The Decemberists: The King Is Dead [Album Review]
The DecemberistsThe King Is DeadCapitol Records [2011] After The Decemberists’ last two cerebral concept full-lengths, the band takes a leisurely breath of fresh air and … Read more
Motel Beds: Feelings [Album Review]
Motel Beds Feelings Fictionband Mechanics [2010] Fire Note Says: Motel Beds create the right indie mix on stereo debut Feelings. Album Review: Dayton, Ohio band … Read more
The Black Pacific: The Black Pacific [Album Review]
The Black PacificThe Black PacificSideOneDummy Records [2010] I believe that when Pennywise lead vocalist and songwriter Jim Lindberg stepped down last year, not many people … Read more
Richard Thompson: Dream Attic [Album Review]
Richard Thompson Dream Attic Shout! Factory Records [2010] Fire Note Says: Dream Attic highlights why Richard Thompson just recently received the Les Paul Award at … Read more
Sun Kil Moon: Admiral Fell Promises [Album Review]
Sun Kil Moon Admiral Fell Promises Caldo Verde Records [2010] Fire Note Says: Sit down and reflect with Kozelek’s Sun Kil Moon. Album Review: Sun … Read more
Tame Impala: Innerspeaker [Album Review]
Tame Impala Innerspeaker Modular Recordings [2010] Fire Drill Album Review: My first listen to Aussie export trio Tame Impala really didn’t do too much for … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem: American Slang [Album Review]
The Gaslight AnthemAmerican SlangSideOneDummy Records [2010] The critical acclaim showered upon The ’59 Sound (2008) certainly set a high bar for The Gaslight Anthem, putting … Read more
Teenage Fanclub: Shadows [Album Review]
Teenage FanclubShadowsMerge Records [2010] It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since Teenage Fanclub launched their debut record, A Catholic Education in … Read more
Woods: At Echo Lake [Album Review]
WoodsAt Echo LakeWoodsist Records [2010] Last year to the day we introduced you to the lo-fi folk tinged songs of Woods and not only did … Read more
The Black Keys: Brothers [Album Review]
The Black KeysBrothersNonesuch Records [2010] On recent releases, The Black Keys edged away from their grinding garage-blues into something sleeker, experimenting with extra instruments and … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: I Learned The Hard Way [Album Review]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings I Learned The Hard Way Daptone Records [2010] Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings never felt like a retro novelty, and … Read more
The Hold Steady: Heaven Is Whenever [Album Review]
The Hold SteadyHeaven Is WheneverVagrant Records [2010] The Hold Steady make albums not singles. Their work takes time to absorb, multiple listens to like and … Read more
Beach House: Teen Dream [Album Review]
Beach HouseTeen DreamSub Pop Records [2010] Teen Dream is the third album from duo Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand, aka Beach House, which represents a new … Read more
Spoon: Transference [Album Review]
SpoonTransferenceMerge Records [2010] Sometimes simple is good and when you are on your seventh full length like Spoon, reverting back to your strengths is never … Read more
Real Estate: Reality EP [Album Review]
Real EstateReality EPMexican Summer [2010] We’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this band better, so we were excited to check out this EP of new … Read more
Real Estate: Real Estate [Album Review]
Real EstateReal EstateWoodsist Records [2009] The debut album from Real Estate is indeed the breezy affair that their album cover suggests. The New Jersey quartet … Read more
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down: Know Better Learn Faster [Album Review]
Thao With The Get Down Stay DownKnow Better Learn FasterKill Rock Stars [2009] Thao with the Get Down Stay Down represent what is fun about … Read more
Drummer: Feel Good Together [Album Review]
DrummerFeel Good TogetherAudio Eagle Records [2009] Feel Good Together is a straight-ahead indie rock set from Drummer, the side project helmed by Black Keys timekeeper … Read more
Monsters Of Folk: Monsters Of Folk [Album Review]
Monsters Of Folk Monsters Of Folk Shangri-La Music [2009] Fire Note Says: The rebirth of the “Supergroup” Album Review: It seems in our current age … Read more
Woods: Songs Of Shame [Album Review]
WoodsSongs Of ShameWoodsist Records [2009] I have been sitting with this record for quite some time now and have been slightly left speechless. Not because … Read more
Steve Earle: Townes [Album Review]
Steve EarleTownesNew West Records [2009] Steve Earle’s new album Townes, is a 15-song set comprised of songs written by Earle’s friend and mentor, the late … Read more
Wussy: Wussy [Album Review]
WussyWussyShake It Records [2009] Wussy are one of Cincinnati’s best-kept secrets, and they have just released their self-titled third album, Wussy, which continues the group’s … Read more
The Decemberists: The Hazards Of Love [Album Review]
The DecemberistsThe Hazards Of LoveCapitol Records [2009] You were crazy if you thought that The Decemberists’ next album would be anything less than an epic … Read more
Marked Men: Ghosts [Album Review]
Marked Men Ghosts Dirtnap Records [2009] Album Review: No one will ever convince me that pop punk rock is dead and Denton, Texas band, Marked … Read more
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit: Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit [Album Review]
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Jason Isbell And The 400 UnitLightning Rod Records [2009] For his sophomore solo record, Jason Isbell wants to emphasize … Read more