Dan Auerbach: Keep It Hid [Album Review]
Dan AuerbachKeep It HidNonesuch Records [2009] Keep It Hid is Dan Auerbach doing what he loves without overthinking it—blues-rock at the core, shaded with psychedelic … Read more
Vulture Whale: Vulture Whale [Album Review]
Vulture WhaleVulture WhaleSkybucket Records [2009] Vulture Whale are a tight little rock outfit from Birmingham, Alabama that will be releasing their sophomore self-titled record next … Read more
Local H: 12 Angry Months [Album Review]
Local H 12 Angry MonthsShout! Factory [2008] I think it goes without saying that breakups suck. How long do they suck? Well for Local H’s … Read more
The Decemberists: Always The Bridesmaid – A Singles Series [Album Review]
The DecemberistsAlways The Bridesmaid: A Singles SeriesY.A.B.B./Capitol Records [2008] Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series is a new collection of seven spectacular tracks from The … Read more
Wussy: Rigor Mortis (EP) [Album Review]
Wussy Rigor Mortis (EP)Shake It Records [2008] If you don’t remember the Cincinnati group Wussy, featuring Ass Ponys frontman Chuck Cleaver and the soulful, powerful … Read more
The Night Marchers: See You In Magic [Album Review]
The Night Marchers See You In Magic Vagrant Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Night Marchers debut is here! Album Review: The Night Marchers are … Read more
The Pack a.d.: Funeral Mixtape [Album Review]
The Pack a.d.Funeral MixtapeMint Records [2008] It may seem weird but after being introduced to The Pack a.d. in January with Tintype the duo’s sophomore … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem: The ’59 Sound [Album Review]
The Gaslight AnthemThe ’59 SoundSideOneDummy Records [2008] The ’59 Sound by The Gaslight Anthem is the type of album you’ve been waiting for all year … Read more
James Jackson Toth: Waiting In Vain [Album Review]
James Jackson Toth Waiting In Vain Rykodisc Records [2008] Fire Note Says: Toth sheds Wooden Wand name and plays it straight up for excellent solo … Read more
Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Live! [Album Review]
Colin MeloyColin Meloy Sings Live!Kill Rock Stars [2008] Colin Meloy is better known to all as the lead singer of The Decemberists. This solo live … Read more
The Black Keys: Attack & Release [Album Review]
The Black KeysAttack & ReleaseNonesuch Records [2008] From the jump, The Black Keys carved out their own raw, fuzzed-out corner of garage-blues rock. Four albums … Read more
Be Your Own Pet: Get Awkward [Album Review]
Be Your Own PetGet AwkwardUniversal Records [2008] Be Your Own Pet might seem like your typical young and snotty punk rock aspirants, but after giving … Read more
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down: We Brave Bee Stings And All [Album Review]
Thao With The Get Down Stay DownWe Brave Bee Stings And AllKill Rock Stars [2008] Thao Nguyen’s new album We Brave Bee Stings And … Read more
The Wombats: A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation [Album Review]
The WombatsA Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation14th Floor Records [2007] Sometimes the UK has a current “it” band that launches stellar singles but never … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: 100 Days, 100 Nights [Album Review]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings 100 Days, 100 Nights Daptone Records [2007] On their third LP, 100 Days, 100 Nights, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings … Read more
Fancey: Schmancey [Album Review]
Fancey Schmancey What Are Records? [2007] Fire Note Says: A full scale 70’s pop assault! Album Review: Todd Fancey is best known as a guitarist … Read more
Wussy: Left For Dead [Album Review]
Wussy Left For DeadShake It Records [2007] Wussy is a four-piece indie rock band from Cincinnati that alternates between male and female vocals, enhanced by … Read more
Jason Isbell: Sirens Of The Ditch [Album Review]
Jason Isbell Sirens Of The DitchNew West Records [2007] When guitarist Jason Isbell parted ways with Drive-By Truckers last year, nobody knew when or if … Read more
Spoon: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga [Album Review]
Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga GaMerge Records [2007] Spoon is back with their highly anticipated 6th full length Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Everyone’s favorite … Read more
Mary Timony Band: The Shapes We Make [Album Review]
Mary Timony BandThe Shapes We MakeKill Rock Stars [2007] After taking a listen to Mary Timony’s latest solo album, Ex Hex (2005), you could tell … Read more
Swearing At Motorists: Exile On Gipsstrasse [Album Review]
Swearing At MotoristsExile On GipsstrasseSecretly Canadian [2006] Recorded in a Berlin U-Bahn station, Exile on Gipsstrasse captures Swearing At Motorists at their most inspired. Frontman … Read more
The Black Keys: Magic Potion [Album Review]
The Black Keys Magic Potion Nonesuch Records [2006] Album Review: There’s a comfort in dropping the needle on a new Black Keys record, and Magic … Read more
Beach House: Beach House [Album Review]
Beach HouseBeach HouseCarpark Records [2006] Baltimore’s Beach House is in a league of their own when it comes to current modern music. There are not … Read more
The Decemberists: The Crane Wife [Album Review]
The DecemberistsThe Crane WifeCapitol Records [2006] Let’s get the obvious out of the way and point out what you probably have already heard about this … Read more
A Shoreline Dream: Avoiding The Consequences [Album Review]
A Shoreline DreamAvoiding The ConsequencesLatenight Weeknight Records [2006] There are certain key items I look for in a quality shoegaze album. 1) Hypnotic ambient sounds … Read more