Orville Peck Pony Sub Pop Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Orville Peck is the Great North American queer cowboy wonder. Album Review: Saddle up partner, because we’re going on a wild ride with one of the biggest breakout stars of 2019: Orville Peck, a gay Canadian country singer who hides his face behind a be-fringed … Read more
Redd Kross Beyond The Door Merge Records [2019] Album Review: Here in the new dark ages, I can think of no better antidote to the political malaise or our troubled times than the return of power-pop (with the emphasis on the “power” & the “pop”) wunderkinds, Redd Kross. Arriving in the 80’s along-side Material Issue, … Read more
Honey Radar Ruby Puff Of Dust What’s Your Rupture? [2019] Who: Philadelphia-based lo-fi specialists Honey Radar do what they do best on their 5th LP. What do they do? They make memorable lo-fi charmers. Sound: Jason Henn’s tie-dye, lo-fi stylings are nostalgic and endearing on this remarkable new LP. TFN Final Take: Ruby Puff of … Read more
Young Guv GUV I Run For Cover Records [2019] Who: Young Guv is the solo project of Ben Cook. Since 2008, he has released a solid number of singles and EPs, plus two full-lengths. Sound: Sweet perfect power pop that will have you thinking Teenage Fanclub, Fountains of Wayne and Superdrag all wrapped into one … Read more
Purple Mountains Purple Mountains Drag City Records [2019] Who: Purple Mountains marks the return of David Berman (Silver Jews) and represents his first new music in over a decade. Sound: Indie singer/songwriter that fits in a list with the likes of Nick Cave, Steve Malkmus, Bill Callahan and Will Oldham. TFN Final Take: I don’t … Read more
Smug Brothers All Blur And Spark Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] Who: Dayton, Ohio-based Smug Brothers release another charming and quite satisfying album. Sound: All Blur and Spark is an impressive kaleidoscope of songs that were born from the GoFundMe endeavor to press their last album, Attic Harvest, to vinyl. TFN Final Take: All Blur … Read more
black midi Schlagenheim Rough Trade Records [2019] Who: The young London quartet black midi basically came out of nowhere and built a super buzz leading up to this debut. Sound: Post punk for a new generation with some extraordinary drumming and the ability to move through multiple genres on the turn of a dime. TFN … Read more
Mannequin Pussy Patience Epitaph Records [2019] Who: Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy have just released their third LP and first for Epitaph Records. Sound: Melodic powerful punk rock that can hum like Cherry Glazerr and Charley Bliss with the snarl of Amyl and the Sniffers and Bikini Kill. TFN Final Take: I remember being impressed with Mannequin … Read more
Bill Callahan Shepherd In A Sheepskin Vest Drag City Records [2019] Who: After almost 20 years behind Smog for his music, Bill Callahan has had his name on the spine now for five solo records. Sound: Singer/songwriter with level baritone. Fans of Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Sun Kill Moon and Nick Cave will enjoy. TFN Final … Read more
Dumb Club Nites Mint Records [2019] Who: Vancouver’s Dumb are a lot smarter than their name implies. They have released one of the best records of 2019. Sound: Dumb are often compared to their post-punk contemporaries, Parquet Courts, and not without reason, but they are so much more than that. In some aspects, they are … Read more
Kishi Bashi Omoiyari Joyful Noise Recordings [2019] Who: Kaoru Ishibashi, aka Kishi Bashi, is a multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He is a founding member of Jupiter One, and, was a member of the group of Montreal before going out on his own. Sound: Kishi Bashi offers a melodic orchestrated indie folk that is delivered with 110% … Read more
Snapped Ankles Stunning Luxury The Leaf Label [2019] Who: Snapped Ankles are a pseudo-techno/punk band out of London and out of this world. Sound: Stunning Luxury continues Snapped Ankles’ blend of tribal techno mixed with motorik rhythms and post-punk ethos. TFN Final Take: 2019 continues to impress me with a constant stream of great new … Read more
Mavis Staples We Get By ANTI- [2019] Fire Note Says: Mavis Staples wraps up her 8th decade by putting her best musical foot forward with the aid of Ben Harper. Album Review: I’ll have whatever it is that Mavis Staples is having. Of course, we’re talking about the hardest working 80 year old working in … Read more
The National I Am Easy To Find 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: If I Am Easy to Find was a debut record, it’d be the best of the year. Album Review: There is a timeline in which, after the release of their breakthrough 2014 record Trouble Will Find Me, The National grew content, decided to … Read more
Pink Mexico DUMP Little Dickman/Burger Records [2019] Who: Brooklyn-based grunge/fuzz act Pink Mexico return with their 3rd LP. Sound: DUMP picks up where 2016’s Fool left off. The fuzz and buzz are still there, Pink Mexico has not lost a thing. TFN Final Take: I have been smitten with Pink Mexico since their debut album … Read more
Filthy Friends Emerald Valley Kill Rock Stars [2019] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney vocalist Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck take Filthy Friends out for a fun second round that takes on the President, the environment and other matters of substance. Album Review: Filthy Friends, the alternative rock super-group of sorts, featuring R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck … Read more
Pile Green and Gray Exploding in Sound Records [2019] Who: Boston-based Pile are back with a sprawling and epic-sounding 7th LP. Sound: Green and Gray, sounds like a Pile record, it is a lot slower, longer, more nuanced, but still has impact. It just takes time to get there. TFN Final Take: By the time … Read more
Guided By Voices Warp And Woof GBV, Inc. [2019] Fire Note Says: After a couple recent near-masterpieces, Guided By Voices release the uniquely-curated album Warp And Woof! Album Review: As I sit here on a beautiful spring day in Bellefontaine, Ohio my mind keeps wandering. How do cell phones work? Why do people watch Fox … Read more
Various Artists Soul Slabs Vol. 2 Colemine Records [2019] Who: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland Ohio’s Colemine Records. Sound: This compilation features the Colemine spirit with plenty of heavy soul, jazz, funk, and R&B. TFN Final Take: If you have been enjoying the growth of … Read more
Andrew Bird My Finest Work Yet Vista Loma Recordings [2019] Fire Note Says: Andrew Bird’s 10th solo album takes on the world of politics with artful music, clever, literate lyrics, and lots of violin and whistling. Album Review: Andrew Bird, the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, most often associated with his violin playing, has been plugging away … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Guy New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Like his previous tribute to Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle serves up a collection of Guy Clark songs that celebrate his songwriting catalog. Album Review: Given the current state of popular country music, it should surprise us that what gets labeled Outlaw … Read more
Ex Hex It’s Real Merge Records [2019] Who: It’s Real marks the return of Ex Hex. It has been five years since the power trio released their debut Rips. Sound: Ex Hex has a modern Joan Jett vibe with L7 type riffs. TFN Final Take: Right from the beginning of opening track “Tough Enough,” you … Read more
J.S. Ondara Tales Of America Verve Forecast [2019] Fire Note Says: Stunning debut from a unique voice. Album Review: It’s always exciting to hear a distinct, surprising new voice. That was my experience when firing up Tales of America, J.S. Ondara’s full-length debut. The Kenya native, who now resides in Minneapolis, MN, has a dulcet … Read more
Frankie And The Witch Fingers ZAM Greenway Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers return with equal parts dark arts and mischievous psychedelic heart for their fifth long player. Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers has been a group that the Fire Note has kept on their radar since their debut, … Read more
Plains Peace in Restland Self-Released [2019] Who: Plains are a Newmarket, New Hampshire-based quartet . Sound: Peace in Restland, Plains debut LP, is an engaging blend of psychedelic Americana folk and punk. TFN Final Take: I decided to check out Plains on a whim after seeing their name on a show poster as a supporting … Read more