The Decemberists: The King Is Dead [Album Review]
The DecemberistsThe King Is DeadCapitol Records [2011] After The Decemberists’ last two cerebral concept full-lengths, the band takes a leisurely breath of fresh air and … Read more
Richard Thompson: Dream Attic [Album Review]
Richard Thompson Dream Attic Shout! Factory Records [2010] Fire Note Says: Dream Attic highlights why Richard Thompson just recently received the Les Paul Award at … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem: American Slang [Album Review]
The Gaslight AnthemAmerican SlangSideOneDummy Records [2010] The critical acclaim showered upon The ’59 Sound (2008) certainly set a high bar for The Gaslight Anthem, putting … Read more
Teenage Fanclub: Shadows [Album Review]
Teenage FanclubShadowsMerge Records [2010] It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since Teenage Fanclub launched their debut record, A Catholic Education in … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: I Learned The Hard Way [Album Review]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings I Learned The Hard Way Daptone Records [2010] Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings never felt like a retro novelty, and … Read more
The Hold Steady: Heaven Is Whenever [Album Review]
The Hold SteadyHeaven Is WheneverVagrant Records [2010] The Hold Steady make albums not singles. Their work takes time to absorb, multiple listens to like and … Read more
Beach House: Teen Dream [Album Review]
Beach HouseTeen DreamSub Pop Records [2010] Teen Dream is the third album from duo Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand, aka Beach House, which represents a new … Read more
Spoon: Transference [Album Review]
SpoonTransferenceMerge Records [2010] Sometimes simple is good and when you are on your seventh full length like Spoon, reverting back to your strengths is never … Read more
Real Estate: Reality EP [Album Review]
Real EstateReality EPMexican Summer [2010] We’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this band better, so we were excited to check out this EP of new … Read more
Monsters Of Folk: Monsters Of Folk [Album Review]
Monsters Of Folk Monsters Of Folk Shangri-La Music [2009] Fire Note Says: The rebirth of the “Supergroup” Album Review: It seems in our current age … Read more
Wussy: Wussy [Album Review]
WussyWussyShake It Records [2009] Wussy are one of Cincinnati’s best-kept secrets, and they have just released their self-titled third album, Wussy, which continues the group’s … Read more
Marked Men: Ghosts [Album Review]
Marked Men Ghosts Dirtnap Records [2009] Album Review: No one will ever convince me that pop punk rock is dead and Denton, Texas band, Marked … Read more
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit: Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit [Album Review]
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Jason Isbell And The 400 UnitLightning Rod Records [2009] For his sophomore solo record, Jason Isbell wants to emphasize … Read more
A Shoreline Dream: Recollections Of Memory [Album Review]
A Shoreline DreamRecollections Of MemoryLatenight Weeknight Records [2009] Denver’s beloved shoegazers, A Shoreline Dream make a soundscaping return on their sophomore full length that is … Read more
Dan Auerbach: Keep It Hid [Album Review]
Dan AuerbachKeep It HidNonesuch Records [2009] Keep It Hid is Dan Auerbach doing what he loves without overthinking it—blues-rock at the core, shaded with psychedelic … Read more
James Jackson Toth: Waiting In Vain [Album Review]
James Jackson Toth Waiting In Vain Rykodisc Records [2008] Fire Note Says: Toth sheds Wooden Wand name and plays it straight up for excellent solo … Read more
Be Your Own Pet: Get Awkward [Album Review]
Be Your Own PetGet AwkwardUniversal Records [2008] Be Your Own Pet might seem like your typical young and snotty punk rock aspirants, but after giving … Read more
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: 100 Days, 100 Nights [Album Review]
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings 100 Days, 100 Nights Daptone Records [2007] On their third LP, 100 Days, 100 Nights, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings … Read more
Wussy: Left For Dead [Album Review]
Wussy Left For DeadShake It Records [2007] Wussy is a four-piece indie rock band from Cincinnati that alternates between male and female vocals, enhanced by … Read more
Swearing At Motorists: Exile On Gipsstrasse [Album Review]
Swearing At MotoristsExile On GipsstrasseSecretly Canadian [2006] Recorded in a Berlin U-Bahn station, Exile on Gipsstrasse captures Swearing At Motorists at their most inspired. Frontman … Read more
Beach House: Beach House [Album Review]
Beach HouseBeach HouseCarpark Records [2006] Baltimore’s Beach House is in a league of their own when it comes to current modern music. There are not … Read more
The Cardinal Sin: Hurry Up And Wait [Album Review]
The Cardinal Sin Hurry Up And Wait Grey Flight Records [2006] Nothing beats a well-executed punk rock debut, and The Cardinal Sin deliver just that … Read more
Gnarls Barkley: St. Elsewhere [Album Review]
Gnarls Barkley St. Elsewhere Downtown Records [2006] St. Elsewhere made history with the smash hit “Crazy,” the first UK #1 single driven entirely by digital … Read more
Irving: Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers [Album Review]
Irving Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers Eenie Meenie Records [2006] Death In The Garden, Blood On The Flowers finds Irving stepping confidently … Read more
The Raconteurs: Broken Boy Soldiers [Album Review]
The Raconteurs Broken Boy Soldiers V2 / Third Man Records [2006] By now, you probably know this is Jack White’s “side project” band. Alongside Detroit … Read more