Ex-Cult Cigarette Machine EP Castle Face Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Ex-Cult delivers an excellent, adrenaline-filled punk rock EP. Album Review: I have to say I am quite impressed with Memphis-based punk band, Ex-Cult. Cigarette Machine is a lean and mean EP filled with punk rock rage reminiscent of 80’s hardcore. They have a solid … Read more
Pile You’re Better Than This Exploding In Sound Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Pile’s third LP continues their trend of incredible releases, and this time they have out done themselves. This is album of the year material. Album Review: Once upon a time, I heard a disjointed, but oddly intriguing LP, Pavement’s Slanted and Enchanted. … Read more
Spring is around the corner and hopefully the March Bandcamp edition will hit you like a Lion! This month we have a psych-folk group from Korea, a classic indie band from Memphis, progressive music from Greece and an energetic group from Allentown, PA. Enjoy the new artists below and please Discover, Support & Share! The … Read more
Jeff the Brotherhood Wasted On The Dream Infinity Cat Recordings [2015] Fire Note Says: Wasted on the Dream mixes moments of catchy head banging fuzz rock with head scratching cheese-pop. Album Review: The scuzz/fuzz duo from Nashville are back for their 8th album, Wasted on the Dream. They have brought a big sound with them … Read more
Smug Brothers Woodpecker Paradise Gas Daddy Go! Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Smug Brothers newest album is one of their strongest efforts to date. A tight, urgent, and catchy blend of indie rock from rock Mecca Dayton, Ohio. Album Review: Around this time last year, I was reviewing the Smug Brothers’ LP On the Way … Read more
The Fire Note wouldn’t be possible without the talented writers that have signed on here to share their educated thoughts and true enjoyment of music with our readers. Our year end Top 50 is coming early next week but clearly everyone has different tastes and ideas when naming the best album released in 2014. So … Read more
Ausmuteants Order Of Operation Goner Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Aussie synth-punks blast out a fun and catchy record. Album Review: Ausmuteants newest release is on par with their numerous past releases. They deliver a frenetic and essential punk album layered in a cool sheen of synth and humor. Australia has a rather booming punk … Read more
October is almost gone which means that it is time for The Fire Note’s monthly Bandcamp feature! Here are 10 artists that should be on your trick-or-treat playlists. In this edition you will find upbeat sad songs from New York, a calm and cool release from Los Angeles, psychedelic neo soul from Canada and a … Read more
Jeff the Brotherhood Dig The Classics Warner Bros. Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Jeff the Brotherhood drop a killer EP of essential covers with a thick layer of heavy garage rock fuzz and scuzz. Album Review: Nashville natives, brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall, make up the two-piece rock outfit that is Jeff the Brotherhood. The … Read more
The Wytches Annabel Dream Reader Partisan Records [2014] Fire Note Says: The Wytches first LP is a heavy and spooky debut tailor-made for the Halloween season. Album Review: The Wytches’ debut album, Annabel Dream Reader, is something else. If I had not heard Passenger Peru’s debut earlier this year, it would be the best debut … Read more
The Fire Note’s August Bandcamp feature is closing out the summer with another batch of new artists to put an ear on. In this edition you can find some elegantly-wasted country from LA, harder edged music from Germany, folk and brass from Greensboro and good old indie rock from Bloomington. Make sure you Discover, Support … Read more
People 3xaWoman Telegraph Harp Records [2014] Fire Note Says: People’s 3xaWoman is a weird and wonderful clash of musical styles. Album Review: From the opening notes on People’s LP 3xaWoman, you know something strange is afoot and you are in for something that does not stay on the path of convention. Experimental avant-garde jazz guitarist, … Read more
Kahoots Take To The Fields Telegraph Harp Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Kahoots 12th LP is a great record that rewards listeners with repeated listens. Album Review: I have been listening to Massachusetts-based Kahoots’ new LP, Take to the Fields for about a month now and I think it is just now sinking into skull … Read more
The Fire Note’s July Bandcamp feature keeps summer going with another batch of new artists for you to check out. In this edition you can find some gems from Dayton, Ohio, hypnotics from Paris, a Spanish lyric driven record from LA, a duo from D.C. and some indie pop from Buffalo. As always – Discover, … Read more
Unicycle Loves You The Dead Age Mecca Lecca Recording Co. [2014] Fire Note Says: Unicycle Loves You is a wonderful blend of shoegaze, 60’s psychedelic pop, and noise/fuzz rock. Album Review: Unicycle Loves You are a Brooklyn-based trio. The Dead Age is their fourth studio LP, but this is the first one I have heard. … Read more
Street Eaters Blood//Muscles//Bones Nervous Intent Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Street Eaters newest LP is a buzz/fuzz rock veritable smorgasbord of sound and attitude. Album Review: I had not heard of Street Eaters until a few weeks ago when I received Blood//Muscles//Bones for a review. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised and impressed … Read more
The Fire Note’s June Bandcamp feature heats up the summer with a handful of new artists. In this edition you can find some sibling harmonies from Santa Cruz, psychedelic rock from Italy, lo-fi rock straight from Brooklyn and some solid indie from Phoenix. As always – Discover, Support & Share! Lost Boy? Brooklyn, New York … Read more
Greys If Anything Carpark Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Greys’ debut LP bridges a gap between genres and offers a refreshing blend of heavy noise rock with pop sensibility. Album Review: Last years’ Greys 7” Drift was one of my favorite 7” releases for 2013. A really heavy noise rocker. I enjoyed it so much; … Read more
Priests Bodies and Control and Money and Power Don Giovanni Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Priests give indie punk rock a shot in the arm and then they pummel the injection site. Album Review: Almost 10 months ago, I ran across a Priests video on YouTube. Cannot remember how I stumbled onto it, but it … Read more
The Fire Note’s May Bandcamp feature finishes off the Spring with some great new artists. In this edition you can find some loud rock from Toronto, a great singer/songwriter from Charleston, an exciting new act from Washington, D.C., and some melancholic pop from Minnesota. As always – Discover, Support & Share! Nai Harvest Sheffield, UK … Read more
Pink Mountaintops Get Back Jagjaguwar Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Pink Mountaintops bring us a mixed bag of instantly catchy drug and sex saturated rock, and some rather understated moments with their latest release, Get Back. Album Review: I have been a regular listener of Pink Mountaintops since their 2004 self-titled debut LP. They have … Read more
Mahayla Electricspaceagesweetheart Serial Lover Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Electricspaceagesweetheart is a welcome listening pleasure for fans of 90’s era alt-rock. Album Review: Mahayla’s Electricspaceagesweetheart is a restart of sorts for front man Dave Fera and fellow bandmates Mark Davis (drums), Ike Aguilar (guitar) and Chris Johnson (bass). After a seven-year hiatus, you would think … Read more
The Fire Note’s March Bandcamp feature is here and ready to supply you with 10 more bands you should know about. There is a little bit of something for everyone this month as we get some LA riot grrrl, Phily chillwave, English psychedelic and some heavy sludge from Minneapolis. Till next month – Discover, Support … Read more
Eternal Summers The Drop Beneath Kanine Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Eternal Summers bring some warm jangle and bit of searing punk to melt away this year’s seemingly eternal winter. Album Review: Roanoke, VA trio Eternal Summers give their listeners another steady dose of jangly dream-punk with their newest release, The Drop Beneath. I had … Read more
Smug Brothers On The Way To The Punchline Gas Daddy Go! Records [2014] Fire Note Says: Smug Brothers offer listeners a mature and hook-laden album packed with incredibly catchy and unpredictable Dayton rock. Album Review: I was a bit surprised when I had read that On the Way to the Punchline was Dayton Ohio’s Smug … Read more