Sturgill Simpson: A Sailor’s Guide To Earth [Album Review]

Sturgill Simpson A Sailor’s Guide To Earth Atlantic Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Country like it should be! Album Review: If like many, you’ve given up on modern country music, which these days sounds more like 80s AOR bands Foreigner and Loverboy than outlaw country icons Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and the like. … Read more

John Doe: The Westerner [Album Review]

John Doe The Westerner Cool Rock Records [2016] Fire Note Says: John Doe leans back on the roots that first inspired him. Album Review: The L.A. punk band X arguably cast a longer shadow than one would expect based on record sales and airplay singles. Made up of John Doe (vocals/bass), Exene Cervenka (vocals), Billy … Read more

Robbie Fulks: Upland Stories [Album Review]

Robbie Fulks Upland Stories Bloodshot Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Fulks knows how to bring his stories to life. Album Review: It’s been twenty years since Robbie Fulks solo debut album on Bloodshot Records, when his smart, often witty, approach to traditional folk and country music helped define what would become known as “alternative country.” … Read more

Violent Femmes: We Can Do Anything [Album Review]

Violent Femmes We Can Do Anything [PIAS] [2016] Fire Note Says: The Violent Femmes remain smart and funny, odd, dark and subversive. Album Review: It’s hard to express just how big the Violent Femmes became in the alternative rock music world of the mid-80’s. The mostly acoustic, Milwaukee-based trio’s self-titled debut album (1983) offered up … Read more

Vandaveer: The Wild Mercury [Album Review]

Vandaveer The Wild Mercury WhiteSpace Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Vandaveer deliver one of their most mature and fully realized collection of songs to date. Album Review: Vandaveer is the name used by Washington D.C.-based, folk/rock singer-songwriter Mark Charles Heidinger and a close group of musicians who collaborate on his projects. Debuting as a recording … Read more

Waco Brothers: Going Down In History [Album Review]

Waco Brothers Going Down In History Bloodshot Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Solid effort from Waco Brothers on their ninth LP. Album Review: On their ninth album, Chicago’s Waco Brothers dig even deeper into their passion for mixing country music’s earthy song-craft with punk’s hard rockin’ delivery. Coming together originally in the mid-90’s when John … Read more

Lucinda Williams: The Ghosts Of Highway 20 [Album Review]

Lucinda Williams The Ghosts Of Highway 20 Highway 20 Records [2016] Fire Note Says: It is clear that Williams owns this patch of the road. Album Review: “I know about the pain and all that jazz,” sings Lucinda Williams in her smokiest voice, and you sense that she’s just scratching the surface of that deep … Read more

Tedeschi Trucks Band: Let Me Get By [Album Review]

Tedeschi Trucks Band Let Me Get By Concord Music Group [2016] Fire Note Says: Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks have brought a level of purpose to their third record. Album Review: On their third collaborative studio album, singer Susan Tedeschi, guitarist Derek Trucks and company have brought a level of intentionality and purpose to their … Read more

David Bowie: Blackstar [Album Review]

David Bowie Blackstar Columbia Records [2016] Fire Note Says: There will only ever be one Bowie! Album Review: Released on his 69th birthday (1/8/16), and as fate would have it, two days before David Bowie would die, “Blackstar” finds the iconic rock chameleon staring down the Grim Reaper. In the album’s 10-minute title track, Bowie … Read more

Bruce Springsteen: The Ties That Bind – The River Collection [Album Review]

Bruce Springsteen The Ties That Bind: The River Collection Columbia Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Springsteen revisits The River in this majestic box set. Album Review: In 1980, Bruce Springsteen released the only double album of his career, “The River.” While the New Jersey-based singer/songwriter had already been on the covers of Time and Newsweek … Read more

The Bottle Rockets: South Broadway Athletic Club [Album Review]

The Bottle Rockets South Broadway Athletic Club Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Note Says: South Broadway Athletic Club is what maturity looks like. Album Review: It’s been 6 years since the last studio album of originals for Bottle Rockets, but 23 years into their recording career the St. Louis Americana quartet remains true to their classic … Read more

Richard Thompson: Still [Album Review]

Richard Thompson Still Fantasy Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Still works as a re-introduction of an artist that any serious music fan will want to hear for yourself. Album Review: Richard Thompson has been a music critics’ favorite since his early days in the premier British folk rock group of the late 60’s, Fairport Convention, … Read more

Alabama Shakes: Sound & Color [Album Reivew]

Alabama Shakes Sound & Color ATO Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Alabama Shakes take you on another pendulum ride full of raw expression. Album Review: Three years ago, when Alabama Shakes came out of nowhere to rock the world with their debut, Boys & Girls, driven by soulful R&B-influenced roots rock and the stunningly unique … Read more

JJ Grey & Mofro: Ol’ Glory [Album Review]

JJ Grey & Mofro Ol’ Glory Provogue Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Imitation is the greatest form of appreciation. Album Review: Working out of Northern Florida, JJ Grey & Mofro have come closest to capturing their live energy on their 9th full-length project in 15 years, a sound that has made them fans in the … Read more