Waco Brothers Going Down In History Bloodshot Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Solid effort from Waco Brothers on their ninth LP. Album Review: On their ninth album, Chicago’s Waco Brothers dig even deeper into their passion for mixing country music’s earthy song-craft with punk’s hard rockin’ delivery. Coming together originally in the mid-90’s when John … Read more
Field Music Commontime Memphis Industries [2016] Fire Note Says: The brothers Brewis give in to their funkier inclinations. Album Review: If prog-pop is indeed a thing, then Sunderland, England’s Field Music is the current flag bearer. It is a mantle once proudly held by the likes of XTC, Tears For Fears and Cardiacs – even … Read more
Nada Surf You Know Who You Are Barsuk Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Nada Surf walk a familiar path that will have you singing along in no time. Album Review: Nada Surf are back with their first batch of new tunes since 2012’s The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy. You Know Who You Are is … Read more
Mavis Staples Livin’ On A High Note ANTI- [2016] Fire Note Says: Livin’ On A High Note continues to extend Staples legacy. Album Review: At 76 years of age, Mavis Staples could be resting on her laurels, touring at her leisure performing the classic music written by her father Pops Staples that were pop hits … Read more
La Sera Music For Listening To Music To Polyvinyl Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Another shift in style for La Sera may be finding Katy Goodman’s true niche. Album Review: It is hard to believe that ex-Vivian Girl Katy Goodman is on her fourth La Sera record but that is exactly what Music For Listening … Read more
Dream Theater The Astonishing Roadrunner Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Progressive metal heavyweights push the envelope with a 34 song rock opera. Album Review: Since forming at the Berklee College Of Music back in 1985, Dream Theater have sold over 10 million records world wide and, along the way, pretty much invented an entirely new … Read more
Animal Collective Painting With Domino Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Animal Collective will get you moving on the friendly Painting With. Album Review: I have not ever heard a bad Animal Collective record. In my opinion, the group always possesses the tools to put out an album of the year as Merriweather Post Pavilion [2009] … Read more
The Madcaps Hot Sauce Howlin’ Banana Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: The sophomore record from Rennes group, The Madcaps will be one of the more interesting listens you may hear this year. Upfront, the group is sold as a garage band which also fits in with the Howlin’ Banana label but as you dive … Read more
The Besnard Lakes A Coliseum Complex Museum Jagjaguwar Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Montreal indie-psych band double down on their Floydian soundscapes. Album Review: Jace Lasek is a sonic junkie. His singular pursuit of recorded perfection led him to build his own space (Breakglass Studios) and invite his friends over to share his vision. Wolf … Read more
Turkish Techno Number Two Dirt Cult Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: The pop-punk fan base has steadily declined over the years and I would even go as far to say that people that used to listen have simply dismissed the genre all together. With that said, there is plenty of good pop-punk out there … Read more
Strange Faces Stonerism Autumn Tone Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The first song you will hear from Chicago’s Strange Faces debut sounds like you are listening to a stereo at the far end of train tunnel. If you think that sounds odd, then you should excuse yourself from this review because the bands fuzzy … Read more
Hinds Leave Me Alone Mom + Pop Music [2016] Fire Note Says: Hinds debut is full of new band synergy. Album Review: Madrid’s Hinds have had plenty of underground hype since they released their demos back in 2014. Fast-forward to present day and the scene is even more saturated with the Hinds type of fuzzy … Read more
Father John Misty Live At Rough Trade Rough Trade Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Back in February, Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, came out to promote the recent release of his excellent I Love You, Honeybear with just his voice and guitar. Rough Trade smartly recorded the event as FJM played eight stripped … Read more
Blondi’s Salvation Wisdom Whisper Howlin’ Banana Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: You may not know much about the French music scene but they have quietly been churning out some great new music with the help of Howlin’ Banana Records. Psych-folk group Blondi’s Salvation’s sophomore album Wisdom Whisper, is the labels latest release and it … Read more
Chelsea Wolfe Abyss Sargent House [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Chelsea Wolfe brings a lot of her native California’s sunniness to her work…well, maybe not. Wolfe has a knack for the dark and brooding. I enjoyed her haunting vocals on label-mates Russian Circles’ album Memorial. However, the synth-heavy approach of Abyss lacked the depth of … Read more
Trust Fund Seems Unfair Turnstile Music [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: UK based Trust Fund is led by Bristol songwriter Ellis Jones which has typically built his records by a friend committee of musicians. You might think this could disturb the production but Seems Unfair is Jones’ second release this year as their debut No … Read more
The Blind Shake Live In San Francisco Castle Face Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The seventh entry in Castle Face’s Live in San Francisco series features Minneapolis trio The Blind Shake, who specialize in their own unique style of “take no prisoners” sonic fury. Equal parts garage and noise, with some surf elements thrown … Read more
Julien Baker Sprained Ankle 6131 Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Julien Baker’s debut record is one that you need to sit a little closer to the speakers for or turn the dial up a few notches on your headphones because Sprained Ankle is a quiet piece of art that is easy to miss if … Read more
Clutch Psychic Warfare Weathermaker Music [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: To say that I’m impressed with Clutch is a bit of an understatement. Psychic Warfare is their 11th studio album and the Maryland based group is also celebrating their 25th anniversary. In the riff based hard-rock and stoner-rock genres, Clutch have released some impressive albums … Read more
Martin Courtney Many Moons Domino [2015] Fire Note Says: Hear the smooth warm sounds from Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney. Album Review: Several other members of Real Estate have already ventured out with side projects like Ducktails and Alex Bleeker and The Freaks, so the time seems right from frontman Martin Courtney to strut his … Read more
Yoko & The Oh No’s Yoko & The Oh No’s Autumn Tone Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: If you like a blend of classic rock riffs, distorted R&B beats and flowing soulful vocals then Chicago’s Yoko & The Oh No’s will be your new favorite band. The group cranks their way through this 10 … Read more
The Yawpers American Man Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The Yawpers highlight all that is good with the rowdy bar band vibe as they pull off a Steve Earle fronts Old 97s sound with a blue collar work ethic of Uncle Tupelo. American Man is just that kind of record as the group’s … Read more
White Fang Chunks Burger Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The press release for White Fang’s new album, Chunks, says that it “will put you back in touch with who you were before you became what you are.” That couldn’t be a more accurate statement as this record is full of goofing off, having a … Read more
EL VY Return To The Moon 4AD Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: EL VY is the musical collaboration between Matt Berninger, from The National, and Ramona Falls’ frontman Brent Knopf. In my book, Berninger has one of the most distinguishable and cool voices in the indie business right now so breaking away from his … Read more
Django Django Born Under Saturn Ribbon Music [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Scottish band Django Django have been on my radar since their Mercury Prize nominated 2012 self-titled debut. The band typically draws comparisons to other modern progressive UK bands like Beta Band, Super Furry Animals and Clinic. On the group’s sophomore outing, Born Under … Read more