The 1975 The 1975 Vagrant Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The 1975’s debut is promising but its identity is hazy. Album Review: The 1975 are an English band consisting of Matthew Healy (vocals, guitar), Adam Hann (guitar), George Daniel (drums), and Ross MacDonald (bass). Healy (not related to Fran Healy of Travis) and company have … Read more
Holy Ghost! Dynamics DFA Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Holy Ghost! could use another exclamation point or two on the latest, Dynamics. Album Review: Holy Ghost’s sophomore LP, Dynamics, had a lot to live up to. While not universally fawned upon by the public, their eponymous debut had a lot of great moments and it … Read more
TV Ghost Disconnect In The Red[2013] Fire Note Says: Lafayette Indiana’s TV Ghost puts it all together on their excellent third album. Album Review: Every era, every genre will have a revival. Some, depending on current trends, may experience multiple revisitations. Late 70’s/early 80’s UK post-punk has seen more than its share. And why not? … Read more
Chelsea Wolfe Pain Is Beauty Sargent House Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Chelsea Wolfe’s fourth album is the sound of brittle isolation and brutal desperation. Album Review: It must be a really dark, depressing place – that space between LA singer Chelsea Wolfe’s ears. Her music is so fraught with desolation and haunting beauty that … Read more
The Julie Ruin Run Fast TJR Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bikini Kill legend Kathleen Hanna returns with the debut of new group The Julie Ruin. Album Review: There really is no argument on how legendary riot grrrl pioneer Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre) has impacted the music scene today. It also seems that … Read more
Richard Buckner Surrounded Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Buckner expands his sonic palette on his tenth studio record. Album Review: Buckner spent nearly five years working on the follow up to his 2006 lp, Meadow. When 2011’s Our Blood was finally released, after having been rerecorded three times, most were pleased with the results. … Read more
Nine Inch Nails Hesitation Marks Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Nine Inch Nails returns with the large sonic palette Trent Reznor calls Hesitation Marks. Album Review: Jumping into the new Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks, feels like deciding to take a swim from Cuba to Florida. It is possible but it is a really … Read more
Holograms Forever Captured Tracks Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Swedish post-punk band proudly fly the Factory Records flag on solid second album. Album Review: Stockholm is usually perceived as a peaceful, almost Utopian, place. That image was shattered after ten days of intense rioting in May of this year as immigrant youth took to the … Read more
Volcano Choir Repave Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Repave finds Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon kicking back and having fun. Album Review: Justin Vernon has reached the status where everything he does with Bon Iver is scrutinized, complemented, made fun of, hated and loved. Basically, Bon Iver stirs an array of emotions and many people … Read more
Jonathan Rado Law & Order Woodsist Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado steps out on his own with a fine collection of 60’s influenced pop. Album Review: Foxygen have been one of the bigger buzz bands of the year, their latest album, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, will … Read more
Okkervil River The Silver Gymnasium ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Okkervil River maintains their consistency on LP #7, The Silver Gymnasium. Album Review: Firing up the new Okkervil River LP (The Silver Gymnasium) was like slipping into one of my favorite sweatshirts. Instantly familiar and comforting, Will Sheff greeted me after not hearing from … Read more
Bad Sports Bras Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Third album from Bad Sports rekindles a 70’s era that too many have forgotten or never heard. Album Review: Is it possible for a garage rock band from Denton, Texas to grow up? Well for Bad Sports that may have just happened on their third full … Read more
Neko Case The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You ANTI- Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Neko finds her way back from a long and lonely road. Album Review: Neko Case has always shot from the hip when it comes to her solo records. She loves … Read more
King Khan & The Shrines Idle No More Merge Records [2013] Fire Note Says: King Khan is back with a soul rock record that will get you grooving in a hot second. Album Review: Album Review: It has been six years since King Khan & The Shrines released a full length of new material, so … Read more
Over The Rhine Meet Me At The Edge Of The World Great Speckled Dog Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Even as they write songs about life’s inevitable end in death, Over the Rhine seek the passion and beauty of life’s loves. Album Review: “We are hungry for the secret news about life,” said Stanley Kunitz, … Read more