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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Chime School: Chime School [Album Review]
Chime SchoolChime SchoolSlumberland Records [2021] Chime School is the project of San Francisco musician Andy Pastalaniec. His self-titled debut is a solid slice of indie … Read more
Ada Lea: One Hand On The Steering Wheel The Other Sewing A Garden [Album Review]
Ada LeaOne Hand On The Steering Wheel The Other Sewing A GardenSaddle Creek Records [2021] All of the songs Ada Lea wrote for her follow-up … Read more
La Luz: La Luz [Album Review]
La LuzLa LuzHardly Art Records [2021] La Luz continue to refine their sound with every record they release and when their drummer left the band, … Read more
Parquet Courts: Sympathy For Life [Album Review]
Parquet CourtsSympathy For LifeRough Trade Records [2021] For the past 10 years, Parquet Courts have been pushing the limits of indie rock. That is a … Read more
Hand Habits: Fun House [Album Review]
Hand HabitsFun HouseSaddle Creek Records [2021] It is always nice to hear an artist grow with each album they release. I think that is exactly … Read more
Steve Gunn: Other You [Album Review]
Steve GunnOther YouMatador Records [2021] Steve Gunn may have started out as a go-to sideman who worked with Kurt Vile, desirable for his estimable guitar … Read more
Hovvdy: True Love [Album Review]
HovvdyTrue LoveGrand Jury Music [2021] Hovvdy is the duo of Charlie Martin and Will Taylor, which now with True Love have four albums under their … Read more
Jeff Elbel + Ping: The Threefinger Opera [Album Review]
Jeff Elbel + Ping The Threefinger OperaMarathon Records [2021] When life gives you lemons, the crafty among us make limoncello, the saying goes. If you … Read more
Motorists: Surrounded [Album Review]
MotoristsSurroundedBobo Integral/We Are Time/Debt Offensive Records [2021] Toronto based Motorists have released one of the more interesting debuts I have heard this year. Surrounded covers … Read more
Mild High Club: Going Going Gone [Album Review]
Mild High ClubGoing Going GoneStones Throw Records [2021] When we last saw the moniker Mild High Club it was paired with none other than King … Read more
Yes: The Quest [Album Review]
YesThe QuestInside Out Music [2021] Love them. Hate them. There are few bands that generate the kind of emotions from audiences that Yes can. They … Read more
Low: Hey What [Album Review]
LowHey WhatSub Pop Records [2021] Hey What is the 13th studio album from Low, the curious noise band that juxtaposes challenging instrumentals against the sweet … Read more
Alejandro Escovedo: La Cruzada [Album Review]
Alejandro Escovedo La CruzadaYep Roc Records [2021] Arriving 3 years after Alejandro Escovedo’s wonderful story about two young American immigrants – one from Italy, the … Read more