Thurston Moore The Best Day Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A thrilling, gorgeous record from an indie icon. Album Review: At this point in his career, which has spanned across the better part of 4 decades, Thurston Moore doesn’t have many surprises up his sleeve. He has done it all, from being in a … Read more
Neighborhood Brats Recovery Deranged Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Neighborhood Brats new album will have you holding onto your wallet and putting your fists in the air. Album Review: Back in February, we featured a 7-inch from front woman Jenny Angelillo and her tenacious lead in LA band Neighborhood Brats. Well the band is back … Read more
Zola Jesus Taiga Mute Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Zola Jesus’s fifth studio album continues the trend of a career of strong output. Album Review: Zola Jesus makes pop music for people who like to think. For people who like for their pop to have a sharp serrated edge to it. In that sense Zola … Read more
Meatbodies Meatbodies In The Red Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Meatbodies are your next garage/psychedelic adventure. Album Review: If you are addicted to all things Ty Segall then Meatbodies self-titled debut was already on your list. If you have been a casual fan of Ty you probably have already heard some of Meatbodies players and … Read more
David Bazan + Passenger String Quartet Volume 1 Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Bazan intensifies the emotional breadth and tenor of his original songs. Album Review: I’d really be surprised if any fans of Seattle indie band Pedro the Lion or David Bazan’s post-Pedro solo albums ever thought “I really like these songs, but they’d … Read more
Eyelids 854 Jealous Butcher Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Eyelids give Portland a new sound! Album Review: I love it when a group of experienced musicians find themselves together and decide that creating an album is a necessary action. That is the way I feel with Eyelids as the group is made up of longtime … Read more
Shellac Dude Incredible Touch And Go Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Dude Incredible is a bad mofo! Album Review: Man, it’s a shame that Shellac seems to have slowed their release pace down to roughly the speed of a glacier moving across vast stretches of land, because Dude Incredible, the trio’s first album since Excellent … Read more
Boris Noise Sargent House [2014] Fire Note Says: Listening to Boris can feel like a new cultural experience. Album Review: Boris is a difficult band to describe. The Japanese trio, which for a time carried a fourth member, has been incredibly prolific in their 18+ year career. Noise is their 19th LP but their first … Read more
Caribou Our Love Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Caribou returns after a four year absence with a drop dead gorgeous record. Album Review: Dan Snaith burst into our consciousness as Manitoba in 2003, with the classic album Up in Flames. After a name change to Caribou following that album’s release, Snaith continued releasing one … Read more
Beach Slang Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street EP Tiny Engines [2014] Fire Note Says: Beach Slang add another strong EP to their resume. Album Review: This new EP from Beach Slang makes one solid point – it is time for a full length. Stop giving us these short power EPs that just feel … Read more
Allo Darlin’ We Come From The Same Place Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Allo Darlin’ return with another smooth indie pop record that just might be their best! Album Review: Allo Darlin’ are a London-based four piece that is fronted by the silky smooth pop vocals of Australian Elizabeth Morris. With their third record, … Read more
Weezer Everything Will Be Alright In The End Republic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Weezer make a record I think fans will enjoy! Album Review: Is it cool to really like Weezer in 2014? Absolutely not! Is it east to target them and put Rivers Cuomo and the boys under a microscope? Absolutely yes! Will … Read more
Straight Arrows Rising HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Australian garage rockers with plenty of fuzz and lots of actual tunes! Album Review: This Australian based band led by Own Penglis is guaranteed to jump to the head of the garage rock class with their sophomore album, Rising. Rising is kind of album that jumps … Read more
Teenage Guitar More Lies From The Gooseberry Bush Guided By Voices Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard refines the Teenage Guitar formula, bringing stronger songs and adding a plethora of instruments. Album Review: The debut Teenage Guitar record, 2013’s Force Fields at Home, saw GBV frontman Robert Pollard getting back to his roots. Recorded … Read more
Ryan Adams Ryan Adams PAX-AM/Blue Note Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ryan Adams self-titled record will win you over with its rock nostalgia. Album Review: It has been fourteen years since Ryan Adams launched a solo career from Whiskeytown with his beloved folksy debut Heartbreaker. That album, to this day, is still the record Adams … Read more
Interpol El Pintor Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Interpol plays to their own drum on fifth LP. Album Review: Interpol’s new record, El Pintor, is about to cause much debate. It will only take one listen and the bickering will start as lines will be drawn, some fans will be lost forever and some … Read more
Lonesome Shack More Primitive Alive Naturalsound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lonesome Shack’s More Primitive hits that blues sweet spot. Album Review: When first hearing Lonesome Shack’s More Primitive it’s easy to be reminded of albums such as The Big Come Up, Keep On Your Mean Side, The White Stripes, Every Hour is a Dollar … Read more
Cymbals Eat Guitars Lose Barsuk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cymbals Eat Guitars add another winner to their catalog. Album Review: Theatric indie rock. Heard of it? Well, Cymbals Eat Guitars have been releasing this type of music since their acclaimed 2009 debut Why There Are Mountains. Their sophomore effort, Lenses Alien (2011), was no … Read more
Los Angeles Police Department Los Angeles Police Department Forged Artifacts [2014] Fire Note Says: LAPD’s self-titled debut is a concentrated dose of swirling, fuzzy psych-pop. Album Review: Los Angeles Police Department aren’t from California, nor are they a law enforcement agency—and neither is LAPD a “they.” Instead, it’s the name Ryan Pollie (who’s from Philadelphia, … Read more
The New Pornographers Brill Bruisers Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The New Pornographers deliver once again. Album Review: The New Pornographers are fourteen years in and still making great music. The magic that the band has captured over the years is to mix each member’s unique voice and attitude into a whole that somehow … Read more
Cory Branan The No-Hit Wonder Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cory Branan brings his friends along for a fun ride! Album Review: Call his music country, call it Americana, call it folk, call it whatever you want but artist Cory Branan is a sincere, hardworking and talented singer songwriter that shines even brighter on … Read more
OBN III’s Live In San Francisco Castle Face Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Explosive live set from aggressive Texas punk rockers. Album Review: Castle Face Records hits another one out of the park with their latest entry in the Live in San Francisco series, this time out featuring Texas punks OBN IIIs. I didn’t know … Read more
Connections Into Sixes Anyway Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Connections third LP, Into Sixes, is full of indie rock hooks and anthems. Album Review: Connections had a very efficient first year as a band releasing two full length LP’s (Private Airplane and Body Language) as well as a 7-inch e.p. (Tough City). Anyway Records offers … Read more
Dirty Lungs Dirty Lungs Communicating Vessels [2014] Fire Note Says: Dirty Lungs dig up some retro-leaning hard psych, but leave a little modern dirt. Album Review: Dirty Lungs’ self-titled LP opens strong with “I Suck in Bed,” a scuzzy, raging garage rocker with a catchy wordless vocal refrain. It’s so strong, in fact, that I … Read more
Cleaners From Venus Return To Bohemia Soft Bodies Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A stunning return from the legendary lo-fi cult act! Album Review: Martin Newell titled his 1993 album The Greatest Living Englishman, and with Return To Bohemia, he proves that this was no mere cheeky title, he damn well might be the greatest … Read more