Beach BunnyHoneymoonMom + Pop Music [2020] Chicago’s Beach Bunny started out as an acoustic solo project from Lili Trifilio back in 2015 but has transformed into one of the more exciting indie rock bands today with their debut LP Honeymoon. The band has grown a consistent buzz ever since their 2018 Prom Queen EP and … Read more
Ethan GruskaEn GardeWarner Records [2020] On this sophomore effort by Ethan Gruska, his producer chops are on display as much as his melodic sensibilities as a singer/songwriter. And apparently, he’s inherited his musical skill sets and interests quite naturally. The son of Jay Gruska, a singer/songwriter and composer best known for composing music for TV … Read more
Post Animal Forward Motion GodysseyPolyvinyl Records [2020] I feel like if I’m going to introduce you to Chicago, Illinois’s Post Animal then I have to get one thing out of the way first. Joe Keery, yes, Steve Harrington of Stranger Things contributed to their debut album When I Think Of You In a Castle. I … Read more
Wire Mind HivePinkflag [2020] It’s the rare band that stays together over 40 years, and even rarer not to have evolved musically over time. AC/DC perhaps being the exception that proves the rule. Wire arrived on the British punk scene with their aggressive debut, “Pink Flag,” in ’77, chock full of short, minimalist guitar-driven attacks. … Read more
Green Day The Father Of All Motherfuckers Reprise Records [2020] Generally speaking, even the most popular punk rock bands are not designed to stay vital for the long haul. Sex Pistols delivered an explosive 3 years, and everything since has been cashing in on that early reputation and music, thus the “Filthy Lucre” reunion tour … Read more
…And You Will Know Us By Our Trail Of Dead X: The Godless Void And Other Stories Dine Alone Records [2020] Austin, Texas’ …And You Will Know Us By Our Trail of Dead has been building grand cathedrals of music since there conception in 1994. Their 2002 release Source Tags and Codes is considered by … Read more
Nada Surf Never Not Together Barsuk Records [2020] Nada Surf’s ninth studio recording and first in almost four years, Never Not Together, does not necessarily mark new territory for the band but highlights the veteran groups quality writing, musicianship, and knowledge of how to grab the listener with a hook. For some that remember the … Read more
Tall Tall TreesA Wave Of Golden ThingsJoyful Noise Recordings [2020] Mike Savino is Tall Tall Trees and he is probably best known as the highly talented electric banjo player for Kishi Bashi. A Wave Of Golden Things is Savino’s fourth studio album and it will probably be one of the most heartfelt records you will … Read more
Drive-By Truckers The Unraveling ATO Records [2020] Album Review: The Drive-By Truckers are back with their 12th album, an obvious follow-up to their politically charged ’16 release, “American Band.” If anything, on The Unraveling, songwriters Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley have taken their inspiration right from the headlines as they write songs of protest over … Read more
Frances Quinlan Likewise Saddle Creek Records [2020] TFN Album Review: I am sure the name Frances Quinlan may not stand out to you but she is the vocalist/guitarist of the excellent indie group Hop Along and Likewise is her debut solo record under her own name. With at least 15 years of recording on her … Read more
Okay Kaya Watch This Liquid Pour Itself Jagjaguwar [2020] Fire Note Says: There’s a quirky artfulness in the minimalist experimental pop of Okay Kaya, as she mixes wry lyrical observations with simple vocal melodies. Album Review: Arriving just a week after the passing of Monty Python’s Terry Jones, the debut of Okay Kaya has a … Read more
Coldplay Everyday Life Parlophone/Atlantic Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The eighth album from Coldplay benefits from world music influences and a scattershot approach to incorporating a variety of old school musical influences. Album Review: Dropping late in the year, Colplay’s eighth album became an unexpected contender on a lot of folk’s year in lists, due … Read more
Wolf Parade Thin Mind Sub Pop Records [2020] Fire Note Says: Wolf Parade, stripped back to the original Montreal power trio, create a strong mix of 80’s new wave sounds and forward-thinking modern rock on Thin Mind, their 5th album. Album Review: Thin Mind, the fifth full-length album from Montreal’s Wolf Parade, arrives with the … Read more
Andy Shauf The Neon Skyline ANTI- [2020] TFN Album Review: Over rock history, the soft voice story telling singer/songwriter has been a big thing with names like Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Tim Finn and Michael Penn. The list can go on but in this modern era of music I feel like the list of recognizable … Read more
Mr. Wrong Create A Place Water Wing Records [2020] TFN Album Review: Create A Place is the sophomore album from Portland, Oregon’s Mr. Wrong and it can be summed up in one word – RIPPER. The female trio of Mof (guitar), Leona (bass) and Ursula (drums) offer up more fierceness here in their 9 songs … Read more
of Montreal UR Fun Polyvinyl Records [2020] Album Review: For the 16th album form the Athens, GA-based of Montreal, principal songwriter and band leader, Kevin Barnes opted to make the album in isolation, playing all of the instruments himself. While Barnes often takes the band out on tour as a quintet and will likely do … Read more
Pinegrove Marigold Rough Trade Records [2020] TFN Album Review: Ever since Pinegrove’s Cardinal release in 2016, I thought the band would have an incredible musical arc that was going nowhere but up. Of course, life is unpredictable and the band went completely quiet in November of 2017 after Pinegrove bandleader Evan Stephens Hall explained some … Read more
Kiwi Jr. Football Money Mint/Persona Non Grata Records [2019/2020] TFN Album Review: Here is a record I have been sitting on for a bit as this Friday will see the world-wide release of Football Money, the debut album from Toronto’s Kiwi Jr. The album is being released via Persona Non Grata Records and follows its … Read more
Joseph Arthur Come Back World Moonage Rebel [2019] Album Review: Given all the artists who Joseph Arthur has collaborated with, it’s always surprising to me that he’s not achieved the kind of ‘household name’ notoriety that come with music industry breakthroughs. An early singer/songwriter discovery, Arthur’s earliest albums were on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, … Read more
Beach Slang The Deadbeat Bang Of Heartbreak City Bridge Nine Records [2020] TFN Album Review: If you have followed Beach Slang since their 2014 EP, Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken?, then you already know that the group has been a full-fledged modern day Replacements from day one. Everything from the raw guitar to … Read more
Thom Yorke Anima XL Recordings [2019] Who: The irreplaceable frontman of Radiohead. Thom Yorke had been one of the most important figures in music since the early 90’s. Sound: Thom has been fond of many types of music. His solo outings usually focus on beats, loops, and electronics. TFN Final Take: Thom Yorke has been … Read more
Jay Som Anak Ko Polyvinyl Records [2019] TFN Album Review: If you have been a fan of Jay Som, aka Melina Duterte, since her early work was on the Intranet (and then captured on 2016’s Turn Into) you already have a sense that some of her best work was to come. Anak Ko represents her … Read more
Chris Taylor Lovers, Thieves, Fools + Pretenders Self-Released [2019] Album Review: While I’ve been a fan and acquaintance of San Antonio singer/songwriter, band leader and visual artist Chris Taylor for more than two decades, I have to admit when I recently checked out his bandcamp page, it was immediately obvious that he’s a lot more … Read more
The Murder Capital When I Have Fears Human Season Records [2019] TFN Album Review: The debut album from Dublin’s The Murder Capital plays everything out front with its heart on its sleeve. The post-punk moodiness is dark as this group can turn the amps up on a dime and can transition from sounding like The … Read more
The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin: Live At Red Rocks Warner Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Flaming Lips join together with the Colorado Symphony to recreate their 1999 masterpiece “The Soft Bulletin” at the landmark Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Album Review: Back in 2016, somebody had the smarts to imagine a 20th anniversary celebration of … Read more