Kodaline Kodaline EP RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s debut EP shows that the up and coming band has promise. Album Review: Kodaline released a digital only self-titled EP last year that has recently gained momentum because of the inclusion of its song “All I Want” on Grey’s Anatomy. The song sounds like it … Read more
The Airborne Toxic Event Such Hot Blood Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Airborne Toxic Event swings for the fences with their third LP. Album Review: The Airborne Toxic Event is a frustrating band. It’s difficult for me to reconcile the different directions in which they pull me. At times their songs soar and … Read more
The Shouting Matches Grownass Man Middle West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Shouting Matches are loose and fun on their debut album. Album Review: Many of you will be interested in The Shouting Matches because of its superstar member Justin Vernon. Yes, he of Bon Iver fame has made a blues-rock album with two … Read more
Fitz And The Tantrums More Than Just A Dream Elektra Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fitz And The Tantrums returns with a sleeker but less endearing sound. Album Review: I hold a special place in my heart for Pickin Up The PIeces, Fitz And The Tantrums’ debut LP. Amazon picked it as an editor’s selection … Read more
Satellite Calling Birds Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Satellite targets prime time TV with debut album Calling Birds. Album Review: Me: Hey, there’s a new album to listen to: Satelitte’s Calling Birds. I’ve never heard of them before. (Starts listening). Other Me: This sounds a lot like Snow Patrol. I used to like Snow … Read more
Dirty Fences Too High To Kross Volcom Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Dirty Fences’ first full-length is a nitro-fueled punk ride. Album Review: Dirty Fences is a punk band with roots in both Boston and Brooklyn. Its members include Max Comaskey (bass/vocals), Jack Daves (vocals/guitar), Max Hiersteiner (drums/vocals), and Max Roseglass (guitar/vocals). As described above … Read more
California X California X Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: California X’s debut brings a garage rock meets post punk sound that gets better with every spin. Album Review: California X makes their debut with this eponymous LP. The punk trio from Amherst, MA consists of Lemmy Gurtowsky (guitar and vocals), Dan Jones (bass), … Read more
Cold War Kids Dear Miss Lonelyhearts Downtown Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cold War Kids evolve their sound on their latest Little Miss Lonelyhearts. Album Review: Cold War Kids return with their fourth LP Little Miss Lonelyhearts. The band, from Long Beach, CA, has relied on a heavy mix of guitar, piano, and drums on … Read more
Biffy Clyro Opposites Warner Bros. Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Biffy Clyro makes a mainstream (double!) alternative rock album with Opposites. Album Review: Biffy Clyro – the name sounded like nonsense when I saw that I had a new album to review. The Scottish band primarily consists of Simon Neil, James Johnston, and Ben Johnston … Read more
Devendra Banhart Mala Nonesuch Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Devendra Banhart’s debut on Nonesuch Mala is muy buena. Album Review: Devendra Banhart’s Mala is his latest release, his first since 2009’s What Will We Be. I came to this album with a recognition of Banhart’s name but not much previous exposure to his actual music. … Read more
Wild Belle Isles Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Wild Belle’s debut provides a reggae-infused twist on The xx formula. Album Review: Wild Belle’s primary core is the brother-sister combination of Elliot and Natalie Bergman. They hail from Michigan and have made their debut with the album Isles. Natalie handles vocals on the majority of … Read more
Eels Wonderful, Glorious Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Eels gives a valiant effort but has problems living up to the new album’s title, Wonderful, Glorious. Album Review: It’s difficult to not judge an artist’s current work against what they have made in the past. Mark Everett, the heart and soul of eels, knows this … Read more
Jacob Morris MOTHS Cloud Recordings [2012] Fire Note Says: Jacob Morris aims to please on his debut album. Album Review: Jacob Morris is a singer-songwriter with roots in both Athens, GA and Austin, TX. With those two cities in his musical heritage great things could be expected of him. MOTHS is his debut album and … Read more
Local Natives Hummingbird Frenchkiss Records [2013] Fire Note Says:No sophomore slump for the Local Natives with Hummingbird. Album Review: Local Natives’ first album, Gorilla Manor, was one of my favorite albums of 2010. With tracks like “Airplanes,” “Camera Talk,” “Wide Eyes,” and “Sun Hands” the Los Angeles-based band had an accessible sound that also challenged … Read more
Big Harp Chain Letters Saddle Creek Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Big Harp’s sophomore album is a bluesy, boozy, bassy ride. Album Review: Big Harp is the husband-wife duo of Chris Senseney and Stefanie Drootin-Senseney, who joined musical forces in 2010. Chain Letters is the sophomore follow-up to the 2011 release White Hat. Not being … Read more
Toro y Moi Anything In Return Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi return for a pure pop album with Anything In Return. Album Review: Toro y Moi is Chaz Bundick, who returns for his third official full-length with Anything In Return. Bundick has crafted an inviting, accessible pop album that builds on … Read more
DRGN KING Paragraph Nights Bar/None Records [2013] Fire Note Says: DRGN KING debuts with a diverse album that demands multiple spins. Album Review: DRGN KING is comprised of Dominic Angellella and Brent “Ritz” Reynolds – Paragraph Nights is their first full-length release. The two formed in Philadelphia with Angellella performing many of the songwriting duties … Read more
Terra Terra Terra The Space We Create Round Kid Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Terra Terra Terra creates a radio friendly rock album on their sophomore LP. Album Review: Terra Terra Terra is a three-piece band from Lakeland, FL. Members include Loren Taylor (vocals, guitar), Matthew Lowry (bass), and Micah Roth (drums). The Space We … Read more
Joshua James From The Top Of Willamette Mountain Intelligent Noise Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Joshua James releases a tender album with his third LP. Album Review: Joshua James is a singer-songwriter from Nebraska who has settled in Utah. From The Top of Willamette Mountain is his third album that he has released. Not being … Read more
Peter Buck Peter Buck Mississippi-MRP Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Peter Buck goes solo (with help from some friends) and branches out in new yet familiar ways. Album Review: Peter Buck’s voice sounds like a belch being let out slowly through an old-time fire-stoker. In spite of this I really enjoyed Peter Buck’s new solo … Read more
Sea Wolf Old World Romance Dangerbird Records [2012] Fire Note Says: Old World Romance delivers a solid effort that has been crafted for lovers of indie rock. Album Review: Sea Wolf released Old World Romance, their third long-player, in September 2012. Sea Wolf is fronted by Alex Brown Church and has been comprised of many … Read more
The Mountain Goats Transcendental Youth Merge Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Mountain Goats 14th LP Transcendental Youth is as earnest as ever. Album Review: The Mountain Goats is fueled by John Darnielle, who has collaborated with many performers over the years under the band’s moniker. On the band’s 14th album, Transcendental Youth, the quality … Read more
How To Dress Well Total Loss Acephale Records [2012] Fire Note Says: How to Dress Well impresses with their second full-length Total Loss. Album Review: How to Dress Well is Tom Krell, a Brooklynite who produces and sings on the second full-length album Total Loss. Much of the album is sung in falsetto, which reminded … Read more