White Lung Paradise Domino Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: White Lung have to be one of the more under the radar great female fronted rock bands currently on the scene today. The band gets better and better with each release and has once again topped their last, Deep Fantasy (2014), with Paradise. I enjoy … Read more
Various Artists Day Of The Dead 4AD [2016] Fire Note Says: Day of the Dead is a fittingly sprawling tribute to the Grateful Dead. Album Review: Whether you like them or not, there’s no denying that the Grateful Dead have had a massive impact on both music and American culture. The band blended psychedelia, folk, … Read more
John Doe The Westerner Cool Rock Records [2016] Fire Note Says: John Doe leans back on the roots that first inspired him. Album Review: The L.A. punk band X arguably cast a longer shadow than one would expect based on record sales and airplay singles. Made up of John Doe (vocals/bass), Exene Cervenka (vocals), Billy … Read more
The Virginmarys Divides Wind Up Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: In my review of 2013’s King Of Conflict I said, “When I received The Virginmarys’ King Of Conflict I was already predicting disappointment. I have no idea where these preconceived notions came from because, this trio set me straight. Call me a sucker for … Read more
Car Seat Headrest Teens Of Denial Matador Records [2016] Fire Note Says: This is the indie rock record you need in 2016! Album Review: “I’m so sick of – fill in the blank” is the first line you hear out of founder and singer/songwriter Will Toledo’s creative brain from the excellent new long player, Teens … Read more
Andrew Bird Are You Serious Loma Vista [2016] Fire Note Says: Are You Serious brings a high level of energy and musicality to the table. Album Review: Andrew Bird has been busily carving out a unique place for himself among the indie/folk & rock movement as an artist in his own right ever since departing … Read more
B Boys No Worry No Mind Captured Tracks [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: I for one am relieved the B Boys are not a retro outfit of dancers trying to recapture the glory of Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. Instead, I got eight tracks of very listenable indie punk rock. I have had the No Worry … Read more
Eric Bachmann Eric Bachmann Merge Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: A few chords into Eric Bachmann’s new record might make you think that your tracks are mislabeled because the Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers frontman is not brining you a solo dose of indie rock at all on his self-titled debut under his … Read more
Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool XL Recordings [2016] Fire Note Says: A Moon Shaped Pool shows Yorke and Co. working from the inside out. Album Review: After 2011’s The King of Limbs, Radiohead have finally returned! With them, they have brought their 9th LP entitled A Moon Shape Pool. Now I could go into the … Read more
Hey Lover Sinking Ships Hovercraft Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: I know if you read TFN then you will totally be a sucker for Hey Lover’s style of jangly garage pop. The Portland group will immediately connect as they have the gleaming pop of Imperial Teen with a sweetness like the Vaselines while still … Read more
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down A Man Alive Ribbon Music [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Thao & The Get Down Stay Down have been putting out quirky indie rock since their 2008 debut We Brave Bee Stings and All. Bandleader Thao Nguyen continues to get stronger with her presence and on the band’s … Read more
Purson Desire’s Magic Theatre Spinefarm Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Purson escape the dreaded sophomore jinx – but only just. Album Review: To say that this has been a much anticipated release for me is a major understatement. Ever since their delicious debut, The Circle And The Blue Door, dropped in 2013 this UK act … Read more
Jeff Buckley You And I Legacy Recordings [2016] Fire Note Says: Another glimpse at a great talent lost too early. Album Review: It was a shock when singer/songwriter Jeff Buckley, having won praise for his remarkable voice and promising songwriting chops, accidentally drowned while swimming in the Mississippi River in Memphis, TN, in 1997 at … Read more
Blood Ceremony Lord Of Misrule Rise Above Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Canadian doom metalists expand their sound on a very solid fourth album. Album Review: So, when last we encountered the Toronto-based four piece Blood Ceremony they had just released their best record to date (the terrific The Eldritch Dark), one which I subsequently … Read more
Kyle Craft Dolls Of Highland Sub Pop Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: The debut from singer/songwriter Kyle Craft will be one of the more interesting and entertaining records you will hear this year. In a world where it seems that the classic style of a Bowie, Dylan, Bolan or Elton John have been somewhat … Read more
Future Of The Left The Peace & Truce Of Future Of The Left Prescriptions [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Everything about The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left is bigger, better, meaner and tighter than ever. Andrew Falkous certainly has not softened over the course of five LPs. If anything, he is getting … Read more
Charles Bradley Changes Dunham/Daptone Records [2016] Fire Note Says: The Screaming Eagle of Soul returns with another honest helping of soul. Album Review: To quote the album introduction given by Charles Bradley “God Bless America”. Bradley says, “America you’ve been real, honest, hurt, and sweet to me. But, I wouldn’t change it for the world. … Read more
The Dandy Warhols Distortland Dine Alone Records [2016] Fire Note Says: The Dandy Warhols focused return yields results. Album Review: The Dandy Warhols are a staple indie band that had their most success in late 90’s – early 00’s and produced some severely infectious tracks such as “Bohemian Like You,” “Not if You Were the … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Nonagon Infinity ATO Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Once Nonagon Infinity starts it’s really hard to stop! Album Review: Ever since their formation, septet King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have always released something interesting. We originally got started with the heavy “connected” psychedelic jams of 2014’s I’m In … Read more
Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop Love Letter For Fire Sub Pop [2016] Fire Note Says: Iron & Wine mastermind Sam Beam and Jesca Hoop take a back to basics approach on their first collaborative album. Album Review: Sam Beam has been a busy guy lately. In addition to putting out the first two entries in … Read more
Big Ups Before a Million Universes Exploding In Sound Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Big Ups 2nd LP, Before a Million Universes, is a post-hardcore juggernaut. No sophomore slump here for the Brooklyn-based quartet. It sounds like Big Ups have been listening to 90’s indie post-rock legends Slint and Rodan. Their first LP had … Read more
Guided By Voices Please Be Honest GBV Inc. [2016] Fire Note Says: Guided by Voices return as a one-man band featuring you-know-who. Album Review: The last Guided by Voices album, 2014’s Cool Planet, capped off an impressive six-album run with the “so-called-classic-lineup,” which featured many of the players that appeared on the band’s mid-90s classics. … Read more
Weezer Weezer (White Album) Crush/Atlantic Records [2016] Fire Note Says: This is the album for your summer vacation! Album Review: It seems like every new album from Weezer comes with a tale about how Rivers Cuomo has finally recaptured the lighting in a bottle that sparked those great songs from the band’s 1994 self-titled debut … Read more
Kal Marks Life Is Alright, Everybody Dies Exploding In Sound Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Boston’s Kal Marks sophomore effort, Life Is Alright, Everybody Dies, is brilliant. The album evokes and pulls you towards tones of deep and dark, murky then jangly, and emotions that are dour and anguished but somehow hopeful despite feeling … Read more
Bleached Welcome The Worms Dead Oceans [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: LA’s Bleached have successfully progressed their 60’s retro girl group vibe found on their debut into a higher gear power rock that is full of hooks, California sun and spews attitude. They are a band that has glimmers of The Slits and The Runaways … Read more