Amy O Elastic Winspear Records [2017] Bloomington-based singer-songwriter Amy O is another strong indie spirit that is showcased on her new release Elastic. She will remind you of Colleen Green, Waxahatchee and even That Dog with her pop rock guitar and likable bouncy voice. I really liked this album as Elastic expands on her previous … Read more
Lung Bottom Of The Barrel Self-Released [2017] Not many bands have the guts to have an electric cello be the focus but that is exactly what we get from Cincinnati’s Lung. Kate Wakefield (vocals, electric cello) and Daisy Caplan (drums), give you a powerful fierceness that never slows down. Lung keep you on the edge … Read more
Benjamin Gibbard Bandwagonesque Turntable Kitchen [2017] If you could only bring along one indie power pop record from the nineties to a desert island there is a good chance a good number of people would pick Teenage Fanclub’s Bandwagonesque (1991). Now, take that record and let a guy like Death Cab For Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard … Read more
Eyelids Or Jealous Butcher Records [2017] Portland, Oregon’s Eyelids bring plenty of power pop sweetness on their sophomore effort Or. The band has a solid resume with members John Moen and Chris Slusarenko working in the past with the likes of Robert Pollard (Guided by Voices), Stephen Malkmus (Pavement/Jicks), Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) and Elliott … Read more
The National Sleep Well Beast 4AD Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Sleep Well Beast is one of the most expansive sounding albums The National has released. Album Review: The National are back with their seventh studio album, Sleep Well Beast, which marks their first release in four years. Right out of the gate, I will … Read more
Needles//Pins Good Night, Tomorrow Mint/Dirt Cult Records [2017] Who: Vancouver power trio Needles//Pins began in 2009 and now have released their third LP with Good Night, Tomorrow. Sound: The band belts out gruff punk rock melodies that can send you back to the sound of The Buzzcocks, while hitting the sweet spot of 90’s punk … Read more
Arcade Fire Everything Now Columbia Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Arcade Fire beat to their own drum. Album Review: You probably think the new Arcade Fire sucks, right? Why wouldn’t you? It has been panned by multiple respected publications and seems to be everyone’s new favorite punching bag. It still was the number one record … Read more
Magnetix Live In San Francisco Castle Face Records [2017] Who: Magnetix are a two-piece French garage-electro rock group with a catalog of singles and several albums that date back to 2002. Sound: Clearly being featured on Castle Face’s Live In San Francisco series, it is easy to hear some Oh Sees in the guitar and … Read more
Rozwell Kid Precious Art SideOneDummy Records [2017] Who: Rozwell Kid write fun and gritty power-punk songs as Precious Art is the West Virginian four-piece’s fourth full length. Sound: Fun and smart power pop punk songs that have a Weezer bright side and a Hotelier emo other side. TFN Final Take: It is so easy in … Read more
Dan Auerbach Waiting On A Song Easy Eye Sound / Nonesuch Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Dan Auerbach is here to handle you with care. Album Review: Dan Auerbach is now at a musical level where everyone takes notice when he is involved with a project. It does not matter if he is producing records … Read more
Here Lies Man Here Lies Man RidingEasy Records [2017] Who: Marcos Garcia is the guitarist for Antibalas and frontman for Chico Mann. Here Lies Man is his new project. Sound: Here Lies Man is a different outlet for Garcia with its fuzzed-out psych-rock combos that have been labeled as Black Sabbath playing Afrobeat. TFN Final … Read more
Slowdive Slowdive Dead Oceans [2017] Who: Slowdive is Neil Halstead (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Christian Savill (guitar), Nick Chaplin (bass), Rachel Goswell (vocals) and Simon Scott (drums, electronics). Their debut album, Just For A Day, was released in 1991 and after two more records the group disbanded in 1995. Sound: Today Slowdive fall into the dream … Read more
Gold Connections Gold Connections EP Fat Possum Records [2017] Who: Gold Connections is led by songwriter, guitarist and lyricist Will Marsh and their self-titled debut EP was produced by and features Will Toledo (Car Seat Headrest) on drums, electric guitar, bass, and backing vocals. Sound: Slacker indie rock to the core. If you like Car … Read more
The Proper Ornaments Foxhole Slumberland Records [2017] Who: The Proper Ornaments is the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy, Pink Flames). Foxhole is the groups sophomore album. Sound: Given the members it should be no surprise that The Proper Ornaments embrace the softer side of indie rock. They have … Read more
Fred Thomas Changer Polyvinyl Records [2017] Who: Songwriter/singer/producer Fred Thomas has a lengthy resume in music that includes four records with Saturday Looks Good to Me. More recently he has had success out on his own but after his 2015 record, All Are Saved he didn’t have a normal year. He quit his stable job, … Read more
Beach Slang Here, I Made This For You (Mixtape Vol. 2) Polyvinyl Records [2017] Who: After just releasing their sophomore full-length, A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings (2016), Beach Slang returns with the second installment of its covers mixtape series. Sound: Replacements meets Bruce Springsteen rock from Philly on a can’t miss karaoke night! TFN … Read more
Sinai Vessel Brokenlegged Tiny Engines [2017] Who: Sinai Vessel began as a one-man project for singer/guitarist Caleb Cordes which released a debut full length in 2011 and his Profanity EP in 2014, with the help of some volunteer musicians. The band we hear today formed after the 2014 release so Brokenlegged feels like a true … Read more
Sleater-Kinney Live In Paris Sub Pop Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The stage is where Sleater-Kinney shine! Album Review: Did it really take this long to get a live set from one of the greatest power trios the stage has seen? I guess it did but I will tell you up front that it was … Read more
Cherry Glazerr Apocalipstick Secretly Canadian [2017] Who: Clementine Creevy is a headstrong 19-year-old that dreamed up Cherry Glazerr in her LA bedroom alone. The groups debut was on Burger Records and they released a 7” on Suicide Squeeze so they have plenty of indie credibility. Apocalipstick is their Secretly Canadian debut and features two new … Read more
Sloucher Certainty Swoon Records [2016] Who: After writing a batch of songs on his downtime as drummer in Cayucas and Hibou, Jay Clancy recruited guitarist Kyle Musselwhite (The Globes) and drummer Jack Hamrick to solidify Seattle’s Sloucher as a trio. Sound: Is pop perfect guitar rock a description? It is for sure when talking about … Read more
Mitski Puberty 2 Dead Oceans [2016] Who: Mitski Miyawaki aka Mitski released her fourth album overall and first through Dead Oceans. The singer-songwriter always delivers honest and somewhat dark lyricism that is supported by edgy indie rock! Sound: PJ Harvey meets Angel Olsen croon, electronic drum machines meets Pixies-ish style guitars while quiet moments can … Read more
Danny & The Darleans Bug Out In The Red Records [2016] Who: Danny (Dan Kroha) was a founding member of the legendary Gories. Bug Out is the second LP from Danny & The Darleans. Sound: With the Darleans, Kroha returns to his garage rock Detroit roots that is played from the hip with hard hitting … Read more
Pinegrove Cardinal Run For Cover Records [2016] Who: After a number of different EPs, a compilation and years of touring, New Jersey’s Pinegrove finally released their debut LP, Cardinal. Sound: The honest voice of Evan Stephens Hall here is the initial attraction to Pinegrove with his ever so slightly weathered vocal and complete sincerity. The … Read more
Metallica Hardwired…To Self-Destruct Blackened Recordings [2016] Fire Note Says: Metallica find their old heavy soul. Album Review: Metallica is one of those bands that defies genres. It has always been cool to like early Metallica (83-88), always judgment to be found by some if you fall into the camp of liking the “Black” album (1991), … Read more
Jay Som Turn Into Polyvinyl Records [2016] Who: Jay Som is the moniker for Bay Area-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Melina Duterte. She decided to unveil an early version of Turn Into online last year, performing every instrument—guitar, bass, keys, and drums. Polyvinyl has given it a proper release with Duterte’s proper debut set to … Read more