Radar Bros. Eight Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Eight is as gorgeous and lush as you would expect from these indie vets! Album Review: On their new album, Eight, Radar Bros aren’t reinventing themselves, or delving into electro pop or anything ridiculous like that. What Jim Putnam and company are doing, is perfecting their … Read more
Fonda Sell Your Memories Minty Fresh Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fonda pretend like they never left the scene with their excellent return Sell Your Memories! Album Review: The core members of Fonda, Emily Cook and David Klotz, emerged back on the indie scene two years ago with the Better Days EP which ended their … Read more
Unknown Mortal Orchestra II Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: No sophomore slump here as Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s II incorporates more and keeps it fresh! Album Review: It’s been about three years since we’ve last been graced with the off kilter wackiness of a UMO (Unknown Mortal Orchestra) record, and that make their return quite … Read more
Guards In Guards We Trust Black Bell Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With In Guards We Trust, the Guards show great promise as a fun, diverse band. Album Review: With their debut LP album, In Guards We Trust, the Guards show great promise as a fun, upbeat band. The album tells less of a story, … Read more
Camper Van Beethoven La Costa Perdida 429 Records [2013] Fire Note Says: La Costa Perdida is a worthy addition to the Camper Van Beethoven canon! Album Review: It’s hard to believe it’s been close to 28 years since Camper Van Beethoven took the skinheads bowling on their debut album, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, and a … Read more
The Bronx The Bronx (IV) ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What can only be described as pure, unadulterated skate punk. Album Review: This is the fourth self-titled record from L.A. punk rockers, The Bronx. It’s also the first album of punk material they’ve released since 2008, taking a two-album break from their norm to … Read more
The Breezes The Breezes Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: The Breezes deliver a diverse, eclectic mix of classic rock-style tunes that never take themselves too seriously. Album Review: “Whoo! Explosions!” Thus begins the self-titled debut album from The Breezes, a Montreal-based band whose brand of quirky guitar-based pop swerves wildly from style to style, never … Read more
Ty Segall & Mikal Cronin Reverse Shark Attack In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A timely reissue of a little heard and excellent collaboration from two highly regarded artists! Album Review: The only question I had going into my first listen of the reissue of this 2009 collaborative album was not would it … Read more
Holopaw Academy Songs Volume 1 Misra Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Academy Songs Volume 1 is a record you are certain to keep coming back to. Album Review: Certain records make you keep coming back to them, even when at first you aren’t really sure why. They aren’t necessarily catchy at first, but there’s something … Read more
Half Hearted Hero Whatever Animal Style Records [2013] Fire Note Says: This album is great. It has good melodies, vocals, and lyrics. I’ll give it another listen for sure. Album Review: The album Whatever is by the band Half Hearted Hero; a New Bedford, MA based band that specializes in… music. Actually, I’m not sure … Read more
Toro y Moi Anything In Return Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi return for a pure pop album with Anything In Return. Album Review: Toro y Moi is Chaz Bundick, who returns for his third official full-length with Anything In Return. Bundick has crafted an inviting, accessible pop album that builds on … Read more
DRGN KING Paragraph Nights Bar/None Records [2013] Fire Note Says: DRGN KING debuts with a diverse album that demands multiple spins. Album Review: DRGN KING is comprised of Dominic Angellella and Brent “Ritz” Reynolds – Paragraph Nights is their first full-length release. The two formed in Philadelphia with Angellella performing many of the songwriting duties … Read more
Villagers {Awayland} Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Villagers return with an expansive sophomore album that shows new strengths for the band. Album Review: Dublin’s Villagers is basically a one man show, as Conor J. O’Brien is the talent behind his folk moniker. Back in 2010 he released his debut, Becoming A Jackal, which came … Read more
Pile Dripping Exploding In Sound Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Pile’s Dripping rocks a page right out of the 90’s playbook-and that is a good thing. Album Review: Imagine a world with The Pixies haphazard vocal styling, Failure’s quirky chord voicing and hard rock dissonance, a touch of Jawbox noise, and Torche’s all-out energy. Now … Read more
Public Nuisance Gotta Survive (Reissue) Third Man Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Public Nuisance puts together a hodgepodge that if given the time has something for everyone! Album Review: Before I begin and start saying anything about the music, I have to explain the history and origin of Public Nuisance’s Gotta Survive. It all begins … Read more
Norwegian Arms Wolf Like A Stray Dog Big School Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wolf Like a Stray Dog is a diverse and impressive sonic soundscape! Album Review: I suppose if you have to label Norwegian Arms, you could call them Weirdo-Folk, Psych Folk, Freak Folk etc, but the more that I think about it, … Read more
Jon Mueller Death Blues Hometapes/Taiga Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Jon Mueller takes you on a deep trip with his thought provoking Death Blues. Album Review: “How much time is left? Do we know? Does our plan know? What happens when we thoroughly hold and understand that our lives are finite? How does this understanding … Read more
Terra Terra Terra The Space We Create Round Kid Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Terra Terra Terra creates a radio friendly rock album on their sophomore LP. Album Review: Terra Terra Terra is a three-piece band from Lakeland, FL. Members include Loren Taylor (vocals, guitar), Matthew Lowry (bass), and Micah Roth (drums). The Space We … Read more
GAMES GAMES HoZac Records [2012] Fire Note Says: GAMES is PURE GOLD! Album Review: If I had to pick my top 5 current record labels, Chicago’s HoZac would be in the running for the top spot. The label has created a brand if you will; it’s the home of some of the finest psychedelic/power pop/punk/garage … Read more
Aspiga Every Last Piece Paper + Plastick Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Fast, loud, and melodic fist pumping punk from NJ trio, Aspiga! Album Review: I’m a total sucker for a band that plays fast, loud, melodic punk songs that make you want to pump your fist in the air and sing along with their … Read more
Tiger High Catacombs After Party Trashy Creatures Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Tiger High play aggressive and spacey psychedelic rock with shades of 90s nostalgia. Album Review: Memphis-based Tiger High’s debut album Catacombs After Party meshes the band’s love for 60s rock and pop with a heavier, more layered sound that gives a nod to … Read more
The Moons Fables Of History Schnitzel Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Moons sophomore album, Fables of History, brings the best of British music’s past forward! Album Review: Every once in a while a record comes across from the UK that has a retro Beatles, soul and 60’s vibe all wrapped tightly into one nice … Read more
Dropkick Murphys Signed And Sealed In Blood Born & Bred Records/ADA [2013] Fire Note Says: Dropkick Murphys return with one of their biggest sounding and most engaging albums to date. Album Review: “The boys are back; the boys are back; and they are looking for trouble” is the first big anthem call out line from … Read more
The Evens The Odds Dischord Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Odds is 13 songs you should definitely embrace! Album Review: The Evens hail from Washington DC and feature the husband and wife duo of Ian MacKaye on baritone guitar and Amy Farina on drums. Their new lp, The Odds, is their third overall, and … Read more
Led Zeppelin Celebration Day Atlantic Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Coming from the land of snow and ice – Zeppelin shows that they still have it! Album Review: About 33 years ago culture and the world was dealt a great loss with the passing of Led Zeppelin drummer John Henry Bonham. You then ask yourself … Read more