Unwelcome Guests Wavering Dirt Cult Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Buffalo’s Unwelcome Guests offer you an honest 30 minutes of rock on their new record, Wavering. Album Review: There are only two things you need to know about Unwelcome Guests. They hail from Buffalo and have released their new record, Wavering, on Dirt Cult Records. … Read more
Tweens Tweens Frenchkiss Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Tweens show solid results on their debut. Album Review: If there‘s anything to talk about when introducing Cincinnati, Ohio’s Tweens, it has to start with the twentieth anniversary of The Breeders’ Last Splash. Once plans for that album’s tour were put into place an opening act had … Read more
The Autumn Defense Fifth Yep Roc Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Wilco members offer up immaculately-produced 60s-style pop-rock. Album Review: A collaboration between Wilco bassist John Stirratt and Wilco multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, The Autumn Defense started releasing albums around the same time as Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (though Sansone didn’t join Wilco until 2003). Now … Read more
Manchester Orchestra Cope Loma Vista / Republic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Manchester Orchestra goes bigger on their fourth album Cope. Album Review: The muscular guitar opening of “Top Notch” on Manchester Orchestra’s fourth album Cope is all business as the band makes the full transition from indie start-ups to mainstream alternative rock act. 2011’s … Read more
Mount Carmel Get Pure Alive Naturalsound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If you are starving for raw blues rock then Mount Carmel will satisfy your hunger. Album Review: Columbus Ohio’s Mount Carmel was once described as “the only non-bullshit hard rock band in goddamn America.” Those are high standards to live up to but for … Read more
Supersuckers Get The Hell Acetate Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If you love rowdy, dirty, raunchy, drunk, gritty, punk infused rock and roll, well, Get The Hell might be your next party album. Album Review: The Supersuckers have been bringing their spirited, rowdy and shit kicking brand of Rock and Roll for over 25 years … Read more
The Fleshtones Wheel Of Talent Yep Roc Records[2014] Fire Note Says: America’s garage rock band prove they’ve still got it on album number 22. Album Review: The history of The Fleshtones is seriously unlike any other. Formed in Queens in 1976, they played their first gigs at CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. They were also … Read more
The Hold Steady Teeth Dreams Washington Square/Razor & Tie Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Hold Steady beef up the guitars and expand the songs on the arena ready Teeth Dreams. Album Review: In today’s music scene I challenge you to start naming legitimate rock groups that have only released albums this decade. Sure, you … Read more
Holy Wave Relax The Reverberation Appreciation Society [2014] Fire Note Says: With Relax, Holy Wave heed their own advice. Album Review: Holy Wave’s last outing, Evil Hits, struck me as a great surprise. Labeled by yours truly as “a water slide of groove driven wonder,” the wide open song structures, authenticity, and fantastic psychedelic momentum … Read more
Lakefield Swan Songs EP Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Lakefield makes a triumphant exit on their final release. Album Review: A full-length album and some touring under their belt, Lakefield has decided to call it quits six years after they formed. As a thank you to fans the Vancouver band has recorded Swan Songs, a … Read more
Death Vessel Island Intervals Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Death Vessel return after six years with an upgraded sound and Northern outlook on life. Album Review: The first thing you should know about Death Vessel is that the voice behind the music is Joel Thibodeau. This will save you from some embarrassing remark … Read more
Pillar Point Pillar Point Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: An unexpected electro-pop debut from Scott Reitherman’s new name plate. Album Review: When Scott Reitherman formed Throw Me The Statue in 2005 the indie music landscape was still awash with guitar-driven acts. The internet promised that any aspiring artist with a good sound and a … Read more
Sport Bon Voyage Good Post Day Records[2014] Fire Note Says: French emo band pay tribute to classic pop-punk and a host of dead athletes. Album Review: I get lazier and lazier with each passing year. Try as I might, it gets harder and harder to dedicate the requisite time to really critique an album. Especially … Read more
Farewell Dear Ghost We Colour The Night Minty Fresh Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Farewell Dear Ghost provide plenty of melodic indie rock that sticks. Album Review: Let me tell you about this melodic new album from Austria’s Farewell Dear Ghost. It is a record that I have been sitting on since December but consistently … Read more
Axxa/Abraxas Axxa/Abraxas Captured Tracks [2014] Fire Note Says: Axxa/Abraxas effortlessly introduces you to his love of the 60’s. Album Review: 23 year-old Atlanta native Ben Asbury is Axxa/Abraxas and on his debut you will be introduced to his love of the 60’s and vision of the future. I say this all the time but music … Read more
John The Conqueror The Good Life Alive Natural Sound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: John The Conqueror are back with another blues rocking good time! Album Review: Philadelphia’s John The Conqueror are back with another slice of blues rock soul on their sophomore album The Good Life. The title fits as this album has an … Read more
St. Vincent St. Vincent Loma Vista Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: St. Vincent returns with a bold sense of confidence. What does that mean for you? Album Review: “I wanted to make a party record you could play at a funeral,” says Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent of her new self-titled album. Being interesting is … Read more
The Maravines The Maravines Mint 400 Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The New Jersey duo The Maravines are strong out of the gates with their debut release but are heading into a traffic jam on The George Washington Bridge. Album Review: The Maravines are a two –piece, Union City, New Jersey, duo made up of … Read more
Augustines Augustines Caroline International [2014] Fire Note Says: The band formerly known as We Are Augustines strip down more than just their name. Album Review: Let me put this out there: the first album from (We Are) Augustines, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, was one of favorite records of 2011. That Dave Newfeld produced album got … Read more
Drowners Drowners Frenchkiss Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Drowners show off their attitude and tunes on their debut album, could they be the next big thing? Album Review: Sometimes a new band comes along and fills a gap for me that has been vacated by a band either breaking up, or completely growing out of … Read more
Graham Repulski Ballerina Arcade EP Shorter Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Short and to the point lo-fi goodness! Album Review: “We could smash guitars” is the first line you will hear off of the new EP from lo-fi New Jersey band Graham Repulski. The words are delivered in such an endearing way that you are … Read more
Lydia Loveless Somewhere Else Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Loveless is a true original – raw, edgy and willing to rock! Album Review: You might say that country/punk rock, singer/songwriter Lydia Loveless wears her heart on her sleeves on the songs on this her third full-length album. And you might say that’s an understatement. … Read more
The Rebel Set How To Make A Monster Burger Records/Silver Hornet [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rebel Set revel in paying tribute to the Surf Rock kings of yesteryear. Album Review: Surf-rock in landlocked Arizona? Sure, why not? Remember: JFA was from Arizona too and did a fantastic job of combining The Ventures with The … Read more
Maxïmo Park Too Much Information Daylighting Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Maxïmo Park look to shake up their sound on their fifth lp, with mostly positive results. Album Review: Since bursting onto the scene with their debut album, A Certain Trigger, in 2005, Maxïmo Park has been a band that I have followed with great … Read more
Big Head Todd And The Monsters Black Beehive Shout! Factory [2017] Fire Note Says: After 25 years, Big Head Todd & The Monsters have remained true to their sound. Album Review: In the 25 years since recording their indie debut album, Another Mayberry, Colorado-based Big Head Todd & the Monsters have proved themselves to be … Read more