Greg Dulli Random DesireRoyal Cream/BMG [2020] Greg Dulli may just now be getting around to making a solo studio album, but both as the lead singer for alt/rock heroes Afghan Whigs, and as the creative center of The Twilight Singers he’s cut a wide musical swath across a variety of music genres in his 30-plus … Read more
Phil Madeira Open HeartMercyland [2020] At this late date, Phil Madeira must still feel that he has something to prove. Besides his “day job” as part of Emmylou Harris’ backing band, The Red Dirt Boys,” he’s recorded three solo albums in the last two years, after producing an all-star tribute to the songs of the … Read more
Ethan GruskaEn GardeWarner Records [2020] On this sophomore effort by Ethan Gruska, his producer chops are on display as much as his melodic sensibilities as a singer/songwriter. And apparently, he’s inherited his musical skill sets and interests quite naturally. The son of Jay Gruska, a singer/songwriter and composer best known for composing music for TV … Read more
Wire Mind HivePinkflag [2020] It’s the rare band that stays together over 40 years, and even rarer not to have evolved musically over time. AC/DC perhaps being the exception that proves the rule. Wire arrived on the British punk scene with their aggressive debut, “Pink Flag,” in ’77, chock full of short, minimalist guitar-driven attacks. … Read more
Green Day The Father Of All Motherfuckers Reprise Records [2020] Generally speaking, even the most popular punk rock bands are not designed to stay vital for the long haul. Sex Pistols delivered an explosive 3 years, and everything since has been cashing in on that early reputation and music, thus the “Filthy Lucre” reunion tour … Read more
Drive-By Truckers The Unraveling ATO Records [2020] Album Review: The Drive-By Truckers are back with their 12th album, an obvious follow-up to their politically charged ’16 release, “American Band.” If anything, on The Unraveling, songwriters Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley have taken their inspiration right from the headlines as they write songs of protest over … Read more
Okay Kaya Watch This Liquid Pour Itself Jagjaguwar [2020] Fire Note Says: There’s a quirky artfulness in the minimalist experimental pop of Okay Kaya, as she mixes wry lyrical observations with simple vocal melodies. Album Review: Arriving just a week after the passing of Monty Python’s Terry Jones, the debut of Okay Kaya has a … Read more
Wolf Parade Thin Mind Sub Pop Records [2020] Fire Note Says: Wolf Parade, stripped back to the original Montreal power trio, create a strong mix of 80’s new wave sounds and forward-thinking modern rock on Thin Mind, their 5th album. Album Review: Thin Mind, the fifth full-length album from Montreal’s Wolf Parade, arrives with the … Read more
of Montreal UR Fun Polyvinyl Records [2020] Album Review: For the 16th album form the Athens, GA-based of Montreal, principal songwriter and band leader, Kevin Barnes opted to make the album in isolation, playing all of the instruments himself. While Barnes often takes the band out on tour as a quintet and will likely do … Read more
Joseph Arthur Come Back World Moonage Rebel [2019] Album Review: Given all the artists who Joseph Arthur has collaborated with, it’s always surprising to me that he’s not achieved the kind of ‘household name’ notoriety that come with music industry breakthroughs. An early singer/songwriter discovery, Arthur’s earliest albums were on Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, … Read more
Chris Taylor Lovers, Thieves, Fools + Pretenders Self-Released [2019] Album Review: While I’ve been a fan and acquaintance of San Antonio singer/songwriter, band leader and visual artist Chris Taylor for more than two decades, I have to admit when I recently checked out his bandcamp page, it was immediately obvious that he’s a lot more … Read more
The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin: Live At Red Rocks Warner Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Flaming Lips join together with the Colorado Symphony to recreate their 1999 masterpiece “The Soft Bulletin” at the landmark Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Album Review: Back in 2016, somebody had the smarts to imagine a 20th anniversary celebration of … Read more
Joe Henry The Gospel According To Water earMUSIC [2019] Fire Note Says: Joe Henry’s 15th album arises out of a dire diagnosis, with reflections on mortality the befit a celebration of life. Album Review: Joe Henry’s 15th studio album, The Gospel According to Water, is unlike any other record you’ll listen to this year. All … Read more
Beck Hyperspace Capitol Record [2019] Album Review: It has been a fun and curious thing to watch the evolution of Beck’s musical career from his breakout single, Loser in 1994 with its mix of lo-hi folk, hip-hop and blues influence and 2017’s Colors which was all glossy, polished synth pop with an 80’s retro vibe. … Read more
Dan Luke And The Raid Out Of The Blue New West Records [2019] Album Review: I knew I wanted to review the debut album by Dan Luke and the Raid when I first caught their “Exoskeleton” video in a random moment online. Something about these twenty year olds having their way with a couple piñatas … Read more
Daniel Martin Moore Never Look Away Ok/SofaBurn Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Kentucky folk singer/songwriter returns with 9th album of heart-felt songs. Album Review: If we’re not careful, the latest album from Kentucky folk singer/songwriter Daniel Martin Moore could easily get lost in all the commotion of noisy new releases that are seeking to make … Read more
Tegan And Sara Hey, I’m Just Like You Sire Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Canadian duo Tegan and Sara give fresh recordings to songs written when they were teenagers on their ninth studio album. Album Review: Twins, Tegan and Sara Quin quite naturally tend to do a lot of things together. For instance, earlier this … Read more
Neil Young with Crazy Horse Colorado Reprise Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Neil Young regroups with Crazy Horse and Nils Lofgren, for an album that’s a mix of militant guitar activism on behalf of Mother Nature, and some nostalgia for an earlier time. Album Review: “You might say I’m an old white guy” Neil Young … Read more
Jesse Malin Sunset Kids Wicked Cool / Velvet Elk Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Jesse Malin’s 8th album recalls the best of an earlier era, with help from producer Lucinda Williams, and guest spots from Billie Joe Armstrong and Joseph Arthur. Album Review: Obviously, there’s no actual formula when it comes to writing a great … Read more
Kim Gordon No Home Record Matador Records [2019] Fire Note Says: After a long career playing bass in Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon steps out solo on an artful, noisy piece of self-expression that has a beat you can dance to. Album Review: Pretty sure the first time I saw Kim Gordon’s band Sonic Youth live … Read more
The New Pornographers In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Carl Newman led New Pornographers, take on the world grim reality with bright, bold and aggressive pop song energy that rocks, with strings. Album Review: It seems the unspoken rule of thumb for songs by The New Pornographers’ … Read more
Brittany Howard Jaime ATO Records [2019] Album Review: Brittany Howard is best known for her two albums with the band Alabama Shakes, who’s 2015 release, Sound & Color, picked up four Grammy’s that year including Best Alternative Album, Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Don’t Wanna Fight.” Now, setting the band aside for … Read more
Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Ghosteen Ghosteen Ltd. [2019] Album Review: Even though we’d been told that the 2016 release from Nick Cave And the Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree, had been written before the tragic death of his 15-year-old son, Arthur, the album’s stark, grief-stricken music and Cave’s emotional rendering of the song’s lyrics, … Read more
Belle And Sebastian Days Of The Bagnold Summer Matador Records [2019] Album Review: Although it’s been four year since the last full-length album by the indie-pop/alternative band Belle and Sebastian, from Glasgow, Scotland, this new release might not qualify exactly as its latest release, as Days of the Bagnold Summer is a soundtrack album for … Read more
Bon Iver I,I Jagjaguwar [2019] Album Review: While “I,I”, the fourth album from Bon Iver, begins with “Yi” a 30 second smattering of electronic noise, voices, and an unsettling sense of dislocation, which would lead one to expect another album in the more experimental mode of 2016’s 22, A Million, soon something more focused and … Read more