TV Ghost Disconnect In The Red[2013] Fire Note Says: Lafayette Indiana’s TV Ghost puts it all together on their excellent third album. Album Review: Every era, every genre will have a revival. Some, depending on current trends, may experience multiple revisitations. Late 70’s/early 80’s UK post-punk has seen more than its share. And why not? … Read more
Minor Alps Get There Barsuk Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Juliana Hatfied and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf) make Minor Alps a success. Album Review: I don’t think two indie voices out there right now could be more destined to join forces than Juliana Hatfield and Matthew Caws. The alt-rock veterans have tons of cred with … Read more
Sunwolf Angel Eyes EP Dischord Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sunwolf invokes short, punchy fun with Angel Eyes. Album Review: In the wake of Washington D.C.’s garage rock revival many have been answering the call to arms. The brainchild of Rob “Kalani“ Tifford, Sunwolf mixes the lo-fi fuzz of raw, 60‘s L.A. rockers The Seeds … Read more
Mike Donovan WOT Drag City Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A fine solo debut from Mike Donovan formerly of Sic Alps. Album Review: With the demise of Sic Alps earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before Mike Donovan launched his solo career. While the Sic Alps specialized in 60’s influenced guitar/garage … Read more
I saw Neko Case 10 years ago in a much smaller venue so I was very excited to see one of the best voices in music live again at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati Tuesday night. Well that excitement ended very quickly as Neko hit the stage with a starting stretch and yawn telling the … Read more
of Montreal Lousy With Sylvianbriar Polyvinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: of Montreal chooses the accessible route on their latest. Album Review: of Montreal is the product of Kevin Barnes’ vision and work ethic. Lousy With Sylvianbriar is the band’s 12th LP since their debut in 1997. That is roughly an album a year over … 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
Paul McCartney New Hear Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Paul McCartney returns with one of his strongest modern-era albums. Album Review: Paul McCartney has been has been on quite a winning streak lately. However you feel about his recent standards album (the cheekily-titled Kisses on the Bottom), his recent records of original songs—under his own … Read more
Frog Eyes Carey’s Cold Spring Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Carey Mercer confronts riots, protests, storms and floods – and his own mortality – on his sixth album as Frog Eyes. Album Review: The Bandcamp page which is being used to sell Carey’s Cold Spring also details the vision Mercer had going into the writing … Read more
Dead Gaze Brain Holiday Palmist/FatCat Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Dead Gaze show depth with their indie fuzz and pop bounce on their proper debut Brain Holiday. Album Review: Fuzzed up lo-fi pop rock? Sign me up! The proper debut from Dead Gaze is an enjoyable lesson that shows everyone that all it takes is … Read more
Sleigh Bells Bitter Rivals Mom + Pop Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Sleigh Bells return with a flurry of noise pop endearments. Album Review: As a listener it‘s sometimes hard to know what I want. Sleigh Bells surprised us all with 2010‘s unforgettable Treats. Guitars boomed, drums thundered, and vocals looped as they reached to … Read more
Best Coast Fade Away Jewel City Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Best Coast release a 7 song mini album that works hard to extend summer with its warm indie pop shine. Album Review: If you have loved the indie pop of Best Coast’s previous two full lengths, then you will be completely satisfied with their … Read more
Delorean Apar True Panther Sounds [2013] Fire Note Says: This Delorean is a fresh modern sound – no time travel is necessary to enjoy it. Album Review: Delorean is a synth-pop band from Spain. And yes, they admit to being named for the vehicle from Back To The Future. Now that that’s out of the … Read more
Yuck Glow & Behold Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Yuck starts over fresh on their new album, and it sounds pretty good. Album Review: Imagine you’re a member of a hip young band, your debut album garners all sorts of critical accolades, winds up on many top ten lists, and you find yourself … Read more
Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt Monkeywrench/Universal Records [2013] Fire Note Says: This “Lightning Bolt” still doesn’t strike twice in the same place. Album Review: If you were to take your cues from so-called “classic rock” radio (remember radio?), you’d be convinced that Pearl Jam did all its best work on the 1991 debut, Ten, and a … Read more
Blouse Imperium Captured Tracks [2013] Fire Note Says: Blouse go all-out shoegaze on their sophomore album. Album Review: Blouse began a few years ago as a collaboration between vocalist/guitarist Charlie Hilton, bassist Patrick Adams, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jake Portrait. Placing Hilton’s ethereal vocals overtop a slew of synthesizers, their first self-titled album got them … Read more
Show reviews are usually either disregarded and/or seen as a way to kiss the ass of the artist(s) seen. But this one is something different: a review of an Elf Power and Neutral Milk Hotel show can only be written out of sincere respect. To call Mangum a god or to worship him in any … Read more
The Avett Brothers Magpie And The Dandelion American Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: The Avett Brothers return quickly with their eighth record Magpie And The Dandelion. Album Review: I really liked last year’s The Carpenter from The Avett Brothers. It was weighty, mature, warm radio styled and its songwriting was completely thought stirring. Some critics … Read more
Radkey Devil Fruit EP Little Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Radkey’s Devil Fruit EP shows promise for the future. Album Review: Radkey is a three-piece punk band from St. Joseph, Missouri. They are three brothers (Dee, Isaiah, and Solomon) who play well together. This in and of itself is quite the accomplishment, as parents … Read more
Chelsea Wolfe Pain Is Beauty Sargent House Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Chelsea Wolfe’s fourth album is the sound of brittle isolation and brutal desperation. Album Review: It must be a really dark, depressing place – that space between LA singer Chelsea Wolfe’s ears. Her music is so fraught with desolation and haunting beauty that … Read more
Lee Ranaldo And The Dust Last Night On Earth Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Last Night on Earth might be the best guitar record you hear this Fall. Album Review: I didn’t see this one coming. I thought that Lee Ranaldo’s first album for Matador, 2012’s Between the Times and the Tide was pretty … Read more
Mind Spiders Inhumanistic Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Mind Spiders return with a new wave driven record that should make Devo and Gary Numan proud. Album Review: How many times does an album’s title, cover and first track prelude give you true insight on the record you are about to hear? Not that often … Read more
Polvo Siberia Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Chapel Hill band release their second excellent post-reunion album. Album Review: When Polvo returned in 2009 they were way ahead of the pack. Little did we know that pretty much every 90’s indie band of consequence would reform, tour and attempt to recapture the magic of an … Read more
The Head And The Heart Let’s Be Still Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Head and the Heart’s sophomore release has a fresh sound ready for heavy rotation. Album Review: The Head and the Heart’s latest album, Let’s Be Still, is finally out, and it does not disappoint. The band’s sophomore release is … Read more
Anna Calvi One Breath Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Anna Calvi proves why Brian Eno called her “the best thing since Patti Smith.” Album Review: On Anna Calvi’s self-titled debut she drew comparisons to PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley and (what?) even Bruce Springsteen. However, her virtuoso guitar playing and Edith Piaf-esque voice defied those … Read more