Björk Utopia One Little Indian Records [2017] Fire Note Says: While highly recommended, Björk’s tenth album is still a challenging listen. Album Review: Listening to the latest from Icelandic chanteuse Björk, can feel like stepping through the curtain to enter an audio/visual piece at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. At first it can … Read more
Hüsker Dü Savage Young Dü Numero Group [2017] Fire Note Says: This 69 track box set delivers a rare and complete look at seminal Minneapolis hardcore punk trio, Hüsker Dü’s early beginnings, a collector’s dream. Album Review: By the time Hüsker Dü – Grant Hart, Greg Norton and Bob Mould – were playing their first … Read more
Mavis Staples If All I Was Was Black ANTI- [2017] Fire Note Says: In the Trump era, Mavis Staples – who earned her chops with the Staples Singers, and lately has been backing up Bob Dylan – works with producer Jeff Tweedy to provide positive anthems for the resistance. Album Review: B.B. King once told … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Soul Of A Woman Daptone Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Sharon Jones’ last will is a testament to classic R&B, and a celebration of life. Album Review: Most of the time you don’t know when something will be your last time. When I took my son over to St. Louis … Read more
U2 Songs Of Experience Interscope Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Music doesn’t have to be inspirational to be good, but U2 at their best is just that. Album Review: One of the challenges when your band’s the second highest grossing touring bands of the year, is “Getting Out of Your Own Way.” Of course, that’s … Read more
St. Vincent Masseduction Loma Vista Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: St. Vincent builds on the success of her last album, bringing her performance art mechanics, manic guitar noise and energetic electro-pop hysterics face to face with tragedy and lives to tell about it. Album Review: St. Vincent’s eponymously titled 4th solo album, released in 2014, … Read more
Chris Taylor Down A Dead End Street Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: San Antonio singer/songwriter with a half dozen albums of original LPs under his belt, offers up a tribute to Bob Dylan. Album Review: These days, San Antonio singer/songwriter and painter, Chris Taylor can be heard regularly around his hometown playing The Cove and … Read more
The Church Man Woman Life Death Infinity Unorthodox [2017] Fire Note Says: On their 25th album, The Church from Australia continue to deliver those floating guitar lines that intertwine and grow to create that dreamy, ethereal sound that fans have come to expect. Album Review: On their 25th studio album, Australia’s The Church maintains the … Read more
Pearl Jam Let’s Play Two Republic [2017] Fire Note Says: The audio companion to the Danny Clinch film of the same title, features the concert performances of some of Pearl Jam’s best known songs recorded during the band’s two day stand at Chicago’s home of the Cub’s baseball club in August, before they won the … Read more
CousteauX CousteauX Silent X Records [2017] Fire Note Says: CousteauX creates music that recalls James Bond soundtracks and Las Vegas show bands, echoing the likes of Burt Bacharach and Nick Cave. Album Review: Cousteau, a London-based pop band that scored a European hit back at the end of the last century with “The Last Good … Read more
The Replacements For Sale: Live At Maxwell’s 1986 Sire/Rhino [2017] Fire Note Says: Minneapolis’ 80’s punk heroes captured live in all their raw, ragged glory. Album Review: Gather round my children, and I’ll tell you a story about a far distant time called the 80’s when punk bands weren’t mere fashion statements marketed by corporations, … Read more
Weezer Pacific Daydream Crush/Atlantic Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo continues his infatuation with the Beach Boys while mixing his power chord anthems with mellower pop inclinations. Album Review: You can’t say Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo doesn’t wear his influences on his sleeve. On last year’s self-titled (White Album) everything pointed to the Beach … Read more
Big Head Todd And The Monsters New World Arisin’ Big Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Colorado jam band, Big Head Todd & the Monsters get better with age. Album Review: There are some bands that peak early. They come fresh out of the box with that one big idea that will set them apart, all … Read more
Kesha Rainbow RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Album Review: Everybody loves a redemption story, a tale of the tortured soul who deals with their demons, whether external or internal, and returns in full possession of their artistic gifts. Thus the tale of Kesha Rose Sebert, formerly of the $, who escaped her Svengali of … Read more
Bruce Cockburn Bone On Bone True North Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Bruce Cockburn may be the most successful living singer-songwriter that most Americans have never heard of. Album Review: Even with 33 albums to his name and a host of music awards in his native Canada, Bruce Cockburn may be the most successful living … Read more
Robert Plant Carry Fire Nonesuch Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Carry Fire is Plant’s passion for life and love as expressed in music. Album Review: At 69, Robert Plant has been on a musical journey of discovery for a long, long time, but it only became obvious once he stepped out of the shadow of … Read more
Prophets Of Rage Prophets Of Rage Fantasy Records [2017] Fire Note Says: This rap/rock supergroup converts the live energy and potent political lyrics of their past works into new rage-filled music for these challenging times. Album Review: One of the best live tours in the Fall of last year’s election season was the collaboration of … Read more
Neil Finn Out Of Silence Lester Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Neil Finn, late of Crowded House and Split Enz, delivers mature, intimate pop sounds focused by piano and an orchestra. Album Review: Face to face with terrorism, whether of the international kind that generates so much of the news and dialogue these days, or … Read more
Beck Colors Fonograf/Capitol Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Beck knows that we just need a safe place where we can boogie. Album Review: A funny thing happened back in 2015 when Beck won three Grammys for his album Morning Phase, released the previous year; the album picked up the prestigious awards for Album of the … Read more
Lydia Loveless Boy Crazy And Single(s) Bloodshot Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Columbus native, Lydia Loveless combines her 2013 EP, Boy Crazy, with singles and covers recorded through 2015 to deliver her brand of Americana for the first time on CD and vinyl. Album Review: If you’re thinking it hasn’t even been a year since … Read more
LCD Soundsystem American Dream DFA/Columbia Records [2017] Fire Note Says: LCD Soundsystem’s take on the American Dream is far more realistic and delivers on its promises. Album Review: It would be easy to write off LCD Soundsystem, even convenient when you consider that many of their electronic dance tracks can feel repetitive and often run … Read more
GospelbeacH Another Summer Of Love Alive Naturalsound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: GospelbeacH takes us back to that warm California sounds when jangly beach music met up with the Grateful Dead’s guitars and The Byrds’ vocal harmonies. Album Review: Shortly after the Beach Boys, the California sound was defined by the likes of The Byrds, … Read more
This Is the Kit Moonshine Freeze Rough Trade Records [2017] Fire Note Says: This Is the Kit offers a varied and unique rhythmic with Kate Stables expression of alternative folk. Album Review: This Is the Kit (primarily a vehicle for singer/songwriter Kate Stables) lean most naturally toward a minimalist expression of alternative folk where a … Read more
Cheap Trick We’re All Alright! Big Machine [2017] Fire Note Says: Cheap Trick is still writing songs they care about, and their fans will too. Album Review: The first thing to notice here is that we have new music from Cheap Trick, recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. There … Read more
Foo Fighters Concrete And Gold Roswell/RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: On their 9th album, Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters deliver big hooks with bold grooves (and somewhat spacey lyrics), pure stadium rock god fodder. Album Review: Dave Grohl has accomplished a rare feat in the modern music business world, playing in two of the most … Read more