Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith Ramseur Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Avett & Mayfield take a risk with Elliott Smith cover record. Album Review: If you are going to cover Elliott Smith you better bring it. There are only a handful of deceased modern artists … Read more
of Montreal Aureate Gloom Polyvinyl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Kevin Barnes version of the break-up record is as schizo as you’d imagine. Album Review: After eleven years Kevin Barnes and wife Nina Grottland called it quits and we, the indie music consumer, are the ultimate beneficiaries. All the typical Of Montreal signifiers are there … Read more
Victor Villarreal Sleep Talk Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Sleep Talk is the perfect record for a late night of socializing with spirits or just putting on the headphones and drifting off. Album Review: Victor Villarreal has quietly become one of the most respected guitarists on the indie rock scene with his work … Read more
Will Butler Policy Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The solo debut from Arcade Fire’s spunky multi-instrumentalist Will Butler. Album Review: Who is Will Butler you ask? Well, he is a multi-instrumentalist from the band Arcade Fire and also the younger brother of lead singer Win. I will admit that Will is not the first … Read more
Endless Bummer Vol. 1 In The Red Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sludged-out beach bums bring ferocious fuzz on Vol. 1. Album Review: As Endless Bummer‘s Vol. 1 seeps through the speakers, the question of quality never comes up. That‘s OK too, because LA‘s Endless Bummer never promise it. Recorded with friend Ty Segall in … Read more
Jeff the Brotherhood Wasted On The Dream Infinity Cat Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Wasted on the Dream mixes moments of catchy head banging fuzz rock with head scratching cheese-pop. Album Review: The scuzz/fuzz duo from Nashville are back for their 8th album, Wasted on the Dream. They have brought a big sound with them … Read more
The Black Ryder The Door Behind The Door The Anti-Machine Machine [2015] Fire Note Says: The Black Ryder applies new textures to vivid and cathartic philosophies. Album Review: The Black Ryder’s first LP Buy The Ticket Take The Ride sounds like an easy LP to love—but only if you’re not Pitchfork. Rolling Stone included Buy … Read more
The Church Further / Deeper Unorthodox Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Further/Deeper finds The Church doing what they do best! Album Review: In the 35 years since Aussie band The Church formed in 1980, they’ve largely been the collaborative effort of Steve Kilbey on lead vocals, bass and guitars, Marty Wilson-Piper on guitars and bgv’s, … Read more
The Juliana Hatfield Three Whatever, My Love American Laundromat Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Juliana Hatfield Three return to the indie scene after 22 years. Album Review: “There is history in this place” is the first line from Sebadoh’s “Skull” which is a track from the same era when The Juliana Hatfield Three were … Read more
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Chasing Yesterday Sour Mash Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Noel moves forward on his sophomore High Flying Birds record Chasing Yesterday. Album Review: No matter what either Gallagher brother says, Oasis for sure made a mark. I also understand the dynamic of solo careers and in this case, Noel Gallagher … Read more
Big Dick Disappointment Dirt Cult Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Their debut album was great…this is GREATER! Album Review: It’s no secret that Big Dick’s debut album was one of The Fire Note’s favorite albums of 2013, in fact, internally we have often dreamed that the Canadian duo would headline a mythical Fire Note Fest, … Read more
Frankie And The Witch Fingers Frankie And The Witch Fingers Permanent Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers will hit your 60’s garage rock nerve! Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers are a garage rock group originally from Bloomington, Indiana that are currently making the big move to Los Angeles. Their … Read more
Steven Wilson Hand. Cannot. Erase. Kscope Music [2015] Fire Note Says: Porcupine Tree frontman offers an inspired and introspective solo effort. Album Review: Steven Wilson is a busy guy. Besides working on his own music he has been on a crusade to remix some of the best-known and most beloved records from the classic era … Read more
Guster Evermotion Nettwerk Music Group [2015] Fire Note Says: Guster continues to put out tuneful, thoughtful music. Album Review: Get ready to feel old: Guster formed 24 years ago in Boston, MA. This is a band with years and years of experience and a strong sense of identity. That sense of self allows Guster to … Read more
Torche Restarter Relapse Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Torche aim to rock you under their heavy groove. Album Review: You can classify Torche into any type of “rock” box you want, be it metal, alternative, radio friendly, sludge or maybe even pop but their fourth album, Restarter, is somewhat of a game changer for the … Read more
Sonny & The Sunsets Talent Night At The Ashram Polyvinyl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: A delightfully weird psychedelic pop album from Sonny & The Sunsets. Album Review: When we last heard from Sonny Smith and his shapeshifting Sunsets on 2013’s Antenna to the Afterworld, he was busy dealing with aliens, death, lost love, affairs, … Read more
Dan Deacon Gliss Riffer Domino Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Dan Deacon streamlines his signature sound with mixed results. Album Review: Listening to Dan Deacon’s records is a different kind of experience. Precious few artists in the field of electronica have such a penchant for pop or a relish for rock that Deacon has. It … Read more
Colleen Green I Want To Grow Up Hardly Arts Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Colleen Green shows you why age doesn’t matter. Album Review: We all have been there or soon will be, when it comes to celebrating birthday decades. For lo-fi punkster Colleen Green, that celebratory number is 30 on her newest full length, … Read more
Axis: Sova Early Surf God? Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Early Surf puts the depth and nuance at your control. Album Review: Wand’s Ganglion Reef was one of my favorite albums of last year—our favorite garage rock prodigy, Ty Segall, hand-picked the band’s album for release (with help from Drag City Records) on his God? … Read more
The Sidekicks Runners In The Nerved World Epitaph Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Sidekicks fourth album is pop-tinged punk confection. Album Review: The Sidekicks are a punk outfit from Cleveland, OH. Runners In The Nerved World is the band’s fourth studio release and my first exposure to the band. The Sidekicks sound like a … Read more
Smug Brothers Woodpecker Paradise Gas Daddy Go! Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Smug Brothers newest album is one of their strongest efforts to date. A tight, urgent, and catchy blend of indie rock from rock Mecca Dayton, Ohio. Album Review: Around this time last year, I was reviewing the Smug Brothers’ LP On the Way … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Terraplane New West Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Terraplane finds Earle & his Dukes exploring the swampy blues stomps of the Deep South. Album Review: One of the benefits of a long career is that it gives an artist a chance to celebrate their influences and explore artistic tangents without … Read more
Small Houses Still Talk; Second City The Cottage Recording Co. [2015] Fire Note Says: Small Houses releases a record from the core. Album Review: If you have read the Fire Note long enough, most people know that I have this solid place in my music library reserved for the honest singer/songwriter. Right next to my … Read more
Quarterbacks Quarterbacks Team Love Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Quarterbacks expand on fun self-titled full length. Album Review: Quarterbacks has yet another short and sweet release. Their self-titled album is the longest yet, with 19 tracks. The album only runs 22 minutes but somehow they manage to make every song jam-packed with memories, people, and … Read more
Dream Police Hypnotized Sacred Bones Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mark Perro and Nick Chiericozzi of The Men debut new side project Dream Police. Album Review: I hate to admit it, but I’ve never heard an album by The Men. I am quite familiar with label Sacred Bones catalogue, though: Moon Duo, Psychic Ills, Amen … Read more