The Lone Bellow The Lone Bellow Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Lone Bellow offer a set of songs wrought with emotion and heartache on their self-titled debut! Album Review: I love radio. I still mourn the loss of WOXY which I am lucky enough to have been in broadcast range of when they … Read more
The National Rifle Almost Endless Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Philly four-piece gives a new take on tired 80’s revivalism. Album Review: It’s almost a foregone conclusion that any new indie record will be heavily indebted to either the 60’s or the 80’s. Its pick your poison – Beach Boys or Pet Shop Boys. The … Read more
Tim Easton Before The Revolution: The Best Of 1998-2011 New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Tim Easton catches you up with his excellent career spanning best of! Album Review: The Fire Note has been talking about Tim Easton since our humble beginning back in 2006 with his record Ammunition and listening to his music … Read more
Ex Cops True Hallucinations Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: So much style, it doesn’t need flare. Album Review: This album is odd, for a couple of different reasons. First of all is its mellow mood. In a world filled with high-energy indie rock, Ex Cops presents a simple, quiet record. Many of the … Read more
Ra Ra Riot Beta Love Barsuk Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ra Ra Riot return with a kinetic, easygoing album that asks: “can robots love too?” Album Review: Ra Ra Riot trades in strings for synths on their third album, a short but sweet set of eleven upbeat, optimistic tracks that barely breaks the half-hour … Read more
FIDLAR FIDLAR Mom + Pop Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Living the life of a skate punk never sounded as good as it does on the debut album from FIDLAR. Album Review: FIDLAR write songs about drinking beer, getting stoned, riding skateboards, having slutty girlfriends, going surfing….REPEAT. It helps that the songs are not just … Read more
Big Harp Chain Letters Saddle Creek Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Big Harp’s sophomore album is a bluesy, boozy, bassy ride. Album Review: Big Harp is the husband-wife duo of Chris Senseney and Stefanie Drootin-Senseney, who joined musical forces in 2010. Chain Letters is the sophomore follow-up to the 2011 release White Hat. Not being … Read more
Gliss Langsom Dans Modern Outsider Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Gliss return after 4 years with an evolved sound. Album Review: Gliss is a Danish/American three-piece that seem to release a record every three or, in this case, four years as Langsom Dans is their third long player since the band’s 2006 debut. In music … Read more
Camper Van Beethoven La Costa Perdida 429 Records [2013] Fire Note Says: La Costa Perdida is a worthy addition to the Camper Van Beethoven canon! Album Review: It’s hard to believe it’s been close to 28 years since Camper Van Beethoven took the skinheads bowling on their debut album, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, and a … Read more
Widowspeak Almanac Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Widowspeak’s sophomore record does not quite capture the magic of their debut – but it’s close! Album Review: Widowspeak’s sophomore album, Almanac, starts off right where their 2011 self-titled debut left off by rightfully highlighting the bands best weapon in singer Molly Hamilton’s siren like vocals. … Read more
The GROWLERS Hung At Heart Everloving Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Oozing with a murky swagger, The GROWLERS aim to please with this release. Album Review: With the sonic force of surf, psych, garage, and a good ol’ fashion vintage feel or a sound that they like to call beach goth. The So Cal based … Read more
The Pogues The Very Best Of The Pogues Shout! Factory Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Shout! Factory reminds us of why The Pogues were important. Album Review: Both modern folk and Celtic punk have had an upswing in popularity over the last several years so a new Best Of reissue covering the beloved Irish-English punk … Read more
The Traditional Fools The Traditional Fools In The Red Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Early Ty Segall band is reissued by In The Red, and you are going to want this for your collection! Album Review: If I give you three key pieces of information, you will most likely be able to figure out exactly … Read more
The Night Marchers Allez Allez Swami Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Night Marchers return after a 5 year absence with the rambunctious Allez Allez! Album Review: Look no further if you want some solid rock n roll that has punk roots, talent at every instrument and a commanding lead vocal that will consistently get … Read more
Guided By Voices Down By The Racetrack (EP) GBV Inc. [2013] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices starts off their 2013 output with the excellent Down By The Racetrack EP! Album Review: When the news hit that Guided By Voices was kicking off 2013 with an EP those on the outside probably thought why bother … Read more
Toro y Moi Anything In Return Carpark Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Toro y Moi return for a pure pop album with Anything In Return. Album Review: Toro y Moi is Chaz Bundick, who returns for his third official full-length with Anything In Return. Bundick has crafted an inviting, accessible pop album that builds on … Read more
Foxygen We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors Of Peace & Magic Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: I’m gonna dance on a rainbow with the young Steve Winwood. Album Review: The whole affair opens quite in line with the album title, giving us the tambourine-to-the hip swinger “In the Darkness.” All is mid Sixties to … Read more
Bad Religion True North Epitaph Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bad Religion creates another timeless punk record with the energetic True North! Album Review: Bad Religion have long been and still are one of the original punk bands of this generation. A new album from Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz is always a welcomed site … Read more
DRGN KING Paragraph Nights Bar/None Records [2013] Fire Note Says: DRGN KING debuts with a diverse album that demands multiple spins. Album Review: DRGN KING is comprised of Dominic Angellella and Brent “Ritz” Reynolds – Paragraph Nights is their first full-length release. The two formed in Philadelphia with Angellella performing many of the songwriting duties … Read more