Telekinesis Ad Infinitum Merge Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: I will stand by Telekinesis’ debut album (Telekinesis!) as one of the best power pop collections in the past ten years. Sadly, Michael Lerner (the artist behind the Telekinesis moniker) continues to drift away from the sound that worked so well then. His latest album, … Read more
Beach House Depression Cherry Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Beach House brings the mellow, with a dash of urgency, on their latest effort. Album Review: Beach House (Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally) has returned with their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry. The Baltimore duo’s trademark sound is on display once again, and with … Read more
Radkey Dark Black Makeup +180 Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Radkey’s full-length debut is fast and furious. Album Review: Beware the speed when listening to Radkey’s debut album, Dark Black Makeup. I found this out the hard way when recently traveling down the highway. The album was blaring in my car and within seconds I … Read more
Destroyer Poison Season Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Dan Bejar is back with the right-on-target Poison Season. Album Review: It’s easy to see why Dan Bejar is so embraced by music critics. He makes music that is unique and complex; distinctive yet accessible to the patient listener. Bejar is back under the Destroyer name … Read more
The Fratellis Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied Cooking Vinyl [2015] Fire Note Says: The Fratellis perfect their formula. Album Review: Sometimes an album comes along that is so likable that it begs to be listened to. Some albums are creative, experimental, different, and noteworthy. We can recognize those albums as being “great” but it doesn’t mean … Read more
The Mynabirds Lovers Know Saddle Creek Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Mynabirds return with a dream-pop gem. Album Review: The current landscape in pop music is dominated by women; this is now extending to rock music as well. With acts like Speedy Ortiz, Sleater Kinney, Sharon Van Etten, and Jenny Lewis (to name a few), … Read more
Of Monsters And Men Beneath The Skin Republic Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Of Monsters and Men return with their sophomore effort. Album Review: Of Monsters and Men is the Icelandic band who had a huge hit with 2011’s “Little Talks,” and is currently gaining traction with “Crystals.” “Crystals” is the lead single from their … Read more
Great Lake Swimmers A Forest Of Arms Nettwerk Music Group [2015] Fire Note Says: Great Lake Swimmers have a pleasant, peaceful sound. Album Review: Great Lake Swimmers know their lane and stay in it during their most recent LP, A Forest of Arms. That lane is aptly described by the album’s title; triumphant and scenic, … Read more
Matt And Kim New Glow Harvest Records [2015] Album Review: Matt and Kim’s fifth studio album, New Glow, serves up the expected energy-infused pop music that the duo has down to a tee. Known as a spectacularly frenetic live act, Matt and Kim lose some of that frenzy in the studio on this album. Minimalist … Read more
Sharon Van Etten I Don’t Want To Let You Down EP Jagjaguwar [2015] Album Review: Sharon Van Etten’s new 5-track EP, I Don’t Want To Let You Down, feels like a coda to last year’s standout LP Are We There. However, this release is lacking some of the humor and fire that had Are We … Read more
Linden Rest And Be Thankful Slumberland Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Linden is the new project from Joe McAlinden, formerly of the band Superstars. The Scotsman’s sophomore LP under the Linden moniker is a fine listen. Decidedly low-key but with layers of sound, McAlinden warmly invites you to enter his abode and feel at … Read more
Wolf Alice My Love Is Cool RCA Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Wolf Alice’s debut is ambitious and, for the most part, delivers. Album Review: Buzz has been building around Wolf Alice for a few years now. With several singles and two EP’s already under their belt, the London band has put in a lot … Read more
Crocodiles Boys Zoo Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Crocodiles have a strong bite on Boys. Album Review: San Diego’s Crocodiles is a power pop band with a dark twist. Their previous work has been filled with themes of the sinister and the vapid; these themes are ever present on their newest album, Boys. Band members … Read more
The Vaccines English Graffiti Columbia Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Vaccines’ third album has highs and lows. Album Review: The Vaccines are of a proud lineage – the next great rock band from the UK that never quite has the world-beating success that seemed predestined when it hit the scene. The Vaccines have toured … Read more
Brandon Flowers The Desired Effect Island Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Brandon Flowers’ second album is for the masses. Album Review: The voice of the commoner has been taken on by Brandon Flowers. This was hinted at in the The Killers’ (Flowers is the lead singer of the band) previous album, the coming-of-age Battle Born, … Read more
Kopecky Drug For The Modern Age ATO Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Kopecky streamlines both their name and their style. Album Review: I became aware of the Kopecky Family Band’s 2012 debut album, Kids Raising Kids, last year and was immediately enchanted. The Nashville band’s mix of pop with Americana twists was fresh and lively, … Read more
Passion Pit Kindred Columbia Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Passion Pit’s most commercially viable album. Album Review: Upon listening to Passion Pit’s new album Kindred, something felt off. As a big fan of the band’s first two albums, I had hefty expectations for this new one. The usual electronic pop was there, a little more … Read more
Surfer Blood 1000 Palms Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Surfer Blood rides the middle with their latest release. Album Review: Surfer Blood splashed onto the scene six years ago with a great debut album, Astro Coast. Their 2012 follow-up saw the band adopt a more polished sound that didn’t resonate quite the same … Read more
The Tallest Man On Earth Dark Bird Is Home Dead Oceans [2015] Fire Note Says: The Tallest Man on Earth manages to grow up even more. Album Review: With a name like The Tallest Man on Earth, you’d think that there wouldn’t be room for an artist to grow. Sweden’s Kristian Matsson has managed to … Read more
My Morning Jacket The Waterfall Capitol Records [2015] Fire Note Says: My Morning Jacket shocks and awes on The Waterfall. Album Review: My Morning Jacket has returned from a four-year studio hiatus with their seventh studio album, The Waterfall. The new album serves to strengthen the band’s identity as an eclectic rock band with a … Read more
The Mountain Goats Beat The Champ Merge Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Mountain Goats return with a fun, thoughtful themed album. Album Review: The cover of Beat The Champ, the latest album by The Mountain Goats, has a picture of two wrestlers going at it in the ring. John Darnielle’s 15th studio album is … Read more
Toro y Moi What For? Carpark Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi refreshes his sound on What For? Album Review: Toro y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick) has taken a leap forward on his new album, What For? Previously Bundick’s music has been much more relaxed and streamlined, heavy on the synthesizer. Bundick forsakes … Read more
Evans The Death Expect Delays Slumberland Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Evans the Death enthralls with Expect Delays. Album Review: London’s Evans The Death has returned with their second album, Expect Delays, following up their 2012 eponymous debut. Band members include Katherine Whitaker (vocals and keys), Dan Moss (guitar), Olly Moss (bass), and James Burkitt … 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
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