A.S. Exile Inedible Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A.S.’s second album Exile is moody and atmospheric. Album Review: The enigmatically named band A.S. consists of Nick McRoberts (voice, piano) and Idriss Halfaoui (guitars). The duo is based out of Paris (and sings in English) and it’s safe to say that the occasional grayness of the … Read more
XTC Drums And Wires Virgin Records Released: August 17, 1979 Producer: Steve Lillywhite Length: 52:32 The album cover got me right away. I had to hear this record. So I bought it without the slightest idea what they would sound like. And I was hooked. From that moment on I have been a fanatic of … Read more
The Dodos Carrier Polyvinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dodos stay true to their sound with Carrier. Album Review: The Dodos have released their fifth album, which has the name Carrier. The San Francisco duo of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber are following up on 2011’s No Color. No Color was one of my … Read more
Kitten Forever Pressure Guilt Ridden Pop [2013] Fire Note Says: Kitten Forever have a riot for you! Album Review: After spinning through the quick 23 minute sophomore effort, Pressure, from the Minneapolis based trio Kitten Forever, I realized how much I miss this loose and fun riot grrrl style of music. Like so many quality … Read more
The Gardenheads Growing Season Wee Rock Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Midwest rockers split the difference between power pop and classic rock on sophomore album. Album Review: I don’t know anything about Springfield, Missouri except that it is home to the great Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Missouri State University. I Googled it … Read more
Jonathan Rado main project is Foxygen but he has ventured out on his own with his solo debut Law & Order. Below is the first video from the record. You can check out The Fire Note review of Law & Order HERE.
If you didn’t grab a copy from one of the special record stores last night Merge has you covered today. They are selling a limited quantity of the new Arcade Fire 12-inch single HERE. This is the first new music from Arcade Fire’s upcoming full-length record, Reflektor, out on October 29. Tracklist: A Side: Reflektor … Read more
Body/Head Coming Apart Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kim Gordon and Bill Nace create beauty out of chaos and improvisation. Album Review: Following the breakup of Sonic Youth, one of the most beloved alternative acts of all-time, we are now seeing the band members move on to new projects. Thurston Moore formed Chelsea Light … Read more
J. Roddy Walston & The Business Essential Tremors ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: J. Roddy Walston & The Business show why they are one of the best bar bands in the land! Album Review: There is something about the raw sounding J. Roddy Walston that I just enjoy. His relaxed style bar rock has … Read more
Tedeschi Trucks Band Made Up Mind Sony Masterworks [2013] Fire Note Says: Tedeschi Trucks Band honors all that was vital and consistently relevant in the tradition with fresh, authentic voices. Album Review: If the combined talents of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks felt like a revelation to so many blues fans when they brought their … Read more
We know a little more today than yesterday and we will even more tonight from what we know right now. That seems to be the media roll out for the new Arcade Fire record Reflektor due out October 29 on Merge. Everyone loves a mystery right? This feels like a case for the Hardy Boys … Read more
If you’re a fan of The White Stripes like The Fire Note, then you know how raw, primal, and fierce they can sound. Not to call their later work tame by any means but the Stripes were special early on. Their talent has always been highlighted in their records well beyond their singles hence our … Read more
Arctic Monkeys AM Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Arctic Monkeys bravely push into a new groove on their engaging AM. Album Review: It does not seem that long ago since everyone was rocking out 2006 with the Arctic Monkeys’ hit “I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.” It would have been easy … Read more
Holograms Forever Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Swedish post-punk band proudly fly the Factory Records flag on solid second album. Album Review: Stockholm is usually perceived as a peaceful, almost Utopian, place. That image was shattered after ten days of intense rioting in May of this year as immigrant youth took to the … Read more
New Swears Funny Isn’t Real Dirt Cult Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ottawa’s New Swears throw a party and we’re all invited to come over and break some stuff. Album Review: Funny Isn’t Real, the new album from New Swears, has so much swagger it can barely be contained on wax. This Ottawa band is … Read more
Sleeping Bag/Mike Adams At His Honest Weight Heavyweights Split 7-Inch Joyful Noise Recordings [2013] I have always liked the split 7-inch as it gives the small wax format even more purpose and typically there is a story behind the pairing. Here we have a Fire Note favorite Sleeping Bag teaming up with the more unknown … Read more
Volcano Choir Repave Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Repave finds Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon kicking back and having fun. Album Review: Justin Vernon has reached the status where everything he does with Bon Iver is scrutinized, complemented, made fun of, hated and loved. Basically, Bon Iver stirs an array of emotions and many people … Read more
Jonathan Rado Law & Order Woodsist Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado steps out on his own with a fine collection of 60’s influenced pop. Album Review: Foxygen have been one of the bigger buzz bands of the year, their latest album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, will … Read more
Bob Dylan Another Self Portrait (1969-1971): The Bootleg Series Vol. 10 Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: From one of Dylan’s most reviled albums comes one of his most essential releases. Album Review: 1969-71 was one of many periods of transition for Bob Dylan, but it was one of the most important. He’d already gone … Read more
This week Holograms celebrate the release of their sophomore album Forever. The foursome have also premiered a video for “Meditations” – their anthemic second single from the album. Filmed by Emanuella Zachariou (who also directed and edited) using a 16 mm box camera, the video’s hazy sepia tones and unhurried cloaked figures create a perfect … Read more
9 new ones from Chicago’s psychotic sons, Running. Vaguely Ethnic is pressed on limited colored vinyl (Half Clear – Half Pistachio Green w/ Splatter) and comes with a flexi of “Woke Up Applauding”. All LPs come with a digital download card. You can click HERE for a copy.
Okkervil River The Silver Gymnasium ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Okkervil River maintains their consistency on LP #7, The Silver Gymnasium. Album Review: Firing up the new Okkervil River LP (The Silver Gymnasium) was like slipping into one of my favorite sweatshirts. Instantly familiar and comforting, Will Sheff greeted me after not hearing from … Read more
Belle And Sebastian The Third Eye Centre Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Second collection of B-Sides and stray tracks presents an interesting alternate look at the past decade of Belle and Sebastian’s career. Album Review: When I heard that the new Belle and Sebastian album, The Third Eye Centre, was going to be a … Read more
Bad Sports Bras Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Third album from Bad Sports rekindles a 70’s era that too many have forgotten or never heard. Album Review: Is it possible for a garage rock band from Denton, Texas to grow up? Well for Bad Sports that may have just happened on their third full … Read more
Equal parts producer and composer, Son Lux (aka Ryan Lott) bridges an unusual gap between old-world music discipline and next-level experimentation. Meditative but heaving with energy, Lanterns finds a peculiar congruency between futuristic soul and ancient sentiment. Driving orchestral pop (Lost It To Trying, No Crimes) is placed alongside haunting minimalism (Pyre, Enough Of Our … Read more