Warehouse Super Low Bayonet Records [2016] Who: Atlanta, Georgia-based quintet Warehouse are back with their sophomore album super low. It is their Bayonet Records debut which is the label run by Dustin Payseur (Beach Fossils) and home to TFN favorite Frankie Cosmos. Sound: Taking inspiration from the 1980’s Athens, GA scene (Pylon, R.E.M., The B-52’s), … Read more
Jimmy Eat World Integrity Blues RCA Records [2016] Who: Jimmy Eat World, best known for their 2001 single “The Middle,” have just released their ninth studio album Integrity Blues via RCA Records. Sound: The Arizona band now finds themselves in veteran status but have always been labeled somewhat an Emo band. The group progressed into … Read more
Fascinating Dice Game Quality Time Records [2016] Who: Fascinating is a trio out of Cleveland, Ohio that is one of many projects from Quality Time Records’ Ricky Hamilton. Dice Game is the debut album from the group. Sound: Fascinating comes at you 100mph with their lower fi post punk that sounds like you are in … Read more
Jeff Rosenstock WORRY. SideOneDummy Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: With some veteran names in the punk genre like Green Day, NOFX and Sum 41 just recently releasing records I would encourage you to look away from the masses for a second and find Jeff Rosenstock. Who? Well, he is best known for leading the … Read more
Bon Iver 22, A Million Jagjaguwar [2016] Fire Note Says: The constantly evolving Bon Iver! Album Review: I never thought that Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon would stay contained to one style, sound or genre but the turn he has taken on his third record 22, A Million was not expected, slightly perplexing and a musical … Read more
Beach Slang A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings Polyvinyl Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: TFN has been all over Beach Slang’s Replacement style rock n roll since their pair of EP debuts back in 2014. This Philly band has quickly progressed and now with A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings, they have already released … Read more
Eric Bachmann Eric Bachmann Merge Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: A few chords into Eric Bachmann’s new record might make you think that your tracks are mislabeled because the Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers frontman is not brining you a solo dose of indie rock at all on his self-titled debut under his … Read more
Benji Hughes Songs In The Key Of Animals Merge Records [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: I really liked Hughes debut double album, A Love Extreme (2008), when he came onto the indie scene as it was entertaining, fun and worth the investment! That leads us to my anticipation for the eight year follow up, Songs … Read more
Strange Faces Stonerism Autumn Tone Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The first song you will hear from Chicago’s Strange Faces debut sounds like you are listening to a stereo at the far end of train tunnel. If you think that sounds odd, then you should excuse yourself from this review because the bands fuzzy … Read more
Baroness Purple Abraxan Hymns [2015] Fire Note Says: Baroness is back stronger than ever! Album Review: You can talk about indie genres and bands all you want but when it comes down to it, all of us love a really good rock record from a bona fide rock band. Baroness is exactly that kind of … Read more
Father John Misty Live At Rough Trade Rough Trade Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Back in February, Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, came out to promote the recent release of his excellent I Love You, Honeybear with just his voice and guitar. Rough Trade smartly recorded the event as FJM played eight stripped … Read more
Dave Segedy Layup Old Flame/Jurassic Pop Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Dave Segedy has been staying busy as Layup is his second release this year following his March debut Schrodego. With all this he is also prepping to start recording again with his Bloomington, IN band Sleeping Bag. I like when the drummer can … Read more
Foo Fighters Saint Cecilia EP RCA Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Surprise, gratitude and free sum up the Foo Fighters latest EP Saint Cecilia. As a thank you to the fans and without warning, the Foo’s released this free download EP last week (with a pay vinyl option) to their continually growing fan base. … Read more
Julien Baker Sprained Ankle 6131 Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Julien Baker’s debut record is one that you need to sit a little closer to the speakers for or turn the dial up a few notches on your headphones because Sprained Ankle is a quiet piece of art that is easy to miss if … Read more
Yoko & The Oh No’s Yoko & The Oh No’s Autumn Tone Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: If you like a blend of classic rock riffs, distorted R&B beats and flowing soulful vocals then Chicago’s Yoko & The Oh No’s will be your new favorite band. The group cranks their way through this 10 … Read more
White Fang Chunks Burger Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The press release for White Fang’s new album, Chunks, says that it “will put you back in touch with who you were before you became what you are.” That couldn’t be a more accurate statement as this record is full of goofing off, having a … Read more
EL VY Return To The Moon 4AD Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: EL VY is the musical collaboration between Matt Berninger, from The National, and Ramona Falls’ frontman Brent Knopf. In my book, Berninger has one of the most distinguishable and cool voices in the indie business right now so breaking away from his … Read more
Django Django Born Under Saturn Ribbon Music [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Scottish band Django Django have been on my radar since their Mercury Prize nominated 2012 self-titled debut. The band typically draws comparisons to other modern progressive UK bands like Beta Band, Super Furry Animals and Clinic. On the group’s sophomore outing, Born Under … Read more
Heaters Holy Water Pool Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: For me, the resurgence of psych rock has been spectacular and Michigan’s Heaters is another fine band to add to the growing quality list. Their new full length, Holy Water Pool, is drenched in reverb 60’s soul that meanders in the … Read more
Chris Cornell Euphoria Mourning Universal Music Enterprises [2015] Fire Note Says: Title change, remaster and vinyl edition is all new on this reissue. Album Review: Sometimes you get an opportunity to revisit a record that you had completely forgot about. Soundgarden’s frontman Chris Cornell’s first solo album is one of those albums. First released in … Read more
Gun Outfit Dream All Over Paradise Of Bachelors [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: LA’s Gun Outfit have a smooth vibe that sounds like Lou Reed and Kim Gordon collaborating on some tunes. This female/male dialogue from singers Carrie Keith (guitar, vocals, slide) and Dylan Sharp (guitar, vocals, banjo, balalaika) keep their fourth album, Dream All … Read more
Arcade Fire The Reflektor Tapes (Cassette Release) Sonovox/Merge Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: In conjunction with the theatrical release of their feature film The Reflektor Tapes, Arcade Fire also released a deluxe edition of Reflektor (2013) with bonus tracks. Now, if you already have the record then this cassette-only release of the six unreleased … Read more
Low Ones And Sixes Sub Pop Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: You always know what you are going to get with Low. The longtime and forever pioneer of the Slowcore movement, Low’s soft intricate and complex compositions will wow you both sonically and vocally. On the group’s eleventh record, Ones and Sixes, vocalists Mimi … Read more
Say Hi Bleeders Digest Barsuk Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Say Hi is Seattle’s Eric Elbogen and he has been making records under this moniker since 2002. His ninth, Bleeders Digest, is an album about vampires and a sequel to Impeccable Blahs (2002). Say Hi’s sound has not changed much over the years and … Read more
Thunderbitch Thunderbitch Self-Released [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: What a fun record! The Alabama Shakes frontwoman, Brittany Howard, just dropped on us a powerful new rock project perfectly titled Thunderbitch. The record holds to its namesake right from the dynamic opener, “Leather Jacket” to its rock out finale “Heavenly Feeling.” I liked the Shakes latest … Read more