The Front Bottoms Talon Of The Hawk Bar/None Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Front Bottoms return with another record full of catchy wordplay that will make you smile. Album Review: I remember hearing the folky-punk debut from The Front Bottoms back in 2011 and thinking that these guys were onto something. Simple songs, simple … Read more
Emily Bell In Technicolor One-Eyed George Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Emily Bell’s debut showcases her confident soul. Album Review: Austin’s Emily Bell has one of those voices that makes you instantly take notice with its confidence, power and sultry R&B undertone. On her debut, In Technicolor, Bell uses all of these traits to produce … Read more
The Breeders LSXX 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: LSXX is a worthy salute to one of the great albums of the 90’s! Album Review: “We weren’t riot grrrl and we weren’t grunge. Hopefully, we were joyful and natural.” This is the opening statement in the liner notes from founding group leader Kim Deal as … Read more
Graham Repulski Cop Art Big School Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Graham Repulski stand tall with their lo-fi style and short memorable songs! Album Review: If you have been following The Fire Note for several years then the lo-fi New Jersey band Graham Repulski should not be a stranger to you. If this is the … Read more
Man Or Astro-Man? Defcon 5…4…3…2…1 Communicating Vessels / Chunklet Ind. [2013] Fire Note Says: Beam me up! Man Or Astro-Man? are back with another intergalactic screamer! Album Review: It has been nearly 12 years since Man Or Astro-Man? visited earth with a batch of indie surf rock, so the landing of their new long player … Read more
Helldorado Bones In The Closet CCAP Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Grab a whiskey, hat and cigar for Helldorado’s journey to the border on their entertaining new record Bones In The Closet. Album Review: Here is an interesting release from Norway’s Helldorado. The band has been in existence since 2001 and Bones In The Closet … Read more
She & Him Volume 3 Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: She & Him embrace a higher profile as Volume 3 maintains their retro swagger. Album Review: It is really crazy how many things have happened to Zooey Deschanel since She & Him’s sophomore record was released back in 2010. She now has the Fox … Read more
The Features The Features Serpents And Snakes / BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: The Features introduce a bit more electro into their rock n roll lifestyle. Album Review: Nashville based The Features have been perfecting their sound over the years and on record number four the group sounds as comfortable as ever as they tweak … Read more
Wild Nothing Empty Estate EP Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wild Nothing increase the synths on the Empty Estate EP. Album Review: The best thing about an EP is that you can pretty much do anything you want and get away with it. Jack Tatum’s Wild Nothing has already had two gleaming hailed … Read more
Huey Lewis & The News Sports (30th Anniversary Edition) Universal Music Group [2013] Fire Note Says: A guilty pop-rock pleasure that is now 30 years old! Album Review: A lot can be said about 80’s music and most of the time it is negative. When I think eighties, my mind always strays to Echo & … Read more
pacificUV After The Dream You Are Awake Mazarine Records [2013] Fire Note Says: pacificUV let more sun shine in through the haze on their fourth LP. Album Review: pacificUV is an indie-rock band from Athens, Georgia and After The Dream You Are Awake represents the groups fourth full length. Their 2012 long player, Weekends, found … Read more
Koji Crooked In My Mind Run For Cover Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Koji’s solid singer/songwriter debut brings intensity back to the acoustic guitar. Album Review: Rarely in these days of digital downloads, streaming and playlists do you come across a record that makes you want to sit down, kick back and just enjoy the … Read more
Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires Of The City XL Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Vampire Weekend successfully change things up on album number three! Album Review: I don’t know why but I really wanted to hate this new third record from Vampire Weekend. Maybe it was the title: Modern Vampires Of The City – kinda goofy … Read more
Savages Silence Yourself Pop Noire / Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Savages release a debut that rekindles a different era of post-punk. Album Review: London’s Savages come to us with high anticipation and a huge amount of hype. That typically is a setup to be disappointed but in this case the female quartet’s debut … Read more
Deerhunter Monomania 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Another record form Deerhunter with top honors potential! Album Review: How many times have you been let down from your favorite artist? How many times have you blamed your own high expectations as the reason you just couldn’t get into (insert favorite artist here) new record? OK … Read more
Connections Private Airplane Anyway Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Columbus, Ohio band brings a new grit to the lo-fi rock that flourished in the 90’s. Album Review: From opening track “Finally” you know the number one influence of Columbus, Ohio band Connections, is Dayton, Ohio’s Guided By Voices. The song is only 1:14 long, the … Read more
Coliseum Sister Faith Temporary Residence LTD [2013] Fire Note Says: Coliseum make a heavy and rhythmic fourth record that does not let up! Album Review: Do you ever feel like you just need an album to blow off some steam to? Something that is heavy, rhythmic and hits full throttle from track number one? Well … Read more
Pretty & Nice Golden Rules For Golden People Equal Vision Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Boston’s Pretty & Nice resurface with an excellent third LP! Album Review: Back in 2008, Pretty & Nice seemed to be on the indie circuit rise as their sophomore record Get Young was receiving positive praise (#50 in our Top … Read more
Sharks Selfhood Rise Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sharks return with more rock anthems from across seas. Album Review: I have been pulling for the UK’s Sharks since their early singles release several years ago. The band is somewhat like the UK version of The Gaslight Anthem mixed with some classic styling of The Smiths. … Read more
Crazy Joe The Doctor Is In! Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Crazy Joe makes a strong return with his retro roots album The Doctor Is In! Album Review: The Doctor Is In! marks the first album from Crazy Joe in six years and it finds his sound shifting from a rockabilly flavor to a smoother … Read more
The Appleseed Cast Illumination Ritual Graveface Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Appleseed Cast return to their roots and create one of their best albums to date! Album Review: The Appleseed Cast have been around the block a few times and with each lap have always brought a slightly different musical approach that typically would … Read more
Elliott Smith Alternate Versions From Either/Or 7” Kill Rock Stars [2013] This was a nice Record Store Day release for me as anything by Elliott Smith is an instant draw. The songs here have been available digitally before but now they get the premium treatment and have their very on vinyl home. The tracks here … Read more
Guided By Voices English Little League GBV Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices return with the complex and addicting English Little League! Album Review: After three roaring full lengths last year from Guided By Voices, the classic lineup are back with album number four – English Little League. It is a record that … Read more
Various Artists Sub Pop 1000 Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Sub Pop 1000 gives you 10 artists that are well worth checking out! Album Review: It probably shouldn’t surpise anyone that I enjoy new music. I listen and write constantly about new music so when this fresh compilation from Sub Pop hit my … Read more
Luke Winslow-King The Coming Tide Bloodshot Records [2013] Fire Note Says: He may be originally from Cadillac, Michigan but Luke Winslow-King has New Orleans firmly running through his blood! Album Review: Have you ever listened to a record that doesn’t blow you away but yet it sticks? That is exactly my feeling on the Bloodshot … Read more