The Jealous Sound: A Gentle Reminder

The Jealous Sound
A Gentle Reminder
Music Is Subjective [2012]









Fire Note Says: A solid melodic rock return after nine years for The Jealous Sound.

Album Review:
I am sure that nine years in the music business probably equates around 100 years in the real world but that is how long it has been since The Jealous Sound released their critically praised debut Kill Them With Kindness [2003]. The group's sophomore follow up, A Gentle Reminder, is a sonic success and sounds like the band never took any time off with its soaring guitars, strong emo grooves and frontman Blair Shehan's stylistic and memorable vocals.

After taking some considerable time off and several moves Shehan reunited with Pedro Benito and bassist Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters, Sunny Day Real Estate) which resulted in them opening up for Sunny Day Real Estate's reunion tour in 2009. This sparked the creativity and now A Gentle Reminder is the result.

As you might expect, the album definitely has a much more refined and mature feel to it but still contains all the passion and spirit that Shehan has always put into his music that dates back to his Knapsack days. What cannot be overlooked on A Gentle Reminder is its smooth track by track song structures that feature the band maxing out their instruments potential, as the record sounds great both turned up and with headphones. The chord switches in "Promise Of The West" are perfect and make the track stand out while the hum along "Perfect Timing" is a brooding winner that features swirling instruments at all the right moments.

If you were a fan of The Jealous Sound before then picking up A Gentle Reminder should be a no brainer as it sounds spot on and not only meets but may exceed previous expectations. For new listeners, A Gentle Reminder may take several spins to sink in but once it hits you, you realize that even though this is only the groups sophomore album - the talent easily surpasses the limited Jealous Sound output and will have you reaching for the repeat button quickly!

Key Tracks: "Promise Of The West", "Perfect Timing", "Beautiful Morning"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Jimmy Eat World
Knapsack
The Promise Ring

The Jealous Sound Website
The Jealous Sound Facebook
Music Is Subjective

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Imperial Teen: Feel The Sound

Imperial Teen
Feel The Sound
Merge Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Imperial Teen find their youthful essence on Feel The Sound to create an entertaining power pop ride.

Album Review:
Funny thing is back in 2007 reviewing Imperial Teen's last record, The Hair The TV The Baby & The Band, I commented that I hoped that it would not be another five years before we heard from the group again. Well - five years seems to be the pattern for Imperial Teen as Feel The Sound is the groups follow up and fifth album making it their 3rd album in a 15 year span.

The interesting thing about taking so much time in between records is that it completely wipes all expectations away. Had Feel The Sound released in 2009 I would have predicted that the album would have followed a more mature vibe expanding on what Imperial Teen started on The Hair The TV The Baby but instead the band reverts back to a much more carefree fun power pop direction that will please longtime followers.

Opening track "Runaway" sets the tone of the record right from the beginning as it features the entire band on lead vocals and races through like a power pop rollercoaster while "Last To Know" is quirky, bouncy and just enjoyable. Other tracks bring down the pace but still maintain sturdy song structures and highlight Imperial Teen's veteran status and willingness to still try some new ideas.

This overall confidence on Feel The Sound represents an Imperial Teen that made their earlier records infectious. The great thing about it is that even though the band is at a completely different point in their career, Feel The Sound masterfully revisits their youth and honestly will make everyone want to stay... and then come back for more!

Key Tracks: "Runaway", "Last To Know", "Hanging About"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Electric Light Orchestra
Brendan Benson
The New Pornographers

Imperial Teen: The Hair The TV The Baby & The Band [Fire Note Review 12/18/07]

Imperial Teen Website
Imperial Teen Facebook
Merge Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Lana Del Rey: Born To Die

Lana Del Rey
Born To Die
Interscope Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Don't believe the hype or the backlash - Lana Del Rey is somewhere in the middle.

Album Review:
Lizzy Grant, aka Lana Del Rey, is a prime example of an artist blowing the roof off the hype machine way too early. The ultra-retro catchy tune "Video Games" has been the focal point for Lana Del Rey over the last six months so the release of Born To Die has been long awaited and as expected, has been met with both harsh criticism and praise.

Still a virtual unknown to the masses, Grant didn't help herself as she fumbled on the big spotlight of her Saturday Night Live performance that seemed to only hurt her image just 2 days before the release of her record. With all the back story here I could go on forever but I suggest if you are still interested just Google her for that part of the story because what is still the most important thing for me is how is the music?

Born To Die is a not a throwaway as the first five tracks would make for a stellar EP as the songs possess a cool retro sounding swagger, confident attitude, pinch of pop and sultry vocals most expected from Lana Del Rey. This is where the album starts to fade and leans too heavily into the radio pop side of things. Maybe that is what Grant was going for here but it almost feels like Born To Die was rushed to market and the ideas just dried up.

Given that there were several hired songwriters credited on the record you just know that Born To Die aims for a home run but ultimately the album runs out of gas and tries to capture your ear with more bland hooks that will blend in with the next song on your favorite mix pop radio station. This leaves the last 30 minutes of the record a bit stale as it continually tries to grab you instead of instantly holding you.

Born To Die still has promise for the emerging artist as Lana Del Rey presents several really memorable tracks here. Grant seems to have the persona to hold up to the criticism but clearly she will need to step up and carry the quality all the way through for her next outing or forever fade away.

Key Tracks: "Born To Die", "Video Games", "Blue Jeans"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Fiona Apple
Lykke Li
Regina Spektor

Lana Del Rey Website
Lana Del Rey Facebook
Interscope Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Hospitality: Hospitality

Hospitality
Hospitality
Merge Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Brooklyn trio Hospitality offer up a stylish indie pop debut.

Album Review:
Hospitality are a superbly rich sounding trio out of Brooklyn that just released their debut of sophisticated indie pop on Merge Records. The band is led by the likable Amber Papini that delivers her focused lyrics with a wisp of an English accent via Kansas City as she credits hours of practice imitating Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs.

Her carefree attitude instantly hooks the listener here as the intelligent music arrangements and solid playing from the band helps make the album opener "Eighth Avenue" an instant favorite as it bounces along. It is this upbeat vocal delivery and confidence that makes Hospitality a success.

What I really like about Hospitality is that the trio never seems to try too hard to make good music as it just comes naturally. There is nothing earth shattering new here but with the production of Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member Nathan Michel, Hospitality stay fresh and grounded while coming up with perfect pop nuggets like the under 2 minute rocker "The Right Profession" and the excellent slower swaying "Sleepover". These tunes all have a timeless appeal to them and sound even better when you play them again!

Key Tracks: "Eighth Avenue", "The Right Profession", "Sleepover"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Belle & Sebastian
Echobelly
Stereolab

Hospitality Website
Hospitality Facebook
Merge Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Howler: America Give Up

Howler
America Give Up
Rough Trade Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Looking for some fun sounding rock n roll? Look no further as the debut from Minneapolis's Howler will make your feet tap.

Album Review:
I will fully admit that I love when music comes back around to the rock basics and that is what we get with the Minneapolis group Howler. Their sound will and has been compared directly with The Strokes - in fact frontman Jordan Gatesmith could be related to Julian Casablancas as their vocals are very similar.
Now really is this a bad thing? Absolutely not. Howler come at you with street-smart angular riffs and a youthful attitude that screams rock n roll. It also is fitting that the band is already gaining steam in the UK and signed to Rough Trade (the same label that signed The Strokes).

After you get done reminiscing about the good times and comparisons, Howler does offer up their own nuances here which keeps America Give Up (personally love the title) fresh and moving at a total 30 minute running time. The group has an undertone punk timing of the Ramones but balance the straightforwardness of that scene with catchy hooks that are almost throwback '50s melodies with swaying guitars.

For me, the teenage rockers like "Beach Sluts" and "Free Drunk" hit with an irresistible fun vigor while the grooving "This One's Different" and the whooshing foot tapper "Back Of Your Neck" will keep me coming back. Howler's America Give Up is not the next best or greatest rock album ever released nor does it necessarily offer up anything new but I will tell you that it is a fun ride from beginning to end and as for the young band's debut - Howler should be one to watch because it is still pretty damn good!

Key Tracks: "This One's Different", "Back Of Your Neck", "Black Lagoon"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Strokes
The Libertines
The Drums

Howler Website
Howler Facebook
Rough Trade Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Sonic Avenues: Television Youth

Sonic Avenues
Television Youth
Dirtnap Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Sonic Avenues sophomore album represents another quality punk release from Canada.

Album Review:
Canada seems to be pumping out the punk rock lately and Sonic Avenues's sophomore record, Television Youth, is another strong statement that they have got it right. This go around the band has pushed their songs in both a more punk and pop direction compared to their self-titled debut.

This approach gives Television Youth a much wider appeal as tracks like "Waste Away Alone" soar with big hooks, while other songs like album opener "Givin' Up On You" add in more grit and vocal distortion. The Sonic Avenues succeed because they balance both of these catchy components from beginning to end which makes Television Youth a rewarding record to check out and an equally great album to play again!

Key Tracks: "Television Youth", "OCD Vibes", "Throw It All Away"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Exploding Hearts
The Dickies
The Only Ones

Sonic Avenues Website
Sonic Avenues Facebook
Dirtnap Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Matt Pryor: May Day

Matt Pryor
May Day
Nightshoes Syndicate Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: The Get Up Kid, Matt Pryor, once again ventures out with a solid acoustic driven solo set which shines around every corner!

Album Review:
The Get Up Kids frontman Matt Pryor returns here with his sophomore solo outing titled May Day that is another exciting success story from a Kickstarter campaign. Having your record funded by fans must make an artist feel appreciated so it only makes sense that a high level of quality is returned. With May Day, Matt Pryor definitely will make his followers and backers proud!

May Day follows the same simple acoustic guitar steps found on his solo debut Confidence Man [2008] and once again shines a light on Pryor's songwriting talent. With that said, the listener will know if they are on board with Pryor right away because there is no place for him to hide and that is what makes May Day the bright and engaging listen that it is.

Opening track "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down" is a motivating warm song that kicks the record off right by sending the message to hold your head high no matter what while the stand out song "Where Do We Go From Here" is a nice upbeat foot tapper that incorporates piano and hooks you with its catchy chorus.

Pryor's ability as a songwriter continues to just get better as May Day offers an in depth personal look that every listener can relate to on some level or some point in their life. This is the connection that made Confidence Man work so well and it is the same resurrected connection here that makes May Day a success. In a music scene that is deep with all sorts of singer/songwriter types, Matt Pryor takes a seat at the head of the class with May Day and it easily represents one of the best items Kickstarter has funded so far in 2012!

Key Tracks: "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down", "Where Do We Go From Here", "Your New Favorite"

Bands With Similar Fire:
I Build Collapsible Mountains
Eulogies
Rocky Votolato

The Get Up Kids: There Are Rules [Fire Note Review 1/27/11]
The Get Up Kids: Simple Science [EP] [Fire Note Review 5/13/10]
Matt Pryor: Confidence Man [Fire Note Review 7/25/08]
The New Amsterdams: At The Foot Of My Rival [Fire Note Review 9/25/07]

Matt Pryor Website
Matt Pryor Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Victor Villarreal: Invisible Cinema

Victor Villarreal
Invisible Cinema
Joyful Noise Recordings [2012]









Fire Note Says: Indie innovator Victor Villarreal steps out on his own with the engaging Invisible Cinema.

Album Review:
Victor Villarreal has always been considered a groundbreaking guitarist in the modern indie rock world with his captivating previous work in the bands Cap'n Jazz, Owls, Ghosts & Vodka, and more recently, Joan Of Arc. Invisible Cinema represents his first fully realized solo material and the 30 minute record absolutely does not disappoint.

Right from the album opening intricate guitar strums on "Enters" you know that Victor is going to give a lesson that impresses. The song peacefully moves along until the 2 minute mark when a full band kicks in and Villarreal's vocals join into the musical outpouring. This leads you into the almost six minute "Darts In The Dark" that feels like you are the only one in the audience as the quiet guitar once again shows the way with a backdrop trumpet while the vocals occupy less than a minute of its running time.

What makes Villarreal such a talent is his ability to make so much out of time and space. He fills perfect voids in song structures with spiraling rhythms and by utilizing different percussion instruments such as a clave, a casaba, congos and of course drums. This gives Invisible Cinema a very worldly vibe and almost pushes elements to the experimental side but then enables Victor to bring them back in with his calm vocal delivery.

Invisible Cinema does not present anything that is too far out there which might disappoint some of Villarreal's long time followers but Victor makes up for it with his playing talent. If there was ever an album to introduce a wider audience to Villarreal's skills, Invisible Cinema should be that record as you get a little bit of everything he does great here and it plays nicely upon repeat listens!

Key Tracks: "Enters", "Strings Attached", "Out Of My Hands"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Tortoise
Jim O'Rourke
Smog

Victor Villarreal Website
Victor Villarreal Facebook
Joyful Noise Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Buxton: Nothing Here Seems Strange

Buxton
Nothing Here Seems Strange
New West Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Third album from folk-rock group Buxton is a grower that pays off!

Album Review:
Buxton are a five piece folk-rock outfit out of Houston, Texas that offer up an energetic record full of lush harmonies, mandolin, banjo, piano and good old guitar. Nothing Here Seems Strange is the groups third record overall and first LP for New West as their style is a perfect fit for the label's roster.

Buxton succeed here as their music has a winning timeless appeal right from the opening banjo strums in album opener "Wolves And Owls" and record highlight "Blown A Fuse". This track has an upbeat old school Wilco bounce to it that has a catchy pop chorus and a stand out guitar solo which drives the track home.

These types of Americana blend reoccur on Nothing Here Seems Strange which helps give the record a high replay value. Lead singer/guitarist Sergio Tervino also raises the bar here as his distinct vocal stays out in front but always comes across a bit fragile. This vulnerability lets the band twirl the music around the vocals as both components work hand in hand to build the record's solid song structures. Nothing Here Seems Strange is an album that deserves several listens as it is a true grower but in a genre that is full of options, Buxton stand out and are a band to watch in 2012!

Key Tracks: "Blown A Fuse", "Boy Of Nine", "Oh My Boy"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Gram Parsons
Wilco
Clem Snide

Buxton Website
Buxton Facebook
New West Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

First Aid Kit: The Lion's Roar

First Aid Kit
The Lion's Roar
Wichita Recordings [2012]









Fire Note Says: Sophomore album from Americana duo First Aid Kit delivers with complete warmth and depth.

Album Review:
Swedish sisters, Klara and Johanna Söderberg make up First Aid Kit and The Lion's Roar is the young pair's sophomore record which represents their first US-recorded album. If you heard the album first you might be surprised to hear that the duo were not American born from their honest and solid style of folk Americana presented here on the album's ten tracks.

Regardless of their origin, right from the opening title track you will fully engage with the instantly likable vocal of Klara, the backing harmonies from Johanna and most certainly the warm depth that the mandolin, piano and pedal steel create. This leads you right into the best track on the record, "Emmylou", that name checks Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, June Carter and of course Harris as it strolls along with a catchy chorus that just pleads for a continued relationship with the line "just sing, little darling, just sing with me".

The Lion's Roar was recorded in Omaha and produced by longtime Bright Eyes collaborator Mike Mogis. Mogis also plays on just about every track along with other Saddle Creek family member Nate Walcott. The added talent didn't just end there either as the closing track "King Of The World" features Conor Oberst singing the last verse as well as The Felice Brothers lending some supportive instruments. The track is another highlight on The Lion's Roar and it is the most upbeat song on the album that also includes trumpet and hand claps.

Considering that First Aid Kit are in their late teens and early twenties, The Lion's Roar sounds much more mature in both their vocal talent and songwriting which gives the album its full confidence. This only makes me excited for what the duo will do next as clearly this is only the beginning and with such a strong outing in The Lion's Roar, First Aid Kit will definitely be a group that we will hear from for some time to come!

Key Tracks: "The Lion's Roar", "King Of The World", "Emmylou"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Neko Case
Fleet Foxes
Audra Mae

First Aid Kit Website
First Aid Kit Facebook
Wichita Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Graham Repulski: My Color Is Red 7"

Graham Repulski
My Color Is Red 7"
Big School Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Short and lo-fi pop sweet!

Album Review:
The My Color Is Red 7" represents the 6th release in the past 2 years from Graham Repulski and it is their very first release on wax. The four tracks included on this 7" once again embrace the band's love for lo-fi indie pop and all together give you a little over 7 minutes of music.

Now what they do in these seven minutes sets them apart as tracks like "Mommy's Dreaming" sticks in your head with its repeated lo-fi chorus and perfect balance of distorted vocals, which honestly could fit right in with early GBV records. Pollard collaborator Todd Tobias once again worked with the band and mastered the release which, as always, is the perfect pairing for what Graham Repulski like to do.

If you have checked out Graham Repulski before then the My Color Is Red 7" will certainly please your ear and is a must to pick up as it has been pressed in an extremely limited quantity of 200 hand-numbered red vinyl with each featuring unique cut-out artwork.

Key Tracks: "My Color Is Red", "Mommy's Dreaming"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Times New Viking
Guided By Voices
Sentridoh

Graham Repulski: Into An Animal Together [Fire Note Review 7/20/11]
Graham Repulski: Electric Worrier [Fire Note Review 1/6/11]

Graham Repulski Website
Graham Repulski Facebook
Big School Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony