If It's Too Loud...

The latest from Tamar Berk is one of the most intriguing vintage leaning listens we've had in a while. "stay close by" is a 90's influenced singer-songwriter track from the California artist that picks from disparate genres. The song starts off with a DIY style bass line soaked in heavy fuzz, and Berk's vocals have this perfect 90's slacker vibe with just a little bit of caring thrown in. As the song goes on, it starts leaning into more of an Adult Contemporary sound from the same period while keeping its original indie rock spirit and sound. "stay close by" has a unique sound that would have been at home at the snobbiest college radio station and an episode of Grey's Anatomy.  This is a gorgeous and kick ass track that is going to appeal to an unexpectedly wide audience. You can watch the video for "stay close by" below. ocd is due out September 5, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on Tamar Berk, check out the ...

Each time we've brought you new music from Tamar Berk, we always compare it to classic 90's artists like Liz Phair, Tori Amos, and Mary Lou Lord. With her latest, Berk is going back to the classic alternative of the 80's. "drop in the bucket" is synth heavy enough to remind you of New Wave, especially at the beginning. The sound softens out a bit, and the obvious comparison (especially over the past year) will be Kate Bush. "drop in the bucket" has a little more of a mainstream pop sound to it than Bush's now classics did back then. It's more of a Belinda Carlisle meets Kate Bush sound, and I don't think anyone will not want to hear that. Sometimes going back to your past can freshen up an artist's sound, and this has us dying to hear what Tamar Berk has planned next. You can listen to "drop in the bucket" below. tiny injuries is due out August 18, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on Tamar Berk, check o...

Last year we brought you The Restless Dreams of Youth , the great album from San Diego's Tamar Berk. At the time I commented that it reminded me of a cross between Juliana Hatfield and whitechocolatespaceegg era Liz Phair. Her latest single, "Tragic Endings," continues that trend. It's a mid-tempo rocker that could have been huge in the mid 90's. At the time we would have called it alt-rock and MTV would have put it in the Buzz Bin, completely ignoring just how poppy it was. It's the kind of song that is beautiful even as the guitars slam you in the face. I'm also detecting hints of Mary Lou Lord and even Tori Amos in here even though it has minimal piano. "Tragic Endings" is the kind of music that's a natural extension of the 90's post grunge alt-rock boom, and we're here for it. You can watch the video for "Tragic Endings" below. Start at the End is due out April 22 and can be pre-ordered through Bandcamp . For more on Tam...

Tamara Berk started off playing in indie bands in Chicago and Portland. Now she's located in San Diego and has released her debut solo album. The Restless Dreams of Youth is filled with twelve songs that are going to give you 90's singer/songwriter alt-rock flashbacks. These are straight up rock songs along the lines of artists like whitechocolatespaceegg era Liz Phair and Juliana Hatfield. What's truly great is how the album feels like a cohesive collection of songs without being repetitive. "Shadow Clues" is a hard rock song, "Socrates & Me" is still an acoustic rocker, and "A New Case" is a piano driven ballad. All of these songs are sequential on the album and all three are wildly different while still sounding like they all belong. And then "Better off Meditating" is a power pop delight. If you have a certain fondness for mid 90's radio friendly alt-rock, you need to check out Tamar Berk. You can watch the video for ...