The Polyphonic Spree Yes, It’s True Kirtland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Yes, It’s True is an indie pop rock album, borrowing influences from orchestra and jazz. Album Review: The Polyphonic Spree’s latest release, Yes, It’s True, is my first experience with the band, although they have been around for awhile. Under their name, they … Read more
The Civil Wars The Civil Wars Sensibility/Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Civil Wars build on their debut and point toward a viable musical future, should they decide to accept it. Album Review: While we’ve gotten used to the kind of sensational personal drama that makes careers at the expense of the actual music, … Read more
The Big Sweet Bicycle Nights Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: The Big Sweet grow up on their engaging third record Bicycle Nights. Album Review: I encourage any young lads out there thinking of starting a band to check out the third LP, Bicycle Nights, from The Big Sweet. The Northeast Ohio band’s members are the … Read more
Jesse Woods Get Your Burdens Lifted Guns In The Sun Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Jesse Woods’s latest release is a rare combination of indie, folk, rock, country, and island. Album Review: Jesse Woods’s sophomore album, Get Your Burdens Lifted, is a rare combination of indie, folk, rock, country, and island music. Some songs are … Read more
The Vaccines Melody Calling EP Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Vaccines contine to evolve. Album Review: London’s Vaccines have had their ups and downs with critics since their 2011 debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?. I really liked that record but thought their sophomore outing Come Of Age (2012) was not … Read more
Pond Hobo Rocket Modular Recordings [2013] Fire Note Says: Perth natives continue to stir the Pond into a strange, interstellar brew. Album Review: Why can’t we just grade albums a fun factor anymore? If that was the case 5 headphones for Pond, done and done. This album was made by fans of music for fans … Read more
Kitten Forever Pressure Guilt Ridden Pop [2013] Fire Note Says: Kitten Forever have a riot for you! Album Review: After spinning through the quick 23 minute sophomore effort, Pressure, from the Minneapolis based trio Kitten Forever, I realized how much I miss this loose and fun riot grrrl style of music. Like so many quality … Read more
New Swears Funny Isn’t Real Dirt Cult Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Ottawa’s New Swears throw a party and we’re all invited to come over and break some stuff. Album Review: Funny Isn’t Real, the new album from New Swears, has so much swagger it can barely be contained on wax. This Ottawa band is … Read more
Barbarossa Bloodlines Memphis Industries [2013] Fire Note Says: Barbarossa is Thom Yorke’s more soulful, less robotic cousin. Album Review: James Mathé, the man behind the Barbarossa moniker, is a London-based musician whose brand of soul-inflected, electronically augmented tunes run the gamut from sparse balladry to glitchy experimentalism to bluesy funk pop. A former member of … Read more
Medicine To The Happy Few Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: After an 18 year hiatus, the original line-up conjures up a dose of psychedelic excellence. Album Review: There have been reunions aplenty of late. From our beloved Guided By Voices to Archers Of Loaf, Dinosaur Jr. and The Dismemberment Plan, but none are … Read more
Pop. 1280 Imps Of Perversion Sacred Bones Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Pop. 1280 return with more noise rocking on sophomore record Imps Of Perversion. Album Review: Are you searching for a new record to get your blood pumping? Look no further than this sophomore effort from Brooklyn’s Pop. 1280 because Imps Of Perversion is … Read more
Subways On The Sun The Honeymoon Stagecoach Self-Released [2013] Fire Note Says: Well-produced, melodic debut gives plenty of nods to their Seattle forerunners. Album Review: Catchy hooks: check. Solid guitar riffs: check. Crystal-clear production: check. No, it’s not psych, garage, metal, or progressive, but Seattle-based Subways on the Sun have crafted an immaculately-arranged and satisfying … Read more
Long Lost Save Yourself, Start Again No Sleep Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Long Lost’s debut is a catchy collection with Save Yourself, Start Again. Album Review: Long Lost is the culmination of collaboration between Transit’s Joe Boynton and Vinny Comeau. The pair worked with Aviv Moritz (drums), Mat Morin (guitar), and Mike Moschetto (bass) … Read more
Minks Tides End Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Minks update their old bedroom pop sound with their new synth pop record. Album Review: Tides End, the second lp from Minks, finds the band working with producer/engineer Mark Verbos and ditching the bedroom pop sound of their first lp, By the Hedge, and adopting … Read more
Dinosaur Bones Shaky Dream Dine Alone Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Dinosaur Bones provides a soaring post-rock sophomore outing with Shaky Dream. Album Review: Toronto’s Dinosaur Bones are back with their sophomore record, Shaky Dream, that is filled with a catchy song style of brooding post-rock, memorable hooks and floating instrumental backdrops. All of this … Read more