If It's Too Loud...

This was a very weird release week, as the gap between good and bad was very, very wide. Only focusing on the good this week: Album of the Week : Artist : Maximilian Hecker Album : Wretched Love Songs Quick Description : Dream folky is back with a new album. Why You Should Listen : Hecker is basically unknown in the United States and should really be a more popular. Overall Thoughts : I don't know if this is meant to be a sequel of sorts to his debut, Infinite Love Songs (which is probably a top 20 album all time for me), but it is certainly reminiscent in a way a lot of his more recent work has not been. This is Hecker at his dreamy, light best, and I can totally see this as one of those albums I send over to my longtime friends and say "hey, remember that guy I was obsessed with 15 years ago?" Recommendation : A must-listen, and there's plenty of room on this bandwagon to boot. Artist : Pharis and Jason Romero Album : Sweet Old Religion Quick Descr...

And the rest of the week: Artist : Future of the Left Album : To Failed States and Forest Clearings Quick Description : A mini companion EP to go along with their new album. Why You Should Listen : It's a smaller dose, and perhaps better? Overall Thoughts : This is music from the same sessions as the album I covered yesterday, and perhaps it's just that it's a much more concise piece that I enjoyed it more. A handful of good songs, the whole is pretty solid, and perhaps jump in on this one first? Recommendation : A great companion to their other album. Artist : Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Album : Call It What It Is Quick Description : Ben Harper's latest sort of folky sort of funky effort. Why You Should Listen : You probably already know if you'd like this. Overall Thoughts : Ben Harper had a minor hit with "Steal My Kisses" around 15 years ago, and I feel like he's more been on the edges of the sort of jam band thing for a w...

We're starting to see things slow down a bit on new releases, but what looks like a lean week actually has a lot of new releases of interest. Whether they're any good, though... Azealia Banks - Broke With Expensive Taste : This was a surprise release over the weekend after being trapped in record company limbo for some time, and, for what it's worth, it's one of the most interesting rap albums I've heard in a while. A lot of different sounds and styles throughout, it's like Janelle Monae with more rapping and less asthetic. I'm really into this album more than I thought I would be, and it's definitely one that's staying in rotation for a while. Highly recommended, definitely the release of the week. Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways : I've always been fond of Foo Fighters and I thought their last album was actually pretty solid, all things considered. Unfortunately, Sonic Highways feels like an abrupt transition into legacy rock act te...

First Listen's new home is officially on Thursdays for the foreseeable future. Hope that works out for everyone. Meanwhile, a lighter-than-normal week with a lot of interesting options. The Orwells - Disgraceland : All hail power pop! Easily the best release of the week, The Orwells have a second album that is just a great power pop record from top to bottom. I didn't realize how much I was looking for something like this until midway through the second song on the album, and nearly everything feels like a winner so far. Really a solid listen for anyone reading this. Centro-matic - Take Pride in Your Long Odds : I feel like Centro-matic has been around for ages, and they've always existed on the fringes of my musical existence. The new album is good, it's solid indie rock as you'd expect it to be, I think. A little off-center, still melodic and interesting. I keep waiting for some sort of leap that never seems to come, which might be the only downside, ...

On the heels of last year's pretty fantastic Light Up Gold , Brooklyn's Parquet Courts are releasing a new EP into an already crowded fall schedule. Tally All the Things That You Broke  is scheduled for release on October 8. The opening track has been released, and I like it better than anything on Light Up Gold.  "You've Got Me Wonderin' Now" is a 2 1/2 minute blast of Sonic Youth meets "California Dreaming." It's super up-tempo and poppy with an absurdly catchy hook, but with blasts of noise and more changes than any song this short has any right to contain. Plus, there's a recorder. For more information on Parquet Courts, check out their Wordpress , listen to "You've Got Me Wonderin' Now" below, and see them on tour, if you happen to be in Europe or Austin. AUG 23rd @ Leeds Festival,  Leeds, UK AUG 24th @ Reading Festival ,  Reading, UK AUG 25th @ Rock En Seine Festival ,  Paris, FR AUG 30th @ End of the...