Richard Thompson Electric Proper/New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Richard Thompson is back as strong as ever on his engaging new album Electric. Album Review: There is a reason that Rolling Stone listed Richard Thompson as one of the top 20 guitarists of all time as album after album he proves his talent. As … Read more
Broadway Calls Comfort/Distraction No Sleep Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Broadway Calls are one of leaders in the current punk pop genre and Comfort/Distraction firmly holds their place at the top! Album Review: I remember back in the mid-90’s when punk pop was around every corner and soared on mainstream rock radio. It was simpler … Read more
Night Beds Country Sleep Dead Oceans Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Night Beds debut Country Sleep will win your attention in its first 71 seconds. Album Review: I am a sucker for the type of record Night Beds has released in Country Sleep. The album begins with just a simple unaccompanied tender voice in the … Read more
Gliss Langsom Dans Modern Outsider Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gliss return after 4 years with an evolved sound. Album Review: Gliss is a Danish/American three-piece that seem to release a record every three or, in this case, four years as Langsom Dans is their third long player since the band’s 2006 debut. In music … Read more
Pere Ubu Lady From Shanghai Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Pere Ubu takes you on a wild trip like only they can! Album Review: This is a strange, difficult record to review. With the return of Thomas’ other pre-Ubu band, Rocket From The Tombs to active duty, I suppose I had expected a new … Read more
Widowspeak Almanac Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Widowspeak’s sophomore record does not quite capture the magic of their debut – but it’s close! Album Review: Widowspeak’s sophomore album, Almanac, starts off right where their 2011 self-titled debut left off by rightfully highlighting the bands best weapon in singer Molly Hamilton’s siren like vocals. … Read more
The GROWLERS Hung At Heart Everloving Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Oozing with a murky swagger, The GROWLERS aim to please with this release. Album Review: With the sonic force of surf, psych, garage, and a good ol’ fashion vintage feel or a sound that they like to call beach goth. The So Cal based … Read more
The Chaw The Chaw Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: The Chaw’s self-titled debut is injected with ample amounts of stylistic grooves and swagger! Album Review: Here we find ourselves presented with the Cali based band The Chaw which offers a heady mix of blues and classic psychedelic styles. Stephen Schreffler (Guitar), Jarrod Taylor (Guitar), Joe … Read more
The Traditional Fools The Traditional Fools In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Early Ty Segall band is reissued by In The Red, and you are going to want this for your collection! Album Review: If I give you three key pieces of information, you will most likely be able to figure out exactly … Read more
The Night Marchers Allez Allez Swami Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Night Marchers return after a 5 year absence with the rambunctious Allez Allez! Album Review: Look no further if you want some solid rock n roll that has punk roots, talent at every instrument and a commanding lead vocal that will consistently get … Read more
Guided By Voices Down By The Racetrack (EP) GBV Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices starts off their 2013 output with the excellent Down By The Racetrack EP! Album Review: When the news hit that Guided By Voices was kicking off 2013 with an EP those on the outside probably thought why bother … Read more
Elephant Stone Elephant Stone Reverberation Appreciation Society [2013] Fire Note Says: Elephant Stone crafts a solid set of psychedelic pop! Album Review: A lot of band these days have many genre labels like alt-rock, freak-folk, acid jazz, etc. But never have I come across something like this in all my listening experiences- Hindi-rock. Canada’s Hindu … Read more
Foxygen We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: I’m gonna dance on a rainbow with the young Steve Winwood. Album Review: The whole affair opens quite in line with the album title, giving us the tambourine-to-the hip swinger “In the Darkness.” All is mid Sixties to … Read more
Bad Religion True North Epitaph Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bad Religion creates another timeless punk record with the energetic True North! Album Review: Bad Religion have long been and still are one of the original punk bands of this generation. A new album from Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz is always a welcomed site … Read more
Christopher Owens Lysandre Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Solo debut from ex Girls frontman is not what you are expecting! Album Review: It came as a shock to most indie fans when Christopher Owens announced last year that he was leaving Girls, after two critically acclaimed albums and another highly touted ep, for … Read more
Nikki And The Corvettes Nikki And The Corvettes (Vinyl Reissue) BOMP! Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Nikki And The Corvettes released a rocking fun album back in 1980 – time to check it out! Album Review: Long before Bikini Kill, The Donnas and Sleater-Kinney there was a rowdy girl rock record released in 1980 by … Read more
Red Clover Ghost Red Clover Ghost Good Soil Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Red Clover Ghost will win you over immediately with their sincere harmonizing approach. Album Review: When a group can successfully use their harmonizing vocals as another instrument it tends to always grab my listening ear. This is the case with Cumberland, MD, … Read more
The Capsules Northern Lights And Southern Skies Vespera Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Capsules release a smooth and thoughtful late-night soundtrack. Album Review: With Northern Lights and Southern Skies, the Capsules create a smooth album infused with contemplative lyrics and nighttime sound. Female vocals weave the album in and out of stories about a … Read more
Fort Shame Double Wide Peloton Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Fort Shame bring back some mid-90’s vigor on their debut Double Wide! Album Review: If this was 1998, Fort Shame would be receiving a significant increase in press as the band is fronted by Columbus, Ohio’s Sue Harshe which was co-founder of the post-punk band … Read more
Wax Tailor Dusty Rainbow From The Dark Le Plan Music [2012] Fire Note Says: Wax Tailor blends the kindergarten, the cabaret, and the club. Album Review: The French musician Wax Tailor gives us a concept album. And damn it if it doesn’t work—and work pretty damn well. The first substantial track (“Dusty Rainbow”) sets us … Read more
Goldenboy The New Familiar Eenie Meenie Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The New Familiar is a richly textured cinematic pop record! Album Review: When you spend a considerable amount of time out on the road with the likes of Elliott Smith, Grandaddy, Neil Finn, The Rentals, Eels, and Bright Eyes, as Goldenboy has, you had … Read more
Indian Handcrafts Civil Disobedience For Losers Sargent House Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Find the nearest dimensional tear and let Indian Handcrafts take you somewhere. Album Review: Gas up the Firebird, roll down the windows, turn the volume up, push the pedal to the metal, and gear up for the cosmos and beyond because Indian … Read more
Cub Scouts Told You So EP Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: Fresh indie pop from down under. Album Review: Cub Scouts are a promising new band from Brisbane, Australia that have been crafting their own style of indie dream pop music over the last year. The band already has been generating tons of buzz here … Read more
Joshua James From The Top Of Willamette Mountain Intelligent Noise Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Joshua James releases a tender album with his third LP. Album Review: Joshua James is a singer-songwriter from Nebraska who has settled in Utah. From The Top of Willamette Mountain is his third album that he has released. Not being … Read more
Black Marble A Different Arrangement Hardly Art Records [2012] Fire Note Says: For those who want (slightly) more ‘joy’ in their Joy Division. Album Review: Influences can be a tricky thing, especially if you wear them on your sleeve as plainly as Brooklyn duo Black Marble does. Chris Stewart and Ty Kube’s debut LP A … Read more