Filthy Friends: Emerald Valley [Album Review]
Filthy Friends Emerald Valley Kill Rock Stars [2019] Fire Note Says: Sleater-Kinney vocalist Corin Tucker and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck take Filthy Friends out for a … Read more
Pile: Green And Gray [Album Review]
Pile Green and Gray Exploding in Sound Records [2019] Who: Boston-based Pile are back with a sprawling and epic-sounding 7th LP. Sound: Green and Gray, … Read more
Guided By Voices: Warp And Woof [Album Review]
Guided By Voices Warp And Woof GBV, Inc. [2019] Fire Note Says: After a couple recent near-masterpieces, Guided By Voices release the uniquely-curated album Warp … Read more
Various Artists: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 [Album Review]
Various Artists Soul Slabs Vol. 2 Colemine Records [2019] Who: Soul Slabs Vol. 2 is a collection of A-sides from the 7-inch catalog of Loveland … Read more
Andrew Bird: My Finest Work Yet [Album Review]
Andrew Bird My Finest Work Yet Vista Loma Recordings [2019] Fire Note Says: Andrew Bird’s 10th solo album takes on the world of politics with … Read more
Steve Earle & The Dukes: Guy [Album Review]
Steve Earle & The Dukes Guy New West Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Like his previous tribute to Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle serves up … Read more
Ex Hex: It’s Real [Album Review]
Ex Hex It’s Real Merge Records [2019] Who: It’s Real marks the return of Ex Hex. It has been five years since the power trio … 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
Frankie And The Witch Fingers: ZAM [Album Review]
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 … Read more
Plains: Peace In Restland [Album Review]
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 … Read more
Mavis Staples: Live In London [Album Review]
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 … Read more
Durand Jones & The Indications: American Love Call [Album Review]
Durand Jones & The IndicationsAmerican Love CallDead Oceans/Colemine Records [2019] Album Review: Durand Jones & The Indications’ 2016 self-titled debut was a standout release in … Read more
Gary Clark Jr.: This Land [Album Review]
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 … Read more
Smug Brothers: Attic Harvest [Album Review]
Smug Brothers Attic Harvest Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] Who: Dayton, Ohio-based Smug Brothers make a dream come true and finally release an album on … Read more
Swervedriver: Future Ruins [Album Review]
Swervedriver Future Ruins Dangerbird Records [2019] Who: This is Swervedriver’s sixth album and first since 2015’s I Wasn’t Born to Lose You. Sound: Swervedriver is … Read more
Mike Krol: Power Chords [Album Review]
Mike Krol Power Chords Merge Records [2019] Who: LA-based Mike Krol is all about the power chords and hooks on his new LP. Sound: Power … Read more
The Neal Morse Band: The Great Adventure [Album Review]
The Neal Morse Band The Great Adventure Radiant Records [2019] Fire Note Says: American Prog warriors unleash sequel to 2016’s The Similitude Of A Dream … Read more
Flat Worms: Into The Iris [Album Review]
Flat Worms Into The Iris Drag City/GOD? Records [2019] Who: LA-based noise punk trio, Flat Worms are poised to take over the world, or at … Read more
Guided By Voices: Zeppelin Over China [Album Review]
Guided By Voices Zeppelin Over China GBV, Inc.[2019] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices’ latest effort is a 32 song, double album behemoth. But is … Read more
Pedro The Lion: Phoenix [Album Review]
Pedro The Lion Phoenix Polyvinyl Records [2019] Fire Note Says: It is the nature of the “Phoenix,” to rise up, lift off, and take flight … Read more
Deerhunter: Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? [Album Review]
Deerhunter Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: Rock’s last great hope? Deerhunter makes a strong case on their eighth full-length. Album … Read more
Jeff Tweedy: WARM [Album Review]
Jeff Tweedy WARM dBpm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, delivers a singer/songwriter solo turn that touches base with … Read more
Tropical Fu*k Storm: A Laughing Death In Meatspace [Album Review]
Tropical Fuck Storm A Laughing Death In Meatspace Joyful Noise Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Tropical Fuck Storm’s debut is freaky and funky in equal … Read more
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit: Live From The Ryman [Album Review]
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Live From The Ryman Southeastern Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jason Isbell and his fine band, The 400 Unit, … Read more
Sloucher: Be True [Album Review]
Sloucher Be True Swoon Records [2018] Who: Seattle quartet Sloucher has been building a fan base in the Pacific Northwest since their 2016 debut EP … Read more