Bombay Bicycle Club So Long, See You Tomorrow Island Records[2014] Fire Note Says: Bombay Bicycle Club continue to evolve in strange and unexpected ways. Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club don’t want to be the biggest rock ‘n roll band in the world. In fact, it’s unclear they even want to be a rock ‘n roll … Read more
If there’s one philosophy here at The Fire Note, too much John Dwyer is never a bad thing-or at least it hasn’t been a problem yet. While John Dwyer is readying his solo LP under the name Damaged Bug, his band Thee Oh Sees have announced their follow-up to 2013’s great album Floating Coffin. Drop … Read more
Kishi Bashi Live On Valentine’s Joyful Noise Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Just in time for Valentine’s day Kishi Bashi reinvents the magic in a live setting. Album Review: When you‘re an artist like Kishi Bashi, stripping out some elements that made his debut 151a so irresistible could be a death sentence. But, when you … Read more
Thumpers Galore Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Thumpers debut has its moments but runs a tad long. Album Review: It always interest me when labels venture outside their perceived niche. Anymore not so much with Sub Pop Records but I think London’s Thumpers debut, Galore, will still make you raise an eyebrow with … Read more
The Rebel Set How To Make A Monster Burger Records/Silver Hornet [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rebel Set revel in paying tribute to the Surf Rock kings of yesteryear. Album Review: Surf-rock in landlocked Arizona? Sure, why not? Remember: JFA was from Arizona too and did a fantastic job of combining The Ventures with The … Read more
Sun Kil Moon Benji Caldo Verde Records [2014] Fire Note Says: An intense lyrical driven record from Sun Kil Moon that takes a deep look at life. Album Review: Following Mark Kozelek’s career over the years can push every sensory button that includes the highest highs and lowest lows. It happened in the Red House … 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
TFN absolutly loved The Distillers, so when frontwoman Brody Dalle announcd she was going solo we got a bit excited. Her last band, Spinerette, was much more the “rock” band compared to her earlier punk days so all bets were off for what a solo record would sound like. Well, now we know a little … Read more
The Fire Note is happy to premiere the new video from Sleepers Work. Sleepers Work is the project of William Flynn; NY based multi-instrumentalist and composer that has been in Acrylics, Aufgang, and The Prigs along with playing bass and clarinet with St. Vincent. “Dawn And The Moon” is filled with visually stimulating imagery that … Read more
Maxïmo Park Too Much Information Daylighting Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Maxïmo Park look to shake up their sound on their fifth lp, with mostly positive results. Album Review: Since bursting onto the scene with their debut album, A Certain Trigger, in 2005, Maxïmo Park has been a band that I have followed with great … Read more
Speedy Ortiz Real Hair EP Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speedy Ortiz return with a four track EP that will leave you wanting more! Album Review: Speedy Ortiz burst onto the indie scene last year with their debut full length Major Arcana (TFN Review). The record landed at #12 in our Top 50 with … Read more
Motel Beds These Are The Days Gone By Misra Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Motel Beds release a compilation that you need to hear! Album Review: Dayton, Ohio has been in the indie music news lately with the Breeders touring and Guided By Voices consistently releasing new records but what about peeling the Gem City … 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
There’s been a lot of turmoil in Pixie-land of late. With the departure of Kim Deal and her replacement Kim Shattuck, attention has been understandably centered around whatever female bass player lines up to play with the legendary band. The newest member is no stranger to the spotlight – or to strong personalities within a … Read more
Have you checked out veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina yet? Since 2002, Molina has played in several bands including Dystrophy, Ovens, Lifetime Problems, Caged Animal, Violent Change and his current solo work. Most recently, he released the “Six Tracks EP” through Matador Records’ Singles Going Home Alone series and his first solo album, Dissed … Read more
“Soul isn’t a feeling, a sound or a movement. It’s a connection, a current in the air — the spark of recognition, and emotions leaping across live wires.” That is at least how former CeeLo Green collaborator Curtis Harding describes it. After checking out his work with the guys from Black Lips and Night Beats … Read more
2013 made for an interesting year in music, not that it wasn’t packed full of its own surprises. It only seemed that there were a few stand outs. 2014 seems to be well on its way to fixing that. Fire Note favorites, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s are primed to release their anticipated … Read more
The New Mendicants Into The Lime Ashmont Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Pernice Brothers + Teenage Fanclub = Creamy Pop Heaven Album Review: When Joe Pernice and Norman Blake make a record together, you don’t ask many questions, you just listen to it. When that record, Into The Lime, completely lives up to your … Read more
Big Head Todd And The Monsters Black Beehive Shout! Factory [2017] Fire Note Says: After 25 years, Big Head Todd & The Monsters have remained true to their sound. Album Review: In the 25 years since recording their indie debut album, Another Mayberry, Colorado-based Big Head Todd & the Monsters have proved themselves to be … Read more
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been taking some heat this week after it was noticed that they didn’t “plug in” for their Super Bowl performance. Flea tried to explain their actions while fans and critics landed on both sides of the debate. I guess I don’t really care – Chad Smith played drums with … 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
Water Liars Water Liars Fat Possum Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Water Liars return with another batch of emotional sing-alongs. Album Review: Don’t let the new self-titled effort from Mississippi’s Water Liars fool you as it is the band’s third full length album and one of their most accomplished records to date. The group once … Read more
The Verlaines Hallelujah All The Way Home/Juvenilia Captured Tracks/Flying Nun[1985,1987/2013] Fire Note Says: Captured Tracks continues reissuing essential albums from the Flying Nun catalog. Album Review: Anyone who reads The Fire Note with any regularity knows of our unabashed love for that particular brand of Kiwi-pop so perfectly commemorated by legendary New Zealand label Flying … Read more
Here is the new video from Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr.’s titled “Strange Tidings.” It is the third from last years AHJ EP (TFN Review), out now on Cult Records. The video was shot in Paris with director Laurent Briet during Hammond, Jr.’s recent European tour.
Neighborhood Brats “Total Dementia” + 3 Dirtnap Records [2014] How about a female-fronted Black Flag? Sounds interesting doesn’t it. Well, Los Angeles band Neighborhood Brats is working on filling that wish with their new four song 7-inch on Dirtnap Records. Led by front woman Jenny Angelillo and guitarist George Rager, the Neighborhood Brats are joined … Read more