Ray Davies: Americana [Album Review]
Ray Davies Americana Sony/Legacy Recrodings [2017] Fire Note Says: Kinks’ rocker Ray Davies joins with alt-country Jayhawks to take a musical journey through the wild … Read more
Chris Shiflett: West Coast Town [Album Review]
Chris Shiflett West Coast Town SideOneDummy Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Foo Fighter’s Chris Shiflett’s high octane approach emphasizes the rock in country rock. Album … Read more
Robert Randolph & The Family Band: Got Soul [Album Review]
Robert Randolph & The Family Band Got Soul Sony Masterworks [2017] Fire Note Says: Nothing else sounds like the mysterious pedal steel guitar in the … Read more
Aimee Mann: Mental Illness [Album Review]
Aimee Mann Mental Illness Superego [2017] Fire Note Says: Aimee Mann returns to her most comfortable acoustic folk/pop surroundings. Album Review: If Aimee Mann had … Read more
Craig Finn: We All Want The Same Things [Album Review]
Craig Finn We All Want The Same Things Partison Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn finds his own voice, a stark … Read more
Gary Clark Jr.: Live / North America 2016 [Album Review]
Gary Clark Jr. Live / North America 2016 Warner Bros. Records [2017] Fire Note Says: More proof why you should see Gary Clark Jr. live. … Read more
Bill Mallonee & The Big Sky Ramblers: The Rags Of Absence
Bill Mallonee & The Big Sky Ramblers The Rags Of Absence Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: Mallonee’s literate poetic sensibilities matched by the music’s virtuosity … Read more
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
The Shins: Heartworms [Album Review]
The Shins Heartworms Aural Apothecary/Columbia Records [2017] Fire Note Says: The Shins bring a creative, cool, and connected song-craft. Album Review: Like most everybody else, … Read more
Ha Ha Tonka: Heart-Shaped Mountain [Album Review]
Ha Ha Tonka Heart-Shaped Mountain Bloodshot Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Stretching the category of roots rock, Ha Ha Tonka mix a variety 80’s classic … 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
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
Rhiannon Giddens: Freedom Highway [Album Review]
Rhiannon Giddens Freedom Highway Nonesuch Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Freedom Highway is a monumental achievement from Rhiannon Giddens. Album Review: One of the most … Read more
Son Volt: Notes Of Blue [Album Review]
Son Volt Notes Of Blue Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers [2017] Fire Note Says: Jay Farrar employs plenty of finger-picking here that finds Son Volt rocking on … 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
Conor Oberst: Ruminations [Album Review]
Conor Oberst Ruminations Nonesuch [2016] Fire Note Says: Oberst makes an intimate recording of his deeper, darker thoughts. Album Review: In 2004/5 Conor Oberst had … Read more
Delicate Steve: This Is Steve [Album Review]
Delicate Steve This Is Steve Anti- [2017] Fire Note Says: Guitar fans will want to connect with this talented musician’s rock insturmentals. Album Review: Perhaps … Read more
Lydia Loveless: Real [Album Review]
Lydia Loveless Real Bloodshot Records [2016] Fire Note Says: In a more polished, pop oriented release, Lydia Loveless proves she’s the real thing. Album Review: … Read more
Kaiser Chiefs: Stay Together [Album Review]
Kaiser Chiefs Stay Together Self-Released [2016] Fire Note Says: Kaiser Chiefs have turned from political, guitar-driven garage rock to a decidedly poppy direction. Album Review: … Read more
Grouplove: Big Mess [Album Review]
Grouplove Big Mess Canvasback Music [2016] Fire Note Says: Grouplove delivers a big bold pop sound and groovy rhythms. Album Review: Grouplove’s 2011 debut may … Read more
Neil Young: Peace Trail [Album Review]
Neil Young Peace Trail Reprise Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Neil Young is both focused and quirky on his latest – Peace Trail. Album Review: … Read more
The Rolling Stones: Blue & Lonesome [Album Review]
The Rolling Stones Blue & Lonesome Interscope Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Rolling Stones release their first studio album in over a decade. Album Review: … Read more
Regina Spektor: Remember Us To Life [Album Review]
Regina Spektor Remember Us To Life Sire/Warner Bros. Records [2016] Fire Note Says: Regina Spektor’s seventh album finds her developing in satisfying and compelling ways. … 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