Pretenders Alone BMG [2016] Fire Note Says: Hynde makes a strong case for the enduring relevance of her voice and musical stance. Album Review: Rock N’ Roll music may be one of the rare places in life where something akin to “beginner’s luck” can pan out and deliver a rare critical and commercial breakthrough the … Read more
Alejandro Escovedo Burn Something Beautiful Fantasy [2016] Fire Note Says: Rock & roll celebrating the noisy possibilities of our existential crisis. Album Review: In a recent open letter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Jay Minkin of No Depression calls out a few of the institution’s most blatant omissions, artists who have defied … Read more
St. Paul & The Broken Bones Sea Of Noise RECORDS/Sony Music [2016] Fire Note Says: It’s clear that the band is comfortable in their own shoes. Album Review: The first time you hear the music of St. Paul and the Broken Bones you would be forgiven if you paused to look at your time machine—as … Read more
Daniel Lanois Goodbye To Language ANTI- [2016] Fire Note Says: Established producer to the stars has a new album. Album Review: The latest album from Daniel Lanois, established producer to the stars (Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Peter Gabriel, and along with Brian Eno, some of U2’s biggest hits), can be described in one … Read more
Teenage Fanclub Here Merge Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Teenage Fanclub return with a familiar power pop sound. Album Review: Scottish alternative rockers, Teenage Fanclub, are best remembered for breakout albums like Bandwagonesque, Grand Prix, and Songs from Northern Britain, which all appeared in the band’s 90’s heyday when their brash power-pop instincts were in … Read more
Peter Bjorn And John Breakin’ Point INGRID [2016] Fire Note Says: Breakin’ Point was the power pop hit of the summer that never happened. Album Review: Whether intentional or not, most artists end up wearing their hearts on their sleeves, that is telling us what they love, what they care about. Even the most cynical … Read more
Pixies Head Carrier Pixiesmusic/PIAS [2016] Fire Note Says: Pixies rock with a sense of history, but also look ahead. Album Review: Pixies, an alt/rock quartet originating out of Boston, is one of those bands whose shadow of influence has been far greater than their actual sales. Like the Velvet Underground, it’s been said that not … Read more
Green Day Revolution Radio Reprise Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Keeping it real even though we all have grown older! Album Review: “I’m like a child looking off in the horizon,” sings punk trio Green Day’s singer/songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong at the midpoint of the band’s new album. “I’m like an ambulance that’s turning on … Read more
Prophets of Rage: Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH – October 5, 2016 “Cincinnati, are you awake?” asked rapper B-Real early in the performance of the Prophets of Rage on Wednesday, a theme he would revisit throughout the night. It felt like a warm late summer night in spite of the fall date on the calendar, … Read more
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree Bad Seed LTD. [2016] Fire Note Says: Filled with pure, unbridled pain, Nick Cave once again exorcises his demons. Album Review: There may be nothing more painful to experience than pure unadulterated grief. Which is why many will choose to pass on the latest album from Australian … Read more
Glass Animals How To Be A Human Being Harvest Records [2016] Fire Note Says: A strong follow up record from Glass Animals. Album Review: Following that path of previous singles like “Black Mambo” and “Gooey,” Brit-pop quartet Glass Animals have dug deeper on the songs for their sophomore album, How to Be a Human Being, … Read more
John Doe The Westerner Cool Rock Records [2016] Fire Note Says: John Doe leans back on the roots that first inspired him. Album Review: The L.A. punk band X arguably cast a longer shadow than one would expect based on record sales and airplay singles. Made up of John Doe (vocals/bass), Exene Cervenka (vocals), Billy … Read more
The Bonnevilles Arrow Pierce My Heart Alive Records [2016] Fire Note Says: The Bonnevilles deliver a full, raw and edgy blues rock sound. Album Review: “Rock & roll may not be dead,” once suggested a poet, “but it’s getting sick.” It’s a familiar story, you can think of examples from nearly every era. Rock music … Read more
Lucinda Williams The Ghosts Of Highway 20 Highway 20 Records [2016] Fire Note Says: It is clear that Williams owns this patch of the road. Album Review: “I know about the pain and all that jazz,” sings Lucinda Williams in her smokiest voice, and you sense that she’s just scratching the surface of that deep … Read more
Tedeschi Trucks Band Let Me Get By Concord Music Group [2016] Fire Note Says: Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks have brought a level of purpose to their third record. Album Review: On their third collaborative studio album, singer Susan Tedeschi, guitarist Derek Trucks and company have brought a level of intentionality and purpose to their … Read more
David Bowie Blackstar Columbia Records [2016] Fire Note Says: There will only ever be one Bowie! Album Review: Released on his 69th birthday (1/8/16), and as fate would have it, two days before David Bowie would die, “Blackstar” finds the iconic rock chameleon staring down the Grim Reaper. In the album’s 10-minute title track, Bowie … Read more
The Bottle Rockets South Broadway Athletic Club Bloodshot Records [2015] Fire Note Says: South Broadway Athletic Club is what maturity looks like. Album Review: It’s been 6 years since the last studio album of originals for Bottle Rockets, but 23 years into their recording career the St. Louis Americana quartet remains true to their classic … Read more
Richard Thompson Still Fantasy Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Still works as a re-introduction of an artist that any serious music fan will want to hear for yourself. Album Review: Richard Thompson has been a music critics’ favorite since his early days in the premier British folk rock group of the late 60’s, Fairport Convention, … Read more
Alabama Shakes Sound & Color ATO Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Alabama Shakes take you on another pendulum ride full of raw expression. Album Review: Three years ago, when Alabama Shakes came out of nowhere to rock the world with their debut, Boys & Girls, driven by soulful R&B-influenced roots rock and the stunningly unique … Read more
JJ Grey & Mofro Ol’ Glory Provogue Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Imitation is the greatest form of appreciation. Album Review: Working out of Northern Florida, JJ Grey & Mofro have come closest to capturing their live energy on their 9th full-length project in 15 years, a sound that has made them fans in the … Read more
Death Cab For Cutie Kintsugi Atlantic Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Kintsugi is a break up record that doesn’t hit all of its marks. Album Review: Death Cab for Cutie hit it in a big way, over a decade ago along with a host of other young bands, like Dashboard Confessional, labeled as emo for … Read more
Madonna Rebel Heart Boy Toy / Interscope Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Rebel Heart is a pretty safe and predictable offering. Album Review: We have to give Madonna her due. In 1983, it was easy to assume that she was just one more “Lucky Star,” a flash in the pan, one and done. Dance/disco acts … Read more
The Church Further / Deeper Unorthodox Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Further/Deeper finds The Church doing what they do best! Album Review: In the 35 years since Aussie band The Church formed in 1980, they’ve largely been the collaborative effort of Steve Kilbey on lead vocals, bass and guitars, Marty Wilson-Piper on guitars and bgv’s, … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes Terraplane New West Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Terraplane finds Earle & his Dukes exploring the swampy blues stomps of the Deep South. Album Review: One of the benefits of a long career is that it gives an artist a chance to celebrate their influences and explore artistic tangents without … Read more
Rhiannon Giddens Tomorrow Is My Turn Nonesuch Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Carolina Chocolate Drop Giddens spreads her wings on new solo record. Album Review: Rhiannon Giddens is not a name new to us, she was part of the critically lauded roots/string & jug band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and then signed on as part … Read more