Ghost Funk Orchestra: An Ode To Escapism [Album Review]
Ghost Funk OrchestraAn Ode To EscapismKarma Chief/Colemine Records [2020] Sometimes you come across an album that feels like it’s tailor-made for you. Maybe the songs … Read more
Randy Holden: Population II [Album Review]
Randy Holden Population IIRidingEasy Records [2020] Randy Holden’s Population II has had a long, tortuous road to its most recent reissue, the ins and outs … Read more
Bananagun: The True Story Of Bananagun [Album Review]
BananagunThe True Story Of BananagunFull Time Hobby [2020] When you name your band “Bananagun,” you’re setting up certain expectations for the listener. At the very … Read more
ICE: The Ice Age [Album Review]
ICEThe Ice AgeRidingEasy Records [2020] In 2015 Riding Easy Records released the first volume in their Brown Acid series (compiled by Riding Easy’s Daniel Hall … Read more
Subways On The Sun: Capsize [Album Review]
Subways On The Sun Capsize Spartan Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Subways On The Sun build on the strengths of their debut album, producing a … Read more
The New Old-Fashioned: Smalltown, Midwest, USA [Album Review]
The New Old-Fashioned Smalltown, Midwest, USA Magnaphone Records [2018] Fire Note Says: The New Old-Fashioned continue to crank out gritty, anthemic heartland rock on their … Read more
Snail Mail: Lush [Album Review]
Snail Mail Lush Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Snail Mail’s impressive debut matches strong songwriting chops with impeccably layered arrangements Album Review: As a … Read more
Laura Veirs: The Lookout [Album Review]
Laura Veirs The Lookout Raven Marching Band Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Laura Veirs is indie folk’s best-kept secret, and she delivers one of her … Read more
Iron & Wine: Beast Epic [Album Review]
Iron & Wine Beast Epic Sub Pop Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Sam Beam takes Iron & Wine back to basics on LP number six. … Read more
David Payne: Cheaper Than Therapy EP [Album Review]
David Payne Cheaper Than Therapy EP Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: New Old Fashioned frontman David Payne goes back to basics with this strong 6-song … Read more
Triptides: Afterglow [Album Review]
Triptides Afterglow Requiem Pour Un Twister [2017] Fire Note Says: Triptides’ 12-string jangle drifts pleasantly along, occasionally punching through the psychedelic haze. Album Review: Jangle-pop … Read more
Temples: Volcano [Album Review]
Temples Volcano Fat Possum Records [2017] Fire Note Says: New sounds erupt on Temples’ second album. Album Review: Temples seemingly came out of nowhere in … Read more
Circus Devils: Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up) [Album Review]
Circus Devils Laughs Best (The Kids Eat It Up): Best of Circus Devils Happy Jack Rock Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Circus Devils are sent … Read more
M. Ross Perkins: M. Ross Perkins [Album Review]
M. Ross Perkins M. Ross Perkins SofaBurn Records [2016] Fire Note Says: M. Ross Perkins’ debut LP shows that sometimes all you need to make … Read more
The Explorer’s Club: Together [Album Review]
The Explorer’s Club Together Goldstar Recordings [2016] Album Review: The Explorer’s Club are the 2010s equivalent of The Wondermints—Beach Boys worshippers that have done their … Read more
House Of Heroes: Colors [Album Review]
House Of Heroes Colors BC Music [2016] Fire Drill Album Review: House of Heroes have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a … Read more
Guided By Voices: Please Be Honest [Album Review]
Guided By Voices Please Be Honest GBV Inc. [2016] Fire Note Says: Guided by Voices return as a one-man band featuring you-know-who. Album Review: The … Read more
Circus Devils: Stomping Grounds [Album Review]
Circus Devils Stomping Grounds Happy Jack Rock Records [2015] Fire Note Says: Stomping Grounds offers up a healthy serving of bizarro-rock mini masterpieces Album Review: … Read more
Grateful Dead: 30 Trips Around The Sun [Album Review]
Grateful Dead 30 Trips Around The Sun: The Definitive Live Story 1965-1995 Rhino Entertainment [2015] Fire Note Says: A beginners guide to the Dead live, … Read more
Slow And Steady: In Time We Belong [Album Review]
Slow And Steady In Time We Belong Broken Circles [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: In Time We Belong is a conflicted record in many ways—from … Read more
The New Old-Fashioned: Low-Down Dirty Summer Nights [Album Review]
The New Old-Fashioned Low-Down Dirty Summer Nights Self-Released [2015] Fire Note Says: The New Old-Fashioned knock it out of the park on their second album … Read more
Chris Staples: Cheap Shades EP [Album Review]
Chris Staples Cheap Shades EP Barsuk Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Offered as a free download to concertgoers who attend shows on his tour … Read more
Vetiver: Complete Strangers [Album Review]
Vetiver Complete Strangers Easy Sound Recording Co. [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Complete Strangers is an apt title for Vetiver’s sixth album, as it finds … Read more
And So I Watch You From Afar: Heirs [Album Review]
And So I Watch You From Afar Heirs Sargent House [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: Heirs is the fourth album from Belfast natives And So … Read more
Yonatan Gat: Director [Album Review]
Yonatan Gat Director Joyful Noise Recordings [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: The follow-up to the Israeli-born guitarist’s promising 2014 record Iberian Passage, Yonatan Gat’s Director … Read more