Brian Q. Newcomb 
The Get Up Kids Problems Big Scary Monsters/Polyvinyl Records [2019] Album Review: The Get Up Kids came out of Kansas City in the mid-90s in that second wave of emo, punk/pop bands like Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, and My Chemical Romance. Best remembered for their 1999 release, “Something to Write Home About,” the band broke … Read more
Justin Townes Earle The Saint Of Lost Causes New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Justin Townes Earle produces a country songwriting tour de force on his eighth album, The Saint of Lost Causes. Album Review: The Saint of Lost Causes, the eighth album from singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle, is such a solid example from … Read more
Starflyer 59 Young In My Head Tooth & Nail Records [2019] Fire Note Says: 25 years and 15 albums in, Starflyer 59 wonders aloud if it’s time to go, on a solid album that’s proof he still has plenty to offer. Album Review: If you live long enough, you will get old. That’s a fact … Read more
The Dandy Warhols w/ The Cosmonauts; 25th Anniversary Tour; First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN – Sunday, May 12, 2019 Before The Dandy Warhols took the stage at the historic First Avenue nightclub, it was obvious that the band viewed this 25th anniversary as a great excuse for a celebration. The first giveaway were the large balloon … Read more
John Paul White The Hurting Kind Single Lock Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Civil War’s John Paul White makes a solid country musical statement that draws inspiration from a previous era, but remains an authentic, and current artistic statement. Album Review: John Paul White came to national attention as one half of the singer/songwriting … Read more
The Mountain Goats In League With Dragons Merge Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Mountain Goats’ 17th album, In League With Dragons, takes on the world of Dungeons & Dragons, and various other wizards in singer/songwriter pop/rock that belies the darker stories. Album Review: After addressing the coming of age issues of Transcendental Youth back in … Read more
Filthy Friends Emerald Valley Kill Rock Stars [2019] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney vocalist Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck take Filthy Friends out for a fun second round that takes on the President, the environment and other matters of substance. Album Review: Filthy Friends, the alternative rock super-group of sorts, featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck … Read more
Cage the Elephant Social Cues RCA Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Kentucky bred, Cage the Elephant collaborate with Beck and producer John Hill on their 5th album, which recalls 80’s new wave in songs that chronicle the end of singer Matt Shultz’s marriage. Album Review: In the current ecology of sustainable musicianship, Cage the Elephant … Read more
Craig Finn I Need A New War Partisan Records [2019] Album Review: The obvious constant throughout Craig Finn’s career, including six albums with The Hold Steady, and now on his fourth solo album, is his penchant for storytelling. Growing up in a ‘burb near the Twin Cities in Minnesota, Finn was influenced by the story … Read more
Van Morrison w/ The James Hunter Six; Chicago Theater, Chicago, IL – Thursday, April 25, 2019 The words “buyer beware” probably apply more to concert ticket prices these days, given that more often than not, it’s very hard for the average ticket buyer to get tickets for a show at the ticket’s printed price, and … Read more
Gang Of Four Happy Now Gill Music [2019] Fire Note Says: Guitarist Andy Gill keeps the Gang of Four alive, and they respond to the current political climate with their 10th album, Happy Now. Album Review: Gang of Four started out in the same art school/university pool from Leeds, UK, in the late 70’s that … Read more
Glen Hansard This Wild Willing Anti- [2019] Fire Note Says: Glen Hansard, of “Once,” The Frames, and The Swell Season fame, expands his musical palette, but sings in a quieter more reflective voice on his fourth solo album, This Wild Willing. Album Review: The first thought that comes to mind when I think of Glen … Read more
Andrew Bird My Finest Work Yet Vista Loma Recordings [2019] Fire Note Says: Andrew Bird’s 10th solo album takes on the world of politics with artful music, clever, literate lyrics, and lots of violin and whistling. Album Review: Andrew Bird, the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, most often associated with his violin playing, has been plugging away … Read more
Mott The Hoople ’74 w/ Dream Syndicate; Masonic Auditorium, Cleveland, OH – Saturday, April 6, 2019 If the sold out appearance of Mott The Hoople ’74 at the old Masonic theater in Cleveland proved anything on Saturday night, it was that Ian Hunter, the sunglass wearing ’79 year old at the heart of the band, … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Guy New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Like his previous tribute to Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle serves up a collection of Guy Clark songs that celebrate his songwriting catalog. Album Review: Given the current state of popular country music, it should surprise us that what gets labeled Outlaw … Read more
Jenny Lewis On The Line Warner Bros. Records [2019] Album Review: Jenny Lewis’ fourth solo album, On The Line, recalls an era when pop music still leaned heavily on live musicians playing sessions together in the studio, and not computerized midi keyboards and drum beats per minute. Singer/songwriters like Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, and Linda … Read more
Luther Dickinson and Sisters of the Strawberry Moon Solstice New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Luther Dickinson brings together some up & coming female folk/rock singers, who collaborate for a long weekend, singing each other’s songs and the result is a delight. Album Review: As Luther Dickinson describes it, Solstice came together like a … Read more
The Mekons Deserted Bloodshot Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The punk rock collective that is The Mekons drives us into the desert for a sing-along pub crawl that mixes punk, country and classic rock, in their 4th decade on Deserted. Album Review: There is a loose, playful, devil-may-care quality to The Mekons’ approach to punk, … Read more
John Kilzer Scars Archer Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Memphis singer/songwriter John Kilzer delivers soulful pop/rock Americana, in what turns out to be his last will and testament. Album Review: Singer/songwriter John Kilzer has had a long, somewhat remarkable career in his hometown of Memphis, where, at 6’ 6”, he was a star forward for … Read more
Son Volt Union Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers [2019] Fire Note Says: Jay Farrar’s Son Volt gives a nod once again to the protest folk music of Woody Guthrie with songs that chronicle the divisions and injustices of our own era. Album Review: There’s a certain comfort in hearing Jay Farrar’s voice on the newest album from … Read more
Paul Weller Other Aspects, Live At The Royal Festival Hall Warner Bros. Records [2019] Album Review: At 60, Paul Weller, who started his career leading the seminal punk/mod revival band The Jam and spent a few years in The Style Council, a Britpop group with R&B/soul and jazz leanings, before his long and substantial solo … Read more
Over The Rhine Love & Revelation Great Speckled Dog [2019] Fire Note Says: Love & Revelation delivers another fine chapter in the artful catalog of Over the Rhine, a fine songwriting duo on their 15th album. Album Review: As songwriters, Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler have always invited people into their “Earthbound Love Song.” In … Read more
Vandoliers Forever Bloodshot Records [2019] Album Review: Dallas/Fort Worth band, Vandoliers come out of the gate on their Bloodshot Records debut sounding like the seasoned Texas bar-band they are, delivering up a healthy mix of sounds associated with the state where everything’s a bit larger than life-size. Singer/songwriter Joshua Fleming leads his band in a … Read more
Patty Griffin Patty Griffin Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: On her 10th studio album, singer/songwriter Patty Griffin has created an intimate, passionate recording centered around her singular artistic vision and beautiful voice. Album Review: Folk singer/songwriter, Patty Griffin’s songs on her self-titled 10th studio album are so intimate and quietly impactful, that you might forget … Read more
Peter Rogan Still Tryin’ To Believe Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: Philadelphia singer/songwriter/guitarist, Peter Rogan creates his first album with the help of the Red Dirt Boys, resulting in soulful light rock and blues. Album Review: The very existence of this album by Reading, PA singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Rogan should be an encouragement to anyone who’s … Read more