Why? Moh Lhean Joyful Noise Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: Well worth the 4 year wait, Moh Lhean is a beautifully-produced, introspective concept LP that begs to be listened to in its entirety, multiple times. Album Review: Brothers Yoni and Josiah Wolf, well known in fringe and art rock circles of Cincinnati, are heavy hitters … Read more
The Proper Ornaments Foxhole Slumberland Records [2017] Who: The Proper Ornaments is the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy, Pink Flames). Foxhole is the groups sophomore album. Sound: Given the members it should be no surprise that The Proper Ornaments embrace the softer side of indie rock. They have … Read more
Meatbodies Alice In The Red Records [2017] Who: Meatbodies are a California-based trio with connections to Fuzz and Mikal Cronin . Sound: Alice is a heavy psychedelic stoner rock epic. Fans of Ty Segall, Wand, Fuzz and Mikal Cronin will eat this up. TFN Final Take: Alice is fantastic. Chad Ubovich (Fuzz, Mikal Cronin) Kevin … Read more
Foxygen Hang Jagjaguwar Records [2016] Who: Foxygen is an indie rock duo from California. Sound: Glam rock for the modern age. TFN Final Take: Foxygen really doubles down with the glam rock on their fourth LP, Hang. At times it seems more like a Broadway cast recording rather than a rock album, which makes for … Read more
Heath Green And The Makeshifters Heath Green And The Makeshifters Alive Naturalsound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The gritty, soulful delivery of Heath Green and his Makeshifters, deliver well crafted, blues rock performances so ecstatic that they transcend the form. Album Review: Heath Green is a veteran of the Birmingham, Alabama music scene, plying his … Read more
Sleaford Mods English Tapas Rough Trade Records [2017] Who: Ghetto-tech beats fused with punk rock rant/rap from Nottingham, UK. Sound: Sleaford Mods 4th LP sees the UK duo belting out another albums worth of pissed off English banter layered with beats, bass and mixed results. TFN Final Take: English Tapas is very uneven. There is … Read more
Fred Thomas Changer Polyvinyl Records [2017] Who: Songwriter/singer/producer Fred Thomas has a lengthy resume in music that includes four records with Saturday Looks Good to Me. More recently he has had success out on his own but after his 2015 record, All Are Saved he didn’t have a normal year. He quit his stable job, … Read more
Less Than Jake Sound The Alarm EP Pure Noise Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Less Than Jake, long time punk/pop and ska favorites, doing what they do best. Album Review: In the category of “Do you remember when…” and “I can’t believe they’re still together,” Less Than Jake returns with this seven-song EP, marking their … Read more
Old 97’s Graveyard Whistling ATO Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Old 97’s embrace their roots! Album Review: Drinkin’, whiskey, cars, trouble, women, God and Texas – Dallas, Texas that is. That has been the story of the Old 97’s since their first record, Hitchhike To Rome which was released back in 1994. A parallel story … Read more
Heat Overnight Topshelf Records [2017] Fire Note Says: 80’s sounding Montreal band, Heat produce a winning combination. Album Review: Montreal band Heat, describes itself as “post-punk” on its Facebook page and lists Sonic Youth and Oasis as influences, while those writing about the band compare them generously to Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jesus & … Read more
Circus Devils Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up): Best Of Circus Devils Happy Jack Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils are sent off in fine fashion with this career-spanning double-LP compilation Album Review: Circus Devils has never been for the casual Robert Pollard fan. The “band,” comprising Pollard and brothers Todd and … Read more
Circus Devils Laughs Last Happy Jock Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils bow out with grace after a 16-year run. Album Review: For sixteen years, Bob Pollard from Guided By Voices and the Tobias brothers have collaborated to form the Circus Devils. Laughs Last is their official final release as a band. The … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Flying Microtonal Banana ATO Records [2017] Who: The Fire Note was very lucky to get a jump on story telling psych lords King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Coming from Melbourne, Australia this septet has had us captivated since their acclaimed release I’m In Your Mind Fuzz all the … Read more
Fancey Love Mirage Stoner Disco Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Love Mirage is a soundtrack for all seasons, from the sunny thaw of Winter to the liberating joy of summertime. Album Review: Love Mirage, is the third release from Canadian polymath performer, Todd Fancey. Recorded under the name Fancey, retro influenced goodness is consistent throughout … Read more
Vagabon Infinite Worlds Father/Daughter Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Vagabon delivers an emotionally superb debut. Album Review: Rarely anymore does a debut album get me revved up but that is exactly what happened the first time I heard the songs of Cameroon-born artist Laetitia Tamko, aka Vagabond. Infinite Worlds is an album of finding herself … Read more
Pissed Jeans Why Love Now Sub Pop Records [2017] Fire Note Says: In a world of “locker room talk“ Pissed Jeans return to kick shit in the face of mundane, modern life. Album Review: Pissed Jeans are my unlikely heroes right now. Why you ask? If you look and listen to what the new album, … Read more
Strand Of Oaks Hard Love Dead Oceans [2017] Who: Strand Of Oaks is Tim Showalter’s musical vehicle that in the past has played a blended confessional folk-rock that is soaked with emotion. Sound: Strand Of Oaks once again offers a mix of sound that includes bar band rock, Jim James type folk and even a … Read more
Rhiannon Giddens Freedom Highway Nonesuch Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Freedom Highway is a monumental achievement from Rhiannon Giddens. Album Review: One of the most powerful things that art can do is hold up a mirror to popular culture and society at large to reveal the ugly underbelly, the dark history that would otherwise be … Read more
Enemies Valuables Topshelf Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Enemies go out on a high note. Album Review: The moment you fire up Enemies’ third album Valuables, you’re greeted with a jammy, proggy, sound. The Irish band, who announced their breakup after the release of this album, does an incredible job at creating ambience. Subdued vocals … Read more
Son Volt Notes Of Blue Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers [2017] Fire Note Says: Jay Farrar employs plenty of finger-picking here that finds Son Volt rocking on song’s that capture life in the American Midwest. Album Review: It’s been four years since the last Son Volt album, Honky Tonk (Rounder, 2013), and Jay Farrar describes his effort … Read more
Ryan Adams Prisoner PAX AM/Blue Note Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Ryan Adams explores heartbreak and loss on one of the best albums of his career. Album Review: It all starts with a rager, “Do You Still Love Me?” Which rocks like no other song on the album rocks. It’s the paranoia that gets the … Read more
Priests Nothing Feels Natural Sister Polygon Records [2017] Who: D.C. based experimental punk. Sound: Priests have toned down the surf punk rock distortion and rage for a more nuanced and precise sound peppered with bitter and biting social commentary. TFN Final Take: I have been listening to Priests for a few years and was impressed … Read more
Beach Slang Here, I Made This For You (Mixtape Vol. 2) Polyvinyl Records [2017] Who: After just releasing their sophomore full-length, A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings (2016), Beach Slang returns with the second installment of its covers mixtape series. Sound: Replacements meets Bruce Springsteen rock from Philly on a can’t miss karaoke night! TFN … Read more
Young Legs The Petal and The Page Mint 400 Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Young Legs is heartfelt, bold, and enthralling. Album Review: Young Legs is primarily Steven Donahue, who hails from New Jersey. His second full-length album, The Petal and The Page defies genre classification. At times it is beautiful folk music, at others … Read more
Graham Repulski I’m Even Younger Now Shorter Recordings [2017] Who: Graham Repulski is a prolific lo-fi songwriter based in Philadelphia that has a plethora of releases which are full of catchy melodies and one minute master pieces. Sound: Lo-fi auteur Graham Repulski follows up 2016’s triple album release with a concise slab of psychedelic noise … Read more