Howler: World Of Joy [Album Review]

Howler World Of Joy Rough Trade Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Former buzz band takes a solid step forward from their debut on World of Joy. Album Review: Howler was a bit of a buzz band a few years ago when their debut album America Give Up was released. It was a tasty slice of … Read more

Faces On Film: Elite Lines [Album Review]

Faces On Film Elite Lines Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Faces On Film are ready for their close-up with Elite Lines. Album Review: Faces On Film, based out of Boston, has self-released their third LP Elite Lines. With a very exhaustive 10-minute google search it was impossible to discern if Faces On Film is a … Read more

My Chemical Romance: May Death Never Stop You – The Greatest Hits 2001-2013

My Chemical Romance May Death Never Stop You: The Greatest Hits 2001-2013 Reprise Records [2014] Fire Note Says: May Death Never Stop You works as a primer if you are looking back at the alt/rock world of the last decade. Album Review: The thing about My Chemical Romance, the pop/punk band from Jersey that had … Read more

Mahayla: Electricspaceagesweetheart [Album Review]

Mahayla Electricspaceagesweetheart Serial Lover Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Electricspaceagesweetheart is a welcome listening pleasure for fans of 90’s era alt-rock. Album Review: Mahayla’s Electricspaceagesweetheart is a restart of sorts for front man Dave Fera and fellow bandmates Mark Davis (drums), Ike Aguilar (guitar) and Chris Johnson (bass). After a seven-year hiatus, you would think … Read more

Liars: Mess [Album Review]

Liars Mess Mute Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Liars confound and amaze with each release – and Mess is no exception. Album Review: Liars just might be the most confusing band in the world, not that they exhibit any signs of being confused themselves. It’s the feeling one gets that these guys could be, should … Read more

Somos: Temple Of Plenty [Album Review]

Somos Temple Of Plenty Tiny Engines [2014] Fire Note Says: Somos unearth a genre on their pop-inflected emo punk debut. Album Review: When you get to a certain age the saying “what was old is new again” seems to become a more common occurrence which just is a nod to my experience! Sure! Take the … Read more

Mount Carmel: Get Pure [Album Review]

Mount Carmel Get Pure Alive Naturalsound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: If you are starving for raw blues rock then Mount Carmel will satisfy your hunger. Album Review: Columbus Ohio’s Mount Carmel was once described as “the only non-bullshit hard rock band in goddamn America.” Those are high standards to live up to but for … Read more

WV White: West Virginia White [Album Review]

WV White West Virginia White Anyway Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Columbus Ohio’s WV White shines on debut full length on Anyway records. Album Review: It would be easy to classify this release under the slacker rock category, but rest assured that the slacker term does not apply to the songwriting execution on this excellent … Read more

Owls: Two [Album Review]

Owls Two Polyvinyl Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Owls craft something compelling and infinitely re-listenable, out of its unorthodox and complex style! Album Review: Odds are pretty good that you have never heard of Owls, or understand why you should be excited that they are releasing their second album after a 13 year absence. I … Read more

The Hold Steady: Teeth Dreams [Album Review]

The Hold Steady Teeth Dreams Washington Square/Razor & Tie Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Hold Steady beef up the guitars and expand the songs on the arena ready Teeth Dreams. Album Review: In today’s music scene I challenge you to start naming legitimate rock groups that have only released albums this decade. Sure, you … Read more

Tony Molina: Dissed And Dismissed [Album Review]

Tony Molina Dissed And Dismissed Melters/Slumberland Records [2013/2014] Fire Note Says: Tony Molina only needs 12 minutes to win you over! Album Review: Veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina released a limited run record last year that I guarantee not enough people heard. His twelve minute album, Dissed And Dismissed, came out on the small … Read more