Baked Farnham Exploding In Sound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Baked may have released one of the best albums of 2017 with the genre blending and bending second LP, Farnham. Album Review: New York’s Baked features a new lineup that consists of RJ Gordon (Titus Andronicus) on vocals and guitar, Isabella Mingione on vocals, keyboards, … Read more
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah The Tourist CYHSY, Inc. [2017] Who: CYHSY’s fifth LP has Alec Ounsworth steering the band back on course . Sound: The Tourist has a handful of tracks that will remind you of why CYHSY were such indie rock darlings in 2005. TFN Final Take: To be honest, I was surprised … Read more
Meatbodies Alice In The Red Records [2017] Who: Meatbodies are a California-based trio with connections to Fuzz and Mikal Cronin . Sound: Alice is a heavy psychedelic stoner rock epic. Fans of Ty Segall, Wand, Fuzz and Mikal Cronin will eat this up. TFN Final Take: Alice is fantastic. Chad Ubovich (Fuzz, Mikal Cronin) Kevin … Read more
Sleaford Mods English Tapas Rough Trade Records [2017] Who: Ghetto-tech beats fused with punk rock rant/rap from Nottingham, UK. Sound: Sleaford Mods 4th LP sees the UK duo belting out another albums worth of pissed off English banter layered with beats, bass and mixed results. TFN Final Take: English Tapas is very uneven. There is … Read more
Priests Nothing Feels Natural Sister Polygon Records [2017] Who: D.C. based experimental punk. Sound: Priests have toned down the surf punk rock distortion and rage for a more nuanced and precise sound peppered with bitter and biting social commentary. TFN Final Take: I have been listening to Priests for a few years and was impressed … Read more
Graham Repulski I’m Even Younger Now Shorter Recordings [2017] Who: Graham Repulski is a prolific lo-fi songwriter based in Philadelphia that has a plethora of releases which are full of catchy melodies and one minute master pieces. Sound: Lo-fi auteur Graham Repulski follows up 2016’s triple album release with a concise slab of psychedelic noise … Read more
Tobin Sprout The Universe And Me Burger Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Tobin Sprout’s first album in seven years is wistful, poignant and brings the rock. Album Review: Tobin Sprout returns with his first solo record since 2010’s The Bluebirds of Happiness Tried to Land on My Shoulder. The Universe and Me is a real … Read more
Cattle Nature’s Champion Hominid Sounds [2016] Who: Precise, rough-hewn heavy noise rock from Leeds. Sound: Cattle boasts an intense heavy sound that fans of Dope Body and Slint would appreciate. TFN Final Take: Cattle hit me right across the jaw with their opening track, “Tanking the Piss” off their new LP Nature’s Champion. This is … Read more
Votaries Psychometry Wharf Cat Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Jackson Scott has created something very special and trippy with his new band, Votaries. Album Review: Jackson Scott’s new project, Votaries, has released their first LP, Psychometry, and it is a rather stunning collection of psychedelic drone-rock. I was hooked earlier in the year when I … Read more
Sat. Nite Duets Air Guitar Father/Daughter Records [2016] Who: Sat. Nite Duets are six-piece band from Milwaukee, WI. Sound: Sat. Nite Duets have a bit of Pavement and Silver Jews in their DNA and deliver unpretentious jangle/Americana rock. TFN Final Take: Sat. Nite Duets’ latest LP, Air Guitar maintains the band’s loose and fun approach … Read more
Spray Paint Feel The Clamps Goner Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: Spray Paint‘s newest LP, Feel the Clamps was a really big surprise for this Fire Note writer. I had heard a few tracks over the course of the year, but only one had really caught my ear earlier this summer. The more I … Read more
Marriage + Cancer Demonstrations II EP Self-Released [2016] Fire Note Says: Marriage + Cancer have had a complete sound overhaul. Album Review: I have been a longtime follower of Robert Komets’ music. His Nucular Aminals’ albums and the earlier versions of Marriage + Cancer were some wonderfully off beat, sometimes goofy, sometimes dour, but always … Read more
The Astounds The Astounds Self-Released [2016] Fire Note Says: Not surprised that Dean Wells has delivered yet another astounding, quick-hitting, lo-fi, power pop masterpiece. Album Review: Dean Wells is back. He has changed the name of the band, but there is no denying this is another Dean Wells’ project. Whether it is The Capstan Shafts, … Read more
Kappa Chow Kappa Chow Big Tomato Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: “Kappa Chow! Kappa Chow! Kappa Chow! One! Two! Fuck You!” So begins the immensely enjoyable opening track to Kappa Chow’s self-titled LP. This album quickly grabs you by the throat and does not let go. The New Brunswick-based Kappa Chow lay out a … Read more
Tobin Sprout “Just One Kid (Takes on the World)” Petrified Fish Records [2016] Tobin Sprout’s new 7”, “Just One Kid (Takes on the World),” was released earlier this month. There are two different jackets to collect. One is a simple white design with a bee printed in the middle; the other is a 2-color silkscreen … Read more
TRAAMS Modern Dancing FatCat Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: On their second full-length LP, UK band, TRAAMS have created post-punk, krautrock inspired perfection. Modern Dancing’s 11 tracks move along at a brisk and urgent pace. Each track has something to offer the listener; zero filler. It is a rare thing for me to hear … Read more
Graham Repulski Success Racist Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Success Racist, the latest offering from Graham Repulski, is a 17-track time machine with its destiny dials set for 1993, a golden era for lo-fi music. Graham Repulski’s music is akin to the lo-fi aesthetics that can be found on early 90’s Guided by Voices, … Read more
TUNGS You Could Call This Art Bad Grrrl Records [2015] Fire Note Says: I Will Call This Fantastic! A welcome display of talent and quirky rock sensibilities. This band deserves your attention. Album Review: Richmond, Virginia rockers, TUNGS’ new album, You Could Call This Art, is an excellent album. It is a brilliant follow up … Read more
The September Bandcamp feature is here! This month you get garage from France, punk from New York, 90’s dream-pop out of Omaha, Michigan’s own West coast psych rock and folk from England! Just do it – Discover, Support & Share! Palehound Brooklyn, New York Palehound will stoke your 90’s era indie rock fire back into … Read more
Girl Band Holding Hands With Jamie Rough Trade Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Brutal noise rock that dares you to like it. Rewards await those that can get past the initial layer of ugliness and brash noise. Album Review: Girl Band, a quartet from Dublin, have been wowing me over the past year through various … Read more
Let’s finish off July with 10 new artists you should check out. The July Bandcamp edition, features some shoegaze from Hong Kong, GBV vibes from Indiana, sweet meets smooth from LA, garage rock from Ohio, scuzz from Chicago, and some looping guitar lines from Jersey. As always – Discover, Support & Share! Perturbator Paris, France … Read more
Flotation Toy Warning Bluffer’s Guide To The Flight Deck Talitres Records [2015]
How about 10 new artists to finish off June? For the latest Bandcamp edition, TFN has found dream pop from LA, a pure singer/songwriter from New Mexico, excellent garage rock from France, distorted beauty from Canada and emo-punk out of Florida. Discover, Support & Share! Guapo London, England Led by drummer extraordinaire David J. Smith, … Read more
Jonathan Boulet Gubba Popfrenzy Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Jonathan Boulet’s Gubba is a tightly wound biker/punk rock LP. Album Review: Sydney based Jonathan Boulet pulls the ripcord on a briskly paced, rocker. Gubba sounds like a 50’s era biker gang learned to play crunch heavy punk music. There is a layer of nostalgic rockabilly … Read more
Lost Boy? Canned Papercup Music [2015] Fire Note Says: Lost Boy? are a dream come true for 90’s indie rock fans. Bits and pieces of your favorite bands pasted together in a catchy and fun album. Album Review: I have been listening to Davey Jones’ project, Lost Boy? for the last year or so. They … Read more