R.E.M. Green (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) Warner Bros./Rhino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Green is next in the R.E.M. reissue series that includes a great live second disc. Album Review: For me, Green started an entire new era for R.E.M. as their sixth full length was all about transition. It is interesting how this record … Read more
Baths Obsidian Anticon Records [2013] Fire Note Says: After a near death experience, Will Wiesenfeld drops a near masterpiece. Album Review: On his 2010 debut as Baths (the woefully neglected Cerulean) Will Wiesenfeld was content to let his laptop do most of the talking for him. A cool hybrid of the LA beat scene and … Read more
The Boxer Rebellion Promises Universal Music Group [2013] Fire Note Says: The Boxer Rebellion perfects their knockout punch on their fourth LP Promises. Album Review: Sometimes an album grabs you for no good reason – all the analysis and critical thought can’t begin to explain the why’s or how’s. This is what happened to me … Read more
The Breeders LSXX 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: LSXX is a worthy salute to one of the great albums of the 90’s! Album Review: “We weren’t riot grrrl and we weren’t grunge. Hopefully, we were joyful and natural.” This is the opening statement in the liner notes from founding group leader Kim Deal as … Read more
R.E.M. Live In Greensboro EP Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: R.E.M. gives a taste of their musicianship on the Live in Greensboro EP. Album Review: As part of Record Store Day 2013, an EP from R.E.M. was released that included live tracks taken from performances in Greensboro, NC in 1989. These tracks are … Read more
Purson The Circle And The Blue Door Rise Above Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Purson explores all that was good about late sixties/early seventies folk, prog and hard rock. Album Review: It’s not very often that we here at The Fire Note take notice of a heavy metal band. I personally find all the satanic … Read more
Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires Of The City XL Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Vampire Weekend successfully change things up on album number three! Album Review: I don’t know why but I really wanted to hate this new third record from Vampire Weekend. Maybe it was the title: Modern Vampires Of The City – kinda goofy … Read more
Surrogate Post-Heroic Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Surrogate add heavier textures to their already winning formula, and sound more cohesive than ever before. Album Review: You’ve probably never heard of Surrogate. Ever since their 2007 debut on Tooth & Nail Records, Love is For the Rich, the Chico, California band has flown under the radar, … Read more
Deerhunter Monomania 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Another record form Deerhunter with top honors potential! Album Review: How many times have you been let down from your favorite artist? How many times have you blamed your own high expectations as the reason you just couldn’t get into (insert favorite artist here) new record? OK … Read more
Mikal Cronin MCII Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Don’t miss out on this Album of the Year contender! Album Review: Despite the excellence of his debut self titled solo album released late in 2011, Mikal Cronin is best known as the bass player for the Ty Segall band. His collaboration 2009 with Segall, Reverse … Read more
Guided By Voices English Little League GBV Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices return with the complex and addicting English Little League! Album Review: After three roaring full lengths last year from Guided By Voices, the classic lineup are back with album number four – English Little League. It is a record that … Read more
Iron & Wine Ghost On Ghost Nonesuch Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Iron & Wine’s fifth LP is an alternative/folk/rock/jazz/pop masterpiece. Album Review: Sam Beam has gone through quite a musical evolution in the eleven years he’s been making music under the Iron & Wine moniker. While his first two albums (2002’s The Creek Drank … Read more
Cold Warps S/T | Endless Bummer Noyse Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cold Warps first cassettes create their solid debut LP. Album Review: What I said above is a perfect description of this album-using song titles might I add. Canadian lo-fi, buzz garage punks Cold Warps come to us all the way Halifax. After being … Read more
The Postal Service Give Up (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition) Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Give Up from The Postal Service easily passes the 10 year test! Album Review: Side projects are supposed to be something that keep artists busy when they are on a break from their main gig. They should be a … Read more
Kurt Vile Wakin On A Pretty Daze Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kurt Vile throws caution to the wind and creatively expands his sound on the excellent Wakin On A Pretty Daze. Album Review: Kurt Vile’s new fifth long player, Wakin On A Pretty Daze, is easily his boldest and most confident release to … Read more
The Vains Acoustic EP Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: The Vains release a record of acoustic gold. Album Review: The Vains are bound to take the music scene by storm. On their past releases, they presented a fast-paced, hard-hitting sound that reached beyond the typical indie punk style. With their Acoustic EP, featuring four acoustic … Read more
Suede Bloodsports Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Suede comes back completely reinvigorated after their 11 year hiatus! Album Review: Suede (The London Suede as they are billed in the US) is back after 11 years, and they are hitting the pleasure points in my brain like they haven’t since their third album, Coming … Read more
Waxahatchee Cerulean Salt Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Katie Crutchfield returns with a stunning second album as Waxahatchee. Album Review: Alabama singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield cut her teeth with the indie punk band P.S. Eliot – a band whose members included twin sister Allison. Upon breaking up, Allison formed Swearin’ while Kate went solo. … Read more
Starflyer 59 IAMACEO South Co. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Starflyer 59 continue refining their sound and redefining consistency. Album Review: Starflyer 59 is the definition of an underground band. Helmed by guitarist and lead singer Jason Martin, they never really hit the mainstream, despite being label-mates with bands that did (Anberlin, MxPx, P.O.D.). Their … Read more
David Bowie The Next Day Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Next Day marks the thrilling return of The Thin White Duke. Album Review: This is the album that nobody expected. David Bowie is unquestionably one of the most important and influential figures in rock history. When he had health issues on the tour … Read more
The Replacements Songs For Slim EP New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What more do I need to say…it’s The Replacements! Album Review: I can honestly say that I never in my wildest dreams expected to be listening to new music from The Replacements. Their last records, 1990’s All Shook Down, while a solid … Read more
Tim Easton Before The Revolution: The Best Of 1998-2011 New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Tim Easton catches you up with his excellent career spanning best of! Album Review: The Fire Note has been talking about Tim Easton since our humble beginning back in 2006 with his record Ammunition and listening to his music … Read more
Youth Lagoon Wondrous Bughouse Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Youth Lagoon not only avoid the sophomore slump on Wondrous Bughouse but once again have released one of the better albums of the year! Album Review: Being on the edge of indie rock is always an interesting place to exist for such a young … Read more
Cy Dune No Recognize EP Family Tree Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cy Dune brings the fuzz, blues and rock n roll all in a mere 16 minute EP. Album Review: Right from the opening guitar sprawl on “Where The Wild Things” you know that Cy Dune is going to fit into the 2013 scene … Read more
Various Artists Reason to Believe: The Songs of Tim Hardin Full Time Hobby Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Filtered through a diverse set of artists, Tim Hardin’s voice comes through loud and clear. Album Review: Oregon folkie Tim Hardin was never a massive superstar. His life cut short in 1980 from a heroin overdose at … Read more