Kingsley Flood Battles Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: With excellent writing, and a mix of indie, folk, and rock sounds, Kingsley Flood’s new album is never boring. Album Review: Although the band is from the states, and plays mostly to the genre of indie folk, Kingsley Flood’s new album, Battles, is at times reminiscent of … Read more
The Shilohs So Wild Light Organ Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Shilohs grab ideas from all over the 60s rock scene, but So Wild never feels disjointed. Album Review: Starting with the standard 60s rock playbook, The Shilohs dig a bit deeper on their debut album to offer listeners a feel-good slice of classic … Read more
Detroit Rebellion Fork In The Road EP Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Detroit Rebellion creates murky garage blues that has potential. Album Review: First things first, Detroit Rebellion isn’t from the motor city. This might come as a shock to you but the duo hails for Providence, Rhode Island. That does not mean that they … Read more
Ron Sexsmith Forever Endeavor Cooking Vinyl Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Forever Endeavor revels in all of its melancholy glory! Album Review: Forever Endeavor, the 12th album from Ron Sexsmith, finds the Canadian singer/songwriter in an even more reflective mood than normal. While he has never been accused of being upbeat, a throat cancer scare … Read more
Arlo Aldo Zelie Teamadelle Music [2013] Fire Note Says: Arlo Aldo arrives on the alternative folk music scene with their debut album, Zelie. Album Review: With their debut album Zelie, Arlo Aldo demonstrates a firm arrival onto the alternative folk music scene. The band is many different things, borrowing sounds from folk, blues, indie, country, … Read more
Tom Morgan Orange Syringe Fire Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Orange Syringe is a stark and beautiful record that is well worth checking out. Album Review: Let’s get one thing out of the way right now; no one is ever going to call Tom Morgan a great singer. His vocal range is limited and is … Read more
Coheed And Cambria The Afterman: Descension Everything Evil/V2 Records [2013] Fire Note Says: A solid release, even for a sequel. Album Review: I was excited when I learned I’d be reviewing Coheed & Cambria’s The Afterman: Descension. After reviewing the first part of this double concept record, I had been looking forward to hearing its … Read more
Grouper The Man Who Died In His Boat Kranky Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Grouper creates a siren song that’s delicate, deep, and engaging. Album Review: The world of ambient music can always be a mixed bag from the post rock haze ambience of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, to the technocratic textures of Brian Eno, … Read more
Cheatahs Extended Plays Wichita Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Extended Plays is one of the most exciting debut records in years. Album Review: Extended Plays, the debut album from Cheatahs, is actually a compilation of two eps that the band released last year, SANS and Coared. If Swervedriver, Ride, and Slowdive are amongst your favorite … Read more
Hayden Us Alone Arts & Crafts [2013] Fire Note Says: Hayden returns to a bigger stage with his new record Us Alone. Album Review: Hayden has been a name in the business since his successful 1995 debut Everything I Long For and its US reissue in 1996 that was accompanied by MTV exposure (yes they … Read more
The Spinto Band Cool Cocoon Spintonic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Spinto Band are back with another batch of 60’s influenced pop nuggets! Album Review: The Spinto Band aren’t exactly tossing out the playbook and starting over fresh with their new album, Cool Cocoon, but why should they? At this point, the band knows … Read more
Frightened Rabbit Pedestrian Verse Canvasback/Atlantic Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Pedestrian Verse is an honest, mature album that grows more immediate with every listen. Album Review: On their fourth LP, Frightened Rabbit offers a set of songs that feel like the soundtrack to a late night in their home city of Glasgow. Drawing on the … Read more
Airstrip Willing Holidays For Quince Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Willing is a promising stoner/psych debut from Airstrip! Album Review: Airstrip is a psychedelic stoner rock band from North Carolina, masterminded by Matthew Park. Their debut lp, Willing, out now on Holidays For Quince, is not your run of the mill stoner rock album though. … Read more
Richard Thompson Electric Proper/New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Richard Thompson is back as strong as ever on his engaging new album Electric. Album Review: There is a reason that Rolling Stone listed Richard Thompson as one of the top 20 guitarists of all time as album after album he proves his talent. As … Read more
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down We The Common Ribbon Music [2013] Fire Note Says: We the Common delivers on the promise of earlier work and is the finest album yet from Thao & The Get Down Stay Down! Album Review: Thao Nguyen first came to my attention with 2008’s We Brave Bee Stings … Read more
Broadway Calls Comfort/Distraction No Sleep Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Broadway Calls are one of leaders in the current punk pop genre and Comfort/Distraction firmly holds their place at the top! Album Review: I remember back in the mid-90’s when punk pop was around every corner and soared on mainstream rock radio. It was simpler … Read more
Night Beds Country Sleep Dead Oceans Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Night Beds debut Country Sleep will win your attention in its first 71 seconds. Album Review: I am a sucker for the type of record Night Beds has released in Country Sleep. The album begins with just a simple unaccompanied tender voice in the … Read more
Jim James Regions Of Light And Sound Of God ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jim James shows off his soul on his debut solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God! Album Review: Like any frontman going out solo there always is a big question mark on what the record will sound like. … Read more
Bettie Serveert Oh, Mayhem! Second Motion Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Indie vets look to re-establish themselves, and Oh, Mayhem! is a perfect reintroduction! Album Review: With their first two records, Palomine (1992) and Lamprey (1995) both on Matador Records, Dutch band Bettie Serveert laid out a sonic blueprint that later bands such as the … Read more
Fonda Sell Your Memories Minty Fresh Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Fonda pretend like they never left the scene with their excellent return Sell Your Memories! Album Review: The core members of Fonda, Emily Cook and David Klotz, emerged back on the indie scene two years ago with the Better Days EP which ended their … Read more
Unknown Mortal Orchestra II Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: No sophomore slump here as Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s II incorporates more and keeps it fresh! Album Review: It’s been about three years since we’ve last been graced with the off kilter wackiness of a UMO (Unknown Mortal Orchestra) record, and that make their return quite … Read more
Matt Pond The Lives Inside The Lines In Your Hands BMG [2013] Fire Note Says: Matt Pond returns, sans PA, with an immaculately-produced set of 10 pop/rock songs. Album Review: I had heard of Matt Pond PA (Matt Pond’s “band”) before writing this review, but hadn’t really listened to much of their material—they were on … Read more
Guards In Guards We Trust Black Bell Records [2013] Fire Note Says: With In Guards We Trust, the Guards show great promise as a fun, diverse band. Album Review: With their debut LP album, In Guards We Trust, the Guards show great promise as a fun, upbeat band. The album tells less of a story, … Read more
The Bronx The Bronx (IV) ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What can only be described as pure, unadulterated skate punk. Album Review: This is the fourth self-titled record from L.A. punk rockers, The Bronx. It’s also the first album of punk material they’ve released since 2008, taking a two-album break from their norm to … Read more
Elephant Stone Elephant Stone Reverberation Appreciation Society [2013] Fire Note Says: Elephant Stone crafts a solid set of psychedelic pop! Album Review: A lot of band these days have many genre labels like alt-rock, freak-folk, acid jazz, etc. But never have I come across something like this in all my listening experiences- Hindi-rock. Canada’s Hindu … Read more