The Maravines The Maravines Mint 400 Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The New Jersey duo The Maravines are strong out of the gates with their debut release but are heading into a traffic jam on The George Washington Bridge. Album Review: The Maravines are a two –piece, Union City, New Jersey, duo made up of … Read more
Amen Dunes, the project of New York-based Damon McMahon, is set to release his third full-length album, Love, May 13th on Sacred Bones Records. Amen Dunes has always been rooted in traditional song and sound, but Love is being described as his first work where this clearly shines through. You can hear the late 60’s/early … Read more
Mozes And The Firstborn Mozes And The Firstborn Burger Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mozes and the Firstborn’s debut brings an excellent mix of garage rock from the Netherlands to your speakers! Album Review: The self-titled debut from the Netherlands, Mozes and the Firstborn took me by surprise when I first hit play with its … Read more
Cheatahs Cheatahs Witchita Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Cheatahs is a maelstrom of guitars and melody! Album Review: Cheatahs have finally released their long awaited proper debut full length, and it’s pretty damn good. Extended Plays was a remarkable compilation of their two eps in one handy package, and as great as it was as … Read more
It‘s great that Radiohead has meant so much to so many people over the years as they have influenced a countless number of bands as far as the eye can see. While most everyone knows their great studio triumphs, there are plenty of people that have not tapped into this set of songs that rival … Read more
Augustines Augustines Caroline International [2014] Fire Note Says: The band formerly known as We Are Augustines strip down more than just their name. Album Review: Let me put this out there: the first album from (We Are) Augustines, Rise Ye Sunken Ships, was one of favorite records of 2011. That Dave Newfeld produced album got … Read more
Drowners Drowners Frenchkiss Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Drowners show off their attitude and tunes on their debut album, could they be the next big thing? Album Review: Sometimes a new band comes along and fills a gap for me that has been vacated by a band either breaking up, or completely growing out of … Read more
The Shine Brothers Hello Griefbirds! Cardinal Fuzz Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The bands’ name says it all, Hello Griefbirds sure does shine. Album Review: It‘s funny, searching online I find a fair amount of info on The Shine Brothers. But, where are the reviews for their debut Hello Griefbirds!? There sure is a disservice … Read more
Scott H. Biram Nothin’ But Blood Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Scott H. Biram contemplates what’s next on the hard living Nothin’ But Blood. Album Review: Hard living can have its consequences and one man jam band Scott H. Biram knows it all too well. On his new record, Nothin’ But Blood, Biram starts … Read more
The Rifles None The Wiser Cooking Vinyl [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rifles return to their more rocking sound with triumphant results! Album Review: The original quartet of The Rifles recorded two of my favorite records of the past 10 years with their debut album No Love Lost, and its follow-up Great Escape. Following Great … Read more
Death Of Samantha If Memory Serves Us Well St. Valentine Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If Memory Serves Us Well is a fierce reminder of why this band is so fondly remembered. Album Review: Death of Samantha are one of a handful of influential Cleveland bands that are more likely to have been heard of … Read more
Graham Repulski Ballerina Arcade EP Shorter Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Short and to the point lo-fi goodness! Album Review: “We could smash guitars” is the first line you will hear off of the new EP from lo-fi New Jersey band Graham Repulski. The words are delivered in such an endearing way that you are … Read more
Lydia Loveless Somewhere Else Bloodshot Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Loveless is a true original – raw, edgy and willing to rock! Album Review: You might say that country/punk rock, singer/songwriter Lydia Loveless wears her heart on her sleeves on the songs on this her third full-length album. And you might say that’s an understatement. … Read more
Guided By Voices Motivational Jumpsuit GBV Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: GBV hit a home run with their strongest “classic lineup reunion” album yet! Album Review: When Guided By Voices re-formed in 2011, no one knew how long it would last or how any new albums would stack up with their previous work. But the … Read more
Bombay Bicycle Club So Long, See You Tomorrow Island Records[2014] Fire Note Says: Bombay Bicycle Club continue to evolve in strange and unexpected ways. Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club don’t want to be the biggest rock ‘n roll band in the world. In fact, it’s unclear they even want to be a rock ‘n roll … Read more
If there’s one philosophy here at The Fire Note, too much John Dwyer is never a bad thing-or at least it hasn’t been a problem yet. While John Dwyer is readying his solo LP under the name Damaged Bug, his band Thee Oh Sees have announced their follow-up to 2013’s great album Floating Coffin. Drop … Read more
Kishi Bashi Live On Valentine’s Joyful Noise Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Just in time for Valentine’s day Kishi Bashi reinvents the magic in a live setting. Album Review: When you‘re an artist like Kishi Bashi, stripping out some elements that made his debut 151a so irresistible could be a death sentence. But, when you … Read more
Thumpers Galore Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Thumpers debut has its moments but runs a tad long. Album Review: It always interest me when labels venture outside their perceived niche. Anymore not so much with Sub Pop Records but I think London’s Thumpers debut, Galore, will still make you raise an eyebrow with … Read more
The Rebel Set How To Make A Monster Burger Records/Silver Hornet [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rebel Set revel in paying tribute to the Surf Rock kings of yesteryear. Album Review: Surf-rock in landlocked Arizona? Sure, why not? Remember: JFA was from Arizona too and did a fantastic job of combining The Ventures with The … Read more
Sun Kil Moon Benji Caldo Verde Records [2014] Fire Note Says: An intense lyrical driven record from Sun Kil Moon that takes a deep look at life. Album Review: Following Mark Kozelek’s career over the years can push every sensory button that includes the highest highs and lowest lows. It happened in the Red House … Read more
Young The Giant Mind Over Matter Fueled by Ramen Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Young The Giant’s sophomore LP is slick and crisp. Album Review: Young The Giant’s second LP, Mind Over Matter, is at times irresistable. The California band, consisting of Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), … Read more
The Fire Note is happy to premiere the new video from Sleepers Work. Sleepers Work is the project of William Flynn; NY based multi-instrumentalist and composer that has been in Acrylics, Aufgang, and The Prigs along with playing bass and clarinet with St. Vincent. “Dawn And The Moon” is filled with visually stimulating imagery that … Read more
Maxïmo Park Too Much Information Daylighting Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Maxïmo Park look to shake up their sound on their fifth lp, with mostly positive results. Album Review: Since bursting onto the scene with their debut album, A Certain Trigger, in 2005, Maxïmo Park has been a band that I have followed with great … Read more
Speedy Ortiz Real Hair EP Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Speedy Ortiz return with a four track EP that will leave you wanting more! Album Review: Speedy Ortiz burst onto the indie scene last year with their debut full length Major Arcana (TFN Review). The record landed at #12 in our Top 50 with … Read more
Motel Beds These Are The Days Gone By Misra Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Motel Beds release a compilation that you need to hear! Album Review: Dayton, Ohio has been in the indie music news lately with the Breeders touring and Guided By Voices consistently releasing new records but what about peeling the Gem City … Read more