The New Pornographers Whiteout Conditions Collected Works/Concord Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The New Pornographers are consistently great. Album Review: The New Pornographers have returned with a new album by the name of Whiteout Conditions. It is unique in that it is the first album that the band has released without the contributions of Dan … Read more
Craig Finn We All Want The Same Things Partison Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn finds his own voice, a stark story teller juxtaposing a bleak world view with uplifting music. Album Review: Craig Finn’s songs, with his band The Hold Steady and on his two previous solo releases, have always … Read more
Mastodon Emperor Of Sand Reprise Records [2017] Who: Atlanta, GA’s Mastodon has been a prominent member of the metal community ever since they released their 2002 debut album Remission. Mastodon adhere to many influences but, their albums are usually influenced by personal events and take on a somewhat conceptual nature. Sound: Mastodon have always kept … Read more
Real Estate In Mind Domino Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Real Estate pick up right where they left off. Album Review: Real Estate are currently one of the most consistent indie bands out there. They have always set the bar high for their style of artistic floating songs that are easy to get carried away … Read more
Spoon Hot Thoughts Matador Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Austin’s Spoon returns with another strong collection, emphasizing keyboards over a disco beat, and jazzy inclinations. Album Review: In a world that is constantly changing, and as likely to disappoint as often as it pleases, we’ll always be able to count on Spoon, the Austin indie … Read more
Switzerland Long Gone Popical Island [2017] Who: Switzerland is an Irish four-piece band. Sound: Jangle rock with a sharp edge. TFN Final Take: Long Gone is Switzerland’s debut full-length. The Irish band definitely bring strong musical chops to the proceedings. Some may find the vocals to be a notch off-kilter in quality. I often had … Read more
The Proper Ornaments Foxhole Slumberland Records [2017] Who: The Proper Ornaments is the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy, Pink Flames). Foxhole is the groups sophomore album. Sound: Given the members it should be no surprise that The Proper Ornaments embrace the softer side of indie rock. They have … Read more
Heath Green And The Makeshifters Heath Green And The Makeshifters Alive Naturalsound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The gritty, soulful delivery of Heath Green and his Makeshifters, deliver well crafted, blues rock performances so ecstatic that they transcend the form. Album Review: Heath Green is a veteran of the Birmingham, Alabama music scene, plying his … Read more
Fred Thomas Changer Polyvinyl Records [2017] Who: Songwriter/singer/producer Fred Thomas has a lengthy resume in music that includes four records with Saturday Looks Good to Me. More recently he has had success out on his own but after his 2015 record, All Are Saved he didn’t have a normal year. He quit his stable job, … Read more
Less Than Jake Sound The Alarm EP Pure Noise Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Less Than Jake, long time punk/pop and ska favorites, doing what they do best. Album Review: In the category of “Do you remember when…” and “I can’t believe they’re still together,” Less Than Jake returns with this seven-song EP, marking their … Read more
Heat Overnight Topshelf Records [2017] Fire Note Says: 80’s sounding Montreal band, Heat produce a winning combination. Album Review: Montreal band Heat, describes itself as “post-punk” on its Facebook page and lists Sonic Youth and Oasis as influences, while those writing about the band compare them generously to Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jesus & … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Flying Microtonal Banana ATO Records [2017] Who: The Fire Note was very lucky to get a jump on story telling psych lords King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Coming from Melbourne, Australia this septet has had us captivated since their acclaimed release I’m In Your Mind Fuzz all the … Read more
Strand Of Oaks Hard Love Dead Oceans [2017] Who: Strand Of Oaks is Tim Showalter’s musical vehicle that in the past has played a blended confessional folk-rock that is soaked with emotion. Sound: Strand Of Oaks once again offers a mix of sound that includes bar band rock, Jim James type folk and even a … Read more
Priests Nothing Feels Natural Sister Polygon Records [2017] Who: D.C. based experimental punk. Sound: Priests have toned down the surf punk rock distortion and rage for a more nuanced and precise sound peppered with bitter and biting social commentary. TFN Final Take: I have been listening to Priests for a few years and was impressed … Read more
Cloud Nothings Life Without Sound Carpark Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Leaving some of the angst behind, Baldi and co. turn the music towards inspiration. Album Review: Ever since we reviewed their sophomore album, 2012‘s Attack On Memory, Cloud Nothings had made nothing but the strongest impression on me and The Fire Note. Their follow … Read more
The Bitter Chills Feel-Good Songs For Feel-Bad People Mint 400 Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Bitter Chills take a big step forward, on their witty, often funny folk rock songs. Album Review: If you’re like me, and who isn’t, perhaps you’ve been taking life a little too seriously of late, maybe you find yourself … Read more
The Harlequins One With You Dizzybird Records [2016] Who: The Harlequins are a psychedelic garage-pop trio that have been one of Cincinnati’s best indie secrets since they formed in 2007. They have plenty of music in their arsenal but One With You represents their first proper LP. Sound: The Cincinnati trio have plenty of reverb … Read more
The Flaming Lips Oczy Mlody Warner Bros. Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Exiting their world of loveless doom, The Flaming Lips return with a brighter fairy tale. Album Review: The Flaming Lips have been in the music game for at least 24 years. Within those 24 years they’ve made quite a impact from battling pink … Read more
Metallica Hardwired…To Self-Destruct Blackened Recordings [2016] Fire Note Says: Metallica find their old heavy soul. Album Review: Metallica is one of those bands that defies genres. It has always been cool to like early Metallica (83-88), always judgment to be found by some if you fall into the camp of liking the “Black” album (1991), … Read more
Sting 57th & 9th A&M/Interscope Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Sting’s 57th & 9th serves as a sturdy, reliable to guitar oriented rock a voice that’s been quiet for too long. Album Review: “Rock stars don’t ever die,” sings Sting in “50,000,” a song from his first album of original pop/rock material in 13 years. … Read more
Wolf People Ruins Jagjaguwar [2016] Fire Note Says: Wolf People rise from the ruins to talk folk/prog post-apocalypse. Album Review: When I first ran into Wolf People with 2013‘s Fain, by Fire Note standards I was a bit harsh. To quote directly, “The epic moments seem to lack punch, the aesthetics come off as being … Read more
Pretenders Alone BMG [2016] Fire Note Says: Hynde makes a strong case for the enduring relevance of her voice and musical stance. Album Review: Rock N’ Roll music may be one of the rare places in life where something akin to “beginner’s luck” can pan out and deliver a rare critical and commercial breakthrough the … Read more
Warehouse Super Low Bayonet Records [2016] Who: Atlanta, Georgia-based quintet Warehouse are back with their sophomore album super low. It is their Bayonet Records debut which is the label run by Dustin Payseur (Beach Fossils) and home to TFN favorite Frankie Cosmos. Sound: Taking inspiration from the 1980’s Athens, GA scene (Pylon, R.E.M., The B-52’s), … Read more
Nada Surf Peaceful Ghosts Barsuk Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Nada Surf expands their group with a full orchestra. Album Review: This live recording finds Nada Surf joining forces with the esteemed Potsdam, Germany-based orchestra Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg. Quite simply – indie rock meets strings! At this point in Nada Surf’s career, Peaceful Ghosts captures … Read more
Dawes We’re All Gonna Die HUB Records [2016] Who: Dawes is a four-piece band from Los Angeles, CA. Sound: Versatile rock that reminds you of 1970’s singer/songwriters and 1980’s pop rock. TFN Final Take: You’ve gotta respect Dawes for one thing: their insistence on sticking to their artistic vision no matter how out-of-style or anachronistic … Read more