Woods With Light And With Love Woodsist Records [2014] Fire Note Says: With Light and With Love is the 5th amazing album in a row from Woods! Album Review: 2012’s Bend Beyond was the fourth fantastic album in a row from Woods and one of my top ten albums for the year. When a band … Read more
Doug Gillard Parade On Nine Mile Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Parade On perfectly showcases Gillard’s multi instrumental skills and catchy melodies. Album Review: I have said it before, and I will say it again, there aren’t many rock guitar players who can hold a candle to Doug Gillard. I am going to go ahead … Read more
Kevin Drew Darlings Arts & Crafts [2014] Fire Note Says: Drew explores the spiritual nature of sex on Darlings, his first solo album in seven years. Album Review: If I had to use two words to describe Darlings, the second solo album from Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, the first would be” lush”, and … Read more
Mac DeMarco Salad Days Captured Tracks [2014] Fire Note Says: There isn’t a song less than great on Salad Days! Album Review: Salad Days, the second album (or third if you count Rock and Roll Nightclub as an lp) from Mac DeMarco could easily have been a letdown, but instead it ends up being incredibly … Read more
Supersuckers Get The Hell Acetate Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If you love rowdy, dirty, raunchy, drunk, gritty, punk infused rock and roll, well, Get The Hell might be your next party album. Album Review: The Supersuckers have been bringing their spirited, rowdy and shit kicking brand of Rock and Roll for over 25 years … Read more
Owls Two Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Owls craft something compelling and infinitely re-listenable, out of its unorthodox and complex style! Album Review: Odds are pretty good that you have never heard of Owls, or understand why you should be excited that they are releasing their second album after a 13 year absence. I … Read more
Warm Soda Young Reckless Hearts Castle Face Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Young Reckless Hearts should have been a contender, but instead is a bit of a head scratcher. Album Review: Warm Soda’s debut album, Someone For You, was one of those albums that hung around my playlist all year long in 2013. It was … Read more
September Girls Cursing The Sea Fortuna POP! [2014] Fire Note Says: Cursing the Sea is an exciting debut album from a band to keep an eye on in the future! Album Review: Cursing the Sea, the debut album from Ireland’s September Girls, is right in my wheelhouse. Hazy psychedelic pop music, heavily influenced by the … Read more
The War On Drugs Lost In The Dream Secretly Canadian Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lost In The Dream is an instant classic. Album Review: Hailing from Philadelphia, The War on Drugs is the musical brainchild of Adam Granduciel, but also includes Dave Hartley and Robbie Bennett. The band had previously existed somewhat in the … Read more
The Len Price 3 Nobody Knows JLM Music [2014] Fire Note Says: Nobody Knows shows why The Len Price 3 are the best kept secret in Rock! Album Review: The Len Price 3 are one of the best kept secrets in Rock, of that there can be no doubt. The UK trio has just released … Read more
Ruined Fortune Ruined Fortune HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Ruined Fortune sets the bar high on their experimental/lo-fi/scuzz debut! Album Review: Hailing from Australia, though it sounds like the bowels of NYC circa 1977, Ruined Fortune are a duo consisting of Nic Warnock and Angie Garrick, that specialize in the sort of lo-fi garage … Read more
Cibo Matto Hotel Valentine Chimera Music [2014] Fire Note Says: Hotel Valentine is as ambitious as it is intoxicating. Album Review: I’ve spent the last few days trying to wrap my mind around the awesomeness of Hotel Valentine, the first new album in 15 years from the reunited Cibo Matto! The album is a concept … Read more
Drive-By Truckers English Oceans ATO Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Drive-By Truckers hit another gear on English Oceans. Album Review: Right off the bat, you realize that things have changed for the Drive-By Truckers, and not just personnel, though the band has certainly had a major overhaul in the years since A Blessing and … Read more
The Notwist Close To The Glass Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Close To The Glass is a warm shot of humanity in an icy digital landscape. Album Review: The Notwist falls under my “Hey what the hell ever happened to those guys, I liked that one album” umbrella. For The Notwist, that one … Read more
Cheatahs Cheatahs Witchita Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Cheatahs is a maelstrom of guitars and melody! Album Review: Cheatahs have finally released their long awaited proper debut full length, and it’s pretty damn good. Extended Plays was a remarkable compilation of their two eps in one handy package, and as great as it was as … Read more
Drowners Drowners Frenchkiss Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Drowners show off their attitude and tunes on their debut album, could they be the next big thing? Album Review: Sometimes a new band comes along and fills a gap for me that has been vacated by a band either breaking up, or completely growing out of … Read more
The Rifles None The Wiser Cooking Vinyl [2014] Fire Note Says: The Rifles return to their more rocking sound with triumphant results! Album Review: The original quartet of The Rifles recorded two of my favorite records of the past 10 years with their debut album No Love Lost, and its follow-up Great Escape. Following Great … Read more
Death Of Samantha If Memory Serves Us Well St. Valentine Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If Memory Serves Us Well is a fierce reminder of why this band is so fondly remembered. Album Review: Death of Samantha are one of a handful of influential Cleveland bands that are more likely to have been heard of … Read more
Maxïmo Park Too Much Information Daylighting Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Maxïmo Park look to shake up their sound on their fifth lp, with mostly positive results. Album Review: Since bursting onto the scene with their debut album, A Certain Trigger, in 2005, Maxïmo Park has been a band that I have followed with great … Read more
The New Mendicants Into The Lime Ashmont Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Pernice Brothers + Teenage Fanclub = Creamy Pop Heaven Album Review: When Joe Pernice and Norman Blake make a record together, you don’t ask many questions, you just listen to it. When that record, Into The Lime, completely lives up to your … Read more
Passenger Peru Passenger Peru Fleeting Youth Records [2014] Fire Note Says: A stunning debut from Brooklyn duo, Passenger Peru! Album Review: Every now and then a record comes from out of nowhere and takes your breath away. Perhaps you have been listening to records that are just ok, nothing bad, nothing great, and then you … Read more
Dum Dum Girls Too True Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Too True features a throwback 80s sound that is hard to root against. Album Review: It seems to me like Dee Dee Penny is searching for her own sound. The first Dum Dum Girls album, I Will Be, was a wonderful collection of … Read more
Mogwai Rave Tapes Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Mogwai takes things to another level with Rave Tapes. Album Review: I have never been the world’s biggest Mogwai fan. I have always thought they were good at what they did, and sometimes even great, but other than Young Team and Mr. Beast, I never … Read more
Brendan Canning You Gots 2 Chill Draper St./SQE Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Not enough meat for a feel meal, but You Gots 2 Chill is a nice appetizer. Album Review: Brendan Canning is best known for being one of the key members of Broken Social Scene, and while that band appears to be on … Read more
Cass McCombs Big Wheel And Others Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: An epic 22 song album that is as frustrating as it is thrilling. Album Review: I don’t know much about Cass McCombs the man, but I know a fair amount about him as a musician. As a songwriter, McCombs is able to work … Read more