Rip Van WinkleThe Grand Rapids EPSplendid Research [2024] Album Overview: Rip Van Winkle was originally announced as a mysterious Robert Pollard project. Now, with its release, we know a bit more about the EP as several members of Joseph Airport—Ben Perry (guitar), Joe Patterson (bass), and Jason Short (drums)—round out the band, with Pollard, of … Read more
Ken KaseKen Kase (EP)Self-Released [2023] This fast, fun power-pop 5-song EP from Ken Kase is a quick display of the kind of musical alchemy that the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been bringing to the St. Louis live music scene for 30 years. Kase has shown up in a variety of live music venues throughout his … Read more
Sugar TraditionMore SugarFeel It Records [2023] Wait until you spin the free-wheelin’ new EP from Detroit’s Sugar Tradition. More Sugar is a carefree record that was recorded live, encapsulating the raw and rebellious spirit of the 1960s era. It features a collection of songs with an enduring classic vibe, paying homage to the garage R&B … Read more
EP Defined =”An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.” TFN always receives its share of quality EPs so we have highlighted four below that are worth your time and money! Neal FrancisSentimental Garbage … Read more
WeezerSZNZ: AutumnCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2022] Sure as autumn follows summer, Weezer has delivered their third volume in this year’s concept album project, SZNZ: Autumn. While the story line is less clear, songwriter Rivers Cuomo has held onto the basic themes, but more importantly delivers a handful of fun songs that capture those reliable Weezer pop … Read more
Tedeschi Trucks BandI Am The Moon: IV. FarewellFantasy / Concord Music [2022] There’s a satisfying sense of closure flowing nicely through the six songs of this final chapter in the Tedeschi Trucks Bands’ I Am The Moon project, with 18 songs spread over three previous EPs released monthly over the summer. The subtitle Farewell captures … Read more
Welcome to The EP Booth! What is an EP? “An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.” TFN always receives its share of quality EPs so we decided it was time to have a … Read more
GordiInhuman (EP)Jagjaguwar [2022] Gordi is the stage name adopted by Sophie Payten, an Australian artist once described as “folktronica,” for her unique mix of simple acoustic folk songs with lush atmospheric electronica and the heavy reverb and studio effects that give her voice an otherworldly feel. “Way I Go” opens with a strummed acoustic guitar, … Read more
WeezerSZNZ: SummerCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2022] No doubt the biggest challenge when committing to produce a concept album around a predetermined narrative and artistic themes is maintaining the integrity of the storyline and finding creative ways to meet the established expectations. With SZNZ: Spring, Rivers Cuomo laid down a number of markers that he attempts to … Read more
WeezerSZNZ: SpringCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2022] Even if you haven’t loved every step on the journey with Weezer, you have to be impressed by composer/bandleader Rivers Cuomo’s work ethic and high-quality output. Frankly, I was less than enamored with the mega-buzz that accompanied the band’s cover of “Africa” by Toto than say, the original the first … Read more
Honey RadarPlay-Box Relay EPSelf-Released [2021] Lo-fi experts Honey Radar released this 8 song, 16 minute 12″ at the end of last year and it ranks right up there with the Philadelphia’s group best work to date. The band of course were originally focused on a follow up LP to their excellent Ruby Puff Of Dust … Read more
Ryley WalkerSo Certain EPHusky Pants Records [2022] In so many different ways the pandemic continues to cripple artists that includes new rounds of tour postponements and long delays in the vinyl production queue. Singer/songwriter Ryley Walker is not immune to the issues but with his newly released four song So Certain EP he fully admits … Read more
Laura Jane GraceAt War With The Silverfish (EP)Polyvinyl Records [2021] By now fans of Laura Jane Grace are well acquainted with her transitional journey, the physcial culmination of her songs on Against Me!’s 2014 album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues. While it’s not entirely clear what the future holds for Against Me!, Grace has been busily producing … Read more
The Strokes Future Present Past (EP) Cult Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Fututre Present Past engages and entertain long time Strokes fans. Album Review: Probably the best thing to announce about this new four-song EP by The Strokes for their label, Cult Records, is that this suggests that the band is busily writing new music … Read more
Chris Staples Cheap Shades EP Barsuk Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Offered as a free download to concertgoers who attend shows on his tour in support of the excellent American Soft, Chris Staples’ Cheap Shades EP is a strong and surprisingly unified release. The two new tracks (“Cheap Shades” and “Cindy, Diana, Janet and … Read more
Guided By Voices Down By The Racetrack (EP) GBV Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices starts off their 2013 output with the excellent Down By The Racetrack EP! Album Review: When the news hit that Guided By Voices was kicking off 2013 with an EP those on the outside probably thought why bother … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem Hold You Up 10” EP Mercury Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Gaslight Anthem offer up 3 new acoustic tracks on RSD 10″ release. Album Review: This new 10” EP from The Gaslight Anthem was just released several weeks ago on Record Store Day Black Friday. The EP continues the trend for … Read more
Real EstateReality EPMexican Summer [2010] We’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this band better, so we were excited to check out this EP of new material soon after their debut. The Reality EP serves as the perfect extension of the band’s stellar full-length album, feeling even more laid-back yet with very concise and intricate undertones. … Read more