The Fire Note’s July Bandcamp feature keeps summer going with another batch of new artists for you to check out. In this edition you can find some gems from Dayton, Ohio, hypnotics from Paris, a Spanish lyric driven record from LA, a duo from D.C. and some indie pop from Buffalo. As always – Discover, … Read more
Joyce Manor Never Hungover Again Epitaph Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Joyce Manor upgrade their sound. Album Review: I like the fact that Torrance, California’s Joyce Manor get in and get out when it comes to records. With two albums under their belt that total about 33 minutes combined it seems that waiting two years … Read more
You Blew It! You Blue It Topshelf Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Who doesn’t like a little Blue Album era Weezer! Album Review: When a record is a big part of your youth and influence on your band there is no better way to pay homage than a cover tribute EP. That is exactly the … Read more
Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs Gates Of Hell Southpaw Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs perfectly balance garage rock with power pop. Album Review: Raw rock n roll will always have a place in my player so the new album from Toronto’s Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs is … Read more
Morrissey World Peace Is None Of Your Business Harvest Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Surprise – Morrissey returns with plenty more to say. Album Review: With each later era record, Morrissey has always seemed to reinvent himself. Like any career artist, some albums are better than others and for Morrissey, his last record, Years of … Read more
Reigning Sound Shattered Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Reigning Sound fill the heart with lots of soul. Album Review: Reigning Sound could have probably been huge as the band is fronted by Memphis garage punk legend Greg Cartwright (The Oblivians, Detroit Cobras, Compulsive Gamblers). Their debut was released in 2001 on Sympathy for the … Read more
Braid No Coast Topshelf Records [2014] Fire Note Says: After 16 years, Braid find their way back into your stereo. Album Review: So what were you doing back in 1998? Maybe spinning math rock and emo veterans Braid’s last record Frame & Canvas? Well, that was the last time the Urbana, Illinois band released a … Read more
Strand Of Oaks HEAL Dead Oceans [2014] Fire Note Says: Strand Of Oaks cover tons of musical territory and HEAL is better for it. Album Review: HEAL is Timothy Showalter’s, a.k.a. Strand of Oaks, fourth LP and easily his most expansive as it takes you on a journey through some synth pop, a little post-punk, … Read more
The Estranged The Estranged Dirtnap Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Estranged create a burning intensity within every track. Album Review: Typically when you pick up a Dritnap Records release you sort of know that you are in for some type of punk rock outing. For that reason, Portland’s The Estranged will come at you … Read more
The Safes Record Heat Wee Rock Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Chicago’s The Safes offer up a modern flare on some very classic sounds! Album Review: Everyone around TFN has certain labels they always enjoy and one of mine is Springfield, Missouri’s Wee Rock Records. They are a DIY, vinyl loving label that is all … Read more
The Fire Note’s June Bandcamp feature heats up the summer with a handful of new artists. In this edition you can find some sibling harmonies from Santa Cruz, psychedelic rock from Italy, lo-fi rock straight from Brooklyn and some solid indie from Phoenix. As always – Discover, Support & Share! Lost Boy? Brooklyn, New York … Read more
Parquet Courts Sunbathing Animal What’s Your Rupture? / Mom & Pop Music [2014] Fire Note Says: Parquet Courts are the current New York City sound. Album Review: Sometimes it is hard to explain why an album puts up a roadblock but that is exactly what happened to me on the third record from breakout band … Read more
Brody Dalle Diploid Love Caroline Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ex-punk Brody Dalle returns with a matured rock sound. Album Review: It is crazy how time flies and to realize that Brody Dalle has been in the music scene since her self-titled Distillers debut back in 2000 which was on Hellcat/Epitaph Records. It is also … Read more
Guided By Voices Bee Thousand Scat Records Released: June 21, 1994 Producer: GBV Length: 36:30 I don’t think that anyone back in June of 1994 could have predicted the impact of this little lo-fi record from Dayton, Ohio band Guided By Voices. At the time, I was still in college and working in a music … Read more
First Aid Kit Stay Gold Columbia Records [2014] Fire Note Says: First Aid Kit have matured beyond their young years. Album Review: Hands down, First Aid Kit’s sisters, Klara and Johanna Söderberg, have one of the most addictive harmonizing vocals in the music scene right now. You may have already heard their impact on Conor … Read more
White Lung Deep Fantasy Domino Records [2014] Fire Note Says: White Lung bring forward their hard hitting sound. Album Review: If Vancouver’s White Lung have not been on your radar then here is your wake up call. The band’s third LP, Deep Fantasy, is a rip roaring punk record that will easily remind you of … Read more
Beach Slang Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? EP Dead Broke Rekerds [2014] Fire Note Says: Beach Slang bring back a glorious 90’s sound. Album Review: Philadelphia’s Beach Slang are a supergroup of sorts of an older indie scene. The three piece features James Snyder of Weston, JP Flexner of Ex-Friends and Ed McNulty, … Read more
Bob Mould Beauty & Ruin Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Bob Mould returns with an emotionally charged record. Album Review: Right from the opening track “Low Season” you recognize that Beauty & Ruin is one of the most emotionally driven records Bob Mould has released. The song is a slow burner that finds Mould … Read more
Gold-Bears Dalliance Slumberland Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Gold-Bears revive an old formula for modern results. Album Review: Noisy feedback guitars, buried pop song structures, and plenty of big sing along moments makes the sophomore album from Gold-Bears an indie treat. Dalliance finds main band guy Jeremy Underwood joined by an almost entirely new group … Read more
The Fire Note’s May Bandcamp feature finishes off the Spring with some great new artists. In this edition you can find some loud rock from Toronto, a great singer/songwriter from Charleston, an exciting new act from Washington, D.C., and some melancholic pop from Minnesota. As always – Discover, Support & Share! Nai Harvest Sheffield, UK … Read more
Amen Dunes Love Sacred Bones Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Amen Dunes creates their most engaging record to date. Album Review: I like finding records that I can just sit down with. Sure, you can give me a windows down rocker anytime but everyone needs an album that challenges their ear, makes them question where … Read more
Curtis Harding Soul Power Burger Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Curtis Harding is an emerging artist that you should get to know now. Album Review: The retro soul movement keeps inching toward the forefront of the indie scene and leading the way is Atlanta’s Curtis Harding. You may already know the name as he was … Read more
La Sera Hour Of The Dawn Hardly Art Records [2014] Fire Note Says: La Sera rocks it up on third LP Hour Of The Dawn. Album Review: The Vivian Girls at this point seem like a very distant past when it comes to bassist Katy Goodman. Even though they technically broke up this past January … Read more
Patrick Park Love Like Swords Downward Road Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Patrick Park once again shows why he should be singing to the masses. Album Review: Everyone has several artists they keep close to the vest and consistently root for them when it seems that nobody else cares. One of those artists for me … Read more
Conor Oberst Upside Down Mountain Nonesuch Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Conor Oberst is showing his age – and that is not a bad thing. Album Review: Does it sound weird that Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) is 34 years old? Not that 34 is over the hill by any means but when you consider that … Read more