Rufus WainwrightFolkocracyBMG [2023] While it took him 25 years, after making sophisticated pop albums both of the classic past and more modern pop as well as exploring the world of opera and classical music, Rufus Wainwright, the child of two well-known folk artists and what he describes as “a bona fide folkocracy,” has finally gotten … Read more
Beach FossilsBunnyBayonet Records [2023] Beach Fossils, the indie rock band hailing from Brooklyn, has returned after five years with their fourth studio album, Bunny. Known for their dreamy and introspective sound, the band’s latest offering takes their signature style to new heights. Bunny is a dreamy, hazy, and ultimately uplifting album that showcases the band’s … Read more
ProtomartyrFormal Growth In The DesertDomino [2023] Protomartyr, the Detroit-based post-punk band, has returned with their sixth studio album, Formal Growth In The Desert. The record contains waves of emotion that confront the inevitability of loss and the necessity of finding joy through it, persisting in the face of adversity. This emotional drive sets Protomartyr apart, … Read more
Water From Your EyesEveryone’s CrushedMatador Records [2023] Water From Your Eyes, the Brooklyn-based duo comprised of Nate Amos and Rachel Brown, has returned with Everyone’s Crushed, an album that defies easy categorization, blending elements of indie rock, experimental pop, post-punk, and electronica. Drawing influences from bands like Animal Collective, Björk, and Radiohead, the duo has … Read more
Shannon LayCovers Vol. 1Sub Pop Records [2023] Shannon Lay, formerly with the band Feels and part of Ty Segall’s backing band, has released a handful of indie releases as well as Sub Pop. On the abtly titled Covers Vol. 1 she serves up 9 songs written by her influences, past and current. Largely played on … Read more
Vanity MirrorPuffWe Are Busy Bodies [2023] The duo of Toronto-based Brent Randall (Gentle Brent) and Los Angeles-dwelling Johnny Toomey (The Turns) is known for their previous achievements with the Los Angeles-based baroque-pop group, The Electric Looking Glass. Both musicians complement each other stylistically as Vanity Mirror’s debut album shows their knack for crafting songs that … Read more
Rufus WainwrightRufus Wainwright (25th Anniversary Edition)UMe Released: May 19, 1998/Reissue: May 19, 2023Producer: Jon Brion, Pierre MarchandLength: 53:26/Reissue: 1:36:00 When the self-titled debut, Rufus Wainwright came out in 1998 it won high praise from numerous music critics for its uniquely romantic piano balladry but sold very modestly. The son of established musical artists, Wainwright was … Read more
The Bug ClubGreen Dream In F#Bingo/We Are Busy Bodies [2022/2023] The Bug Club’s debut album, Green Dream In F#, was originally released late last year by UK label Bingo Records. We Are Busy Bodies has just recently released it officially in North America to spread its charming and eclectic collection of songs that deftly blends … Read more
St. Paul & The Broken BonesAngels In Science FictionATO Records [2023] For all their efforts to expand their 8-piece band’s sound to include psychedelia and hip-hop rhythms, and as wide ranging as their lyrical pursuits have been – whether exploring Greek mythology, space travel and astronomical phenomenon, or sci-fi fantasy – St. Paul and The … Read more
The BomborasSongs From Beyond!MuSick Recordings [2023] In the realm of surf rock, few bands capture the spirit of the genre as brilliantly as The Bomboras. With their energetic performances and undeniable talent, the band consistently delivered a unique and captivating sound that soared in the early ’90s. However, it all came to an exhilarating end … Read more
TinariwenAmatssouWedge [2023] In the two decades since Tinariwen emerged from their base in the African desert to tour the globe, they have got to know many renowned American country, folk, and rock musicians including Kurt Vile, Cass McCombs, Micah Nelson (son of Willie Nelson) and Jack White. The story of their ninth album, Amatssou, begins … Read more
Bruce CockburnO Sun O MoonTrue North Records [2023] It’s been 6 years, since Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn (pronounced Coe-burn) released an album with voice and lyrics, Bone On Bone, and 4 years since he’d released an album of acoustic guitar instrumentals, Crowing Ignites. “Time takes its toll,” he sings on the opening track of his … Read more
The MurlocsCalm Ya FarmATO Records [2023] Melbourne’s The Murlocs, the Australian rock band of Ambrose Kenny-Smith and associated with the King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, have returned with the more country fried Calm Ya Farm. Much like the Gizzard, The Murlocs have been cranking out music as Calm Ya Farm is their seventh full … Read more
ParannoulAfter The MagicTopshelf Records [2023] After The Magic is the third studio album by South Korean shoegaze musician Parannoul. The album is a more mature and refined album than Parannoul’s previous work and easily their biggest and most rocked out record to date. The sound is still dreamy and atmospheric, but there is a greater … Read more
The Salt Collective LifePropeller Sound Recordings [2023] It would be easy on an album featuring a so-called “supergroup” collaboration, with so many established indie/rock artists listed as participants, to lose track of the original songwriters and the actual songs themselves. So to begin at the beginning, Salt is a Paris-based trio that includes primary songwriter … Read more
Olivia JeanRaving GhostThird Man Records [2023] Back in 2019, when Olivia Jean was opening for The Raconteurs on tour The Fire Note review assessed that her mix of ‘50’s rock & roll, surf guitar sounds, girl group harmonies, and a definitive punk DIY attitude made for “some fun rock & roll nostalgia presented with plenty … Read more
shameFood For WormsDead Oceans [2023] When we first heard shame return on 2021’s Drunk Tank Pink, it blew our ears off! To quote Christopher Anthony, “This is a record that now has me supporting the early hype and turning this record up every time I hear it!” It’s a brash and ragged piece of post-punk … Read more
The Lemon TwigsEverything HarmonyCaptured Tracks [2023] If there were really such a thing as time travel, it wouldn’t be all that hard to convince even the most astute music listener that the new album from The Lemon Twigs was a long-lost product from 1967, perhaps the one original copy hidden away in a time capsule … Read more
Wiped OutWelcome To Fear CityOtitis Media Records [2023] If you’re a fan of surf music, then you’ll definitely want to check out Welcome To Fear City by Wiped Out. Originally released digitally at the end of last year, the physical record is now out and this album captures the essence of classic surf music with … Read more
Durand JonesWait Til I Get OverDead Oceans [2023] Durand Jones is the lead vocalist of the modern soul band Durand Jones & The Indications, which has released three solid studio albums including their self-titled debut in 2016. Wait Til I Get Over is his debut release as a solo artist that showcases Jones’ smooth and … Read more
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise The Roof Tour; Rose Music Center at the Heights; Dayton, Ohio; May 3, 2023 Almost as incongruous as the coming together of Robert Plant, the now-74 year old former-lead singer of the prototype hard rock/metal band Led Zeppelin, and Alison Krauss, twenty years younger, with an award-winning career … Read more
Ian HunterDefiance, Pt. 1Sun Records [2023] One of the tells among all the other obvious signs that you are getting old, not just older but old, is when a band you remember from your youth hits the road with a “Seven Decades Tour.” Turns out Jethro Tull (remember jamming to “Locomotive Breath” and “Thick as … Read more
Rose City BandGarden PartyThrill Jockey Records [2023] Rose City Band’s Garden Party is a delightful blend of psychedelic and country sounds that create a truly unique listening experience. This fourth album in the band’s catalog is a continuation of the group’s porch music which features the signature sound of guitarist Ripley Johnson (Wooden Shjips, Moon … Read more
Velvet CrushTeenage Symphonies To God550 Music/Epic Records Released: July 5, 1994Producer: Mitch Easter, Velvet CrushLength: 46:00 Velvet Crush’s Teenage Symphonies To God is an album that deserves to be held in high esteem by fans of power pop and classic rock alike. Released in 1994, the album is a tour de force of catchy hooks, … Read more
Mountain Stage with Larry Grace Featuring Wilco, Peter Case, Garrison Starr & more: Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Ohio University; Athens, OH; Sunday, April 30, 2023 To be honest, when we purchased the tickets for the Mountain Stage performance over in Athens, OH, we were just looking forward to seeing Wilco again, … Read more