Golden Suits Golden Suits Yep Roc Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Take a nice psych/folk pop trip with Fred Nicolaus and his new project Golden Suits. Album Review: There is a lot to like about Fred Nicolaus and his new project Golden Suits. For those who don’t know, Nicolaus is half of the driving force … Read more
Obits Bed & Bugs Sub Pop Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bed & Bugs is the sound of Rock and Roll lifers kicking out garage rock jams. Album Review: It’s hard to talk about the new Obits album, Bed & Bugs, without first mentioning that Rick Froberg (vocs/gtr) was a member of two all-time great … Read more
Crystal Stilts Nature Noir Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Crystal Stilts show off some new sounds to go along with their own signature psychedelic haze. Album Review: Do you guys remember when eMusic used to rule? I sure do, I discovered a ton of great music there from 2004-2010. Sometime in 2007, they … Read more
Richard Buckner Surrounded Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Buckner expands his sonic palette on his tenth studio record. Album Review: Buckner spent nearly five years working on the follow up to his 2006 lp, Meadow. When 2011’s Our Blood was finally released, after having been rerecorded three times, most were pleased with the results. … Read more
Body/Head Coming Apart Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kim Gordon and Bill Nace create beauty out of chaos and improvisation. Album Review: Following the breakup of Sonic Youth, one of the most beloved alternative acts of all-time, we are now seeing the band members move on to new projects. Thurston Moore formed Chelsea Light … Read more
New Swears Funny Isn’t Real Dirt Cult Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ottawa’s New Swears throw a party and we’re all invited to come over and break some stuff. Album Review: Funny Isn’t Real, the new album from New Swears, has so much swagger it can barely be contained on wax. This Ottawa band is … Read more
Jonathan Rado Law & Order Woodsist Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado steps out on his own with a fine collection of 60’s influenced pop. Album Review: Foxygen have been one of the bigger buzz bands of the year, their latest album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, will … Read more
Belle And Sebastian The Third Eye Centre Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Second collection of B-Sides and stray tracks presents an interesting alternate look at the past decade of Belle and Sebastian’s career. Album Review: When I heard that the new Belle and Sebastian album, The Third Eye Centre, was going to be a … Read more
Spineriders Hello Future Tinglies Misra Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Archival release from Jason Molina’s first band benefits a great cause. Album Review: Spineriders were a four piece band hailing from Lorain, Ohio in the late 80’s early 90’s. Consisting of bandmembers, Todd Jacops, Mike McCartney, Jason Molina, and Carl Raponi, they recorded Hello Future … Read more
The Clean Vehicle Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fantastic reissue from New Zealand legends The Clean. Album Review: Kiwi legends, The Clean, have been delivering their jangle pop goodness to their devoted following since the late 70’s. They started their career releasing a handful of ep’s on the Flying Nun label, before brothers … Read more
Rare High 3 EPs / Hot Reason Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: If you like your music lo-fi and insanely catchy, check out these releases from Rare High. Album Review: Dean Wells, the man behind Rare High, is a pop genius. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. Whether it be as … Read more
Ty Segall Sleeper Drag City Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A hauntingly gorgeous acoustic record from perhaps the last artist you would expect it from. Album Review: As the title to his masterful album from last year, Twins, suggested, there are indeed two sides to the music of Ty Segall. On the one hand, you … Read more
Winter Makes Sailors Moving On Anyway Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Columbus, Ohio band delivers an intoxicating pop album. Album Review: Sean Gardner is the main man behind Winter Makes Sailors. If you live in Ohio, you have more than likely seen him in one of the many bands he has played in, Denovo, Kopaz, … Read more
Minks Tides End Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Minks update their old bedroom pop sound with their new synth pop record. Album Review: Tides End, the second lp from Minks, finds the band working with producer/engineer Mark Verbos and ditching the bedroom pop sound of their first lp, By the Hedge, and adopting … Read more
Scott & Charlene’s Wedding Any Port In A Storm Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Songs of pain and isolation cleverly disguised in a jangle pop package. Album Review: The new record from Scott & Charlene’s Wedding, Any Port In A Storm, has come from out of nowhere to completely blow me away. Like some … Read more
Earth Dies Burning Songs From The Valley Of The Bored Teenager (1981-1984) Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bizarro synth punk from San Fernando bored teenagers. Album Review: When Earth Dies Burning was formed in 1981, the ages of the band members ranged from 10-14. That’s right, from 10-14. You know what I was … Read more
T. Hardy Morris Audition Tapes Dangerbird Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Audition Tapes is that rare record that has an emotional impact on the listener. Album Review: Throw folk, roots, psych, punk, and country music all in the proverbial blender, and I would imagine you would come up with a concoction that sounds something like … Read more
Grant Hart The Argument Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ambitious concept album from former Hüsker Dü member is a winner. Album Review: Let’s get the history lesson out of the way right off the bat. Grant Hart was the yin to Bob Mould’s yang in Husker Du. In my mind; he wrote the poppier … Read more
Jackson Scott Melbourne Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jackson Scott hits one out of the park on his debut record. Album Review: Do yourself a favor, don’t read any more about Jackson Scott after you read this review, until you hear his debut lp, Melbourne. I did a little research after I received … Read more
The Cleaners From Venus Volume 2 (Box Set) Captured Tracks [2013] Fire Note Says: The second set of reissues from The Cleaners From Venus is even better than the first! Album Review: The first volume of the Captured Tracks reissue series of Cleaners From Venus was a game changer. It came wrapped up in a … Read more
Heavy Times Fix It Alone HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Heavy Times deliver a knockout blow with new album, Fix It Alone. Album Review: HoZac Records has built up quite an impressive stable of artists, releasing albums in the past few years from the likes of Radar Eyes, GAMES and Idle Times to name … Read more
Shocked Minds Shocked Minds HoZac Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The debut album from Shocked Minds is as grimy and sleazy as 1970’s NYC! Album Review: This may be a debut lp from Atlanta’s Shocked Minds, but these guys are anything but rookies. Featuring members of The Carbonas, Gentleman Jesse and His Men, and GAMES, … Read more
Rumspringer Stay Afloat Dirt Cult Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Rumspringer drop a punk rock bombshell! Album Review: Dirt Cult is quickly becoming a can’t miss label for me, earlier this year they dropped the Big Dick record on me, and then a few months ago, the had the awesome Sundowners record, and now we … Read more
Oblivians Desperation In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Memphis legends return with a strong blast of garage punk! Album Review: A funny thing happed over the 15 years that have passed since the Oblivians last put out an album. Hard, fast and dirty garage rock exploded, then died off, and has exploded again. … Read more
Perhapst Revise Your Maps Jealous Butcher Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A fulfilling dose of Byrdsian folk rock and lush sophisticated pop from Perhapst. Album Review: John Moen is one helluva talented musician. He’s obviously best known as the drummer for The Decemberists, but he has also drummed for a who’s who of indie rock … Read more