Endless Bummer Vol. 1 In The Red Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sludged-out beach bums bring ferocious fuzz on Vol. 1. Album Review: As Endless Bummer‘s Vol. 1 seeps through the speakers, the question of quality never comes up. That‘s OK too, because LA‘s Endless Bummer never promise it. Recorded with friend Ty Segall in … Read more
I always like an honest approach to music and that is exactly what you get today on our track premiere from Brooklyn’s Robot Princess. The band plays an indie style of rock that thrives on its intricate laid back wordplay and guitar runs comparable to Pavement while Beau Alessi and Catherine Anderson possess the back … Read more
Jeff the Brotherhood Wasted On The Dream Infinity Cat Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Wasted on the Dream mixes moments of catchy head banging fuzz rock with head scratching cheese-pop. Album Review: The scuzz/fuzz duo from Nashville are back for their 8th album, Wasted on the Dream. They have brought a big sound with them … Read more
The Black Ryder The Door Behind The Door The Anti-Machine Machine [2015] Fire Note Says: The Black Ryder applies new textures to vivid and cathartic philosophies. Album Review: The Black Ryder’s first LP Buy The Ticket Take The Ride sounds like an easy LP to love—but only if you’re not Pitchfork. Rolling Stone included Buy … Read more
In my humble opinion, Thee Oh Sees’ Drop LP was not their strongest effort. Having reviewed every single Sees LP since Putrifiers II—including Singles Collection Volume Three and the RSD 2014 Moon Sick EP—Drop’s 60’s garage theme was easy to spot, but the strength and consistency of their previous material was lacking. Well, if you … Read more
The Church Further / Deeper Unorthodox Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Further/Deeper finds The Church doing what they do best! Album Review: In the 35 years since Aussie band The Church formed in 1980, they’ve largely been the collaborative effort of Steve Kilbey on lead vocals, bass and guitars, Marty Wilson-Piper on guitars and bgv’s, … Read more
The Juliana Hatfield Three Whatever, My Love American Laundromat Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Juliana Hatfield Three return to the indie scene after 22 years. Album Review: “There is history in this place” is the first line from Sebadoh’s “Skull” which is a track from the same era when The Juliana Hatfield Three were … Read more
Big Dick Disappointment Dirt Cult Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Their debut album was great…this is GREATER! Album Review: It’s no secret that Big Dick’s debut album was one of The Fire Note’s favorite albums of 2013, in fact, internally we have often dreamed that the Canadian duo would headline a mythical Fire Note Fest, … Read more
Frankie And The Witch Fingers Frankie And The Witch Fingers Permanent Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers will hit your 60’s garage rock nerve! Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers are a garage rock group originally from Bloomington, Indiana that are currently making the big move to Los Angeles. Their … Read more
Steven Wilson Hand. Cannot. Erase. Kscope Music [2015] Fire Note Says: Porcupine Tree frontman offers an inspired and introspective solo effort. Album Review: Steven Wilson is a busy guy. Besides working on his own music he has been on a crusade to remix some of the best-known and most beloved records from the classic era … Read more
I am not sure if you are familiar with the San Francisco label Melters but it is the home of the greatly underappreciated artist Tony Molina and his earlier band the Ovens. The label also has some other solid indie rock acts on their small roster which includes Chris McVicker’s group Swiftumz. Swiftumz’s new record, … Read more
Guster Evermotion Nettwerk Music Group [2015] Fire Note Says: Guster continues to put out tuneful, thoughtful music. Album Review: Get ready to feel old: Guster formed 24 years ago in Boston, MA. This is a band with years and years of experience and a strong sense of identity. That sense of self allows Guster to … Read more
Torche Restarter Relapse Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Torche aim to rock you under their heavy groove. Album Review: You can classify Torche into any type of “rock” box you want, be it metal, alternative, radio friendly, sludge or maybe even pop but their fourth album, Restarter, is somewhat of a game changer for the … Read more
Sonny & The Sunsets Talent Night At The Ashram Polyvinyl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: A delightfully weird psychedelic pop album from Sonny & The Sunsets. Album Review: When we last heard from Sonny Smith and his shapeshifting Sunsets on 2013’s Antenna to the Afterworld, he was busy dealing with aliens, death, lost love, affairs, … Read more
Ty Segall has been a Fire Note favorite now for some time and recently just snagged our top honors as the best album of 2014 with Manipulator. Well, no slowing Ty down as he shot out of the 2015 gate with this new Mr. Face EP on Famous Class Records. For fans, Mr. Face represents … Read more
Dan Deacon Gliss Riffer Domino Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Dan Deacon streamlines his signature sound with mixed results. Album Review: Listening to Dan Deacon’s records is a different kind of experience. Precious few artists in the field of electronica have such a penchant for pop or a relish for rock that Deacon has. It … Read more
Fuji Kureta is an electronic pop duo from Istanbul. The group is comprised of Sahin Kureta (music-programming) and Deniz Ozturk (lyrics-vocals) which have been making music together since late 2008. Fuji Kureta recently released their new 4 track EP, Yetunde, on South Africa based Tree Machine Records and you can hear right from the first … Read more
Axis: Sova Early Surf God? Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Early Surf puts the depth and nuance at your control. Album Review: Wand’s Ganglion Reef was one of my favorite albums of last year—our favorite garage rock prodigy, Ty Segall, hand-picked the band’s album for release (with help from Drag City Records) on his God? … Read more
The Sidekicks Runners In The Nerved World Epitaph Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Sidekicks fourth album is pop-tinged punk confection. Album Review: The Sidekicks are a punk outfit from Cleveland, OH. Runners In The Nerved World is the band’s fourth studio release and my first exposure to the band. The Sidekicks sound like a … Read more
Smug Brothers Woodpecker Paradise Gas Daddy Go! Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Smug Brothers newest album is one of their strongest efforts to date. A tight, urgent, and catchy blend of indie rock from rock Mecca Dayton, Ohio. Album Review: Around this time last year, I was reviewing the Smug Brothers’ LP On the Way … Read more
Wand is a band that really deserves to find some success. Having been hand-picked for Ty Segall’s God? Label, Wand released Ganglion Reef, one of the best releases of 2014 (my personal #6 of last year), and I’ve described them as one of the best bands the Elephant Six collective never produced. It seems they’ve … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Terraplane New West Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Terraplane finds Earle & his Dukes exploring the swampy blues stomps of the Deep South. Album Review: One of the benefits of a long career is that it gives an artist a chance to celebrate their influences and explore artistic tangents without … Read more
Small Houses Still Talk; Second City The Cottage Recording Co. [2015] Fire Note Says: Small Houses releases a record from the core. Album Review: If you have read the Fire Note long enough, most people know that I have this solid place in my music library reserved for the honest singer/songwriter. Right next to my … Read more
Quarterbacks Quarterbacks Team Love Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Quarterbacks expand on fun self-titled full length. Album Review: Quarterbacks has yet another short and sweet release. Their self-titled album is the longest yet, with 19 tracks. The album only runs 22 minutes but somehow they manage to make every song jam-packed with memories, people, and … Read more
Anymore it seems tough to find a unique sound in the indie music scene today but we are hoping to grab your ear with the premiere of Philadelphia trio Busses new track, “Liars.” It is from their latest self-released album, Wizard of the Eye, which is out today. The song represents another example of their … Read more