The Fire Note wouldn’t be possible without the talented writers that have signed on here to share their educated thoughts and true enjoyment of music with our readers. Our year end Top 50 is coming later this week but clearly everyone has different tastes and ideas when naming the best album released in 2013. So … Read more
Younger Lovers Sugar In My Pocket Southpaw Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Super catchy lo fi indie pop with high replay value. Album Review: Sugar in My Pocket, the new album from Younger Lovers is exactly the kind of record I enjoy discovering. Its 12 songs fly by in just about 22 minutes, so It … Read more
Jeffrey Novak Lemon Kid Trouble In Mind Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Lemon Kid puts a different twist on that familiar Garage Rock sound. Album Review: The music of Tennessee native, Jeffrey Novak, calls to mind another Tennessean, Jay Reatard. Novak doesn’t particularly sound like Reatard, but he does share a unique ability to pull … Read more
Black Flag What The… SST Records [2013] Fire Note Says: First New Black Flag studio album in 26 years is better than you have heard. Album Review: It’s been 26 years since Black Flag last roared out of SoCal with a new album. 26 years, that’s hard to believe isn’t it? On their new album, … Read more
Emerson Lake & Palmer Live in Montreal 1977 Shout! Factory [2013] Fire Note Says: Live in Montreal features ELP backed by a 70 piece orchestra on their Works tour! Album Review: Emerson Lake and Palmer’s 1977 tour was an ambitious undertaking, a failure on some levels, and an absolute triumph on other levels. The band … Read more
Kurt Vile It’s A Big World Out There (And I Am Scared) Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kurt Vile issues more tracks from the Wakin on a Pretty Daze sessions. Album Review: Kurt Vile has had my ear since I first heard Constant Hitmaker in 2008. Each album has gotten better, culminating with this … Read more
Soundgarden Screaming Life/Fopp Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Soundgarden are one of the most important bands to emerge from early 90’s Seattle. Album Review: I caught the Soundgarden bug during my freshman year at college when a friend bought Louder Than Love and proclaimed it the best rock album of the year. I … Read more
The Crookes Hold Fast Modern Outsider [2013] Fire Note Says: Finally, the sophomore album from The Crookes is available in the US! Album Review: Hold Fast, the second album from British indie pop band The Crookes, was originally released overseas in 2012, and now is finally out in the US thanks to Modern Outsider. I … Read more
Ty Segall Gemini Drag City Records [2013] Hopefully you remember Ty Segall’s 2012 record Twins (TFN Review). It landed at number 2 in our Top 50 last year and of course received a Headphone Approved stamp with its sonic excellence. Gemini was released this week from Segall and it is essentially the Twins demos album … Read more
Babyshambles Sequel To The Prequel Parlophone Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Babyshambles are back and better than they have ever been on Sequel to the Prequel! Album Review: I had no idea that there was a new Babyshambles record coming out this year, in fact, it had already been out for well over a month … Read more
Kelley Stoltz Double Exposure Third Man Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kelley Stoltz continues to fly under the radar, but for how much longer? Album Review: Somewhere along the line, Kelley Stoltz became the go to guy for recording the new San Francisco sound. I have to admit, I lost track of Stoltz after his … Read more
White Fence Live In San Francisco Castle Face Records [2013] Fire Note Says: White Fence delivers a red hot live set on Live in San Francisco! Album Review: White Fence has had an incredible two year run. Last year saw the release of both volumes of the Family Perfume album, as well as an excellent … Read more
Arliss Nancy Wild American Runners Black Numbers Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Wild American Runners is booze soaked rock album with a heart of gold. Album Review: Arliss Nancy is the name of a Colorado quintet that just might be the best band of its kind going right now. These guys have picked up the … Read more
Quasi Mole City Kill Rock Stars [2013] Fire Note Says: Quasi’s eighth album is a head trip that encompasses every twist and turn the band has made in their 20 year existence. Album Review: This long running Portland duo, Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, have been making music as Quasi since the mid 90’s. Janet’s … Read more
White Denim Corsicana Lemonade Downtown Music [2013] Fire Note Says: White Denim pours a tall cool glass of their blend of classic guitar rock. Album Review: White Denim, the Austin TX four piece, comes blasting out of the gate on their new album Corsicana Lemonade. These guys are all over the map when it comes … Read more
Bardo Pond Peace On Venus Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bardo Pond lays down the heavy droning lysergic riffs as they travel the spaceways. Album Review: One does not simply put on a Bardo Pond album and think, let’s review this thing. It doesn’t work that way. The long time psychedelic band from Philadelphia, … Read more
Mike Donovan WOT Drag City Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A fine solo debut from Mike Donovan formerly of Sic Alps. Album Review: With the demise of Sic Alps earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before Mike Donovan launched his solo career. While the Sic Alps specialized in 60’s influenced guitar/garage … Read more
Tears For Fears The Hurting (30th Anniversary Edition) Universal/Virgin Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Hurting will prove to you that Tears For Fears were much more than just a few hit singles that we all remember. Album Review: I’m proud to say that the first concert I ever went to was Tears For Fears … Read more
Yuck Glow & Behold Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Yuck starts over fresh on their new album, and it sounds pretty good. Album Review: Imagine you’re a member of a hip young band, your debut album garners all sorts of critical accolades, winds up on many top ten lists, and you find yourself … Read more
Lee Ranaldo And The Dust Last Night On Earth Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Last Night on Earth might be the best guitar record you hear this Fall. Album Review: I didn’t see this one coming. I thought that Lee Ranaldo’s first album for Matador, 2012’s Between the Times and the Tide was pretty … Read more
The Dismemberment Plan Uncanney Valley Partisan Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Dismemberment Plan recaptures some of that old magic on their first album in 12 years. Album Review: The Dismemberment Plan hasn’t put out a record in 12 years, which is an eternity in the indie rock world. What made the break even harder … Read more
Mark Lanegan Imitations Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Lanegan’s second album of covers is so good it will make you forget the original versions. Album Review: To say Mark Lanegan is one of the most distinctive and important singers of the past 25 years is a huge understatement. Not only was he singer for … Read more
Elf Power Sunlight On The Moon Darla/Orange Twin Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A wonderful collection of psych pop gems that have the unmistakable Elephant 6 sound. Album Review: If you’re anything like me, you have to be pretty excited that there is a new Elf Power record out. I obsessively collected all things Elephant … Read more
Valley Lodge Use Your Weapons Explosive Industries [2013] Fire Note Says: Big riffs and big hooks make Use Your Weapons the party record of the week! Album Review: Every now and then I get an album to review that defies any sort of critical evaluation. Sometimes it’s because it’s terrible and I can’t make it … Read more
The Darcys Warring Arts & Crafts Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Warring is an impressive sounding record, though falls just a bit short of their grandiose goal. Album Review: Toronto art rockers, The Darcys are back with their biggest sounding record yet, Warring, out now on Arts & Crafts. Warring is the bands attempt at … Read more