Grenades!? Interrobang Self-Released [2015] Fire Note Says: Grenades!?’s debut is strong for a group stretching their legs for the first time. Album Review: It feels like the phrase “stretching their legs for the first time” is a bit of an exaggeration. There’s been quite a history between lead-vocalist/keyboardist Daniel Madero and Mike Patak Jr. From … Read more
Murder By Death Big Dark Love Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Murder By Death stay true to the title with the looming Big Dark Love. Album Review: Without even hearing the background story on Murder By Death’s seventh record, Big Dark Love, you just know the band is coming at you like a tsunami … Read more
Twerps Range Anxiety Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Twerps return with another batch of indie jangle bliss. Album Review: There is always a place for simple guitar, simple lyrics and bright melodies in indie rock and that is exactly what Australia’s Twerps offered on their 2011 self-titled debut. With plenty of critic praise, it … Read more
Alex Calder Strange Dreams Captured Tracks [2015] Fire Note Says: Alex Calder creates experimental indie pop on his debut Strange Dreams. Album Review: Strange Dreams is the debut record from Edmontonion Alex Calder who is better known from his previous band, Makeout Videotape which also included Mac DeMarco. Of course, followers of DeMarco will want … Read more
Belle And Sebastian Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance Matador Records [2015] Fire Note Says: By combining 60’s pop hooks with a disco beat Belle And Sebastian have redefined their signature sound! Album Review: Has it really been almost five years since we last had a new Belle and Sebastian record? Apparently so, and truth … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Monuments To An Elegy Martha’s Music/BMG [2014] Fire Note Says: If you don’t over-think it, Monuments to An Elegy has a lot to offer. Album Review: Billy Corgan is one of those smart rockers, maybe too smart for his own good. One clue you may be dealing with someone who over-thinks their … Read more
Bush Man On The Run BMG [2014] Fire Note Says: Bush pleases the crowd with the hard-rocking Man On The Run. Album Review: As a child of the 80’s and 90’s there is something comforting about the bands of my youth sticking around and putting out new content. Bush was one of the biggest outfits … Read more
Steve Taylor & The Perfect Foil Goliath Splint Entertainment [2014] Fire Note Says: Goliath is a loud, fast, rock & roll record. Album Review: It’s easy to get excited about a bright band of youngsters who appear on the scene with a fresh burst of creativity and energy (see The Strypes), or celebrate a band … Read more
Radio Moscow Magical Dirt Alive Naturalsound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Radio Moscow sows seeds of psych while reaping funky blues riffs. Album Review: When I first heard Radio Moscow for the first time, their sound had no problem hooking me. During the very much appreciated live compilation record, Alive at the Deep Blues Fest, … Read more
Lace Curtains A Signed Piece Of Paper Female Fantasy Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lace Curtains offers a smorgasbord of styles. Album Review: Lace Curtains is the moniker of Michael “Coomers” Coomer. His previous band, Harlem, was known for their catchy garage pop tracks and Lace Curtains debut, The Garden of Joy and the Well … Read more
Cancers Fatten The Leeches Dead Broke Rekerds [2014] Fire Note Says: Everything is right with the throwback sound of Cancers. Album Review: Crunching guitars, soaring melodies, dreamy power pop girl vocals, and plenty of fuzz. That is really all you need to know about Athens, GA band Cancers. The duo of Ella Kaspar and Lenny … Read more
Various Artists While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years Of Bloodshot Records Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Happy Birthday Bloodshot Records! Album Review: Twenty years is definitely something to be proud of and for Chicago’s Bloodshot Records they get a standing ovation. Bloodshot has had an endless catalog of great artists that include … Read more
Exit Verse Exit Verse Ernest Jenning Record Co. [2014] Fire Note Says: Geoff Farina is back with a guitar driven band that finds all the right classic rock riffs. Album Review: Singer/guitarist Geoff Farina (Karate, Secret Stars, Glorytellers) teamed up with drummer John Dugan (Chisel, Edsel) and bassist Pete Croke (Brokeback, Tight Phantoms) to form … Read more
Deerhoof La Isla Bonita Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Nobody does avant-garde pop music like the insanely catchy Deerhoof. Album Review: There are two kinds of people in this world, those that get Deerhoof and those that don’t. I feel sorry for those that don’t, because they have missed out on some of the … Read more
Bishop Allen Lights Out Dead Oceans [2014] Fire Note Says: Bishop Allen returns with a solid if unspectacular effort. Album Review: Bishop Allen had been on a five-year hiatus until the release of their fourth LP Lights Out in August 2014. The Boston band’s primary members are Justin Rice and Christian Rudder; this album showcases … Read more
Tweedy Sukierae dBpm Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sukierae paints a musical portrait of a talented family in a challenging transitional period. Album Review: It’s never been all that obvious that Jeff Tweedy, the creative center of the thriving indie alt/rock band Wilco, ever needed to step out and make a solo album. He was … Read more
Swearing At Motorists While Laughing The Joker Tells The Truth A Recordings LTD [2014] Fire Note Says: A welcomed return for Swearing at Motorists. Album Review: If you know your Dayton, Ohio indie folklore then Swearing at Motorists should already be in your memory bank. The band has family tree history with fellow Daytonians Guided … Read more
Foxygen …And Star Power Jagjaguwar Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A sprawling double lp that both excites and confounds. Album Review: The duo of Sam France and Jonathan Rado, who comprise Foxygen, can definitely not be accused of taking the easy path. After breaking up (or not breaking up) on tour for their critically acclaimed … Read more
Horse Feathers So It Is With Us Kill Rock Stars [2014] Fire Note Says: Horse Feathers lighten the mood on fifth long player. Album Review: Portland chamber-folk group Horse Feathers, led by singer-songwriter Justin Ringle, have not changed much in direction, focus or labels over the years. For some, this may have had you move … Read more
Los Straitjackets Los Straitjackets: Deke Dickerson Sings The Instrumental Hits Yep Rec Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Los Straitjackets find the words to some of your instrumental favorites. Album Review: Just when you thought you have heard it all, the instrumental combo team of Los Straitjackets have something fresh for their genre. They have teamed … Read more
Joseph Airport Stronger and Better Rockathon Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Joseph Airport’s quirky psychedelic miniatures grow on you with repeated listens. Album Review: If you’ve lived in Dayton, OH more than a couple of years, you’ll immediately recognize the origins of Joseph Airport’s odd moniker as the name of a certain car dealership north … Read more
The Rural Alberta Advantage Mended With Gold Saddle Creek Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rural Alberta Advantage show their heart beat on Mended With Gold. Album Review: Canadian indie rock trio, The Rural Alberta Advantage have a big heart. It is the same big heart that has been beating since their 2009 debut Hometowns … Read more
King Tuff Black Moon Spell Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Kyle Thomas returns to cast his Black Moon Spell. Album Review: In my opinion, it could be argued that King Tuff’s Was Dead was one of Burger Records’ most important reissues. Not to demean his self-titled Sub Pop debut follow up but I … Read more
Late Bloomer Things Change Self Aware/Tor Johnson/Lunchbox Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Strong sophomore album from Charlotte , NC trio. Album Review: Let me tell you about a little trio out of Charlotte that I think you are going to like. Their name is Late Bloomer, but unlike their name, these guys have fully blossomed … Read more
Archie Powell & The Exports Back In Black Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Archie Powell & The Exports are here to rock you out! Album Review: If you are familiar with Chicago’s Archie Powell & The Exports then I do not need to waste my time telling you that they are one of the best … Read more