Back when Uncle Tupelo fused indie rock and folk, the music world was a raucous place. Guitars screamed, voices rasped and lots of sex was had. These days, the musical landscape is more sedate. And so, Quiet Hollers.

Quiet Hollers Quiet Hollers (self-released)

Perhaps I'm just hearing things through my own personal college-in-1989/life-inside-the-beltway-now filter. But I don't think so. Quiet Hollers isn't afraid to get loud, but the tone is rounded and smoothed out. Otherwise, though, I hear a lot of similarities between these Louisville boys and a certain band that once hailed from Belleville.

The song constructions are straight modern indie pop, but Quiet Hollers drops in all sorts of folk and country elements into the arrangements. The writing is top notch, and the overall element of difficulty here is high.

The word that comes to mind most is "lovely." Even the more rambunctious songs have a ringing ache that induces a serious longing. For what, I'm not entirely sure, though I'd have to say these songs produce an immediate jones for more of the same.

Perhaps the best things about these songs are the clunkier elements. Quiet Hollers may have a smooth presentation, but the band isn't afraid to hit a few blue notes now and again. Perfection is boring, and Quiet Hollers does an amazing job of keeping listeners engaged. This one grabs immediately and then digs in. Excellent.

Jon Worley