Iron Maiden The Book Of Souls BMG Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The unapologetic British metal legends return with a vengeance. Album Review: I’ve always been quite fond of Iron Maiden. They were one of the very few bands that helped me get through that dismal musical wasteland of the eighties. Although the nineties were … Read more
Lou Barlow Brace The Wave Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Lou gives you plenty of acoustic intensity on his first solo LP in six years. Album Review: Having seen Lou Barlow last month with the very loud Dinosaur Jr., I was ready for some more alt rock from the veteran when I put … Read more
The Arcs Yours, Dreamily, Nonesuch Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Black Key Dan Auerbach has found a simmering new full band. Album Review: When he is not producing albums or recording with his buddy Patrick in The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach hangs out with his musical friends and just lays down tracks. Around 75 of … Read more
The Sword High Country Razor & Tie Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Sword return, slashing in several different directions. Album Review: Ever since battling the cover of The Sword’s “Freya” in video game Guitar Hero 2, I’ve found myself hooked by the Austin, TX-based band’s sound. Picking up both 2006’s Age of Winters and … Read more
Pavement The Secret History, Vol. 1 Matador Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: I am assuming that if you clicked on this review you are already a Pavement fan. This first in the series of Pavement extras is great if you base it on the music alone. The B-sides are necessities for fans and the … Read more
DTCV Uptime! Unsatisfied Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Have you ever wondered what a French-American post punk band sounds like? Well look no further than DTCV (pronounced Detective), for they will provide you with that answer! Similar in style to The Raveonettes, the duo of Fiat Lux and Vivarock have impressive pedigrees, which should … Read more
Destroyer Poison Season Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Dan Bejar is back with the right-on-target Poison Season. Album Review: It’s easy to see why Dan Bejar is so embraced by music critics. He makes music that is unique and complex; distinctive yet accessible to the patient listener. Bejar is back under the Destroyer name … Read more
The Good Life Everybody’s Coming Down Saddle Creek Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: When you talk about Tim Kasher’s work in the indie scene you will always discuss his tormented soul that impacts all of his projects that include his primary band Cursive, his solo work and his other major outlet – The Good … Read more
Deaf Wish Pain Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Noisy Aussies find the right balance between clamor, chaos and beauty. Album Review: Let’s get this out of the way right up front: Deaf Wish like to make a racket. On the Melbourne, Australia band’s first album for Sub Pop they explore the full gamut … Read more
Big Awesome Party On Jetsam-Flotsam [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: There is always something to be said for heart on your sleeve rock n roll and that is exactly what you get on Big Awesome’s debut album Party On. John Blanken’s slightly throated vocals never give up or let down in intensity, which keeps pushing … Read more
HEALTH Death Magic Loma Vista Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: The interstitial moments on Death Magic are the weapons this band has been sharpening for a decade. Album Review: HEALTH is a slow drive downtown after dark. A stretch of sodium lights, a rotting out office building, a peek down the riot alley in Mouth … Read more
Royal Headache High What’s Your Rupture? Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: So many times bands really screw with their sound following up their debut record. Hence the sophomore slump is a real thing but a true life lesson is knowing that less is sometimes more. For Sydney’s Royal Headache – they get it. High … Read more
Albert Hammond Jr Momentary Masters Vagrant Records [2015] Fire Note Says: This confident new solo record from The Strokes guitarist is a pleasant surprise and continues his artistic rebirth! Album Review: The title of Albert Hammond Jr’s new solo album, Momentary Masters, was inspired by a quote from Carl Sagan of all people, in reference … Read more
The Fratellis Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied Cooking Vinyl [2015] Fire Note Says: The Fratellis perfect their formula. Album Review: Sometimes an album comes along that is so likable that it begs to be listened to. Some albums are creative, experimental, different, and noteworthy. We can recognize those albums as being “great” but it doesn’t mean … Read more
Yes: Rose Music Center, Dayton, Ohio – August 14, 2015 With the untimely passing of co-founder and bass player extraordinaire Chris Squire from a rare form of leukemia, witnessing a Yes show threatened to be more like a wake than a concert event. Ultimately, it was more a celebration of his life and artistry. His … Read more
Blackheart Honeymoon Mountains Speak Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: With a sound that goes back n forth between Band of Horses and New Pornographers, Seattle’s Blackheart Honeymoon hit a sonic sweet spot on their debut album Mountains Speak. From the more modern indie jangle found on “Bodies” and “Love It All” to the increased … Read more
Ash Kablammo! earMUSIC [2015] Fire Note Says: Irish rockers make a big return with their first new album in 8 years. Album Review: Be honest, how long has it been since you thought about Ash? It’s been quite some time for me as well, but when you think back, wow they had a really nice … Read more
Terrible Terrible Get The New Computer Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Terrible Terrible is a great band name as it sets up low expectations. Of course, that is not the case with this New Jersey quintet which received some positive praise on their 2014 EP, Fail Better. The group’s new four track offering, Get … Read more
Doubting Thomas Cruise Control Remember Me John Lydon Forever Fleeting Youth Records [2015] Fire Note Says: DTCC bring another flavor to the indie rock scene. Album Review: At some point, did you ever listen to a Pavement track and just think – what the hell were these guys thinking? It was a band that shouldn’t … Read more
POW! Fight Fire Castle Face Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Yes, there is definitely something in the water in the San Francisco area that is causing most of the finest garage rock in the world to be produced there. POW! however, is not your typical San Francisco garage rock band, they spin it off … Read more
Mac DeMarco Another One Captured Tracks [2015] Fire Note Says: Grab a cup of coffee with Mac and enjoy his latest record! Album Review: It’s always a big deal around The Fire Note Headquarters when Mac DeMarco releases a new record, since the release of Rock and Roll Night Club back in 2012, we have … Read more
Wild Raccoon Mount Break Howlin’ Banana Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: One-man garage pop from France?! Yes, you heard me right. From across the seas comes Wild Raccoon and his reverb filled mayhem of a record that aims to please. If you are a fan of early Ty Segall or King Khan, Mount Break … Read more
Bully Feels Like StarTime Intl./Columbia Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Bully’s debut makes you wish the nineties never ended. Album Review: Alicia Bognanno has an itch to scratch. Although born the same year Nevermind was released, this particular itch seems to only be scratched effectively by emulating the music being made while still in elementary … Read more
Brother O’ Brother Show Pony Fonoflo Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Get your rock blues groove on with Brother O’ Brother. Album Review: This has been a year that finds many in the music critic world asking questions like; are there any new sounds out there?, is everything new really a rehash?, and is that … Read more
Strange Wilds Subjective Concepts Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Strange Wilds debut full length, Subjective Concepts, is one of the closest sounding records Sub Pop has released in years that embraces the label’s original Pacific Northwest/Olympia/Seattle sound from which they built their foundation. Is does not take long to hear the Bleach-ear … Read more