The Dodos Individ Polyvinyl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Dodos play to their strengths on Individ. Album Review: The Dodos are the California-based duo consisting of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber. Their music has been defined through their now six albums as songs full of intricate guitar-playing and drumming. Long and Kroeber seemed to … Read more
Alex Calder Strange Dreams Captured Tracks [2015] Fire Note Says: Alex Calder creates experimental indie pop on his debut Strange Dreams. Album Review: Strange Dreams is the debut record from Edmontonion Alex Calder who is better known from his previous band, Makeout Videotape which also included Mac DeMarco. Of course, followers of DeMarco will want … Read more
Justin Townes Earle Absent Fathers Vagrant Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Earle delivers a heart felt album with the new Absent Fathers. Album Review: It looks to be hard enough to make a name for one’s self, shape a sound, build a following, but when you add climbing out from beneath the shadow of a … Read more
2015 just got a little better as Merge Records has announced the new Mikal Cronin, MCIII, will be released May 5th. The first 500 orders of MCIII on LP in the Merge store will receive the album on clear colored vinyl. You can grab your copy HERE. MCIII is the follow up to Cronin’s excellent … Read more
Viet Cong Viet Cong Jagjaguwar Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Ruthless, cold, endearing, and machine-like, Viet Cong produce an impressive debut. Album Review: If Viet Cong is any indication of what Matt Flegel and Mike Wallace’s previous outfit Women sounded like then I wish I knew more. The project ended on a sad note, as … Read more
Belle And Sebastian Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance Matador Records [2015] Fire Note Says: By combining 60’s pop hooks with a disco beat Belle And Sebastian have redefined their signature sound! Album Review: Has it really been almost five years since we last had a new Belle and Sebastian record? Apparently so, and truth … Read more
London-based trio Doe is made up of Nicola Leel (vocals/guitar), Matt Sykes (guitar), and Jake Popyura (drums.) The group formed in 2013 and put out a handful of singles & EPs. That work has developed into their debut record, First Four, that will see its North American release on February 24th via Old Flame Records. … Read more
Jack White Live From Bonnaroo 2014 Third Man Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Jack White releases vault package #22 as a triple LP tour-de-force. Album Review: 2015 is shaping up to be a hell of a year. A new Sleater-Kinney album, a new Radiohead album, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion’s Freedom Tower announced for March, … Read more
Sleater-Kinney No Cities To Love Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney have just set the 2015 bar very high! Album Review: These days, it is almost expected that at some point all previous broke up, hiatus and missing bands will all of a sudden announce that they are back. Recently, the reaction to … Read more
Parkay Quarts Content Nausea What’s Your Rupture? Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A late 2014 release from Parquet Courts offshoot project is a must have! Album Review: Parkay Quarts is the side project of Andrew Savage and Austin Brown of Parquet Courts, and one can only assume that this side project is a way of … Read more
The Decemberists What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World Capitol Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Lighter and a bit brighter, The Decemberists have greater focus on their 7th studio record. Album Review: The folky harmonica driven song that gives this 7th studio album from Portland, Oregon’s The Decemberists its title is “12-17-12,” a song … Read more
COZY Button By Button HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Give COZY 31 minutes and they will make you believe they are the best band in the world! Album Review: Two things you need to know right off the bat about COZY, they play loud, catchy power pop punk with attitude and they are on … Read more
Anyone need a little in your face snarling glam rock to get your Friday going? Well, San Fernando Valley’s Prima Donna will fill your head with a one-two punch of punk rock and glam jam on “Pretty Little Head.” The track has it all with busting out drums, large guitars, a sassy lead vocal and … Read more
[Ultra Clear Variant is now sold out] Castle Face Records has not let a single person down with their Live in San Francisco series. This new one from the Ty Segall Band will be no different and once again is pressed in a limited to 1000 copies ultra clear variant. These should hurry out the … Read more
There are only three dates left to check out Chuck Ragan in the US so plan accordingly. He has been touring in support of his latest, Till Midnight, which came out last year via SideOneDummy Records. Starting March 18, Chuck kicks his European tour off in Dublin and will stay across seas until his final … Read more
2015 is here! Who is ready for some new music? We definitely are and in January’s Bandcamp feature we hope to start your year off right! In this edition, you will hear an indie pop songstress from Phili, rock from Boston, an electronic blend from Canada, mood music out of Portland and garage psychedelic from … Read more
Panda Bear Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper Domino Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Panda Bear’s latest is more accessible and tuneful. Album Review: Animal Collective and one of its core members Noah Lennox have been on the cutting edge of indie music for the past 15 years. Lennox performs as a solo act under … Read more
The Fire Note are big fans of Ottawa’s Big Dick and couldn’t be more excited for their second LP Disappointment out February 24th via Dirt Cult Records. Big Dick know post-punk and don’t mess around on their newly released track “Let Down.” It definitely sets the tone for what should be a rocking February. Check … Read more
“Quiet is the new loud” is a phrase that always circles back around in the music scene from time to time. Those simple words capture the true essence of today’s video premiere from Brian Lopez. His Jeff Buckley meets Thom Yorke sounding vocal will instantly grab your ear as his hush delivery and calm demeanor … Read more
Luluc Passerby Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Luluc’s Passerby is a perfect album for a quiet wintry day. Album Review: Luluc’s sophomore album Passerby came out in July of 2014 and went unnoticed in some parts (like The Fire Note, for example). In spite of the Australian duo’s pedigree and lush songwriting, it … Read more
Waxahatchee’s new album Ivy Tripp will be out April 7 via Merge Records. The record will be the highly anticipated follow up to Cerulean Salt, which landed #6 in our Top 50 of 2013. The album was recorded and engineered by Kyle Gilbride of Wherever Audio at band founder, leader, and singer Katie Crutchfield’s home … Read more
Speaking Suns Vanishing Country Great Guys Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speaking Suns’ debut is a surprisingly mature musical statement. Album Review: Originally hailing from the land of Dave Chappelle and famous liberal arts school Antioch College (a.k.a. Yellow Springs, OH), Speaking Suns is a pretty young band—both in the age of its members and … Read more
Do you have the New Year’s blues? It is that feeling after the holidays of just too much everything combined with grey winter skies. Well today’s Fire Track from Ryley Walker should help pull you out of the rut and look forward to warmer days. Walker has a new album, Primrose Green, out March 31st … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Monuments To An Elegy Martha’s Music/BMG [2014] Fire Note Says: If you don’t over-think it, Monuments to An Elegy has a lot to offer. Album Review: Billy Corgan is one of those smart rockers, maybe too smart for his own good. One clue you may be dealing with someone who over-thinks their … Read more
Sturgill Simpson Metamodern Sounds in Country Music High Top Mountain Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sturgill Simpson’s country album transcends the genre. Album Review: Ask someone what kind of music they like and the response is typically I like everything but…. If you, like me, are wont to respond with “country music” please do not … Read more