Top 25 Tracks of 2019
Music has been good this year! Each week, I tried to sample at least a song from each new single, EP, or album. As I … Read more
J.S. Ondara: Tales Of America [Album Review]
J.S. Ondara Tales Of America Verve Forecast [2019] Fire Note Says: Stunning debut from a unique voice. Album Review: It’s always exciting to hear a … Read more
Girlpool: What Chaos Is Imaginary [Album Review]
Girlpool What Chaos Is Imaginary ANTI- [2019] Fire Note Says: Girlpool continues to evolve on their third album. Album Review: Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad … Read more
Guster: Look Alive [Album Review]
Guster Look Alive Nettwerk Music Group [2019] Fire Note Says: Not just an excuse to go on tour! Album Review: Fun and harmony. Two words … Read more
Tallies: Tallies [Album Review]
Tallies Tallies Kanine Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Fun, promising debut from Toronto band. Album Review: Coming out of Toronto in the middle of the … Read more
Hippo Campus: Bambi [Album Review]
Hippo Campus Bambi Grand Jury Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Hippo Campus’s sophomore LP is a stunning achievement. Album Review: St. Paul’s Hippo Campus has … Read more
Matt And Kim: Almost Everyday [Album Review]
Matt and Kim Almost Everyday Fader Label [2018] Fire Note Says: Matt and Kim bring the energy and a renewed focus. Album Review: Whether it’s … Read more
Animal Collective: Tangerine Reef [Album Review]
Animal Collective Tangerine Reef Domino Recording Company [2018] Who: Established experimental electronic rock band. Sound: Aquarium/laser-light-show music. TFN Final Take: It’s an admirable idea. Make … Read more
Houndmouth: Golden Age [Album Review]
Houndmouth Golden Age Rough Trade Records [2018] Who: Louisville trio going through a transition. Sound: High energy synth-pop. TFN Final Take: Giving Golden Age its … Read more
Damien Jurado: The Horizon Just Laughed [Album Review]
Damien Jurado The Horizon Just Laughed Secretly Canadian [2018] Fire Note Says: Damien Jurado continues to enchant with his latest effort. Album Review: Damien Jurado … Read more
Iceage: Beyondless [Album Review]
Iceage Beyondless Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Iceage is energetic, dark, and surprising on their latest effort. Album Review: Danish punk four-piece Iceage is … Read more
Beach House: 7 [Album Review]
Beach House 7 Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Beach House puts out another very good album. Album Review: Seven albums in, it is … Read more
Father John Misty: God’s Favorite Customer [Album Review]
Father John Misty God’s Favorite Customer Sub Pop Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Father John Misty narrows his scope with improved results. Album Review: Josh … Read more
Josh Rouse: Love In The Modern Age [Album Review]
Josh Rouse Love In The Modern Age Yep Roc Records [2018] Who: Singer/songwriter with strong influences. Sound: Folk-pop that is inspired by 80’s songwriters. TFN … Read more
Wye Oak: The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs [Album Review]
Wye Oak The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs Merge Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Wye Oak puts out an album that’s worth going … Read more
The Fratellis: In Your Own Sweet Time [Album Review]
The Fratellis In Your Own Sweet Time Cooking Vinyl [2018] Who: Scottish three-piece with their fifth full-length album. Sound: Barroom rock that you can dance … Read more
Zola Jesus: Okovi – Additions [Album Review]
Zola Jesus Okovi: Additions Sacred Bones Records [2018] Who: Nika Roza Danilova, back for seconds after last year’s release. Sound: Goth-pop with deep, soulful vocals. … Read more
No Age: Snares Like A Haircut [Album Review]
No Age Snares Like A Haircut Drag City Records [2018] Fire Note Says: No Age hit the mark again. Album Review: The last No Age … Read more
First Aid Kit: Ruins [Album Review]
First Aid Kit Ruins Columbia Records [2018] Who: Swedish sisters with their fourth full-length. Sound: Americana with a country-western influence. TFN Final Take: Klara and … Read more
Stars: There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light [Album Review]
Stars There Is No Love In Fluorescent Light Last Gang Records [2017] Who: Veteran indie pop band from Canada. Sound: Indie pop with a heart … Read more
R.E.M.: Automatic For The People (25th Anniversary Edition) [Album Review]
R.E.M. Automatic For The People (25th Anniversary Edition) Craft Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: A masterpiece for all times! Album Review: R.E.M.’s Automatic For the … Read more
Girlpool: Powerplant [Album Review]
Girlpool Powerplant ANTI- [2017] Fire Note Says: Girlpool comes and goes too quick! Album Review: Girlpool is an LA band that consists of its two … Read more
Wolf Alice: Visions Of A Life [Album Review]
Wolf Alice Visions Of A Life RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Wolf Alice stay strong on their sophomore album. Album Review: Visions of a … Read more
Alvvays: Antisocialites [Album Review]
Alvvays Antisocialites Polyvinyl Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Alvvays’s second album is an indie pop delight. Album Review: Alvvays made a splash three years ago … Read more
Cage The Elephant: Unpeeled [Album Review]
Cage The Elephant Unpeeled RCA Records [2017] Fire Note Says: A clever way to appreciate a consistent rock band. Album Review: As someone who’s writing … Read more