If It's Too Loud...

Photo via Facebook Squirrel Nut Zippers were by far the best band to come out of the 90's swing revival. Most others seemed to be more tongue in cheek or like caricatures of swing bands. Squirrel Nut Zippers always seemed to legitimately love the music they were playing, which is why they're still at it decades later. When you listen to their new single, "Animule Ball" (a cover of a 1938 song from Jelly Roll Morton), it's not a stretch to say that they're making the best music of their career now. "Animule Ball" is deeply rooted in jazz and ragtime, and it fits squarely in the current Americana craze going on right now. If you haven't listened to Squirrel Nut Zippers for the past twenty-plus years, you owe it to yourself to give this one a listen. You can watch the Fleischer Studios inspired video for "Animule Ball" below. Lost Songs of Doc Souchon , the upcoming album from Squirrel Nut Zippers, will be out September 25. For more ...

Busy week this week, apologies for the half-effort First Listen. Just WAY TOO MUCH MUSIC. Album of the Week * Esme Bridie - Today It Rains : Out of nowhere came this absolutely gorgeous album. A little on the pop folk side, Esme has a really strong and confident voice and presents a series of songs that remind me so much of some of my favorite folk acts. If you haven’t become enamoured with what she is doing by the time “Tower of Regret” comes along, I don’t know what to tell you. Easily the best of the week, and right at the top of my list for 2018 so far. Must Listens: * Squirrel Nut Zippers – Beasts of Burgundy : Back after what feels like forever, and it doesn’t appear that they’ve missed a beat. * Dom Flemons – Black Cowboys : An album of standards and old-timey roots music, a great indication as to why he’s one of the best going right now. * The Tillers – The Tillers : Traditional bluegrass with a more modern attitude. Extremely enjoyable. * Cavern of Anti-Matter ...

Squirrel Nut Zippers were always unfairly lumped in with the swing revival scene. While most of that scene seemed more focused on the scene and the look, Squirrel Nut Zippers always seemed more legit and about the music. They were always more roots than flash. So it makes sense that Jimbo Mathus would resurrect Squirrel Nut Zippers with the current roots revival going on right now. I'm not sure how many members from the 90's are back for this era of Squirrel Nut Zippers, but it's still a returned Squirrel Nut Zippers, so we're not complaining. Their new song, "Beasts of Burgundy," is more reserved than their previous hit singles like "Hell" or "Suits Are Picking Up the Bill." It's also less swing than you would expect. Instead, it's a quiet song without being a ballad. It's moody and fairly dark while still being fun. This could have gone horribly wrong, but Squirrel Nut Zippers found a perfect spot between being a nostalgia...