Jack Name Weird Moons Castle Face Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Jack Name returns with an ever-eccentric brand of far-out space pop. Album Review: The first time that I heard Jack Name’s debut album, Light Show, it was easy to place him in the hall of pop eccentrics. Name wasn’t afraid to add concept to … Read more
The Sidekicks Runners In The Nerved World Epitaph Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Sidekicks fourth album is pop-tinged punk confection. Album Review: The Sidekicks are a punk outfit from Cleveland, OH. Runners In The Nerved World is the band’s fourth studio release and my first exposure to the band. The Sidekicks sound like a … Read more
Beardfish +4626-Comfortzone Inside Out Music [2015] Fire Note Says: Eclectic Swedes take listeners on a strange and diverse journey. Album Review: Beardfish is, as their name might imply, one strange band. Through eight albums since their formation in 2001 they have never locked into one sound nor have they become beholden to any particular set … Read more
St. Lenox Ten Songs About Memory And Hope Anyway Records [2015] Fire Note Says: St. Lenox’s debut is an emotional experience. Album Review: Andrew Choi, the principal of St. Lenox, has an interesting story. With a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Ohio State University and also some law school (at NYU) under his belt, you … Read more
Björk Vulnicura One Little Indian Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Few and far between artists can compare, Björk again makes her own way. Album Review: In the over 20 years since Björk broke out of the Icelandic band Sugarcubes, she has created a unique body of work, driven by her experimental and eclectic sonic choices, … Read more
The Dodos Individ Polyvinyl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: The Dodos play to their strengths on Individ. Album Review: The Dodos are the California-based duo consisting of Meric Long and Logan Kroeber. Their music has been defined through their now six albums as songs full of intricate guitar-playing and drumming. Long and Kroeber seemed to … Read more
Alex Calder Strange Dreams Captured Tracks [2015] Fire Note Says: Alex Calder creates experimental indie pop on his debut Strange Dreams. Album Review: Strange Dreams is the debut record from Edmontonion Alex Calder who is better known from his previous band, Makeout Videotape which also included Mac DeMarco. Of course, followers of DeMarco will want … Read more
Viet Cong Viet Cong Jagjaguwar Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Ruthless, cold, endearing, and machine-like, Viet Cong produce an impressive debut. Album Review: If Viet Cong is any indication of what Matt Flegel and Mike Wallace’s previous outfit Women sounded like then I wish I knew more. The project ended on a sad note, as … Read more
Belle And Sebastian Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance Matador Records [2015] Fire Note Says: By combining 60’s pop hooks with a disco beat Belle And Sebastian have redefined their signature sound! Album Review: Has it really been almost five years since we last had a new Belle and Sebastian record? Apparently so, and truth … Read more
Sleater-Kinney No Cities To Love Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney have just set the 2015 bar very high! Album Review: These days, it is almost expected that at some point all previous broke up, hiatus and missing bands will all of a sudden announce that they are back. Recently, the reaction to … Read more
The Decemberists What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World Capitol Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Lighter and a bit brighter, The Decemberists have greater focus on their 7th studio record. Album Review: The folky harmonica driven song that gives this 7th studio album from Portland, Oregon’s The Decemberists its title is “12-17-12,” a song … Read more