Aimee Mann Mental Illness Superego [2017] Fire Note Says: Aimee Mann returns to her most comfortable acoustic folk/pop surroundings. Album Review: If Aimee Mann had another pop/rock band album in her after the break-up of her 80’s breakout as vocalist and bassist with the band ‘Til Tuesday, she got that out of her system with … Read more
Grandaddy Last Place 30th Century Records [2017] Fire Note Says: After a decade long hiatus, Grandaddy returns with Last Place, and it sounds like they never left. Album Review: Grandaddy main man, Jason Lytle, never really went away; he just parked his main car (Grandaddy) in the garage for the better part of a decade, … Read more
The New Pornographers Whiteout Conditions Collected Works/Concord Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The New Pornographers are consistently great. Album Review: The New Pornographers have returned with a new album by the name of Whiteout Conditions. It is unique in that it is the first album that the band has released without the contributions of Dan … Read more
Craig Finn We All Want The Same Things Partison Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn finds his own voice, a stark story teller juxtaposing a bleak world view with uplifting music. Album Review: Craig Finn’s songs, with his band The Hold Steady and on his two previous solo releases, have always … Read more
Mastodon Emperor Of Sand Reprise Records [2017] Who: Atlanta, GA’s Mastodon has been a prominent member of the metal community ever since they released their 2002 debut album Remission. Mastodon adhere to many influences but, their albums are usually influenced by personal events and take on a somewhat conceptual nature. Sound: Mastodon have always kept … Read more
Father John Misty Pure Comedy Sub Pop Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Father John Misty draws his line in the sand. Album Review: Pure Comedy will no doubt provoke numerous think pieces, and it’s difficult to resist the urge to join the fray. However, Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman) has already done all the … Read more
Guided By Voices August By Cake GBV Inc. [2017] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard’s 100th album is also one of his best. Album Review: Releasing a shit ton of music is in Robert Pollard’s DNA. Even Captain Obvious knows this. And no, he does not hold any kind of record for most songs written or … Read more
Gary Clark Jr. Live / North America 2016 Warner Bros. Records [2017] Fire Note Says: More proof why you should see Gary Clark Jr. live. Album Review: As an introduction to “Honest I Do,” on this second live album in just 3 years time, blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr. offers this shout out to his … Read more
Richard Edwards Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset Joyful Noise Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: Pain, torment and anguish turn Richard Edwards’ near demise into a biographical rebirth. Album Review: Through my musical journey, Margot and the Nuclear So and So‘s is a band that‘s meant quite a lot to me. Not only have they shaped what … Read more
Real Estate In Mind Domino Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Real Estate pick up right where they left off. Album Review: Real Estate are currently one of the most consistent indie bands out there. They have always set the bar high for their style of artistic floating songs that are easy to get carried away … Read more
Gold Connections Gold Connections EP Fat Possum Records [2017] Who: Gold Connections is led by songwriter, guitarist and lyricist Will Marsh and their self-titled debut EP was produced by and features Will Toledo (Car Seat Headrest) on drums, electric guitar, bass, and backing vocals. Sound: Slacker indie rock to the core. If you like Car … Read more
Bill Mallonee & The Big Sky Ramblers The Rags Of Absence Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: Mallonee’s literate poetic sensibilities matched by the music’s virtuosity and tone, produce another powerful concoction. Album Review: The first time I heard songs by singer/songwriter Bill Mallonee was when his debut major label album with Vigilantes of Love arrived … Read more
Smug Brothers Disco Maroon Gas Daddy Go! Records [2017] Who: Smug Brothers, a Dayton-based quartet, return with their 10th release. Sound: Disco Maroon sees the Smug Brothers carry on their tradition of delivering ultra-catchy rock to their listeners. TFN Final Take: Even though they are 10 releases into their discography, the Smug Brothers continue to … Read more
Griff’s Room Band Heartbreak/Desire Self-Released [2017] Who: Griff’s Room Band is a “fiddle-infused pop/rock” band from Richmond, VA. Sound: Think Dave Matthews Band for this generation. TFN Final Take: Griff’s Room Band has a sound that is very familiar and even nostalgic. There is a looseness and carefree vibe to the band that invades even … Read more
Once & Future Band Once & Future Band Castle Face Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Oakland band strives to make Prog cool again. Album Review: The first thing that catches one’s attention is the label. What’s an unabashedly progressive rock band doing on John Dwyer’s Castle Face imprint? Known more for promoting Bay area neo-psych … Read more
Baked Farnham Exploding In Sound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Baked may have released one of the best albums of 2017 with the genre blending and bending second LP, Farnham. Album Review: New York’s Baked features a new lineup that consists of RJ Gordon (Titus Andronicus) on vocals and guitar, Isabella Mingione on vocals, keyboards, … Read more
Tall Tall Trees Freedays Joyful Noise Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: Tall Tall Trees emerges with a thoughtful, joyful record. Album Review: Mike Savino is Tall Tall Trees; he has also moonlighted as the electric banjo player for Kishi Bashi. Seeing this description intrigued me to check out what he is about. Freedays is Savino’s … Read more
Feral Ohms Feral Ohms Silver Current Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The rock Gods are going to enjoy this one! Album Review: Feral Ohms hail from Oakland, California and you may remember this power trio when we covered their Live In San Francisco release back in January. Now, the band has finally released their much … Read more
Spoon Hot Thoughts Matador Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Austin’s Spoon returns with another strong collection, emphasizing keyboards over a disco beat, and jazzy inclinations. Album Review: In a world that is constantly changing, and as likely to disappoint as often as it pleases, we’ll always be able to count on Spoon, the Austin indie … Read more
The Shins Heartworms Aural Apothecary/Columbia Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Shins bring a creative, cool, and connected song-craft. Album Review: Like most everybody else, I first discovered The Shins in that great scene in the coming of age movie “Garden State” (2004) where Zach Braff’s character tries on the headphones of Natalie Portman to … Read more
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah The Tourist CYHSY, Inc. [2017] Who: CYHSY’s fifth LP has Alec Ounsworth steering the band back on course . Sound: The Tourist has a handful of tracks that will remind you of why CYHSY were such indie rock darlings in 2005. TFN Final Take: To be honest, I was surprised … Read more
Ha Ha Tonka Heart-Shaped Mountain Bloodshot Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Stretching the category of roots rock, Ha Ha Tonka mix a variety 80’s classic alternative sounds with an organic country rock flare. Album Review: A decade into their relationship with Bloodshot Records, Ha Ha Tonka release their 5th album of rootsy Mid-American college rock … Read more
Switzerland Long Gone Popical Island [2017] Who: Switzerland is an Irish four-piece band. Sound: Jangle rock with a sharp edge. TFN Final Take: Long Gone is Switzerland’s debut full-length. The Irish band definitely bring strong musical chops to the proceedings. Some may find the vocals to be a notch off-kilter in quality. I often had … Read more
Temples Volcano Fat Possum Records [2017] Fire Note Says: New sounds erupt on Temples’ second album. Album Review: Temples seemingly came out of nowhere in early 2014 with their debut album Sun Structures. Packed with fully-formed neo-psychedelic pop and cavernous space rock, Sun Structures set the bar high and garnered the band some well-deserved attention … Read more
Jay Som Everybody Works Polyvinyl Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Jay Som is doing her own thing that results in a fresh proper debut. Album Review: Jay Som was doing her own DIY thing posting music online when Polyvinyl officially released her first batch of songs last year with the excellent introduction album Turn Into. … Read more