The Killers Direct Hits Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Killers’ Direct Hits tracks the evolution of the band. Album Review: The Killers have been around long enough to put out a greatest hits album. This collection, Direct Hits, lets you see how The Killers began as a neo-New Wave outfit and turned into … Read more
The Fire Note wouldn’t be possible without the talented writers that have signed on here to share their educated thoughts and true enjoyment of music with our readers. Our year end Top 50 is coming later this week but clearly everyone has different tastes and ideas when naming the best album released in 2013. So … Read more
The 1975 The 1975 Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The 1975’s debut is promising but its identity is hazy. Album Review: The 1975 are an English band consisting of Matthew Healy (vocals, guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums), and Ross MacDonald (bass). Healy (not related to Fran Healy of Travis) and company have … Read more
The Fratellis We Need Medicine BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: The Fratellis return with the safe-but-fun We Need Medicine. Album Review: The Fratellis have returned with their third long player, We Need Medicine. The Fratellis are a three-piece band from Glasgow, Scotland, made up of Jon Fratelli (nee John Lawler), Barry Fratelli (Barry Wallace), and … Read more
Cage The Elephant Melophobia RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cage The Elephant’s uneven third LP Melophobia has some great moments. Album Review: Bowling Green’s (KY) Cage The Elephant has returned with their third LP, Melophobia. Cage The Elephant has been a popular band in their first two outings and their sound remains true in … Read more
Kodaline In A Perfect World RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s In A Perfect World is a likeable, if familiar, debut. Album Review: Do you know someone who likes Coldplay? How about Mumford & Sons? May I suggest a stocking stuffer for that person? Kodaline’s In A Perfect World is a nice blend between … Read more
Diane Coffee My Friend Fish Western Vinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Diane Coffee’s fuzzy, colorful debut is a wonderful surprise. Album Review: Would you believe that a former Disney Channel star had made one of the most exciting debut indie albums of 2013? No it’s not Britney Spears. Not Justin Timberlake. Not Selena Gomez. … Read more
Holy Ghost! Dynamics DFA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Holy Ghost! could use another exclamation point or two on the latest, Dynamics. Album Review: Holy Ghost’s sophomore LP, Dynamics, had a lot to live up to. While not universally fawned upon by the public, their eponymous debut had a lot of great moments and it … Read more
Heavenly Beat Prominence Captured Tracks [2013] Fire Note Says: Heavenly Beat’s sophomore effort is a smooth groovy album. Album Review: Heavenly Beat returns with their second album in as many years. The mastermind behind Heavenly Beat is Texas’ John Pena, who plays with a few studio artists but is primarily responsible for everything you hear … Read more
of Montreal Lousy With Sylvianbriar Polyvinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: of Montreal chooses the accessible route on their latest. Album Review: of Montreal is the product of Kevin Barnes’ vision and work ethic. Lousy With Sylvianbriar is the band’s 12th LP since their debut in 1997. That is roughly an album a year over … Read more
Delorean Apar True Panther Sounds [2013] Fire Note Says: This Delorean is a fresh modern sound – no time travel is necessary to enjoy it. Album Review: Delorean is a synth-pop band from Spain. And yes, they admit to being named for the vehicle from Back To The Future. Now that that’s out of the … Read more
Radkey Devil Fruit EP Little Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Radkey’s Devil Fruit EP shows promise for the future. Album Review: Radkey is a three-piece punk band from St. Joseph, Missouri. They are three brothers (Dee, Isaiah, and Solomon) who play well together. This in and of itself is quite the accomplishment, as parents … Read more
R.E.M. released the 25th anniversary of their first major label album Green earlier this year. As the band has disbanded we get the chance to look back at this group’s impressive catalog. I’ve selected a deep cut (a song not released as a single) from each of the band’s 15 albums that are worth exploring … Read more
Ski Lodge Big Heart Dovecote Records [2013] Fire Note Says: If you like The Smiths, Ski Lodge will be a new favorite. Album Review: Ski Lodge is primarily the creation of NYC-based musician Andrew Marr. On his debut LP he sings and plays the majority of the instruments; he also wrote the songs. The album … Read more
The Mountain Goats All Hail West Texas Merge Records [2002; 2013] Fire Note Says: The Mountain Goats’ classic All Hail West Texas gets a remastered reissue with new tracks. Album Review: One of the great things about reissues is having an opportunity to revisit or discover classics that were missed the first time around. The … Read more
Dr. Dog B-Room ANTI- Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Dr. Dog provides a nostalgic trip with their latest album B-Room. Album Review: Dr. Dog’s seventh LP, B-Room, is an exercise in rock history. The Pennsylvania band, consisting currently of Scott McMicken (lead guitar), Toby Leaman (bass), Zach Miller (keyboard), Eric Slick (drums), Frank McElroy (backing … Read more
Kings Of Leon Mechanical Bull RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kings of Leon surprise with a rock album brimming with passion. Album Review: Me, one minute before starting Mechanical Bull for the first time: “Ho hum, another Kings of Leon album. These guys are from Tennessee. I’m from Tennessee. I used to like them … Read more
The Weeknd Kiss Land Universal Republic [2013] Fire Note Says: The Weeknd’s major label debut continues the emo trend in hip hop with mixed results. Album Review: The Weeknd is Canadian Abel Tesfaye. He of the three mixtapes, condensed last year and released as Trilogy, is making his true major label debut with Kiss Land. … Read more
MGMT MGMT Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: MGMT fails to electrify with their self-titled third album. Album Review: MGMT has released their third album, which is quite simply titled MGMT. The band’s debut had such singles as “Electric Feel,” “Kids,” and “Time to Pretend.” It is safe to say that there is no such … Read more
MiniBoone MiniBoone Ernest Jenning Record Co. [2013] Fire Note Says: MiniBoone splashes onto the scene with a strong eponymous debut. Album Review: MiniBoone is a five-piece band from New York that has been kicking around since 2008. They have just released their first full-length album but have two EP’s and a 7-inch to their name … Read more
A.S. Exile Inedible Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A.S.’s second album Exile is moody and atmospheric. Album Review: The enigmatically named band A.S. consists of Nick McRoberts (voice, piano) and Idriss Halfaoui (guitars). The duo is based out of Paris (and sings in English) and it’s safe to say that the occasional grayness of the … Read more
The Dodos Carrier Polyvinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dodos stay true to their sound with Carrier. Album Review: The Dodos have released their fifth album, which has the name Carrier. The San Francisco duo of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber are following up on 2011’s No Color. No Color was one of my … Read more
Okkervil River The Silver Gymnasium ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Okkervil River maintains their consistency on LP #7, The Silver Gymnasium. Album Review: Firing up the new Okkervil River LP (The Silver Gymnasium) was like slipping into one of my favorite sweatshirts. Instantly familiar and comforting, Will Sheff greeted me after not hearing from … Read more
Crocodiles Crimes Of Passion Frenchkiss Records (2013) Fire Note Says: Crocodiles hit the right (and one-) note with Crimes of Passion. Album Review: Ever wonder when you can have too much of a good thing? I love me some power pop and really got into Crocodiles’ last record Endless Flowers. I saw them open up … Read more
Franz Ferdinand Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Franz Ferdinand’s fourth LP doesn’t disappoint as it hits the Right notes. Album Review: Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand hit the scene right around the same time as The Killers. “Take Me Out” and “Somebody Told Me” take me straight back to 2004. … Read more