CHVRCHES The Bones Of What You Believe Glassnote Records [2013] Fire Note Says: CHVRCHES debut album or the death of the guitar in pop music – discuss. Album Review: There has been some debate around The Fire Note about the relative merits of Scottish trio CHVRCHES and their much-hyped debut album, The Bones Of What … 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
Tim Kasher Adult Film Saddle Creek Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Tim Kasher returns to a more straightforward rock sound on his solo sophomore album. Album Review: Tim Kasher is still best known as the frontman for Cursive and The Good Life, but Adult Film represents his sophomore solo record. To call Kasher theatrical is … Read more
Lisa Papineau Blood Noise Neurotic Yell Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Lisa Papineau‘s Blood Noise is a moody weave of beauty and darkness. Album Review: It‘s always my job as a music journalist to expand my horizons and branch out. With Lisa Papineau‘s new album Blood Noise, that‘s exactly what I did. It‘s funny though, … Read more
Buffalo Tales Roadtrip Confessions Foyle Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Buffalo Tales’ tunes ramble and tremble on a roadtrip through Americana (by way of Australia). Album Review: It seems like every few years a slew of bands are lauded for “bringing back” roots rock, folk rock, Americana, whatever you want to call it. One only … 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
Janelle Monáe The Electric Lady Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy [2013] Fire Note Says: Is The Electric Lady starting to run out of juice? Album Review: When Janelle Monáe started to garner mainstream attention with 2010’s The ArchAndroid, her style was totally unique. Equal parts James Brown, David Bowie, Lauryn Hill, and Alan Parsons, Monáe combined … Read more
The Dismemberment Plan Uncanney Valley Partisan Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dismemberment Plan recaptures some of that old magic on their first album in 12 years. Album Review: The Dismemberment Plan hasn’t put out a record in 12 years, which is an eternity in the indie rock world. What made the break even harder … Read more
Albert Hammond Jr AHJ Cult Records [2013] It’s nice to hear Albert Hammond Jr. back with his solo work. The Strokes guitarist has not released any new material since his 2008 sophomore album, ¿Cómo Te Llama?. Both of his solo full-length records never tried too hard to separate themselves from The Strokes’ recordings, which I … Read more
Mazzy Star Seasons of Your Day Rhymes Of An Hour Records [2013] Fire Note Says: After a 17 year break, Mazzy Star stays true to their soft, folksy sound with the release of Seasons of Your Day. Album Review: Some albums have a very seasonal feel, like Everything in Transit via Jack’s Mannequin (summer) or … Read more
Girls Against Boys The Ghost List EP Epitonic [2013] Fire Note Says: Girls Against Boys are back and The Ghost List EP sounds like they never left! Album Review: Reuniting your old band is all the rave right now with The Breeders and Neutral Milk Hotel playing shows this year and we saw the release … Read more
Schooner Neighborhood Veins PotLuck Foundation [2013] Fire Note Says: Schooner goes adrift with their own brand of ramshackle, lucid pop. Album Review: Durhan, NC‘s Schooner’s sound is an interesting proposition: take some simple song structures and float them on a sea of dreams; then pair that with a bit of complexity, chill moods, 50‘s doo-wop, … Read more
Mark Lanegan Imitations Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Lanegan’s second album of covers is so good it will make you forget the original versions. Album Review: To say Mark Lanegan is one of the most distinctive and important singers of the past 25 years is a huge understatement. Not only was he singer for … Read more
Native Orthodox Sargent House Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Native‘s 3rd LP balances its strengths between timing and consistency. Album Review: If you take a look at Native‘s Facebook and bandcamp pages then you begin to see what I—along with many others—am figuring out: Indiana’s four piece Native is a math rock/post hardcore/indie band that … Read more
Ski Lodge Big Heart Dovecote Records [2013] Fire Note Says: If you like The Smiths, Ski Lodge will be a new favorite. Album Review: Ski Lodge is primarily the creation of NYC-based musician Andrew Marr. On his debut LP he sings and plays the majority of the instruments; he also wrote the songs. The album … 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
FUZZ FUZZ In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Segall continues his wild ride with proto-metalers FUZZ! Album Review: As a musician Ty Segall isn’t one to shy away from being prolific. He released three albums alone last year: Goodbye Bread; the explosive Ty Segall Band’s Slaughterhouse; and the best of his 2012 releases, … Read more
Elf Power Sunlight On The Moon Darla/Orange Twin Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A wonderful collection of psych pop gems that have the unmistakable Elephant 6 sound. Album Review: If you’re anything like me, you have to be pretty excited that there is a new Elf Power record out. I obsessively collected all things Elephant … Read more
The Fire Tapes Phantoms Warhen Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Fire Tapes sophomore album, Phantoms, has electric solos and suspenseful indie rock. Album Review: The Fire Tapes sophomore album, Phantoms, is a good blend of ambient, suspenseful indie and upbeat, electric rock. The nine tracks use both female and male vocals, and most are … Read more
Sweatshop Boys The Great Depression Dirt Cult Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Impressive punk-pop-rock debut from Israel band Sweatshop Boys. Album Review: About 11 days ago I sent an unofficial review of Sweatshop Boys debut album, The Great Depression, to our friends at Dirt Cult Records. This is what it said: “This record rocks!” Now … 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
Saint Rich Beyond The Drone Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Saint Rich bring a warm indie vibe to their debut Beyond The Drone. Album Review: Saint Rich is the musical partnership of Christian Peslak and Steve Marion. You may know Steve from his instrumental band, Delicate Steve, which has released two albums on David … Read more
Valley Lodge Use Your Weapons Explosive Industries [2013] Fire Note Says: Big riffs and big hooks make Use Your Weapons the party record of the week! Album Review: Every now and then I get an album to review that defies any sort of critical evaluation. Sometimes it’s because it’s terrible and I can’t make it … Read more
The Polyphonic Spree Yes, It’s True Kirtland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Yes, It’s True is an indie pop rock album, borrowing influences from orchestra and jazz. Album Review: The Polyphonic Spree’s latest release, Yes, It’s True, is my first experience with the band, although they have been around for awhile. Under their name, they … Read more
Ghost Wave Ages Flying Nun Records [2013] Fire Note Says: New Zealand band explores the origins of Kiwi-pop – and a whole lot more. Album Review: The flood of garage psych bands to come from New Zealand has baffled music critics for years. Since the early eighties it has been one great little band after … Read more