If It's Too Loud...

Photo via Facebook Poster Children are one of those bands I almost forget about, despite the fact that they were part of the greatest triple bill I'll ever see (Built to Spill, Poster Children, and Jack Drag, Bowery Ballroom 1998). Then maybe once or twice a year I remember and go on a crazy full day binge of listening to nothing but their albums. Well, they're coming back with their first new album in fourteen years and a new single, "Grand Bargain!" Granted, I'm not a Poster Children expert or anything, but "Grand Bargain!" seems much more angry and political than I remember them being. he opening line is "America held hostage: Day 1." It's this fierce punk blast with swirling, vicious punk guitars and ranting, spoken word/screaming vocals. This is the kind of song the world needs right now. You can listen to "Grand Bargain!" below. Poster Chidren's new Steve Albini recorded album, also called Grand Bargain! ,  is avai...

We haven't brought you a Friday Freebie for far too long, but, luckily, today's is a great one. As I'm sure you're all aware, Belly is back after a 20+ year break. They are currently working on new material and have started a PledgeMusic for fans to pre-order their upcoming new album, but for right now Tanya Donelly and company are giving out a four song sampler of live material and rarities. Out of the four songs, the only live one is "Dusted." The rarities are absolutely fantastic and must haves for any fan of Belly. The first two are from the 90's glory days of film soundtracks: "Thief" was originally from the Tank Girl  soundtrack and "Spaceman" came from the Twister soundtrack, which I guess was a thing? The final song on Belly Noise  is the absolute must have. It's a cover of "Trust In Me (The Python's Song)" from Disney's The Jungle Book.  You can get your own copy of Belly Noise right now over at NoiseT...

We're pretty excited about the upcoming album from Justin Townes Earle. The man just doesn't release bad music. Hell, the man doesn't release anything mediocre. His new album, Kids In the Street , is due out on May 26. To get us excited for the new album, or even just to tide us over, he's offering the first three singles for a free download through NoiseTrade. Plus, there are three additional live recordings from his PledgeMusic sessions thrown in for fun.  The new songs reflect some changes in Earle's life. Since his last album, 2014's double shot of Single Mothers  and Absent Fathers , Earle has gotten married and is about to become a father. Kids In the Street  shows his growth as a songwriter. Instead of looking into himself, the songs look out into the world around him. Plus, he's letting his blues and soul influences out in these songs. It's not a huge change in sound. Kids In the Street  fits right in with Earle's discography of country/f...

We don't usually cover music news here on If It's Too Loud..., but this is Letters to Cleo after all, so... Today Letters to Cleo announced the release date of their new EP, which will be their first new music in 17 years! (17 years? Holy shit that makes me feel old...) The EP is due out on September 30, and you can pre-order it now through their Pledge Music campaign. As with the usual download/vinyl/t-shirt/poster bundles that come with pre-orders, Letters to Cleo have raided the archives to offer some insanely rare items and a total memory lane for me. They have unworn ringer buggy shirts! The 1992 "Here & Now" indie release 7"! Promo posters for Aurora Gory Alice, Wholesale Meats & Fish, and Go! Plus there are the VIP concert experience at their five announced shows and private house concerts available, which makes me wish this blog was big enough to pony up the $15,000 for one of those. Letters to Cleo is promising even more rare items once they ...

Suz Slezak of David Wax Museum has one of the best PledgeMusic campaigns ever. Normally you pre-order an album a couple months or so in advance, and you get it a couple months later, maybe a week early if you're lucky. Watching the Nighttime Come  isn't due out for release until February 10, but if you pre-order it today, you can actually get it today! For her first album, Suz expanded on an idea she had. She used to make albums of lullabies for her friends baby showers. They were so popular among her friends, she decided to go into a studio and record some. Now, I know what you're thinking about an album of lullabies. Kids' music usually sucks enough. Lullabies are the worst. But Watching the Nighttime Come  isn't just xylophones and hushed singing. It's regular music that just happens to be really mellow. You can listen to it at work without worrying about it being overheard. Plus, it's really, really great. To "pre-order" Watching the ...

Boston's Kingsley Flood are holding a PledgeMusic campaign, which may just be the first of its kind. Typically, a band will start a crowdsource campaign for a particular project, like an album or tour. Kingsley Flood are asking fans to support them for a year. It will help them do everything a band does: writing, recording, releasing, touring, etc. Of course, a crowdsourced campaign doesn't count unless there are rewards. They start the very basic $10, which gets you access to videos, private updates, and a digital download of their most recent album, " Live at the Armory ." For $30 you get the extra content plus your choice of t-shirt and signed cd (which really is a bargain, even without extra content). If you're a fan of the band, these smaller donations are no brainers since they get you albums and other merch you want anyway for a reasonable price. There are also more unique options, such as a private house concert for $1500 or watching wrestling with Travi...

Wayne Kramer recently released Lexington,  his foray into jazz recording. If you haven't heard the album yet, take time to listen. It brings the spirit of the MC5 into the realm of free jazz. Wayne's looking to tour behind the album, and to raise money for touring, he's decided to sell off some of his memorabilia that has been sitting in storage for years. Beyond the typical $10 album download, he's offering autographed bobble heads, promo photos of the MC5, vintage posters, rare t-shirts, private concerts, and more. He's even selling an autographed mug shot and posters from an MC5/Iggy & the Stooges 2007 French show. Quantities are extremely  limited (most have 5 or less items available) so you'll want to check it out ASAP. A portion of all pledges will also go to Jail Guitar Doors, the charity he founded with Billy Bragg to bring guitars to prisoners to help aid rehabilitation.  You can check out Wayne Kramer's Pledgemusic campaign here . To find o...