Mavis Staples We Get By ANTI- [2019] Fire Note Says: Mavis Staples wraps up her 8th decade by putting her best musical foot forward with the aid of Ben Harper. Album Review: I’ll have whatever it is that Mavis Staples is having. Of course, we’re talking about the hardest working 80 year old working in … Read more
Pink Mexico DUMP Little Dickman/Burger Records [2019] Who: Brooklyn-based grunge/fuzz act Pink Mexico return with their 3rd LP. Sound: DUMP picks up where 2016’s Fool left off. The fuzz and buzz are still there, Pink Mexico has not lost a thing. TFN Final Take: I have been smitten with Pink Mexico since their debut album … Read more
Filthy Friends Emerald Valley Kill Rock Stars [2019] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney vocalist Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck take Filthy Friends out for a fun second round that takes on the President, the environment and other matters of substance. Album Review: Filthy Friends, the alternative rock super-group of sorts, featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck … Read more
Pile Green and Gray Exploding in Sound Records [2019] Who: Boston-based Pile are back with a sprawling and epic-sounding 7th LP. Sound: Green and Gray, sounds like a Pile record, it is a lot slower, longer, more nuanced, but still has impact. It just takes time to get there. TFN Final Take: By the time … Read more
Guided By Voices Warp And Woof GBV, Inc. [2019] Fire Note Says: After a couple recent near-masterpieces, Guided By Voices release the uniquely-curated album Warp And Woof! Album Review: As I sit here on a beautiful spring day in Bellefontaine, Ohio my mind keeps wandering. How do cell phones work? Why do people watch Fox … Read more
Various Artists Soul Slabs Vol. 2 Colemine Records [2019] Who: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland Ohio’s Colemine Records. Sound: This compilation features the Colemine spirit with plenty of heavy soul, jazz, funk, and R&B. TFN Final Take: If you have been enjoying the growth of … Read more
Andrew Bird My Finest Work Yet Vista Loma Recordings [2019] Fire Note Says: Andrew Bird’s 10th solo album takes on the world of politics with artful music, clever, literate lyrics, and lots of violin and whistling. Album Review: Andrew Bird, the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, most often associated with his violin playing, has been plugging away … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Guy New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Like his previous tribute to Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle serves up a collection of Guy Clark songs that celebrate his songwriting catalog. Album Review: Given the current state of popular country music, it should surprise us that what gets labeled Outlaw … Read more
Ex Hex It’s Real Merge Records [2019] Who: It’s Real marks the return of Ex Hex. It has been five years since the power trio released their debut Rips. Sound: Ex Hex has a modern Joan Jett vibe with L7 type riffs. TFN Final Take: Right from the beginning of opening track “Tough Enough,” you … Read more
J.S. Ondara Tales Of America Verve Forecast [2019] Fire Note Says: Stunning debut from a unique voice. Album Review: It’s always exciting to hear a distinct, surprising new voice. That was my experience when firing up Tales of America, J.S. Ondara’s full-length debut. The Kenya native, who now resides in Minneapolis, MN, has a dulcet … Read more
Frankie And The Witch Fingers ZAM Greenway Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers return with equal parts dark arts and mischievous psychedelic heart for their fifth long player. Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers has been a group that the Fire Note has kept on their radar since their debut, … Read more
Mavis Staples Live In London ANTI- [2019] Album Review: At 79 years old, Mavis Staples is an R&B institution who has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame, but she’s not sitting back on her laurels in a rocking chair at the living legends nursing home. … Read more
Durand Jones & The Indications American Love Call Dead Oceans/Colemine Records [2019] Who: American Love Call is Bloomington, Indiana’s Durand Jones & The Indications sophomore record. Sound: Durand Jones & The Indications have a soaring and infectious 70’s soul sound. TFN Final Take: Durand Jones 2016 self-titled debut was another stellar release in the retro-soul … Read more
Gary Clark Jr. This Land Warner Bros. [2019] Fire Note Says: “Guitar Man,” Gary Clark Jr. shows that he can do it all on his third major label album, This Land, from the traditional blues to rock & roll, pop, R&B, hip-hop and soul. Album Review: Near the end of Gary Clark Jr.’s latest album, … Read more
Swervedriver Future Ruins Dangerbird Records [2019] Who: This is Swervedriver’s sixth album and first since 2015’s I Wasn’t Born to Lose You. Sound: Swervedriver is a name that typically (and should) come up when talking about ‘90s shoegaze. On that spectrum, Swervedriver leaned more on the rock side with their blending of guitar, vocals and … Read more
Pedro The Lion Phoenix Polyvinyl Records [2019] Fire Note Says: It is the nature of the “Phoenix,” to rise up, lift off, and take flight – that is what David Bazan accomplishes on the return of Pedro the Lion. Album Review: It’s always a curious thing when an artist who is the dominant artistic driver … Read more
Deerhunter Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: Rock’s last great hope? Deerhunter makes a strong case on their eighth full-length. Album Review: Deerhunter saves the world! Wouldn’t that be nice? All the ragged dreams of a future in which guitar-driven rock music rules the airwaves rest on the shoulders of just … Read more
Jeff Tweedy WARM dBpm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, delivers a singer/songwriter solo turn that touches base with his roots rock/alt country origins. Album Review: One of the factors that attracts us to a certain writer, artist or musician is an ineffable sense that they have something in … Read more
Tropical Fuck Storm A Laughing Death In Meatspace Joyful Noise Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Tropical Fuck Storm’s debut is freaky and funky in equal parts. Album Review: Australia has really been a hot bed for what’s good in music these days. Bands such as: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Stonefield, Wolfmother (more or … Read more
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Live From The Ryman Southeastern Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jason Isbell and his fine band, The 400 Unit, deliver up the best of his last three albums recorded at sold-out shows at Nashvilles “Mother Church,” The Ryman Auditorium. Album Review: Jason Isbell has had a pretty good year, … Read more
Sloucher Be True Swoon Records [2018] Who: Seattle quartet Sloucher has been building a fan base in the Pacific Northwest since their 2016 debut EP Certainty and the band has shared the stage with such acts as Portugal. The Man, Guided By Voices, and Angel Olsen. Sound: Sloucher play an upbeat and harmonized indie rock … Read more
Rick Rude Verb For Dreaming Exploding in Sound Records [2018] Who: New Hampshire’s Rick Rude follow up their brilliant debut with a fine LP that is full of ideas and styles. Sound: Verb for Dreaming sees Rick Rude continuing their penchant for varied styles of rock wrapped up in a LP format. TFN Final Take: … Read more
Hippo Campus Bambi Grand Jury Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Hippo Campus’s sophomore LP is a stunning achievement. Album Review: St. Paul’s Hippo Campus has emerged over the past few years on the strength of several singles and EP’s. Bambi is their second LP, and it is a revelation. Hippo Campus takes their base sound, … Read more
GØGGS Pre-Strike Sweep In The Red [2018] Who: Ty Segall, Charles Moothart (Fuzz, CFM) and Chris Shaw (Ex-Cult) record another rousing fuzz punk record. Sound: GØGGS’ second release proves they are no fluke. Pre-Strike Sweep is a force to be reckoned with. TFN Final Take: I am not a huge Ty Segall fan by any … Read more
Ty Segall Fudge Sandwich In The Red [2018] Fire Note Says: Ty makes all 11 tracks here his own! Album Review: I typically don’t get too excited about a covers record but Fudge Sandwich from Ty Segall is a template for how to do it right. Ty is not trying here and that is the … Read more