Man or Astro-Man? have returned to earth for the human masses and after years of hibernation they are now unveiling their finest recorded work to date. It has been nearly 12 years since the band last released their intergalactic sonic wave forms, and the new album, Defcon 5…4…3…2…1, is here with a striking validity that … Read more
On May 21, Chicago group JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound release Howl, their third full-length album and second for Bloodshot Records (recorded with producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Godspeed You! Black Emperor)). Yesterday the band released the first single, “Rouse Yourself,” which you can hear below. Additionally, the band is in the … Read more
Pretty & Nice Golden Rules For Golden People Equal Vision Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Boston’s Pretty & Nice resurface with an excellent third LP! Album Review: Back in 2008, Pretty & Nice seemed to be on the indie circuit rise as their sophomore record Get Young was receiving positive praise (#50 in our Top … Read more
The Lovely Bad Things The Late Great Whatever Volcom Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: If The Pixies were a surf punk band they’d probably sound a lot like this. Album Review: Some bands are never going to change your life. Orange County’s The Lovely Bad Things easily fall into that category and given the joyous … Read more
Grateful Dead Rare Cuts & Oddities 1966 Rhino/Grateful Dead Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dead play a young garage band auditioning for a spot on Nuggets. Album Review: Whatever your view of the Grateful Dead (sloppy hippie noodlers or greatest band on earth), many people often dismiss them based on their reputation alone, which … Read more
The Civil Wars’ sophomore self-titled album will be released late summer 2013 on Sensibility Music/Columbia Records. This is the follow up to the three-time Grammy Award-winning duo’s acclaimed debut, Barton Hollow, which is now certified RIAA Gold in the U.S.
The Draft, three-fourths of legendary post-punk outfit Hot Water Music, have announced that they will embark on a two-week US tour this summer to play their first live shows in almost 5 years (all tour dates below). Frontman/guitarist Chris Wollard, bassist Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo formed The Draft in 2006 and released their … Read more
Kim Deal has just launched the second 7-inch single in her solo series. The 7-inch is limited to just 1,000 copies, features the songs “Hot Shot” b/w “Likkle More” and can be ordered at HERE.
Sharks Selfhood Rise Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sharks return with more rock anthems from across seas. Album Review: I have been pulling for the UK’s Sharks since their early singles release several years ago. The band is somewhat like the UK version of The Gaslight Anthem mixed with some classic styling of The Smiths. … Read more
Big Star Nothing Can Hurt Me Omnivore Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a treasure trove of alternate mixes of classic Big Star tracks. Album Review: I think it’s fairly safe to assume that most readers of The Fire Note, are well acquainted with Big Star. Their discography isn’t vast, only … Read more
Satellite Calling Birds Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Satellite targets prime time TV with debut album Calling Birds. Album Review: Me: Hey, there’s a new album to listen to: Satelitte’s Calling Birds. I’ve never heard of them before. (Starts listening). Other Me: This sounds a lot like Snow Patrol. I used to like Snow … Read more
Not sure how many people saw Saturday Night Live a few weeks ago but it featured the debut of Fred Armisen’s punk parody Ian Rubbish & The Bizarros. Well now you can download the band’s Best Of EP which contains the already favorites “Hey Maggie Thatcher” and “Sweet Iron Lady”. Make you check out the … Read more
Pere Ubu returned with their first new studio album in over three years with the January release of Lady From Shanghai on Fire Records (home to Guided by Voices, Mission of Burma, Giant Sand, Bailterspace, Josephine Foster and many others). The album ushers in a new era in the history of Pere Ubu, with David … Read more
The Public Enemy 25th Anniversary Vinyl Collection celebrates a landmark 25 years since the band’s first release, bringing together the complete original Def Jam studio album catalogue on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl, in a limited edition box set. Including iconic hip-hop anthems such as “Public Enemy No 1”, “Bring The Noise”, “Fight The Power”, “Welcome To … Read more
Thee Oh Sees Floating Coffin Castle Face Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Thee Oh Sees continue to dominate their little garage of horrors. Album Review: I cannot believe that I’m already talking about a new Thee Oh Sees album. What’s even crazier is, while not as dynamic, still it hits the mark just as their … Read more
Various Artists The Rough Guide To Latin Psychedelia World Music Network [2013] Fire Note Says: Latin rhythms meet slightly acidic arrangements—if you don’t like Santana, move on. Album Review: Released as a special 180g vinyl edition for Record Store Day, The Rough Guide to Latin Psychedelia casts a wide net over the genre, throwing together … Read more
Crazy Joe The Doctor Is In! Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Crazy Joe makes a strong return with his retro roots album The Doctor Is In! Album Review: The Doctor Is In! marks the first album from Crazy Joe in six years and it finds his sound shifting from a rockabilly flavor to a smoother … Read more
Anarchic Breezes is the debut LP from Grim Tower, the Psych/Death Folk project from Stephen McBean of Black Mountain and Imaad Wasif. 10 tracks of new acoustic death folk, equal parts Harry Smith and Harry Pussy. Now available for order, the regular LP version is on marbled vinyl, and a super limited version of 300 … Read more
After considerable speculation since Record Store Day, Boards of Canada have revealed that their new album ‘Tomorrow’s Harvest’ will be released on Tuesday June 11th in North America on Warp Records. Boards of Canada Tomorrow’s Harvest 01. Gemini 02. Reach For The Dead 03. White Cyclosa 04. Jacquard Causeway 05. Telepath 06. Cold Earth 07. … Read more
Jimmy Eat World have announced U.S. tour dates to support their forthcoming album, Damage (out June 11th). The band had previously announced their Arizona “Home State” Tour which kicks off this Friday in Yuma. The new dates are set to kick off June 30th in Pittsburgh, with more dates to be announced in the near … Read more
Glasgow indie band The Pastels’ new single “Check My Heart” is upbeat, charming and can be watched below. Shot on 16mm film with minimum set-ups, Blair Young’s “Check My Heart” video is the story of one early spring Saturday in Glasgow. Lives overlap, connect, coincide, the music is a constant; sometimes it’s only playing in … Read more
Sloan will release the new limited Hardcore 7-inch single tomorrow exclusively at Sloanmusic.com at Noon EST. In addition to the two new original songs, Sloan also recorded a dozen covers of hardcore classics that were the soundtrack of their youth. Keeping in the theme, there is also a new t-shirt that represents Sloan circa 1985. … Read more
The Appleseed Cast Illumination Ritual Graveface Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Appleseed Cast return to their roots and create one of their best albums to date! Album Review: The Appleseed Cast have been around the block a few times and with each lap have always brought a slightly different musical approach that typically would … Read more
Elliott Smith Alternate Versions From Either/Or 7” Kill Rock Stars [2013] This was a nice Record Store Day release for me as anything by Elliott Smith is an instant draw. The songs here have been available digitally before but now they get the premium treatment and have their very on vinyl home. The tracks here … Read more
Meat Puppets Rat Farm Megaforce Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The legendary Meat Puppets fourth post-reunion (and 14th overall) album is an unqualified winner. Album Review: Drugs have always played a pivotal role in the music and the fate of Arizona cow punks the Meat Puppets. Although sung unintelligibly, 1982’s hyperactive hardcore debut on SST … Read more