Sun Stone Revolvers Spaceship X Optical Sounds [2013] Fire Note Says: Sun Stone Revolvers keep things surprising with the space-soaked grower Spaceship X Album Review: It seems there are a couple of places that Sun Stone Revolvers would like to be welcomed: a vampire rave á la the movie Blade, somewhere nicely hidden in a … Read more
Destruction Unit, in many different forms, toured for almost the entirety of 2013. As fast as they came home the band is ready to start yet another tour. The first of the dates will be with Parquet Courts and then they split off on their own for a bit before meeting up with Deafheaven for … Read more
The first DAVID BOWIE release of 2014 will be ‘Rebel Rebel’ the latest in the run of 40th anniversary 7″ picture discs released by Parlophone Records. This will be the 7th 40th anniversary 7″ picture disc released. The A-side of the limited edition 7″ picture disc features the original single mix of the track which … Read more
Upset She’s Gone Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Upset play pop-punk like it should be – tight and catchy! Album Review: Here is a record I sat on stupidly last year. It can be a little overwhelming at times around Fire Note headquarters as releases roll in and sometimes we miss one that … Read more
Roseanne Cash The River & The Thread Blue Note Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Rosanne Cash explores the deep connections that make us who we are. Album Review: It’s been 8 years since Roseanne Cash released the phenomenal Black Cadillac, an intimate reflection on the passing of her parents – Vivian Liberto Distin, the first … Read more
Painted Palms Forever Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Painted Palms have plenty of “moments” with their debut Forever. Album Review: I don’t know about you but I always feel like I should be more in touch with my cousins. I have one that lives close but most are over 600 miles away. Well distance … Read more
Russian Circles Memorial Sargent House Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Russian Circles puts out an intense, emotional album with Memorial. Album Review: Russian Circles is a three-piece rock/metal band from Chicago, consisting of Mike Sullivan (guitar), Dave Turncrantz (drums), and Brian Cook (bass). Memorial is the band’s fifth album and also served as my introduction … Read more
7 years, 3 studios, and 2 engineers later, Swearing At Motorists are back with the album While Laughing, The Joker Tells The Truth. It was produced by band founder and frontman Dave Doughman & Rick McPhail (Tocotronic/Glacier of Maine) at the Upper Room in Hamburg over 4 weeks. This is Swearing At Motorists’ first new … Read more
Julia Holter Loud City Song Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: LA art-pop songstress creates a near masterpiece with her third LP. Album Review: Julia Holter certainly doesn’t shy away from big subject matters. Her first album (2011’s Tragedy) was based on Eurypides’ Hippolytus and last year’s brilliant Ekstasis drew from Virginia Woolf (among others.) … Read more
Bruce Springsteen High Hopes Columbia Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Springsteen once again shows his uniqueness among the great rockers of our era. Album Review: You don’t get very far into the new Bruce Springsteen album before you realize that this is not “Wrecking Ball II.” First, the opening title track, an up-tempo splash of … Read more
At The Drive-In Relationship Of Command Fearless Records Released: September 12, 2000 Producer: Ross Robinson Length: 45:31 At The Drive-In didn’t invent the post-hardcore scene. But did they have impeccable right place/right timing with one of the most important works of the last decade. Their third and final LP Relationship Of Command couldn‘t be any … Read more
Night Sun “No Pressure” b/w “On My Way” Burger Records [2014] What is the purpose of the 7-inch? It used to be what all of the hit singles were pressed on. Now it is a way to get a small sample of music out there and in most cases build up some hype. I love … Read more
The War on Drugs have just launched their pre-order for the follow-up to their excellent 2011 album Slave Ambient. It’s called Lost in the Dream, and it’s out March 18 via Secretly Canadian. You can now pre-order Lost In The Dream on limited purple LP HERE. There is also a bundle option that includes the … Read more
Please note: Girl Band does not have any girls in the band. Nope – four late teens / early 20’s dudes from Dublin. Glad that is out of the way because this band took me by surprise with their new single “Lawman.” The track is a menacing six minutes from the opening drum march to … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Give The People What They Want Daptone Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings return with another soaring spoonful of soul! Album Review: Here is a record that was scheduled to release last August but right at the time Daptone Records announced its arrival Sharon Jones was … Read more
15-60-75 (The Numbers Band) Jimmy Bell’s Still In Town Exit Stencil Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Unsung Ohio heroes score huge with reissue of Jimmy Bell‘s Still In Town. Album Review: “We’re not interested in making hits,” said 15-60-75 (The Numbers Band) main man Robert Kidney, “we’re interested in making history.” It only get better … Read more
Woods has just announced their new album With Light and With Love out April 15, 2014 on Woodsist Records. Distinct from both the stoned folk of their earliest recordings and the Kraut-y dalliances of more recent fare, With Light And With Love showcases a more sophisticated brand of contemporary drug music that owes more to … Read more
The Dead Weather “Open Up (That’s Enough)” b/w “Rough Detective” Third Man Records [2013] This 7-inch is the first taste of new Dead Weather material. In a unique long-term strategy, they are the first of a series of two-song sets The Dead Weather will be releasing up until 2015, at which time the singles–plus numerous … Read more
1994 was a great year for music and looking back it also was a year that started some major trends. It is hard to believe that the following ten albums turn 20 this year and to be honest it was difficult to narrow down this list. There are plenty of albums that could show up … Read more
Brendan Canning You Gots 2 Chill Draper St./SQE Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Not enough meat for a feel meal, but You Gots 2 Chill is a nice appetizer. Album Review: Brendan Canning is best known for being one of the key members of Broken Social Scene, and while that band appears to be on … Read more
You’re Living All Over Me is an indie alt-rock classic from Massachusetts monoliths Dinosaur Jr. Originally released in 1987, and now reissued by Jagjaguwar, this fine and furious album is available for a limited time on transparent green wax, and limited to 500 copies. You can pre-order one at Newbury Comics HERE.
The Paper Kites States Nettwerk Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Paper Kites build on the success of their Young North EP. Album Review: When I reviewed The Paper Kites previous release, the Young North EP (TFN Review), I noted that the band seemed poised for greatness. The warm, shuffling folky atmosphere of the EP … Read more
Cass McCombs Big Wheel And Others Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: An epic 22 song album that is as frustrating as it is thrilling. Album Review: I don’t know much about Cass McCombs the man, but I know a fair amount about him as a musician. As a songwriter, McCombs is able to work … Read more
Gap Dream Shine Your Light Burger Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gap Dream go down a different path on their sophomore record Shine Your Light. Album Review: Sometimes you know what you are going to get just based on the label that an artist resides on. With Burger Records that style has typically been some … Read more
Crooks On Tape Fingerprint Misra Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Crooks On Tape continue the charm of members previous bands. Album Review: If you are similar to me then you always follow artists you like to their next project. In the case of Crooks On Tape that would be John Schmersal with a resume that … Read more