Steve Adamyk Band Third Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Steve Adamyk Band is back with another quick shot of punk rock for the soul! Album Review: Canada’s Steve Adamyk Band have emerged over the last several years as a top group in the punk pop world with their no-nonsense approach to the genre … Read more
The Changes American Master Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: After seven years, The Changes release an excellent sophomore record in American Master! Album Review: The Changes released their debut, Today Is Tonight, back in 2006 and at the time I thought for sure the Chicago band would quickly burst out of the scene. Well not … Read more
Veronica Falls Waiting For Something To Happen Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Veronica Falls avoid the slump with their solid sophomore record Waiting For Something To Happen. Album Review: I love when albums sneak up on you and stick in the back of your head to the point where you unexpectedly start blurting out … Read more
Richard Thompson Electric Proper/New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Richard Thompson is back as strong as ever on his engaging new album Electric. Album Review: There is a reason that Rolling Stone listed Richard Thompson as one of the top 20 guitarists of all time as album after album he proves his talent. As … Read more
Broadway Calls Comfort/Distraction No Sleep Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Broadway Calls are one of leaders in the current punk pop genre and Comfort/Distraction firmly holds their place at the top! Album Review: I remember back in the mid-90’s when punk pop was around every corner and soared on mainstream rock radio. It was simpler … Read more
Night Beds Country Sleep Dead Oceans Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Night Beds debut Country Sleep will win your attention in its first 71 seconds. Album Review: I am a sucker for the type of record Night Beds has released in Country Sleep. The album begins with just a simple unaccompanied tender voice in the … Read more
Jim James Regions Of Light And Sound Of God ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jim James shows off his soul on his debut solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God! Album Review: Like any frontman going out solo there always is a big question mark on what the record will sound like. … Read more
Fonda Sell Your Memories Minty Fresh Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fonda pretend like they never left the scene with their excellent return Sell Your Memories! Album Review: The core members of Fonda, Emily Cook and David Klotz, emerged back on the indie scene two years ago with the Better Days EP which ended their … Read more
Gliss Langsom Dans Modern Outsider Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gliss return after 4 years with an evolved sound. Album Review: Gliss is a Danish/American three-piece that seem to release a record every three or, in this case, four years as Langsom Dans is their third long player since the band’s 2006 debut. In music … Read more
Here We Go Magic You Get More Done When You’re Happy Joyful Noise Recordings [2013] The first installment of Joyful Noise’s 2013 Flexi Disc Series features an exclusive track from Here We Go Magic. The song “You Get More Done When You’re Happy” has a sort of 80’s instrument style while a pleasant free flowing … Read more
Yellow Red Sparks Yellow Red Sparks Org Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Yellow Red Sparks make a strong debut on the indie folk scene! Album Review: “Whatcha gonna buy me honey?” is the strong first line you hear on the debut from the Yellow Red Sparks that instantly grabs your attention and makes you take … Read more
Widowspeak Almanac Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Widowspeak’s sophomore record does not quite capture the magic of their debut – but it’s close! Album Review: Widowspeak’s sophomore album, Almanac, starts off right where their 2011 self-titled debut left off by rightfully highlighting the bands best weapon in singer Molly Hamilton’s siren like vocals. … Read more
The Pogues The Very Best Of The Pogues Shout! Factory Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Shout! Factory reminds us of why The Pogues were important. Album Review: Both modern folk and Celtic punk have had an upswing in popularity over the last several years so a new Best Of reissue covering the beloved Irish-English punk … Read more
The Night Marchers Allez Allez Swami Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Night Marchers return after a 5 year absence with the rambunctious Allez Allez! Album Review: Look no further if you want some solid rock n roll that has punk roots, talent at every instrument and a commanding lead vocal that will consistently get … Read more
Deerhoof Breakup Song 7” Flexi Disc Book Joyful Noise Recordings [2012] In the world of vinyl something unique most certainly will grab our attention. That is the case with the newest album from Deerhoof titled Breakup Song that was originally released on Polyvinyl Records back in September. This new format of Breakup Song was issued … Read more
Guided By Voices Down By The Racetrack (EP) GBV Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices starts off their 2013 output with the excellent Down By The Racetrack EP! Album Review: When the news hit that Guided By Voices was kicking off 2013 with an EP those on the outside probably thought why bother … Read more
Bad Religion True North Epitaph Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bad Religion creates another timeless punk record with the energetic True North! Album Review: Bad Religion have long been and still are one of the original punk bands of this generation. A new album from Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz is always a welcomed site … Read more
Parquet Courts Light Up Gold Dull Tools Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Parquet Courts released one of the indie rock gems of 2012 – glad we finally took a listen! Album Review: Sometimes in the review world you feel like a total idiot when you miss one. I say that as we were late to … Read more
Nikki And The Corvettes Nikki And The Corvettes (Vinyl Reissue) BOMP! Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Nikki And The Corvettes released a rocking fun album back in 1980 – time to check it out! Album Review: Long before Bikini Kill, The Donnas and Sleater-Kinney there was a rowdy girl rock record released in 1980 by … Read more
Villagers {Awayland} Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Villagers return with an expansive sophomore album that shows new strengths for the band. Album Review: Dublin’s Villagers is basically a one man show, as Conor J. O’Brien is the talent behind his folk moniker. Back in 2010 he released his debut, Becoming A Jackal, which came … Read more
Red Clover Ghost Red Clover Ghost Good Soil Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Red Clover Ghost will win you over immediately with their sincere harmonizing approach. Album Review: When a group can successfully use their harmonizing vocals as another instrument it tends to always grab my listening ear. This is the case with Cumberland, MD, … Read more
Fort Shame Double Wide Peloton Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Fort Shame bring back some mid-90’s vigor on their debut Double Wide! Album Review: If this was 1998, Fort Shame would be receiving a significant increase in press as the band is fronted by Columbus, Ohio’s Sue Harshe which was co-founder of the post-punk band … Read more
Green Day ¡Tre! Reprise/Warner Bros. Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Green Day close out the album trilogy. Album Review: I knew going into a three album release that Green Day would really need to step up to the plate to pull it off. One album is hard enough and for the band ¡Uno! was a … Read more
The Moons Fables Of History Schnitzel Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Moons sophomore album, Fables of History, brings the best of British music’s past forward! Album Review: Every once in a while a record comes across from the UK that has a retro Beatles, soul and 60’s vibe all wrapped tightly into one nice … Read more
Dropkick Murphys Signed And Sealed In Blood Born & Bred Records/ADA [2013] Fire Note Says: Dropkick Murphys return with one of their biggest sounding and most engaging albums to date. Album Review: “The boys are back; the boys are back; and they are looking for trouble” is the first big anthem call out line from … Read more