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
Motel Beds: Feelings [Album Review]
Motel Beds Feelings Fictionband Mechanics [2010] Fire Note Says: Motel Beds create the right indie mix on stereo debut Feelings. Album Review: Dayton, Ohio band … Read more
The Black Pacific: The Black Pacific [Album Review]
The Black PacificThe Black PacificSideOneDummy Records [2010] I believe that when Pennywise lead vocalist and songwriter Jim Lindberg stepped down last year, not many people … 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
Sun Kil Moon: Admiral Fell Promises [Album Review]
Sun Kil Moon Admiral Fell Promises Caldo Verde Records [2010] Fire Note Says: Sit down and reflect with Kozelek’s Sun Kil Moon. Album Review: Sun … Read more
Tame Impala: Innerspeaker [Album Review]
Tame Impala Innerspeaker Modular Recordings [2010] Fire Drill Album Review: My first listen to Aussie export trio Tame Impala really didn’t do too much for … 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
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
Real Estate: Real Estate [Album Review]
Real EstateReal EstateWoodsist Records [2009] The debut album from Real Estate is indeed the breezy affair that their album cover suggests. The New Jersey quartet … 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
The Decemberists: The Hazards Of Love [Album Review]
The DecemberistsThe Hazards Of LoveCapitol Records [2009] You were crazy if you thought that The Decemberists’ next album would be anything less than an epic … 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
The Decemberists: Always The Bridesmaid – A Singles Series [Album Review]
The DecemberistsAlways The Bridesmaid: A Singles SeriesY.A.B.B./Capitol Records [2008] Always The Bridesmaid: A Singles Series is a new collection of seven spectacular tracks from The … Read more
Wussy: Rigor Mortis (EP) [Album Review]
Wussy Rigor Mortis (EP)Shake It Records [2008] If you don’t remember the Cincinnati group Wussy, featuring Ass Ponys frontman Chuck Cleaver and the soulful, powerful … Read more
The Night Marchers: See You In Magic [Album Review]
The Night Marchers See You In Magic Vagrant Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Night Marchers debut is here! Album Review: The Night Marchers are … Read more
The Gaslight Anthem: The ’59 Sound [Album Review]
The Gaslight AnthemThe ’59 SoundSideOneDummy Records [2008] The ’59 Sound by The Gaslight Anthem is the type of album you’ve been waiting for all year … 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
Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Live! [Album Review]
Colin MeloyColin Meloy Sings Live!Kill Rock Stars [2008] Colin Meloy is better known to all as the lead singer of The Decemberists. This solo live … Read more
The Wombats: A Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation [Album Review]
The WombatsA Guide To Love, Loss & Desperation14th Floor Records [2007] Sometimes the UK has a current “it” band that launches stellar singles but never … Read more