Gladiola Off You Go Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Gladiola’s third album Off You Go is a mode. Album Review: Gladiola is an independent band in the truest sense. They self-produced and self-released their latest LP Off You Go. The band is based out of Massachusetts and consists of Bill Madden-Fuoco (vocals and guitar), Chris … 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
Morningbell Bôa Noite Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Morningbell’s Bôa Noite is an exercise in time and space jubilation! Album Review: It’s rare to find a group such as Morningbell, excess without pretension (I may be glancing your way Arcade Fire). Taking their name from Kid A’s “Morning Bell,” this band has big brains and … Read more
The Mother Hips Behind Beyond Mother Hips Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Mother Hips return with another solid batch of California country-tinged melodies. Album Review: How old were you in 1993? I only ask because that would be the year The Mother Hips released their debut album, Back To The Grotto, on Rick Rubins … Read more
Speedwell Start To Finish Coolidge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Posthumous release from unheralded DC band covers their entire recorded history. Album Review: Formed in 1996 by Meredith Bragg, Troy Farmer and Jonathan Roth (and later joined by Brian Minter), Speedwell was destined to be a band no one ever heard. Despite touring with Engine … Read more
Bosnian Rainbows Bosnian Rainbows Sargent House Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bosnian Rainbows are consistently interesting on their self-titled debut. Album Review: It’s a really funny thing to hear Mars Volta axe man/composer Omar Rodriguez Lopez talk about a less is more musical philosophy. During a recent Orange Amp promo video, Rodriguez Lopez gets down … Read more
T. Hardy Morris Audition Tapes Dangerbird Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Audition Tapes is that rare record that has an emotional impact on the listener. Album Review: Throw folk, roots, psych, punk, and country music all in the proverbial blender, and I would imagine you would come up with a concoction that sounds something like … Read more
Jay Z Magna Carta…Holy Grail Universal Music Group [2013] Fire Note Says: Jay Z offers up something for all music lovers with Magna Carta…Holy Grail. Album Review: I’m going to imagine that there is not a huge overlap between readers of The Fire Note and fans of Jay Z. However if you’re like me and … Read more
Missing Monuments Missing Monuments Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Missing Monuments find an improved cohesion on self-titled sophomore record. Album Review: King Louie has a much bigger name than just being the guy behind the Missing Monuments. He has not only played in bands like Jack Oblivion and Jay Reatard but was in the … Read more
The White Stripes Nine Miles From The White City Third Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Vault Package #16 captures The White Stripes at one of their highest points! Album Review: When we last left our good friend Jack White, he was giving us an interesting-yet flawed-look at the past. Jack White and The Bricks … Read more
Speedy Ortiz Major Arcana Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Massachusetts band release an album of surprising depth despite their early nineties indie rock obsession. Album Review: Speedy Ortiz lead singer and songwriter Sadie Dupuis hails from Northampton, MA – a stone’s throw from Amherst, hometown of J. Mascis. The geographic proximity is bested, however, … Read more
Atlas Genius When It Was Now Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Atlas Genius crafts an indie pop gem with When It Was Now. Album Review: Atlas Genius’s core is two brothers, Keith and Michael Jeffery. Having seen the band perform at Bunbury 2013 this summer, the band’s live lineup much bigger. Atlas Genius … Read more
Baroness Live At Maida Vale BBC EP Relapse Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Baroness release a short and sweet live EP which shows why they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Album Review: Savanna, Georgia’s Baroness has been a group with quite a history. Releasing three of the most acclaimed and intelligent metal albums … Read more
Coloured Clocks Nectarine Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Coloured Clocks’ Nectarine sunny psychedelic sound is perfect for a lazy summer day. Album Review: Coloured Clocks is the project of James Wallace, who is from Melbourne. The style of music is described on their bandcamp page as psychedelic, ambient, and chillwave. Given that we have an … Read more
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros offer up another batch of freedom rock. Album Review: I remember the first time I heard “Home” off of Edward Sharpe’s debut record Up From Below (2009) and thinking that with … Read more
Grant Hart The Argument Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ambitious concept album from former Hüsker Dü member is a winner. Album Review: Let’s get the history lesson out of the way right off the bat. Grant Hart was the yin to Bob Mould’s yang in Husker Du. In my mind; he wrote the poppier … Read more
Lust For Youth Perfect View Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Hannes Norrvide’s second album as Lust For Youth is a monolithic slab of smooth 80’s synth pop. Album Review: Sweden is a cold place. Winters there are not a great deal of fun (or so I’m told.) So here we are in the … Read more
Time Cat Space And Time Cat EP Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Akron’s Time Cat turns up the blues rock on their new EP. Album Review: I hate to scold a band, especially when it’s not all that deserved. After seeing this Akron blues duo perform live I had a lot of hopes for their … Read more
The New Amsterdams Outroduction Nightshoes Syndicate [2013] Fire Note Says: Who knew an album of outtakes and B-sides could work so well? Album Review: The New Amsterdams were one of those bands I always meant to check out, because they sounded like my kind of thing (at least up to a point): acoustic-based indie rock … Read more
Hunx And His Punx Street Punk Hardly Art Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Believe the title as Hunx And His Punx bring the noise! Album Review: With an album title like Street Punk and an album cover with a tattooed bare-chested dude you better bring it when it comes to the music. Hunx And His … Read more
Andrew Cedermark Home Life Underwater Peoples Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Laid-back rhythms and layers of guitar make Home Life an introverted, yet satisfying experience. Album Review: Recorded with two “skeleton crew” bands consisting of bass, drums, and guitar (with some keys sprinkled in here and there), you’d be forgiven for thinking an album like … Read more
Heliotropes A Constant Sea Manimal Vinyl [2013] Fire Note Says: All girl Brooklyn four piece drop a very satisfying sludge-filled, psych-pop debut. Album Review: Every day, it seems, there comes down the pike another new band brandishing remnants and half-remembered pieces of yesteryear’s sound. From 60’s girl group to 70’s stoner rock and 80’s new … Read more
Jackson Scott Melbourne Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jackson Scott hits one out of the park on his debut record. Album Review: Do yourself a favor, don’t read any more about Jackson Scott after you read this review, until you hear his debut lp, Melbourne. I did a little research after I received … Read more
Elway Leavetaking Red Scare Industries [2013] Fire Note Says: Elway’s pop-punk stylings in Leavetaking are full throttle from start to finish. Album Review: Elway is definitely the best band ever named for a quarterback taken in the storied first round of the 1983 NFL draft. Sorry Laces Out Marino! (not a real band), Jim Kelly: … Read more
Deap Vally Sistrionix Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Deap Vally bring a familiar bolt of rock forward with their own style. Album Review: Rock n roll will never die and LA group Deap Vally are a good example why. The duo made up of guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards create … Read more