flood has near-mastered the indie rock landscape... Overall Thoughts : ...and if there's any justice, this will be their breakthrough. The band has a collection of songs, some of which we've heard on other EPs, that just flow together really well and show some consistent songwriting chops and, perhaps more importantly, a more robust and consistent sound that hasn't been there for them up to this point. No, there's no "Set Me Off" here, but that's okay - the whole album is a pretty solid achievement and a surprise even for me, who is a genuine fan of this band and who was anticipating a new full length. You owe it to yourself to hop on the bandwagon now before they blow up and become huge. Recommendation : A must listen this week. Artist : Swet Shop Boys Album ...

Photo via Instagram After the release of their third EP this year, Jeff commented that Kingsley Flood could pretty much do no wrong . To drive that point home a bit further, and to celebrate the upcoming holiday, Kingsley Flood have shared a cover of the Christmas classic "We Three Kings." It was originally shared with just PledgeMusic pledgers, but now it's available for everyone for a free download. It's shockingly true to the classic song and done without a hint of irony. You get the fantastic rootsy sound of Kingsley Flood with some Spanish horns and a beautiful cover of one of the most iconic traditional Christmas songs of all time. You can download your own copy of Kingsley Flood's version of "We Three Kings" here . Of course, you should make sure to check out their website  (where you should sign up for their email list since that's how this cover was sent out) and be sure to follow their various social media.

A quieter week than normal as we approach the American Thanksgiving holiday. I'd also review the new Adele, but, well... Album of the Week : Artist : Sheer Album : Uneasy Quick Description : Shoegazey-style indie alt-rock. Why You Should Listen : You are looking for that nostalgia hit this week, but want something really great Overall Thoughts : Ken posted about the title track last month and I fell in love with it right away as well. The full album, thankfully, is about as good as the single, and that means great things for a band that I don't think is getting enough attention yet. It's just one of those solid, surprise albums that make it fun to discover new music. It's one you'll want to tell your friends about. Recommendation : Highly recommended album of the week, and it's not even close. Artist : Kingsley Flood Album : The Good Fight Quick Description : Latest EP from a favorite of ours. Why You Should Listen : You look for more of a ro...

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...

We're fans of Kingsley Flood here at the blog, and I revisited their new EP from earlier this year and forgot how much I loved "Set Me Off," so I figured I'd remind you all about how great and catchy this song is as well. If the first five seconds don't get you, you may not have a soul.

My apologies for not being able to set up coverage last week, the whole timing got away from me. So first: January 13 : California X - Nights in the Dark : California X is an Amherst-area band getting a decent amount of buzz for this album, a punk album that could use a little production polish to help bring out the songs. As it stands, the album does feel a little muddy and samey throughout, and I can't really say anything about it jumped out at me. As is the case with more localish independent productions, it just needs some shine to really push forward, but otherwise might be a good listen for punk fans. Kat Dahlia - My Garden : At first blush, Kat Dahlia's debut does not look like it's going to be a mainstream rap album, but that is put to bed very quickly by the time the first few tracks roll out. This album was apparently delayed nearly a year, and comparisons are going to be made with both Azaelia Banks and Iggy Azalea for a few reasons, and they really sh...