Florence + The Machine High As Hope Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Artful and stately from start to finish. Album Review: Early efforts from Florence + The Machine – in singles like “Kiss With A Fist” and “Dog Days Are Over” – came across with enough smarts and depth that suggested Florence Welch was … Read more
Alejandro Escovedo The Crossing Yep Roc [2018] Fire Note Says: The Crossing is another positive notch in the Alejandro Escovedo catalog. Album Review: By all rights, Alejandro Escovedo should be a household name. After playing with the early punk band The Nuns in the 70’s, and a seminal cow-punk (read Americana) band, Rank and File, … Read more
The Decemberists “Your Girl/Your Ghost” World Tour w/ Kacy & Clayton; Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH – Thursday, September 20, 2018 Thursday night’s concert by The Decemberists was one whole day late for “International Talk Like a Pirate Day” but, while no one said anything close to an “Arrgh, Matey,” fans of the Portland, Ore., band … Read more
Low Double Negative Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On Low’s 12th album, they sketch a portrait of the dark and noisy residue of modern life, and allow moments of beauty to break through the cracks. Album Review: Beginning with their 1994 debut, “I Could Live in Hope,” Duluth-based indie band Low has been … Read more
Jeff Johnson & Brian Dunning Eirlandia Ark Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Johnson and Dunning’s Celtic flair musical creations are both majestic and heartwarming. Album Review: Composer and keyboardist Jeff Johnson and flautist Brian Dunning have been collaborating on a unique blend of Celtic contemporary instrumental music for nearly 30 years, often creating soundtracks that … Read more
Death Cab for Cutie Thank You For Today Atlantic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Death Cab For Cutie have what it takes to make this journey worth the effort. Album Review: Thank You For Today is the 9th studio album from Ben Gibbard’s Death Cab for Cutie, the first without long-time guitarist and producer Chris … Read more
Neil & Liam Finn Lightsleeper Inertia Music/[PIAS] [2018] Fire Note Says: Neil Finn, best known for work in Crowded House, Split Enz before it, and most recently as a touring member of Fleetwood Mac, keeps it in the family, recording with his son Liam to create a dreamy soundscape that honors the ties that bind. … Read more
Interpol Marauder Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Most songs on the new Interpol will fit nicely into a live set. Album Review: New York post-punk rockers Interpol return for a 6th album, this time relying on an outside producer after taking things in-house on the last two. Working with David Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Spoon, … Read more
The Record Company All Of This Life Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Rock trio, The Record Company step up with a solid sophomore effort, expanding on their strengths. Album Review: From the earliest days of rock & roll, there’s been a special place for power trios, like Cream, Rush, Nirvana, Husker Du, The Jam, … Read more
Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis Wild! Wild! Wild! Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Together, Lewis & Fulks recall what made that revolutionary music so appealing. Album Review: The collaboration of alt country singer/songwriter Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis, the little sister, piano protégé and touring partner of Jerry Lee “The Killer” Lewis … Read more
Gorillaz The Now Now Parlophone/Warner Bros. [2018] Fire Note Says: The follow-up to last year’s “Humanz,” finds Gorillaz leaning more on singer Damon Albarn (Blur) than the hip-hop collaborations that drove previous hits up the charts. Album Review: The Gorillaz concept – a virtual band with animated characters drawn by artist Jamie Hewlett with music … Read more
Sunflower Bean Twentytow In Blue Mom + Pop Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Brooklyn-based trio, Sunflower Bean, mix bubblegum and power pop, psychedelia and punk influences for a buoyant sophomore effort. Album Review: Sunflower Beam is a traditional rock trio – bass, drums & guitar – which brings it’s original songs into focus around singer/bassist … Read more
The Jayhawks Back Roads And Abandoned Motels Sony Music/Legacy Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: The Jayhawks put their own stamp on songs Gary Louris had written with the Dixie Chicks, Jacob Dylan and others, inspiring a return to their own sonic roots. Album Review: If The Jayhawks were a band of equals, and I’m not … Read more
Buddy Guy The Blues Is Alive And Well RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: In his early 80’s, blues guitar veteran and a major influence on folks like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Buddy remains surprisingly capable and emotionally satisfying. Album Review: At a time when we’re hearing that blues rock veterans Jimmy Page is … Read more
The Alarm Equals The Twenty First Century Recording Company [2018] Fire Note Says: The Alarm unleash their guitars in high energy rock that pays tribute to the passion of their 80’s heyday. Album Review: Late last summer, I eagerly prioritized catching the Welsh band, The Alarm’s US tour, which included joining the shows on the … Read more
Radiohead w/ Special Guest Junun: “A Moon Shaped Pool” Tour 2018; US Bank Arena; Cincinnati, OH – Wednesday, July 27, 2018 British band Radiohead’s mercurial leader and frontman, Thom Yorke may have had a love/hate relationship with the mechanisms and expectations that come with an arena rock tour across America, but at Wednesday night’s concert … Read more
Gruff Rhys Babelsberg Rough Trade [2018] Fire Note Says: Welsh singer/songwriter, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame, hides dark, commentary in sweet, orchestrated pop songs in a compelling and enjoyable way. Album Review: Even though, Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys may be playing it straight on the smartly orchestrated pop songs of Babelsberg, his … Read more
Arthur Buck Arthur Buck New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck create a particularly relevant and meaningful artistic effort. Album Review: According to the bio on the artist website, the collaboration of singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur and former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has been organic and spontaneous from the … Read more
Jim James Uniform Distortion ATO Records [2018] Fire Note Says: My Morning Jacket’s Jim James delves into some nostalgia for guitar driven pop/rock, fun, hooky songs, and simpler times. Album Review: It’s just like the spirited Jim James, best known as the leader, singer/songwriter and guitarist with My Morning Jacket, to deliver a guitar oriented … Read more
Gaz Coombes World’s Strongest Man Hot Fruit / Caroline International [2018] Fire Note Says: Third solo album from Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes is a reflective, modern pop affair. Album Review: Britain’s Supergrass, running their course in the 90’s and 00’s, were popular throughout the UK and Europe, but never quite got the attention they deserved in … Read more
Derri Daugherty The Color of Dreams Lo-Fidelity Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Singer and guitarist with The Choir, and side bands Lost Dogs and Kerosene Halo, strikes off for a more personal solo album, backed by friends from Jars of Clay and Sixpence NTR. Album Review: Back in 2016, Derri Daugherty, the lead vocalist and … Read more
Walter Wolfman Washington My Future Is My Past ANTI- Records [2018] Fire Note Says: New Orleans’ blues & jazz veteran steps away from his longtime show-band the Roadrunners for an intimate set emphasizing his inner romantic crooner. Album Review: Walter Wolfman Washington has been a mainstay around the New Orleans music scene playing traditional blues … Read more
Johnny Marr Call The Comet New Voodoo Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Johnny Marr, groundbreaking guitarist with The Smiths, The The, Modest Mouse, delivers all the goods – solid songs, satisfying vocals, and of course great guitar sounds – on his 3rd solo album. Album Review: During The Smiths short brilliant career they released 4 … Read more
Snow Patrol Wildness Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: No. Irish/Scottish band, Snow Patrol return after 6 years with their most accessible, pop-friendly album yet. Album Review: When a band puts out a “best of” album it is often the sign of a big change, either they are breaking up, or looking for a quick … Read more
The Choir Bloodshot Galaxy 21 Music [2018] Album Review: In the economically fragile world of indie alternative rock, career longevity is a rare thing. In that regard, The Choir – who I first saw play at a Chicago music festival in 1984 and have produced 14 full-length original studio recordings, plus at least five live … Read more