Cub Scouts Told You So EP Self-Released [2012] Fire Note Says: Fresh indie pop from down under. Album Review: Cub Scouts are a promising new band from Brisbane, Australia that have been crafting their own style of indie dream pop music over the last year. The band already has been generating tons of buzz here … Read more
Interpol Turn On The Bright Lights (Tenth Anniversary Edition) Matador Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Turn On The Bright Lights at 10 sounds even more fresh and innovative today! Album Review: I can’t believe that 10 years has already passed since Interpol released Turn On The Bright Lights. Some may say that it is too … Read more
Turtle Giant Gold Tooth b/w All Light (Live Session) Turntable Kitchen [2012] How many bands do you know that are based in Macau, China? Well I can now give you one – the trio Turtle Giant. The band is our featured 7-inch courtesy of the always great Turntable Kitchen. The A side track, “Gold Tooth” … Read more
Sleeping Bag Women Of Your Life Joyful Noise Recordings [2012] Fire Note Says: Sleeping Bag’s sophomore record is another great slice of well-done slacker rock! Album Review: I am a big sucker for slacker rock and Bloomington, Indiana band Sleeping Bag nail it. Their self-titled debut was just out last year in August and ended … Read more
Smoking Popes Born To Quit [Reissue] SideOneDummy Records [2012] Fire Note Says: One of the more underrated albums from the 90’s alternative nation gets a facelift. Album Review: If you pinned me down and made me list several albums from the 90’s that I still go back to on occasion I guarantee that the Smoking … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem Hold You Up 10” EP Mercury Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Gaslight Anthem offer up 3 new acoustic tracks on RSD 10″ release. Album Review: This new 10” EP from The Gaslight Anthem was just released several weeks ago on Record Store Day Black Friday. The EP continues the trend for … Read more
The White Stripes Gold Dollar (Vault #13) Third Man Records [2012] This accompanying 7” as part as the Vault Series #13 is a recording from the White Stripes first-ever live performance, recorded on Bastille Day, (July 14th, 1997) at the Gold Dollar’s open-mic night. Presented in crystalline soundboard quality, the renditions of “St. James Infirmary”, … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Box Set] Virgin/EMI Music [2012] (5CD/1DVD Set) Fire Note Says: Even though 64 extra tracks seem daunting it is only fitting for such a monumentally epic record. Album Review: I will totally admit that I let out a somewhat disapproving sigh when I first received … Read more
Weinland Los Processaur Woodphone Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Weinland returns with a bigger sound driven by the same solid emotion. Album Review: Immediately from opening track “Bones Checking In” you hear an evolving sound from Portland OR’s Weinland as they move away from their more hush like moments on 2009’s Breaking The Sun into … Read more
Mike Doughty The Flip Is Another Honey Snack Bar Records [2012] Fire Note Says: This covers record is respectful, soulful and possesses plenty of laid back fun! Album Review: Cover albums can be a tricky thing for an artist of any talent so it always worries me a little when someone I like decides to … Read more
Run, Forever Settling Tiny Engines Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Indie rock done right with a purpose, message and substance. Album Review: There can never be enough said about a solid indie rock record from a band that have spent much of their last two years on the road playing tiny clubs, basements and house … Read more
My Jerusalem Preachers The End Records [2012] Fire Note Says: My Jerusalem will grab your ear from the opening track as their sophomore record, Preachers, is a non-stop enjoyable ride. Album Review: Preachers is the sophomore album from Austin’s My Jerusalem and from the opening piano intensity on the opening title track you just know … Read more
Eric Burdon & The Greenhornes Eric Burdon & The Greenhornes EP Readymade Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Two eras of R&B garage style rock meet up for a stellar modern EP! Album Review: This EP release was one of the cool collaborations that came out last week on Record Store Day’s Black Friday. It features … Read more
Peter Gabriel So [25th Anniversary Special Edition] Real World/EMI Records [2012] (3CD Set) Fire Note Says: Music here is an easy 5 – the lack of extras holds this version slightly back from taking all gold! Album Review: I don’t think there should be much argument or even discussion about how great So is from … Read more
Trapper Schoepp & The Shades Run, Engine, Run SideOneDummy Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Get ready to run with Trapper Schoepp & The Shades as their third lp is a non-stop Americana romp! Album Review: Southern flavored music from a Milwaukee band on a typically punk label? That does not necessarily sound like a recipe … Read more
Soundgarden King Animal Universal Music Group [2012] Fire Note Says: Soundgarden return after 16 years with a fan satisfying album. Album Review: We have already seen plenty of classic groups come back together in 2012 and now Soundgarden add to the list after a 16 year absence since a studio record. As one of the … Read more
Green Day ¡Dos! Reprise/Warner Bros. Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The second offering of the Green Day trilogy works harder to find its own identity. Album Review: Green Day are back with the second installment of their trilogy, correctly titled ¡Dos!, and it once again throws caution to the wind with its free spirited vibe. … Read more
A Shoreline Dream333Latenight Weeknight Records [2012] A Shoreline Dream comes to us all the way for Denver, Colorado bringing with them a moody blend of ambient psych with a nice post-rock tinge. A neat idea, the 333 album was actually released as three separate EPs each bearing the name of 3. Once everything was said … Read more
Basement Colourmeinkindness Run For Cover Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The sophomore album from Basement brings back the glory days of indie guitar rock for an entire new generation to enjoy! Album Review: I was just having this conversation last week about my wish (and the need) for solid straightforward guitar rock to make a … Read more
Pinback Information Retrieved Temporary Residence LTD. [2012] Fire Note Says: Time means nothing to Pinback as they return strong as ever! Album Review: It has been 5 years since Pinback released their last studio album, Autumn of the Seraphs [2007], and you absolutely wouldn’t know it after taking in the sonic adventure that is their … Read more
METZ METZ Sub Pop Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Grab a helmet because METZ are on the sonic attack with their excellent (and thundering) self-titled debut. Album Review: Right from the opening pounding drums on first track “Headache” you just know that the Canadian outfit METZ is totally going to kick your ass! The noise … Read more
Murder By Death Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon Bloodshot Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Murder By Death not only deliver the goods on their sixth full length, Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, but have also released one of the best albums in 2012! Album Review: I love it when an album takes hold of me from the very first track … Read more
Mumford & Sons Babel Glassnote Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Highly anticipated sophomore record from UK’s Mumford & Sons has its moments. Album Review: Since the release of their debut Sigh No More, I am not sure anyone totally predicted the Mumford explosion that has taken place over the last several years but here we … Read more
Cat Power Sun Matador Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Cat Power changes up the approach which produces one of Chan Marshall’s strongest records to date! Album Review: Sun hails the return of Chan Marshall and her moniker Cat Power as it has been six long years since she last released a record of original material. … Read more
The Avett Brothers The Carpenter American/Universal Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Avett Brothers go beyond just providing a record and deliver an experience that will keep you coming back! Album Review: The Avett Brothers return to the music scene next week with the release of their seventh album, The Carpenter, which once again reunites … Read more