Iggy PopEvery LoserGold Tooth/Atlantic Records [2023] Iggy Pop, sometimes called “the Godfather of Punk” for his role as frontman/vocalist with The Stooges, an early proto-punk band that formed in Detroit in 1967. Notorious for his over-the-top, shirtless, self-mutilating performances, it’s a wonder that Pop is alive at 75; the fact that he’s still releasing new … Read more
Iggy Pop is back! Every Loser is Iggy’s 19th solo album and his first to be released via the recently announced partnership between Atlantic Records and Gold Tooth Records, the new label founded by the album’s GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum executive producer, Andrew Watt. Iggy Pop will unleash his new album on the public come January 6, … Read more
WeezerSZNZ: AutumnCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2022] Sure as autumn follows summer, Weezer has delivered their third volume in this year’s concept album project, SZNZ: Autumn. While the story line is less clear, songwriter Rivers Cuomo has held onto the basic themes, but more importantly delivers a handful of fun songs that capture those reliable Weezer pop … Read more
Death Cab For CutieAsphalt MeadowsAtlantic Records [2022] While responses to the 2018 release from Death Cab For Cutie were mixed, there were hints in several tracks on the back half of the album that suggested that songwriter Ben Gibbard and new bandmates Dave Depper and Zac Rae were beginning to see their way to the … Read more
WeezerSZNZ: SummerCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2022] No doubt the biggest challenge when committing to produce a concept album around a predetermined narrative and artistic themes is maintaining the integrity of the storyline and finding creative ways to meet the established expectations. With SZNZ: Spring, Rivers Cuomo laid down a number of markers that he attempts to … Read more
WeezerSZNZ: SpringCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2022] Even if you haven’t loved every step on the journey with Weezer, you have to be impressed by composer/bandleader Rivers Cuomo’s work ethic and high-quality output. Frankly, I was less than enamored with the mega-buzz that accompanied the band’s cover of “Africa” by Toto than say, the original the first … Read more
The War On DrugsI Don’t Live Here AnymoreAtlantic Records [2021] It’s hard to imagine a new release with more anticipatory buzz than this new studio album from The War on Drugs. Following the band’s break out 2014 album, Lost in the Dream, which solidified the bona fides of Adam Granduciel’s songwriting, the band’s cohesion, and … Read more
The War On Drugs have announced I Don’t Live Here Anymore, their first studio album in four years, out October 29th on Atlantic Records, and a 2022 North American and European tour (dates below). In conjunction with the announcement, they present its first song/video, “Living Proof.” Over the last 15 years, The War on Drugs … Read more
“It was a black man in open, conscious resistance of the power that was trying to keep him enslaved—that was me…At last I had a chance to say what I believed in my deepest heart about politics, slavery, and about the genocide of Indians.”—Eugene McDaniels aka the left rev mc d. talking about his album, … Read more
Weezer Van WeezerCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2021] Back in 2018, when Weezer shared a co-headline tour with The Pixies, everything about the former’s end of set theatrics suggested the band’s need for an album like Van Weezer. As suggested in The Fire Note concert review at the time, when the set design switched from the “garage … Read more
Weezer OK HumanCrush Music/Atlantic Records [2021] With the pandemic postponement of the Hella Mega Tour with co-headliners Green Day and Fall Out Boy, Weezer has delayed the release of their promised Van Weezer record designed to re-visit the big noisy guitars of their hard rock and metal influences a la the likes of KISS, Sabbath, … Read more
Coldplay Everyday Life Parlophone/Atlantic Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The eighth album from Coldplay benefits from world music influences and a scattershot approach to incorporating a variety of old school musical influences. Album Review: Dropping late in the year, Colplay’s eighth album became an unexpected contender on a lot of folk’s year in lists, due … Read more
Death Cab for Cutie Thank You For Today Atlantic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Death Cab For Cutie have what it takes to make this journey worth the effort. Album Review: Thank You For Today is the 9th studio album from Ben Gibbard’s Death Cab for Cutie, the first without long-time guitarist and producer Chris … Read more
Weezer Pacific Daydream Crush/Atlantic Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo continues his infatuation with the Beach Boys while mixing his power chord anthems with mellower pop inclinations. Album Review: You can’t say Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo doesn’t wear his influences on his sleeve. On last year’s self-titled (White Album) everything pointed to the Beach … Read more
The War On Drugs A Deeper Understanding Atlantic Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The War on Drugs creates an accessible yet sophisticated album. Album Review: A Deeper Understanding is the War on Drugs fourth full-length album, and it is also their most accessible album. On previous efforts, Adam Granduciel’s vocals were a make or break … Read more
Death Cab For Cutie Kintsugi Atlantic Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Kintsugi is a break up record that doesn’t hit all of its marks. Album Review: Death Cab for Cutie hit it in a big way, over a decade ago along with a host of other young bands, like Dashboard Confessional, labeled as emo for … Read more
Coldplay Ghost Stories Atlantic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Coldplay’s latest Ghost Stories could use more life. Album Review: Coldplay has made their most “Coldplay” album, deserving of the criticism sometimes unfairly lobbed at the band. Their sixth LP, Ghost Stories, has a sleepy, pandering feel to it that is often unexciting and rarely exhilarating. … Read more
Lykke Li I Never Learn Atlantic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lykke Li’s third album is not only her best yet but also one of the top break up records released this decade. Album Review: There is nothing like a good breakup record. Time and time again these type of heart driven albums make for … Read more
Yes The Studio Albums 1969-1987 Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A box set from progressive rock kings Yes – just in time for Christmas! Album Review: There is absolutely no need for this box set’s existence and yet I am overjoyed that it’s here. The only thing that’s new here is a re-mastered version … Read more
Portugal. The Man Evil Friends Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A more progressive Portugal goes for bombast on Evil Friends. Album Review: I hate to say it but I have been losing faith in Portugal. The Man. Seeing them live seemed to damage my progressive psyche. I was expecting progressive laden guitar explosions, a … Read more
Frightened Rabbit Pedestrian Verse Canvasback/Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Pedestrian Verse is an honest, mature album that grows more immediate with every listen. Album Review: On their fourth LP, Frightened Rabbit offers a set of songs that feel like the soundtrack to a late night in their home city of Glasgow. Drawing on the … Read more
The Joy Formidable Wolf’s Law Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wolf’s Law is the record Joy Formidable fans were hoping for…and then some! Album Review: How do you follow-up a record like 2011’s The Big Roar, which was my #2 album of the year in 2011? After all, as great as that record was, … Read more
Led Zeppelin Celebration Day Atlantic Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Coming from the land of snow and ice – Zeppelin shows that they still have it! Album Review: About 33 years ago culture and the world was dealt a great loss with the passing of Led Zeppelin drummer John Henry Bonham. You then ask yourself … Read more
The Joy FormidableThe Big RoarAtlantic Records/Canvasback Music [2011] Right from the opening track, “The Everchanging Spectrum Of A Lie”, you get a solid 7:45 complex song that captures the sonic experience you are in for on The Joy Formidable’s debut full length record. Exploding guitars, pounding drums and walls of sounds are contained all within … Read more