Pile You’re Better Than This Exploding In Sound Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Pile’s third LP continues their trend of incredible releases, and this time they have out done themselves. This is album of the year material. Album Review: Once upon a time, I heard a disjointed, but oddly intriguing LP, Pavement’s Slanted and Enchanted. … Read more
Smug Brothers Woodpecker Paradise Gas Daddy Go! Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Smug Brothers newest album is one of their strongest efforts to date. A tight, urgent, and catchy blend of indie rock from rock Mecca Dayton, Ohio. Album Review: Around this time last year, I was reviewing the Smug Brothers’ LP On the Way … Read more
Circus Devils Escape Happy Jack Rock Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Robert Pollard and the Tobias brothers shift into a calmer gear and create what might be the best Circus Devils album yet. Album Review: Circus Devils never make the same album twice. Whether it’s the claustrophobic horror-rock screeches of the debut, the twisted spaghetti … Read more
Ty Segall Manipulator Drag City Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Segall has crafted his first bona fide masterpiece with this shape shifting epic! Album Review: Ty Segall has been riding an incredible wave of creativity that seemed to hit a peak in 2012 with the release of the triple entente of rock, Slaughterhouse, Hair, and … Read more
Lab Partners Seven Seas Pravda Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lab Partners have returned with an early contender for Album of the Year. Album Review: Dayton, Ohio’s favorite guitar hero’s the Lab Partners have returned with their first record since their 2010’ LP Moonlight Music, which was released by Chicago Label Pravda. The same label … Read more
The War On Drugs Lost In The Dream Secretly Canadian Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lost In The Dream is an instant classic. Album Review: Hailing from Philadelphia, The War on Drugs is the musical brainchild of Adam Granduciel, but also includes Dave Hartley and Robbie Bennett. The band had previously existed somewhat in the … Read more
Smug Brothers On The Way To The Punchline Gas Daddy Go! Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Smug Brothers offer listeners a mature and hook-laden album packed with incredibly catchy and unpredictable Dayton rock. Album Review: I was a bit surprised when I had read that On the Way to the Punchline was Dayton Ohio’s Smug … Read more
Guided By Voices Motivational Jumpsuit GBV Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: GBV hit a home run with their strongest “classic lineup reunion” album yet! Album Review: When Guided By Voices re-formed in 2011, no one knew how long it would last or how any new albums would stack up with their previous work. But the … Read more
Sun Kil Moon Benji Caldo Verde Records [2014] Fire Note Says: An intense lyrical driven record from Sun Kil Moon that takes a deep look at life. Album Review: Following Mark Kozelek’s career over the years can push every sensory button that includes the highest highs and lowest lows. It happened in the Red House … Read more
The Verlaines Hallelujah All The Way Home/Juvenilia Captured Tracks/Flying Nun[1985,1987/2013] Fire Note Says: Captured Tracks continues reissuing essential albums from the Flying Nun catalog. Album Review: Anyone who reads The Fire Note with any regularity knows of our unabashed love for that particular brand of Kiwi-pop so perfectly commemorated by legendary New Zealand label Flying … Read more
15-60-75 (The Numbers Band) Jimmy Bell’s Still In Town Exit Stencil Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Unsung Ohio heroes score huge with reissue of Jimmy Bell‘s Still In Town. Album Review: “We’re not interested in making hits,” said 15-60-75 (The Numbers Band) main man Robert Kidney, “we’re interested in making history.” It only get better … Read more
Yes The Studio Albums 1969-1987 Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A box set from progressive rock kings Yes – just in time for Christmas! Album Review: There is absolutely no need for this box set’s existence and yet I am overjoyed that it’s here. The only thing that’s new here is a re-mastered version … Read more
Arcade Fire Reflektor Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Arcade Fire have created a massive art-rock record that is grandiose in every superb way! Album Review: “Magic Mirror, on the wall, who is the biggest band of them all?” Arcade Fire of course is the correct response and after taking on this behemoth of a … Read more
Nirvana In Utero (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) Universal Music [1993; 2013] Fire Note Says: A classic turns 20! Album Review: It is interesting how different Nirvana’s third LP, In Utero, sounds 20 years after its release. Not different like I have never heard things before but this album stands taller today without any of … Read more
Bob Dylan Another Self Portrait (1969-1971): The Bootleg Series Vol. 10 Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: From one of Dylan’s most reviled albums comes one of his most essential releases. Album Review: 1969-71 was one of many periods of transition for Bob Dylan, but it was one of the most important. He’d already gone … Read more
The White Stripes Nine Miles From The White City Third Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Vault Package #16 captures The White Stripes at one of their highest points! Album Review: When we last left our good friend Jack White, he was giving us an interesting-yet flawed-look at the past. Jack White and The Bricks … Read more
The Breeders LSXX 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: LSXX is a worthy salute to one of the great albums of the 90’s! Album Review: “We weren’t riot grrrl and we weren’t grunge. Hopefully, we were joyful and natural.” This is the opening statement in the liner notes from founding group leader Kim Deal as … Read more
Iron & Wine Ghost On Ghost Nonesuch Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Iron & Wine’s fifth LP is an alternative/folk/rock/jazz/pop masterpiece. Album Review: Sam Beam has gone through quite a musical evolution in the eleven years he’s been making music under the Iron & Wine moniker. While his first two albums (2002’s The Creek Drank … Read more
The Replacements Songs For Slim EP New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What more do I need to say…it’s The Replacements! Album Review: I can honestly say that I never in my wildest dreams expected to be listening to new music from The Replacements. Their last records, 1990’s All Shook Down, while a solid … Read more
Jack White Live At Third Man Records Third Man Records [2012] Fire Note Says: If the turntable is a rocking then the Third Man Record Vault must have opened! Album Review: Ears be praised as Third Man Records and Jack White open up the record vault once again to present us with Vault Package # … Read more
Interpol Turn On The Bright Lights (Tenth Anniversary Edition) Matador Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Turn On The Bright Lights at 10 sounds even more fresh and innovative today! Album Review: I can’t believe that 10 years has already passed since Interpol released Turn On The Bright Lights. Some may say that it is too … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Box Set] Virgin/EMI Music [2012] (5CD/1DVD Set) Fire Note Says: Even though 64 extra tracks seem daunting it is only fitting for such a monumentally epic record. Album Review: I will totally admit that I let out a somewhat disapproving sigh when I first received … Read more
Various Artists Alive at The Deep Blues Fest Alive Natural Sound Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Alive at The Deep Blues Fest is put together with perfection as every band here scratches that blues itch in its’ own special way. Album Review: I thought reviewing my first compilation might be a challenge but, thank goodness … Read more
Daphni Jiaolong Merge Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Dan Snaith takes on the alias Daphni and delivers a great and necessary album. Album Review: First, know that this album is impeccable. From start to finish, Dan Snaith—the lone ranger behind both Daphni and Caribou—delivers beat-heavy perfection. Often the tracks defy sense, seeming both skeletal and … Read more
Guided By Voices Class Clown Spots A UFO GBV Inc. [2012] Fire Note Says: Class Clown Spots A UFO respectfully captures past GBV glories while making “the classic lineup” a force on the current indie rock scene! Album Review: Ready for round two? You better be as Class Clown Spots A UFO is the second … Read more