Penicillin Baby is a psych-pop band out of Nashville, who mix fuzzy surf-pop melodies, pounding bass and rhythmic drums. Did that grab your attention? If so, then you will want to check out their single “Stick It Out,” either from the soundcloud stream or their new video below. What makes this band appealing is all … Read more
On May 5, 2013 The National collaborated with Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson on A Lot of Sorrow, a durational performance presented as part of MoMA PS1’s Sunday Sessions. Kjartansson, who often uses repetitive performance to explore collective experience and emotion, invited The National to play their three-minute, twenty-five second song “Sorrow” live on stage, repeatedly … Read more
Passenger Peru Light Places Fleeting Youth Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Brooklyn duo expands upon their excellent debut with an even better sophomore album! Album Review: I have been sitting on this review for a few weeks, trying to figure out some hook to tie this whole thing together and then I had an epiphany. … Read more
José González Vestiges & Claws Mute Records [2015] Fire Note Says: José González’s third album shows why he gives indie singer-songwriters a good name. Album Review: José González has always been on the periphery of my music radar—”recommended if you like” lists, collaborations or tours with artists I’m more familiar with, or just word of … Read more
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
They Might Be Giants’ new studio release, Glean, will be out April 21st. The SPECIAL DIE-CUT VINYL EDITION will not be in print for ever. While it is not a limited edition per se, it is a custom printing. The whole in the center reveals the inner sleeve to provocative and gruesome effect. Per TMBG … Read more
Fleeting Youth Records keep releasing quality music and Philadelphia’s Loose Tooth is next on the plate. You can hear what I am talking about with the band’s second song, “Skinny Chewy,” from their forthcoming debut album, Easy Easy East, set to release on 4/21. Loose Tooth Facebook Fleeting Youth Records
Waxahatchee Ivy Tripp Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Indie stardom hasn’t diminished Katie Crutchfield’s songwriting flame. Album Review: It’s a tricky thing – working on the follow-up to your breakout LP. Many musicians have wilted under the pressure of increased critical scrutiny and fan expectations. Do you return with more of the same or … Read more
Toro y Moi What For? Carpark Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi refreshes his sound on What For? Album Review: Toro y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick) has taken a leap forward on his new album, What For? Previously Bundick’s music has been much more relaxed and streamlined, heavy on the synthesizer. Bundick forsakes … Read more
Death Cab For Cutie Kintsugi Atlantic Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Kintsugi is a break up record that doesn’t hit all of its marks. Album Review: Death Cab for Cutie hit it in a big way, over a decade ago along with a host of other young bands, like Dashboard Confessional, labeled as emo for … Read more
Speedy Ortiz could easily produce songs that sound rote. But within their 90’s indie trappings a distinct personality develops with the help of angular guitars, barely-disguised pain, and poetically-delivered wit. They’ve delivered before, so it can only be assumed that this personality will transfer over to their new release Foil Deer. After the exciting release … Read more
We really could not get enough of Ex Hex’s debut record last year as Rips landed number 5 on our Blazing Top 50. Rips’ twelve songs definitely delivered a lesson on what it takes to create a great rock album. Now you can watch the trio of Mary Timony, Laura Harris and Betsy Wright have … Read more
Andy Gabbard Fluff Alive Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Andy Gabbard comes at you with a 90’s rock guitar in his hand. Album Review: Have you ever sat in your room and just thought of making a record? I don’t even care if you can play an instrument, remember one lyric or even been close … Read more
Godspeed You! Black Emperor Asunder, Sweet And Other Distresses Constellation Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The noisy Canadians are back. Better run for the hills. Album Review: If ever there was a band in a perpetual bad mood it would have to be these Montreal freaks. Although their targets are mostly well-worn demons: Capitalism, Globalization, … Read more
Courtney Barnett Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit Mom + Pop / Milk! Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Barnett is not afraid to say what you think. Album Review: Imagine if someone taped your daily inner thoughts and then put them on a record. Hmm – what kind of crazy would … Read more
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Freedom Tower – No Wave Dance Party 2015 Mom + Pop Music [2015] Fire Note Says: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion return with no class-believe me that’s a good thing. Album Review: After asking to pay respects during opener “Funeral,” Spencer then asks “Fellas, are you ready to hit it … Read more
Sufjan Stevens Carrie & Lowell Asthmatic Kitty Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Sufjan not only creates his most personal record to date but also one of his best. Album Review: How many times do you really hear an artist return to a past sound? I would say not that many. So many times in reviews … Read more
The Splits hail from Helsinki, Finland and after one spin of today’s fire track you will not be surprised that they have a love for 70’s punk. The velocity of “Melody” is all I need to hear with the power vocals and backup ahh ahhs to make my day better. Their new record, simply titled … Read more
The King Khan & BBQ Show Bad News Boys In The Red Records [2015] Fire Note Says: King Khan & BBQ return with another fun and rockin’ set of songs. Album Review: We last heard from King Khan on the 2013 Merge Records release Idle No More with the Shrines. It was one of most … Read more
Here is your second chance at the new limited set from Ryan Adams. There was not a pressing number on the first offer but it did sell out and is already going for bigger dollars on the second hand market. Pre-orders for the second pressing will begin today (3/25) at 10am PDT and end on … Read more
Evans The Death Expect Delays Slumberland Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Evans the Death enthralls with Expect Delays. Album Review: London’s Evans The Death has returned with their second album, Expect Delays, following up their 2012 eponymous debut. Band members include Katherine Whitaker (vocals and keys), Dan Moss (guitar), Olly Moss (bass), and James Burkitt … Read more
Modest Mouse Strangers To Ourselves Epic Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Modest Mouse returns and it was almost worth the wait. Album Review: A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work. Which is to say that even if this were the least impressive album of Modest Mouse’s career (which it is) … Read more
Madonna Rebel Heart Boy Toy / Interscope Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Rebel Heart is a pretty safe and predictable offering. Album Review: We have to give Madonna her due. In 1983, it was easy to assume that she was just one more “Lucky Star,” a flash in the pan, one and done. Dance/disco acts … Read more
Pile You’re Better Than This Exploding In Sound Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Pile’s third LP continues their trend of incredible releases, and this time they have out done themselves. This is album of the year material. Album Review: Once upon a time, I heard a disjointed, but oddly intriguing LP, Pavement’s Slanted and Enchanted. … Read more
Hayden Hey Love Arts & Crafts [2015] Fire Note Says: Toronto’s Hayden adds another strong record to his ever growing catalog. Album Review: Hayden had immediate attention on his 1996 debut Everything I Long For. His brooding vocals and lonely arrangements landed perfectly and were very fresh at the time, as the alternative rock explosion … Read more