Mavis Staples We Get By ANTI- [2019] Fire Note Says: Mavis Staples wraps up her 8th decade by putting her best musical foot forward with the aid of Ben Harper. Album Review: I’ll have whatever it is that Mavis Staples is having. Of course, we’re talking about the hardest working 80 year old working in … Read more
Amyl And The Sniffers Amyl And The Sniffers Flightless/ATO Records [2019] Who: Formed in Melbourne, Australia in early 2016, Amyl and The Sniffers wrote, self-recorded and released their debut EP, Giddy Up, all in a span of twelve hours. Already signed to Flightless Records for Australia and New Zealand, the band capped off a monster … Read more
Sad Planets Akron, Ohio Tee Pee Records [2019] Album Review: The coming together of two successful rockers with impressive careers to collaborate on a record celebrating their hometown is the kind of idea that sounds great on paper. So, I’m sure that Patrick Carney, the drummer half of The Black Keys, and John Petkovic, who’s … Read more
The Get Up Kids Problems Big Scary Monsters/Polyvinyl Records [2019] Album Review: The Get Up Kids came out of Kansas City in the mid-90s in that second wave of emo, punk/pop bands like Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, and My Chemical Romance. Best remembered for their 1999 release, “Something to Write Home About,” the band broke … Read more
Khana Bierbood Strangers From The Far East Guruguru Brain [2019] Who: Khana Bierbood (translated as Strange Brew in Thai), formed in 2012, in Bangsaen Beach, Thailand. After hours of jamming together they created their unique sound. Sound: Surf psychedelic rock that also includes lo-fi garage and fuzz. Not only for fans of label mates Kikagaku … Read more
Justin Townes Earle The Saint Of Lost Causes New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Justin Townes Earle produces a country songwriting tour de force on his eighth album, The Saint of Lost Causes. Album Review: The Saint of Lost Causes, the eighth album from singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle, is such a solid example from … Read more
Charly Bliss Young Enough Barsuk Records [2019] Who: Charly Bliss are back with their sophomore album Young Enough. It was produced by Joe Chiccarelli (U2, Beck, Alanis, The Strokes, The Killers, My Morning Jacket, Cage The Elephant). Sound: Unlike some of the alt grunge on debut Guppy (2017), Charly Bliss now goes darker and poppier … Read more
Starflyer 59 Young In My Head Tooth & Nail Records [2019] Fire Note Says: 25 years and 15 albums in, Starflyer 59 wonders aloud if it’s time to go, on a solid album that’s proof he still has plenty to offer. Album Review: If you live long enough, you will get old. That’s a fact … Read more
The National I Am Easy To Find 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: If I Am Easy to Find was a debut record, it’d be the best of the year. Album Review: There is a timeline in which, after the release of their breakthrough 2014 record Trouble Will Find Me, The National grew content, decided to … Read more
The Dandy Warhols w/ The Cosmonauts; 25th Anniversary Tour; First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN – Sunday, May 12, 2019 Before The Dandy Warhols took the stage at the historic First Avenue nightclub, it was obvious that the band viewed this 25th anniversary as a great excuse for a celebration. The first giveaway were the large balloon … Read more
Pink Mexico DUMP Little Dickman/Burger Records [2019] Who: Brooklyn-based grunge/fuzz act Pink Mexico return with their 3rd LP. Sound: DUMP picks up where 2016’s Fool left off. The fuzz and buzz are still there, Pink Mexico has not lost a thing. TFN Final Take: I have been smitten with Pink Mexico since their debut album … Read more
John Paul White The Hurting Kind Single Lock Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Civil War’s John Paul White makes a solid country musical statement that draws inspiration from a previous era, but remains an authentic, and current artistic statement. Album Review: John Paul White came to national attention as one half of the singer/songwriting … Read more
The Mountain Goats In League With Dragons Merge Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Mountain Goats’ 17th album, In League With Dragons, takes on the world of Dungeons & Dragons, and various other wizards in singer/songwriter pop/rock that belies the darker stories. Album Review: After addressing the coming of age issues of Transcendental Youth back in … Read more
Filthy Friends Emerald Valley Kill Rock Stars [2019] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney vocalist Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck take Filthy Friends out for a fun second round that takes on the President, the environment and other matters of substance. Album Review: Filthy Friends, the alternative rock super-group of sorts, featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck … Read more
Vampire Weekend Father Of The Bride Columbia Records [2019] TFN Final Take: Six years between records is a long time for any group and especially in this current music climate when people forget about you as soon as their newest Spotify playlist has ended. Well, Vampire Weekend have done just that with their new release … Read more
Cage the Elephant Social Cues RCA Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Kentucky bred, Cage the Elephant collaborate with Beck and producer John Hill on their 5th album, which recalls 80’s new wave in songs that chronicle the end of singer Matt Shultz’s marriage. Album Review: In the current ecology of sustainable musicianship, Cage the Elephant … Read more
Pile Green and Gray Exploding in Sound Records [2019] Who: Boston-based Pile are back with a sprawling and epic-sounding 7th LP. Sound: Green and Gray, sounds like a Pile record, it is a lot slower, longer, more nuanced, but still has impact. It just takes time to get there. TFN Final Take: By the time … Read more
Van Morrison w/ The James Hunter Six; Chicago Theater, Chicago, IL – Thursday, April 25, 2019 The words “buyer beware” probably apply more to concert ticket prices these days, given that more often than not, it’s very hard for the average ticket buyer to get tickets for a show at the ticket’s printed price, and … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Fishing For Fishies ATO/Flightless Records [2019] Who: Australian neo-psych wizards King Gizzard are back with their 14th long player. Sound: 70′ warm jamming sound laced with harmonica and some electro Devo rhythms. TFN Final Take: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have returned with their fourteenth album since their … Read more
Guided By Voices Warp And Woof GBV, Inc. [2019] Fire Note Says: After a couple recent near-masterpieces, Guided By Voices release the uniquely-curated album Warp And Woof! Album Review: As I sit here on a beautiful spring day in Bellefontaine, Ohio my mind keeps wandering. How do cell phones work? Why do people watch Fox … Read more
Gang Of Four Happy Now Gill Music [2019] Fire Note Says: Guitarist Andy Gill keeps the Gang of Four alive, and they respond to the current political climate with their 10th album, Happy Now. Album Review: Gang of Four started out in the same art school/university pool from Leeds, UK, in the late 70’s that … Read more
Various Artists Soul Slabs Vol. 2 Colemine Records [2019] Who: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland Ohio’s Colemine Records. Sound: This compilation features the Colemine spirit with plenty of heavy soul, jazz, funk, and R&B. TFN Final Take: If you have been enjoying the growth of … Read more
Glen Hansard This Wild Willing Anti- [2019] Fire Note Says: Glen Hansard, of “Once,” The Frames, and The Swell Season fame, expands his musical palette, but sings in a quieter more reflective voice on his fourth solo album, This Wild Willing. Album Review: The first thought that comes to mind when I think of Glen … Read more
