Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Father John Misty takes you on a walk in his shoes. Album Review: In the music business, it is extremely difficult for any artist to stay fresh, relevant or even interesting. When you do find that “creative entity” you should grab … Read more
Dayton, Ohio bands are known for working quickly and the Smug Brothers are no different. After last year’s Headphone Approved On The Way To The Punchline, Smug Brothers are back with a new full length February 24th titled Woodpecker Paradise. Today’s Fire Track, “Meet A Changing World,” is the lead song off the new record … Read more
Butch Walker Afraid Of Ghosts Dangerbird Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Butch Walker bravely strips the polish on Afraid Of Ghosts. Album Review: It might be a surprise to you but Butch Walker has had more success in the music business than most artists dream about. So you ask – If that is so true … Read more
Murder By Death Big Dark Love Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Murder By Death stay true to the title with the looming Big Dark Love. Album Review: Without even hearing the background story on Murder By Death’s seventh record, Big Dark Love, you just know the band is coming at you like a tsunami … Read more
Ricked Wicky I Sell The Circus Guided By Voices Inc. [2015] Fire Note Says: You want rock? Pollard’s Ricked Wicky has you covered! Album Review: If you have been a fan of the Guided By Voices reunion output then I am sure you are still feeling the punch in the gut that came back in … Read more
Twerps Range Anxiety Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Twerps return with another batch of indie jangle bliss. Album Review: There is always a place for simple guitar, simple lyrics and bright melodies in indie rock and that is exactly what Australia’s Twerps offered on their 2011 self-titled debut. With plenty of critic praise, it … Read more
Alex Calder Strange Dreams Captured Tracks [2015] Fire Note Says: Alex Calder creates experimental indie pop on his debut Strange Dreams. Album Review: Strange Dreams is the debut record from Edmontonion Alex Calder who is better known from his previous band, Makeout Videotape which also included Mac DeMarco. Of course, followers of DeMarco will want … Read more
Sleater-Kinney No Cities To Love Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney have just set the 2015 bar very high! Album Review: These days, it is almost expected that at some point all previous broke up, hiatus and missing bands will all of a sudden announce that they are back. Recently, the reaction to … Read more
Red Aunts Come Up For A Closer Look In The Red Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Get to know the Red Aunts! Album Review: For most, this new compilation release from the Red Aunts will be an introductory point and that is just fine. The all-female punk band from Long Beach, California ruled the underground … Read more
Matthew Melton Outside Of Paradise Southpaw Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Matthew Melton hits all the right chords on catchy sophomore outing. Album Review: From the opening guitar ramble on Matthew Melton’s sophomore album, Outside of Paradise, you just know that you are in for a really cool lo-fi garage ride. You may know Melton … Read more
The Paperhead Africa Avenue Trouble In Mind Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Paperhead play the 60’s with a modern pulse. Album Review: If you have been around music long enough (yes I am calling myself old) then the statement “Sooner or later, everything old is new again” seems to ring true with every “fresh” … Read more
Lace Curtains A Signed Piece Of Paper Female Fantasy Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lace Curtains offers a smorgasbord of styles. Album Review: Lace Curtains is the moniker of Michael “Coomers” Coomer. His previous band, Harlem, was known for their catchy garage pop tracks and Lace Curtains debut, The Garden of Joy and the Well … Read more
Cancers Fatten The Leeches Dead Broke Rekerds [2014] Fire Note Says: Everything is right with the throwback sound of Cancers. Album Review: Crunching guitars, soaring melodies, dreamy power pop girl vocals, and plenty of fuzz. That is really all you need to know about Athens, GA band Cancers. The duo of Ella Kaspar and Lenny … Read more
Buffalo Killers Fireball Of Sulk Sun Pedal Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Fireball of Sulk is the Buffalo Killers heaviest guitar release to date. Album Review: Cincinnati’s Buffalo Killers like to keep busy as Fireball of Sulk represents their second release this year. The six song record follows their Sun Pedal debut, Heavy Reverie, which … Read more
Various Artists While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years Of Bloodshot Records Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Happy Birthday Bloodshot Records! Album Review: Twenty years is definitely something to be proud of and for Chicago’s Bloodshot Records they get a standing ovation. Bloodshot has had an endless catalog of great artists that include … Read more
Exit Verse Exit Verse Ernest Jenning Record Co. [2014] Fire Note Says: Geoff Farina is back with a guitar driven band that finds all the right classic rock riffs. Album Review: Singer/guitarist Geoff Farina (Karate, Secret Stars, Glorytellers) teamed up with drummer John Dugan (Chisel, Edsel) and bassist Pete Croke (Brokeback, Tight Phantoms) to form … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard I’m In Your Mind Fuzz Castle Face Records [2014] Fire Note Says: King Gizzard will give you an entire new perspective. Album Review: Melbourne, Australia band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard grabbed me earlier this year with just their name but when I heard the double release of … Read more
Foo Fighters Sonic Highways RCA Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters show their love for American music. Album Review: Sonic Highways is the Foo Fighters new studio record and HBO series that premiered last month. If you are not familiar with its premise it was described by Grohl as a … Read more
Nada Surf B-Sides Barsuk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Nada Surf helps round out your collection. Album Review: One of the cooler concert experiences I have had in the past several years was checking out a show from Nada Surf. Their set was solid but it was what happened after the show that was truly … Read more
Rancid …Honor Is All We Know Hellcat/Epitaph Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Rancid work to rekindle their punk spirit. Album Review: I remember the days when anxiously waiting for a new Rancid record meant something. They clearly are now veterans of the second mainstream punk movement and were always a reminder of how The Clash … Read more
October is almost gone which means that it is time for The Fire Note’s monthly Bandcamp feature! Here are 10 artists that should be on your trick-or-treat playlists. In this edition you will find upbeat sad songs from New York, a calm and cool release from Los Angeles, psychedelic neo soul from Canada and 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
Swearing At Motorists While Laughing The Joker Tells The Truth A Recordings LTD [2014] Fire Note Says: A welcomed return for Swearing at Motorists. Album Review: If you know your Dayton, Ohio indie folklore then Swearing at Motorists should already be in your memory bank. The band has family tree history with fellow Daytonians Guided … Read more
These days it seems harder and harder to actually be surprised. Our instant world almost never allows that “oh my gosh!” feeling anymore. Well, the trio of Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss, better known as the retired Sleater-Kinney, got us all with their new 3,000-copy, limited-edition deluxe vinyl box set, Start Together, that … Read more
Horse Feathers So It Is With Us Kill Rock Stars [2014] Fire Note Says: Horse Feathers lighten the mood on fifth long player. Album Review: Portland chamber-folk group Horse Feathers, led by singer-songwriter Justin Ringle, have not changed much in direction, focus or labels over the years. For some, this may have had you move … Read more