Los Straitjackets Los Straitjackets: Deke Dickerson Sings The Instrumental Hits Yep Rec Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Los Straitjackets find the words to some of your instrumental favorites. Album Review: Just when you thought you have heard it all, the instrumental combo team of Los Straitjackets have something fresh for their genre. They have teamed … Read more
Iceage Plowing Into The Field Of Love Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Iceage continue to offer something unique. Album Review: Three albums in and Copenhagen’s Iceage continue to evolve and push the limits of their sound. Their debut of DIY post-punk rock took people by storm and last year’s sophomore effort, You’re Nothing, found … Read more
Meatbodies Meatbodies In The Red Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Meatbodies are your next garage/psychedelic adventure. Album Review: If you are addicted to all things Ty Segall then Meatbodies self-titled debut was already on your list. If you have been a casual fan of Ty you probably have already heard some of Meatbodies players and … Read more
Eyelids 854 Jealous Butcher Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Eyelids give Portland a new sound! Album Review: I love it when a group of experienced musicians find themselves together and decide that creating an album is a necessary action. That is the way I feel with Eyelids as the group is made up of longtime … Read more
Beach Slang Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street EP Tiny Engines [2014] Fire Note Says: Beach Slang add another strong EP to their resume. Album Review: This new EP from Beach Slang makes one solid point – it is time for a full length. Stop giving us these short power EPs that just feel … Read more
Allo Darlin’ We Come From The Same Place Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Allo Darlin’ return with another smooth indie pop record that just might be their best! Album Review: Allo Darlin’ are a London-based four piece that is fronted by the silky smooth pop vocals of Australian Elizabeth Morris. With their third record, … Read more
Cincinnati’s MidPoint Music Festival was once again a success this year with another solid lineup. I will be the first to admit that when I initially scanned the 150 plus bands I didn’t think the offerings were quite as good as last year but after attending, I would say MPMF did alright! From better venues, … Read more
Ex Hex Rips Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ex Hex debut backs up its album title! Album Review: Ex Hex has quickly become one of the best female power trios on the music scene today. The band is lead by Mary Timony, which through the mid 90′s she fronted the Matador Records band Helium, … Read more
Weezer Everything Will Be Alright In The End Republic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Weezer make a record I think fans will enjoy! Album Review: Is it cool to really like Weezer in 2014? Absolutely not! Is it east to target them and put Rivers Cuomo and the boys under a microscope? Absolutely yes! Will … Read more
The Rural Alberta Advantage Mended With Gold Saddle Creek Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rural Alberta Advantage show their heart beat on Mended With Gold. Album Review: Canadian indie rock trio, The Rural Alberta Advantage have a big heart. It is the same big heart that has been beating since their 2009 debut Hometowns … Read more
MidPoint has some bigger names in the indie department performing this year like Panda Bear, Real Estate, The Afghan Whigs, OK Go and The Raveonettes which should all be on your list to see live. With that said, TFN thought we would add to your schedule and give you 10 more indie artists that you … Read more
Archie Powell & The Exports Back In Black Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Archie Powell & The Exports are here to rock you out! Album Review: If you are familiar with Chicago’s Archie Powell & The Exports then I do not need to waste my time telling you that they are one of the best … Read more
U2 Songs Of Innocence Island Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Surprise – you just received a new U2 album. Album Review: So last Tuesday not only did we get a bigger iPhone but also a free U2 record already placed in our iTunes purchase page. Wow – that was better than the pay what you … Read more
Sloan Commonwealth Yep Roc Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sloan attempt a modern day White Album. Album Review: Canada’s Sloan never seem to slow down. Even though they have been around since the early 90’s and are a big name up North, the four piece indie pop rock group has never broke out here in … Read more
Mannequin Pussy Gypsy Pervert Tiny Engines [2014] Fire Note Says: Don’t let the name scare you – Mannequin Pussy are for real! Album Review: You can give me a revved up 10 song, 19 minute record any day. New York’s Mannequin Pussy does exactly that as their debut, Gypsy Pervert, contains a raw burst of … Read more
Interpol El Pintor Matador Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Interpol plays to their own drum on fifth LP. Album Review: Interpol’s new record, El Pintor, is about to cause much debate. It will only take one listen and the bickering will start as lines will be drawn, some fans will be lost forever and some … Read more
Cymbals Eat Guitars Lose Barsuk Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cymbals Eat Guitars add another winner to their catalog. Album Review: Theatric indie rock. Heard of it? Well, Cymbals Eat Guitars have been releasing this type of music since their acclaimed 2009 debut Why There Are Mountains. Their sophomore effort, Lenses Alien (2011), was no … Read more
The Fire Note’s August Bandcamp feature is closing out the summer with another batch of new artists to put an ear on. In this edition you can find some elegantly-wasted country from LA, harder edged music from Germany, folk and brass from Greensboro and good old indie rock from Bloomington. Make sure you Discover, Support … Read more
The Rentals Lost In Alphaville Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rentals are back and they still want to be your friend! Album Review: I will admit that I had no idea what to think about ex-Weezer Matt Sharp bringing back The Rentals brand after a 15 year absence. I lived the heyday of … Read more
Cory Branan The No-Hit Wonder Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cory Branan brings his friends along for a fun ride! Album Review: Call his music country, call it Americana, call it folk, call it whatever you want but artist Cory Branan is a sincere, hardworking and talented singer songwriter that shines even brighter on … Read more
Museum Mouth Alex I Am Nothing Self Aware Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Concept record about obsession rocks to the nerve. Album Review: From the first note, you can hear the fragile state that NC indie/pop/punk band Museum Mouth are in on their third proper full length, Alex I Am Nothing. This component alone completely … Read more
Lucero Live From Atlanta Liberty And Lament Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lucero brings their energetic live show right to your record player. Album Review: Have you ever been to a Lucero show? I had my first taste last year in Detroit rock city at the Magic Stick and I will tell you that Lucero … Read more
sElf Super Fake Nice El Camino Media [2014] Fire Note Says: Matt Mahaffey’s sElf returns to form with new EP. Album Review: What was so 90’s is now new again. Matt Mahaffey, aka sElf, is another artist from that era that makes a return to the music scene here with the six song EP Super … Read more
Twin Peaks Wild Onion Grand Jury Music [2014] Fire Note Says: Chicago’s Twin Peaks show off their many different sides. Album Review: I like it when a relatively new band swings for the fences. That is how I feel Chicago’s Twin Peaks approached their sophomore album, Wild Onion. Earlier this year the band hinted that … Read more
The Muffs Whoop Dee Doo Burger Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Muffs return with a walloping blast of 60’s inspired rock n roll. Album Review: “Sad Tomorrow” from The Muffs sophomore record, Blonder And Blonder (1995), is still one of my favorite songs from that era. I was always impressed with how tight but … Read more