Headphone Approved Music

Jan18

Pedro The Lion: Phoenix [Album Review]

Posted By Brian Q. Newcomb on Jan 18, 2019

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 – that is what David Bazan accomplishes on the return of Pedro the Lion. Album Review: It’s always a curious thing when an artist who is the dominant artistic driver in their band—singer, principal songwriter—feels the need to step away to make a solo project. You get it, of course, when the...

Jan17

Deerhunter: Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? [Album Review]

Posted By Scot Lade on Jan 17, 2019

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 Review: Deerhunter saves the world! Wouldn’t that be nice? All the ragged dreams of a future in which guitar-driven rock music rules the airwaves rest on the shoulders of just a few daring artists. Bradford Cox and his gang are among them. They may...

Dec14

Jeff Tweedy: WARM [Album Review]

Posted By Brian Q. Newcomb on Dec 14, 2018

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 his roots rock/alt country origins. Album Review: One of the factors that attracts us to a certain writer, artist or musician is an ineffable sense that they have something in common with us, a connection, an empathetic understanding. When an artist is described as an “everyman,”...

Nov27

Tropical Fuck Storm: A Laughing Death In Meatspace [Album Review]

Posted By Christopher Tahy on Nov 27, 2018

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 parts. Album Review: Australia has really been a hot bed for what’s good in music these days. Bands such as: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Stonefield, Wolfmother (more or less), Methyl Ethel, The Vines, ORB, Amyl and the Sniffers, Tame Impala, POND, and now Tropical...

Nov26

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit: Live From The Ryman [Album Review]

Posted By Brian Q. Newcomb on Nov 26, 2018

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, deliver up the best of his last three albums recorded at sold-out shows at Nashvilles “Mother Church,” The Ryman Auditorium. Album Review: Jason Isbell has had a pretty good year, here in 2018. His last album, The Nashville Sound, picked up the Grammy Award for the Best Americana Album, and “If We...

Nov21

Sloucher: Be True [Album Review]

Posted By Thomas Wilde on Nov 21, 2018

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 Certainty and the band has shared the stage with such acts as Portugal. The Man, Guided By Voices, and Angel Olsen. Sound: Sloucher play an upbeat and harmonized indie rock in the vein of Heatmiser, Teenage Fanclub, Sebadoh, Tripping Daisy, and Shins that is backed with plenty of muscular...