Guest 
The recent death of Little Richard Penniman was a stark reminder that the founders of rock and pop music are not getting any younger. It’s been nearly 70 years since the birth of rock and roll, so this seems like a good time to take stock in our musical forebears and review who we still … Read more
Quarterbacks Quarterbacks Team Love Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Quarterbacks expand on fun self-titled full length. Album Review: Quarterbacks has yet another short and sweet release. Their self-titled album is the longest yet, with 19 tracks. The album only runs 22 minutes but somehow they manage to make every song jam-packed with memories, people, and … Read more
The Kooks Listen Astralwerks Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Kooks attempt growth! Album Review: For a record I never have need to listen to again, The Kooks’ Listen is actually okay. The sorta-skiffle of the past is cast aside for lots of squawky Bernie Worrell- style funky squelches, lots of “Up With People” choruses. … Read more
PC Worship Social Rust Northern Spy Records / Dull Tools [2014] Fire Note Says: PC Worship stir up a disorienting sonic slurry. Album Review: My first listen to Social Rust, I knew nothing about the band that produced the album. That wasn’t a deliberate choice, really, but once I hit play it made sense to … Read more
The Young Chrome Cactus Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Texans kicking up goth-tinged tumbleweeds. Album Review: “Oh, good,” I thought at the first riffs of lead track “Metal Flake”, “someone is finally aping [Urge Overkill’s] Saturation.” This didn’t stick, but it’s a starting point. The riffs and grooves are the stars here: the vocals … Read more
Connections Into Sixes Anyway Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Connections third LP, Into Sixes, is full of indie rock hooks and anthems. Album Review: Connections had a very efficient first year as a band releasing two full length LP’s (Private Airplane and Body Language) as well as a 7-inch e.p. (Tough City). Anyway Records offers … Read more
Dirty Lungs Dirty Lungs Communicating Vessels [2014] Fire Note Says: Dirty Lungs dig up some retro-leaning hard psych, but leave a little modern dirt. Album Review: Dirty Lungs’ self-titled LP opens strong with “I Suck in Bed,” a scuzzy, raging garage rocker with a catchy wordless vocal refrain. It’s so strong, in fact, that I … Read more
Happyness Weird Little Birthday Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ready for a non-disappointing British Sea Power? Album Review: Here’s something I don’t get to say every day: “That reminds me of Gay Dad!” Or possibly Sonic Youth’s “Antenna.” Or maybe Meat Puppets in their mid-90’s ZZ Top phase. Key word here is diverse. … Read more
Jenny Lewis The Voyager Warner Bros. Records [2014] Fire Note Says: After six years in the wilderness, The Voyager heralds the resurrection of all things Jenny Lewis. Album Review: Since 2002’s masterful The Execution of All Things – an album which should be handed to girls as they turn thirteen, just as all boys should … Read more
Chris Staples American Soft Barsuk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A charming and understated indie-pop/singer-songwriter album. Album Review: The penultimate track on Chris Staples’ American Soft is called “Needle Park,” and it’s really great. The instantly catchy chorus of “Well would I ever lie to you? / Of course I would, of course I would,” … Read more
The Proper Ornaments Wooden Head Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Anglo-Argentine pair wears influences on sleeves – and scores. Album Review: The Proper Ornaments album Wooden Head seems, at first blush, just a fun way to play a game of Spot the Idiom: Mary Chain/BRMC black-leather-jacket Spector-pop here, “Eight Miles High” jangle there. But … Read more
Bloom Thousand Yard Stare Broken Circle Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Fans of somber electric guitar indie rock and catchy keyboards will enjoy the sounds of Bloom’s new album Thousand Yard Stare. Album Review: Bloom hail from Nashville, Tennessee where there is no such shortage of rock being made these days. Their new album is … Read more
Buffalo Killers Heavy Reverie Sun Pedal Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: The Buffalo Killers return with a sonically polished 5th studio effort entitled Heavy Reverie. Album Review: The Buffalo Killers are no strangers to success. In fact, their previous four albums have gained them critical claim from Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes who knows … Read more
Lab Partners Seven Seas Pravda Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lab Partners have returned with an early contender for Album of the Year. Album Review: Dayton, Ohio’s favorite guitar hero’s the Lab Partners have returned with their first record since their 2010’ LP Moonlight Music, which was released by Chicago Label Pravda. The same label … Read more
Dirty/Clean Welt Am Draht Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Fans of vintage synth rock will love the debut album from Dayton, Ohio’s new darlings Dirty/Clean. Album Review: Ohio is no stranger to bands incorporating cool synthesizers into their sounds. Devo and Brainiac perfected the art in fact. On their debut album Welt Am Draht we … Read more
The Singles Look How Fast A Heart Can Break Sound Artifacts Music [2014] Fire Note Says: The Singles hit a home run on their third swing. Album Review: This long-awaited, third full-length release from former Detroit band The Singles may be the ideal record for summer 2014. Look How Fast a Heart Can Break, the … Read more
WV White West Virginia White Anyway Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Columbus Ohio’s WV White shines on debut full length on Anyway records. Album Review: It would be easy to classify this release under the slacker rock category, but rest assured that the slacker term does not apply to the songwriting execution on this excellent … Read more
Overlake Sighs Killing Horse Records [2014] Fire Note Says: 90’s guitar fueled indie rock is alive and well with Overlake’s new LP Sighs. Album Review: My first thought after listening to New Jersey natives Overlake’s new record Sighs was – why did I just now find out about this band? The answer is simply that … Read more
New Bums Voices In A Rented Room Drag City Records [2014] Fire Note Says: You should be ecstatic over the beautifully well-crafted debut full-length album from New Bums. Album Review: New Bums are a two-man duo made up of Donovan Quinn (Sky Green Leopards) and Ben Chasny (Six Organs Of Admittance). Their debut full length … Read more
The Maravines The Maravines Mint 400 Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The New Jersey duo The Maravines are strong out of the gates with their debut release but are heading into a traffic jam on The George Washington Bridge. Album Review: The Maravines are a two –piece, Union City, New Jersey, duo made up of … Read more
Amen Lucy, Amen Ashore For The End Brave New Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Amen Lucy, Amen takes a refreshing approach to the folk genre. Album Review: Amen Lucy, Amen describe themselves as a “woozy-boozy cyclone” that sings “punk-inspired folk tunes.” The description fits their debut album Ashore for the End perfectly. The experimental arrangements … Read more
Jake Bugg Shangri La Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jake Bugg’s sophomore album is a more refined production of the artist’s raw, gritty sound. Album Review: Jake Bugg’s sophomore album, Shangri La, quickly follows his successful self-titled debut. Despite the lack of time between the two albums, Shangri La introduces new sounds and themes, … Read more
Maria Taylor Something About Knowing Saddle Creek Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Maria Taylor’s latest is light, carefree indie rock packaged in an effortlessly happy message. Album Review: Something About Knowing was the first time I’ve listened to Maria Taylor, although the artist has a long history. Her most recent release is her sixth solo … Read more
The Lone Bellow: The 20th Century Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio – 11/12/13 If The Lone Bellow are a band you should be listening to, they are no doubt a band you should experience live. Their self-titled album has been a favorite of mine since hearing them on my local public radio station and I was very … Read more
Cults Static Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With their sophomore album, Cults put a pop/rock spin on their west-coast sound. Album Review: With their sophomore album, Cults put a pop/rock, electronic spin on their west coast sound. Most of the songs feature female vocalist Madeline Follin, while other tracks are accompanied by Brian Oblivion, … Read more