Failure: Wild Type Droid [Album Review]
FailureWild Type DroidFailure Music [2021] Failure, the L.A.-based trio of Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kellii Scott, have been considered one of the more influential … Read more
Dion: Stomping Ground [Album Review]
Dion Stomping GroundKeeping The Blues Alive Records [2021] It was quite a surprise in 2020 when the then 80 year old Dion Dimucci, who had … Read more
Elbow: Flying Dream 1 [Album Review]
ElbowFlying Dream 1Polydor Records [2021] The ninth studio album from acclaimed British band, Elbow, has the gentle, dreamy feel of a long, reflective quarantine nap. … Read more
Snail Mail: Valentine [Album Review]
Snail MailValentineMatador Records [2021] As the “best of year” lists – here at The Fire Note, and everywhere music fans and music critics connect – … Read more
Aeon Station: Observatory [Album Review]
Aeon StationObservatorySub Pop Records [2021] How do you ever follow up a record that is as highly revered in the indie rock world as The … Read more
Liam Kazar: Due North [Album Review]
Liam KazarDue NorthWoodsist Records [2021] Before moving to Kansas City in 2019, Liam Kazar had built a hefty reputation around Chicago as a band member, … Read more
Andrew Gabbard: Homemade [Album Review]
Andrew GabbardHomemadeKarma Chief/Colemine Records [2021] If you’ve paid any attention to the Dayton/Cincinnati music scene over the last two decades, you’ve probably encountered the music … Read more
Hushdrops: The Static [Album Review]
HushdropsThe StaticPravda Records [2021] Chicago-band, Hushdrops, are considered a supergroup around those parts, the trio perhaps better known for the folk they support in other … Read more
Porto Geese: Duck [Album Review]
Porto GeeseDuckSheep Chase Records [2021] The debut album from Oslo’s Porto Geese is an intense mix of shoegaze and post-punk that is filled with strategic … Read more
Aimee Mann: Queens Of The Summer Hotel [Album Review]
Aimee MannQueens Of The Summer HotelSuperEgo [2021] Over the course of her nearly 40 year career, Aimee Mann has pretty much done it all. In … Read more
Velvet Starlings: Technicolour Shakedown [Album Review]
Velvet StarlingsTechnicolour ShakedownKitten Robot/SoundX3 Records [2021] Velvet Starlings is a 60’s infused garage rock ‘n’ roll band hailing from Los Angeles and the beach cities … Read more
Damon Albarn: The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows [Album Review]
Damon AlbarnThe Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream FlowsTransgressive Records [2021] In many ways, Damon Albarn’s official second solo album is as influenced by … Read more
Big Heet: Playing The Bug [Album Review]
Big HeetPlaying The BugLiving Lost Records [2021] David Settle has been on a hot streak for releasing music this year as the Philadelphia musician is … Read more
Ovlov: Buds [Album Review]
OvlovBudsExploding In Sound Records [2021] Connecticut four-piece Ovlov has released two LPs and a handful of EPs over the last decade and have called it … Read more
Robert Plant | Alison Krauss: Raising The Roof [Album Review]
Robert Plant | Alison KraussRaising The RoofRounder Records [2021] The huge success created by the first collaboration by Led Zep rock howler Robert Plant and … Read more
Ross Jennings: A Shadow Of My Future Self [Album Review]
Ross JenningsA Shadow Of My Future SelfGraphite Records[2021] Ross Jennings is not a household name. Nor are either of his bands, Haken and Novena. But … Read more
An Evening With Gary Clark Jr. [Concert Review]
Gary Clark Jr.: Express LIVE; Columbus, OH; Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Before the lights went down and Gary Clark Jr. led his band to the stage … Read more
Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine: A Beginner’s Mind [Album Review]
Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De AugustineA Beginner’s MindAsthmatic Kitty Records [2021] Just as Sufjan Stevens turned to video game culture to inspire the music of … Read more
Curtis Harding: If Words Were Flowers [Album Review]
Curtis HardingIf Words Were FlowersANTI- [2021] Atlanta’s psychedelic vintage soul champion Curtis Harding set the bar high with his first two albums, 2014’s Soul Power … Read more
Courtney Barnett: Things Take Time, Take Time [Album Review]
Courtney BarnettThings Take Time, Take TimeMilk!/Mom+Pop Music/Marathon Artists [2021] Aussie indie/rock singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett’s third album, Things Take Time, Take Time, is the kind of … Read more
Laura Jane Grace: At War With The Silverfish (EP) [Album Review]
Laura Jane GraceAt War With The Silverfish (EP)Polyvinyl Records [2021] By now fans of Laura Jane Grace are well acquainted with her transitional journey, the … Read more
My Morning Jacket: My Morning Jacket [Album Review]
My Morning JacketMy Morning JacketATO Records [2021] From all reports, there was a pretty good chance that the last music recorded by the members of … Read more
Lilly Hiatt: Lately [Album Review]
Lilly HiattLatelyNew West Records [2021] Nashville singer/songwriter Lilly Hiatt had the misfortune to release her last album, the Lincoln Parish (formerly of Cage the Elephant) … Read more
Neal Francis: In Plain Sight [Album Review]
Neal FrancisIn Plain SightATO Records [2021] Chicago-based singer-songwriter-pianist Neal Francis has just released one of the most warm retro groove records of the year with … Read more
Radiohead: Kid A Mnesia [Album Review]
RadioheadKid A MnesiaXL Recordings [2021] Radiohead has never been a band to rest on their laurels-or really even care. Yes, they defined what a guitar … Read more