The Paper Kites Young North EP Nettwerk Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Young North presents a band poised for greatness. Album Review: Chances are if I said “name a band from Australia,” the list of answers I’d get would include acts like Tame Impala, The Bee Gees, or maybe even Men at Work. If the … Read more
The New Amsterdams Outroduction Nightshoes Syndicate [2013] Fire Note Says: Who knew an album of outtakes and B-sides could work so well? Album Review: The New Amsterdams were one of those bands I always meant to check out, because they sounded like my kind of thing (at least up to a point): acoustic-based indie rock … Read more
Jimi Hendrix People, Hell And Angels Legacy Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: People, Hell and Angels is another reminder of how close one man and his guitar could be. Album Review: Jimi Hendrix was, has, and always will be an icon. So, the fact that we have the trove of recordings from what could be … Read more
On The Water False Starts Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: False Starts shows promise, but its title is a little close for comfort. Album Review: There’s plenty to be said for bands who just like to have a good time. Whether it’s weekend guitar heroes playing in a seedy bar or a group of friends … Read more
Satellite Calling Birds Descendant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Satellite targets prime time TV with debut album Calling Birds. Album Review: Me: Hey, there’s a new album to listen to: Satelitte’s Calling Birds. I’ve never heard of them before. (Starts listening). Other Me: This sounds a lot like Snow Patrol. I used to like Snow … Read more
The ACBs Little Leaves High Dive Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The ACBs shimmer and glimmer with a danceable straightforward indie pop record. Album Review: It’s interesting when a group like The ACBs puts out a sophomore album like Little Leaves as the Missouri’s group consists of Konnor Ervin, Bryan McGuire, Andrew Connor, and Kyle … Read more
Son Volt Honky Tonk Rounder Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Son Volt’s Honky Tonk is like a lost sleeve from the golden era of country music’s creative past. Album Review: Here’s a funny thing: when loading Honky Tonk into my iTunes library, the digital overlords saw fit to label it as “rock,” however, the two … Read more
Robyn Hitchcock Love From London Yep Roc Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Love From London has a more streamlined pop sound, but still retains all the trademark Hitchcock charm. Album Review: I’m not going to proclaim myself the world’s leading authority when it comes to the music of Robyn Hitchcock, but I think I’m pretty … Read more
Waxahatchee Cerulean Salt Don Giovanni Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Katie Crutchfield returns with a stunning second album as Waxahatchee. Album Review: Alabama singer/songwriter Katie Crutchfield cut her teeth with the indie punk band P.S. Eliot – a band whose members included twin sister Allison. Upon breaking up, Allison formed Swearin’ while Kate went solo. … Read more
Hey Marseilles Lines We Trace Onto Entertainment [2013] Fire Note Says: Sophomore album from Seattle’s Hey Marseilles brings the Northwestern sound back to the masses. Album Review: Seattle Washington group Hey Marseilles revive a classic Northwestern sound on their engaging sophomore record Lines We Trace. The band arms themselves with a full arsenal of instruments … Read more
How To Destroy Angels Welcome Oblivion Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: How To Destroy Angles’ full length, Welcome Oblivion, shows a bit more bark and bite. Album Review: Even before going on a hiatus from main project Nine Inch Nails it seems that Reznor was on the road to reinvention. With the unconventional release … Read more
Suuns Images Du Futur Secretly Canadian Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Montreal act’s second album impresses in almost every way. Album Review: If imitation is the highest form of flattery then Clinic must be mightily pleased with the sophomore effort by Montreal’s Suuns. On their stunning 2010 debut, Zeroes QC, Suuns conjured up a highly … Read more
The Replacements Songs For Slim EP New West Records [2013] Fire Note Says: What more do I need to say…it’s The Replacements! Album Review: I can honestly say that I never in my wildest dreams expected to be listening to new music from The Replacements. Their last records, 1990’s All Shook Down, while a solid … Read more
Chelsea Light Moving Chelsea Light Moving Matador Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Thurston Moore returns with his thundering new band Chelsea Light Moving. Album Review: In 2011, Sonic Youth announced that the band was “ending for a while” following the separation of Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon. Now if you are Thurston Moore what do … Read more
Youth Lagoon Wondrous Bughouse Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Youth Lagoon not only avoid the sophomore slump on Wondrous Bughouse but once again have released one of the better albums of the year! Album Review: Being on the edge of indie rock is always an interesting place to exist for such a young … Read more
The Cave Singers Naomi Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Cave Singers blend classic influences with modern sounds on Naomi. Album Review: The indie-folk scene has become pretty crowded the last few years. Acts such as Iron & Wine, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes have proven that audiences still have a soft spot for … Read more
Swamp Dogg Total Destruction To Your Mind Rat On! Alive Natural Sound Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Swamp Dogg’s music finally gets the respect that it deserves. Album Review: Back in the late 60’s/early 70’s there was quite the musical renaissance that was taking place. Miles Davis’ jazz freak opus Bitches Brew took shape, Sly … Read more
They Might Be Giants Nanobots Idlewild Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: They Might Be Giants return with another fun batch of indie rock on their 16th studio full length. Album Review: I still get excited when a new “adult” They Might Be Giants record hits the shelves. For me the band still brings back fond … Read more
Water Liars Wyoming Big Legal Mess/Fat Possum Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Water Liars make sure you can feel on their damaged but excellent Wyoming! Album Review: I will warn you that Water Liars sophomore record, Wyoming, is a completely damaged Americana/rock album from the duo of singer/guitarist Justin Kinkel-Schuster and drummer/vocalist Andrew Bryant that … Read more
The Men New Moon Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Men take a risk again on fourth long player New Moon. Album Review: Last year’s excellent Open Your Heart from The Men took plenty of risks and each and every one of them paid off as it was the post-punk band’s best record … Read more
Cloud Cult Love The Rebel Group [2013] Fire Note Says: Cloud Cult’s Love is a musical story book packed with themes, lessons, and a bit of reassurance that it’s going to be ok. Album Review: Cloud Cult mastermind Craig Minowa has led an interesting life. His story entails love, loss, acceptance, education, environmentalism, creativity, and … Read more
Hollis Brown Ride On The Train Alive Natural Sound Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The sounds of the South straight from Queens, New York. Album Review: The opening title track on Hollis Brown’s new record will instantly give you a straight up southern flavor of rock n roll from the Queens, New York quartet. The … Read more
Highasakite In And Out Of Weeks EP Propeller Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Norwegian indie-pop quintet Highasakite make US debut with engaging EP. Album Review: Norwegian indie-pop quintet Highasakite are ready to break out in the US with their debut EP In And Out Of Weeks. It is a compact 5 songs of infectious hooks, … Read more
Cy Dune No Recognize EP Family Tree Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Cy Dune brings the fuzz, blues and rock n roll all in a mere 16 minute EP. Album Review: Right from the opening guitar sprawl on “Where The Wild Things” you know that Cy Dune is going to fit into the 2013 scene … Read more