J.S. Ondara: Tales Of America [Album Review]
J.S. Ondara Tales Of America Verve Forecast [2019] Fire Note Says: Stunning debut from a unique voice. Album Review: It’s always exciting to hear a … Read more
Frankie And The Witch Fingers: ZAM [Album Review]
Frankie And The Witch Fingers ZAM Greenway Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Frankie and the Witch Fingers return with equal parts dark arts and mischievous … Read more
Plains: Peace In Restland [Album Review]
Plains Peace in Restland Self-Released [2019] Who: Plains are a Newmarket, New Hampshire-based quartet . Sound: Peace in Restland, Plains debut LP, is an engaging … Read more
Mavis Staples: Live In London [Album Review]
Mavis Staples Live In London ANTI- [2019] Album Review: At 79 years old, Mavis Staples is an R&B institution who has been inducted into the … Read more
Durand Jones & The Indications: American Love Call [Album Review]
Durand Jones & The Indications American Love Call Dead Oceans/Colemine Records [2019] Who: American Love Call is Bloomington, Indiana’s Durand Jones & The Indications sophomore … Read more
Gary Clark Jr.: This Land [Album Review]
Gary Clark Jr. This Land Warner Bros. [2019] Fire Note Says: “Guitar Man,” Gary Clark Jr. shows that he can do it all on his … Read more
Smug Brothers: Attic Harvest [Album Review]
Smug Brothers Attic Harvest Gas Daddy Go! Records [2019] Who: Dayton, Ohio-based Smug Brothers make a dream come true and finally release an album on … Read more
Swervedriver: Future Ruins [Album Review]
Swervedriver Future Ruins Dangerbird Records [2019] Who: This is Swervedriver’s sixth album and first since 2015’s I Wasn’t Born to Lose You. Sound: Swervedriver is … Read more
Mike Krol: Power Chords [Album Review]
Mike Krol Power Chords Merge Records [2019] Who: LA-based Mike Krol is all about the power chords and hooks on his new LP. Sound: Power … Read more
The Neal Morse Band: The Great Adventure [Album Review]
The Neal Morse Band The Great Adventure Radiant Records [2019] Fire Note Says: American Prog warriors unleash sequel to 2016’s The Similitude Of A Dream … Read more
Flat Worms: Into The Iris [Album Review]
Flat Worms Into The Iris Drag City/GOD? Records [2019] Who: LA-based noise punk trio, Flat Worms are poised to take over the world, or at … Read more
Guided By Voices: Zeppelin Over China [Album Review]
Guided By Voices Zeppelin Over China GBV, Inc.[2019] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices’ latest effort is a 32 song, double album behemoth. But is … Read more
Pedro The Lion: Phoenix [Album Review]
Pedro The Lion Phoenix Polyvinyl Records [2019] Fire Note Says: It is the nature of the “Phoenix,” to rise up, lift off, and take flight … Read more
Deerhunter: Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? [Album Review]
Deerhunter Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: Rock’s last great hope? Deerhunter makes a strong case on their eighth full-length. Album … Read more
Jeff Tweedy: WARM [Album Review]
Jeff Tweedy WARM dBpm Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, delivers a singer/songwriter solo turn that touches base with … Read more
Tropical Fu*k Storm: A Laughing Death In Meatspace [Album Review]
Tropical Fuck Storm A Laughing Death In Meatspace Joyful Noise Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: Tropical Fuck Storm’s debut is freaky and funky in equal … Read more
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit: Live From The Ryman [Album Review]
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Live From The Ryman Southeastern Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Jason Isbell and his fine band, The 400 Unit, … Read more
Sloucher: Be True [Album Review]
Sloucher Be True Swoon Records [2018] Who: Seattle quartet Sloucher has been building a fan base in the Pacific Northwest since their 2016 debut EP … Read more
Rick Rude: Verb For Dreaming [Album Review]
Rick Rude Verb For Dreaming Exploding in Sound Records [2018] Who: New Hampshire’s Rick Rude follow up their brilliant debut with a fine LP that … Read more
Hippo Campus: Bambi [Album Review]
Hippo Campus Bambi Grand Jury Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Hippo Campus’s sophomore LP is a stunning achievement. Album Review: St. Paul’s Hippo Campus has … Read more
GØGGS: Pre-Strike Sweep [Album Review]
GØGGS Pre-Strike Sweep In The Red [2018] Who: Ty Segall, Charles Moothart (Fuzz, CFM) and Chris Shaw (Ex-Cult) record another rousing fuzz punk record. Sound: … Read more
Ty Segall: Fudge Sandwich [Album Review]
Ty Segall Fudge Sandwich In The Red [2018] Fire Note Says: Ty makes all 11 tracks here his own! Album Review: I typically don’t get … Read more
Mercy Union: The Quarry [Album Review]
Mercy Union The Quarry Self-Released [2018] Fire Note Says: How “super” does a supergroup need to be? Album Review: Mercy Union – the joint effort … Read more
IDLES: Joy As An Act Of Resistance [Album Review]
IDLES Joy As An Act Of Resistance Partisan Records [2018] Who: Bristol-based joy punks, IDLES have released one of 2018’s finest and vital albums. Sound: … Read more
The Bottle Rockets: Bit Logic [Album Review]
The The Bottle Rockets Bit Logic Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Another fine rockin’ country album from these St. Louis pros. Album Review: If … Read more