The Outfit Tough Kids EP Hot Congress Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Outfit aims to please with their EP Tough Kids. Album Review: Denver’s The Outfit put out a pretty solid EP last year, which was a follow-up to their 2011 debut Broken West Wishbone Test. This newest EP is titled Tough Kids and … Read more
There’s been a lot of turmoil in Pixie-land of late. With the departure of Kim Deal and her replacement Kim Shattuck, attention has been understandably centered around whatever female bass player lines up to play with the legendary band. The newest member is no stranger to the spotlight – or to strong personalities within a … Read more
The New Mendicants Into The Lime Ashmont Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Pernice Brothers + Teenage Fanclub = Creamy Pop Heaven Album Review: When Joe Pernice and Norman Blake make a record together, you don’t ask many questions, you just listen to it. When that record, Into The Lime, completely lives up to your … Read more
Big Head Todd And The Monsters Black Beehive Shout! Factory [2017] Fire Note Says: After 25 years, Big Head Todd & The Monsters have remained true to their sound. Album Review: In the 25 years since recording their indie debut album, Another Mayberry, Colorado-based Big Head Todd & the Monsters have proved themselves to be … Read more
Broken Bells After The Disco Columbia Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Broken Bells’ second LP could use a bit more energy. Album Review: James Mercer and Danger Mouse (Brian Burton), the two principals of Broken Bells, have collaborated again on recent release After The Disco. Being a big fan of The Shins and a lot … Read more
Water Liars Water Liars Fat Possum Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Water Liars return with another batch of emotional sing-alongs. Album Review: Don’t let the new self-titled effort from Mississippi’s Water Liars fool you as it is the band’s third full length album and one of their most accomplished records to date. The group once … Read more
The Verlaines Hallelujah All The Way Home/Juvenilia Captured Tracks/Flying Nun[1985,1987/2013] Fire Note Says: Captured Tracks continues reissuing essential albums from the Flying Nun catalog. Album Review: Anyone who reads The Fire Note with any regularity knows of our unabashed love for that particular brand of Kiwi-pop so perfectly commemorated by legendary New Zealand label Flying … Read more
Juan Wauters N.A.P. North American Poetry Captured Tracks [2014] Fire Note Says: The Beets frontman, Juan Wauters, goes acoustic on solo debut. Album Review: N.A.P. North American Poetry is Juan Wauters debut record but as a founding member and vocalist of fun garage rockers The Beets, he is no stranger to being front and center … Read more
Passenger Peru Passenger Peru Fleeting Youth Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A stunning debut from Brooklyn duo, Passenger Peru! Album Review: Every now and then a record comes from out of nowhere and takes your breath away. Perhaps you have been listening to records that are just ok, nothing bad, nothing great, and then you … Read more
Gloom Balloon You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Disaster / Fix The Sunshine Pts. 1-7 (An Ode To Bill Doss) Maximum Ames Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gloom Balloon recall both the pop and experimental aspects of OTC while adding their own spin. Album Review: When I discovered The Olivia Tremor Control a couple … Read more
The Revered Horton Heat REV Victory Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Reverend Horton Heat return with a rockabilly fever on REV. Album Review: I will admit that as a Reverend Horton Heat fan I have been left a little empty with their last several releases. The live material on 25 to life (2012) was … Read more
The Pack A.D. Do Not Engage Nettwerk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Don’t be afraid to engage with Do Not Engage – it will not disappoint. Album Review: When The Pack A.D. first crossed my radar I was already prepared to approach with a dismissive attitude. But first impressions can be deceiving, because when this … Read more
The Chambermaids Whatever Happened Tomorrow Guilt Ridden Pop/Old Blackberry Way [2013] Fire Note Says: Minneapolis brother/sister act hit all the right notes with an all-too-short third album. Album Review: The Chambermaids are an on-again/off-again dream pop outfit headed by siblings Neil and Martha Weir. Formed in 2003 as The Shut-In’s, their tendency to go on … Read more
The Lawrence Arms Metropole Epitaph Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Lawrence Arms return with a record of hooks, punk, and regret. Album Review: If I were to list some of the great pop-punk records of the early 2000’s, Chicago’s Lawrence Arms Apathy and Exhaustion (2002) would be right there near the top of the … Read more
Mode Moderne Occult Delight Light Organ Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mode Moderne’s Occult Delight is dark and catchy. Album Review: Mode Moderne is a neo-New Wave band based out of Vancouver. When I think of Vancouver I think of the Pacific Northwest – a little dark and rainy but also progressive. This description fits … Read more
Amen Lucy, Amen Ashore For The End Brave New Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Amen Lucy, Amen takes a refreshing approach to the folk genre. Album Review: Amen Lucy, Amen describe themselves as a “woozy-boozy cyclone” that sings “punk-inspired folk tunes.” The description fits their debut album Ashore for the End perfectly. The experimental arrangements … Read more
Blank Realm Grassed Inn Fire Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Blank Realm’s breezy second album Grassed Inn is warm and inviting. Album Review: The latest addition to the If-Not-For-The-Vocals All Stars is Blank Realm. The four-piece from Brisbane, Australia released their debut Go Easy last year. Their follow-up Grassed Inn is more disciplined and focused … Read more
Jack Name Light Show GOD?/Drag City Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Jack Name creates a musical funhouse with Light Show. Album Review: In a time where anything goes, Jack Name aka John Webster Johns aka touring guitarist for White Fence aka Fictional Boys etc. etc.—you get the idea: unidentifiable and prolific. Described by White Fence … Read more
Hospitality Trouble Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Hospitality’s Trouble happily doesn’t live up to its title. Album Review: I’ve listened to Hospitality’s sophomore LP Trouble many times and it is still difficult to get a feel for this album. At times psychedelic, at others poppy, and yet at others rocking, Trouble doesn’t lend itself … Read more
The Black Hollies Somewhere Between Here And Nowhere Ernest Jenning Record Co. [2013] Fire Note Says: The Black Hollies’ latest floats between ethereal psych and slow-burning rock. Album Review: Jersey City’s Black Hollies are obviously influenced by 60s acts (just look at their name, for one thing). Trippy guitars, buzzing synths and piping organs combine … Read more
Dum Dum Girls Too True Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Too True features a throwback 80s sound that is hard to root against. Album Review: It seems to me like Dee Dee Penny is searching for her own sound. The first Dum Dum Girls album, I Will Be, was a wonderful collection of … Read more
Rebuilder Rebuilder EP Refuse Rethink Rebuild Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Rebuilder brings the energy with their eponymous debut EP. Album Review: Rebuilder is a punk band from Boston that formed in January 2013 and then put out their first EP (Rebuilder) in July of the same year. Band members include Sal Ellington (guitar and … Read more
If you weren’t at this event/show on Saturday night (Jan. 18, 2014), then you missed out. Why do I go with the whole show/event phrasing? Only because of the great idea that led to pairing together the entities of Misra Records, We Care Arts, and The Motel Beds. The “old” Yellow Cab building, a half … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem The B-Sides SideOneDummy Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Gaslight Anthem fails to hit the mark with The B-Sides. Album Review: When a band releases a b-sides album you always hope that a forgotten or overlooked gem gets to shine. There are tons of examples of this – the one that always … Read more
Mogwai Rave Tapes Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mogwai takes things to another level with Rave Tapes. Album Review: I have never been the world’s biggest Mogwai fan. I have always thought they were good at what they did, and sometimes even great, but other than Young Team and Mr. Beast, I never … Read more