Band Of Horses Acoustic At The Ryman Brown Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Band of Horses’ Acoustic at the Ryman is lush and refreshing. Album Review: As a Nashville native, I can’t think of many venues that would be a better fit for an acoustic album from a band like Band of Horses than the … Read more
New Bums Voices In A Rented Room Drag City Records [2014] Fire Note Says: You should be ecstatic over the beautifully well-crafted debut full-length album from New Bums. Album Review: New Bums are a two-man duo made up of Donovan Quinn (Sky Green Leopards) and Ben Chasny (Six Organs Of Admittance). Their debut full length … Read more
The Notwist Close To The Glass Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Close To The Glass is a warm shot of humanity in an icy digital landscape. Album Review: The Notwist falls under my “Hey what the hell ever happened to those guys, I liked that one album” umbrella. For The Notwist, that one … Read more
Quilt Held In Splendor Mexican Summer Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Boston psych folk trio offer up a breezy, groovy winner. Album Review: Quilt’s self-titled first album was recorded piecemeal across three years and numerous home studios – and it sounded like it. Not that it was terrible or anything, quite the contrary. It was … Read more
Vertical Scratchers Daughter Of Everything Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Vertical Scratchers are all about sharp and quick indie rock. Album Review: Vertical Scratchers were destined to create indie rock, as members John Schmersal (ex-Brainiac/Enon, live Caribou, and Crooks on Tape) and Christian Beaulieu (ex-Triclops!/Anywhere) resume suggest. Their debut record, Daughter of Everything, is … Read more
Preston Lovinggood Shadow Songs Communicating Vessels [2014] Fire Note Says: Preston Lovinggood’s follow-up is just as strong as his debut. Album Review: Preston Lovinggood’s solo debut, Sun Songs, came out just last year. His newest release, Shadow Songs, as you might be able to detect, is a sequel of sorts to his first album. The … Read more
Cheatahs Cheatahs Witchita Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Cheatahs is a maelstrom of guitars and melody! Album Review: Cheatahs have finally released their long awaited proper debut full length, and it’s pretty damn good. Extended Plays was a remarkable compilation of their two eps in one handy package, and as great as it was as … Read more
The Shine Brothers Hello Griefbirds! Cardinal Fuzz Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The bands’ name says it all, Hello Griefbirds sure does shine. Album Review: It‘s funny, searching online I find a fair amount of info on The Shine Brothers. But, where are the reviews for their debut Hello Griefbirds!? There sure is a disservice … Read more
Scott H. Biram Nothin’ But Blood Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Scott H. Biram contemplates what’s next on the hard living Nothin’ But Blood. Album Review: Hard living can have its consequences and one man jam band Scott H. Biram knows it all too well. On his new record, Nothin’ But Blood, Biram starts … Read more
The Rifles None The Wiser Cooking Vinyl [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rifles return to their more rocking sound with triumphant results! Album Review: The original quartet of The Rifles recorded two of my favorite records of the past 10 years with their debut album No Love Lost, and its follow-up Great Escape. Following Great … Read more
Bombay Bicycle Club So Long, See You Tomorrow Island Records[2014] Fire Note Says: Bombay Bicycle Club continue to evolve in strange and unexpected ways. Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club don’t want to be the biggest rock ‘n roll band in the world. In fact, it’s unclear they even want to be a rock ‘n roll … Read more
Young The Giant Mind Over Matter Fueled by Ramen Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Young The Giant’s sophomore LP is slick and crisp. Album Review: Young The Giant’s second LP, Mind Over Matter, is at times irresistable. The California band, consisting of Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), … Read more
Speedy Ortiz Real Hair EP Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speedy Ortiz return with a four track EP that will leave you wanting more! Album Review: Speedy Ortiz burst onto the indie scene last year with their debut full length Major Arcana (TFN Review). The record landed at #12 in our Top 50 with … Read more
The Outfit Tough Kids EP Hot Congress Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Outfit aims to please with their EP Tough Kids. Album Review: Denver’s The Outfit put out a pretty solid EP last year, which was a follow-up to their 2011 debut Broken West Wishbone Test. This newest EP is titled Tough Kids and … Read more
The New Mendicants Into The Lime Ashmont Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Pernice Brothers + Teenage Fanclub = Creamy Pop Heaven Album Review: When Joe Pernice and Norman Blake make a record together, you don’t ask many questions, you just listen to it. When that record, Into The Lime, completely lives up to your … Read more
Water Liars Water Liars Fat Possum Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Water Liars return with another batch of emotional sing-alongs. Album Review: Don’t let the new self-titled effort from Mississippi’s Water Liars fool you as it is the band’s third full length album and one of their most accomplished records to date. The group once … Read more
Passenger Peru Passenger Peru Fleeting Youth Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A stunning debut from Brooklyn duo, Passenger Peru! Album Review: Every now and then a record comes from out of nowhere and takes your breath away. Perhaps you have been listening to records that are just ok, nothing bad, nothing great, and then you … Read more
Gloom Balloon You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Disaster / Fix The Sunshine Pts. 1-7 (An Ode To Bill Doss) Maximum Ames Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gloom Balloon recall both the pop and experimental aspects of OTC while adding their own spin. Album Review: When I discovered The Olivia Tremor Control a couple … Read more
The Revered Horton Heat REV Victory Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Reverend Horton Heat return with a rockabilly fever on REV. Album Review: I will admit that as a Reverend Horton Heat fan I have been left a little empty with their last several releases. The live material on 25 to life (2012) was … Read more
The Pack A.D. Do Not Engage Nettwerk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Don’t be afraid to engage with Do Not Engage – it will not disappoint. Album Review: When The Pack A.D. first crossed my radar I was already prepared to approach with a dismissive attitude. But first impressions can be deceiving, because when this … Read more
The Lawrence Arms Metropole Epitaph Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Lawrence Arms return with a record of hooks, punk, and regret. Album Review: If I were to list some of the great pop-punk records of the early 2000’s, Chicago’s Lawrence Arms Apathy and Exhaustion (2002) would be right there near the top of the … Read more
Amen Lucy, Amen Ashore For The End Brave New Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Amen Lucy, Amen takes a refreshing approach to the folk genre. Album Review: Amen Lucy, Amen describe themselves as a “woozy-boozy cyclone” that sings “punk-inspired folk tunes.” The description fits their debut album Ashore for the End perfectly. The experimental arrangements … Read more
Blank Realm Grassed Inn Fire Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Blank Realm’s breezy second album Grassed Inn is warm and inviting. Album Review: The latest addition to the If-Not-For-The-Vocals All Stars is Blank Realm. The four-piece from Brisbane, Australia released their debut Go Easy last year. Their follow-up Grassed Inn is more disciplined and focused … Read more
Hospitality Trouble Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Hospitality’s Trouble happily doesn’t live up to its title. Album Review: I’ve listened to Hospitality’s sophomore LP Trouble many times and it is still difficult to get a feel for this album. At times psychedelic, at others poppy, and yet at others rocking, Trouble doesn’t lend itself … Read more
Mogwai Rave Tapes Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mogwai takes things to another level with Rave Tapes. Album Review: I have never been the world’s biggest Mogwai fan. I have always thought they were good at what they did, and sometimes even great, but other than Young Team and Mr. Beast, I never … Read more