Bob Mould Sunshine Rock Merge Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Mould has always been one of alternative music’s bright shining stars. Album Review: Bob Mould makes a determined effort on his 14th solo studio album to turn from the darkness toward the light of Sunshine Rock. It’s a burst of positivity that he spells out … Read more
Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy Cappadocia Ark Music [2019] Fire Note Says: Johnson’s keyboards and Keaggy’s guitars find inspiration in the dramatic terrain and musical palette of the Middle East, resulting in mysterious, lush instrumentals. Album Review: Last year, new age instrumental artist Jeff Johnson released another of his wonderful collaborations with Irish flutist Brian … Read more
Crane Like The Bird Crane Like The Bird Self-Released [2019] Album Review: Crane Like The Bird is the brain-child of drummer and songwriter Kyle Crane, who has collaborated with folk like Neko Case, M. Ward, and Kurt Vile, and worked as the drum double for the young jazz drummer in the movie “Whiplash.” On this … Read more
Evan’s Dilemma Under The Sun EDMojo [2018] Album Review: If you remember that the principals of Greenville, SC band, Evan’s Dilemma first played together in the early 1990’s, it’ll explain the band’s love for those great crunchy, processed guitar sounds first popularized by U2, Radiohead and the like. Of course, during one of the band’s … Read more
Smoking Popes Into The Agony Asian Man Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Chicago punk/pop Smoking Popes return with original line-up, and nod their heads as much to Judy Garland as they do to Jesus. Album Review: One of the albums that got lost in the shuffle of new releases late in the fall that’s worthy … Read more
Pedro The Lion Phoenix Polyvinyl Records [2019] Fire Note Says: It is the nature of the “Phoenix,” to rise up, lift off, and take flight – that is what David Bazan accomplishes on the return of Pedro the Lion. Album Review: It’s always a curious thing when an artist who is the dominant artistic driver … Read more
Midnight Oil Armistice Day: Live At The Domain, Sydney Sony Music [2018] Fire Note Says: The “Power And the Passion” lives on with this new burning live set from Midnight Oil. Album Review: One of the best bits of news early in 2017, was that Midnight Oil had reformed, and was planning a global tour, … Read more
Muse Simulation Theory Warner Bros. Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On their 8th album, Muse loosens the concept formula enough for more humanity to shine through their larger-than-life arena rock anthems. Album Review: Muse’s 8th album in their nearly 20 year career, starts off with a rhythmic drum beat that could easily have been designed … Read more
Jeff Tweedy WARM dBpm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, delivers a singer/songwriter solo turn that touches base with his roots rock/alt country origins. Album Review: One of the factors that attracts us to a certain writer, artist or musician is an ineffable sense that they have something in … Read more
The 1975 A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships Interscope Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Third album from The 1975 delivers more great pop melodies, with an undercurrent of loneliness and addiction… so it’s a party! Album Review: The 1975’s lead singer Matt Healy gets right to the point in “Give Yourself a Try,” the opening … Read more
Amanda Shires To The Sunset Silver Knife [2018] Fire Note Says: Amanda Shires’ may be best known as Jason Isbell’s wife and violinist in The 400 Unit, but on her 7th solo album she expresses her own poetic voice. Album Review: In her version of a “getting dumped” song, Amanda Shires’s heroine realizes that she’s … Read more
Fleet Foxes First Collection 2006-2009 Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On the 10th anniversary of Seatle’s Fleet Foxes eponymously-titled debut, the band has released a box set on vinyl and CD containing that breakout album, plus two early EPs along with some B-sides, rareties and demos, 30 tracks in all. Album Review: Listening … Read more
Peter Holsapple Game Day Omnivore Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Game Day is a fine current day collection of songs from Peter Holsapple, a welcome continuation of his long and storied career with the dB’s, a testament to the value of keeping on keeping on. Album Review: Peter Holsapple has had a long and prestigious … Read more
The Smashing Pumpkins Shiny And Oh So Bright Vol. 1/LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. Napalm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Billy Corgan reunites with James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlain, plus producer Rick Rubin, in an attempt to make up for lost ground… and it’s a nice start toward recovery. Album Review: Billy Corgan’s … Read more
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Live From The Ryman Southeastern Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jason Isbell and his fine band, The 400 Unit, deliver up the best of his last three albums recorded at sold-out shows at Nashvilles “Mother Church,” The Ryman Auditorium. Album Review: Jason Isbell has had a pretty good year, … Read more
Billy F Gibbons & the BFG’s Big Bad Blues Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: ZZ Top guitarist goes back to explore his blues roots on his sophomore solo outing. Album Review: Okay, this no doubt shows my age, but there was a time before ZZ Top was best known for “Sharp Dressed Man” – … Read more
Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers Bought To Rot Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Laura Jane Grace steps away from Against Me! for a more personal, intimate and immediate album backed with her rhythm section, The Devouring Mothers. Album Review: When Laura Jane Grace sang Transgender Dysphoria Blues with her band Against Me!, … Read more
St. Paul & The Broken Bones Young Sick Camellia RECORDS/Sony Music [2018] Fire Note Says: St. Paul & The Broken Bones maintain their soulful energy. Album Review: With their third album in six years, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, no longer satisfied with being appreciated for their status as a world class retro-soul act … Read more
Elvis Costello & The Imposters Look Now Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Elvis Costello returns for his second album in the 2010’s, echoing and growing on his previous collaboration with Burt Bacharach, so it turns out that sophisticated pop rock is this year’s model. Album Review: In the 2010’s, Elvis Costello, the iconic punk … Read more
John Hiatt The Eclipse Sessions New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On his 23rd album, The Eclipse Sessions, continues putting the stories of our lives, loves and families in accessible roots rock Americana. Album Review: In the opening lines of the opening song of John Hiatt’s 23rd album may tell the tale of the … Read more
Foxing Nearer My God Triple Crown [2018] Fire Note Says: St. Louis band Foxing makes bold, cinematic music, that both invites and withholds, marked by lush instrumentation, with passionate, at times paranoid, stacked vocals. Album Review: The third album from St. Louis band, Foxing, arrives in your speakers with an expected sense of presence and … Read more
Patsy Moore What Surprises Us Papa Chuy [2018] Fire Note Says: Patsy Moore brings a very special voice forward on her indie label, Papa Chuy, creating piano-based pop balladry with smart augmentation from African percussive polyrhythms, soulfulness with jazz instincts and artful orchestration that recalls the work of Joni Mitchell. Album Review: Patsy Moore is … Read more
Joe Strummer Joe Strummer 001 Ignition Records [2018] Fire Note Says: This anthology of solo work from The Clash’s Joe Strummer extends his established legacy celebrating his solo years fronting the 101ers, The Mescalerros, and his soundtrack work for films. Album Review: If Joe Strummer had retired from music and public life when The Clash … Read more
The The Bottle Rockets Bit Logic Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Another fine rockin’ country album from these St. Louis pros. Album Review: If the alt-country Bottle Rockets ever have need for a patron saint, they explain in “Bad Time to Be an Outlaw,” from their 13th album, Bit Logic, their prayer asks “What … Read more
Richard Thompson 13 Rivers New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: At 69, Richard Thompson, one of the world’s best songwriters as well as one or rock’s greatest guitarists, brings it altogether again on “13 Rivers,” one of the very best albums of his long and storied career. Album Review: Who knew there would be … Read more