Beach House 7 Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Beach House puts out another very good album. Album Review: Seven albums in, it is a challenge for any band to continue to grow and refine their sound. You would never know it from listening to Beach House’s aptly named LP, 7. Victoria Legrand and … Read more
Ari Roar Calm Down Bella Union [2018] Who: Ari Roar is the moniker of singer-songwriter Caleb Campbell and Calm Down is his debut album via Bella Union. Sound: Ari Roar nails the softer indie rock delivery that is in the direct wheelhouse for fans of Rogue Wave, Grandaddy, The Shins, Mac DeMarco and Death Cab … Read more
The Jack Cades Music For Children Dirty Water Records [2018] Who: Warwickshire, England’s The Jack Cades were born in late 2017 when Mike (Lead Guitar, Vocals) and Elsa (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals) decided to record some of their songs at Mole’s (Drums) State Records Studios in Folkestone, Kent. They invited John Gibbs (The Masonics, The Wildebeests) … Read more
Walter Wolfman Washington My Future Is My Past ANTI- Records [2018] Fire Note Says: New Orleans’ blues & jazz veteran steps away from his longtime show-band the Roadrunners for an intimate set emphasizing his inner romantic crooner. Album Review: Walter Wolfman Washington has been a mainstay around the New Orleans music scene playing traditional blues … Read more
Johnny Marr Call The Comet New Voodoo Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Johnny Marr, groundbreaking guitarist with The Smiths, The The, Modest Mouse, delivers all the goods – solid songs, satisfying vocals, and of course great guitar sounds – on his 3rd solo album. Album Review: During The Smiths short brilliant career they released 4 … Read more
Father John Misty God’s Favorite Customer Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Father John Misty narrows his scope with improved results. Album Review: Josh Tillman is once again a music writer (and thinker’s) dream. He provides material in each song, each album, that invites a strong reaction and curious reflection. While his 2017 LP … Read more
Kevin Krauter Toss Up Bayonet Records [2018] Who: Kevin Krauter is best known as one of several guitar players, songwriters, and vocalists in the Hoosier indie-rock band Hoops. Sound: The soft swaying indie rock of Kevin Krauter proudly shows off his 70’s easy listening influences while also sneaking in plenty of other eras. The album … Read more
Big Ups Two Parts Together Exploding In Sound Records [2018] Who: Brooklyn’s Big Ups return in a big way with their 3rd full-length LP. Sound: Big Ups continue to impress on Two Parts Together. They may be from Brooklyn but they are channeling 90’s era Louisville Kentucky post rock to great effect. TFN Final Take: … Read more
Richard Edwards Verdugo Profound Discomfort [2018] Fire Note Says: Verdugo is a dreamy, free-floating work of moody melodies and emotional release. Album Review: The twelfth song on Richard Edwards’ towering 2017 release Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset is called “Pornographic Teens.” It’s a tune that moves along nicely and showcases Edwards at his moody best, combining … Read more
Josh Rouse Love In The Modern Age Yep Roc Records [2018] Who: Singer/songwriter with strong influences. Sound: Folk-pop that is inspired by 80’s songwriters. TFN Final Take: Josh Rouse’s twelfth album, Love In The Modern Age, is an interesting listen. Rouse has always excelled in his storytelling and he succeeds this time around, in particular … Read more
Snow Patrol Wildness Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: No. Irish/Scottish band, Snow Patrol return after 6 years with their most accessible, pop-friendly album yet. Album Review: When a band puts out a “best of” album it is often the sign of a big change, either they are breaking up, or looking for a quick … Read more
The Choir Bloodshot Galaxy 21 Music [2018] Album Review: In the economically fragile world of indie alternative rock, career longevity is a rare thing. In that regard, The Choir – who I first saw play at a Chicago music festival in 1984 and have produced 14 full-length original studio recordings, plus at least five live … Read more
Neko Case Hell-On ANTI- Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Indie rock icon, chanteuse and auteur, Neko Case returns after 5 years with a strong self-produced collection of songs, her best yet. Album Review: It’s been five years since Neko Case’s last album, but it’s not as if she’s been silent since the release of The … Read more
Michael Rault It’s A New Day Tonight Wick Records [2018] TFN Final Take: It’s A New Day Tonight is the follow up to Michael Rault’s garage rock debut, Living Daylight, which was released on Burger Records in 2015. The release was actually a combination of two EPs that he previous released in 2014, so It’s … Read more
Wax Chattels Wax Chattels Captured Tracks/Flying Nun Records [2018] TFN Final Take: A “guitarless guitar band,” almost doesn’t sound like a real thing but that is what the New Zealand noise-rock band Wax Chattels have labeled themselves. A drum kit, bass and keyboard drive the noise here while the vocals of Peter Ruddell and Amanda … Read more
U2: “eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour”; United Center; Chicago, IL – Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Much like our political affiliations in these profoundly partisan days, we often wear our musical preferences as a flag about our own preferences and values. When I wear my tour t-shirts, whether it’s Wilco, Steve Earle, or Lollapalooza ’92, it’s often … Read more
Courtney Barnett Tell Me How You Really Feel Milk!/Mom + Pop Music [2018] TFN Final Take: After Courtney Barnett’s breakout 2015 record Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit and last year’s duet record with Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice, it was really a toss-up on how Tell Me How You Really … Read more
Wire Pink Flag (Special Edition Reissue) Pinkflag [2018] Chairs Missing (Special Edition Reissue) Pinkflag [2018] 154 (Special Edition Reissue) Pinkflag [2018] Fire Note Says: Influential British punk band Wire is re-issuing their three earliest albums, including special editions that unearth b-sides, demos, rarities and previously unreleased recordings. Album Review: I think it was Brian Eno … Read more
Arctic Monkeys Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Domino Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Arctic Monkeys have flipped the switch. Album Review: When its been five years since your last (and biggest) record to date, fans will expect even greater things from you upon your return. That is exactly the feeling most had when it was … Read more
Remember Sports Slow Buzz Father/Daughter Records [2018] Who: Remember Sports is the new name for the band SPORTS. Slow Buzz is the group’s third LP and finds Carmen Perry (vocals, guitar), Jack Washburn (guitar), and Catherine Dwyer (bass) now relocated from Gambier, OH to Philadelphia, PA, while also adding a new drummer in Connor Perry. … Read more
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Sparkle Hard Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Stephen Malkmus’ 7th album with The Jicks continues to explore diverse musical approaches from his own post-punk point of view, with the aid of producer Chris Funk, of the Decemberists. Album Review: If you include the 5 albums Stephen Malkmus made as … Read more
Parquet Courts Wide Awake! Rough Trade Records [2018] Who: Indie rock icons, Parquet Courts shift gears and deliver a fresh and vital album. Sound: Parquet Courts join forces with producer Brian Burton, aka Danger Mouse and come dangerously close to recording their best album. TFN Final Take: When I heard that Parquet Courts were teaming … Read more
La Luz Floating Features Hardly Art Records [2018] Fire Note Says: The surf is just right with La Luz’s third LP, Floating Features. Album Review: There is a reason that you should always listen to a record more than once before putting it aside. I have been a big fan of La Luz since their … Read more
Dr. Dog Critical Equation We Buy Gold/Thirty Tigers [2018] Fire Note Says: On its tenth band outing, Dr. Dog continues its legacy of indie rock that mixes 60’s style songwriting and harmonies with just enough instrumental psychedelia to keep things interesting. Album Review: Philadelphia’s quintessential indie rock outfit, Dr. Dog has never stretched too far … Read more
Wye Oak The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs Merge Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Wye Oak puts out an album that’s worth going back to again and again. Album Review: The Baltimore duo Wye Oak (Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack) continue to hone and evolve their sound on their sixth studio album, The … Read more