Olden Yolk Olden Yolk Trouble In Mind Records [2018] Who: The New York-based group is led by songwriters, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists Shane Butler (of Quilt) and Caity Shaffer. This is the band’s self-titled debut. Sound: Olden Yolk have the psych folk heart of the late 60’s early 70’s that now feels like a contemporary indie … Read more
Bill MacKay Esker Drag City Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Bill MacKay covers a lot of ground on Esker. Album Review: The so-called “American Primitive” genre of solo instrumental steel-string acoustic guitar music generally is traced back to the recordings of John Fahey and other artists released on his Takoma Records label in the 1950s … Read more
Ruby Boots Don’t Talk About It Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Aussie country rocker with promise debuts States-side for Bloodshot Records. Album Review: The second album from Ruby Boots roars out of the gate with “It’s So Cruel,” a cow-punk rocker that recalls the energy of Jason & The Scorchers. But before you get … Read more
Bill Mallonee & The Big Sky Ramblers Forest Full Of Wolves Self-Released [2018] Fire Note Says: Bill Mallonee is one of those best-kept secrets you really want to share with the rest of the music loving world. Album Review: No one is ever going to call singer/songwriter Bill Mallonee an under-achiever. His latest release, a … Read more
Brian Fallon Sleepwalkers Island Records [2018] Fire Note Says: A surprisingly joyful outing, Sleepwalkers makes clear that while Brian Fallon is certainly interested in evolving, it’s not likely that he ever really will. Album Review: Brian Fallon occupies a singular place in today’s rock and roll landscape. Like fellow folk-rock travelers Dave Hause and Chuck … Read more
Car Seat Headrest Twin Fantasy Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Car Seat Headrest give the original 2011 Twin Fantasy a shot of rock adrenaline. Album Review: Twin Fantasy is a re-recorded, re-imagined new version of Will Toledo’s 2011 self-released Bandcamp record of the same name. Toledo will for sure take some critical hits for … Read more
Calexico The Thread That Keeps Us ANTI- [2018] Fire Note Says: Arizona’s Calexico offers up alt rock anthems and eclectic musical ruminations on the world at risk and the love that will sustain us in “the age of extremes,” on their ninth album, The Thread That Keeps Us. Album Review: The ninth album from Arizona-based … Read more
Sunwatchers II Trouble In Mind Records [2018] Who: Sunwatchers are a New York-based ensemble (featuring current & former members of NYMPH, Dark Meat, Chris Forsyth’s Solar Motel Band & Arthur Doyle’s New Quiet Screamers) that offer a combination of avant-jazz, punk, psychedelia, Ethio-jazz and desert blues. II is their sophomore record and the follow up … Read more
The Angelica Sanchez Trio Float The Edge Clean Feed Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Angelica Sanchez Trio’s 2017 release should not be missed. Album Review: If there is a downside to the abundance of incredible musicians currently working and recording in jazz and improvised music, it’s that it can be hard to keep up. … Read more
Neil Young + Promise Of The Real The Visitor Reprise Records [2017] Fire Note Says: At 72, Neil Young is still making a difference, wearing his politics on his sleeve, and producing anthems for the resistance. Album Review: Neil Young has never been an artist to shrink back from a difficult political moment and leave … Read more
The Bad Plus Never Stop II Legbreaker Records [2018] Fire Note Says: The Bad Plus has its first lineup change in 18 years, and doesn’t drop a step. Album Review: With Never Stop II, released just 19 days after original pianist Ethan Iverson’s last performance as a member of the band, The Bad Plus has … Read more
Björk Utopia One Little Indian Records [2017] Fire Note Says: While highly recommended, Björk’s tenth album is still a challenging listen. Album Review: Listening to the latest from Icelandic chanteuse Björk, can feel like stepping through the curtain to enter an audio/visual piece at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. At first it can … Read more
Unlikely Friends Crooked Numbers Swoon Records [2018] Who: Unlikely Friends (UF) is made up of veteran artists from the Northwest which includes D. Crane (of Seattle’s BOAT), Charles Bert (of Seattle quiet indie-pop band Math & Physics Club, Chris MacFarlane (owner of local indie-pop record store/label Jigsaw Records) on drums plus a rotating cast of … Read more
Starcrawler Starcrawler Rough Trade [2018] Who: Starcrawler are a 4-piece band from Los Angeles California and their self-titled debut was produced by Ryan Adams. The members are lead vocalist Arrow de Wilde, guitarist Henri Cash, drummer Austin Smith and bassist Tim Franco. The youngest member is 16 and the oldest is 22. Sound: Starcrawler give … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Gumboot Soup ATO/Flightless Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Australia’s psych rock heroes make good on their promise! Album Review: Australia’s King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard made the crazy announcement back in November of 2016 that the band would release five albums in 2017. Releasing this much music in … Read more
Mavis Staples If All I Was Was Black ANTI- [2017] Fire Note Says: In the Trump era, Mavis Staples – who earned her chops with the Staples Singers, and lately has been backing up Bob Dylan – works with producer Jeff Tweedy to provide positive anthems for the resistance. Album Review: B.B. King once told … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Polygondwanaland No Label [2017] Fire Note Says: This King Gizzard is free for everyone! Album Review: I have no problem calling King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard the most ambitious band of 2017. The band seems to be on track to keep their promise, a year with 5 releases. … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Soul Of A Woman Daptone Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Sharon Jones’ last will is a testament to classic R&B, and a celebration of life. Album Review: Most of the time you don’t know when something will be your last time. When I took my son over to St. Louis … Read more
Future Islands The Far Field 4AD [2017] Fire Note Says: Somber and spare, The Far Field marks a surprising change in tone for Future Islands. Album Review: Mainstream audiences were first introduced to Future Islands frontman Sean Herring, in all his demon-voiced, swivel-hipped glory, when Future Islands’ played the poppy, charismatic “Seasons (Waiting on You)” … Read more
Chris Taylor Down A Dead End Street Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: San Antonio singer/songwriter with a half dozen albums of original LPs under his belt, offers up a tribute to Bob Dylan. Album Review: These days, San Antonio singer/songwriter and painter, Chris Taylor can be heard regularly around his hometown playing The Cove and … Read more
Pearl Jam Let’s Play Two Republic [2017] Fire Note Says: The audio companion to the Danny Clinch film of the same title, features the concert performances of some of Pearl Jam’s best known songs recorded during the band’s two day stand at Chicago’s home of the Cub’s baseball club in August, before they won the … Read more
Angel Olsen Phases Jagjaguwar [2017] Who: Indie singer/songwriter Angel Olsen began performing at a young age in St. Louis coffee shops and now after three full length albums she has progressed into one of the best female voices on the scene. Phases is a collection of B-sides, rarities, and demos from the past several years, … Read more
Flat Worms Flat Worms Castle Face Records [2017] Who: This is the debut album from LA’s Flat Worms which is comprised of Will Ivy (Dream Boys, Wet Illustrated, Bridez), Justin Sullivan (Kevin Morby, the Babies) and Tim Hellman (Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Sic Alps). Sound: Flat Worms are a blast of smart buzzing post … Read more
Wolf Alice Visions Of A Life RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Wolf Alice stay strong on their sophomore album. Album Review: Visions of a Life is Wolf Alice’s follow-up to their stellar 2015 debut, My Love Is Cool. The first album established the Brits as a rock band that could play many different styles … Read more
Big Head Todd And The Monsters New World Arisin’ Big Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Colorado jam band, Big Head Todd & the Monsters get better with age. Album Review: There are some bands that peak early. They come fresh out of the box with that one big idea that will set them apart, all … Read more