Neal Francis: Return To Zero [Album Review]
Neal FrancisReturn To ZeroATO Records [2025] “Neal Francis’s third LP further refines his funky electro-soul sound.” Album Overview: Neal Francis dropped his impressive debut album … Read more
The Moles: Composition Book [Album Review]
The MolesComposition BookSplendid Research Records [2025] “The Moles return with an off-the-cuff psych-pop excursion that rewards repeated listens.” Album Overview: The longest-running of Richard Davies’ … Read more
Guided By Voices: Universe Room [Album Review]
Guided By VoicesUniverse RoomGBV Inc. [2025] “A labyrinthine album from the Dayton, Ohio institution that reveals new melodic charms with each additional listen” Album Overview: … Read more
Squid: Cowards [Album Review]
SquidCowardsWarp Records [2025] “Harpsichords, horns, and hypnotic grooves—Cowards finds Squid as adventurous and compelling as ever.” Album Overview: Squid emerged from the same scene as … Read more
High Rise: Disturbance Trip [Album Review]
High RiseDisturbance TripLa Musica Records/Black Editions [2024] “This fuzzed-out live set from 1992 documents High Rise at their noise-soaked best.” Album Overview: Even though they … Read more
Andrew Gabbard: Ramble & Rave On! [Album Review]
Andrew GabbardRamble & Rave On!Colemine/Karma Chief Records [2024] “Andrew Gabbard’s Ramble & Rave On! seamlessly blends 60s-inspired pop, alt-country twang, and psychedelic rock into a … Read more
Wussy: Cincinnati Ohio [Album Review]
WussyCincinnati OhioShake It Records [2024] “Raw Harmonies and Haunting Storytelling: Cincinnati Ohio Finds Wussy at Their Reflective Best.” Album Overview: 2020 was a hard year … Read more
Karate: Make It Fit [Album Review]
KarateMake It FitNumero Group [2024] “Karate returns from a 20-year hiatus with an album that expands on their signature sound.” Album Overview: Karate dissolved after … Read more
Geordie Greep: The New Sound [Album Review]
Geordie GreepThe New SoundRough Trade Records [2024] “A kaleidoscopic journey of genre-bending chaos and melodic cohesion—Greep’s The New Sound is as unpredictable as it is … Read more
Duster: In Dreams [Album Review]
DusterIn DreamsNumero Group [2024] “A dreamlike journey through space-rock atmospheres, In Dreams sees Duster refining their hypnotic sound with introspective depth and cosmic layers.” Album … Read more
Andrew Bird Trio: Sunday Morning Put-On [Album Review]
Andrew Bird TrioSunday Morning Put-OnLoma Vista Recordings [2024] Album Overview: Andrew Bird’s long solo career has established him as a dependable singer-songwriter who consistently releases … Read more
Pale Jay: Low End Love Songs [Album Review]
Pale JayLow End Love SongsColemine/Karma Chief Records [2024] Album Overview: Pale Jay joined the Colemine/Karma Chief stable last year with his debut LP, Bewilderment. That … Read more
Spirit Of The Beehive: You’ll Have To Lose Something [Album Review]
Spirit Of The BeehiveYou’ll Have To Lose SomethingSaddle Creek Records [2024] Album Overview: Philadelphia’s Spirit of the Beehive have steadily grown their reputation over the … Read more
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Flight b741 [Album Review]
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardFlight b741p(doom) Records [2024] Album Overview: It only took them 26 tries, but King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard finally … Read more
Parlor Greens: In Green / We Dream [Album Review]
Parlor GreensIn Green / We DreamColemine Records [2024] Album Overview: In Green / We Dream is the debut album by soul-jazz-funk trio Parlor Greens, but … Read more
Aaron Frazer: Into The Blue [Album Review]
Aaron FrazerInto The BlueDead Oceans [2024] Album Overview: Aaron Frazer’s sophomore album, Into the Blue, updates his smooth soul sound and shows the singer and … Read more
David Payne: Last Call At The Yellow Horse Saloon [Album Review]
David PayneLast Call At The Yellow Horse SaloonMagnaphone Records [2024] Album Overview: I’m not the biggest fan of country music, but I like the good … Read more
Fraction: Moon Blood [Classic Album Revisit]
FractionMoon BloodRidingEasy Records [2024] Released: 1971 / Vinyl Reissue: Summer 2024 (streaming since late 2023)Producer: FractionLength: 30:39 / Reissue 44:19 (streaming/CD) There are hundreds, maybe … Read more
BRAINIAC by Justin Vellucci [Book Review]
BRAINIACby Justin VellucciJ-Card Press [2024] Book Review: As a band whose story was cut short by tragedy, Brainiac has acquired a legendary reputation among alternative … Read more
Iron & Wine: Light Verse [Album Review]
Iron & WineLight VerseSub Pop Records [2024] Album Overview: Light Verse is the first album of new “solo” Iron & Wine material Sam Beam has … Read more
Ride: Interplay [Album Review]
RideInterplayWichita/PIAS Recordings [2024] Album Overview: When UK shoegaze legends Ride reunited in 2014, it seemed unlikely it would be anything more than a few shows. … Read more
Thee Sinseers: Sinseerly Yours [Album Review]
Thee SinseersSinseerly YoursColemine Records [2024] Album Overview: Thee Sinseers are a nine-piece Los Angeles-based outfit spearheaded by songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Joey Quiñones. He’s … Read more
Ghost Funk Orchestra: A Trip To The Moon [Album Review]
Ghost Funk OrchestraA Trip To The MoonColemine/Karma Chief Records [2024] Album Overview: A Trip To The Moon is the fourth full-length album from Ghost … Read more
Hot Garbage: Precious Dream [Album Review]
Hot GarbagePrecious DreamMothland/EXAG’ Records [2024] Album Overview: Precious Dream is the sophomore album from Toronto’s Hot Garbage, a band I first encountered when they … Read more
The Fire Note Writer Edition Top Albums of 2023
At The Fire Note, our writers are the heart and soul of what we do. We want to give a big shout-out to these amazing … Read more