Matthew Heiner 
Belgrade Belgrade Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Belgrade creates a nuanced, easy-to-miss alternative rock album. Album Review: Belgrade is an indie rock band from Philadelphia that specializes in straightforward alternative that harken back to the late 90s and early 2000s. At first I wondered when Ed Roland from Collective Soul became the lead singer for … Read more
Thundercat Apocalypse Brainfeeder [2013] Fire Note Says: Thundercat’s sophomore effort is a psychedelic soul experience. Album Review: Stephen Bruner, playing under the name Thundercat, returns with a solid second outing in Apocalypse. Thundercat collaborated with Flying Lotus on this album and the spacey, trippy sounds reflect the two artists’ sensibilities. On Apocalypse you’ll find a … Read more
Pity Sex Feast Of Love Run For Cover Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Pity Sex makes an instantly familiar but irresistible album with Feast of Love. Album Review: A band with the name Pity Sex is asking for attention. You may think that the name is a cover-up for inconsequential mediocre music (think LMFAO, or … Read more
I Am Empire Anchors Tooth & Nail Records [2013] Fire Note Says: I Am Empire makes a compelling case with Anchors. Album Review: I Am Empire is a four-piece band coming out of San Jose, CA. Anchors is their third overall LP (second with their current label Tooth & Nail Records). For the most part … Read more
Ben Folds Five Live Sony Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ben Folds Five puts out a fan-pleasing but uneven live album. Album Review: One of the songs that I most identify with high school is “Underground.” I remember driving my blue Chevy Beretta to school, listening to the radio (94.1) and there being this weird … Read more
Surfer Blood Pythons Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Surfer Blood’s sophomore effort is cleaner but less charming than their debut. Album Review: Surfer Blood’s debut album Astro Coast was one of the best albums of 2010. The four-piece from Florida wowed with their guitar skills and lo-fi production, which combined to form a … Read more
Filter The Sun Comes Out Tonight Wind-Up Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With feet firmly planted in the 1990s, Filter makes a fresh, nostalgic album. Album Review: It’s safe to say Filter commercially peaked on their first two albums, which produced the singles “Hey Man Nice Shot” and “Take a Picture.” I can still see … Read more
City And Colour The Hurry And The Harm 10 Spot [2013] Fire Note Says: City and Colour’s fourth LP is vibrant and forthright. Album Review: City and Colour’s primary member is Dallas Green, former lead singer of the band Alexisonfire (and not the former baseball manager though that would be awesome). City and Colour used … Read more
Noah And The Whale Heart Of Nowhere Mercury Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Noah and the Whale’s fourth LP sputters after a strong start. Album Review: Noah and the Whale returns with their fourth LP Heart of Nowhere. Not being too familiar with the band prior to this album, their pop/folk stylings were a nice … Read more
The Boxer Rebellion Promises Universal Music Group [2013] Fire Note Says: The Boxer Rebellion perfects their knockout punch on their fourth LP Promises. Album Review: Sometimes an album grabs you for no good reason – all the analysis and critical thought can’t begin to explain the why’s or how’s. This is what happened to me … Read more
Camera Obscura Desire Lines 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Camera Obscura keep their sound familiar and fresh on their fifth LP. Album Review: Camera Obscura have been making music for the past 15 years; their newest release Desire Lines is instantly identifiable with the sound they have created over that time period. The Scottish … Read more
R.E.M. Live In Greensboro EP Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: R.E.M. gives a taste of their musicianship on the Live in Greensboro EP. Album Review: As part of Record Store Day 2013, an EP from R.E.M. was released that included live tracks taken from performances in Greensboro, NC in 1989. These tracks are … Read more
Kodaline Kodaline EP RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s debut EP shows that the up and coming band has promise. Album Review: Kodaline released a digital only self-titled EP last year that has recently gained momentum because of the inclusion of its song “All I Want” on Grey’s Anatomy. The song sounds like it … Read more
The Airborne Toxic Event Such Hot Blood Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Airborne Toxic Event swings for the fences with their third LP. Album Review: The Airborne Toxic Event is a frustrating band. It’s difficult for me to reconcile the different directions in which they pull me. At times their songs soar and … Read more
The Shouting Matches Grownass Man Middle West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Shouting Matches are loose and fun on their debut album. Album Review: Many of you will be interested in The Shouting Matches because of its superstar member Justin Vernon. Yes, he of Bon Iver fame has made a blues-rock album with two … Read more
Fitz And The Tantrums More Than Just A Dream Elektra Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fitz And The Tantrums returns with a sleeker but less endearing sound. Album Review: I hold a special place in my heart for Pickin Up The PIeces, Fitz And The Tantrums’ debut LP. Amazon picked it as an editor’s selection … Read more
Satellite Calling Birds Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Satellite targets prime time TV with debut album Calling Birds. Album Review: Me: Hey, there’s a new album to listen to: Satelitte’s Calling Birds. I’ve never heard of them before. (Starts listening). Other Me: This sounds a lot like Snow Patrol. I used to like Snow … Read more
Dirty Fences Too High To Kross Volcom Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Dirty Fences’ first full-length is a nitro-fueled punk ride. Album Review: Dirty Fences is a punk band with roots in both Boston and Brooklyn. Its members include Max Comaskey (bass/vocals), Jack Daves (vocals/guitar), Max Hiersteiner (drums/vocals), and Max Roseglass (guitar/vocals). As described above … Read more
California X California X Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: California X’s debut brings a garage rock meets post punk sound that gets better with every spin. Album Review: California X makes their debut with this eponymous LP. The punk trio from Amherst, MA consists of Lemmy Gurtowsky (guitar and vocals), Dan Jones (bass), … Read more
Dawes Stories Don’t End HUB Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Dawes’s third LP Stories Don’t End harkens back to classic rock staples. Album Review: Dawes’s third album Stories Don’t End sounded like it just came out of a time capsule. A time capsule buried in 1970’s-era Jackson Browne’s backyard. It’s eerie how much the feel … Read more
Cold War Kids Dear Miss Lonelyhearts Downtown Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cold War Kids evolve their sound on their latest Little Miss Lonelyhearts. Album Review: Cold War Kids return with their fourth LP Little Miss Lonelyhearts. The band, from Long Beach, CA, has relied on a heavy mix of guitar, piano, and drums on … Read more
Biffy Clyro Opposites Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Biffy Clyro makes a mainstream (double!) alternative rock album with Opposites. Album Review: Biffy Clyro – the name sounded like nonsense when I saw that I had a new album to review. The Scottish band primarily consists of Simon Neil, James Johnston, and Ben Johnston … Read more
Preston Lovinggood Sun Songs Communicating Vessels [2013] Fire Note Says: Preston Lovinggood surprises with a sensuous debut album. Album Review: Preston Lovinggood was most recently in the band Wild Sweet Orange who were based out of Birmingham, AL. With this in mind I was expecting some strong Southern rock as I fired up Sun Songs. … Read more
Devendra Banhart Mala Nonesuch Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Devendra Banhart’s debut on Nonesuch Mala is muy buena. Album Review: Devendra Banhart’s Mala is his latest release, his first since 2009’s What Will We Be. I came to this album with a recognition of Banhart’s name but not much previous exposure to his actual music. … Read more
Wild Belle Isles Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wild Belle’s debut provides a reggae-infused twist on The xx formula. Album Review: Wild Belle’s primary core is the brother-sister combination of Elliot and Natalie Bergman. They hail from Michigan and have made their debut with the album Isles. Natalie handles vocals on the majority of … Read more