Death Cab For Cutie Transatlanticism (10th Anniversary Edition) Barsuk [2013] Fire Note Says: Ben Gibbard’s Transatlanticism demos are a great addition to the original. Album Review: Transatlanticism has always been my favorite Death Cab album. Their earlier albums had some great songs, but not all of them were great, and most were either limited by … Read more
Tears For Fears The Hurting (30th Anniversary Edition) Universal/Virgin Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Hurting will prove to you that Tears For Fears were much more than just a few hit singles that we all remember. Album Review: I’m proud to say that the first concert I ever went to was Tears For Fears … Read more
The Kinks Muswell Hillbillies (Deluxe Edition) Universal Music UK [1971; 2013] Fire Note Says: Kinks klassic gets loaded up with great bonus material! Album Review: After “Lola” and its accompanying album (1970’s Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One,), The Kinks had a good deal of bargaining power: the single took the world by … Read more
Bird Nest Roys Me Want Me Get Me Need Me Have Me Love Captured Tracks/Flying Nun Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Reissue compiles Aukland band’s entire recorded output and reminds us of Flying Nun Records’ enormous impact. Album Review: I’ll admit it right up front: I love Kiwi-pop. I love Flying Nun for all the … Read more
Nirvana In Utero (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) Universal Music [1993; 2013] Fire Note Says: A classic turns 20! Album Review: It is interesting how different Nirvana’s third LP, In Utero, sounds 20 years after its release. Not different like I have never heard things before but this album stands taller today without any of … Read more
The Mountain Goats All Hail West Texas Merge Records [2002; 2013] Fire Note Says: The Mountain Goats’ classic All Hail West Texas gets a remastered reissue with new tracks. Album Review: One of the great things about reissues is having an opportunity to revisit or discover classics that were missed the first time around. The … Read more
The Clean Vehicle Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fantastic reissue from New Zealand legends The Clean. Album Review: Kiwi legends, The Clean, have been delivering their jangle pop goodness to their devoted following since the late 70’s. They started their career releasing a handful of ep’s on the Flying Nun label, before brothers … Read more
The Urinals Negative Capability In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Urinals surge from the punk underground with the reissue of retrospective Negative Capability. Album Review: These are the things that label In The Red records lives for: seemingly influencing about half their catalogue of artists, The Urinals’ brand of minute-long art punk … Read more
Earth Dies Burning Songs From The Valley Of The Bored Teenager (1981-1984) Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bizarro synth punk from San Fernando bored teenagers. Album Review: When Earth Dies Burning was formed in 1981, the ages of the band members ranged from 10-14. That’s right, from 10-14. You know what I was … Read more
The Cleaners From Venus Volume 2 (Box Set) Captured Tracks [2013] Fire Note Says: The second set of reissues from The Cleaners From Venus is even better than the first! Album Review: The first volume of the Captured Tracks reissue series of Cleaners From Venus was a game changer. It came wrapped up in a … Read more
King Tuff Was Dead Burger Records [2013] Fire Note Says: King Tuff’s reissue Was Dead is a garage weirdo’s pride for the simple things. Album Review: Kyle Thomas (aka King Tuff) is a simple man enjoying the simple pleasures of Brattleboro, Vermont. Way back in 2006 when not drinking endless cups of black coffee, sketching … Read more
R.E.M. Green (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Warner Bros./Rhino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Green is next in the R.E.M. reissue series that includes a great live second disc. Album Review: For me, Green started an entire new era for R.E.M. as their sixth full length was all about transition. It is interesting how this record … Read more
The Dandy Warhols Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia (13th Anniversary Edition) Capitol Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dandy Warhols celebrate Thirteen Tales with an expanded anniversary edition. Album Review: 2013 marks the thirteenth anniversary of The Dandy Warhols Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia and that probably leaves you saying – so what? Well in … 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
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
Huey Lewis & The News Sports (30th Anniversary Edition) Universal Music Group [2013] Fire Note Says: A guilty pop-rock pleasure that is now 30 years old! Album Review: A lot can be said about 80’s music and most of the time it is negative. When I think eighties, my mind always strays to Echo & … 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
Tame Impala Tame Impala EP Modular Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Tame Impala’s 2008 self-titled EP is a great reminder of why everyone took notice in the first place. Album Review: Check back to my Record Store Day 2013 list and you’ll find this release at the top. Well there happens to be a good … Read more
The Postal Service Give Up (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition) Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Give Up from The Postal Service easily passes the 10 year test! Album Review: Side projects are supposed to be something that keep artists busy when they are on a break from their main gig. They should be a … Read more
Rilo Kiley RKives Little Record Company [2013] Fire Note Says: Rilo Kiley return with a compilation of past goodies. Album Review: I have always thought that Rilo Kiley was a great band. The impeccable vocals of lead woman Jenny Lewis with the tight song structures and playing of the talented Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder … Read more
Tim Easton Before The Revolution: The Best Of 1998-2011 New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Tim Easton catches you up with his excellent career spanning best of! Album Review: The Fire Note has been talking about Tim Easton since our humble beginning back in 2006 with his record Ammunition and listening to his music … Read more
Swamp Dogg Total Destruction To Your Mind Rat On! Alive Natural Sound Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Swamp Dogg’s music finally gets the respect that it deserves. Album Review: Back in the late 60’s/early 70’s there was quite the musical renaissance that was taking place. Miles Davis’ jazz freak opus Bitches Brew took shape, Sly … Read more
Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin Reverse Shark Attack In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A timely reissue of a little heard and excellent collaboration from two highly regarded artists! Album Review: The only question I had going into my first listen of the reissue of this 2009 collaborative album was not would it … Read more
The Pogues The Very Best Of The Pogues Shout! Factory Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Shout! Factory reminds us of why The Pogues were important. Album Review: Both modern folk and Celtic punk have had an upswing in popularity over the last several years so a new Best Of reissue covering the beloved Irish-English punk … Read more
The Traditional Fools The Traditional Fools In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Early Ty Segall band is reissued by In The Red, and you are going to want this for your collection! Album Review: If I give you three key pieces of information, you will most likely be able to figure out exactly … Read more