The Polyphonic Spree: Yes, It’s True [Album Review]

The Polyphonic Spree Yes, It’s True Kirtland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Yes, It’s True is an indie pop rock album, borrowing influences from orchestra and jazz. Album Review: The Polyphonic Spree’s latest release, Yes, It’s True, is my first experience with the band, although they have been around for awhile. Under their name, they … Read more

Golden Suits: Golden Suits [Album Review]

Golden Suits Golden Suits Yep Roc Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Take a nice psych/folk pop trip with Fred Nicolaus and his new project Golden Suits. Album Review: There is a lot to like about Fred Nicolaus and his new project Golden Suits. For those who don’t know, Nicolaus is half of the driving force … Read more

MGMT: MGMT [Album Review]

MGMT MGMT Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: MGMT fails to electrify with their self-titled third album. Album Review: MGMT has released their third album, which is quite simply titled MGMT. The band’s debut had such singles as “Electric Feel,” “Kids,” and “Time to Pretend.” It is safe to say that there is no such … Read more

The Rides: Can’t Get Enough [Album Review]

The Rides Can’t Get Enough 429 Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Stills, Shepherd and Goldberg debut their blues. Album Review: If you’ve ever found yourself thinking that the world already has too many blues and boogie bands, then The Rides – the collaboration of Steven Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg – is not … Read more

The Gardenheads: Growing Season [Album Review]

The Gardenheads Growing Season Wee Rock Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Midwest rockers split the difference between power pop and classic rock on sophomore album. Album Review: I don’t know anything about Springfield, Missouri except that it is home to the great Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Missouri State University. I Googled it … Read more

O’Brother: Disillusion [Album Review]

O’Brother Disillusion Triple Crown Records [2013] Fire Note Says: O’Brother opens up for experimentation on their second LP. Album Review: When I looked up O’Brothers’ previous LP Garden Window I saw phrases such as this: Instant classic; Metal album of 2011; grandiose and loud; stellar debut. As a result, I was really excited to see … Read more

Soft Metals: Lenses [Album Review]

Soft Metals Lenses Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Soft Metals’ sophomore release is nocturnal EDM for lovers and people who dislike dance music. Album Review: Having met at a party, Patricia Hall and Ian Hicks did what all Portland hipsters do instead of marrying – they started a band. Since their eponymous 2011 … Read more

James Younger: Feelin’ American [Album Review]

James Younger Feelin’ American Light Organ Records [2013] Fire Note Says: James Younger’s debut Feelin’ American wears its influences on his sleeve. Album Review: After reading an interview with Canadian James Younger these 11 breezy pop songs found on his solo debut could have had quite the spark. But, the adherence to past influences such … Read more

Minks: Tides End [Album Review]

Minks Tides End Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Minks update their old bedroom pop sound with their new synth pop record. Album Review: Tides End, the second lp from Minks, finds the band working with producer/engineer Mark Verbos and ditching the bedroom pop sound of their first lp, By the Hedge, and adopting … Read more

Dennis Callaci & Simon Joyner: New Secrets [Album Reivew]

Dennis Callaci & Simon Joyner New Secrets Shrimper Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Dennis Callaci & Simon Joyner’s second album blends high-quality lyrics with mixes of folk, rock, indie, and emo. Album Review: New Secrets is the first I’ve heard of Dennis Callaci and Simon Joyner. After the album’s first spin, I guessed the duo … Read more

Speedwell: Start To Finish [Album Review]

Speedwell Start To Finish Coolidge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Posthumous release from unheralded DC band covers their entire recorded history. Album Review: Formed in 1996 by Meredith Bragg, Troy Farmer and Jonathan Roth (and later joined by Brian Minter), Speedwell was destined to be a band no one ever heard. Despite touring with Engine … Read more

Lust For Youth: Pefect View [Album Review]

Lust For Youth Perfect View Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Hannes Norrvide’s second album as Lust For Youth is a monolithic slab of smooth 80’s synth pop. Album Review: Sweden is a cold place. Winters there are not a great deal of fun (or so I’m told.) So here we are in the … Read more

Time Cat: Space And Time Cat EP [Album Review]

Time Cat Space And Time Cat EP Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Akron’s Time Cat turns up the blues rock on their new EP. Album Review: I hate to scold a band, especially when it’s not all that deserved. After seeing this Akron blues duo perform live I had a lot of hopes for their … Read more

Pedaljets: What’s In Between [Album Review]

Pedaljets What’s In Between Electric Moth Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Pedaljets return after a twenty-three year break with a solid, if unremarkable, album. Album Review: Back in the late eighties Lawrence, Kansas four-piece, Pedaljets, released two strong LP’s (1988’s Today Today and a self-titled follow-up in 1989) to some acclaim – mostly critical. … Read more

Editors: The Weight Of Your Love [Album Review]

Editors The Weight Of Your Love Play It Again Sam Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Editors once again swing for the fences on their fourth LP. Album Review: The UK’s Editors is a band that I wish would just knock me out with a killer record. They have all the right components with a … Read more

The Builders And The Butchers: Western Medicine [Album Review]

The Builders And The Butchers Western Medicine Badman Recording Co. [2013] Fire Note Says: More High Plains drama from Portland via Alaska desert folk rockers. Album Review: Soaked in the soil and dusty from the desert, head Builder/Butcher Ryan Sollee is an intense singer and truly an acquired taste. His strange relationship with pitch and … Read more

Case Studies: This Is Another Life [Album Review]

Case Studies This Is Another Life Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Case Studies tells it like it is on sophomore album This Is Another Life. Album Review: Case Studies is the current moniker for singer/songwriter Jesse Lortz who was previously one half of The Dutchess And The Duke. This Is Another Life is … Read more

Jimmy Eat World: Damage [Album Review]

Jimmy Eat World Damage RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jimmy Eat World stay consistent on seventh album Damage. Album Review: Jimmy Eat World have had a good ride. The emo band has outlasted and outplayed many in the genre while maintaining a major label contract and carrying a solid fan base. This is even … Read more

Alessi’s Ark: The Still Life [Album Review]

Alessi’s Ark The Still Life Bella Union Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With her third full-length album, Alessi’s Ark provides another round of young, indie/folk music. Album Review: The third full-length album from Alessi’s Ark, The Still Life, gives listeners another blend of her folk, indie, and mello sounds. At only 22, Alessi Laurent-Marke’s music … Read more

Jonny Fritz: Dad Country [Album Review]

Jonny Fritz Dad Country ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jonny Fritz finds a more serious side on his ATO debut Dad Country. Album Review: Jonny Fritz (formerly Jonny Corndawg) plays a very straightforward and honest “country” music on his third album, Dad Country, and first for ATO Records. Fritz states that his songs are … Read more

Noah And The Whale: Heart Of Nowhere [Album Review]

Noah And The Whale Heart Of Nowhere Mercury Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Noah and the Whale’s fourth LP sputters after a strong start. Album Review: Noah and the Whale returns with their fourth LP Heart of Nowhere. Not being too familiar with the band prior to this album, their pop/folk stylings were a nice … Read more

The Maine: Forever Halloween [Album Review]

The Maine Forever Halloween Eighty One Twenty Three [2013] Fire Note Says: The Maine utilize Brendan Benson’s board skills for a catchy fourth LP. Album Review: If someone ever asked me if there is criteria on reviewing a record I would just answer sure. Of course they will ask for more detail and I will … Read more

Graham MacRae: Dundrearies [Album Review]

Graham MacRae Dundrearies A Man A Plan A Canal [2013] Fire Note Says: LA singer/songwriter’s second album shows signs of real potential. Album Review: After a five year absence, Los Angeles native Graham MacRae returns with his sophomore release. Having not heard his first album I felt it important to catch up and spent some … Read more

Kodaline: Kodaline EP [Album Review]

Kodaline Kodaline EP RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s debut EP shows that the up and coming band has promise. Album Review: Kodaline released a digital only self-titled EP last year that has recently gained momentum because of the inclusion of its song “All I Want” on Grey’s Anatomy. The song sounds like it … Read more