The Murder Capital When I Have Fears Human Season Records [2019] TFN Album Review: The debut album from Dublin’s The Murder Capital plays everything out front with its heart on its sleeve. The post-punk moodiness is dark as this group can turn the amps up on a dime and can transition from sounding like The … Read more
The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin: Live At Red Rocks Warner Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Flaming Lips join together with the Colorado Symphony to recreate their 1999 masterpiece “The Soft Bulletin” at the landmark Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Album Review: Back in 2016, somebody had the smarts to imagine a 20th anniversary celebration of … Read more
Smug Brothers Serve A Thirsty Moon Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Serve A Thirsty Moon completes a trifecta for Dayton’s Smug Brothers as the LP represents the groups third release this year following February’s Attic Harvest and July’s All Blur And Spark. The bands creative surge is the result of adding members … Read more
R.E.M. Monster (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Craft Recordings [2019] TFN Album Review: I have very fond memories of R.E.M.’s “big guitar” record Monster when it was released in 1994. At the time, it was hyped and felt like an incredible turn for the band after the quieter and more acoustic orchestrated Out Of Time (1991) … Read more
DIIV Deceiver Captured Tracks [2019] TFN Album Review: The third record from DIIV has always been somewhat in jeopardy as frontman Zachary Cole Smith has had a very public battle with his sobriety. That being said, Deceiver does not sugar coat addiction and definitely does not point to a happy ending of recovery but really … Read more
Neil Young with Crazy Horse Colorado Reprise Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Neil Young regroups with Crazy Horse and Nils Lofgren, for an album that’s a mix of militant guitar activism on behalf of Mother Nature, and some nostalgia for an earlier time. Album Review: “You might say I’m an old white guy” Neil Young … Read more
Omni Networker Sub Pop Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Over the last three years and two albums with Trouble In Mind records, Atlanta’s Omni have built support with their post-punk Gang of Four and Wire riffs, sharp lyrics and laid-back delivery. Needless to say, the expectations have risen with their third LP Networker and first … Read more
GA-20 Lonely Soul Karma Chief/Colemine Records [2019] TFN Album Review: I know if you are into indie music you might not be searching the blues charts for new tunes but on occasion bands cross over and become a must listen with their style and groove. Boston’s GA-20 is one of those bands. Pat Faherty and … Read more
Mikal Cronin Seeker Merge Records [2019] TFN Album Review: Seeker is Mikal Cronin’s fourth LP but he is probably known best as Ty Segall’s bass player. If you have been following the excellent solo work of Mikal Cronin you have become familiar with his more indie pop leanings of his last two excellent albums but … Read more
The New Pornographers In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Carl Newman led New Pornographers, take on the world grim reality with bright, bold and aggressive pop song energy that rocks, with strings. Album Review: It seems the unspoken rule of thumb for songs by The New Pornographers’ … Read more
Brittany Howard Jaime ATO Records [2019] Album Review: Brittany Howard is best known for her two albums with the band Alabama Shakes, who’s 2015 release, Sound & Color, picked up four Grammy’s that year including Best Alternative Album, Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Don’t Wanna Fight.” Now, setting the band aside for … Read more
Leeroy Stagger Strange Path True North Records [2019] Who: Alberta musician Leeroy Stagger has a 17-year singer songwriter resume, two kids, a home in Lethbridge and a world class recording studio to go with it. Sound: Typically, Leeroy Stagger offers a folk-Americana delivery but here he brings a much more defined rock that is more … Read more
Temples Hot Motion ATO [2019] Fire Note Says: Neo-psychedelic British band, Temples is back with their third album, bringing more of their mix of pop song melodicism with just enough colorful progressive instrumental moves to keep everyone on their toes. Album Review: The advance materials for the Kettering, Northhampshire, England band Temples’ third album release … Read more
The Highwomen The Highwomen Low Country Sound/Elektra Records [2019] Album Review: The idea of a collaborative supergroup of female country artists is hardly novel, but dates all the way back to early sing-alongs on the Grand Ol’ Opry, but was no doubt given contemporary commercial viability when Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris came … Read more
Whitney Forever Turned Around Secretly Canadian [2019] Who: Chicago’s Whitney return for their sophomore record after 2016’s Headphone Approved Light Upon The Lake. Sound: Whitney bring back the warm 70’s soft rock sound that has a modern flare like Real Estate, Bon Iver and Iron & Wine. TFN Final Take: Three years is a long … Read more
David G. Smith Who Cares Hey Dave Music [2019] Fire Note Says: Americana singer/songwriter delivers a solid collection of story songs supported by the strong musicianship and production of Blue Miller. Album Review: Who Cares is the fourth independent studio album from David G. Smith, a singer/songwriter native to Iowa, who’s cultivated musical connections in … Read more
Black Pumas Black Pumas ATO Records [2019] Who: Black Pumas is the debut full-length release from the Austin duo of Adrian Quesada and Eric Burton who were named Best New Band at the 2019 Austin Music Awards. Sound: Black Pumas play a smooth neo-psychedelia, retro-soul set. TFN Final Take: Austin’s Black Pumas shine as a … Read more
Robert Randolph & The Family Band Brighter Days Mascot Label Group [2019] Fire Note Says: 17 years and 6 studio albums later, Robert Randolph & The Family Band celebrate their early roots in soulful Gospel grooves and funky R&B and rock suitable for the clubs. Album Review: Robert Randolph and his Family Band came on … Read more
Violent Femmes Hotel Last Resort [PIAS] [2019] Fire Note Says: Acoustic folk/punk rockers, Violent Femmes carries forward their unique musical vision for the next decade. Album Review: On their 10th album, 36 years after their self-titled debut that included some of their best-loved songs – “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off,” and “Add It Up,” … Read more
Dave Hause Kick Rise Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Dave Hause’s fourth record is a satisfying blend of familiar styles. Album Review: “Wouldn’t it be nice just to be bold?” asks Dave Hause in the closing seconds of the first track on his fourth record Kick. “I used to be bold,” he reminds us, and … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardInfest The Rats’ NestFlightless Records [2019] If you’re a fan of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, then you already know that being surprised is a key element of the band. Despite working tirelessly, they have never churned out the same record over their 15 studio albums in this short … Read more
The Hold Steady Thrashing Thru The Passion Frenchkiss Records [2019] Album Review: Very few fans of The Hold Steady have any doubts about the story writing ability of singer/songwriter Craig Finn, but if anyone did by the release of the band’s sixth and last release, 2014’s Teeth Dreams, we now have three more solo albums … Read more
Possible Humans Everybody Split Trouble In Mind Records [2019] Who: Everybody Split is the debut album from Melbourne, Australia quintet Possible Humans which has been building a following since forming in 2012. Sound: Modern indie post-punk that has some comparison sounds to early R.E.M., The Clean, and Arcade Fire. TFN Final Take: Many fans of … Read more
Ty Segall First Taste Drag City Records [2019] Who: Cali rocker Ty Segall returns with another batch of creative tracks. Sound: Without a guitar, Ty Segall still can bring his brand of indie psychedelia rock. TFN Final Take: Ty Segall has been pushing his limits on every release since his earliest days. He loves new … Read more
CFM Soundtrack To An Empty Room In The Red Records [2019] Who: Charles Francis Moothart aka CFM releases another satisfying psych fuzz-rock LP. Sound: Soundtrack to an Empty Room is Moothart’s most introspective and laidback album to date. TFN Final Take: Soundtrack to an Empty Room is Charles Francis Moothart’s third solo LP as CFM. … Read more