The Besnard Lakes: Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO [Album Review]

The Besnard Lakes Until In Excess, Imperceptible UFO Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Besnard Lakes release another beautiful and enigmatic album. Album Review: Full disclosure: I am an unabashed superfan of this group. This puts me in a terrible place from which to listen critically to Montreal’s The Besnard Lakes’ fourth and most … Read more

Wavves: Afraid Of Heights [Album Review]

Wavves Afraid Of Heights Mom + Pop Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Nathan Williams cleans it up and gives us a solid slab of SoCal stoner punk. Album Review: Given the straight-line creative arc within the Wavves discography, the high gloss production values of Afraid Of Heights should come as no surprise. Following two lo-fi … Read more

Daughter: If You Leave [Album Review]

Daughter If You Leave 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Daughter’s debut album is a quiet, damaged, three hankie affair. Album Review: Some music conjures up a strong sense of color or hue – the dark black of Swans, the Technicolor of Animal Collective, the sepia cast sounds of Beach House or the bright neons … Read more

The Grenadines: The Grenadines [Album Review]

The Grenadines The Grenadines Communicating Vessels [2013] Fire Note Says: The Grenadines debut album is a diverse and uneven ride. Album Review: Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, The Grenadines make zero effort to conceal their Southern roots. Fronted by husband/wife team of Michael and Lauren Shackelford, they make a noise approximating a Dixie Yo La Tengo … Read more

Palma Violets: 180 [Album Review]

Palma Violets 180 Rough Trade Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Absurdly hyped London-based band delivers a fine, if flawed, debut. Album Review: Every few years the British music press, led by NME, goes insane over some foursome of young lads with bad haircuts. The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys, The Vaccines all come to mind. Like those … Read more

Waxahatchee: Cerulean Salt [Album Review]

Waxahatchee Cerulean Salt Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Katie Crutchfield returns with a stunning second album as Waxahatchee. Album Review: Alabama singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield cut her teeth with the indie punk band P.S. Eliot – a band whose members included twin sister Allison. Upon breaking up, Allison formed Swearin’ while Kate went solo. … Read more

Golden Grrrls: Golden Grrrls [Album Review]

Golden Grrrls Golden Grrrls Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Golden Grrrls take us on a breezy and pleasant trip back to the early nineties. Album Review: Slumberland is home to much of what remains of that oft-maligned genre of indie pop affectionately known as twee. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Sea Lions, … Read more

Suuns: Image Du Futur [Album Review]

Suuns Images Du Futur Secretly Canadian Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Montreal act’s second album impresses in almost every way. Album Review: If imitation is the highest form of flattery then Clinic must be mightily pleased with the sophomore effort by Montreal’s Suuns. On their stunning 2010 debut, Zeroes QC, Suuns conjured up a highly … Read more

ON AN ON: Give In [Album Review]

ON AN ON Give In Roll Call Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The remnants of indie pop stalwarts Scattered Trees triumphantly release a dark and diverse debut. Album Review: With only two weeks before Chicago/Minneapolis band Scattered Trees were scheduled to record a new album in Toronto with famed producer Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, … Read more