Missing Monuments Missing Monuments Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Missing Monuments find an improved cohesion on self-titled sophomore record. Album Review: King Louie has a much bigger name than just being the guy behind the Missing Monuments. He has not only played in bands like Jack Oblivion and Jay Reatard but was in the … Read more
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros offer up another batch of freedom rock. Album Review: I remember the first time I heard “Home” off of Edward Sharpe’s debut record Up From Below (2009) and thinking that with … Read more
Hunx And His Punx Street Punk Hardly Art Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Believe the title as Hunx And His Punx bring the noise! Album Review: With an album title like Street Punk and an album cover with a tattooed bare-chested dude you better bring it when it comes to the music. Hunx And His … Read more
Deap Vally Sistrionix Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Deap Vally bring a familiar bolt of rock forward with their own style. Album Review: Rock n roll will never die and LA group Deap Vally are a good example why. The duo made up of guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards create … Read more
Gregory Alan Isakov The Weatherman Suitcase Town Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Gregory Alan Isakov’s third full length may just be his best! Album Review: Sometimes there is just nothing better than a softly played indie-folk record like The Weatherman, the third full-length album from Gregory Alan Isakov. The album is full of his confident … Read more
Robert Randolph & The Family Band Lickety Split Blue Note Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Robert Randolph cranks the guitars up and the fun dance party even higher! Album Review: I have been following Robert Randolph & The Family Band since their 2003 sophomore record Unclassified. Its combination of soul, funk, hard rock, folk, gospel … Read more
The Purrs The Boy With Astronaut Eyes Fin Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Another rock n roll ride from Seattle’s Purrs. Album Review: Ten years going strong and still working on name recognition, Seattle’s The Purrs are one of the better bands that you still have not heard. The group has consistently released solid records … Read more
Daughn Gibson Me Moan Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Very unique sophomore record from Daughn Gibson will bring love and hate! Album Review: If you are familiar with Daughn Gibson’s debut All Hell from last year then you already know this dude has an interesting deep baritone for a voice. You combine this … Read more
Robert Pollard Honey Locust Honky Tonk Guided By Voices Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: One of Robert Pollard’s strongest solo outings to date! Album Review: I know that these days a solo record from Robert Pollard is almost expected as he typically releases two albums under his own name a year. This streak actually goes … Read more
Teenage Guitar Force Fields At Home Guided By Voices Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Teenage Guitar gives Robert Pollard an entire new canvas for his creativity and art! Album Review: “In Bob We Trust” is a motto that is used quite frequently around TFN headquarters and is especially utilized when a more challenging record from … Read more
Editors The Weight Of Your Love Play It Again Sam Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Editors once again swing for the fences on their fourth LP. Album Review: The UK’s Editors is a band that I wish would just knock me out with a killer record. They have all the right components with a … Read more
Light Heat Light Heat Ribbon Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Mazarin frontman Quentin Stolzfus returns to the scene after seven years with Light Heat debut. Album Review: I actually would be impressed if many of our readers remembered the early 2000 psych-pop band Mazarin. The group had three full length albums with the sophomore effort … Read more
Hausu Total Hardly Art Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Hausu provide a fresh and precision based debut record. Album Review: It wasn’t till about the fourth track here on Hausu’s debut, Total, that I started to get where the Portland, OR band was coming from with their retro post-punk sound. Did they sound like Fugazi? … Read more
Case Studies This Is Another Life Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Case Studies tells it like it is on sophomore album This Is Another Life. Album Review: Case Studies is the current moniker for singer/songwriter Jesse Lortz who was previously one half of The Dutchess And The Duke. This Is Another Life is … Read more
Smith Westerns Soft Will Mom + Pop Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Smith Westerns return with a another batch of purposeful dream rock. Album Review: Coming off an excellent record like Smith Westerns sophomore effort Dye It Blonde (2011) is never easy. Once you add in the stress of playing the road till you about … Read more
Kanye West Yeezus Def Jam Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Kanye comes at you 90 mph with the impressive Yeezus. Album Review: Let me be the first to say that I am not a regular listener to Kanye West or rap music in general. You may stop reading now or you might just give this … Read more
Jimmy Eat World Damage RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jimmy Eat World stay consistent on seventh album Damage. Album Review: Jimmy Eat World have had a good ride. The emo band has outlasted and outplayed many in the genre while maintaining a major label contract and carrying a solid fan base. This is even … Read more
Lemuria The Distance Is So Big Bridge Nine Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Lemuria are back with another engaging high energy indie rock record! Album Review: After 5 years I have started to sound like a broken record when reviewing Buffalo, NY group Lemuria but I will tell you that once again, with album number … Read more
Here at The Fire Note we believe in the little guy. The indie mom and pop record stores, the indie record labels being run from basements, and the undiscovered bands all over the world making better music than their influences. This feature is for the little guys. Most of them have records available and they … Read more
R.E.M. Green (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Warner Bros./Rhino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Green is next in the R.E.M. reissue series that includes a great live second disc. Album Review: For me, Green started an entire new era for R.E.M. as their sixth full length was all about transition. It is interesting how this record … Read more
Eleanor Friedberger Personal Record Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sophomore album Personal Record secures Eleanor Friedberger’s full time status as a solo act. Album Review: With The Fiery Furnaces on a hiatus it seems like the perfect time for Eleanor Friedberger to release her sophomore album Personal Record. The record once again highlights her … Read more
The Dandy Warhols Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia (13th Anniversary Edition) Capitol Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dandy Warhols celebrate Thirteen Tales with an expanded anniversary edition. Album Review: 2013 marks the thirteenth anniversary of The Dandy Warhols Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia and that probably leaves you saying – so what? Well in … Read more
Jonny Fritz Dad Country ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jonny Fritz finds a more serious side on his ATO debut Dad Country. Album Review: Jonny Fritz (formerly Jonny Corndawg) plays a very straightforward and honest “country” music on his third album, Dad Country, and first for ATO Records. Fritz states that his songs are … Read more
Alex Bleeker And The Freaks How Far Away Woodsist Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Alex Bleeker’s sophomore album will take you back to a different era of Americana. Album Review: Alex Bleeker is the bassist for Real Estate but his solo musical outlet with The Freaks has continued on to the more realized sophomore record … Read more
The Maine Forever Halloween Eighty One Twenty Three [2013] Fire Note Says: The Maine utilize Brendan Benson’s board skills for a catchy fourth LP. Album Review: If someone ever asked me if there is criteria on reviewing a record I would just answer sure. Of course they will ask for more detail and I will … Read more