Spoon: Hot Thoughts [Album Review]
Spoon Hot Thoughts Matador Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Austin’s Spoon returns with another strong collection, emphasizing keyboards over a disco beat, and jazzy inclinations. … Read more
Switzerland: Long Gone [Album Review]
Switzerland Long Gone Popical Island [2017] Who: Switzerland is an Irish four-piece band. Sound: Jangle rock with a sharp edge. TFN Final Take: Long Gone … Read more
The Proper Ornaments: Foxhole [Album Review]
The Proper Ornaments Foxhole Slumberland Records [2017] Who: The Proper Ornaments is the project of James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) and Max Oscarnold (Toy, … Read more
Heath Green And The Makeshifters: Heath Green And The Makeshifters [Album Review]
Heath Green And The Makeshifters Heath Green And The Makeshifters Alive Naturalsound Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The gritty, soulful delivery of Heath Green and … Read more
Fred Thomas: Changer [Album Review]
Fred Thomas Changer Polyvinyl Records [2017] Who: Songwriter/singer/producer Fred Thomas has a lengthy resume in music that includes four records with Saturday Looks Good to … Read more
Less Than Jake: Sound The Alarm EP [Album Review]
Less Than Jake Sound The Alarm EP Pure Noise Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Less Than Jake, long time punk/pop and ska favorites, doing what … Read more
Heat: Overnight [Album Review]
Heat Overnight Topshelf Records [2017] Fire Note Says: 80’s sounding Montreal band, Heat produce a winning combination. Album Review: Montreal band Heat, describes itself as … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Flying Microtonal Banana [Album Review]
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Flying Microtonal Banana ATO Records [2017] Who: The Fire Note was very lucky to get a jump on story … Read more
Strand Of Oaks: Hard Love [Album Review]
Strand Of Oaks Hard Love Dead Oceans [2017] Who: Strand Of Oaks is Tim Showalter’s musical vehicle that in the past has played a blended … Read more
Priests: Nothing Feels Natural [Album Review]
Priests Nothing Feels Natural Sister Polygon Records [2017] Who: D.C. based experimental punk. Sound: Priests have toned down the surf punk rock distortion and rage … Read more
Cloud Nothings: Life Without Sound [Album Review]
Cloud Nothings Life Without Sound Carpark Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Leaving some of the angst behind, Baldi and co. turn the music towards inspiration. … Read more
The Bitter Chills: Feel-Good Songs for Feel-Bad People [Album Review]
The Bitter Chills Feel-Good Songs For Feel-Bad People Mint 400 Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Bitter Chills take a big step forward, on their … Read more
The Harlequins: One With You [Album Review]
The Harlequins One With You Dizzybird Records [2016] Who: The Harlequins are a psychedelic garage-pop trio that have been one of Cincinnati’s best indie secrets … Read more
The Flaming Lips: Oczy Mlody [Album Review]
The Flaming Lips Oczy Mlody Warner Bros. Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Exiting their world of loveless doom, The Flaming Lips return with a brighter … Read more
Metallica: Hardwired…To Self-Destruct [Album Review]
Metallica Hardwired…To Self-Destruct Blackened Recordings [2016] Fire Note Says: Metallica find their old heavy soul. Album Review: Metallica is one of those bands that defies … Read more
Sting: 57th & 9th [Album Review]
Sting 57th & 9th A&M/Interscope Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Sting’s 57th & 9th serves as a sturdy, reliable to guitar oriented rock a voice … Read more
Wolf People: Ruins [Album Review]
Wolf People Ruins Jagjaguwar [2016] Fire Note Says: Wolf People rise from the ruins to talk folk/prog post-apocalypse. Album Review: When I first ran into … Read more
Pretenders: Alone [Album Review]
Pretenders Alone BMG [2016] Fire Note Says: Hynde makes a strong case for the enduring relevance of her voice and musical stance. Album Review: Rock … Read more
Warehouse: Super Low [Album Review]
Warehouse Super Low Bayonet Records [2016] Who: Atlanta, Georgia-based quintet Warehouse are back with their sophomore album super low. It is their Bayonet Records debut … Read more
Nada Surf: Peaceful Ghosts [Album Review]
Nada Surf Peaceful Ghosts Barsuk Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Nada Surf expands their group with a full orchestra. Album Review: This live recording finds … Read more
Dawes: We’re All Gonna Die [Album Review]
Dawes We’re All Gonna Die HUB Records [2016] Who: Dawes is a four-piece band from Los Angeles, CA. Sound: Versatile rock that reminds you of … Read more
Kings Of Leon: WALLS [Album Review]
Kings of Leon WALLS RCA Records [2016] Who: Three Tennessee brothers and their cousin. Grizzled veterans of rock. Sound: Southern arena rock. TFN Final Take: … Read more
Tony Molina: Confront The Truth [Album Review]
Tony Molina Confront The Truth Slumberland Records [2016] Who: Since 2002, veteran Bay Area musician Tony Molina has played in several bands including Dystrophy, Ovens, … Read more
Jimmy Eat World: Intergrity Blues [Album Review]
Jimmy Eat World Integrity Blues RCA Records [2016] Who: Jimmy Eat World, best known for their 2001 single “The Middle,” have just released their ninth … Read more
Teenage Fanclub: Here [Album Review]
Teenage Fanclub Here Merge Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Teenage Fanclub return with a familiar power pop sound. Album Review: Scottish alternative rockers, Teenage Fanclub, … Read more