Yo La Tengo: Fade [Album Review]

Yo La Tengo Fade Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: There won’t be many records this year that are better than the new Yo La Tengo! Album Review: There aren’t many bands out there that have been putting out records as consistently good as Yo La Tengo has, for as long as Yo La Tengo … Read more

Red Clover Ghost: Red Clover Ghost [Album Review]

Red Clover Ghost Red Clover Ghost Good Soil Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Red Clover Ghost will win you over immediately with their sincere harmonizing approach. Album Review: When a group can successfully use their harmonizing vocals as another instrument it tends to always grab my listening ear. This is the case with Cumberland, MD, … Read more

Public Nuisance: Gotta Survive (Reissue) [Album Review]

Public Nuisance Gotta Survive (Reissue) Third Man Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Public Nuisance puts together a hodgepodge that if given the time has something for everyone! Album Review: Before I begin and start saying anything about the music, I have to explain the history and origin of Public Nuisance’s Gotta Survive. It all begins … Read more

Jenny O. Announces US Tour / New Album out 2/5/13

On February 5th Jenny O. will release her debut album Automechanic. Produced by Jonathan Wilson (Dawes, Father John Misty, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) and recorded in Los Angeles, Automechanic is the follow up to her critically acclaimed EP Home. She’ll head out on tour this month with LA ‘s freak-folk outfit He’s My Brother, She’s My … Read more

Third Man Records announces Document Records Reissue Series

Third Man Records is thrilled to announce the release of the first three records in thier highly-anticipated Document Records reissue series. The recordings Third Man will be presenting in this reissue series are the building blocks and DNA of American culture. Blues, R&B, Elvis, teenagerism, punk rock… it all goes back to these vital, breathtaking … Read more

Rancid: Essentials 7″ Box Set [7-Inch Feature]

Rancid Essentials 7″ Box Set Pirate Press Records [2012] This 7-inch set from Rancid is a pure spectacle as it celebrates the band’s 20th Anniversary by collecting their entire discography here on 46 pieces of wax. The group’s raw punk rock comes through loud and clear as the 45rpm singles have all been remastered. “Ruby … Read more

Norwegian Arms: Wolf Like A Stray Dog [Album Review]

Norwegian Arms Wolf Like A Stray Dog Big School Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wolf Like a Stray Dog is a diverse and impressive sonic soundscape! Album Review: I suppose if you have to label Norwegian Arms, you could call them Weirdo-Folk, Psych Folk, Freak Folk etc, but the more that I think about it, … Read more

Jon Mueller: Death Blues [Album Review]

Jon Mueller Death Blues Hometapes/Taiga Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Jon Mueller takes you on a deep trip with his thought provoking Death Blues. Album Review: “How much time is left? Do we know? Does our plan know? What happens when we thoroughly hold and understand that our lives are finite? How does this understanding … Read more

The Capsules: Northeren Lights And Southern Skies [Album Review]

The Capsules Northern Lights And Southern Skies Vespera Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Capsules release a smooth and thoughtful late-night soundtrack. Album Review: With Northern Lights and Southern Skies, the Capsules create a smooth album infused with contemplative lyrics and nighttime sound. Female vocals weave the album in and out of stories about a … Read more

Hollis Brown East Coast Tour Kicks Off Jan. 11th / Debut LP Out 3/5

Taking queues from classic pop, rock’n’roll, and Americana, Hollis Brown combines raw rock sensibilities with sweet melodies and heartfelt lyrics to create a rich, warm sound that can fill any room. After releasing their debut EP last year, the NYC-based band is gearing up to put out their first full-length album, Ride On The Train. … Read more

Mac DeMarco shares new video + announces upcoming spring tour

Mac DeMarco is kicking off the year with a brand new music video and announcement of a spring US tour. The Jason Harvey-directed video for 2 slow-burner “Dreamin” finds Mac dressed as Mozart rocking out around various Quebec suburbs, smoking his beloved Viceroy cigarettes and getting slimed by the end. In addition to the “Dreamin” … Read more

‘Zaireeka’ from The Flaming Lips on vinyl / Out RSD 2013

It is never too early to think about Record Store Day 2013 and The Flaming Lips just added to the excitement. Via their Twitter account The Flaming Lips sent out this message: “Workin on expanded VINYL package of Zaireeka!!! For re-release on Record Store Day!!!”. The original album was released on October 28, 1997 and … Read more

Terra Terra Terra: The Space We Create [Album Review]

Terra Terra Terra The Space We Create Round Kid Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Terra Terra Terra creates a radio friendly rock album on their sophomore LP. Album Review: Terra Terra Terra is a three-piece band from Lakeland, FL. Members include Loren Taylor (vocals, guitar), Matthew Lowry (bass), and Micah Roth (drums). The Space We … Read more

GAMES: GAMES [Album Review]

GAMES GAMES HoZac Records [2012] Fire Note Says: GAMES is PURE GOLD! Album Review: If I had to pick my top 5 current record labels, Chicago’s HoZac would be in the running for the top spot. The label has created a brand if you will; it’s the home of some of the finest psychedelic/power pop/punk/garage … Read more

Fort Shame: Double Wide [Album Review]

Fort Shame Double Wide Peloton Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Fort Shame bring back some mid-90’s vigor on their debut Double Wide! Album Review: If this was 1998, Fort Shame would be receiving a significant increase in press as the band is fronted by Columbus, Ohio’s Sue Harshe which was co-founder of the post-punk band … Read more

THE MEN Announce New Album ‘New Moon’ Out March 5 on Sacred Bones

With their fourth full-length album to be released in as many years, The Men proudly present the sweeping New Moon, the most intensely personal and immersive installment yet. New Moon is the follow up to their well-received 2012 release, Open Your Heart. The record’s first single, “Electric”, will be released on 7-inch vinyl on January … Read more

Widowspeak shares new single “Thick As Thieves” / New Tour Dates

Widowspeak have a new record titled Almanac set to be released January 22, 2013 on Captured Tracks. Following the release of the first two album singles, “Ballad of the Golden Hour” and “The Dark Age”, the band has now shared the album’s final single, “Thick As Thieves”. TOUR DATES 1/13 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl … Read more

Los Angeles’ Hands Sign To Kill Rock Stars; Debut Album Out 4/30

Kill Rock Stars has announced the signing of Los Angeles’ Hands. The band’s debut full-length, Synesthesia due April 30, follows up their well-received Massive Context EP (Small Plates) released last year and a 7″ to be released on White Iris later this month. In anticipation of the album’s release, you can find an MP3 of … Read more

White Whale Records Interview with founder Ryder Havdale [Label Profile]

The intent of our Label Profile feature is to simply highlight a record label that we feel aligns with our own belief here at The Fire Note that music is an experience. Today we profile White Whale Records. A huge thanks to founder Ryder Havdale for taking the time to answer our questions. If you … Read more

Child Bite “Vision Crimes” on limited vinyl / 260 each variation

Vision Crimes is the counterpart to 2012’s Monomania release, in both musical visual aesthetic. The 7-song 10″ release is packaged in elaborately screen-printed, custom-designed jackets. Limited to just 520 copies total: 260 on yellow/purple vinyl (which combine to create what we like to call “Diseased Egg”), and 260 copies on brown/red vinyl (which combine to … Read more

Guided By Voices “Copy Zero” Stream / Pre-Order New EP Now

After three exceptional full-length albums in 2012, Guided By Voices are back already in 2013 with a new six song EP titled Down By The Racetrack. “Copy Zero” is the fifth track on the EP and it showcases yet another side of the legendary group. You can now pre-order this limited release from Rockathon Records … Read more