The Front Bottoms Talon Of The Hawk Bar/None Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Front Bottoms return with another record full of catchy wordplay that will make you smile. Album Review: I remember hearing the folky-punk debut from The Front Bottoms back in 2011 and thinking that these guys were onto something. Simple songs, simple … Read more
The Draft, three-founds of post-punk legends Hot Water Music, have announced Cheap Girls and Luther as the support on the majority of their tour of the Eastern US this summer (all tour dates below). Frontman/guitarist Chris Wollard, bassist Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo formed the band in 2006 and the upcoming two week run … Read more
There is always a chance with The Dodos that this limited vinyl variant will be hard to find around its release date of August 27. The record will be on 180 gram glacier blue with 700 copies pressed. You can pre-order a copy HERE.
Wax Fang, the psychedelic/experimental duo of Scott Carney and Jacob Heustis, have been relatively quiet since releasing the critically acclaimed La La Land in 2007. Surprisingly, that space of taciturnity had shifted since the band released Mirror, Mirror in the fall, a couple a creepy videos for “Mirror, Mirror” and “Dawn of the Dead of … Read more
The Lone Bellow The Lone Bellow Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Lone Bellow offer a set of songs wrought with emotion and heartache on their self-titled debut! Album Review: I love radio. I still mourn the loss of WOXY which I am lucky enough to have been in broadcast range of when they … Read more
Graham MacRae Dundrearies A Man A Plan A Canal [2013] Fire Note Says: LA singer/songwriter’s second album shows signs of real potential. Album Review: After a five year absence, Los Angeles native Graham MacRae returns with his sophomore release. Having not heard his first album I felt it important to catch up and spent some … Read more
Emily Bell In Technicolor One-Eyed George Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Emily Bell’s debut showcases her confident soul. Album Review: Austin’s Emily Bell has one of those voices that makes you instantly take notice with its confidence, power and sultry R&B undertone. On her debut, In Technicolor, Bell uses all of these traits to produce … Read more
Miami’s Jacuzzi Boys, have dropped a catchy new single called “Double Vision,” (not a Foreigner cover) from an upcoming 7″ single of the same name (B Side “Sunsets”). Out July 9th, the “Double Vision” single serves as your taste of the Boys’ upcoming self-titled third LP, due out September 10th on Hardly Art Records. Next … Read more
The Breeders LSXX 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: LSXX is a worthy salute to one of the great albums of the 90’s! Album Review: “We weren’t riot grrrl and we weren’t grunge. Hopefully, we were joyful and natural.” This is the opening statement in the liner notes from founding group leader Kim Deal as … Read more
Drazy Hoops This Is The Sound Of… Slow Burn Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Drazy Hoops’ eighth album is genre-hopping, kaleidoscopic collection. Album Review: Musical diversity can be either a strength or a weakness, demonstrating an artist’s ability to adapt and experiment, or indicating a lack of direction. This Is The Sound Of… fits more … Read more
R.E.M. Live In Greensboro EP Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: R.E.M. gives a taste of their musicianship on the Live in Greensboro EP. Album Review: As part of Record Store Day 2013, an EP from R.E.M. was released that included live tracks taken from performances in Greensboro, NC in 1989. These tracks are … Read more
We know how everyone loves Baroness releases. Live at Maida is due out on July 23rd and as always, Relapse Records is offering up several variants with this Clear w/ Gold and Black Splatter being the most limited available right now. If you like Baroness and want this variant I would suggest you hurry HERE. … Read more
Jagjaguwar announced the second long-player from Wisconsin six-piece ensemble Volcano Choir. “Repave builds exponentially from the musical relationship built on their 2009 debut, Unmap, and finds the band operating as a fully-realized unit, crafting their new album together over the past three years at the Fall Creek, Wisconsin studio, April Base.” I will tell you … Read more
David Byrne & St Vincent keep their collaboration going with the new and free Brass Tactics EP. It contains the unreleased b-side, “Cissus” from their full length Love This Giant along with several remixes and live tracks. You can find the link to the download below.
Formed in 1992 with an average age of 15 years old, Envy began as a blistering punk quintet, whipping violent riffs into frantic bursts that rarely cracked the two-minute mark. Their inexhaustible exploration of new sounds and ideas would lead them to incorporate strains of a experimental noise, subtle ambience, and triumphant, cinematic rock. Invariable … Read more
Graham Repulski Cop Art Big School Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Graham Repulski stand tall with their lo-fi style and short memorable songs! Album Review: If you have been following The Fire Note for several years then the lo-fi New Jersey band Graham Repulski should not be a stranger to you. If this is the … Read more
Kodaline Kodaline EP RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s debut EP shows that the up and coming band has promise. Album Review: Kodaline released a digital only self-titled EP last year that has recently gained momentum because of the inclusion of its song “All I Want” on Grey’s Anatomy. The song sounds like it … Read more
Come 11:11 Deluxe 20th Anniversary Edition Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Excellent reissue of the long out print debut album from influential noise rockers, Come! Album Review: Come came roaring out of Boston in the early nineties sounding like an unholy alliance between The Rolling Stones, Soundgarden, and Sonic Youth. Lead vocalist Thalia Zedek, … Read more
Daft Punk Random Access Memories Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Daft Punk take one giant artistic leap for mankind on Random Access Memories. Album Review: I find it interesting that the first track on the new Daft Punk album is called “Give Life Back to Music” particularly since their last album was the coolly … Read more
Over The Ocean Be Given To The Soil Spartan Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Virginia post-rock band wears their dark heart on their sleeve on sophomore album. Album Review: “I have seen the sky turn black/And a storm is coming.” Those lines from the first song on Virginia Beach post-rock band Over The Ocean’s second … Read more
Christopher Paul Stelling False Cities Mecca Lecca Recording Co. [2013] Fire Note Says: False Cities takes listeners back to that old time religion! Album Review: “Christian” music, deservedly or not, often gets a bad rap. The CCM establishment has given the genre(s) the reputation of being an awful imitation of what was popular a decade … Read more
Toronto-based rock outfit Hooded Fang shares the new video for their song “Ode To Subterrania.” The video was directed by Daniel Lee, the primary vocalist/songwriter of the group. Their new album Gravez will get its official release in the US May 28 on UK label Full Time Hobby, and on Daps Records in Canada. Hooded … Read more
You can now grab a copy of the Twerps self-titled debut on white vinyl from Chapter Music HERE if you live in AUS/NZ. Anywhere else you can pick up one from Underwaters People Records HERE. Below is The Fire Note review of the 2011 record. “If you really like simple guitar, simple lyrics and bright … Read more
Man Or Astro-Man? Defcon 5…4…3…2…1 Communicating Vessels / Chunklet Ind. [2013] Fire Note Says: Beam me up! Man Or Astro-Man? are back with another intergalactic screamer! Album Review: It has been nearly 12 years since Man Or Astro-Man? visited earth with a batch of indie surf rock, so the landing of their new long player … Read more
Kingsley Flood Battles Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: With excellent writing, and a mix of indie, folk, and rock sounds, Kingsley Flood’s new album is never boring. Album Review: Although the band is from the states, and plays mostly to the genre of indie folk, Kingsley Flood’s new album, Battles, is at times reminiscent of … Read more