Lonesome Shack More Primitive Alive Naturalsound Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Lonesome Shack’s More Primitive hits that blues sweet spot. Album Review: When first hearing Lonesome Shack’s More Primitive it’s easy to be reminded of albums such as The Big Come Up, Keep On Your Mean Side, The White Stripes, Every Hour is a Dollar … Read more
Beach Slang Who Would Ever Want Anything So Broken? EP Dead Broke Rekerds [2014] Fire Note Says: Beach Slang bring back a glorious 90’s sound. Album Review: Philadelphia’s Beach Slang are a supergroup of sorts of an older indie scene. The three piece features James Snyder of Weston, JP Flexner of Ex-Friends and Ed McNulty, … Read more
Bloom Thousand Yard Stare Broken Circle Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Fans of somber electric guitar indie rock and catchy keyboards will enjoy the sounds of Bloom’s new album Thousand Yard Stare. Album Review: Bloom hail from Nashville, Tennessee where there is no such shortage of rock being made these days. Their new album is … Read more
R.E.M. Unplugged: 1991 & 2001 – The Complete Sessions Rhino Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Listen to a band at some of its highs with this unplugged collection. Album Review: To commemorate Record Store Day 2014, Rhino released a four-LP collection of R.E.M.’s two MTV Unplugged performances. These took place in 1991 and 2001 and … Read more
Gruff Rhys American Interior Turnstile Music [2014] Fire Note Says: American Interior blends psych, folk, pop, rock and traces of dance music into a potent blend that is uniquely Rhys and completely satisfying. Album Review: The Super Furry Animals have been on hiatus since 2010, following the release of Dark Days/Light Years. Since that time, … Read more
Conor Oberst Upside Down Mountain Nonesuch Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Conor Oberst is showing his age – and that is not a bad thing. Album Review: Does it sound weird that Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) is 34 years old? Not that 34 is over the hill by any means but when you consider that … Read more
Coldplay Ghost Stories Atlantic Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Coldplay’s latest Ghost Stories could use more life. Album Review: Coldplay has made their most “Coldplay” album, deserving of the criticism sometimes unfairly lobbed at the band. Their sixth LP, Ghost Stories, has a sleepy, pandering feel to it that is often unexciting and rarely exhilarating. … Read more
Easton Stagger Phillips Resolution Road Campfire Propaganda/Rebeltone Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Easton Stagger Phillips return with a sophomore record that is a breath of fresh Alaskan air! Album Review: What happens when you get three extremely talented singer/songwriters in one room together? You guessed it – great songs, great harmonies and a record that … Read more