Golden Grrrls Golden Grrrls Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Golden Grrrls take us on a breezy and pleasant trip back to the early nineties. Album Review: Slumberland is home to much of what remains of that oft-maligned genre of indie pop affectionately known as twee. The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Sea Lions, … Read more
Hey Marseilles Lines We Trace Onto Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Sophomore album from Seattle’s Hey Marseilles brings the Northwestern sound back to the masses. Album Review: Seattle Washington group Hey Marseilles revive a classic Northwestern sound on their engaging sophomore record Lines We Trace. The band arms themselves with a full arsenal of instruments … Read more
Wax Idols Discipline And Desire Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wax Idols is both a breath of fresh air and a blast from the past. Album Review: This album come out of a time machine. Seriously. The more I listened to it, the more I forgot this was brand new and instead thought I … 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
Sunshine Sunshine Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Vancouver’s Sunshine delivers on their debut lp! Album Review: If you’re a fan of shoegaze, dream pop, or bands with girl group influenced harmonies, then let me introduce you to Sunshine, a new 5 piece from Vancouver. With influences ranging from The Raveonettes (always a favorite of mine), … 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
Mark Kozelek Like Rats Caldo Verde Records [2013] Fire Note Says: It is all about the song selection on Mark Kozelek’s genre hopping covers album Like Rats. Album Review: I have always said that Mark Kozelek has one of those voices which could sing the dictionary and it would be awesome. His emotional tone and … Read more
How To Destroy Angels Welcome Oblivion Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: How To Destroy Angles’ full length, Welcome Oblivion, shows a bit more bark and bite. Album Review: Even before going on a hiatus from main project Nine Inch Nails it seems that Reznor was on the road to reinvention. With the unconventional release … Read more
Eels Wonderful, Glorious Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Eels gives a valiant effort but has problems living up to the new album’s title, Wonderful, Glorious. Album Review: It’s difficult to not judge an artist’s current work against what they have made in the past. Mark Everett, the heart and soul of eels, knows this … Read more
Suuns Images Du Futur Secretly Canadian Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Montreal act’s second album impresses in almost every way. Album Review: If imitation is the highest form of flattery then Clinic must be mightily pleased with the sophomore effort by Montreal’s Suuns. On their stunning 2010 debut, Zeroes QC, Suuns conjured up a highly … Read more
Off With Their Heads Home Epitaph Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Off With Their Heads return with a more mature outlook but are still 100% punk rock! Album Review: Minneapolis outfit Off With Their Heads play a straightforward type of punk rock that is in your face but completely controlled. I know that some of … 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
Chelsea Light Moving Chelsea Light Moving Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Thurston Moore returns with his thundering new band Chelsea Light Moving. Album Review: In 2011, Sonic Youth announced that the band was “ending for a while” following the separation of Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon. Now if you are Thurston Moore what do … Read more
Jacob Morris MOTHS Cloud Recordings [2012] Fire Note Says: Jacob Morris aims to please on his debut album. Album Review: Jacob Morris is a singer-songwriter with roots in both Athens, GA and Austin, TX. With those two cities in his musical heritage great things could be expected of him. MOTHS is his debut album and … Read more
ON AN ON Give In Roll Call Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The remnants of indie pop stalwarts Scattered Trees triumphantly release a dark and diverse debut. Album Review: With only two weeks before Chicago/Minneapolis band Scattered Trees were scheduled to record a new album in Toronto with famed producer Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, … Read more
Mazes Ores & Minerals FatCat Records [2013] Fire Note Says: UK band avoids the sophomore slump and adds excellent Krautrock elements on Ores & Minerals. Album Review: This is the stuff right here! A hot young guitar band from the UK adopts krautrock influences into their indie rock sound and not only avoids the sophomore … 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
The Cave Singers Naomi Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Cave Singers blend classic influences with modern sounds on Naomi. Album Review: The indie-folk scene has become pretty crowded the last few years. Acts such as Iron & Wine, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes have proven that audiences still have a soft spot for … Read more
Swamp Dogg Total Destruction To Your Mind Rat On! Alive Natural Sound Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Swamp Dogg’s music finally gets the respect that it deserves. Album Review: Back in the late 60’s/early 70’s there was quite the musical renaissance that was taking place. Miles Davis’ jazz freak opus Bitches Brew took shape, Sly … Read more
They Might Be Giants Nanobots Idlewild Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: They Might Be Giants return with another fun batch of indie rock on their 16th studio full length. Album Review: I still get excited when a new “adult” They Might Be Giants record hits the shelves. For me the band still brings back fond … Read more
Water Liars Wyoming Big Legal Mess/Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Water Liars make sure you can feel on their damaged but excellent Wyoming! Album Review: I will warn you that Water Liars sophomore record, Wyoming, is a completely damaged Americana/rock album from the duo of singer/guitarist Justin Kinkel-Schuster and drummer/vocalist Andrew Bryant that … Read more
The Men New Moon Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Men take a risk again on fourth long player New Moon. Album Review: Last year’s excellent Open Your Heart from The Men took plenty of risks and each and every one of them paid off as it was the post-punk band’s best record … Read more
Shout Out Louds Optica Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Shout Out Louds conjure up the spirits of New Order and The Cure on their 4th lp, Optica. Album Review: On their fourth lp Optica, the follow-up to 2010’s Work, the Shout Out Louds have crafted an album that is equal parts Cure inspired pop … Read more
Cloud Cult Love The Rebel Group [2013] Fire Note Says: Cloud Cult’s Love is a musical story book packed with themes, lessons, and a bit of reassurance that it’s going to be ok. Album Review: Cloud Cult mastermind Craig Minowa has led an interesting life. His story entails love, loss, acceptance, education, environmentalism, creativity, and … Read more