Sturgill Simpson Metamodern Sounds in Country Music High Top Mountain Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Sturgill Simpson’s country album transcends the genre. Album Review: Ask someone what kind of music they like and the response is typically I like everything but…. If you, like me, are wont to respond with “country music” please do not … Read more
Mike Adams At His Honest Weight Best Of Boiler Room Classics Flannelgraph/Joyful Noise Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: 60s and 70s style pop is given an electronically-inflected makeover on Best of the Boiler Room Classics. Album Review: As any industry bigwig will tell you, a good pop song is a good pop song. You can … Read more
Cretin Stompers Looking Forward To Being Attacked HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Cretin Stompers bring both the rock and the weird on their debut album. Album Review: Cretin Stompers have quite an impressive pedigree, featuring ex members of Jay Reatard’s band, Wavves, Barbaras, and the one and only Big Muff Radio, (who I am … Read more
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Days of Abandon Yebo Music [2014] Fire Note Says: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is a bit too pure this time around. Album Review: Sometimes an album’s beginning betrays its overall essence. Sometimes it sets the tone, even if that tone was not what you wanted … Read more
Nones Midwestern Family Values HoZac Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Unhinged and chaotic, Midwestern Family Values delivers the goods. Album Review: Nones are rock. Let me repeat that just a little bit louder, NONES ARE ROCK! This Chicago band is the music you play when you are in a bad mood and you want to … Read more
Amen Dunes Love Sacred Bones Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Amen Dunes creates their most engaging record to date. Album Review: I like finding records that I can just sit down with. Sure, you can give me a windows down rocker anytime but everyone needs an album that challenges their ear, makes them question where … Read more
The Shilohs The Shilohs Light Organ Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Shilohs let the sunshine in on their summery second album. Album Review: The Shiloh’s debut (last year’s So Wild) was an impressive record that brought together a plethora of ramshackle 60s rock sounds, from The Kinks to The Velvet Underground to The Beatles. … Read more
The Black Keys Turn Blue Nonesuch Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Black Keys don’t quite meet high expectations with Turn Blue. Album Review: True story: When I first heard “Fever,” I didn’t know that it was the first single from The Black Keys’ new album Turn Blue. I was trying to figure out the … Read more
Kishi Bashi Lighght Joyful Noise Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Kishi Bashi’s sophomore effort goes bigger and avoids the slump! Album Review: A soaring indie pop record primarily written on a violin should have made people run to the hills but instead the debut, 151a, from K. Ishibashi (aka Kishi Bashi) landed at #5 on … Read more
Wussy Attica! Shake It Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Wussy rivals their best with addictive Attica! Album Review: The upward progression of a band is the reason people should stick with a group and follow their career. Too many people are stuck on shuffle these days and Spotify makes it so easy to skip around. … Read more
Guided By Voices Cool Planet GBV Inc. [2014] Fire Note Says: Cool Planet is a strong follow-up to Motivational Jumpsuit. Album Review: Another month, another GBV/Robert Pollard-related release. Some critics argue that Robert Pollard needs an editor, someone to cherry-pick the best of his numerous compositions—and it’s an understandable opinion. Between his “solo” records, GBV, … Read more
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes Are We Not Men? We Are Diva! Fat Wreck Chords [2014] Fire Note Says: Me First are back with 12 diva delights! Album Review: To some, it may be a surprise that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have been cranking out cover records since their 1997 debut Have … Read more
Buffalo Killers Heavy Reverie Sun Pedal Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: The Buffalo Killers return with a sonically polished 5th studio effort entitled Heavy Reverie. Album Review: The Buffalo Killers are no strangers to success. In fact, their previous four albums have gained them critical claim from Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes who knows … Read more
Cheap Girls Famous Graves Xtra Mile Recordings [2014] Fire Note Says: Cheap Girls are ready to be your favorite new rock n roll band. Album Review: There is nothing like hitting the local pub and hearing a band that just blows its walls off. You know the type of group I am talking about – … Read more