Headphone Approved Music

Mar11

J.S. Ondara: Tales Of America [Album Review]

Posted By Matthew Heiner on Mar 11, 2019

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 distinct, surprising new voice. That was my experience when firing up Tales of America, J.S. Ondara’s full-length debut. The Kenya native, who now resides in Minneapolis, MN, has a dulcet tone that complements his acoustic guitar well. And it’s so evocative; Ondara has the talent to let...

Mar07

Frankie And The Witch Fingers: ZAM [Album Review]

Posted By Christopher Tahy on Mar 7, 2019

Frankie And The Witch Fingers ZAM Greenway Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers return with equal parts dark arts and mischievous psychedelic heart for their fifth long player. Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers has been a group that the Fire Note has kept on their radar since their debut, Sidewalks, impressed us in 2013. What continues to impress us is that their past three albums, Frankie and the...

Mar05

Plains: Peace In Restland [Album Review]

Posted By Daniel Taylor on Mar 5, 2019

Plains Peace in Restland Self-Released [2019] Who: Plains are a Newmarket, New Hampshire-based quartet . Sound: Peace in Restland, Plains debut LP, is an engaging blend of psychedelic Americana folk and punk. TFN Final Take: I decided to check out Plains on a whim after seeing their name on a show poster as a supporting act for Rick Rude along with Greed Island. I love both those bands, so I gave them a whirl. Glad I did. This debut...

Mar04

Mavis Staples: Live In London [Album Review]

Posted By Brian Q. Newcomb on Mar 4, 2019

Mavis Staples Live In London ANTI- [2019] Album Review: At 79 years old, Mavis Staples is an R&B institution who has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame, but she’s not sitting back on her laurels in a rocking chair at the living legends nursing home. She’s produced four fine studio album just in this decade, three produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and one by M. Ward, and now she’s...

Mar01

Durand Jones & The Indications: American Love Call [Album Review]

Posted By Christopher Anthony on Mar 1, 2019

Durand Jones & The Indications American Love Call Dead Oceans/Colemine Records [2019] Who: American Love Call is Bloomington, Indiana’s Durand Jones & The Indications sophomore record. Sound: Durand Jones & The Indications have a soaring and infectious 70’s soul sound. TFN Final Take: Durand Jones 2016 self-titled debut was another stellar release in the retro-soul movement and quickly put the Indiana band...

Feb22

Gary Clark Jr.: This Land [Album Review]

Posted By Brian Q. Newcomb on Feb 22, 2019

Gary Clark Jr. This Land Warner Bros. [2019] Fire Note Says: “Guitar Man,” Gary Clark Jr. shows that he can do it all on his third major label album, This Land, from the traditional blues to rock & roll, pop, R&B, hip-hop and soul. Album Review: Near the end of Gary Clark Jr.’s latest album, This Land, his third studio recording for the major label Warner Bros, the beloved Austin guitar hero strips it all the way back to the...