Tagged: rd10609

Nothington Roads, Bridges & Ruins BYO Records [2009] Fire Note Says: This is the way we like our punk served! Album Review: Look no further to catch a solid punk rock album that was released late last year from the Bay Area's Nothington. Their sophomore record Roads, Bridges & Ruins hits big in every way as the power vocals of lead singer Jay Northington surge forward on [...]

The Mountain Goats The Life Of The World To Come 4AD Records [2009] Fire Note Says: This record may not restore your faith but presents a rare look in! Album Review: The Mountain Goats always bring something unique to the musical table with every release and The Life Of The World To Come meets this characteristic completely. John Darnielle is the guy behind the moniker and his [...]

Duran Duran Rio [Collector's Edition] & Hammersmith '82! EMI Records [1982; re: 2009] Fire Drill Review: Nothing reminds you of the 80's like Duran Duran and in a good way when it comes to Rio . They were MTV staples and Rio was their grandiose entrance into the US market. It is an album that took a bit to catch on over here, which is why this 2 CD version captures all of the US remixes plus other odds and ends. [...]

Morphine At Your Service Rhino/Ryko Records [2009] Fire Note Says: In memory of the Sandman! Album Review: It has been ten years since the early passing of Morphine frontman Mark Sandman and this two disc, 35 track collection contains all of their previously unissued studio tracks, alternate takes, and live performances, that span the groups entire career. It is a nice closing piece to a group that not only [...]

Pugwash Giddy Ape House Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: Giddy is a solid compilation of tracks from the Irish band Pugwash, which debut power-pop album released in 1999. Pugwash, aka songwriter Thomas Walsh and friends, has been an instant favorite of Irish and British music critics but has not had much success here. This album was compiled by Andy Partridge (XTC) and Walsh as the 13 tracks here [...]

The Very Best Warm Heart Of Africa Green Owl Records [2009] Fire Note Says: This release will surprise you! Album Review: Infectious, unpretentious and charming are just a few positive descriptors that I can come up with after just one listen to the debut from the European production duo Radioclit and Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya, better known as The Very Best. Warm Heart Of Africa is a [...]

Lou Barlow Goodnight Unknown Merge Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Solid singer, songwriter and career! Album Review: Regardless if it is Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Folk Implosion or his solo work, indie troubadour Lou Barlow has one of those voices that is instantly recognizable, timeless and extremely likable. This always makes his records an easy listen and on his new solo outing Goodnight Unknown the same positive characteristics [...]

Greg Laswell Covers [EP] Vanguard Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: We have been covering Greg Laswell since 2006 and it still surprises me a bit that he has never hit the mainstream with his Chris Martin like vocals and solid songwriting skills. On this 5 song EP outing he decides to leave the songwriting to others, while focusing purely on channeling the emotions behind the songs. Covers features songs from Echo & [...]

The Raveonettes In And Out Of Control Vice Records [2009] Fire Note Says: The Raveonettes are good at what they do! Album Review: There is something to be said about persistence and consistency. For the Danish group The Raveonettes, consistent can describe their catalog and on their fourth record In And Out Of Control the band brings the same Jesus & Mary Chain meets 60's doo-wop to [...]

Lucero 1372 Overton Park Universal Republic [2009] Fire Note Says: Move to majors has no effect on the bar band you know and love! Album Review: 1372 Overton Park represents Lucero's move to a major label and for the most part they are the same band you have known for a long time. In fact, their debut into the majors almost is played too safe. This [...]

Strike Anywhere Iron Front Bridge Nine Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: It has been three years since Strike Anywhere released a record and for fans Iron Front is a welcomed return. The group is quickly earning veteran status in punk/hardcore genre as Iron Front is the bands fifth album fueled with big punk anthems, harmonies and speed. Not many fans will hail Iron Front as the best Strike Anywhere record ever but it is [...]

Orenda Fink Ask The Night Saddle Creek Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: We already heard from Orenda Fink earlier this year in her more orchestrated and earthy collaboration group O+S, but Ask The Night finds her settling in perfectly with this more simple folk record. Ask The Night highlights Fink's superb vocals, while including a multitude of instrumentation to achieve this more roots sound like an acoustic and slide guitar, [...]

Jemina Pearl Break It Up Ecstatic Peace/Universal [2009] Fire Drill Review: Break It Up is the solo debut from ex-Be Your Own Pet frontwoman Jemina Pearl. It actually sounds how you might think with her energetic pop punk vocal and really quick pace. This hastened delivery sends the listener in two directions. In short doses Pearl has the appeal of a modern Blondie, while after taking the entire album for a spin [...]

Built To Spill There Is No Enemy Warner Bros. Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Classic Built To Spill! Album Review: I have always felt that Built To Spill is a band that never gets the respect they rightfully deserve. They release quality music album after album and yet each record seems to be met with a yawn. Some of this comes from Built To Spill's tendency to jam well [...]

Mike Doughty Sad Man Happy Man ATO Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Doughty returns to his solo roots and shines! Album Review: If you think artists don't care about fans reaction to releases then think again. Sad Man Happy Man is a record that is a direct response to Doughty's fans and their intense reactions to last years solo release Golden Delicious [2008] . Turns out [...]

The xx xx XL Recordings [2009] Fire Drill Review: The xx have just released a debut record that most bands simply dream about. The South London quartet have accomplished making an album that is fully realized way past their twenty years of age. The soft yet direct undertone pulse in xx drives each track, while the duel vocals of singer-guitarist Romy Madley Croft and bassist Oliver Sim are not only welcoming but [...]

The Gossip Music For Men Columbia Records [2009] Fire Note Says: Glossy but still catchy in parts. Album Review: Music For Men is the Rick Rubin produced major label debut from indie darlings The Gossip. This is a band that has evolved since their Kill Rock Stars days of two minute bluesy garage punk in 2000 to the morphed dance rock you hear today. For longtime [...]

Dead Man's Bones Dead Man's Bones ANTI- Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: Haunting, eerie, and spooky are all words that can describe the vibe on the debut from Dead Man's Bones. Other words that work are mesmerizing, oddly good and weirdly catchy! You will be surprised that half of the duo comprising Dead Man's Bones is Academy Award-nominated actor Ryan Gosling. The music found here was originally intended to be a soundtrack to a [...]

Hockey Mind Chaos Capitol Records [2009] Fire Drill Review: Dance rock hipsters Hockey release their debut Mind Chaos today, which is a real mix of Strokes like vocals and LCD Soundsystem beats. Hockey has a lot going on for them and several tracks like "Too Fake" and "Song Away" are extremely catchy and blend their musical style perfectly. Mind Chaos as a whole suffers a bit from consistency and contains [...]

The Black Hollies Softly Towards The Light Ernest Jenning [2009] Fire Note Says: Get out your cymbals and join the fun! Album Review: From the first onset of keyboards in album opener "Run With Me Run" you know that New Jersery's Black Hollies are going to hit you with a full assault of catchy 60's psychedelic rock n roll. Softly Towards The Light is The Black Hollies [...]