Yellow Ostrich Cosmos Barsuk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Yellow Ostrich reach for the stars and release a truly stellar album. Album Review: Every great album has to have a great back story or at least something to enliven the press release. The story of Cosmos, Yellow Ostrich’s fifth album and third for Barsuk, goes … Read more
Preston Lovinggood Shadow Songs Communicating Vessels [2014] Fire Note Says: Preston Lovinggood’s follow-up is just as strong as his debut. Album Review: Preston Lovinggood’s solo debut, Sun Songs, came out just last year. His newest release, Shadow Songs, as you might be able to detect, is a sequel of sorts to his first album. The … Read more
Beck Morning Phase Capitol Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Morning Phase is a record that has nothing to prove but everything to give! Album Review: It is really hard to believe that it has been 20 years since Beck Hansen stormed into the music scene with his hit debut record Mellow Gold (1994). It was … Read more
St. Vincent St. Vincent Loma Vista Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: St. Vincent returns with a bold sense of confidence. What does that mean for you? Album Review: “I wanted to make a party record you could play at a funeral,” says Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent of her new self-titled album. Being interesting is … Read more
The Maravines The Maravines Mint 400 Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The New Jersey duo The Maravines are strong out of the gates with their debut release but are heading into a traffic jam on The George Washington Bridge. Album Review: The Maravines are a two –piece, Union City, New Jersey, duo made up of … Read more
Mozes And The Firstborn Mozes And The Firstborn Burger Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mozes and the Firstborn’s debut brings an excellent mix of garage rock from the Netherlands to your speakers! Album Review: The self-titled debut from the Netherlands, Mozes and the Firstborn took me by surprise when I first hit play with its … Read more
Cheatahs Cheatahs Witchita Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Cheatahs is a maelstrom of guitars and melody! Album Review: Cheatahs have finally released their long awaited proper debut full length, and it’s pretty damn good. Extended Plays was a remarkable compilation of their two eps in one handy package, and as great as it was as … Read more
Augustines Augustines Caroline International [2014] Fire Note Says: The band formerly known as We Are Augustines strip down more than just their name. Album Review: Let me put this out there: the first album from (We Are) Augustines, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, was one of favorite records of 2011. That Dave Newfeld produced album got … Read more
Drowners Drowners Frenchkiss Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Drowners show off their attitude and tunes on their debut album, could they be the next big thing? Album Review: Sometimes a new band comes along and fills a gap for me that has been vacated by a band either breaking up, or completely growing out of … Read more
The Shine Brothers Hello Griefbirds! Cardinal Fuzz Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The bands’ name says it all, Hello Griefbirds sure does shine. Album Review: It‘s funny, searching online I find a fair amount of info on The Shine Brothers. But, where are the reviews for their debut Hello Griefbirds!? There sure is a disservice … Read more
Scott H. Biram Nothin’ But Blood Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Scott H. Biram contemplates what’s next on the hard living Nothin’ But Blood. Album Review: Hard living can have its consequences and one man jam band Scott H. Biram knows it all too well. On his new record, Nothin’ But Blood, Biram starts … Read more
The Rifles None The Wiser Cooking Vinyl [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rifles return to their more rocking sound with triumphant results! Album Review: The original quartet of The Rifles recorded two of my favorite records of the past 10 years with their debut album No Love Lost, and its follow-up Great Escape. Following Great … Read more
Death Of Samantha If Memory Serves Us Well St. Valentine Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If Memory Serves Us Well is a fierce reminder of why this band is so fondly remembered. Album Review: Death of Samantha are one of a handful of influential Cleveland bands that are more likely to have been heard of … Read more
Graham Repulski Ballerina Arcade EP Shorter Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Short and to the point lo-fi goodness! Album Review: “We could smash guitars” is the first line you will hear off of the new EP from lo-fi New Jersey band Graham Repulski. The words are delivered in such an endearing way that you are … Read more
Lydia Loveless Somewhere Else Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Loveless is a true original – raw, edgy and willing to rock! Album Review: You might say that country/punk rock, singer/songwriter Lydia Loveless wears her heart on her sleeves on the songs on this her third full-length album. And you might say that’s an understatement. … Read more
Guided By Voices Motivational Jumpsuit GBV Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: GBV hit a home run with their strongest “classic lineup reunion” album yet! Album Review: When Guided By Voices re-formed in 2011, no one knew how long it would last or how any new albums would stack up with their previous work. But the … Read more
Bombay Bicycle Club So Long, See You Tomorrow Island Records[2014] Fire Note Says: Bombay Bicycle Club continue to evolve in strange and unexpected ways. Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club don’t want to be the biggest rock ‘n roll band in the world. In fact, it’s unclear they even want to be a rock ‘n roll … Read more
Kishi Bashi Live On Valentine’s Joyful Noise Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Just in time for Valentine’s day Kishi Bashi reinvents the magic in a live setting. Album Review: When you‘re an artist like Kishi Bashi, stripping out some elements that made his debut 151a so irresistible could be a death sentence. But, when you … Read more
Thumpers Galore Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Thumpers debut has its moments but runs a tad long. Album Review: It always interest me when labels venture outside their perceived niche. Anymore not so much with Sub Pop Records but I think London’s Thumpers debut, Galore, will still make you raise an eyebrow with … Read more
The Rebel Set How To Make A Monster Burger Records/Silver Hornet [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rebel Set revel in paying tribute to the Surf Rock kings of yesteryear. Album Review: Surf-rock in landlocked Arizona? Sure, why not? Remember: JFA was from Arizona too and did a fantastic job of combining The Ventures with The … Read more
Sun Kil Moon Benji Caldo Verde Records [2014] Fire Note Says: An intense lyrical driven record from Sun Kil Moon that takes a deep look at life. Album Review: Following Mark Kozelek’s career over the years can push every sensory button that includes the highest highs and lowest lows. It happened in the Red House … Read more
Young The Giant Mind Over Matter Fueled by Ramen Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Young The Giant’s sophomore LP is slick and crisp. Album Review: Young The Giant’s second LP, Mind Over Matter, is at times irresistable. The California band, consisting of Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), … Read more
Maxïmo Park Too Much Information Daylighting Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Maxïmo Park look to shake up their sound on their fifth lp, with mostly positive results. Album Review: Since bursting onto the scene with their debut album, A Certain Trigger, in 2005, Maxïmo Park has been a band that I have followed with great … Read more
Speedy Ortiz Real Hair EP Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speedy Ortiz return with a four track EP that will leave you wanting more! Album Review: Speedy Ortiz burst onto the indie scene last year with their debut full length Major Arcana (TFN Review). The record landed at #12 in our Top 50 with … Read more
Motel Beds These Are The Days Gone By Misra Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Motel Beds release a compilation that you need to hear! Album Review: Dayton, Ohio has been in the indie music news lately with the Breeders touring and Guided By Voices consistently releasing new records but what about peeling the Gem City … Read more