Cage The Elephant Unpeeled RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: A clever way to appreciate a consistent rock band. Album Review: As someone who’s writing his third Cage The Elephant review, it surprises me how much I enjoyed Unpeeled. Let me explain: Each studio album for Cage The Elephant has varied in its highs and … Read more
Dude York Sincerely Hardly Art Records [2017] Who: Dude York is a three-piece band (Peter Richards, Claire England, Andrew Hall) from Seattle. Sound: Power pop with a punk rock twist. TFN Final Take: There is a lot to like with Dude York’s debut LP, Sincerely. Two elements really work: the band’s use of tempo to … Read more
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart The Echo of Pleasure Painbow Records [2017] Who: Brainchild of Kip Berman and other touring members. Sound: Indie pop heavily influenced by New Wave. TFN Final Take: 2017 has been awesome for music fans. Many new and returning artists have put out influential stuff. It’s a shame that … Read more
Haim Something To Tell You Columbia Records [2017] Who: Trio of sisters from Los Angeles. Sound: Guitar-heavy pop music. TFN Final Take: There’s no doubt that Haim can construct an earworm; they have the talent to tap into the brain chemistry that creates pleasing sensations. This is most evident on the song “Kept Me Crying,” … 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
Broken Social Scene Hug Of Thunder Arts & Crafts [2017] Fire Note Says: All killer, no filler. Album Review: For a band with as many members as Broken Social Scene (15 to be exact), an album can go one of two ways. It could be a messy cacophony that never manages to have a unified … Read more
Perfume Genius No Shape Matador Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Perfume Genius is perfectly realized on their latest. Album Review: Mike Hadreas, who performs as Perfume Genius, is a star that continues to burn brighter and brighter. No Shape, his fourth full-length album, sees the artist perform and compose with confidence and experience. Hadreas excels … Read more
Bell X1 Arms Belly Up Records [2017] Who: Irish trio with the ability to play just about any style of music. Sound: Understated rock that rewards the attentive listener. TFN Final Take: Bell X1’s seventh studio album, Arms, is another solid effort from the Irish band. What’s most impressive about the group is their ability … Read more
Shelby Earl The Man Who Made Himself A Name Nine Mile Records [2017] Who: Shelby Earl is a singer-songwriter from Seattle who has released her third full-length album. Sound: Rock as a backdrop for storytelling. TFN Final Take: Sometimes you can recognize someone’s talent yet fail to connect with it. This happened with me and … Read more
Bleachers Gone Now RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Bleachers sophomore continues the emo-pop stylings. Album Review: Jack Antonoff is back with his second Bleachers album, Gone Now. Antonoff has seen his star rise in the last three years, since his debut LP came out. He’s been writing and producing for many other pop stars … Read more
Beach Fossils Somersault Bayonet Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Beach Fossils keep things moving and interesting on Somersault. Album Review: Beach Fossils are impressive for many reasons, but the other bands that started as their offshoots is attention-grabbing. Former members John Pena and Cole Smith started Heavenly Beat, and DIIV, respectively. While Beach Fossils sit … Read more
Matthew Sweet Tomorrow Forever Honeycomb Hideout/Sony/RED [2017] Fire Note Says: Matthew Sweet is back after a six-year hiatus and Tomorrow Forever finds him in top form. Album Review: With 11 albums under his belt, Matthew Sweet knows who he is. This eleventh LP, Tomorrow Forever, sees Sweet return to his power pop roots with clean, … Read more
The Dig Bloodshot Tokyo Roll Call Records [2017] Who: The Dig is a four-piece band from NYC. Sound: Groove-oriented rock/pop. TFN Final Take: The Dig give off a good first impression. The first two tracks on Bloodshot Tokyo show what the band is capable of: a bit dreamy, very catchy, and just odd enough to … Read more
C.R. and the Degenerates Close Encounters Sniffling Indie Kids/Mint 400 [2017] Who: C.R. and the Degenerates is New Jersey’s Chris Gennone, accompanied on this release by Max Rauch. Sound: Moody electronic psych-pop; think Tame Impala mixed with some Arcade Fire. TFN Final Take: C.R. and the Degenerates (aka Chris Gennone) does a great job of … Read more
Laura Marling Semper Femina Kobalt Music [2017] Fire Note Says: The prolific Laura Marling keeps improving. Album Review: You don’t read or hear much about Laura Marling without her age (27) and number of albums (6) coming up. Now that that has been taken care of, what else is important to know about her? The … Read more
Thundercat Drunk Brainfeeder [2017] Fire Note Says: Thundercat has a niche that is all his own. Album Review: Take a gander at the guest list on the latest Thundercat album: Kendrick Lamar, Michael McDonald, Pharrell, Kenny Loggins, and Wiz Khalifa. The title of the album, as you could guess, is Drunk, because with that list, … Read more
TØMA Aroma Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: TØMA impresses with an energetic pop album. Album Review: TØMA is a four-piece band out of Austin, TX that traces it roots to Todd Rundgren, Squeeze, and recording label Elephant 6. If that sounds like a formula for a sophisticated power pop album, you’d be right. Band members … Read more
The New Pornographers Whiteout Conditions Collected Works/Concord Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The New Pornographers are consistently great. Album Review: The New Pornographers have returned with a new album by the name of Whiteout Conditions. It is unique in that it is the first album that the band has released without the contributions of Dan … Read more
Father John Misty Pure Comedy Sub Pop Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Father John Misty draws his line in the sand. Album Review: Pure Comedy will no doubt provoke numerous think pieces, and it’s difficult to resist the urge to join the fray. However, Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman) has already done all the … Read more
Griff’s Room Band Heartbreak/Desire Self-Released [2017] Who: Griff’s Room Band is a “fiddle-infused pop/rock” band from Richmond, VA. Sound: Think Dave Matthews Band for this generation. TFN Final Take: Griff’s Room Band has a sound that is very familiar and even nostalgic. There is a looseness and carefree vibe to the band that invades even … Read more
Tall Tall Trees Freedays Joyful Noise Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: Tall Tall Trees emerges with a thoughtful, joyful record. Album Review: Mike Savino is Tall Tall Trees; he has also moonlighted as the electric banjo player for Kishi Bashi. Seeing this description intrigued me to check out what he is about. Freedays is Savino’s … Read more
Switzerland Long Gone Popical Island [2017] Who: Switzerland is an Irish four-piece band. Sound: Jangle rock with a sharp edge. TFN Final Take: Long Gone is Switzerland’s debut full-length. The Irish band definitely bring strong musical chops to the proceedings. Some may find the vocals to be a notch off-kilter in quality. I often had … Read more
Foxygen Hang Jagjaguwar Records [2016] Who: Foxygen is an indie rock duo from California. Sound: Glam rock for the modern age. TFN Final Take: Foxygen really doubles down with the glam rock on their fourth LP, Hang. At times it seems more like a Broadway cast recording rather than a rock album, which makes for … Read more
Enemies Valuables Topshelf Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Enemies go out on a high note. Album Review: The moment you fire up Enemies’ third album Valuables, you’re greeted with a jammy, proggy, sound. The Irish band, who announced their breakup after the release of this album, does an incredible job at creating ambience. Subdued vocals … Read more
Young Legs The Petal and The Page Mint 400 Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Young Legs is heartfelt, bold, and enthralling. Album Review: Young Legs is primarily Steven Donahue, who hails from New Jersey. His second full-length album, The Petal and The Page defies genre classification. At times it is beautiful folk music, at others … Read more