Generationals Alix Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Generationals’ Alix is a hit or miss affair. Album Review: Generationals is a New Orleans-based duo that consists of Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer. Alix is their fourth studio album (in the last five years) and follows their trend of throwback psychedelic pop. The pair expands their … Read more
Swearing At Motorists While Laughing The Joker Tells The Truth A Recordings LTD [2014] Fire Note Says: A welcomed return for Swearing at Motorists. Album Review: If you know your Dayton, Ohio indie folklore then Swearing at Motorists should already be in your memory bank. The band has family tree history with fellow Daytonians Guided … Read more
Zola Jesus Taiga Mute Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Zola Jesus’s fifth studio album continues the trend of a career of strong output. Album Review: Zola Jesus makes pop music for people who like to think. For people who like for their pop to have a sharp serrated edge to it. In that sense Zola … Read more
Foxygen …And Star Power Jagjaguwar Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A sprawling double lp that both excites and confounds. Album Review: The duo of Sam France and Jonathan Rado, who comprise Foxygen, can definitely not be accused of taking the easy path. After breaking up (or not breaking up) on tour for their critically acclaimed … Read more
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Hypnotic Eye Warner Bros. Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Hypnotic Eye finds Petty & the Heartbreakers continuing to stretch, grow, and inspire. Album Review: For nearly four decades, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers embodied a truly singular American rock band sound (perhaps second on that front only to Bruce Springsteen … Read more
Horse Feathers So It Is With Us Kill Rock Stars [2014] Fire Note Says: Horse Feathers lighten the mood on fifth long player. Album Review: Portland chamber-folk group Horse Feathers, led by singer-songwriter Justin Ringle, have not changed much in direction, focus or labels over the years. For some, this may have had you move … Read more
Jeff the Brotherhood Dig The Classics Warner Bros. Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Jeff the Brotherhood drop a killer EP of essential covers with a thick layer of heavy garage rock fuzz and scuzz. Album Review: Nashville natives, brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall, make up the two-piece rock outfit that is Jeff the Brotherhood. The … Read more
Los Straitjackets Los Straitjackets: Deke Dickerson Sings The Instrumental Hits Yep Rec Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Los Straitjackets find the words to some of your instrumental favorites. Album Review: Just when you thought you have heard it all, the instrumental combo team of Los Straitjackets have something fresh for their genre. They have teamed … Read more
Twin Library Historical Tumblers Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Historical Tumblers’ grand ambitions flash by with punk-like pacing. Album Review: Twin Library’s bio suggests that you may enjoy them if you also like Guided by Voices, and there are two main reasons I can see for this line of thinking: the band is prolific (having … Read more
Iceage Plowing Into The Field Of Love Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Iceage continue to offer something unique. Album Review: Three albums in and Copenhagen’s Iceage continue to evolve and push the limits of their sound. Their debut of DIY post-punk rock took people by storm and last year’s sophomore effort, You’re Nothing, found … Read more
Joseph Airport Stronger and Better Rockathon Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Joseph Airport’s quirky psychedelic miniatures grow on you with repeated listens. Album Review: If you’ve lived in Dayton, OH more than a couple of years, you’ll immediately recognize the origins of Joseph Airport’s odd moniker as the name of a certain car dealership north … Read more
Meatbodies Meatbodies In The Red Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Meatbodies are your next garage/psychedelic adventure. Album Review: If you are addicted to all things Ty Segall then Meatbodies self-titled debut was already on your list. If you have been a casual fan of Ty you probably have already heard some of Meatbodies players and … Read more
David Bazan + Passenger String Quartet Volume 1 Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Bazan intensifies the emotional breadth and tenor of his original songs. Album Review: I’d really be surprised if any fans of Seattle indie band Pedro the Lion or David Bazan’s post-Pedro solo albums ever thought “I really like these songs, but they’d … Read more
Eyelids 854 Jealous Butcher Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Eyelids give Portland a new sound! Album Review: I love it when a group of experienced musicians find themselves together and decide that creating an album is a necessary action. That is the way I feel with Eyelids as the group is made up of longtime … Read more
Shellac Dude Incredible Touch And Go Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Dude Incredible is a bad mofo! Album Review: Man, it’s a shame that Shellac seems to have slowed their release pace down to roughly the speed of a glacier moving across vast stretches of land, because Dude Incredible, the trio’s first album since Excellent … Read more
Boris Noise Sargent House [2014] Fire Note Says: Listening to Boris can feel like a new cultural experience. Album Review: Boris is a difficult band to describe. The Japanese trio, which for a time carried a fourth member, has been incredibly prolific in their 18+ year career. Noise is their 19th LP but their first … Read more
Death From Above 1979 The Physical World Last Gang Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Death From Above 1979 prove there is such a thing as life after death. Album Review: Jesse F. Keeler (a.k.a. MSTRKRFT) chokes the life out of his bass while Sebastian Grangers fervently pounds away and vocalizes his thoughts. During “Always On,” … Read more
Caribou Our Love Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Caribou returns after a four year absence with a drop dead gorgeous record. Album Review: Dan Snaith burst into our consciousness as Manitoba in 2003, with the classic album Up in Flames. After a name change to Caribou following that album’s release, Snaith continued releasing one … Read more
Beach Slang Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street EP Tiny Engines [2014] Fire Note Says: Beach Slang add another strong EP to their resume. Album Review: This new EP from Beach Slang makes one solid point – it is time for a full length. Stop giving us these short power EPs that just feel … Read more
Allo Darlin’ We Come From The Same Place Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Allo Darlin’ return with another smooth indie pop record that just might be their best! Album Review: Allo Darlin’ are a London-based four piece that is fronted by the silky smooth pop vocals of Australian Elizabeth Morris. With their third record, … Read more
Cincinnati’s MidPoint Music Festival was once again a success this year with another solid lineup. I will be the first to admit that when I initially scanned the 150 plus bands I didn’t think the offerings were quite as good as last year but after attending, I would say MPMF did alright! From better venues, … Read more
Ex Hex Rips Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ex Hex debut backs up its album title! Album Review: Ex Hex has quickly become one of the best female power trios on the music scene today. The band is lead by Mary Timony, which through the mid 90′s she fronted the Matador Records band Helium, … Read more
Weezer Everything Will Be Alright In The End Republic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Weezer make a record I think fans will enjoy! Album Review: Is it cool to really like Weezer in 2014? Absolutely not! Is it east to target them and put Rivers Cuomo and the boys under a microscope? Absolutely yes! Will … Read more
The Rural Alberta Advantage Mended With Gold Saddle Creek Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rural Alberta Advantage show their heart beat on Mended With Gold. Album Review: Canadian indie rock trio, The Rural Alberta Advantage have a big heart. It is the same big heart that has been beating since their 2009 debut Hometowns … Read more
Straight Arrows Rising HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Australian garage rockers with plenty of fuzz and lots of actual tunes! Album Review: This Australian based band led by Own Penglis is guaranteed to jump to the head of the garage rock class with their sophomore album, Rising. Rising is kind of album that jumps … Read more