Cloud Nothings Last Building Burning Carpark Records [2018] Who: Cleveland four-piece Cloud Nothings has returned with their fifth LP. Sound: Cloud Nothings has always offered a solid indie rock edge and Last Building Burning brings their earlier angst back to the forefront. It has a spirit of Drive Like Jehu, Pissed Jeans, Jesus Lizard, and … Read more
Elvis Costello & The Imposters Look Now Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Elvis Costello returns for his second album in the 2010’s, echoing and growing on his previous collaboration with Burt Bacharach, so it turns out that sophisticated pop rock is this year’s model. Album Review: In the 2010’s, Elvis Costello, the iconic punk … Read more
Foxing Nearer My God Triple Crown [2018] Fire Note Says: St. Louis band Foxing makes bold, cinematic music, that both invites and withholds, marked by lush instrumentation, with passionate, at times paranoid, stacked vocals. Album Review: The third album from St. Louis band, Foxing, arrives in your speakers with an expected sense of presence and … Read more
Joe Strummer Joe Strummer 001 Ignition Records [2018] Fire Note Says: This anthology of solo work from The Clash’s Joe Strummer extends his established legacy celebrating his solo years fronting the 101ers, The Mescalerros, and his soundtrack work for films. Album Review: If Joe Strummer had retired from music and public life when The Clash … Read more
Spirit Of The Beehive Hypnic Jerks Tiny Engines [2018] Who: Philadelphia-based Spirit of the Beehive offer us a meandering psychedelic trip. Sound: Hypnic Jerks is a more mellow affair than the Beehive’s last LP. It is also a bit more of a chore to listen to. TFN Final Take: I was amazed by 2017’s Pleasure … Read more
ORB The Space Between ATO/Flightless Records [2018] Who: Formed in Geelong, Victoria, Australia the trio: guitarist and lead singer Zak Olsen, guitarist and bassist Daff Gravolin, and drummer Jamie Harmer have been bringing their riffs from the stars and beyond since January 2015. Sound: ORB doesn’t just live in the fuzz, they were born in … Read more
Baked Beans Babble Flightless Records [2018] Who: Melbourne/Geelong five-piece (fronted by The Murlocs’ drummer, Matt Blach) who recently signed with Flightless Records. Sound: Psychedelic rock of course! Baked Beans has the Flightless sound that only could come from Australia. TFN Final Take: From the foot tapping opener “Slow” that contains a full-on blast of Hammond … Read more
The New Old-Fashioned Smalltown, Midwest, USA Magnaphone Records [2018] Fire Note Says: The New Old-Fashioned continue to crank out gritty, anthemic heartland rock on their excellent third record Album Review: The name of The New Old-Fashioned’s third studio album, Smalltown, Midwest, USA, is an appropriate gesture toward the band’s roots, both literally and musically. Hailing … Read more
Alejandro Escovedo The Crossing Yep Roc [2018] Fire Note Says: The Crossing is another positive notch in the Alejandro Escovedo catalog. Album Review: By all rights, Alejandro Escovedo should be a household name. After playing with the early punk band The Nuns in the 70’s, and a seminal cow-punk (read Americana) band, Rank and File, … Read more
Matt and Kim Almost Everyday Fader Label [2018] Fire Note Says: Matt and Kim bring the energy and a renewed focus. Album Review: Whether it’s dealing with the current political climate or wrestling with their own mortality, Matt and Kim have found a sense of urgency and focus on their latest album, Almost Everyday. The … Read more
Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning Eirlandia Ark Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Johnson and Dunning’s Celtic flair musical creations are both majestic and heartwarming. Album Review: Composer and keyboardist Jeff Johnson and flautist Brian Dunning have been collaborating on a unique blend of Celtic contemporary instrumental music for nearly 30 years, often creating soundtracks that … Read more
Neil & Liam Finn Lightsleeper Inertia Music/[PIAS] [2018] Fire Note Says: Neil Finn, best known for work in Crowded House, Split Enz before it, and most recently as a touring member of Fleetwood Mac, keeps it in the family, recording with his son Liam to create a dreamy soundscape that honors the ties that bind. … Read more
Oh Sees Smote Reverser Castle Face Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Oh Sees return with an eclectic serving for their 21st LP Album Review: Oh Sees (Formerly Thee Oh Sees, The Oh Sees, OCS) frontman, John Dwyer, recently gave an interview to Billboard.com in which he speaks on the bands creative ethos and art in … Read more
Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis Wild! Wild! Wild! Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Together, Lewis & Fulks recall what made that revolutionary music so appealing. Album Review: The collaboration of alt country singer/songwriter Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis, the little sister, piano protégé and touring partner of Jerry Lee “The Killer” Lewis … Read more
Damien Jurado The Horizon Just Laughed Secretly Canadian [2018] Fire Note Says: Damien Jurado continues to enchant with his latest effort. Album Review: Damien Jurado has released 17 albums in 21 years – the man is prolific. With such a body of work to look back to, there are common sounds and themes that you … Read more
Iceage Beyondless Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Iceage is energetic, dark, and surprising on their latest effort. Album Review: Danish punk four-piece Iceage is back with their first album in four years (and fourth LP overall), Beyondless. Punk is going a lot of directions these days, and Iceage has decided to enlist horns and … Read more
Wild Pink Yolk In The Fur Tiny Engines [2018] Who: Yolk In The Fur is Wild Pink’s sophomore long player and their third release in three years. Sound: Wild Pink have a nice calm indie rock vibe that has elements from Death Cab For Cutie and Red House Painters while sonically producing a sound similar … Read more
Gruff Rhys Babelsberg Rough Trade [2018] Fire Note Says: Welsh singer/songwriter, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame, hides dark, commentary in sweet, orchestrated pop songs in a compelling and enjoyable way. Album Review: Even though, Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys may be playing it straight on the smartly orchestrated pop songs of Babelsberg, his … Read more
The Babe Rainbow Double Rainbow 30th Century/Flightless Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Beach vibes and carefree lives highlight The Babe Rainbows second LP Album Review: When it comes to Australian music labels Flightless Records is really the one to watch. In fact their roster of musicians happens to be one of the best in psychedelic … Read more
Ty Segall & White Fence Joy Drag City Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Joy shows a mature growth and spotlights that Ty Segall and White Fence are two artists which are still on the creating edge of indie rock. Album Review: Much has happened since 2012 and the last time Ty Segall and White Fence … Read more
Arthur Buck Arthur Buck New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck create a particularly relevant and meaningful artistic effort. Album Review: According to the bio on the artist website, the collaboration of singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has been organic and spontaneous from the … Read more
Jim James Uniform Distortion ATO Records [2018] Fire Note Says: My Morning Jacket’s Jim James delves into some nostalgia for guitar driven pop/rock, fun, hooky songs, and simpler times. Album Review: It’s just like the spirited Jim James, best known as the leader, singer/songwriter and guitarist with My Morning Jacket, to deliver a guitar oriented … Read more
Snail Mail Lush Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Snail Mail’s impressive debut matches strong songwriting chops with impeccably layered arrangements Album Review: As a quick glance at any news channel or app will attest, we’re living in interesting, complicated times here in the middle of 2018. So it’s refreshing when an artist comes along … Read more
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Hope Downs Sub Pop Records [2018] Who: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever’s Hope Downs is the debut from the Melbourne, Australia quintet. Up till now the band had been earning praise and a following from several EPs they released over the last few years. Sound: Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have the classic … Read more
Ma Holos Bee On A Rose Quality Time Records [2018] Who: Cleveland band Ma Holos have been putting out psychedelic garage rock for four years. Bee On A Rose is their latest LP. Sound: Ma Holos put out their own Cleveland style of psych garage rock and fans of Thee Oh Sees, The Murlocs, The … Read more