Matthew Heiner 
Jupe Jupe Crooked Kisses Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Jupe Jupe’s third album Crooked Kisses has a lot to offer. Album Review: Jupe Jupe has released their third album since 2010 with Crooked Kisses. The band is as indie as it can get, self-publishing this record. They hail from Seattle, WA; members include My Young … Read more
Band Of Horses Acoustic At The Ryman Brown Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Band of Horses’ Acoustic at the Ryman is lush and refreshing. Album Review: As a Nashville native, I can’t think of many venues that would be a better fit for an acoustic album from a band like Band of Horses than the … Read more
Preston Lovinggood Shadow Songs Communicating Vessels [2014] Fire Note Says: Preston Lovinggood’s follow-up is just as strong as his debut. Album Review: Preston Lovinggood’s solo debut, Sun Songs, came out just last year. His newest release, Shadow Songs, as you might be able to detect, is a sequel of sorts to his first album. The … Read more
Young The Giant Mind Over Matter Fueled by Ramen Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Young The Giant’s sophomore LP is slick and crisp. Album Review: Young The Giant’s second LP, Mind Over Matter, is at times irresistable. The California band, consisting of Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), … Read more
The Outfit Tough Kids EP Hot Congress Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Outfit aims to please with their EP Tough Kids. Album Review: Denver’s The Outfit put out a pretty solid EP last year, which was a follow-up to their 2011 debut Broken West Wishbone Test. This newest EP is titled Tough Kids and … Read more
Broken Bells After The Disco Columbia Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Broken Bells’ second LP could use a bit more energy. Album Review: James Mercer and Danger Mouse (Brian Burton), the two principals of Broken Bells, have collaborated again on recent release After The Disco. Being a big fan of The Shins and a lot … Read more
Mode Moderne Occult Delight Light Organ Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mode Moderne’s Occult Delight is dark and catchy. Album Review: Mode Moderne is a neo-New Wave band based out of Vancouver. When I think of Vancouver I think of the Pacific Northwest – a little dark and rainy but also progressive. This description fits … Read more
Blank Realm Grassed Inn Fire Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Blank Realm’s breezy second album Grassed Inn is warm and inviting. Album Review: The latest addition to the If-Not-For-The-Vocals All Stars is Blank Realm. The four-piece from Brisbane, Australia released their debut Go Easy last year. Their follow-up Grassed Inn is more disciplined and focused … Read more
Hospitality Trouble Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Hospitality’s Trouble happily doesn’t live up to its title. Album Review: I’ve listened to Hospitality’s sophomore LP Trouble many times and it is still difficult to get a feel for this album. At times psychedelic, at others poppy, and yet at others rocking, Trouble doesn’t lend itself … Read more
Rebuilder Rebuilder EP Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Rebuilder brings the energy with their eponymous debut EP. Album Review: Rebuilder is a punk band from Boston that formed in January 2013 and then put out their first EP (Rebuilder) in July of the same year. Band members include Sal Ellington (guitar and … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem The B-Sides SideOneDummy Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Gaslight Anthem fails to hit the mark with The B-Sides. Album Review: When a band releases a b-sides album you always hope that a forgotten or overlooked gem gets to shine. There are tons of examples of this – the one that always … Read more
AFI Burials Republic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: AFI pleases fans with its 9th album Burials. Album Review: AFI is someone’s favorite band. That person got excited when they heard that AFI was in the studio again to release their ninth studio album in 18 years. (Take a second to let that fact sink in.) … Read more
Russian Circles Memorial Sargent House Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Russian Circles puts out an intense, emotional album with Memorial. Album Review: Russian Circles is a three-piece rock/metal band from Chicago, consisting of Mike Sullivan (guitar), Dave Turncrantz (drums), and Brian Cook (bass). Memorial is the band’s fifth album and also served as my introduction … Read more
The Killers Direct Hits Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Killers’ Direct Hits tracks the evolution of the band. Album Review: The Killers have been around long enough to put out a greatest hits album. This collection, Direct Hits, lets you see how The Killers began as a neo-New Wave outfit and turned into … Read more
The 1975 The 1975 Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The 1975’s debut is promising but its identity is hazy. Album Review: The 1975 are an English band consisting of Matthew Healy (vocals, guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums), and Ross MacDonald (bass). Healy (not related to Fran Healy of Travis) and company have … Read more
The Fratellis We Need Medicine BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: The Fratellis return with the safe-but-fun We Need Medicine. Album Review: The Fratellis have returned with their third long player, We Need Medicine. The Fratellis are a three-piece band from Glasgow, Scotland, made up of Jon Fratelli (nee John Lawler), Barry Fratelli (Barry Wallace), and … Read more
Cage The Elephant Melophobia RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cage The Elephant’s uneven third LP Melophobia has some great moments. Album Review: Bowling Green’s (KY) Cage The Elephant has returned with their third LP, Melophobia. Cage The Elephant has been a popular band in their first two outings and their sound remains true in … Read more
Kodaline In A Perfect World RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s In A Perfect World is a likeable, if familiar, debut. Album Review: Do you know someone who likes Coldplay? How about Mumford & Sons? May I suggest a stocking stuffer for that person? Kodaline’s In A Perfect World is a nice blend between … Read more
Diane Coffee My Friend Fish Western Vinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Diane Coffee’s fuzzy, colorful debut is a wonderful surprise. Album Review: Would you believe that a former Disney Channel star had made one of the most exciting debut indie albums of 2013? No it’s not Britney Spears. Not Justin Timberlake. Not Selena Gomez. … Read more
Holy Ghost! Dynamics DFA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Holy Ghost! could use another exclamation point or two on the latest, Dynamics. Album Review: Holy Ghost’s sophomore LP, Dynamics, had a lot to live up to. While not universally fawned upon by the public, their eponymous debut had a lot of great moments and it … Read more
Heavenly Beat Prominence Captured Tracks [2013] Fire Note Says: Heavenly Beat’s sophomore effort is a smooth groovy album. Album Review: Heavenly Beat returns with their second album in as many years. The mastermind behind Heavenly Beat is Texas’ John Pena, who plays with a few studio artists but is primarily responsible for everything you hear … Read more
of Montreal Lousy With Sylvianbriar Polyvinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: of Montreal chooses the accessible route on their latest. Album Review: of Montreal is the product of Kevin Barnes’ vision and work ethic. Lousy With Sylvianbriar is the band’s 12th LP since their debut in 1997. That is roughly an album a year over … Read more
Delorean Apar True Panther Sounds [2013] Fire Note Says: This Delorean is a fresh modern sound – no time travel is necessary to enjoy it. Album Review: Delorean is a synth-pop band from Spain. And yes, they admit to being named for the vehicle from Back To The Future. Now that that’s out of the … Read more
Radkey Devil Fruit EP Little Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Radkey’s Devil Fruit EP shows promise for the future. Album Review: Radkey is a three-piece punk band from St. Joseph, Missouri. They are three brothers (Dee, Isaiah, and Solomon) who play well together. This in and of itself is quite the accomplishment, as parents … Read more
R.E.M. released the 25th anniversary of their first major label album Green earlier this year. As the band has disbanded we get the chance to look back at this group’s impressive catalog. I’ve selected a deep cut (a song not released as a single) from each of the band’s 15 albums that are worth exploring … Read more