Sharon Van Etten Remind Me Tomorrow Jagjaguwar [2019] Fire Note Says: Remind Me Tomorrow isn’t a total reinvention of the wheel, but it’s a welcome evolution that finds Sharon Van Etten at the top of her game. Album Review: Ever wondered what it would sound like if Arcade Fire and The National teamed up? No? … Read more
Evan’s Dilemma Under The Sun EDMojo [2018] Album Review: If you remember that the principals of Greenville, SC band, Evan’s Dilemma first played together in the early 1990’s, it’ll explain the band’s love for those great crunchy, processed guitar sounds first popularized by U2, Radiohead and the like. Of course, during one of the band’s … Read more
Steve Gunn The Unseen In Between Matador Records [2019] Who: Guitarist/vocalist Steve Gunn is a name that probably is still unknown by many but over the last ten years he has released several highly praised solo records and collaborated with artists like Mike Cooper, Kurt Vile, and Michael Chapman (whose most recent studio album he … Read more
Smoking Popes Into The Agony Asian Man Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Chicago punk/pop Smoking Popes return with original line-up, and nod their heads as much to Judy Garland as they do to Jesus. Album Review: One of the albums that got lost in the shuffle of new releases late in the fall that’s worthy … Read more
Pedro The Lion Phoenix Polyvinyl Records [2019] Fire Note Says: It is the nature of the “Phoenix,” to rise up, lift off, and take flight – that is what David Bazan accomplishes on the return of Pedro the Lion. Album Review: It’s always a curious thing when an artist who is the dominant artistic driver … Read more
Deerhunter Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: Rock’s last great hope? Deerhunter makes a strong case on their eighth full-length. Album Review: Deerhunter saves the world! Wouldn’t that be nice? All the ragged dreams of a future in which guitar-driven rock music rules the airwaves rest on the shoulders of just … Read more
The C.I.A. The C.I.A. In The Red [2018] Who: The C.I.A. was the sixth Ty Segall related album of 2018 and is a collaboration with his wife, Denée Segall, and Emmett Kelly (The Cairo Gang), a longtime member of his band. Sound: Denée Segall takes the lead vocal duties here and gives a punk delivery … Read more
Richard Lloyd The Countdown Plowboy Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Richard Lloyd, formerly of the band Television, and guitarist for Matthew Sweet, as well as the author of one last year’s great rock star memoirs, “Everything Is Combustible,” has a new collection of songs that comes for free inside the just released paperback edition, a … Read more
Midnight Oil Armistice Day: Live At The Domain, Sydney Sony Music [2018] Fire Note Says: The “Power And the Passion” lives on with this new burning live set from Midnight Oil. Album Review: One of the best bits of news early in 2017, was that Midnight Oil had reformed, and was planning a global tour, … Read more
Muse Simulation Theory Warner Bros. Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On their 8th album, Muse loosens the concept formula enough for more humanity to shine through their larger-than-life arena rock anthems. Album Review: Muse’s 8th album in their nearly 20 year career, starts off with a rhythmic drum beat that could easily have been designed … Read more
Jeff Tweedy WARM dBpm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, delivers a singer/songwriter solo turn that touches base with his roots rock/alt country origins. Album Review: One of the factors that attracts us to a certain writer, artist or musician is an ineffable sense that they have something in … Read more
The 1975 A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships Interscope Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Third album from The 1975 delivers more great pop melodies, with an undercurrent of loneliness and addiction… so it’s a party! Album Review: The 1975’s lead singer Matt Healy gets right to the point in “Give Yourself a Try,” the opening … Read more
Richard Thompson; Southgate House Revival, Newport, KY – Thursday, December 6, 2018 Thursday night’s performance by Richard Thompson and his trio would have been a revelation, if I hadn’t come in with such high expectations. But having seen Thompson back in the early 90’s when major label tour support was still a thing, and he … Read more
Amanda Shires To The Sunset Silver Knife [2018] Fire Note Says: Amanda Shires’ may be best known as Jason Isbell’s wife and violinist in The 400 Unit, but on her 7th solo album she expresses her own poetic voice. Album Review: In her version of a “getting dumped” song, Amanda Shires’s heroine realizes that she’s … Read more
Fleet Foxes First Collection 2006-2009 Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On the 10th anniversary of Seatle’s Fleet Foxes eponymously-titled debut, the band has released a box set on vinyl and CD containing that breakout album, plus two early EPs along with some B-sides, rareties and demos, 30 tracks in all. Album Review: Listening … Read more
Jon Spencer Spencer Sings The Hits In The Red [2018] Who: For his first solo record, Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion, Boss Hog, Pussy Galore) partnered with Quasi frontman Sam Coomes and drummer M. Sord. Sound: This is a loose romp for Jon Spencer that brings back sounds from his early years with Pussy Galore (and … Read more
Subways On The Sun Capsize Spartan Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Subways On The Sun build on the strengths of their debut album, producing a sophomore effort that’s anything but a slump. Album Review: A second album is a tricky proposition for a lot of bands. Change direction too much, and you might lose part … Read more
Peter Holsapple Game Day Omnivore Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Game Day is a fine current day collection of songs from Peter Holsapple, a welcome continuation of his long and storied career with the dB’s, a testament to the value of keeping on keeping on. Album Review: Peter Holsapple has had a long and prestigious … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Shiny And Oh So Bright Vol. 1/LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. Napalm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Billy Corgan reunites with James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain, plus producer Rick Rubin, in an attempt to make up for lost ground… and it’s a nice start toward recovery. Album Review: Billy Corgan’s … Read more
The Beths Future Me Hates Me Carpark Records [2018] Who: New Zealand four-piece The Beths channel their longtime friendship into high-energy guitar indie pop on debut record. Sound: Big guitar riffs and infectious indie-rock hooks. This record has plenty of vocal harmonies and should appeal to fans of Velocity Girl, The Breeders, Rilo Kiley and … Read more
Tropical Fuck Storm A Laughing Death In Meatspace Joyful Noise Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Tropical Fuck Storm’s debut is freaky and funky in equal parts. Album Review: Australia has really been a hot bed for what’s good in music these days. Bands such as: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Stonefield, Wolfmother (more or … Read more
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Live From The Ryman Southeastern Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jason Isbell and his fine band, The 400 Unit, deliver up the best of his last three albums recorded at sold-out shows at Nashvilles “Mother Church,” The Ryman Auditorium. Album Review: Jason Isbell has had a pretty good year, … Read more
Sloucher Be True Swoon Records [2018] Who: Seattle quartet Sloucher has been building a fan base in the Pacific Northwest since their 2016 debut EP Certainty and the band has shared the stage with such acts as Portugal. The Man, Guided By Voices, and Angel Olsen. Sound: Sloucher play an upbeat and harmonized indie rock … Read more
Rick Rude Verb For Dreaming Exploding in Sound Records [2018] Who: New Hampshire’s Rick Rude follow up their brilliant debut with a fine LP that is full of ideas and styles. Sound: Verb for Dreaming sees Rick Rude continuing their penchant for varied styles of rock wrapped up in a LP format. TFN Final Take: … Read more
Tedeschi Trucks Band Tour; Palace Theatre, Columbus, OH – Friday, November 9, 2018 On Friday night the big band led by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks took the stage at the Palace Theatre for two solid sets that would lead anyone with good ears and an awareness of the roots music of American experience to … Read more