Radioactivity Radioactivity Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jeff Burke of Marked Men returns to the States and releases debut from his new band Radioactivity! Album Review: Dirtnap Records recently released the new Mind Spiders LP (TFN Review) from ex-Marked Men Mark Ryan. Radioactivity is another ex-Marked Men project that not only involves Ryan but … Read more
Placeholder I Don’t Need Forgiveness Black Numbers [2013] Fire Note Says: Placeholder proves that the rumors of emo’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Album Review: So what are we on now? The fourth wave of emo? Let me do some quick math here. The first wave was dominated by the DC scene and bands like … Read more
Bardo Pond Peace On Venus Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bardo Pond lays down the heavy droning lysergic riffs as they travel the spaceways. Album Review: One does not simply put on a Bardo Pond album and think, let’s review this thing. It doesn’t work that way. The long time psychedelic band from Philadelphia, … Read more
Night Beats Sonic Bloom Reverberation Appreciation Society [2013] Fire Note Says: Night Beats invoke a heavy recollection of the hazy 60‘s with their second LP Sonic Bloom Album Review: I hate to call it a bummer, but that‘s the only word that comes to mind when thinking about Sonic Bloom-that may be too harsh. I … Read more
Barton Carroll Avery County, I’m Bound To You Skybucket Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Barton Carroll returns with another album of solid songwriting and modern folk that should catch your attention. Album Review: If you remember the little blog we used to have, you may be familiar with singer/songwriter Barton Carroll. His last record, Together … Read more
Islands released their new video today for “Wave Forms” from their newly released record Ski Mask. Directed by Strike Anywhere, the video follows Islands as they join a lone roller skater (played by Cory Zacharia) as he rolls through the streets of Lancaster, California. Zacharia has been a recurring character in Mike Ott’s films, including … Read more
Jeff Burke from The Marked Men has a new band called Radioactivity. Great solid catchy punk rock from Dirtnap Records. The first 300 of their debut is on yellow vinyl, and are available via mailorder only. You can find it HERE.
Circus Devils My Mind Has Seen The White Trick Happy Jack Rock Records [2013] Circus Devils When Machines Attack Happy Jack Rock Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Two Circus Devils records – two completely different releases! Album Review: It was just the other day that I was talking Robert Pollard projects and Circus Devils came … Read more
Los Lobos Disconnected In New York City 429 Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Los Lobos celebrate 40 years with their excellent new live record. Album Review: What do you do on your band’s 40th anniversary, especially if on your 20th you released an exhaustive two-disc collection of your early triumphs that includes many of your … Read more
Heavenly Beat Prominence Captured Tracks [2013] Fire Note Says: Heavenly Beat’s sophomore effort is a smooth groovy album. Album Review: Heavenly Beat returns with their second album in as many years. The mastermind behind Heavenly Beat is Texas’ John Pena, who plays with a few studio artists but is primarily responsible for everything you hear … Read more
Indiana’s psyche post-punks, TV Ghost are ready to hit the US roads this December with Holograms. This tour will support their recently released third full-length LP, Disconnect (TFN Review), on In The Red Records. You can see the full list of tour dates below. TV GHOST LIVE DATES 12/4: DC9 – Washington DC # 12/5: … Read more
On February 11th, 2012, Mastodon took the stage at London’s O2 Academy in Brixton, capping off the Atlanta-based band’s world tour in support of their critically acclaimed album The Hunter. This sold-out performance was Mastodon’s first show at the legendary Brixton venue. Mastodon Live At Brixton will be released on December 10th, so fans will … Read more
Arcade Fire Reflektor Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Arcade Fire have created a massive art-rock record that is grandiose in every superb way! Album Review: “Magic Mirror, on the wall, who is the biggest band of them all?” Arcade Fire of course is the correct response and after taking on this behemoth of a … Read more
TV Ghost Disconnect In The Red[2013] Fire Note Says: Lafayette Indiana’s TV Ghost puts it all together on their excellent third album. Album Review: Every era, every genre will have a revival. Some, depending on current trends, may experience multiple revisitations. Late 70’s/early 80’s UK post-punk has seen more than its share. And why not? … Read more
If you hurry over to In The Red Records HERE, you can pick up the new limited Endless Bummer and Eastlink releases. Endless Bummer’s Ripper Current EP was recorded by Ty Segall —the first material made in his new backyard studio the Sweat Lodge. The first 200 are on color vinyl in silk-screened, numbered sleeves. … Read more
Washed Out has premiered a new video for “All I Know,” the latest single from Paracosm (TFN Review). The new visual follows the story of a broken hearted young man, who heads out on a chaotic road trip with his best friend in search of closure. The “All I Know” video was co-produced by Urban … Read more
We know you like your somewhat sludgy punk rock and Endless Bummer’s new track “Such A Drag” throws it hard. Their new Ripper Current EP, out on In The Red, was recorded by Ty Segall and was the first official material made in his new backyard studio the Sweat Lodge. What I like is that … Read more
Minor Alps Get There Barsuk Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Juliana Hatfied and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf) make Minor Alps a success. Album Review: I don’t think two indie voices out there right now could be more destined to join forces than Juliana Hatfield and Matthew Caws. The alt-rock veterans have tons of cred with … Read more
Sunwolf Angel Eyes EP Dischord Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sunwolf invokes short, punchy fun with Angel Eyes. Album Review: In the wake of Washington D.C.’s garage rock revival many have been answering the call to arms. The brainchild of Rob “Kalani“ Tifford, Sunwolf mixes the lo-fi fuzz of raw, 60‘s L.A. rockers The Seeds … Read more
Mike Donovan WOT Drag City Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A fine solo debut from Mike Donovan formerly of Sic Alps. Album Review: With the demise of Sic Alps earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before Mike Donovan launched his solo career. While the Sic Alps specialized in 60’s influenced guitar/garage … Read more
I saw Neko Case 10 years ago in a much smaller venue so I was very excited to see one of the best voices in music live again at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati Tuesday night. Well that excitement ended very quickly as Neko hit the stage with a starting stretch and yawn telling the … Read more
of Montreal Lousy With Sylvianbriar Polyvinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: of Montreal chooses the accessible route on their latest. Album Review: of Montreal is the product of Kevin Barnes’ vision and work ethic. Lousy With Sylvianbriar is the band’s 12th LP since their debut in 1997. That is roughly an album a year over … Read more
Tears For Fears The Hurting (30th Anniversary Edition) Universal/Virgin Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Hurting will prove to you that Tears For Fears were much more than just a few hit singles that we all remember. Album Review: I’m proud to say that the first concert I ever went to was Tears For Fears … Read more
Last week, Guided by Voices drummer Kevin Fennell put his drum kit on eBay for $55,000. Today a statement from the GBV camp said this about the sale: “For the record, the band Guided By Voices has nothing to do with the sale of Kevin Fennell’s drums. He is acting on his own and is … Read more
Below is the pre-order info from Big School on a new limited 7-Inch from Norwegian Arms. The A-side is a re-worked/re-recorded version of the classic Jitterbug single. The record will be hand-numbered in a screen-printed jacket with 3 different art variations – gold, white and black (pressing info below). If you liked their debut LP, … Read more