Foo FightersBut Here We AreRoswell/RCA Records [2023] Arriving a few months over a year from the unexpected, tragic death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the 11th album from Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters is dripping with grief, an emotion no doubt heightened by the death of his 84-year-old mother, Virginia Grohl, last August. Throughout the history of … Read more
Following a year of staggering losses, personal introspection and bittersweet remembrances, Foo Fighters return with But Here We Are, out June 2 on Roswell Records/RCA Records. A brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters endured over the last year, But Here We Are is a testament to the healing powers of music, … Read more
Wolf Alice, one of Britain’s most revered bands and winner of the Mercury Prize 2018 for their last album Visions of Life, today announce their highly-anticipated third album, Blue Weekend, due for release on June 11th via Dirty Hit/RCA Records. The first glimpse into this new world is with first single and video “The Last … Read more
Foo Fighters Medicine At MidnightRoswell/RCA Records [2021] Nobody who heard Foo Fighters’ self-titled debut in 1995, which featured Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl playing all the instruments and singing all the leads, could have guessed that 10 albums and 26 years later Grohl & Co. would be one of the most successful rock acts in the … Read more
The Strokes The New AbnormalCult/RCA Records [2020] It’s been long enough since the band’s 2016 EP Future Present Past, which was little more than a solid single with a couple of extra B-sides, to have concluded that the return of The Strokes at the top of their game on a full-length release was not in … Read more
Tool Fear Inoculum RCA Records [2019] Fire Note Says: 13 years later Tool reawakens to deliver one of the most anticipated albums ever. Album Review: Speaking on Tool’s fifth album, Fear Inoculum, lead vocalist Maynard James Keenan, says, “the album covers the idea of embracing where we are right now, acknowledging where we’ve come from … Read more
Cage the Elephant Social Cues RCA Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Kentucky bred, Cage the Elephant collaborate with Beck and producer John Hill on their 5th album, which recalls 80’s new wave in songs that chronicle the end of singer Matt Shultz’s marriage. Album Review: In the current ecology of sustainable musicianship, Cage the Elephant … Read more
Buddy Guy The Blues Is Alive And Well RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: In his early 80’s, blues guitar veteran and a major influence on folks like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Buddy remains surprisingly capable and emotionally satisfying. Album Review: At a time when we’re hearing that blues rock veterans Jimmy Page is … Read more
The Voidz Virtue Cult/RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: If The Strokes fail to get their act together for another full-length – The Voidz are working out just fine. Album Review: With The Strokes sitting back most of the 2010’s it’s not a real surprise to find singer Julian Casablancas getting busy with his side … Read more
Wolf Alice Visions Of A Life RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Wolf Alice stay strong on their sophomore album. Album Review: Visions of a Life is Wolf Alice’s follow-up to their stellar 2015 debut, My Love Is Cool. The first album established the Brits as a rock band that could play many different styles … 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
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
Bleachers Gone Now RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Bleachers sophomore continues the emo-pop stylings. Album Review: Jack Antonoff is back with his second Bleachers album, Gone Now. Antonoff has seen his star rise in the last three years, since his debut LP came out. He’s been writing and producing for many other pop stars … Read more
Kings of Leon WALLS RCA Records [2016] Who: Three Tennessee brothers and their cousin. Grizzled veterans of rock. Sound: Southern arena rock. TFN Final Take: Kings of Leon were so close last time! Perceived band discord led to an album, Mechanical Bull, that felt fresh after a few albums of retreads. WALLS sees Kings of … Read more
Jimmy Eat World Integrity Blues RCA Records [2016] Who: Jimmy Eat World, best known for their 2001 single “The Middle,” have just released their ninth studio album Integrity Blues via RCA Records. Sound: The Arizona band now finds themselves in veteran status but have always been labeled somewhat an Emo band. The group progressed into … Read more
Cage The Elephant Tell Me I’m Pretty RCA Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Cage The Elephant returns with an impressive fourth LP. Album Review: When I heard the first single, “Mess Around,” from Cage The Elephant’s latest album, I was less than impressed. The same was true with the album as a whole. However, after … Read more
Foo Fighters Saint Cecilia EP RCA Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Surprise, gratitude and free sum up the Foo Fighters latest EP Saint Cecilia. As a thank you to the fans and without warning, the Foo’s released this free download EP last week (with a pay vinyl option) to their continually growing fan base. … Read more
Wolf Alice My Love Is Cool RCA Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Wolf Alice’s debut is ambitious and, for the most part, delivers. Album Review: Buzz has been building around Wolf Alice for a few years now. With several singles and two EP’s already under their belt, the London band has put in a lot … Read more
D’Angelo & The Vanguard Black Messiah RCA Records [2014] Fire Note Says: It has been 14 years but time didn’t seem to phase D’Angelo. Album Review: Arriving 14 years after his much-praised sophomore album, Voodoo, it appears that reports of D’Angelo’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. The neo-soul singer first burst on the scene with … Read more
Foo Fighters Sonic Highways RCA Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters show their love for American music. Album Review: Sonic Highways is the Foo Fighters new studio record and HBO series that premiered last month. If you are not familiar with its premise it was described by Grohl as a … Read more
Bleachers Strange Desire RCA Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Check out Bleachers for an entertaining yet introspective summer album. Album Review: On the surface there are a lot of reasons to not give Bleachers a chance. The “band” is essentially the work and side project of Jack Antonoff, the guitarist for fun. On top of … Read more
Cage The Elephant Melophobia RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cage The Elephant’s uneven third LP Melophobia has some great moments. Album Review: Bowling Green’s (KY) Cage The Elephant has returned with their third LP, Melophobia. Cage The Elephant has been a popular band in their first two outings and their sound remains true in … Read more
Kodaline In A Perfect World RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kodaline’s In A Perfect World is a likeable, if familiar, debut. Album Review: Do you know someone who likes Coldplay? How about Mumford & Sons? May I suggest a stocking stuffer for that person? Kodaline’s In A Perfect World is a nice blend between … Read more
So I couldn’t get all of my thoughts together on the passing of music pioneer Lou Reed last week so I thought it best to remember and capture his spirit by re-shaping The Fire Note Weekly Top 10. As always we try to steer new and old fans of music towards things we like and … Read more
Kings Of Leon Mechanical Bull RCA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Kings of Leon surprise with a rock album brimming with passion. Album Review: Me, one minute before starting Mechanical Bull for the first time: “Ho hum, another Kings of Leon album. These guys are from Tennessee. I’m from Tennessee. I used to like them … Read more