Jim James Regions Of Light And Sound Of God ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jim James shows off his soul on his debut solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God! Album Review: Like any frontman going out solo there always is a big question mark on what the record will sound like. … Read more
Wake Owl Wild Country EP Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wake Owl’s EP Wild Country leaves an incredible first impression, making the listener want more. Album Review: Wake Owl’s EP, Wild Country, leaves an incredibly hopeful first impression. The band’s sound is mello and folksy, blending upbeat notes with country undertones. Wake Owl resonates … Read more
Bettie Serveert Oh, Mayhem! Second Motion Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Indie vets look to re-establish themselves, and Oh, Mayhem! is a perfect reintroduction! Album Review: With their first two records, Palomine (1992) and Lamprey (1995) both on Matador Records, Dutch band Bettie Serveert laid out a sonic blueprint that later bands such as the … Read more
My Bloody Valentine m b v Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: 22 Years later, My Bloody Valentine release m b v and it seems like this noise wall is only built on strength. Album Review: It is Ralph Waldo Emerson that said “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is … Read more
Radar Bros. Eight Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Eight is as gorgeous and lush as you would expect from these indie vets! Album Review: On their new album, Eight, Radar Bros aren’t reinventing themselves, or delving into electro pop or anything ridiculous like that. What Jim Putnam and company are doing, is perfecting their … Read more
Fonda Sell Your Memories Minty Fresh Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fonda pretend like they never left the scene with their excellent return Sell Your Memories! Album Review: The core members of Fonda, Emily Cook and David Klotz, emerged back on the indie scene two years ago with the Better Days EP which ended their … Read more
Unknown Mortal Orchestra II Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: No sophomore slump here as Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s II incorporates more and keeps it fresh! Album Review: It’s been about three years since we’ve last been graced with the off kilter wackiness of a UMO (Unknown Mortal Orchestra) record, and that make their return quite … Read more
Tomahawk Oddfellows Ipecac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Tomahawk shuffles the deck to middling results. Album Review: Things begin inauspiciously. A couple of rock-cliché-ridden tracks kick things off in a way that reeks of rock bands saying things like “kick things off.” Or maybe Tomahawk’s just paying winking homage to classic heavy rockers. Either way, … Read more
Gliss Langsom Dans Modern Outsider Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gliss return after 4 years with an evolved sound. Album Review: Gliss is a Danish/American three-piece that seem to release a record every three or, in this case, four years as Langsom Dans is their third long player since the band’s 2006 debut. In music … Read more
Matt Pond The Lives Inside The Lines In Your Hands BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: Matt Pond returns, sans PA, with an immaculately-produced set of 10 pop/rock songs. Album Review: I had heard of Matt Pond PA (Matt Pond’s “band”) before writing this review, but hadn’t really listened to much of their material—they were on … Read more
The Ruby Suns Christopher Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Christopher is a chilled out dance pop filled with hooks and melody. Album Review: When Sea Lion was released in 2008, The Ruby Suns seemed to be a band on the brink. “Oh, Mojave” from that album was featured in a Windows Vista commercial … Read more
Adam Green & Binki Shapiro Adam Green & Binki Shapiro Rounder Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Adam Green & Binki Shapiro add a joyful sound to emotional heartbreak. Album Review: I don’t think that many people have moved past The Moldy Peaches years when referring to Adam Green but if you have been following his … Read more
Pere Ubu Lady From Shanghai Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Pere Ubu takes you on a wild trip like only they can! Album Review: This is a strange, difficult record to review. With the return of Thomas’ other pre-Ubu band, Rocket From The Tombs to active duty, I suppose I had expected a new … Read more
Guards In Guards We Trust Black Bell Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With In Guards We Trust, the Guards show great promise as a fun, diverse band. Album Review: With their debut LP album, In Guards We Trust, the Guards show great promise as a fun, upbeat band. The album tells less of a story, … Read more
Yellow Red Sparks Yellow Red Sparks Org Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Yellow Red Sparks make a strong debut on the indie folk scene! Album Review: “Whatcha gonna buy me honey?” is the strong first line you hear on the debut from the Yellow Red Sparks that instantly grabs your attention and makes you take … Read more
Camper Van Beethoven La Costa Perdida 429 Records [2013] Fire Note Says: La Costa Perdida is a worthy addition to the Camper Van Beethoven canon! Album Review: It’s hard to believe it’s been close to 28 years since Camper Van Beethoven took the skinheads bowling on their debut album, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, and a … Read more
The Bronx The Bronx (IV) ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What can only be described as pure, unadulterated skate punk. Album Review: This is the fourth self-titled record from L.A. punk rockers, The Bronx. It’s also the first album of punk material they’ve released since 2008, taking a two-album break from their norm to … Read more
Widowspeak Almanac Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Widowspeak’s sophomore record does not quite capture the magic of their debut – but it’s close! Album Review: Widowspeak’s sophomore album, Almanac, starts off right where their 2011 self-titled debut left off by rightfully highlighting the bands best weapon in singer Molly Hamilton’s siren like vocals. … Read more
The GROWLERS Hung At Heart Everloving Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Oozing with a murky swagger, The GROWLERS aim to please with this release. Album Review: With the sonic force of surf, psych, garage, and a good ol’ fashion vintage feel or a sound that they like to call beach goth. The So Cal based … Read more
The Breezes The Breezes Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: The Breezes deliver a diverse, eclectic mix of classic rock-style tunes that never take themselves too seriously. Album Review: “Whoo! Explosions!” Thus begins the self-titled debut album from The Breezes, a Montreal-based band whose brand of quirky guitar-based pop swerves wildly from style to style, never … Read more
Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin Reverse Shark Attack In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A timely reissue of a little heard and excellent collaboration from two highly regarded artists! Album Review: The only question I had going into my first listen of the reissue of this 2009 collaborative album was not would it … Read more
The Chaw The Chaw Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: The Chaw’s self-titled debut is injected with ample amounts of stylistic grooves and swagger! Album Review: Here we find ourselves presented with the Cali based band The Chaw which offers a heady mix of blues and classic psychedelic styles. Stephen Schreffler (Guitar), Jarrod Taylor (Guitar), Joe … Read more
The Pogues The Very Best Of The Pogues Shout! Factory Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Shout! Factory reminds us of why The Pogues were important. Album Review: Both modern folk and Celtic punk have had an upswing in popularity over the last several years so a new Best Of reissue covering the beloved Irish-English punk … Read more
The Traditional Fools The Traditional Fools In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Early Ty Segall band is reissued by In The Red, and you are going to want this for your collection! Album Review: If I give you three key pieces of information, you will most likely be able to figure out exactly … Read more
Free Energy Love Sign Free People Records [2013] Fire Note Says: No rough edges here. Nor much of anything interesting. Album Review: You know how wedding receptions are. There are people there from age two to eightytwo. Something must be done about the music. Concessions must be made. But the bride and groom, they need … Read more