SparksThe Girl Is Crying In Her LatteIsland Records [2023] Sparks’ twenty-first century resurgence is one of the greatest comeback stories in popular music. After several brushes with stardom in the 1970s and early 80s, the Mael brothers were burnt out and nearly forgotten by the early 90s. Perpetually ahead of their time, the band began … Read more
The Killers Pressure MachineIsland Records [2021] Well-paired back-to-back songs are a constant feature of The Killers’ discography. On their 2004 debut Hot Fuss, the songs “Mr. Brightside” and “Smile Like You Mean It” are united by a very specific bitterness. On Sam’s Town, the urgency of “When You Were Young” tees up the desperation and … Read more
Brian Fallon Sleepwalkers Island Records [2018] Fire Note Says: A surprisingly joyful outing, Sleepwalkers makes clear that while Brian Fallon is certainly interested in evolving, it’s not likely that he ever really will. Album Review: Brian Fallon occupies a singular place in today’s rock and roll landscape. Like fellow folk-rock travelers Dave Hause and Chuck … Read more
The Killers Wonderful Wonderful Island Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Epitomizing the band behind it, Wonderful Wonderful is grandiose, towering and bound to polarize. Album Review: In a lot of ways, The Killers are the Hillary Clinton of radio rock. Just…hear me out on this. Both have enjoyed wild swings in relevance and popularity during … Read more
Brain Fallon Painkillers Island Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Fallon steps out on his own and offers a debut with feeling. Album Review: I have been in The Gaslight Anthem’s corner since the beginning, so the last few records from the band have been somewhat tough to absorb as the group battles the desire to … 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
U2 Songs Of Innocence Island Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Surprise – you just received a new U2 album. Album Review: So last Tuesday not only did we get a bigger iPhone but also a free U2 record already placed in our iTunes purchase page. Wow – that was better than the pay what you … Read more
Bombay Bicycle Club So Long, See You Tomorrow Island Records[2014] Fire Note Says: Bombay Bicycle Club continue to evolve in strange and unexpected ways. Album Review: Bombay Bicycle Club don’t want to be the biggest rock ‘n roll band in the world. In fact, it’s unclear they even want to be a rock ‘n roll … Read more
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
Jake Bugg Shangri La Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jake Bugg’s sophomore album is a more refined production of the artist’s raw, gritty sound. Album Review: Jake Bugg’s sophomore album, Shangri La, quickly follows his successful self-titled debut. Despite the lack of time between the two albums, Shangri La introduces new sounds and themes, … Read more
Fairport Convention Rising For The Moon (Deluxe Edition) UMG/Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fairport Convention’s last album with Sandy Denny gets the deluxe treatment. Album Review: Fairport Convention are often credited with inventing folk rock—the British flavor of folk rock, that is. Their trilogy of 1969 albums with lead singer Sandy Denny—What We Did … Read more
Deap Vally Sistrionix Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Deap Vally bring a familiar bolt of rock forward with their own style. Album Review: Rock n roll will never die and LA group Deap Vally are a good example why. The duo made up of guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards create … 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
Deap Vally Get Deap! EP Cherrytree/Interscope/Island Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Deap Vally bring the noise with scorching guitar and killer drum beats on debut EP – Get Deap! Album Review: Don’t believe the hype – isn’t that what people always tell you. That especially holds true in the music business where the next “it” … Read more
Continuing the ReDISCovered boxed vinyl series of Nick Drake’s albums, Island Records will release Nick Drake’s second album, Bryter Later, on April 13 in a format similar to that used for the release of Pink Moon in 2012. The album itself is a near exact replica of the original 1970 release, pressed on heavyweight audiophile … Read more