Frankie And The Witch Fingers ZAM Greenway Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers return with equal parts dark arts and mischievous psychedelic heart for their fifth long player. Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers has been a group that the Fire Note has kept on their radar since their debut, … Read more
Peter Rogan Still Tryin’ To Believe Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: Philadelphia singer/songwriter/guitarist, Peter Rogan creates his first album with the help of the Red Dirt Boys, resulting in soulful light rock and blues. Album Review: The very existence of this album by Reading, PA singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Rogan should be an encouragement to anyone who’s … Read more
Plains Peace in Restland Self-Released [2019] Who: Plains are a Newmarket, New Hampshire-based quartet . Sound: Peace in Restland, Plains debut LP, is an engaging blend of psychedelic Americana folk and punk. TFN Final Take: I decided to check out Plains on a whim after seeing their name on a show poster as a supporting … Read more
Mavis Staples Live In London ANTI- [2019] Album Review: At 79 years old, Mavis Staples is an R&B institution who has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame, but she’s not sitting back on her laurels in a rocking chair at the living legends nursing home. … Read more
Durand Jones & The Indications American Love Call Dead Oceans/Colemine Records [2019] Who: American Love Call is Bloomington, Indiana’s Durand Jones & The Indications sophomore record. Sound: Durand Jones & The Indications have a soaring and infectious 70’s soul sound. TFN Final Take: Durand Jones 2016 self-titled debut was another stellar release in the retro-soul … Read more
Toro y Moi Outer Peace Carpark Records [2019] Who: Multitalented veteran indie rocker. Sound: Electronic dance music with a deft DYI feel. TFN Final Take: Chaz Bundick is back with his sixth proper album as Toro y Moi, titled Outer Peace. On the album Bundick is clearly moving toward more of an EDM sound, getting … Read more
St. Paul & The Broken Bones; Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH – Thursday, February 22, 2019 Paul Janaway, lead vocalist and focus of attention in St. Paul & The Broken Bones, may have started his adult life as a preacher, but on Thursday night his only spoken message was quite brief: “alright, Cincinnati, it’s time to … Read more
Sunwatchers Illegal Moves Trouble In Mind Records [2019] Who: Sunwatchers hail from New York and present to us their third full length, Illegal Moves. This is their second for Trouble In Mind. Their first self-titled album was released on the Fire Note favorite Castle Face Records. Sound: Sunwatchers aim to create music, the likes of … Read more
Gary Clark Jr. This Land Warner Bros. [2019] Fire Note Says: “Guitar Man,” Gary Clark Jr. shows that he can do it all on his third major label album, This Land, from the traditional blues to rock & roll, pop, R&B, hip-hop and soul. Album Review: Near the end of Gary Clark Jr.’s latest album, … Read more
Three Merry Widows I Was The Moon Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: St. Louis folk rock band, Three Merry Widows reunites after 28 years to produce their sophomore album, a collection of mature folk rock songs that will leave you wanting more. Album Review: Once upon a time, the early 90’s to be exact, in … Read more
Girlpool What Chaos Is Imaginary ANTI- [2019] Fire Note Says: Girlpool continues to evolve on their third album. Album Review: Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad are back with their third LP. Following 2017’s impressive Powerplant, which incorporated fuzzy guitars and haunting harmonies, the new collection goes for more of the same, but with mixed results. … Read more
Smug Brothers Attic Harvest Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] Who: Dayton, Ohio-based Smug Brothers make a dream come true and finally release an album on vinyl. Attic Harvest is a dream for us listeners, too. Sound: Attic Harvest features a new lineup for Smug Brothers, but not to worry, Smug Brothers still showcase catchy and … Read more
Bob Mould Sunshine Rock Merge Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Mould has always been one of alternative music’s bright shining stars. Album Review: Bob Mould makes a determined effort on his 14th solo studio album to turn from the darkness toward the light of Sunshine Rock. It’s a burst of positivity that he spells out … Read more
Swervedriver Future Ruins Dangerbird Records [2019] Who: This is Swervedriver’s sixth album and first since 2015’s I Wasn’t Born to Lose You. Sound: Swervedriver is a name that typically (and should) come up when talking about ‘90s shoegaze. On that spectrum, Swervedriver leaned more on the rock side with their blending of guitar, vocals and … Read more
Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy Cappadocia Ark Music [2019] Fire Note Says: Johnson’s keyboards and Keaggy’s guitars find inspiration in the dramatic terrain and musical palette of the Middle East, resulting in mysterious, lush instrumentals. Album Review: Last year, new age instrumental artist Jeff Johnson released another of his wonderful collaborations with Irish flutist Brian … Read more
Mike Krol Power Chords Merge Records [2019] Who: LA-based Mike Krol is all about the power chords and hooks on his new LP. Sound: Power Chords is a delightful balancing act of garage rock, fuzz , power pop and earnest lyrics. TFN Final Take: Power Chords is the first Mike Krol album I have heard. … Read more
The Dandy Warhols Why You So Crazy Dine Alone Records [2019] Who: The release of their 10th studio album sees The Dandy Warhols also celebrating 25 years of being a band. Sound: Alternative power pop band at its core but later years have brought plenty of synth pop and art to their albums. TFN Final … Read more
Crane Like The Bird Crane Like The Bird Self-Released [2019] Album Review: Crane Like The Bird is the brain-child of drummer and songwriter Kyle Crane, who has collaborated with folk like Neko Case, M. Ward, and Kurt Vile, and worked as the drum double for the young jazz drummer in the movie “Whiplash.” On this … Read more
Guster Look Alive Nettwerk Music Group [2019] Fire Note Says: Not just an excuse to go on tour! Album Review: Fun and harmony. Two words that come to mind when thinking about Guster. Look Alive fits that bill, while allowing for comment about some of societal issues we face today. This is the Boston band’s … Read more
The Neal Morse Band The Great Adventure Radiant Records [2019] Fire Note Says: American Prog warriors unleash sequel to 2016’s The Similitude Of A Dream in convincing fashion. Album Review: Prog is a tough sell and, especially in the US, the market for it is extremely limited. There are, however, a few brave artists who … Read more
Flat Worms Into The Iris Drag City/GOD? Records [2019] Who: LA-based noise punk trio, Flat Worms are poised to take over the world, or at least what you are listening to. Sound: Into the Iris see the Flat Worms sharpen their hooks and keeping things lean with a very accessible and aggressive noise pop hybrid. … Read more
Cherry Glazerr Stuffed & Ready Secretly Canadian [2019] Who: Stuffed & Ready follows Cherry Glazerr’s Secretly Canadian debut Apocalipstick (2017), an album that saw a young band grow with plenty of indie cred that included earlier releases on Burger and Suicide Squeeze Records. The band has seen some lineup changes but is still driven by … Read more
Keuning Prismism Pretty Faithful [2019] Fire Note Says: The debut solo record from The Killers’ lead guitarist Dave Keuning is an earnest and fun ‘80s-inspired pop-rock success. Album Review: While promoting Prismism, his surprisingly sweet solo debut, The Killers’ guitarist Dave Keuning lamented of his songs, “I had shown them to the Killers, but they … Read more
Guided By Voices Zeppelin Over China GBV, Inc.[2019] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices’ latest effort is a 32 song, double album behemoth. But is it any good? Album Review: After dedicating all of last year to the release and support of one (just one) album, the late-career masterpiece Space Gun, Robert Pollard and his … Read more
Tallies Tallies Kanine Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Fun, promising debut from Toronto band. Album Review: Coming out of Toronto in the middle of the winter, Tallies is a welcome, surprising blast of summer guitar rock. With surf rock influences like the Beach Boys, as well as Johnny Marr-inspired New Wave smoothness, Tallies melds these … Read more