METZ METZ Sub Pop Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Grab a helmet because METZ are on the sonic attack with their excellent (and thundering) self-titled debut. Album Review: Right from the opening pounding drums on first track “Headache” you just know that the Canadian outfit METZ is totally going to kick your ass! The noise … Read more
Thee Oh Sees Putrifiers II In The Red Records [2012] Fire Note Says:Just when you think Thee Oh Sees cannot have any more tricks up their sleeves, they come back, surprise and mystify with Putrifiers II. Album Review: It seems that we’ve been going through a garage psych revival, with many bands writing reverb soaked, … Read more
Cat Power Sun Matador Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Cat Power changes up the approach which produces one of Chan Marshall’s strongest records to date! Album Review: Sun hails the return of Chan Marshall and her moniker Cat Power as it has been six long years since she last released a record of original material. … Read more
The Fresh & Onlys Long Slow Dance Mexican Summer Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Fresh & Onlys continue their musical progression and create one of their most engaging records to date! Album Review: Does anyone remember the phrase “artist development”? Probably not too many people in the days of streaming, iTunes singles and the … Read more
Bob Mould Silver Age Merge Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Bob Mould is back with a new loud and melodic record that clearly shows that he has no intention of ever slowing down! Album Review: I am not sure if there were any expectations for Bob Mould’s new full length, Silver Age, but I guarantee … Read more
Leeroy StaggerRadiant LandRebeltone Records [2021] I am not sure how many times I have to say it but I still can not believe that Canadian singer/songwriter Leeroy Stagger does not have a bigger following. He has consistently released solid records with his roots-rock Americana style and has all the sentiment and attitude of a Ryan … Read more
Redd Kross Researching The Blues Merge Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Redd Kross know power pop and bring it full force on their first album in 15 years – Researching The Blues! Album Review: It has been 15 years since Redd Kross last had a record on the shelves with Show World [1997] so it … Read more
Dirty Projectors Swing Lo Magellan Domino Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Dirty Projectors give us a beautiful summertime headphone record! Album Review: Is it possible for a record to be both avant garde and accessible at the same time,to be both simple and complex? If the record is Swing Lo Magellan, the new album from … Read more
The Gaslight AnthemHandwrittenMercury Records [2012] Longevity is what every band dreams of from the very first day they place an ad in the paper to find a drummer, play at a dive bar, and then progress to sleeping on floors in unfamiliar towns, living out of a van. New Jersey’s Gaslight Anthem is no exception, … Read more
Twin Shadow Confess 4AD Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Twin Shadow explores the darker side of pop music with his second lp, Confess. Album Review: Does anybody remember when Prince was the real King of Pop, and each album was an event to be studied and broken down into little pieces to be studied? I … Read more
King Tuff King Tuff Sub Pop Records [2012] Fire Note Says: King Tuff expands their rock n roll resume on the solid self-titled sophomore record. Album Review: I think it goes without saying that sometimes I really like odd music. Not in the sense that it is crazy or freaky if you would hear it … Read more
Best Coast The Only Place Mexican Summer Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Best Coast shakes the lo-fi and puts a spotlight on Bethany Cosentino’s vocals for solid results! Album Review: Going into this sophomore record from indie darling Best Coast you need to ask yourself how important you thought the lo-fi aspect of their debut, … Read more
Beach House Bloom Sub Pop Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Bloom is another solid collection of indie dream pop from Baltimore’s Beach House! Album Review: Indie dream pop group Beach House once again have created a record that stays in its lane of expectations but swells up and beyond any type of ceiling you may … Read more
Father John Misty Fear Fun Sub Pop Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Josh Tillman follows up his exit with the Fleet Foxes with his excellent new project Father John Misty! Album Review: Father John Misty is the new band from ex-Fleet Foxes drummer and solo singer/songwriter Josh Tillman. Fear Fun is his debut record under … Read more
Allo Darlin’ Europe Slumberland Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Allo Darlin’ pour on the mature indie pop with their sophomore record Europe! Album Review: Allo Darlin’ are a London-based four piece that is fronted by the silky smooth pop vocals of Australian Elizabeth Morris. Her spot on delivery grabs you instantly on the first single … Read more
Chromatics Kill For Love Italians Do It Better [2012] Fire Note Says: Another synth driven record that works! Album Review: Right from the opening cover of Neil Young’s “Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)” you have a good idea that the new Chromatics album Kill For Love is going to challenge, reward and challenge … Read more
Heartless Bastards Arrow Partisan Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Heartless Bastards once again shine bright with their pulsing rock record Arrow! Album Review: Erika Wennerstrom and her strong soulful vocals are back with the release of the Heartless Bastards fourth album Arrow. After relocating to Austin back before the release of The Mountain [2009], … Read more
Sharon Van Etten Tramp Jagjaguwar Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Sharon Van Etten will win you over quickly on her new long player Tramp! Album Review: If there is ever an artist that is on the verge of breaking out I would say that Brooklyn singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten is close to the top of … Read more
Nada Surf The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy Barsuk Records [2012] Fire Note Says: A big sprawling return of an album from Nada Surf that is full of hooks, guitars and energy! Album Review: As Matthew Caws sings the line “This new peace – I can feel it now,” in “Waiting For Something” on Nada … Read more
Motel Beds Tango Boys No More Fake Labels [2011] Fire Note Says: The Dayton, Ohio music scene is alive and well with the Motel Beds new long player Tango Boys! Album Review: Right from the cool indie swagger of the opening minute long intro, “Theme From Tango”, you get the sense that Dayton, Ohio’s Motel … Read more
Manchester Orchestra Simple Math Columbia Records [2011] Fire Note Says: Manchester Orchestra shines on the epic rock album Simple Math! Album Review: Concept albums always scare me a bit because they are typically either really good, really bad or tread water and never find a connection. On Manchester Orchestra’s third album, Simple Math, we hear … Read more
Leeroy StaggerLittle VictoriesRebeltone Records [2011] Want to discover a singer/songwriter that absolutely won’t let your Americana ear down? Then look no more and check out the sixth long player, Little Victories, from Canadian Leeroy Stagger backed by his solid band The Wildflowers. I will warn you that Little Victories is one of the best depressing … Read more
Richard Thompson Dream Attic Shout! Factory Records [2010] Fire Note Says: Dream Attic highlights why Richard Thompson just recently received the Les Paul Award at the 2010 MOJO Honours! Album Review: Richard Thompson will always go down in my book as one of the all-time great guitarist singer/songwriters of this era. Regardless of his age, … Read more
The Gaslight AnthemAmerican SlangSideOneDummy Records [2010] The critical acclaim showered upon The ’59 Sound (2008) certainly set a high bar for The Gaslight Anthem, putting significant pressure on them to equal or even surpass its greatness with their third album, American Slang, set to release next week. While the band may not have entirely reached … Read more
Teenage FanclubShadowsMerge Records [2010] It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since Teenage Fanclub launched their debut record, A Catholic Education in 1990. They are a band that has experienced it all, from being hyped as the next big thing to signing with major labels and building a solid career in an … Read more