The Safes: Record Heat [Album Review]

The Safes Record Heat Wee Rock Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Chicago’s The Safes offer up a modern flare on some very classic sounds! Album Review: Everyone around TFN has certain labels they always enjoy and one of mine is Springfield, Missouri’s Wee Rock Records. They are a DIY, vinyl loving label that is all … Read more

The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger: Midnight Sun [Album Review]

The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger Midnight Sun Chimera Music [2014] Fire Note Says: Full-fledged psychedlia infused with whimsical 60’s trippy pop and vibe. Album Review: The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger is a band that was formed by Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, and while they have two other releases under … Read more

Thee Oh Sees: Drop [Album Review]

Thee Oh Sees Drop Castle Face Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Dwyer loads Thee Oh Sees back into the garage—and there’s a bit of time travel going on. Album Review: To go over John Dwyer‘s catalogue it quite a task: Yikes! And the Hospitals, some Pink and Brown LP‘s, many Coachwhips LP’s, solo recordings under … Read more

Wye Oak: Shriek [Album Review]

Wye Oak Shriek Merge Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Wye Oak trades guitars for synths with (mostly) positive results Album Review: It seems a lot of bands these days are switching out guitars for keyboards, often totally changing their sound in the process. For Wye Oak, at least it makes some practical sense: a duo … Read more

Chad VanGaalen: Shrink Dust [Album Review]

Chad VanGaalen Shrink Dust Sub Pop Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Shrink Dust is an “everything but the kitchen sink” album that works. Album Review: Chad VanGaalen seems like he’s probably a pretty busy guy. When he’s not building monster heads to mount on the roof of his house or creating animated sci-fi movies, he … Read more

Pixies: Indie Cindy [Album Review]

Pixies Indie Cindy PIAS Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Though not as good as you hoped it would be, it’s definitely not as bad as you’ve heard it is. Album Review: I have mixed feelings about Indie Cindy, the first new album from Pixies since 1991. On the one hand, I think they are long … Read more

Secret Colours: Positive Distractions Part I & II [Album Review]

Secret Colours Positive Distractions Part I & II Self-Released [2014] Fire Note Says: Secret Colours remain consistent on their two EP split. Album Review: Secret Colours revel in being the bastard seed of the ’60s psychedelia and ’90s Britpop bloodlines. That’s the description given by their Facebook page, and almost a year ago I described … Read more