If It's Too Loud...

Wilco have been hosting a three day festival every other year for a while now, and we just haven't been able to make it to one yet. That might need to change for 2024 as the line up is bonkers. There are obviously multiple sets from Wilco planned for the weekend, but they brought their A-game with the rest of the line up. Highlights include the brilliant country-rock of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, the artsy post punk of England's Dry Cleaning, the influential power pop of Nick Lowe and Los Straightjackets, the Americana of Iris Dement, Wednesday's alt-country meets indie rock, Chicago's new favorite indie rockers Horsegirl, the hardcore punk of Soul Glo, more Chicago indie rock from Ratboys, and a ton more music! Plus, non musical entertainment like John Hodgman's Comedy Cabaret, the Song Exploder podcast, and more. Solid Sound 2024 will once again take place at Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA from June 28-30. Tickets and more information can be found here . The ful...

While recording their upcoming DECK project, Hallelujah the Hills have also been releasing a series of cover songs. The latest is a cover of Nick Lowe's iconic "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding." The song is being released for obvious reasons in October 2023, and Hallelujah the Hills have delivered a very different version. While the original, and Elvis Costello's quite famous cover, is an energetic song bordering on punk, and can be considered jubilant or angry depending on your mood, Hallelujah the Hills have adopted a much more somber tone for theirs. It's mostly singer Ryan Walsh accompanied by sparse piano with some backing vocals from Joseph Marrett. It's not the most fun of cover songs, but the times don't exactly call for upbeat songs pleading for peace. You can listen to Hallelujah the Hills covering "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" below. The song is available via Bandcamp w...

Photo by Ryan Pfluger It premiered last week on the Hulu show The Great , but now we can listen to this cover on its own. Sharon Van Etten and Joshua Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) have joined together to cover Nick Lowe's iconic "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?" The duo slows the song way, way down into a nearly haunting version with lots of country guitars. Instead of the joyful sound of the original, Van Etten and Homme's version sounds more like a tearful plea. Homme explains the collaboration:  “ I went to a Courtney Barnett Valentine's Day concert that Sharon Van Etten was playing as one of a veritable buffet of musicians. She opened her mouth and my mind exploded—that voice, like fresh cream... with a hint of fine grit. When a week later the opportunity arose to sing with her, I jumped at it. This was of course  before we had any idea that the world would be going into hiding for months. Recording this song had nothin...

Photo via Facebook I know a lot of people hate Spotify, but when Spotify releases a single that includes Wilco covering Nick Lowe's "(What's So Funny Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding?," they're all right by me. With the post headline of 'Wilco Covers Nick Lowe," you pretty much know if this will be for you. And, if you think you'll like this, you probably will. Wilco's version is a step or two slower than Elvis Costello's trademark version, which is exactly what you'd expect from the current version on Wilco. It's the most dad rock take on what is a dad rock classic, chugging along with Wilco's trademark new blend of Americana but with enough noise popping up every now and then to keep things interesting. It was recorded at Spotify Studios, and it feels like a live recording, especially when Jeff Tweedy's voice cracks every so often. You can listen to Wilco's cover of "(What's So Funny Bout) Peace, Love an...