Pixies Beneath The Eyrie BMG/Infectious [2019] Album Review: For nearly a decade the reunited Pixies, who came back together in 2004, seemed willing to rest on the laurels of their iconic early masterpieces like Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, playing the old “hits” on the retro circuit. Now, as far as that goes, many of us … Read more
Kneeling In Piss Tour De Force FAH-Q/Anyway Records [2019] Who: Columbus, Ohio-based Kneeling In Piss have a hell of a debut album on their hands. Sound: Kneeling In Piss are occasionally jangly, occasionally punk, often lo-fi power pop and all the time fun. TFN Final Take: Alex Mussawir’s Kneeling In Piss emerged from the ashes … Read more
Orville Peck Pony Sub Pop Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Orville Peck is the Great North American queer cowboy wonder. Album Review: Saddle up partner, because we’re going on a wild ride with one of the biggest breakout stars of 2019: Orville Peck, a gay Canadian country singer who hides his face behind a be-fringed … Read more
Redd Kross Beyond The Door Merge Records [2019] Album Review: Here in the new dark ages, I can think of no better antidote to the political malaise or our troubled times than the return of power-pop (with the emphasis on the “power” & the “pop”) wunderkinds, Redd Kross. Arriving in the 80’s along-side Material Issue, … Read more
Honey Radar Ruby Puff Of Dust What’s Your Rupture? [2019] Who: Philadelphia-based lo-fi specialists Honey Radar do what they do best on their 5th LP. What do they do? They make memorable lo-fi charmers. Sound: Jason Henn’s tie-dye, lo-fi stylings are nostalgic and endearing on this remarkable new LP. TFN Final Take: Ruby Puff of … Read more
Young Guv GUV I Run For Cover Records [2019] Who: Young Guv is the solo project of Ben Cook. Since 2008, he has released a solid number of singles and EPs, plus two full-lengths. Sound: Sweet perfect power pop that will have you thinking Teenage Fanclub, Fountains of Wayne and Superdrag all wrapped into one … Read more
Purple Mountains Purple Mountains Drag City Records [2019] Who: Purple Mountains marks the return of David Berman (Silver Jews) and represents his first new music in over a decade. Sound: Indie singer/songwriter that fits in a list with the likes of Nick Cave, Steve Malkmus, Bill Callahan and Will Oldham. TFN Final Take: I don’t … Read more
Smug Brothers All Blur And Spark Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] Who: Dayton, Ohio-based Smug Brothers release another charming and quite satisfying album. Sound: All Blur and Spark is an impressive kaleidoscope of songs that were born from the GoFundMe endeavor to press their last album, Attic Harvest, to vinyl. TFN Final Take: All Blur … Read more
black midi Schlagenheim Rough Trade Records [2019] Who: The young London quartet black midi basically came out of nowhere and built a super buzz leading up to this debut. Sound: Post punk for a new generation with some extraordinary drumming and the ability to move through multiple genres on the turn of a dime. TFN … Read more
Mannequin Pussy Patience Epitaph Records [2019] Who: Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy have just released their third LP and first for Epitaph Records. Sound: Melodic powerful punk rock that can hum like Cherry Glazerr and Charley Bliss with the snarl of Amyl and the Sniffers and Bikini Kill. TFN Final Take: I remember being impressed with Mannequin … Read more
Bill Callahan Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest Drag City Records [2019] Who: After almost 20 years behind Smog for his music, Bill Callahan has had his name on the spine now for five solo records. Sound: Singer/songwriter with level baritone. Fans of Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Sun Kill Moon and Nick Cave will enjoy. TFN Final … Read more
Dumb Club Nites Mint Records [2019] Who: Vancouver’s Dumb are a lot smarter than their name implies. They have released one of the best records of 2019. Sound: Dumb are often compared to their post-punk contemporaries, Parquet Courts, and not without reason, but they are so much more than that. In some aspects, they are … Read more
SIZ Liquid Flippin’ Freaks [2019] Who: SIZ hail from Bordeaux, France and they are all about some 90’s grunge/fuzz-tinged with a steady dose of heavy shoegaze and psychedelic rock. Sound: Liquid is a satisfying blend of different genres of 90s indie rock, and at the same time sound like they belong in the same collective … Read more
Kishi Bashi Omoiyari Joyful Noise Recordings [2019] Who: Kaoru Ishibashi, aka Kishi Bashi, is a multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He is a founding member of Jupiter One, and, was a member of the group of Montreal before going out on his own. Sound: Kishi Bashi offers a melodic orchestrated indie folk that is delivered with 110% … Read more
Snapped Ankles Stunning Luxury The Leaf Label [2019] Who: Snapped Ankles are a pseudo-techno/punk band out of London and out of this world. Sound: Stunning Luxury continues Snapped Ankles’ blend of tribal techno mixed with motorik rhythms and post-punk ethos. TFN Final Take: 2019 continues to impress me with a constant stream of great new … Read more
Mavis Staples We Get By ANTI- [2019] Fire Note Says: Mavis Staples wraps up her 8th decade by putting her best musical foot forward with the aid of Ben Harper. Album Review: I’ll have whatever it is that Mavis Staples is having. Of course, we’re talking about the hardest working 80 year old working in … Read more
The National I Am Easy To Find 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: If I Am Easy to Find was a debut record, it’d be the best of the year. Album Review: There is a timeline in which, after the release of their breakthrough 2014 record Trouble Will Find Me, The National grew content, decided to … Read more
Pink Mexico DUMP Little Dickman/Burger Records [2019] Who: Brooklyn-based grunge/fuzz act Pink Mexico return with their 3rd LP. Sound: DUMP picks up where 2016’s Fool left off. The fuzz and buzz are still there, Pink Mexico has not lost a thing. TFN Final Take: I have been smitten with Pink Mexico since their debut album … Read more
Filthy Friends Emerald Valley Kill Rock Stars [2019] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney vocalist Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck take Filthy Friends out for a fun second round that takes on the President, the environment and other matters of substance. Album Review: Filthy Friends, the alternative rock super-group of sorts, featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck … Read more
Pile Green and Gray Exploding in Sound Records [2019] Who: Boston-based Pile are back with a sprawling and epic-sounding 7th LP. Sound: Green and Gray, sounds like a Pile record, it is a lot slower, longer, more nuanced, but still has impact. It just takes time to get there. TFN Final Take: By the time … Read more
Guided By Voices Warp And Woof GBV, Inc. [2019] Fire Note Says: After a couple recent near-masterpieces, Guided By Voices release the uniquely-curated album Warp And Woof! Album Review: As I sit here on a beautiful spring day in Bellefontaine, Ohio my mind keeps wandering. How do cell phones work? Why do people watch Fox … Read more
Various Artists Soul Slabs Vol. 2 Colemine Records [2019] Who: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland Ohio’s Colemine Records. Sound: This compilation features the Colemine spirit with plenty of heavy soul, jazz, funk, and R&B. TFN Final Take: If you have been enjoying the growth of … Read more
Andrew Bird My Finest Work Yet Vista Loma Recordings [2019] Fire Note Says: Andrew Bird’s 10th solo album takes on the world of politics with artful music, clever, literate lyrics, and lots of violin and whistling. Album Review: Andrew Bird, the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, most often associated with his violin playing, has been plugging away … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Guy New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Like his previous tribute to Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle serves up a collection of Guy Clark songs that celebrate his songwriting catalog. Album Review: Given the current state of popular country music, it should surprise us that what gets labeled Outlaw … Read more
Ex Hex It’s Real Merge Records [2019] Who: It’s Real marks the return of Ex Hex. It has been five years since the power trio released their debut Rips. Sound: Ex Hex has a modern Joan Jett vibe with L7 type riffs. TFN Final Take: Right from the beginning of opening track “Tough Enough,” you … Read more