Damien Jurado The Horizon Just Laughed Secretly Canadian [2018] Fire Note Says: Damien Jurado continues to enchant with his latest effort. Album Review: Damien Jurado has released 17 albums in 21 years – the man is prolific. With such a body of work to look back to, there are common sounds and themes that you … Read more
The Jayhawks Back Roads And Abandoned Motels Sony Music/Legacy Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: The Jayhawks put their own stamp on songs Gary Louris had written with the Dixie Chicks, Jacob Dylan and others, inspiring a return to their own sonic roots. Album Review: If The Jayhawks were a band of equals, and I’m not … Read more
Ovlov Tru Exploding in Sound Records [2018] Who: Newtown, Connecticut’s Ovlov return after 5 years to release a vibrant, noisy and fascinating album. Sound: Ovlov’s brand of melancholy muscle fuzz soars high on their new LP. TFN Final Take: It’s been a few years since the last Ovlov LP, am, came out, but time has … Read more
Lucero Among The Ghosts Liberty & Lament Records [2018] Who: Memphis quintet Lucero is celebrating 20 years together as Among The Ghosts is their ninth studio album. Sound: Lucero puts forth the working man’s rock/alt country sound that sounds great in a dark bar or on a big stage. TFN Final Take: You can always … Read more
Buddy Guy The Blues Is Alive And Well RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: In his early 80’s, blues guitar veteran and a major influence on folks like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Buddy remains surprisingly capable and emotionally satisfying. Album Review: At a time when we’re hearing that blues rock veterans Jimmy Page is … Read more
The Alarm Equals The Twenty First Century Recording Company [2018] Fire Note Says: The Alarm unleash their guitars in high energy rock that pays tribute to the passion of their 80’s heyday. Album Review: Late last summer, I eagerly prioritized catching the Welsh band, The Alarm’s US tour, which included joining the shows on the … Read more
Sometimes it is fun to go back and check out a past review. Today’s flashback review features the Motel Beds 2012 release Dumb Gold which landed at #13 on our Blazing Top 50 that year. The record is a Dayton, Ohio “must have” for any indie rock collection and this week the album finally received … Read more
Iceage Beyondless Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Iceage is energetic, dark, and surprising on their latest effort. Album Review: Danish punk four-piece Iceage is back with their first album in four years (and fourth LP overall), Beyondless. Punk is going a lot of directions these days, and Iceage has decided to enlist horns and … Read more
Wild Pink Yolk In The Fur Tiny Engines [2018] Who: Yolk In The Fur is Wild Pink’s sophomore long player and their third release in three years. Sound: Wild Pink have a nice calm indie rock vibe that has elements from Death Cab For Cutie and Red House Painters while sonically producing a sound similar … Read more
The Coke Dares Fake Lake Third Uncle Records [2018] Who: Bloomington, Indiana’s, The Coke Dares return with a 35 track album that will delight and amuse listeners. Sound: The Coke Dares blend humor with oddball catchy power-pop that falls somewhere in the realm of Guided By Voices meets DEVO with a dash of Ween for … Read more
Radiohead w/ Special Guest Junun: “A Moon Shaped Pool” Tour 2018; US Bank Arena; Cincinnati, OH – Wednesday, July 27, 2018 British band Radiohead’s mercurial leader and frontman, Thom Yorke may have had a love/hate relationship with the mechanisms and expectations that come with an arena rock tour across America, but at Wednesday night’s concert … Read more
Tony Molina Kill The Lights Slumberland Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Concise perfection. Album Review: Tony Molina does not mess around with tracks. His ripping guitar mix of fuzz that was his 2013 record, Dissed And Dismissed, ran 12 songs in just over 11 minutes. His Confront The Truth EP (2016) contained 8 songs in … Read more
Gruff Rhys Babelsberg Rough Trade [2018] Fire Note Says: Welsh singer/songwriter, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame, hides dark, commentary in sweet, orchestrated pop songs in a compelling and enjoyable way. Album Review: Even though, Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys may be playing it straight on the smartly orchestrated pop songs of Babelsberg, his … Read more
The Babe Rainbow Double Rainbow 30th Century/Flightless Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Beach vibes and carefree lives highlight The Babe Rainbows second LP Album Review: When it comes to Australian music labels Flightless Records is really the one to watch. In fact their roster of musicians happens to be one of the best in psychedelic … Read more
Kamasi Washington Heaven And Earth Young Turks [2018] Who: Kamasi Washington is a multi-instrumentalist and producer born and raised in Los Angeles. He grew up playing jazz in the city’s storied Leimert Park neighborhood. Forming his first band, the Young Jazz Giants, with Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner, Ronald Bruner, Jr. and Cameron Graves in high school, … Read more
Ty Segall & White Fence Joy Drag City Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Joy shows a mature growth and spotlights that Ty Segall and White Fence are two artists which are still on the creating edge of indie rock. Album Review: Much has happened since 2012 and the last time Ty Segall and White Fence … Read more
Arthur Buck Arthur Buck New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck create a particularly relevant and meaningful artistic effort. Album Review: According to the bio on the artist website, the collaboration of singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has been organic and spontaneous from the … Read more
Jim James Uniform Distortion ATO Records [2018] Fire Note Says: My Morning Jacket’s Jim James delves into some nostalgia for guitar driven pop/rock, fun, hooky songs, and simpler times. Album Review: It’s just like the spirited Jim James, best known as the leader, singer/songwriter and guitarist with My Morning Jacket, to deliver a guitar oriented … Read more
Snail Mail Lush Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Snail Mail’s impressive debut matches strong songwriting chops with impeccably layered arrangements Album Review: As a quick glance at any news channel or app will attest, we’re living in interesting, complicated times here in the middle of 2018. So it’s refreshing when an artist comes along … Read more
Canshaker Pi Naughty Naughty Violence Excelsior Recordings [2018] Who: Having spent the last few years supporting artists such as Car Seat Headrest, Parquet Courts and the Cribs, Amsterdam-based rock quartet Canshaker Pi have released their sophomore record, Naughty Naughty Violence. Sound: Blistering indie rock that fits in with Parquet Courts while bringing back memories of … Read more
Weezer & Pixies w/ Special Guest The Wombats: North American Summer Tour 2018; Riverbend Music Center; Cincinnati, OH – Friday, July 6, 2018 As if giving alternative rock fans a gift, temperatures dropped overnight Thursday, so that after a blistering 4th of July holiday in the mid-90’s, Friday night’s weather was perfect for a night … Read more
Gaz Coombes World’s Strongest Man Hot Fruit / Caroline International [2018] Fire Note Says: Third solo album from Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes is a reflective, modern pop affair. Album Review: Britain’s Supergrass, running their course in the 90’s and 00’s, were popular throughout the UK and Europe, but never quite got the attention they deserved in … Read more
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Hope Downs Sub Pop Records [2018] Who: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever’s Hope Downs is the debut from the Melbourne, Australia quintet. Up till now the band had been earning praise and a following from several EPs they released over the last few years. Sound: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have the classic … Read more
Derri Daugherty The Color of Dreams Lo-Fidelity Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Singer and guitarist with The Choir, and side bands Lost Dogs and Kerosene Halo, strikes off for a more personal solo album, backed by friends from Jars of Clay and Sixpence NTR. Album Review: Back in 2016, Derri Daugherty, the lead vocalist and … Read more
Ma Holos Bee On A Rose Quality Time Records [2018] Who: Cleveland band Ma Holos have been putting out psychedelic garage rock for four years. Bee On A Rose is their latest LP. Sound: Ma Holos put out their own Cleveland style of psych garage rock and fans of Thee Oh Sees, The Murlocs, The … Read more