Death Cab for Cutie Thank You For Today Atlantic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Death Cab For Cutie have what it takes to make this journey worth the effort. Album Review: Thank You For Today is the 9th studio album from Ben Gibbard’s Death Cab for Cutie, the first without long-time guitarist and producer Chris … Read more
Interpol Marauder Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Most songs on the new Interpol will fit nicely into a live set. Album Review: New York post-punk rockers Interpol return for a 6th album, this time relying on an outside producer after taking things in-house on the last two. Working with David Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Spoon, … Read more
Houndmouth Golden Age Rough Trade Records [2018] Who: Louisville trio going through a transition. Sound: High energy synth-pop. TFN Final Take: Giving Golden Age its first listen, you may wonder if you’ve got the right album. While Houndmouth’s trademark sound had been loose, guitar-driven, harmony-laden blues and folk, this LP is electric and crackling. That’s … Read more
The Record Company All Of This Life Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Rock trio, The Record Company step up with a solid sophomore effort, expanding on their strengths. Album Review: From the earliest days of rock & roll, there’s been a special place for power trios, like Cream, Rush, Nirvana, Husker Du, The Jam, … Read more
Gorillaz The Now Now Parlophone/Warner Bros. [2018] Fire Note Says: The follow-up to last year’s “Humanz,” finds Gorillaz leaning more on singer Damon Albarn (Blur) than the hip-hop collaborations that drove previous hits up the charts. Album Review: The Gorillaz concept – a virtual band with animated characters drawn by artist Jamie Hewlett with music … Read more
Face To Face Hold Fast (Acoustic Sessions) Fat Wreck Chords [2018] Who: Southern California-based Face to Face have been pumping out catchy punk pop rock for 27 years. Sound: Face to Face have always had a straight forward 90’s punk pop sound that is always filled with hooks surrounded by their grit. Hold Fast is … Read more
Sunflower Bean Twentytow In Blue Mom + Pop Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Brooklyn-based trio, Sunflower Bean, mix bubblegum and power pop, psychedelia and punk influences for a buoyant sophomore effort. Album Review: Sunflower Beam is a traditional rock trio – bass, drums & guitar – which brings it’s original songs into focus around singer/bassist … Read more
The Jayhawks Back Roads And Abandoned Motels Sony Music/Legacy Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: The Jayhawks put their own stamp on songs Gary Louris had written with the Dixie Chicks, Jacob Dylan and others, inspiring a return to their own sonic roots. Album Review: If The Jayhawks were a band of equals, and I’m not … Read more
Lucero Among The Ghosts Liberty & Lament Records [2018] Who: Memphis quintet Lucero is celebrating 20 years together as Among The Ghosts is their ninth studio album. Sound: Lucero puts forth the working man’s rock/alt country sound that sounds great in a dark bar or on a big stage. TFN Final Take: You can always … Read more
Buddy Guy The Blues Is Alive And Well RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: In his early 80’s, blues guitar veteran and a major influence on folks like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Buddy remains surprisingly capable and emotionally satisfying. Album Review: At a time when we’re hearing that blues rock veterans Jimmy Page is … Read more
The Alarm Equals The Twenty First Century Recording Company [2018] Fire Note Says: The Alarm unleash their guitars in high energy rock that pays tribute to the passion of their 80’s heyday. Album Review: Late last summer, I eagerly prioritized catching the Welsh band, The Alarm’s US tour, which included joining the shows on the … Read more
Gaz Coombes World’s Strongest Man Hot Fruit / Caroline International [2018] Fire Note Says: Third solo album from Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes is a reflective, modern pop affair. Album Review: Britain’s Supergrass, running their course in the 90’s and 00’s, were popular throughout the UK and Europe, but never quite got the attention they deserved in … Read more
Josh Rouse Love In The Modern Age Yep Roc Records [2018] Who: Singer/songwriter with strong influences. Sound: Folk-pop that is inspired by 80’s songwriters. TFN Final Take: Josh Rouse’s twelfth album, Love In The Modern Age, is an interesting listen. Rouse has always excelled in his storytelling and he succeeds this time around, in particular … Read more
Snow Patrol Wildness Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: No. Irish/Scottish band, Snow Patrol return after 6 years with their most accessible, pop-friendly album yet. Album Review: When a band puts out a “best of” album it is often the sign of a big change, either they are breaking up, or looking for a quick … Read more
Wax Chattels Wax Chattels Captured Tracks/Flying Nun Records [2018] TFN Final Take: A “guitarless guitar band,” almost doesn’t sound like a real thing but that is what the New Zealand noise-rock band Wax Chattels have labeled themselves. A drum kit, bass and keyboard drive the noise here while the vocals of Peter Ruddell and Amanda … Read more
Wire Pink Flag (Special Edition Reissue) Pinkflag [2018] Chairs Missing (Special Edition Reissue) Pinkflag [2018] 154 (Special Edition Reissue) Pinkflag [2018] Fire Note Says: Influential British punk band Wire is re-issuing their three earliest albums, including special editions that unearth b-sides, demos, rarities and previously unreleased recordings. Album Review: I think it was Brian Eno … Read more
Arctic Monkeys Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino Domino Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Arctic Monkeys have flipped the switch. Album Review: When its been five years since your last (and biggest) record to date, fans will expect even greater things from you upon your return. That is exactly the feeling most had when it was … Read more
Franz Ferdinand Always Ascending Domino Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On their fifth album, Franz Ferdinand embrace a polished pop sensibility. Album Review: If you’ve been paying attention to creative movement in the rock music scene for long enough you begin to notice how sounds and styles tend to recycle even as new artists are … Read more
The Voidz Virtue Cult/RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: If The Strokes fail to get their act together for another full-length – The Voidz are working out just fine. Album Review: With The Strokes sitting back most of the 2010’s it’s not a real surprise to find singer Julian Casablancas getting busy with his side … Read more
Eels The Deconstruction E Works/[PIAS] [2018] Fire Note Says: The Eels 12th outing. Album Review: On the 12th Eels album in 22 years, principal singer/songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, known as E, continues a long and lengthy practice of deconstructing the major myths of the American Dream, and the myths and fables of romance, Capitalism and … Read more
Hot Snakes Jericho Sirens Sub Pop Records [2018] Who: Hot Snakes is John Reis and Rick Froberg which together are responsible for groups Drive Like Jehu, Rocket from the Crypt, Sultans, The Obits and The Night Marchers. Jericho Sirens, is the fourth album (and first in 14 years) from the San Diego-based punk rock n … Read more
The Fratellis In Your Own Sweet Time Cooking Vinyl [2018] Who: Scottish three-piece with their fifth full-length album. Sound: Barroom rock that you can dance to. TFN Final Take: The new Fratellis album gets off to a great start with “Stand Up Tragedy” and “Starcrossed Losers.” Both are bouncy numbers that showcase the ebullience of … Read more
Unknown Mortal Orchestra Sex & Food Jagjaguwar [2018] Fire Note Says: Unknown Mortal Orchestra shed some synths for more strings in this fun batch of songs. Album Review: I’ll alway remember the first time I heard Unknown Mortal Orchestra. In that basement in 2011 I’d never heard a style like it. I didn’t know that … Read more
Erika Wennerstrom Sweet Unknown Partisan Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards takes a solo run. Album Review: Last May, when Lucinda Williams and her band made their way to the intimate confines of the Victoria Theater in Dayton, the unexpected special guest opening the show was Erika Wennerstrom, best known for … Read more
Zola Jesus Okovi: Additions Sacred Bones Records [2018] Who: Nika Roza Danilova, back for seconds after last year’s release. Sound: Goth-pop with deep, soulful vocals. TFN Final Take: Okovi: Additions is a companion to last year’s LP, Okovi. Additions has four new tracks and four reimagined songs from its predecessor. Of the previously unreleased work, … Read more