FEELS FEELS Castle Face Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Oh how LA can always seem to bring a gritty rock to the scene. That is exactly what we get on the Ty Segall produced debut from FEELS. The four piece from the City of Angels is led by singer Laena Geronimo, that brings a … Read more
Waco Brothers Going Down In History Bloodshot Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Solid effort from Waco Brothers on their ninth LP. Album Review: On their ninth album, Chicago’s Waco Brothers dig even deeper into their passion for mixing country music’s earthy song-craft with punk’s hard rockin’ delivery. Coming together originally in the mid-90’s when John … Read more
So Pitted Neo Sub Pop Records [2016] Fire Note Says: So Pitted’s Neo resonates as if it were a behemoth robotic demon beating up a bunch of pansy robots. I say good…those smarmy droids need a good trashing and so do your ears. Album Review: Kent, Washington-based So Pitted just stormed out of the gate … Read more
Good English Good English Self-Released [2016] Fire Note Says: Good English is all rock n roll! Album Review: So what was the last all female rock record you took for a spin that almost knocked you down? Some of you have already yelled out, Sleater-Kinney’s excellent No Cities To Love from last year. For me, … Read more
Majical Cloudz Wait & See EP Matador Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Nice release for fans wanting more. Album Review: Majical Cloudz decided to go out on a high point after last year’s excellent album cycle, which culminated with this EP of unused material from the album sessions. Wait & See throws a few errant … Read more
Field Music Commontime Memphis Industries [2016] Fire Note Says: The brothers Brewis give in to their funkier inclinations. Album Review: If prog-pop is indeed a thing, then Sunderland, England’s Field Music is the current flag bearer. It is a mantle once proudly held by the likes of XTC, Tears For Fears and Cardiacs – even … Read more
Heron Oblivion Heron Oblivion Sub Pop [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: As far as debuts go, San Francisco’s Heron Oblivion puts forth a strong effort. Drawing off sounds old and new, Heron Oblivion’s influences range from Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention to Jefferson Airplane, Six Organs of Admittance to Dead Meadow, and the cosmic antics of Endless … Read more
Daughter Not To Disappear 4AD [2016] Fire Note Says: Daughter’s sophomore album gets stronger from start to finish, and with repeated listens. Album Review: Daughter has put out a lot of material prior to the January release of their latest album, Not To Disappear. However, this happens to be only the Brits’ second LP. With … Read more
Nada Surf You Know Who You Are Barsuk Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Nada Surf walk a familiar path that will have you singing along in no time. Album Review: Nada Surf are back with their first batch of new tunes since 2012’s The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy. You Know Who You Are is … Read more
Mavis Staples Livin’ On A High Note ANTI- [2016] Fire Note Says: Livin’ On A High Note continues to extend Staples legacy. Album Review: At 76 years of age, Mavis Staples could be resting on her laurels, touring at her leisure performing the classic music written by her father Pops Staples that were pop hits … Read more
Ty Segall & The Muggers: Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI – March 5, 2016 If you saw Ty Segall and some of his band mates bowling next door before the show in Detroit Saturday night, you wouldn’t think twice about going to their concert. Just regular guys hanging out, not caring about their score and generally … Read more
The Gloaming 2 Brassland Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Take a moment to sit still and enjoy The Gloaming. Album Review: The Gloaming makes beautiful traditional Irish music. I am not Irish, Irish American, nor well-versed in Irish music so I won’t pretend to try to fit The Gloaming into some kind of genre-specific context. … Read more
Wussy Forever Sounds Shake It Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Wussy delivers one of their best sonic experiences to date. Album Review: At this stage in their career you must give a standing ovation to Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker for Wussy’s growth. Forever Sounds is their sixth full length and is a testament to … Read more
Robert Pollard Of Course You Are Fire Records [2016] Fire Note Says: The Oracle of Dayton flips the script on his 24th(?) solo effort. Album Review: If ever there was a valid complaint about the Guided By Voices legend Robert Pollard’s solo output it is that over the course of his long and storied career … Read more
King Mud Victory Motel Sessions Alive Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: How about some in your face bar rocking blues? The debut release from King Mud is raw, muscular and full of distorted hard blues rock that will have you grinding your own air guitar in minutes. The band is no stranger to this … Read more
La Sera Music For Listening To Music To Polyvinyl Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Another shift in style for La Sera may be finding Katy Goodman’s true niche. Album Review: It is hard to believe that ex-Vivian Girl Katy Goodman is on her fourth La Sera record but that is exactly what Music For Listening … Read more
Bonnie Raitt Dig In Deep Redwing Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Raitt is completely in charge, doing it her way from start to finish. Album Review: On her 2012 release, Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt had returned to recording after a quiet time of loss and grief – her mother and father had died in ‘04 and … Read more
Rob Crow’s Gloomy Place You’re Doomed. Be Nice. Temporary Residence Ltd. [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: I think everyone collectively sighed when Pinback’s Rob Crow publicly withdrew from music early last year but let’s pretend that did not happen because one of indie rock’s best vocals is back with a new band respectfully titled his … Read more
The Astounds The Astounds Self-Released [2016] Fire Note Says: Not surprised that Dean Wells has delivered yet another astounding, quick-hitting, lo-fi, power pop masterpiece. Album Review: Dean Wells is back. He has changed the name of the band, but there is no denying this is another Dean Wells’ project. Whether it is The Capstan Shafts, … Read more
Ra Ra Riot Need Your Light Barsuk Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Ra Ra Riot’s fourth LP calms things down while the band grows up. Album Review: The first two tracks on Ra Ra Riot’s newest long-player, Need Your Light, are also its first two singles and the best two tracks on the album. It … Read more
Dream Theater The Astonishing Roadrunner Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Progressive metal heavyweights push the envelope with a 34 song rock opera. Album Review: Since forming at the Berklee College Of Music back in 1985, Dream Theater have sold over 10 million records world wide and, along the way, pretty much invented an entirely new … Read more
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY – February 21, 2016 It’s been over 35 years since the release of Bruce Springsteen’s The River, but the veteran rocker has had no trouble filling arenas with fans more than happy to pay premium ticket prices to revisit both the artist’s, and … Read more
Animal Collective Painting With Domino Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Animal Collective will get you moving on the friendly Painting With. Album Review: I have not ever heard a bad Animal Collective record. In my opinion, the group always possesses the tools to put out an album of the year as Merriweather Post Pavilion [2009] … Read more
Quilt Plaza Mexican Summer [2016] Fire Note Says: Boston quartet remain lost in a haze of vintage sixties psychedelia – thank God. Album Review: Quilt’s second album, Held In Splendor, was one of 2014’s biggest surprises. I ranked it the #9 album of the year but in the twenty-four months since its release I confess … Read more
Kappa Chow Kappa Chow Big Tomato Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: “Kappa Chow! Kappa Chow! Kappa Chow! One! Two! Fuck You!” So begins the immensely enjoyable opening track to Kappa Chow’s self-titled LP. This album quickly grabs you by the throat and does not let go. The New Brunswick-based Kappa Chow lay out a … Read more