Ryan Adams Prisoner PAX AM/Blue Note Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Ryan Adams explores heartbreak and loss on one of the best albums of his career. Album Review: It all starts with a rager, “Do You Still Love Me?” Which rocks like no other song on the album rocks. It’s the paranoia that gets the … Read more
Young Legs The Petal and The Page Mint 400 Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Young Legs is heartfelt, bold, and enthralling. Album Review: Young Legs is primarily Steven Donahue, who hails from New Jersey. His second full-length album, The Petal and The Page defies genre classification. At times it is beautiful folk music, at others … Read more
Graham Repulski I’m Even Younger Now Shorter Recordings [2017] Who: Graham Repulski is a prolific lo-fi songwriter based in Philadelphia that has a plethora of releases which are full of catchy melodies and one minute master pieces. Sound: Lo-fi auteur Graham Repulski follows up 2016’s triple album release with a concise slab of psychedelic noise … Read more
Ty Segall Ty Segall Drag City Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Segall delivers one of the best albums of his career. Album Review: Opening with the thunderous guitar riff of “Break a Guitar” it is immediately obvious that Ty Segall is going to be a pretty special album. Last year’s Ty Segall offering Emotional Mugger … Read more
Japandroids Near To The Wild Heart Of Life ANTI- [2017] Fire Note Says: Rock lovers rejoice: Japandroids have returned! Album Review: Are you ready to rock? If so, Canadian duo Japandroids have something for you on their third LP, Near To The Wild Heart of Life. An alternative title to the album could be We’ve … Read more
The xx I See You Young Turks [2017] Fire Note Says: The xx takes a big step forward on I See You. Album Review: The xx, the London trio consisting of Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith, have released their third album, and their first in five years. Of course, Smith’s 2015 release … Read more
Cattle Nature’s Champion Hominid Sounds [2016] Who: Precise, rough-hewn heavy noise rock from Leeds. Sound: Cattle boasts an intense heavy sound that fans of Dope Body and Slint would appreciate. TFN Final Take: Cattle hit me right across the jaw with their opening track, “Tanking the Piss” off their new LP Nature’s Champion. This is … Read more
Mitski Puberty 2 Dead Oceans [2016] Who: Mitski Miyawaki aka Mitski released her fourth album overall and first through Dead Oceans. The singer-songwriter always delivers honest and somewhat dark lyricism that is supported by edgy indie rock! Sound: PJ Harvey meets Angel Olsen croon, electronic drum machines meets Pixies-ish style guitars while quiet moments can … Read more
Sat. Nite Duets Air Guitar Father/Daughter Records [2016] Who: Sat. Nite Duets are six-piece band from Milwaukee, WI. Sound: Sat. Nite Duets have a bit of Pavement and Silver Jews in their DNA and deliver unpretentious jangle/Americana rock. TFN Final Take: Sat. Nite Duets’ latest LP, Air Guitar maintains the band’s loose and fun approach … Read more
ESP Ohio Starting Point Of The Royal Cyclopean GBV, Inc. [2016] Fire Note Says: With three members of the current Guided By Voices line-up, ESP Ohio offers many rewards. Album Review: When news broke that Doug Gillard was rejoining Guided By Voices earlier this year (after ten years in the wilderness of playing with Nada … Read more
Alejandro Escovedo Burn Something Beautiful Fantasy [2016] Fire Note Says: Rock & roll celebrating the noisy possibilities of our existential crisis. Album Review: In a recent open letter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Jay Minkin of No Depression calls out a few of the institution’s most blatant omissions, artists who have defied … Read more
Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam I Had A Dream That You Were Mine Glassnote Records [2016] Fire Note Says: This pairing of Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam finds the perfect timeless mix. Album Review: The Walkman’s frontman Hamilton Leithauser has one of those instantly recognizable voices so I never doubted that he could do well in a … Read more
Peter Bjorn And John Breakin’ Point INGRID [2016] Fire Note Says: Breakin’ Point was the power pop hit of the summer that never happened. Album Review: Whether intentional or not, most artists end up wearing their hearts on their sleeves, that is telling us what they love, what they care about. Even the most cynical … Read more
Spray Paint Feel The Clamps Goner Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Spray Paint‘s newest LP, Feel the Clamps was a really big surprise for this Fire Note writer. I had heard a few tracks over the course of the year, but only one had really caught my ear earlier this summer. The more I … Read more
Jeff Rosenstock WORRY. SideOneDummy Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: With some veteran names in the punk genre like Green Day, NOFX and Sum 41 just recently releasing records I would encourage you to look away from the masses for a second and find Jeff Rosenstock. Who? Well, he is best known for leading the … Read more
Bon Iver 22, A Million Jagjaguwar [2016] Fire Note Says: The constantly evolving Bon Iver! Album Review: I never thought that Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon would stay contained to one style, sound or genre but the turn he has taken on his third record 22, A Million was not expected, slightly perplexing and a musical … Read more
The Brotherhood Of Lizards Lizardland: The Complete Works Captured Tracks [2016] Fire Note Says: Captured Tracks unearths another gem from Martin Newell of Cleaners from Venus. Album Review: I have to confess, I had no idea that The Brotherhood of Lizards was even a band, let alone a short-lived project featuring Martin Newell of Cleaners … Read more
Local Natives Sunlit Youth Loma Vista Recordings [2016] Fire Note Says: Local Natives release an excitingly hifi new album. Album Review: How much you like the new Local Natives album, Sunlit Youth, depends on how much you’re a fan of music production. This is the third album that the California band has released, and has … Read more
Frank Ocean Blonde Self-Released [2016] Fire Note Says: Frank Ocean fans are awaited for their patience. Album Review: It’s easy to automatically reject that which the Internet deems as being worthy of our time and attention. I had peripherally been made aware of Frank Ocean’s impending release and all of the buzz surrounding it. Appreciating … Read more
Pink Mexico Fool Burger Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Do not build that wall just yet Trump; let Pink Mexico continue to cross the border as long as it delivers albums like Fool. Album Review: Robert Preston (aka Pink Mexico) deftly steers his latest creation clear of the dreaded sophomore slump on Fool. Not only … Read more
Colvin & Earle Colvin & Earle Fantasy Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Colvin & Earle share a personal feeling in music here that is ultimately universal. Album Review: As a junior musicologist (every music critic thinks they know everything, and don’t believe them when they tell you otherwise), I have a few pet theories about … Read more
Dinosaur Jr. Give A Glimpse Of What Yer Not Jagjaguwar [2016] Fire Note Says: Dino returns with an album full of face-melters and kickass blasters! Album Review: J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph, collectively known as Dinosaur Jr (you knew that already, and if you didn’t what the hell is wrong with you), are back … Read more
Anderson/Stolt Invention Of Knowledge Inside Out Music [2016] Fire Note Says: The voice of Yes and the leader of The Flower Kings team up for an unexpectedly great record. Album Review: There’s just something about the voice of Jon Anderson. While other vocalists from the Golden era of Progressive Rock (Peter Gabriel, Greg Lake, John … Read more
Thee Oh Sees Live In San Francisco Castle Face Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Have you been following Castle Face’s Live In San Francisco series? If so, you have already heard great sets from the Ty Segall Band, FUZZ, Destruction Unit, White Fence and OBN III’s but this is the record we have all … Read more
Connections Midnight Run Anyway Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Connections perfectly turn up the lo-fi on Midnight Run. Album Review: I don’t think it would surprise anyone to hear that I am a big Guided By Voices fan. Their recent rock out trend is great but I do miss the magic which was found on … Read more