If It's Too Loud...

Sunday night was a rare completely stacked night for live shows in and around Boston. Of all of the entertainment options Sunday, I had to go with Laura Stevenson playing The Sinclair. I've been a huge fan for well over a decade, and it's been over twelve years since I was able to see her live (TT the Bear's way back in 2013). Luckily for me, I believe I made the correct choice, as the show was excellent and met the mood I needed. Playing as a quartet for most of the show, Laura Stevenson took the stage at roughly 9:00 for a great set of songs. She repeatedly apologized for playing so many sad songs in a row, and at one point said there would be two in a row, and there ended up being five to six. But, the crowd of Laura Stevenson devotees in the audience knew what we were getting into, and we welcomed it. It's a special kind of artist that can play so many sad songs with a sense of joy, and who can make it pleasant for the crowd. Plus, Stevenson's fans may be the mo...

Artist : Gelli Haha Album : Switcheroo Quick Thoughts : Everything about this package feels unhinged, and yet this is a real favorite of the week. This isn't quite dance / electronic, but it's not your standard listen either. Opening track, "Funny Music," gives a sort of weird dissoance to start us out before it gets rolling; "Piss Artist" is as chaotic as you'd imagine, and the whole package is just one that's a delight. One of the favorites of the week. Songs of Note : "Funny Music," "Spit," "Piss Artist," "Tiramisu," "Pluto is not a planet it's a restaurant" Artist : Vandoliers Album : Life Behind Bars Quick Thoughts : Vandoliers are back and they are Not Happy. This is an overt, angry, political record in so many ways and the sort of rage that streams from its pores is a welcome addition to this summer, and it doesn't hurt that the songs are great, too. Don't skip this one...

There are two sure ways to make sure I listen to your song. The first is to list Marvin Gaye, Fugazi, Juliana Hatfield, and Sonic Youth as your influences. The second is to have Laura Stevenson sing on it. Washington DC's NAYAN did both for their latest single "Alone." The new song crams in a bunch of different styles. It's a mixture of indie rock, alt-pop, punk, and probably a few others. It starts off as a more organic sounding emo song before coming in with some more punk flavored guitars and indie rock song structure. Plus, singer Nayan Bhula and Stevenson's vocals blend together in a way that can only happen when two singers have completely different singing styles. And that's without even getting into the horn freak out and the completely earnest classic rock power ballad ending. "Alone" is a pure joy to listen to, and we can't wait to hear more. You can listen to "Alone" below. Rock N Roll Ruined My Life is due out in February on...

There are two acts that are responsible for this blog existing, and one of them is Laura Stevenson. We've been fans since "Master of Art," we've loved so much of what she's put out, but I personally found The Big Freeze to be a sharp turn from the edgier roughness of a lot of her previous work. Not bad, just different. Laura Stevenson acts as a sort of reintroduction and feels like a musical reset button from an artist dealing with a lot all at once, thus making it perfect for these pandemic times. Stevenson approaches this record as a new mother while also recovering from some caretaking duties, and her confessional style that carried over from The Big Freeze is one I can relate to in a lot of ways as a current parent and on the other side of a traumatic caretaking period of time as well. It's kind of cliche to say that such-and-such artist "gets me," but I feel like this album may as well be a conversation with a friend over a few beers as we co...

Artist : Laura Stevenson Album : Laura Stevenson Quick Thoughts : It's weird to think that "Master of Art," the song that set Ken and I off on a Laura Stevenson obsession, was ten years ago. Her latest solo effort, her first as a mother and one that is very confessional in the broad strokes. This album is many things, and I feel like there are layers throughout that are going to uncover themselves as I listen more, but one thing I can say is that this is probably her best effort since Wheel and possibly my favorite since Sit Resist . Laura Stevenson is a criminally underrated singer-songwriter, and I wish more people understood how great she was at this. Don't miss this one/ Songs of Note : "State," "Don't Think About Me," "Sky Blue, Bad News," "Sandstorm" Artist : The Umbrellas Album : The Umbrellas Quick Thoughts : This album came out of nowhere this week for me. I don't know how I haven't heard of thi...

Photo by Rachel Brennecke To say we're excited about the upcoming album from Laura Stevenson is the understatement of the year. "Don't Think About Me," the second single from the album, has us even more excited. The song starts off as a quiet ballad, more in line with Stevenson's more recent releases. And then the song truly kicks into a more 90's inspired alt-rock/pop song. It's a giant, mid-tempo power ballad that still says as personal and intimate as anything we'd expect from Laura Stevenson. While we celebrate all of Stevenson's catalog, there is just something special about her 2012 album Sit Resist. This upcoming album may just live up to that masterpiece. You can listen to "Don't Think About Me" below. Laura Stevenson's self-titled album is due out August 6 on Don Giovanni Records. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Laura Stevenson, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Bon Jane Jeff has previously stated that Laura Stevenson's 2011 album Sit Resist is pretty much why If It's Too Loud... exists. I can't really argue that point, so we're obviously huge fans. I really hate typing this next point and being that guy, but as much as we've loved her releases in the past ten years, nothing has really hit us the way Sit Resist did. But... now we have "State." Her latest single isn't similar to her now classic album, but that's what's so exciting about it. "State" starts off in that quiet, contemplative way that Stevenson's newer music has, and then it bursts into an alt-rock explosion of loud guitars and pounding drums. Stevenson's vocals have always been an absolute highlight of her songs, and that's certainly the case here. She doesn't exactly scream to match the volume, but she ever so slightly strains her voice to be heard above it. This is the exact point in her career that Stev...

We're obviously going to listen to anything Laura Stevenson is involved with. Our Laura Stevenson fandom is very well documented here. Her inclusion on the latest single from Maxwell Stern is what got our attention, but "Left in the Living Room" would still be a great song without her. Stern is set to release his debut solo album, having previously been a member of Meridian and Timeshares. His solo work is different from the emo and pop punk of his previous bands. "Left in the Living Room" is a great Americana/indie rock song. It's a chilled out indie song with some serious roots showing. Stevenson's backing vocals add just the right element that will suck you in fully. It's a beautiful ballad, and it's a must listen for anyone that's been into what Stevenson has been doing lately. You can listen to "Left in the Living Room" below. Impossible Sum , the debut solo alum from Maxwell Stern, will be out September 25 (which is becomi...

With her latest single, Laura Stevenson dips even further into the world of folk. "Time Bandits" moves further away from the 90's influenced rock of her earlier albums and is almost a traditional modern folk song. It's absolutely gorgeous, despite the subject matter. In a Facebook post, Stevenson writes:  "I wrote this song right after I got married, right as Trump got elected. It was a crazy time and a lot of people felt really hopeless. That hopelessness has lingered over the last 4 years, but humanity and love continue to peak through, that's just the human spirit and I've been so inspired by those that stay strong and keep fighting to enact some positive change. This song is about how the world might seem like it's falling apart but we still have love and all we can do rig ht now is take care of ourselves and each other. Now during THIS crazy time, I find myself 38 weeks pregnant, waiting in self-isolation for my baby to be born, praying th...

I'm not very familiar with the Better Yet podcast, but they recently came to my attention when they put together all of god's money / a tribute to wilco's yankee hotel foxtrot. It's a track by track covers album, obviously for Wilco's beyond classic album. Each track is done by a different artist, and the one that got our attention is Laura Stevenson covering "Jesus, Etc." Stevenson's version is a slightly slower, more symphonic version. It's a gorgeous song, and the perfect type of cover that stays true to the original while still sounding just like Laura Stevenson. You can listen to Laura Stevenson's cover of "Jesus, Etc." below. all of god's money / a tribute to wilco's yankee hotel foxtrot below. The album is available via Better Yet's Bandcamp . For more on Laura Stevenson, check out her website . all of god's money / a tribute to wilco's yankee hotel foxtrot by Better Yet

Another slow week. Artist : Laura Stevenson Album : The Big Freeze Quick Description : Newest album from a favorite here and elsewhere. Why You Should Listen : Laura Stevenson continues to pull together compelling record after compelling record. Overall Thoughts : The Big Freeze is ultimately an exercise in managing expectations. Stevenson comes from a punk background, she hit our radar with some great indie pop in “Master of Art,” and some of her best songs have been more upbeat and louder on a whole. This new album is very introspective and, in many cases, definitely isn’t shielding anything from the meaning or intentions behind the music. This does not make for a bad album; in fact, it’s a very good one. But my struggle, on first listen, was trying to balance what I want from Laura Stevenson compared to what this album is. This is more her Sea Change , in a sense, and it absolutely works (and the soaring harmonies alongside some stark instrumentation is just gorgeous), ...

The combination of Matt Pond PA and Laura Stevenson is pretty much a dream for us, and an unexpected one. Apparently we need some kind of indie rock version of TMZ, since the song, "The Ballad of Laura and Mike," is about a long distance relationship between Laura Stevenson and a member of Matt Pond PA. (Funny, I know far more about the love lives of celebrities I couldn't care less about...) The song is an upbeat, slightly faster than mid-tempo song about love, but with plenty of melancholy, being about long distance love and all. It's the kind of just shy of epic power pop we want from Matt Pond PA, with the added bonus of Laura Stevenson's vocals. "The Ballad of Laura and Mike" will be included on Matt Pond PA's upcoming album, Still Summer. The album is due on August 11, and reports are that it will be the final Matt Pond PA album. It can be pre-ordered in various bundles  here . You can listen to "The Ballad of Laura and Mike" belo...

Photo by Christopher Hainey Since both Jeff and I are fairly obsessed with Laura Stevenson,  we love covers here at If It's Too Loud..., and The Replacements are one of my favorite bands, it's a pretty safe bet that we're thrilled  that Laura Stevenson has released a cover of "Alex Chilton." The ode to the leader of Big Star was recorded in Groningen, Netherlands, and is part of Stevenson's just released live album Live at Vera Club. The album is being offered for a pay what you can option with 100% of all proceeds going to benefit Planned Parenthood. The recording is a bit muddled, particularly the beginning of "Alex Chilton," but it's a live album from one of our favorite bands doing one of my favorite band's songs, so how can you really go wrong? Live at Vera Club  is available from Quote Unquote Records  here . You can listen to Laura Stevenson's cover of "Alex Chilton" below. For more on Laura Stevenson, including her...

It's no secret that we love ourselves some Laura Stevenson at the blog. Cocksure is her best album to date, and it's only a testament to the rest of the releases this year that it's only my #6. Cocksure ups the ante in a lot of ways. The songwriting is tighter, the lyrics more direct, the potty mouth intact. It feels as much like a culmination of years of efforts as it does a fresh album, and, while the song that made us fall in love with her, "Master of Art," feels light years away in comparison to something like "Torch Song" or "Jellyfish," being able to balance the folkish aspects of Stevenson's songwriting with the punk background and obvious desire to crank things up a bit, the overall piece still feels extremely familiar. I feel like I'm always looking for "The Next Kathleen Edwards," but it's almost as if Laura Stevenson is filling that gap for me at present. For now, I'm enjoying what we're gettin...

This is a real feast or famine week, let me tell you. Album of the Week : Artist : Laura Stevenson Album : Cocksure Quick Description : Fourth album from a favorite here at the blog. Why You Should Listen : Just outright saying it, this is one of the best indie rock singer-songwriter albums of the year. Overall Thoughts : This shouldn't be happening. Laura Stevenson's first album was okay. Second album solid with two incredible songs. Her third album was great from start to finish, and there was no way, I thought, that Cocksure could get even better. Yet it does. The lead singles ("Torch Song" in particular) were solid, but the album as a cohesive whole ends up being truly outstanding. In the last few albums I feel like she's found her footing, and the album title is just as much a truism as it is a double-entendre. Recommendation : Album of the week, will certainly feature on my end of year list. Artist : Gems Album : Kill the One You Love ...

What better way to end a rough week than with new music from Laura Stevenson? 2013's Wheel  was one of the only albums to show up on both of our best of the year lists, and with good reason. 2011's "Master of Art" is my absolute favorite song of the century, so we're thrilled she has new music coming out. The first song we can hear off her new album, "Torch Song," is an absolute blast. She's reaching back a little farther than usual, as this one borrows heavily from bands like The Bangles. It's beyond catchy and charming and is sure to hit all the nostalgia buttons you feel for both 80s alterna-pop and mid-90s power pop. What more can you possibly want? Laura Stevenson's new album, Cocksure , is due out October 30 on Don Giovanni Records. Head on over to her website for more information. She's also heading out on tour with Matt Pond , another favorite of ours. You'll want to check out that show when it comes to your nearest ci...

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. There are no family obligations, you can celebrate pretty much anyway you want (including staying inside and watching movies), it's the one time of the year my fascination with the macabre isn't considered weird, and candy, candy, candy. To celebrate, here is an alternative mix of season appropriate songs. I avoided the completely obvious ones you'll hear at least 10 times today no matter what ("Monster Mash," "Werewolf of London," "Thriller"). Instead, I went with some classic hip hop (Geto Boys, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince), punk (Ramones, The Dead Milkmen), 80s and 90s favorites (Dinosaur Jr, Letters to Cleo), current favorites (Benjamin Booker, Sallie Ford), and, of course, a smidge of metal. It's longer than our normal mixes, but 31 is 13 backwards, and 2 hours is about as long as trick or treating lasts. Plus, I love Halloween. Enjoy!

It appears Jeff and I finally agree on a release, and it makes sense. He was the one who introduced me to Laura Stevenson and her song "Masters of Art." "Masters of Art is quite possibly one of the most perfect indie pop songs ever recorded. While nothing on Wheel  quite captures that level, it's by far her most solid album yet. Even though she used to be in Bomb the Music Industry, there is virtually no sign of her pop punk/ska past in this collection of songs. They exist somewhere between folk and indie pop, with some leaning a bit more heavily towards one of the sides than another. She has always reminded me of Tanya Donelly's earlier solo work. On Wheel , "Runner" is the obvious single and by far the most poppy and catchiest song on the album. "Bells & Whistles" and "Eleanora" are my own personal favorites. Be warned, though. I went to see Laura Stevenson earlier this year, and as great as the show was, I was the oldest p...

My #6 album of this year was probably my most anticipated release of the year. Her song "Master of Art" might be an all-time favorite, so Laura Stevenson's Wheel was something I really looked forward to, and it pretty much lived up to my expectations. If I had an issue with Laura Stevenson's previous efforts, it was that her slower songs felt maybe a little too plodding and quiet. Wheel addresses that by offering a lot of straightforward indie-pop combined with a solid, experienced singer-songwriter mentality that provides a whole mess of memorable songs on this album. The continued rise of Stevenson as a songwriter is really evident across the board, from "Eleanora" to "Runner." Most importantly, the album is really a cohesive unit from start to finish, a feeling I never truly got from her previous albums. Overall, a truly great effort. Along with the songs above, "Triangle" and "Sink, Swim" are great, great songs t...