The Vains Acoustic EP Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: The Vains release a record of acoustic gold. Album Review: The Vains are bound to take the music scene by storm. On their past releases, they presented a fast-paced, hard-hitting sound that reached beyond the typical indie punk style. With their Acoustic EP, featuring four acoustic … Read more
Suede Bloodsports Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Suede comes back completely reinvigorated after their 11 year hiatus! Album Review: Suede (The London Suede as they are billed in the US) is back after 11 years, and they are hitting the pleasure points in my brain like they haven’t since their third album, Coming … Read more
Waxahatchee Cerulean Salt Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Katie Crutchfield returns with a stunning second album as Waxahatchee. Album Review: Alabama singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield cut her teeth with the indie punk band P.S. Eliot – a band whose members included twin sister Allison. Upon breaking up, Allison formed Swearin’ while Kate went solo. … Read more
Starflyer 59 IAMACEO South Co. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Starflyer 59 continue refining their sound and redefining consistency. Album Review: Starflyer 59 is the definition of an underground band. Helmed by guitarist and lead singer Jason Martin, they never really hit the mainstream, despite being label-mates with bands that did (Anberlin, MxPx, P.O.D.). Their … Read more
David Bowie The Next Day Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Next Day marks the thrilling return of The Thin White Duke. Album Review: This is the album that nobody expected. David Bowie is unquestionably one of the most important and influential figures in rock history. When he had health issues on the tour … Read more
The Replacements Songs For Slim EP New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What more do I need to say…it’s The Replacements! Album Review: I can honestly say that I never in my wildest dreams expected to be listening to new music from The Replacements. Their last records, 1990’s All Shook Down, while a solid … 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
Youth Lagoon Wondrous Bughouse Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Youth Lagoon not only avoid the sophomore slump on Wondrous Bughouse but once again have released one of the better albums of the year! Album Review: Being on the edge of indie rock is always an interesting place to exist for such a young … Read more
Cy Dune No Recognize EP Family Tree Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cy Dune brings the fuzz, blues and rock n roll all in a mere 16 minute EP. Album Review: Right from the opening guitar sprawl on “Where The Wild Things” you know that Cy Dune is going to fit into the 2013 scene … Read more
Various Artists Reason to Believe: The Songs of Tim Hardin Full Time Hobby Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Filtered through a diverse set of artists, Tim Hardin’s voice comes through loud and clear. Album Review: Oregon folkie Tim Hardin was never a massive superstar. His life cut short in 1980 from a heroin overdose at … Read more
Grouper The Man Who Died In His Boat Kranky Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Grouper creates a siren song that’s delicate, deep, and engaging. Album Review: The world of ambient music can always be a mixed bag from the post rock haze ambience of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, to the technocratic textures of Brian Eno, … Read more
Missing Number Contrast EP Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: Make your ears happy by listening to Missing Number’s Contrast. Album Review: I’m gonna take just a second to be a hipster and point out that I was a fan of these guys before they even began recording this EP. I want everyone to know that … Read more
Wake Owl Wild Country EP Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wake Owl’s EP Wild Country leaves an incredible first impression, making the listener want more. Album Review: Wake Owl’s EP, Wild Country, leaves an incredibly hopeful first impression. The band’s sound is mello and folksy, blending upbeat notes with country undertones. Wake Owl resonates … Read more
My Bloody Valentine m b v Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: 22 Years later, My Bloody Valentine release m b v and it seems like this noise wall is only built on strength. Album Review: It is Ralph Waldo Emerson that said “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is … Read more
Yellow Red Sparks Yellow Red Sparks Org Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Yellow Red Sparks make a strong debut on the indie folk scene! Album Review: “Whatcha gonna buy me honey?” is the strong first line you hear on the debut from the Yellow Red Sparks that instantly grabs your attention and makes you take … Read more
The Joy Formidable Wolf’s Law Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wolf’s Law is the record Joy Formidable fans were hoping for…and then some! Album Review: How do you follow-up a record like 2011’s The Big Roar, which was my #2 album of the year in 2011? After all, as great as that record was, … Read more
Wooden Wand Blood Oaths Of The New Blues Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Put on the headphones, turn out the lights, and enjoy the new Wooden Wand record! Album Review: I didn’t see this one coming at all. When I looked at the list of upcoming albums I thought, “I’ll give the new Wooden … Read more
Blackfeet Braves Blackfeet Braves Lolipop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Blackfeet Braves take listeners back to the Sunset Strip circa 1968, dragging them through the dusty southwest along the way. Album Review: Most “retro” or “neo-[insert genre here]” acts stay just that: an act, in which the band prefers to mimic the creativity of their … Read more
Parquet Courts Light Up Gold Dull Tools Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Parquet Courts released one of the indie rock gems of 2012 – glad we finally took a listen! Album Review: Sometimes in the review world you feel like a total idiot when you miss one. I say that as we were late to … Read more
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
Jack White Live At Third Man Records Third Man Records [2012] Fire Note Says: If the turntable is a rocking then the Third Man Record Vault must have opened! Album Review: Ears be praised as Third Man Records and Jack White open up the record vault once again to present us with Vault Package # … Read more
Various Artists Alive at The Deep Blues Fest Alive Natural Sound Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Alive at The Deep Blues Fest is put together with perfection as every band here scratches that blues itch in its’ own special way. Album Review: I thought reviewing my first compilation might be a challenge but, thank goodness … Read more
… And You Will Know Us From The Trail Of Dead Lost Songs Superball Music [2012] Fire Note Says: Art rock at its distorted best. Album Review: Call me nostalgic, but I still think some of Trail of Dead’s best work came off of Source Tags & Codes, their third full-length studio album. They’ve always … Read more
Motel Beds Dumb Gold No More Fake Labels [2012] Fire Note Says: Dumb Gold from Motel Beds is no fool! Album Review: It may have surprised some people when last year’s Motel Beds release, Tango Boys, made our Top 50 after only being out several days but with the release of their brand new full … Read more
Guided By Voices The Bears For Lunch GBV Inc. [2012] Fire Note Says: Third album released in 2012 from Guided By Voices makes for a perfect bookend. Album Review: The Bears For Lunch completes the trilogy of albums released this year from the classic lineup of Guided By Voices. It also now gives a final … Read more