The Hotelier Home, Like Noplace Is There Tiny Engines [2014] Fire Note Says: The Hotelier bring emo-punk back to proper form on sophomore record. Album Review: Emo has been back n forth with the cool kids table for a good number of years now but just as much as it is easy to accuse some … Read more
Axxa/Abraxas Axxa/Abraxas Captured Tracks [2014] Fire Note Says: Axxa/Abraxas effortlessly introduces you to his love of the 60’s. Album Review: 23 year-old Atlanta native Ben Asbury is Axxa/Abraxas and on his debut you will be introduced to his love of the 60’s and vision of the future. I say this all the time but music … Read more
Real Estate Atlas Domino Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Real Estate let you drift off with Atlas’ smooth and calm climate. Album Review: If it’s not broke don’t fix it – just tweak it. That is the main story behind Real Estate’s third record Atlas. The New Jersey group is back with an album that … Read more
Skaters Manhattan Warner Bros. Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Skaters debut is full of hooks and youthful spirit. Album Review: The promotion blitz behind New York’s Skaters reminds me of the way it used to be with major record labels back in the 90’s. They have received tons of pre-hype from Warner Bros. leading up … Read more
John The Conqueror The Good Life Alive Natural Sound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: John The Conqueror are back with another blues rocking good time! Album Review: Philadelphia’s John The Conqueror are back with another slice of blues rock soul on their sophomore album The Good Life. The title fits as this album has an … Read more
Vertical Scratchers Daughter Of Everything Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Vertical Scratchers are all about sharp and quick indie rock. Album Review: Vertical Scratchers were destined to create indie rock, as members John Schmersal (ex-Brainiac/Enon, live Caribou, and Crooks on Tape) and Christian Beaulieu (ex-Triclops!/Anywhere) resume suggest. Their debut record, Daughter of Everything, is … Read more
Beck Morning Phase Capitol Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Morning Phase is a record that has nothing to prove but everything to give! Album Review: It is really hard to believe that it has been 20 years since Beck Hansen stormed into the music scene with his hit debut record Mellow Gold (1994). It was … Read more
Mozes And The Firstborn Mozes And The Firstborn Burger Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mozes and the Firstborn’s debut brings an excellent mix of garage rock from the Netherlands to your speakers! Album Review: The self-titled debut from the Netherlands, Mozes and the Firstborn took me by surprise when I first hit play with its … Read more
Scott H. Biram Nothin’ But Blood Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Scott H. Biram contemplates what’s next on the hard living Nothin’ But Blood. Album Review: Hard living can have its consequences and one man jam band Scott H. Biram knows it all too well. On his new record, Nothin’ But Blood, Biram starts … Read more
Graham Repulski Ballerina Arcade EP Shorter Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Short and to the point lo-fi goodness! Album Review: “We could smash guitars” is the first line you will hear off of the new EP from lo-fi New Jersey band Graham Repulski. The words are delivered in such an endearing way that you are … Read more
Thumpers Galore Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Thumpers debut has its moments but runs a tad long. Album Review: It always interest me when labels venture outside their perceived niche. Anymore not so much with Sub Pop Records but I think London’s Thumpers debut, Galore, will still make you raise an eyebrow with … 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
Speedy Ortiz Real Hair EP Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speedy Ortiz return with a four track EP that will leave you wanting more! Album Review: Speedy Ortiz burst onto the indie scene last year with their debut full length Major Arcana (TFN Review). The record landed at #12 in our Top 50 with … Read more
Motel Beds These Are The Days Gone By Misra Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Motel Beds release a compilation that you need to hear! Album Review: Dayton, Ohio has been in the indie music news lately with the Breeders touring and Guided By Voices consistently releasing new records but what about peeling the Gem City … Read more
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been taking some heat this week after it was noticed that they didn’t “plug in” for their Super Bowl performance. Flea tried to explain their actions while fans and critics landed on both sides of the debate. I guess I don’t really care – Chad Smith played drums with … Read more
Water Liars Water Liars Fat Possum Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Water Liars return with another batch of emotional sing-alongs. Album Review: Don’t let the new self-titled effort from Mississippi’s Water Liars fool you as it is the band’s third full length album and one of their most accomplished records to date. The group once … Read more
Juan Wauters N.A.P. North American Poetry Captured Tracks [2014] Fire Note Says: The Beets frontman, Juan Wauters, goes acoustic on solo debut. Album Review: N.A.P. North American Poetry is Juan Wauters debut record but as a founding member and vocalist of fun garage rockers The Beets, he is no stranger to being front and center … Read more
The Revered Horton Heat REV Victory Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Reverend Horton Heat return with a rockabilly fever on REV. Album Review: I will admit that as a Reverend Horton Heat fan I have been left a little empty with their last several releases. The live material on 25 to life (2012) was … Read more
February is sweeps month in the TV business – a time when ratings are scrutinized and shows pull out all the stops to get viewers. This made us think of some of the better music TV performances over the years. As usual we’ve probably grossly overlooked something but we only could list 10 – add … Read more
Hello 2014! There have already been some great releases in January but what is on the horizon? Who is the next band you should tell all your friends about? Is there a chance to catch someone cool on tour that is playing a sub galley? Well, The Fire Note monthly Bandcamp feature is back so … Read more
The Lawrence Arms Metropole Epitaph Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Lawrence Arms return with a record of hooks, punk, and regret. Album Review: If I were to list some of the great pop-punk records of the early 2000’s, Chicago’s Lawrence Arms Apathy and Exhaustion (2002) would be right there near the top of the … Read more
Grass Is Green Vacation Vinny Exploding In Sound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Grass Is Green make a post-punk record you can have fun with. Album Review: Boston band Grass Is Green take a Fugazi meets Pavement approach on their new record Vacation Vinny which has an instant appeal right from the opening track “Sammy … Read more
Warpaint Warpaint Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Warpaint provide a technically and musically sound sophomore record. Album Review: It took some time with Warpaint’s debut record, The Fool (2010), to really absorb their sound but after repeat listens their smooth but somewhat cold delivery won you over. On the band’s self-titled sophomore return … Read more
James Vincent McMorrow Post Tropical Vagrant Records [2014] Fire Note Says: James Vincent McMorrow sings from the heart on his sophomore outing Post Tropical. Album Review: There is nothing better than sheer vocal talent. James Vincent McMorrow has one of those voices that pushes each of his tracks with his floating soft voice and instantly … Read more
Upset She’s Gone Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Upset play pop-punk like it should be – tight and catchy! Album Review: Here is a record I sat on stupidly last year. It can be a little overwhelming at times around Fire Note headquarters as releases roll in and sometimes we miss one that … Read more