Son Volt Union Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers [2019] Fire Note Says: Jay Farrar’s Son Volt gives a nod once again to the protest folk music of Woody Guthrie with songs that chronicle the divisions and injustices of our own era. Album Review: There’s a certain comfort in hearing Jay Farrar’s voice on the newest album from … Read more
Paul Weller Other Aspects, Live At The Royal Festival Hall Warner Bros. Records [2019] Album Review: At 60, Paul Weller, who started his career leading the seminal punk/mod revival band The Jam and spent a few years in The Style Council, a Britpop group with R&B/soul and jazz leanings, before his long and substantial solo … Read more
Stephen Malkmus Groove Denied Matador Records [2019] Who: Frontman for Pavement and The Jicks confidently releases another solo project. Sound: With a backbone of synth and beats, Malkmus offers up something different that walks a closer line to Beck but the album still shows flashes of Pavement as well. TFN Final Take: I will tell … Read more
Peter Rogan Still Tryin’ To Believe Self-Released [2019] Fire Note Says: Philadelphia singer/songwriter/guitarist, Peter Rogan creates his first album with the help of the Red Dirt Boys, resulting in soulful light rock and blues. Album Review: The very existence of this album by Reading, PA singer/songwriter/guitarist Peter Rogan should be an encouragement to anyone who’s … Read more
Toro y Moi Outer Peace Carpark Records [2019] Who: Multitalented veteran indie rocker. Sound: Electronic dance music with a deft DYI feel. TFN Final Take: Chaz Bundick is back with his sixth proper album as Toro y Moi, titled Outer Peace. On the album Bundick is clearly moving toward more of an EDM sound, getting … Read more
Crane Like The Bird Crane Like The Bird Self-Released [2019] Album Review: Crane Like The Bird is the brain-child of drummer and songwriter Kyle Crane, who has collaborated with folk like Neko Case, M. Ward, and Kurt Vile, and worked as the drum double for the young jazz drummer in the movie “Whiplash.” On this … Read more
Evan’s Dilemma Under The Sun EDMojo [2018] Album Review: If you remember that the principals of Greenville, SC band, Evan’s Dilemma first played together in the early 1990’s, it’ll explain the band’s love for those great crunchy, processed guitar sounds first popularized by U2, Radiohead and the like. Of course, during one of the band’s … Read more
Smoking Popes Into The Agony Asian Man Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Chicago punk/pop Smoking Popes return with original line-up, and nod their heads as much to Judy Garland as they do to Jesus. Album Review: One of the albums that got lost in the shuffle of new releases late in the fall that’s worthy … Read more
The C.I.A. The C.I.A. In The Red [2018] Who: The C.I.A. was the sixth Ty Segall related album of 2018 and is a collaboration with his wife, Denée Segall, and Emmett Kelly (The Cairo Gang), a longtime member of his band. Sound: Denée Segall takes the lead vocal duties here and gives a punk delivery … Read more
Muse Simulation Theory Warner Bros. Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On their 8th album, Muse loosens the concept formula enough for more humanity to shine through their larger-than-life arena rock anthems. Album Review: Muse’s 8th album in their nearly 20 year career, starts off with a rhythmic drum beat that could easily have been designed … Read more
The 1975 A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships Interscope Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Third album from The 1975 delivers more great pop melodies, with an undercurrent of loneliness and addiction… so it’s a party! Album Review: The 1975’s lead singer Matt Healy gets right to the point in “Give Yourself a Try,” the opening … Read more
Fleet Foxes First Collection 2006-2009 Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On the 10th anniversary of Seatle’s Fleet Foxes eponymously-titled debut, the band has released a box set on vinyl and CD containing that breakout album, plus two early EPs along with some B-sides, rareties and demos, 30 tracks in all. Album Review: Listening … Read more
Peter Holsapple Game Day Omnivore Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Game Day is a fine current day collection of songs from Peter Holsapple, a welcome continuation of his long and storied career with the dB’s, a testament to the value of keeping on keeping on. Album Review: Peter Holsapple has had a long and prestigious … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Shiny And Oh So Bright Vol. 1/LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. Napalm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Billy Corgan reunites with James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain, plus producer Rick Rubin, in an attempt to make up for lost ground… and it’s a nice start toward recovery. Album Review: Billy Corgan’s … Read more
Kurt Vile Bottle It In Matador Records [2018] Who: Co-founder of War on Drugs, Vile is a singer-songwriter that is now on his seventh solo record and has been on Matador Records since 2011. He also released a record with Courtney Barnett last year. Sound: Vile has a very laidback and drifting guitar rock approach … Read more
Billy F Gibbons & the BFG’s Big Bad Blues Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: ZZ Top guitarist goes back to explore his blues roots on his sophomore solo outing. Album Review: Okay, this no doubt shows my age, but there was a time before ZZ Top was best known for “Sharp Dressed Man” – … Read more
Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers Bought To Rot Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Laura Jane Grace steps away from Against Me! for a more personal, intimate and immediate album backed with her rhythm section, The Devouring Mothers. Album Review: When Laura Jane Grace sang Transgender Dysphoria Blues with her band Against Me!, … Read more
St. Paul & The Broken Bones Young Sick Camellia RECORDS/Sony Music [2018] Fire Note Says: St. Paul & The Broken Bones maintain their soulful energy. Album Review: With their third album in six years, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, no longer satisfied with being appreciated for their status as a world class retro-soul act … Read more
John Hiatt The Eclipse Sessions New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On his 23rd album, The Eclipse Sessions, continues putting the stories of our lives, loves and families in accessible roots rock Americana. Album Review: In the opening lines of the opening song of John Hiatt’s 23rd album may tell the tale of the … Read more
Patsy Moore What Surprises Us Papa Chuy [2018] Fire Note Says: Patsy Moore brings a very special voice forward on her indie label, Papa Chuy, creating piano-based pop balladry with smart augmentation from African percussive polyrhythms, soulfulness with jazz instincts and artful orchestration that recalls the work of Joni Mitchell. Album Review: Patsy Moore is … Read more
Wild Nothing Indigo Captured Tracks [2018] Fire Note Says: Wild Nothing is less chill and better for it. Album Review: Jack Tatum (who is the engine behind Wild Nothing’s studio work) toys with his sound on his latest album, Indigo. Wild Nothing was known early on for a dream pop, chillwave vibe. Each release has … Read more
Florence + The Machine High As Hope Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Artful and stately from start to finish. Album Review: Early efforts from Florence + The Machine – in singles like “Kiss With A Fist” and “Dog Days Are Over” – came across with enough smarts and depth that suggested Florence Welch was … Read more
Active Bird Community Amends Barsuk Records [2018] Who: Active Bird Community is a Brooklyn band formed in 2005. Amends is their Barsuk Records debut. Sound: Strong 90’s alt-rock influences as they have a vibe that will take you back to the days of Tripping Daisy, Jimmy Eat World, and Harvey Danger while giving you a … Read more
Low Double Negative Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On Low’s 12th album, they sketch a portrait of the dark and noisy residue of modern life, and allow moments of beauty to break through the cracks. Album Review: Beginning with their 1994 debut, “I Could Live in Hope,” Duluth-based indie band Low has been … Read more
Murder By Death The Other Shore Bloodshot Records [2018] Who: Murder By Death hail from Bloomington, Indiana and take their name from the 1976 Robert Moore film of the same name. Their first album, Like the Exorcist, but More Breakdancing was released in 2002. Since then they’ve released 7 more albums and have a restaurant … Read more