Brian Q. Newcomb 
Joe Strummer Joe Strummer 001 Ignition Records [2018] Fire Note Says: This anthology of solo work from The Clash’s Joe Strummer extends his established legacy celebrating his solo years fronting the 101ers, The Mescalerros, and his soundtrack work for films. Album Review: If Joe Strummer had retired from music and public life when The Clash … Read more
The The Bottle Rockets Bit Logic Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Another fine rockin’ country album from these St. Louis pros. Album Review: If the alt-country Bottle Rockets ever have need for a patron saint, they explain in “Bad Time to Be an Outlaw,” from their 13th album, Bit Logic, their prayer asks “What … Read more
Richard Thompson 13 Rivers New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: At 69, Richard Thompson, one of the world’s best songwriters as well as one or rock’s greatest guitarists, brings it altogether again on “13 Rivers,” one of the very best albums of his long and storied career. Album Review: Who knew there would be … Read more
Florence + The Machine High As Hope Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Artful and stately from start to finish. Album Review: Early efforts from Florence + The Machine – in singles like “Kiss With A Fist” and “Dog Days Are Over” – came across with enough smarts and depth that suggested Florence Welch was … Read more
Alejandro Escovedo The Crossing Yep Roc [2018] Fire Note Says: The Crossing is another positive notch in the Alejandro Escovedo catalog. Album Review: By all rights, Alejandro Escovedo should be a household name. After playing with the early punk band The Nuns in the 70’s, and a seminal cow-punk (read Americana) band, Rank and File, … Read more
The Decemberists “Your Girl/Your Ghost” World Tour w/ Kacy & Clayton; Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH – Thursday, September 20, 2018 Thursday night’s concert by The Decemberists was one whole day late for “International Talk Like a Pirate Day” but, while no one said anything close to an “Arrgh, Matey,” fans of the Portland, Ore., band … Read more
Low Double Negative Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On Low’s 12th album, they sketch a portrait of the dark and noisy residue of modern life, and allow moments of beauty to break through the cracks. Album Review: Beginning with their 1994 debut, “I Could Live in Hope,” Duluth-based indie band Low has been … Read more
Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning Eirlandia Ark Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Johnson and Dunning’s Celtic flair musical creations are both majestic and heartwarming. Album Review: Composer and keyboardist Jeff Johnson and flautist Brian Dunning have been collaborating on a unique blend of Celtic contemporary instrumental music for nearly 30 years, often creating soundtracks that … Read more
Death Cab for Cutie Thank You For Today Atlantic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Death Cab For Cutie have what it takes to make this journey worth the effort. Album Review: Thank You For Today is the 9th studio album from Ben Gibbard’s Death Cab for Cutie, the first without long-time guitarist and producer Chris … Read more
Neil & Liam Finn Lightsleeper Inertia Music/[PIAS] [2018] Fire Note Says: Neil Finn, best known for work in Crowded House, Split Enz before it, and most recently as a touring member of Fleetwood Mac, keeps it in the family, recording with his son Liam to create a dreamy soundscape that honors the ties that bind. … Read more
Counting Crows w/ Special Guest Live: “25 Years And Counting” Tour 2018; Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH – Saturday, September 1, 2018 It was a hot, muggy night on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend when the Counting Crows brought their 25th anniversary tour to the Ohio River valley. Earlier in the day we’d seen … Read more
Interpol Marauder Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Most songs on the new Interpol will fit nicely into a live set. Album Review: New York post-punk rockers Interpol return for a 6th album, this time relying on an outside producer after taking things in-house on the last two. Working with David Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Spoon, … Read more
The Record Company All Of This Life Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Rock trio, The Record Company step up with a solid sophomore effort, expanding on their strengths. Album Review: From the earliest days of rock & roll, there’s been a special place for power trios, like Cream, Rush, Nirvana, Husker Du, The Jam, … Read more
Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis Wild! Wild! Wild! Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Together, Lewis & Fulks recall what made that revolutionary music so appealing. Album Review: The collaboration of alt country singer/songwriter Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis, the little sister, piano protégé and touring partner of Jerry Lee “The Killer” Lewis … Read more
David Byrne w/ Special Guest Benjamin Clemetine: “American Utopia” Tour 2018; Rose Music Center, Dayton, OH – Saturday, August 11, 2018 The English language is not particularly helpful when one sets out to describe the music and artistry of David Byrne, words like unique and quirky tend to carry a pejorative connotation, while intended as … Read more
Gorillaz The Now Now Parlophone/Warner Bros. [2018] Fire Note Says: The follow-up to last year’s “Humanz,” finds Gorillaz leaning more on singer Damon Albarn (Blur) than the hip-hop collaborations that drove previous hits up the charts. Album Review: The Gorillaz concept – a virtual band with animated characters drawn by artist Jamie Hewlett with music … Read more
Sunflower Bean Twentytow In Blue Mom + Pop Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Brooklyn-based trio, Sunflower Bean, mix bubblegum and power pop, psychedelia and punk influences for a buoyant sophomore effort. Album Review: Sunflower Beam is a traditional rock trio – bass, drums & guitar – which brings it’s original songs into focus around singer/bassist … Read more
The Jayhawks Back Roads And Abandoned Motels Sony Music/Legacy Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: The Jayhawks put their own stamp on songs Gary Louris had written with the Dixie Chicks, Jacob Dylan and others, inspiring a return to their own sonic roots. Album Review: If The Jayhawks were a band of equals, and I’m not … Read more
Buddy Guy The Blues Is Alive And Well RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: In his early 80’s, blues guitar veteran and a major influence on folks like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Buddy remains surprisingly capable and emotionally satisfying. Album Review: At a time when we’re hearing that blues rock veterans Jimmy Page is … Read more
The Alarm Equals The Twenty First Century Recording Company [2018] Fire Note Says: The Alarm unleash their guitars in high energy rock that pays tribute to the passion of their 80’s heyday. Album Review: Late last summer, I eagerly prioritized catching the Welsh band, The Alarm’s US tour, which included joining the shows on the … Read more
Radiohead w/ Special Guest Junun: “A Moon Shaped Pool” Tour 2018; US Bank Arena; Cincinnati, OH – Wednesday, July 27, 2018 British band Radiohead’s mercurial leader and frontman, Thom Yorke may have had a love/hate relationship with the mechanisms and expectations that come with an arena rock tour across America, but at Wednesday night’s concert … Read more
Gruff Rhys Babelsberg Rough Trade [2018] Fire Note Says: Welsh singer/songwriter, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame, hides dark, commentary in sweet, orchestrated pop songs in a compelling and enjoyable way. Album Review: Even though, Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys may be playing it straight on the smartly orchestrated pop songs of Babelsberg, his … Read more
Arthur Buck Arthur Buck New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck create a particularly relevant and meaningful artistic effort. Album Review: According to the bio on the artist website, the collaboration of singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has been organic and spontaneous from the … Read more
Jim James Uniform Distortion ATO Records [2018] Fire Note Says: My Morning Jacket’s Jim James delves into some nostalgia for guitar driven pop/rock, fun, hooky songs, and simpler times. Album Review: It’s just like the spirited Jim James, best known as the leader, singer/songwriter and guitarist with My Morning Jacket, to deliver a guitar oriented … Read more
Weezer & Pixies w/ Special Guest The Wombats: North American Summer Tour 2018; Riverbend Music Center; Cincinnati, OH – Friday, July 6, 2018 As if giving alternative rock fans a gift, temperatures dropped overnight Thursday, so that after a blistering 4th of July holiday in the mid-90’s, Friday night’s weather was perfect for a night … Read more