The Features The Features Serpents And Snakes / BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: The Features introduce a bit more electro into their rock n roll lifestyle. Album Review: Nashville based The Features have been perfecting their sound over the years and on record number four the group sounds as comfortable as ever as they tweak … Read more
Deep Purple Now What?! Eagle Rock Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Now What?! is an album that sounds every bit as classic as the band who recorded it. Album Review: One of the original titans of British Hard Rock from the 70s, Deep Purple, is back with a new album, and it is well worth … Read more
The Wednesday Club Passing Strange Cath ‘N Dad Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Brainiac Leeds troupe continue work on their Doctorate in learned indie weirdness. Album Review: If you haven’t been familiarized with The Wednesday Club yet and what it is they stand for, they pronounce it clearly for you on the very first song … Read more
Todd Rundgren State Esoteric Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: The State of Todd Rundgren’s Union of Pop and Art. Album Review: Although Todd Rundgren stepped away from his band Nazz to begin his eventually successful solo career in 1970, in the 43 intervening years that lead up to this 23rd solo release, State, Rundgren has … Read more
The Shouting Matches Grownass Man Middle West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Shouting Matches are loose and fun on their debut album. Album Review: Many of you will be interested in The Shouting Matches because of its superstar member Justin Vernon. Yes, he of Bon Iver fame has made a blues-rock album with two … Read more
!!! Thr!!!er Warp Records [2013] Fire Note Says: !!! wants us to party like it’s 1983. Album Review: It’ll be 30 years this December since Michael Jackson dropped Thriller onto an unsuspecting world. (That is almost as hard to believe as the fact that next month will mark the fourth anniversary of his death.) It … Read more
Steve Earle The Low Highway New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Steve Earle continues to make good (music). Album Review: On this 14th full-length album since his ’86 debut, Guitar Town, Steve Earle has defied expectations of an early drug-fueled demise, only to deliver yet another vibrant, life informed collection of country and folk … Read more
The Neighbourhood I Love You. Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With I Love You., The Neighbourhood introduces an album that is many different things, but has something most alternative and indie rock listeners will enjoy. Album Review: Blending ambient, emo sound with upbeat, quirky pop, The Neighbourhood’s debut album, I Love You., presents the … Read more
Georgiana Starlington Paper Moon HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Georgiana Starlington’s debut Paper Moon is a solid taste of western mysticism. Album Review: Siblings Julie and Jack Hines (Jack, former Black Lips member and both members of K-Holes) have created Neko Case’s “Prison Girls” the album, review over…Of course it’s not over, but when … Read more
The Lovely Bad Things The Late Great Whatever Volcom Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: If The Pixies were a surf punk band they’d probably sound a lot like this. Album Review: Some bands are never going to change your life. Orange County’s The Lovely Bad Things easily fall into that category and given the joyous … Read more
Sharks Selfhood Rise Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sharks return with more rock anthems from across seas. Album Review: I have been pulling for the UK’s Sharks since their early singles release several years ago. The band is somewhat like the UK version of The Gaslight Anthem mixed with some classic styling of The Smiths. … Read more
Satellite Calling Birds Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Satellite targets prime time TV with debut album Calling Birds. Album Review: Me: Hey, there’s a new album to listen to: Satelitte’s Calling Birds. I’ve never heard of them before. (Starts listening). Other Me: This sounds a lot like Snow Patrol. I used to like Snow … Read more
Crazy Joe The Doctor Is In! Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Crazy Joe makes a strong return with his retro roots album The Doctor Is In! Album Review: The Doctor Is In! marks the first album from Crazy Joe in six years and it finds his sound shifting from a rockabilly flavor to a smoother … Read more
The Appleseed Cast Illumination Ritual Graveface Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Appleseed Cast return to their roots and create one of their best albums to date! Album Review: The Appleseed Cast have been around the block a few times and with each lap have always brought a slightly different musical approach that typically would … Read more
Akron/Family Sub Versus Dead Oceans Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Akron/Family goes for a more wide open experimentation with Sub Verses. Album Review: After a friend of mine introduced me to Akron/Family with their 2009 album Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free my interest and excitement grew for what came next. That album for me … Read more
Still Corners Strange Pleasures Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: London boy/girl duo reaches out for larger audience with their uneven sophomore album. Album Review: Dream pop is a tricky genre. The idea is lay low and let the subtleties in the music and/or production create moods, evoke memories and then tap into that … Read more
Paramore Paramore Fueled By Ramen Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With new sounds, well-known rants, and heartfelt anthems, Paramore’s new album shows both growth and familiarity. Album Review: With their fourth studio album, Paramore is all grown up. Self-titled Paramore, the new album has less angst and more rock, but is not without the familiar … Read more
Tame Impala Tame Impala EP Modular Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Tame Impala’s 2008 self-titled EP is a great reminder of why everyone took notice in the first place. Album Review: Check back to my Record Store Day 2013 list and you’ll find this release at the top. Well there happens to be a good … Read more
Alex Calder Time Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ex Mac DeMarco band mate steps forward with a great lo-fi record of his own. Album Review: Alex Calder has the unenviable task of being a songwriter who was previously in a band, Makeout Videotape, with Mac DeMarco. DeMarco casts a long shadow, and if … Read more
Luke Winslow-King The Coming Tide Bloodshot Records [2013] Fire Note Says: He may be originally from Cadillac, Michigan but Luke Winslow-King has New Orleans firmly running through his blood! Album Review: Have you ever listened to a record that doesn’t blow you away but yet it sticks? That is exactly my feeling on the Bloodshot … Read more
Art Brut Top Of The Pops The End Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Art Brut shows us why you should care on new compilation Top Of The Pops. Album Review: When Art Brut hit the scene back in 2005 they were a breath of fresh air from the UK that possessed a powerful venom from … Read more
Keaton Henson Birthdays ANTI- Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Keaton Henson’s Birthdays is an album of strange beauty and grand self-loathing. Album Review: For his second full-length release visual artist Keaton Henson continues searching the depths of his psyche and again finds darkness. Fleshed out (somewhat) compared to last year’s impressive debut, Dear, the mood … Read more
California X California X Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: California X’s debut brings a garage rock meets post punk sound that gets better with every spin. Album Review: California X makes their debut with this eponymous LP. The punk trio from Amherst, MA consists of Lemmy Gurtowsky (guitar and vocals), Dan Jones (bass), … Read more
Dear Fawn I Played The Queen EP Gas Daddy Go! Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Dear Fawn’s debut EP is a solid combination of musicianship and songwriting. Album Review: I’m proud to say it; I was there for Dear Fawn’s live debut opening up for the Seedy Seeds last summer. It was a nice wowing … Read more
The ACBs Little Leaves High Dive Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The ACBs shimmer and glimmer with a danceable straightforward indie pop record. Album Review: It’s interesting when a group like The ACBs puts out a sophomore album like Little Leaves as the Missouri’s group consists of Konnor Ervin, Bryan McGuire, Andrew Connor, and Kyle … Read more