Watermelon Slim: Traveling Man [Album Review]
Watermelon Slim Traveling ManNorthernBlues Music [2020] Watermelon Slim, originally born as William P. Homans III, has come to his career in blues music by a … Read more
Pearl Jam: Gigaton [Album Review]
Pearl Jam GigatonMonkeywrench/Republic Records [2020] It’s too easy to look at a band in its 30th year, long established as an arena filling commercial force, … Read more
Soccer Mommy: Color Theory [Album Review]
Soccer Mommy color theoryLoma Vista [2020] On her fourth full-lenth album, Soccer Mommy (born, Sophie Allison) has used color coding to telegraph the emotional content … Read more
Brian Fallon: Local Honey [Album Review]
Brian Fallon Local HoneyLesser Known Records/Thirty Tigers [2020] Brian Fallon’s freshly released third solo album, Local Honey, had to have been written and recorded prior … Read more
Lilly Hiatt: Walking Proof [Album Review]
Lilly Hiatt Walking ProofNew West Records [2020] Nashville singer/songwriter Lilly Hiatt has known most of her existence that life is rarely just one thing. On … Read more
THICK: 5 Years Behind [Album Review]
THICK5 Years BehindEpitaph Records [2020] The debut from Brooklyn-based DIY punk trio, THICK, was the perfect record to pick up as our country was shutting … Read more
Rookie: Rookie [Album Review]
Rookie RookieBloodshot Records [2020] The debut album of 6-piece Chicago band Rookie comes out of the box just dripping with references to a much earlier … Read more
Yumi Zouma: Truth Or Consequences [Album Review]
Yumi Zouma Truth Or ConsequencesPolyvinyl Records [2020] The third full-length effort from the quartet of New Zealanders who got their start playing shows around Christchurch … Read more
The Districts: You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere [Album Review]
The DistrictsYou Know I’m Not Going AnywhereFat Possum Records [2020] For The Districts’ fourth full-length release, You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere, singer/songwriter Rob Grote … Read more
Stephen Malkmus: Traditional Techniques [Album Review]
Stephen Malkmus Traditional TechniquesMatador Records [2020] Stephen Malkmus has been on a creative tear of late, releasing a band record with The Jicks in 2018 … Read more
Sonny Landreth: Blacktop Run [Album Review]
Sonny Landreth Blacktop RunMascot Label Group [2020] Sonny Landreth is a guitar player’s guitarist, much the way John Hiatt and John Prine are songwriter’s songwriters. … Read more
The Proper Ornaments: Mission Bells [Album Review]
The Proper Ornaments Mission BellsTapete Records [2020] After a few enjoyable listens to this fifth album from London’s The Proper Ornaments, I was surprised to … Read more
Greg Dulli: Random Desire [Album Review]
Greg Dulli Random DesireRoyal Cream/BMG [2020] Greg Dulli may just now be getting around to making a solo studio album, but both as the lead … Read more
Phil Madeira: Open Heart [Album Review]
Phil Madeira Open HeartMercyland [2020] At this late date, Phil Madeira must still feel that he has something to prove. Besides his “day job” as … Read more
Ethan Gruska: En Garde [Album Review]
Ethan GruskaEn GardeWarner Records [2020] On this sophomore effort by Ethan Gruska, his producer chops are on display as much as his melodic sensibilities as … Read more
Wire: Mind Hive [Album Review]
Wire Mind HivePinkflag [2020] It’s the rare band that stays together over 40 years, and even rarer not to have evolved musically over time. AC/DC … Read more
Green Day: The Father Of All… [Album Review]
Green Day The Father Of All Motherfuckers Reprise Records [2020] Generally speaking, even the most popular punk rock bands are not designed to stay vital … Read more
Drive-By Truckers: The Unraveling [Album Review]
Drive-By Truckers The Unraveling ATO Records [2020] Album Review: The Drive-By Truckers are back with their 12th album, an obvious follow-up to their politically charged … Read more
Okay Kaya: Watch This Liquid Pour Itself [Album Review]
Okay Kaya Watch This Liquid Pour Itself Jagjaguwar [2020] Fire Note Says: There’s a quirky artfulness in the minimalist experimental pop of Okay Kaya, as … Read more
Coldplay: Everyday Life [Album Review]
Coldplay Everyday Life Parlophone/Atlantic Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The eighth album from Coldplay benefits from world music influences and a scattershot approach to incorporating … Read more
Wolf Parade: Thin Mind [Album Review]
Wolf Parade Thin Mind Sub Pop Records [2020] Fire Note Says: Wolf Parade, stripped back to the original Montreal power trio, create a strong mix … Read more
of Montreal: UR FUN [Album Review]
of Montreal UR Fun Polyvinyl Records [2020] Album Review: For the 16th album form the Athens, GA-based of Montreal, principal songwriter and band leader, Kevin … Read more
Joseph Arthur: Come Back World [Album Review]
Joseph Arthur Come Back World Moonage Rebel [2019] Album Review: Given all the artists who Joseph Arthur has collaborated with, it’s always surprising to me … Read more
Chris Taylor: Lovers, Thieves, Fools + Pretenders [Album Review]
Chris Taylor Lovers, Thieves, Fools + Pretenders Self-Released [2019] Album Review: While I’ve been a fan and acquaintance of San Antonio singer/songwriter, band leader and … Read more
The Flaming Lips: The Soft Bulletin – Live At Red Rocks [Album Review]
The Flaming Lips The Soft Bulletin: Live At Red Rocks Warner Records [2019] Fire Note Says: The Flaming Lips join together with the Colorado Symphony … Read more