Ha Ha Tonka Lessons Bloodshot Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ha Ha Tonka makes changes with their fourth full-length Lessons. Album Review: When a band pushes me outside of my comfort zone it’s not only appreciated but welcomed. That’s not to say that I don’t have a bearing on southern-indie rock or that folksy Americana … Read more
Yuppies Yuppies Dull Tools Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Yuppies come at you from all angles on self-titled debut! Album Review: Over the decades of music there has always been bands that just came off as weird. Not bad weird but good music odd weird. You know the bands I am talking about – gorgeous … Read more
Far-out Fangtooth Borrowed Time Siltbreeze Records[2013] Fire Note Says: Fires burn and cauldrons bubble as Far-out Fangtooth continue atmospheric amp worship on Borrowed Time. Album Review: Have you ever wondered what it’s like to wander into the castle laboratory of Dr. Frankenstein? The Philly foursome known as Far-out Fangtooth try to provide the best answer … Read more
The Crookes Hold Fast Modern Outsider [2013] Fire Note Says: Finally, the sophomore album from The Crookes is available in the US! Album Review: Hold Fast, the second album from British indie pop band The Crookes, was originally released overseas in 2012, and now is finally out in the US thanks to Modern Outsider. I … Read more
Wymond Miles Cut Yourself Free Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Fresh & Onlys guitarist gets dark on his second solo album. Album Review: Anyone expecting the kind of garage psych-pop his main band deals in would have been sadly disappointed with Wymond Miles’ debut offering last year. Under The Pale Moon was … Read more
Ty Segall Gemini Drag City Records [2013] Hopefully you remember Ty Segall’s 2012 record Twins (TFN Review). It landed at number 2 in our Top 50 last year and of course received a Headphone Approved stamp with its sonic excellence. Gemini was released this week from Segall and it is essentially the Twins demos album … Read more
The Bottle Rockets Bottle Rockets / The Brooklyn Side (Deluxe Edition) Bloodshot Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Two influential Americana records that you should have in your collection. Album Review: While Americana fans are looking forward to the re-issue of the mother ship album that launched a movement and named a fanzine, Uncle Tupelo’s No … Read more
Royal Forest Spillway King Electric Record Company [2013] Fire Note Says: Royal Forest seamlessly blend Americana, psychedelia, and alternative rock on Spillway. Album Review: It’s usually a good sign when you come across an album you can’t easily categorize. Records that fit neatly into a genre box can be great, but they can also be … Read more
Mirror Travel Mexico Modern Outsider [2013] Fire Note Says: Mirror Travel walk in the desert with the dream-scuzz of debut Mexico. Album Review: Austin, Texas’ Mirror Travel is a bit of a strange bird. This could be considered funny since the group used to go by Follow That Bird. Tiffanie Lanmon, Paul Brinkley, and Lauren … Read more
First Base First Base HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: No down time with the upbeat and energetic debut from First Base. Album Review: Most of the time I like music when it is presented in its most simple form. No frills, no effects, no layers, no slick production – just raw instruments, snappy songs … Read more
The 1975 The 1975 Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The 1975’s debut is promising but its identity is hazy. Album Review: The 1975 are an English band consisting of Matthew Healy (vocals, guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums), and Ross MacDonald (bass). Healy (not related to Fran Healy of Travis) and company have … Read more
Maria Taylor Something About Knowing Saddle Creek Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Maria Taylor’s latest is light, carefree indie rock packaged in an effortlessly happy message. Album Review: Something About Knowing was the first time I’ve listened to Maria Taylor, although the artist has a long history. Her most recent release is her sixth solo … Read more
The Lone Bellow: The 20th Century Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio – 11/12/13 If The Lone Bellow are a band you should be listening to, they are no doubt a band you should experience live. Their self-titled album has been a favorite of mine since hearing them on my local public radio station and I was very … Read more
Swearin’ Surfing Strange Salinas Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Swearin’ recalibrate their formula on their nineties-indebted second album. Album Review: On Swearin’s excellent self-titled debut, Allison Crutchfield dominated almost every track and the results were stunning. Yeah sure they’re a four-piece but it had the feel of a solo album from the ex-P.S. Eliot singer. … Read more
The Fratellis We Need Medicine BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: The Fratellis return with the safe-but-fun We Need Medicine. Album Review: The Fratellis have returned with their third long player, We Need Medicine. The Fratellis are a three-piece band from Glasgow, Scotland, made up of Jon Fratelli (nee John Lawler), Barry Fratelli (Barry Wallace), and … Read more
Babyshambles Sequel To The Prequel Parlophone Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Babyshambles are back and better than they have ever been on Sequel to the Prequel! Album Review: I had no idea that there was a new Babyshambles record coming out this year, in fact, it had already been out for well over a month … Read more
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Unvarnished Blackheart Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Attention: Joan Jett is not dead! Album Review: At this point in Joan Jett’s career, I don’t think there are any expectations of what a new record should sound like. I am sure there are tons of opinions but especially when Unvarnished is … Read more
The Flaming Lips Peace Sword EP Warner Brothers Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Flaming Lips revisit planet earth with more conceptually-based space. Album Review: The Flaming Lips have always been an interesting force in music. Keeping watch over the alternative rock music scene since 1983—for better or worse—nothing seems to deter them. A now-canceled … Read more
Kelley Stoltz Double Exposure Third Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kelley Stoltz continues to fly under the radar, but for how much longer? Album Review: Somewhere along the line, Kelley Stoltz became the go to guy for recording the new San Francisco sound. I have to admit, I lost track of Stoltz after his … Read more
White Fence Live In San Francisco Castle Face Records [2013] Fire Note Says: White Fence delivers a red hot live set on Live in San Francisco! Album Review: White Fence has had an incredible two year run. Last year saw the release of both volumes of the Family Perfume album, as well as an excellent … Read more
Los Campesinos! No Blues Wichita / Turnstile Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Los Campesinos! find the right balance between youthful energy and aging wisdom. Album Review: Sometimes familiarity in music is a good thing. Sure I always like to see progression in artists over multiple albums and years but sometimes changing the formula can also … Read more
Jus Post Bellum Oh July Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Jus Post Bellum tell a historical story of war that is hard to turn away from! Album Review: I know that the indie neo-folk sound has been in the spotlight this past year with bands like The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, the Avetts and those … Read more
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
La Luz It’s Alive Hardly Art Records [2013] Fire Note Says: La Luz’s debut is full of surf rock surprises. Album Review: Surfy rock from the Pacific Northwest? Sign me up! The all-female Seattle four piece, La Luz have just released their debut, It’s Alive, and it is a very modernized surf record by heart … Read more
Cage The Elephant Melophobia RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cage The Elephant’s uneven third LP Melophobia has some great moments. Album Review: Bowling Green’s (KY) Cage The Elephant has returned with their third LP, Melophobia. Cage The Elephant has been a popular band in their first two outings and their sound remains true in … Read more