Love Like Fire: An Ocean In The Air EP

Love Like Fire
An Ocean In The Air EP
Self-Released [2007]







Fire Note Says: Let the buzz begin! I think you are gonna like what this San Fran quartet has to say.

Album Review:
Here is a tip that should increase your hipster status among your friends. San Francisco’s Love Like Fire is a band you will want to get behind, create some buzz and start telling people to check out as your great new discovery. The quartet has just released their second EP An Ocean In The Air and I must tell you that it is a solid twenty-seven minutes of indie rock bliss. Front woman Ann Yu’s vocals lead each track with a crisp clear tone similar to a Shirley Manson (Garbage) but with a Karen O’s (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) edge. The band falls right in line with decisive punchy guitars and pounding drums that provide the perfect backdrop and balance for Yu’s soaring vocals. An Ocean In The Air never lets up and the songs all follow a certain structure, which keep the vocals out front but then explode into a blaze of instrumentation and chorus before settling back down into the lyrics. This arrangement not only works for the band but it is infectious and you will gladly hit repeat when An Ocean In The Air comes to completion. So what are you waiting for? Seek out Love Like Fire right now and be that music guru that turns someone else onto them. This is clearly just the beginning for Love Like Fire – This EP was just released and we already are screaming for the full length!

Key Tracks: "Wish You Dead", "From A Tower", "SOS"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Metric
Superjesus
Rainer Maria

Official Love Like Fire Website
Love Like Fire MySpace
Purchase CD @ CD Baby

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Mohawk Lodge: Wildfires

The Mohawk Lodge
Wildfires
White Whale Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Blue collar indie soul from Vancouver!

Album Review:
Wildfires is the sophomore release from the The Mohawk Lodge, which represents a true musical development for the band compared to their debut Rare Birds [2004]. Where Rare Birds was more of a slow burning folk record Wildfires expands into a full band sound with dueling guitars, keyboards, bass and drums. This album not only has the band vibe but when you add in harmonious chorus like in the opener “Hard Times” or the pinnacle rebel rousing stomp of closer “Rising Sun”, The Mohawk Lodge prove they are in it for the long haul and that this style is their niche. Darry Neudorf (New Pornographers, Neko Case) supervised the production and not only gave Wildfires the right person manning the ship but his experience with past artists was the perfect selection for The Mohawk Lodge’s new sonic direction and Smog/Springsteen sound. Wildfires has perfect pace and balance at nine tracks. It is the ideal album to just hit play and let it ride leading to repeat listens eventually creeping up into your favorite listens of the year.

Key Tracks: "Rising Sun", "Wear 'Em Out", "Everybody's On Fire"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Okkervil River
Pedro The Lion
Wolf Parade

Official Mohawk Lodge Website
The Mohawk Lodge MySpace
White Whale Records

-Reviewed by Liam Blazer

Oreskaband: Oreskaband

Oreskaband
Oreskaband
Terry Dollar Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: They really are big in Japan!

Album Review:
There comes a time when you have to just sit back and let an album play all the way through before you make any snap judgments about the band. Oreskaband has just released one of those albums on their self-titled US debut. I say this because everything upfront tells me I should move to the next disc in my stack:

• Japanese teen girl sextet.
• Teen girl sextet that plays Ska.
• English titles not all English lyrics.

Now that I have your attention and scared, let’s talk about the reasons you should give Oreskaband a try. The fact is Oreskaband are a solid young female ska band from Japan that you can skank your ass off to with their super tight brass section and punk pop energetic songs that just burst out quick and furious. The funny thing is I could only understand several select words throughout and the chorus in “Monkey Man” was sing-along-able but it didn’t matter because I was just having fun listening. Their sound is unique and the album’s spirit outweighed any of the negatives. The band does have some street cred in my book, which includes a stellar performance at SXSW and about seven west coast Warp Tour events under their belt, which in itself takes major guts for a band of this nature. With ska still laying low on the big scene, Oreskaband will definitely be worth checking out for that core group of fans and will give everyone something completely unique and under the radar to put in their iPod. I guarantee that when Oreskaband ends, you will just sit back and smile, because you won’t be sure what you just heard but that you will be ready to hit repeat!

Key Tracks: "20 Tips", "Pinocchio", "Monkey Man (Monkey Monkey Man)"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Franceska
Big D And The Kids Table
Dance Hall Crashers

Official Oreskaband Website
Oreskaband MySpace
Oreskaband Info [Wikipedia]

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Silverchair: Young Modern

Silverchair
Young Modern
Eleven Music Company







Fire Note Says: What a difference 12 years can make!

Album Review:
I never thought I would be reviewing a new Silverchair record but after just one listen it strikes you quick like a shot of caffeine and you realize this is not your older brother’s Silverchair. If ever a band has evolved over time I believe Silverchair could be the model. The band’s successful grunge like debut Frogstomp hit in 1995 when the band members were a mere 15 years old. Since that release they have tweaked their sound with each subsequent release into a more progressive alternative sound. So now we have Young Modern, which comes after a five year gap since their last album Diorama [2002] and I believe the transformation is complete. The album is filled with whiling arrangements, hooks that snatch hold of you and mature lyrical themes that really tell the story of a band grown up – even Daniel Johns now looks like a young Sting and a true band leader. I can honestly admit that I can not get their first single “Straight Lines” out of my head and it easily is the best song they have ever written. The shift in style for Silverchair feels completely legitimate, just thinking back to how I processed things at age 15 I am sure this review would be full of words like cool, dude and awesome. For the fans out there still flying their flannel Young Modern is not for you and you probably won’t like this release but the album is strong enough to develop a total new following and respect for the band. An interesting fact to note about Young Modern is that it made history in the Australian music charts by becoming the fifth straight album by an Australian act to debut in the number one spot. Silverchair are also the only Australian act to achieve five number one albums, eclipsing native fellow countrymen INXS and Midnight Oil. So for a young band that has grown up in the business with constant ridicule they must be doing something right and props to them for sticking with it and rising above it!

Key Tracks:"Straight Lines", "If You Keep Losing Sleep", "Reflections Of A Sound"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Supergrass
The Police
Snow Patrol

Official Silverchair Website
Silverchair MySpace
Silverchair Info [Allmusic]
Eleven Music Company

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Amy MacDonald: This Is The Life

Amy MacDonald
This Is The Life
Vertigo Records [2007]








Fire Note Says: Worth the import price!

Album Review:
Singer/songwriter Amy MacDonald shows off her extreme amount of talent on her very entertaining debut This Is The Life. The Scottish born singer may only be 19 but her songs and voice sound well seasoned beyond her youth. Her songs succeed because they are about real life issues and situations as simple as her older sister’s love for Ewen McGregor, a culture addicted to British tabloids and the drug addiction of Pete Doherty (Libertines, Babyshambles). Maybe not your typical family night material but she does stay away from melodramatic lyrics and the song structures are mostly upbeat acoustic guitar numbers that have striking sing-a-long melodies all driven by her slightly accented upfront vocals. The album gets better with repeat listens and MacDonald’s voice is infectious. For a girl that has been performing since she was 15 and sites her influences as Travis and The Libertines, her debut is a stellar start point for what could be a very lengthy career. This Is The Life currently has no US release date but as Amy continues to impress across seas, I am sure that it won’t be too long before the States can hear what all the fuss is about.

Key Tracks: "Mr Rock & Roll", "Poison Prince", "L.A."

Bands With Similar Fire:
KT Tunstall
Dolores O'Riordan
Jem

Official Amy MacDonald Website
Amy MacDonald MySpace
Amy MacDonald Info [Wikipedia]
Vertigo Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

VHS Or Beta: Bring On The Comets

VHS Or Beta
Bring On The Comets
Astralwerks Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Louisville, KY band polishes the beats!

Album Review:
Bring On The Comets is the third release from VHS Or Beta that’s hits shelves early next week (8/28). From a band that in the past has been compared to Daft Punk, New Order and Depeche Mode you could only guess what direction they would go after the dance punk new wave of Night On Fire [2004]. The key thing to note about VHS Or Beta is that they were crunchin’ out this retro electro rock well before the explosion of bands like The Killers, so it is no surprise that Bring On The Comets is a full fledge retro rock new wave party! The beats are thumping, the keyboards soar and Craig Pfunder’s vocals are put front and center. I will admit that at first listen, Bring On The Comets sounded too big and seemed like the band was trying too hard to win popularity, but given a handful of listens the songs are addictive and the damn thing has not left my player yet. The bigger sound works for VHS Or Beta especially tracks 2-5 that includes the first single “Can’t Believe A Single Word”, the Beatlesque hook filled “Love In My Pocket” and “She Says” featuring Jim James of My Morning Jacket. VHS Or Beta has not released the album that is going to change your life but I can tell you that it can help you enjoy the rest of summer and it is the perfect album to forget about reviews, roll your windows down and just let it play!

Key Tracks: "Can't Believe A Single Word", "She Says", "Burn It All Down"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Franz Ferdinand
Depeche Mode
Men, Women & Children

Official VHS Or Beta Website
VHS Or Beta MySpace
VHS Or Beta Info [Allmusic]
Astralwerks Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Rilo Kiley: Under The Blacklight

Rilo Kiley
Under The Blacklight
Warner Bros. Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Extra shine & polish work well for band ready for the big leagues!

Album Review:
Let’s get this out of the way – Rilo Kiley no longer are on the indie label Saddle Creek and Under The Blacklight is slicker than walking on a sheet of ice going down hill. Now that we all know they have fully adopted this Fleetwood Mac style of tunes, lets really talk about the bands fourth full length Under The Blacklight. The first thing you instantly notice is that each song is big and I mean every part of it – the music, the lyrics and the production. You can barley find a musical flaw throughout. The next thing you will notice is that Jenny Lewis has embraced her role as leader of the band. Blake Sennett, who once had a much more lead role vocally, only fronts “Dreamworld” this go around, which is a nice pace changer but really does show that the bands focus is on Lewis (as it should be). For every person yelling sellout there is the second track “Close Call” and near closer “Angels Hung Around” that would fit in on their last two albums and not be questioned with their more indie countryish sound. As much as you will hear about change on Under The Blacklight, repeat listens will start to convince you that this is the way it should be for Rilo Kiley. They sound great and the songs win you over. Jenny Lewis is a leader and for the indie rock world she currently has one of the top notch voices which just translates to a band making a transition at the right time and for the right reasons.

Key Tracks: "The Moneymaker", "Breakin' Up", "Smoke Detector"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Fleetwood Mac
Coldplay
The New Pornographers

Jenny Lewis: Rabbit Fur Coat [Fire Note Review 4/11/06]

Official Rilo Kiley Website
Rilo Kiley MySpace
Rilo Kiley Info [Allmusic]
Warner Bros. Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

Minus The Bear: Planet Of Ice

Minus The Bear
Planet Of Ice
Suicide Squeeze Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Seattle group releases larger soundscape of an album with positive results.

Album Review:
You know what you are getting when you pick up a Minus The Bear record and Planet Of Ice is no exception. The band gives you complex song structures, contemplative lyrics and creates a catchy musical soundscape that makes you want more. In my gut I thought this record would be the one that sends the band into the mainstream and crowns them kings of indie rock for 2007. Planet Of Ice may not reach that high bar I set for Minus The Bear but it is another quality release to their resume. I hate to say that it is a more mature effort but probably more developed is a better phrase because if you are used to some of their older crazy titles and more spastic upbeat numbers you will be a bit surprised of the more shoegaze feel to this record. The songs have a sway and drift to them that is not profound on previous efforts which is more of a carry over from their earlier release this year of track mixes Interpretaciones Del Oso [2007]. It all hits the climax on the final almost nine minute number “Lotus” which leaves one to only anticipate where the band will go next. Regardless, Planet Of Ice holds up to repeat listens and the more focused sound fits the band’s current vibe and should be welcomed by most.

Key Tracks: "White Mystery", "Buying The Luck", "Double Vision Quest"

Bands With Similar Fire:
A Shoreline Dream
Chin Up Chin Up
Chavez

Official Minus The Bear Website
Minus The Bear MySpace
Minus The Bear Info [Allmusic]
Suicide Squeeze Records

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

The New Pornographers: Challengers

The New Pornographers
Challengers
Matador Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: More of a low key affair that will still win you over.

Album Review:
You can not argue that The New Pornographers have one the best indie lineups anyone could ever dream up that now has released their forth album Challengers. Not only has enjoy each member of this group released solid solo projects, the band’s entire catalog has always felt complete with their pinnacle moment being Twin Cinema [2005]. The first noticeable difference you will hear on Challengers is the more laid back tone of the tracks. The upbeat pop that you will instantly recognize does not really hit until the fifth song "All the Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth," which is really surprising on your first listen but as you take Challengers for another spin the earlier tracks start to win you over, especially anytime you inject the cool voice of Neko Case you can’t really lose. Challengers does not feel as complete as Twin Cinema but still will satisfy even the casual fan of the band and it easily will grow on you with repeat listens. The bottom line is that Challengers has a much different pace than previous efforts but The New Pornographers still have the same sound and have not lost their pop mentality making this still a satisfying offering and addition to their discography.

Key Tracks: "All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth", "My Rights Versus Yours", "Mutiny, I Promise You"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Peter Bjorn And John
The Shins
The High Strung

Official New Pornographers Website
The New Pornographers MySpace
The New Pornographers Info [Allmusic]
Matador Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Patrick Park: Everyone's In Everyone

Patrick Park
Everyone's In Everyone
Curb Appeal Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: A solid and welcomed return for singer/songwriter Patrick Park!

Album Review:
Everyone’s In Everyone is the long awaited sophomore album from singer/songwriter Patrick Park. It seems like forever ago since his critically well received Loneliness Knows My Name was released back in 2003 that basically was horribly promoted by his label and put him on the road opening for big bands in big venues with his guitar and harmonica. Sadly, retail success never came and Patrick dropped off the scene but time heals all and Park’s time was well spent creating Everyone’s In Everyone, which is truly enjoyable to listen to. The songs are not only well crafted but Park’s voice is in top form. His style of music is in the same category as a Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith or Pete Yorn because it just seems appropriate in so many different situations. His songs are about everyday events which can fit into a TV show, a movie or just simply the soundtrack for your own life. Patrick Park was shamefully put on the back burner with his first outing and now it is his time to shine because with one listen to Everyone’s In Everyone, you will discover what critics have known for four years – Park is a natural talent!

Key Tracks: "Here We Are", "Saint With A Fever", "Life Is A Song"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Pete Yorn
Joseph Arthur
Ron Sexsmith

Patrick Park: StickBirdSongs EP [Fire Note Review 6/8/07]

Official Patrick Park Website
Patrick Park MySpace
Patrick Park Info [Allmusic]
Curb Appeal Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

The Seedy Seeds: Change States

The Seedy Seeds
Change States
Eurodorable Recordings [2007]









Fire Note Says: Superb debut from Cincinnati duo!

Album Review:
Sometimes to find great music you need to look off the charts, scope out your remaining independent music store or check out Internet radio stations such as WOXY.com. That is exactly how I stumbled across The Seedy Seeds new album Change States and I must tell you that it has not left my iPod yet with its sincere qualities and infectious powers. The Seedy Seeds have a very unique sound that includes banjo, kazoo, accordion, guitar and toy keyboard beats with the guy/gal vocals and harmonies of Mike Ingram and Margaret Weiner. Change States is chalked full of upbeat folktronic indie tracks that encourage you to tap your feet and hum along, making for enjoyable repeat listens. For a band that was created over a casual conversation and that uses instruments that they really hadn’t even learned to play yet, The Seedy Seeds have launched a stellar debut that really highlights what “indie” is all about and it makes Change States a true discovery that everyone should put on their radar.

Key Tracks: "Grace", "The Little Patton", "Eponym"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Matt & Kim
Citizens Here And Abroad
Mates Of State

The Seedy Seeds Website
The Seedy Seeds MySpace
Eurodorable Recordings

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Sharp Things: A Moveable Feast

The Sharp Things
A Moveable Feast
Bar/None Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Retro-indie pop never sounded so fresh!

Album Review:
The Sharp Things are one of the smoothest bands out there and their new album A Moveable Feast is the statement that proves the point. Singer Perry Serpa’s vocals vacillates between sounding like a lost member from The Commodores and Damon Alburn of Blur, while leading this ten piece NYC band through 15 tracks of lush arranged retro-indie pop that has a very fresh 60’s vibe. The songs are big, the instrumentation is grandiose and A Moveable Feast’s infection grows with every spin. Not only do you get songs like “Cruel Thing” that ooze soul but breezy sing-a-long pop tracks such as “Bureau De Change” really keep the listener entertained and anticipating the next track. Truly if you are looking for something different The Sharp Things will fit the bill and just possibly A Moveable Feast will become one of your favorite albums of the year!

Key Tracks: "The Devil In You Sings", "Storm King", "Cruel Thing"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Blur
Paul Weller
American Music Club

"Cruel Thing" (mp3)

More On This Album

The Sharp Things Website
The Sharp Things MySpace
The Sharp Things Info [Allmusic]
Bar/None Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

They Might Be Giants: The Else

They Might Be Giants
The Else
Idlewild/Zoe Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: 25 years and still going strong!

Album Review:
Looking back over the They Might Be Giants lengthy history and discography there are not many bands that can compete with them in the alternative genre. They have offered a style a music that always has been hard to pin down as just indie, punk, rock, country or electronic but that is exactly why fans have stuck by them over the years and why they are still relevant. The Else is somewhat a return to their earlier work like their most memorable tracks “Don’t Let’s Start” or “Statue Got Me High” with burners like “Take Out The Trash” and the harmonic “Climbing The Walls”. The quirky wordplay and sing-a-long chorus are all present. The album was produced by the Dust Brothers (Beck, Beastie Boys) which gives the songs a polished edge and makes The Else sound bigger and ready for the radio. The Else will definitely please longtime fans and contains enough catchy tracks to introduce the band to new ones. This effort just shows that after twenty-five years, TMBG still have gusto and even after successfully dabbling in children’s music they can still put out the indie gems that fans expect and want!

Key Tracks: "Take Out The Trash", "Climbing The Walls", "The Shadow Government"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Violent Femmes
Beck
Ween

"Take Out The Trash" (mp3)

Buy at Napster
More On This Album

They Might Be Giants Website
They Might Be Giants MySpace
They Might Be Giants Info [Allmusic]
Idlewild Recordings
Zoe Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

FOX Japan: And Now This!

FOX Japan
And Now This!
Self-Released [2007]









Fire Note Says: Impressive debut from Wheeling, WV band!

Album Review:
Many times self promotion works around here at The Fire Note and that is exactly how we heard about Wheeling, West Virginia’s FOX Japan. Their self-released debut And Now This! is thirty minutes of solid indie rock jams that cover different social topics while giving you well placed hooks and quick arrangement changes. FOX Japan does a nice job of filling the “alternative” genre but have a very post rock edge to them. There are not soaring melodies but hook snippets and yell outs that grab your attention throughout. The best description for the songs on And Now This! is that it has a Pixies vibe mixed with Weezer harmonic wordplay all driven by Ted Leo like politics. On several tracks like “An Investigative Sentence” and “What Follows?” the song pace changes from a whisper to a roar in seconds or on “A Nursing Home (Or A Trailer Park)” a small interlude placed in the middle really makes it sound like two tracks exist in one. FOX Japan has released an impressive debut that is capable of separating itself from other bands out there and is worth checking out for something new and fresh on the scene.

Key Tracks: "A Nursing Home (Or A Trailer Park)", "Baptize Me", "What Follows?"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Weezer
Ted Leo
Possum Dixon

Official FOX Japan Website
FOX Japan MySpace

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Okkervil River: The Stage Names

Okkervil River
The Stage Names
Jagjaguwar Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Another great highlight in their catalog!

Album Review:
Back in 2005, I stumbled across Okkervil River’s album Black Sheep Boy and was simply astounded by its sincerity and top-notch songwriting. At that time, I thought Black Sheep Boy would probably be hard to beat until now. Austin’s Okkervil River’s new album The Stage Names not only tops Black Sheep but most certainly will be in the running for our Top 25 of the year. It would be one thing if the nine songs on The Stage Names were just a good listen but when you take in the lyrics you soon find out that they give you a snapshot of the band life along with that of lead singer Will Sheff. Interesting enough, the autobiography is compelling and gives the songs a true boost of realism, which may sound like a total drag to some, but most of the songs are solid indie nuggets that will even please new fans to the group. The Stage Names is full of exciting energy, top quality lyrics, and showcases a band in top form, making Okkervil River the group of the moment for everyone to seek out.

Key Tracks: "Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe", "A Girl In Port", "Plus Ones"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Magnolia Electric Co.
Spoon
The Hold Steady

Official Okkervil River Website
Okkervil River MySpace
Okkervil River Info [Allmusic]
Jagjaguwar Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

Jason Isbell: Sirens Of The Ditch

Jason Isbell
Sirens Of The Ditch
New West Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Ex-trucker shines on solo debut!

Album Review:
When guitarist Jason Isbell parted ways with Drive-By Truckers last year, I am not sure anyone knew when or if we would hear from him again. Well the wait is over and his solo debut Sirens Of The Ditch is a nice batch of alt-country that gets away from the harder rockin’ electric sound of DBT and focuses in more on Isbell’s voice and guitar. All of the songs do an excellent job of highlighting Isbell’s sort of gruff harmonic voice because he tones down the pace on Sirens Of The Ditch and keeps a mostly mid-tempo beat strumming along throughout a good portion of the album. There are several rockers, such as “Shotgun Wedding” but what will surprise you are songs like “Hurricanes And Hand Grenades” that has a soulish blues vibe and the back porch pickin’ on “The Magician”. Intentionally or not these more lone tone and acoustic tracks really do a nice job of separating himself from the DBT catalog. Not that Jason Isbell wants to forget his past but the strength of Sirens Of The Ditch shows he has a promising future.

Key Tracks: "Brand New Kind Of Actress", "Try", "Shotgun Wedding"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Drag The River
Ryan Adams
Tim Easton

Official Jason Isbell Website
Jason Isbell MySpace
Jason Isbell Info [Allmusic]
New West Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Times New Viking: Present The Paisley Reich

Times New Viking
Present The Paisley Reich
Siltbreeze Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Noisy Lo-Fi don't get no better!

Album Review:
Times New Viking is a straight up noisy lo-fi rock band out of Columbus, Ohio. Present The Paisley Reich is the bands second release and it is full of little pop nuggets all wrapped in feedback and packaged in short length tracks. The entire album clocks in just under 30 minutes and each song packs a punch that sounds like your speakers are going to blow from the volume but then you realize it’s the album. The trio seems in perfect line as Adam Elliot and Beth Murphy trade back and forth vocal duties giving the songs on Present The Paisley Reich life and character. The band totally sounds at ease and the tracks never feel forced. The soaring guitar lines bury the melodies and pounding keyboards prevail instead of bass but even when sometimes the songs sound somewhat incomplete, the end result as an album is dynamite. Times New Viking may not be perfect and they play really short songs but after you hit repeat several times you soon find out how powerful this little album can be and you will keep coming back for more!

Key Tracks: "Teenage Lust!", "Little Amps", "Allegory Gets Me Hot"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Guided By Voices
Early Bis
X-Ray Spex

Times New Viking MySpace
Times New Viking Info [Allmusic]
Siltbreeze Records

-Reviewed by Liam Blazer

Garage Mayhem: Live At Asbury Lanes

Various Artists
Garage Mayhem: Live At Asbury Lanes
Headshop Records [2007]






Fire Note Says: East coast shows off their stuff on killer garage rock compilation!

Album Review:
Garage rock has been around for a long time and historically many times is traced back to the late 50’s early 60’s with the likes of Jan & Dean, The Wailers or Link Wray. The current generation has experienced the Detroit garage rock explosion mainly with the help of a little band called The White Stripes. So Garage Mayhem: Live At The Asbury gives the East Coast their shot at tearing it up live on stage. The album features seven bands with New York, Philly, Boston and New Brunswick all getting represented. Each band has two songs over the compilation and the entire album was recorded live at New Jersey’s Asbury Lanes. The album is high energy from beginning to end, especially with Muck & The Mires power chords, hip instrumentals from The Coffin Daggers and the spooky fun organ of The Misteriosos. Moreover, just knowing that this was recorded while people were actually bowling can make anyone smile. There is a little bit for everyone on here and if you even remotely like this type of raw rock then you will totally be into Garage Mayhem: Live At The Asbury because it will open you up to a completely new slew of bands that kick ass in this genre.

Key Tracks:
Muck & The Mires - "It's About Over Now"
The Coffin Daggers - "Forgotten Prisoner"
The Brimstones - "FM Receiver"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Devil Dogs
The Gories
The Mummies

Go Here For Links To All The Bands
Asbury Lanes
Headshop Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Augie March: Moo, You Bloody Choir

Augie March
Moo, You Bloody Choir
Jive/Zomba Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Will the US buy into these already successful Aussies?

Album Review:
Moo, You Bloody Choir is actually Augie March’s third album but the first to really challenge a tough US market. With topping Australia’s sales charts, a win for best single in “One Crowded Hour” and taking home the prestigious AMP Award (Australian Music Prize, the equivalent of England’s Mercury Prize) for artistic achievement, Augie March’s resume should really impress anyone. So after all that you say – What’s all the fuss? The fuss is that Augie March is one of those very rare bands that give you more than one flavor and style on their albums and it totally works. The lead off track “One Crowded Hour” gives you plenty of building guitar and piano that gets stronger with each listen, the rocking “Just Passing Through” is a fun pick-me-up right in the middle, and several songs bring out thoughts of Dylan or Jeff Buckley on the lead. Not only are the songs growingly infectious but the songwriting of Glenn Richards’ is top notch and he puts his English major and study of music to good use. I will admit that it took several listens to get into this album but then I was hooked. I don’t think there is enough “wow” factor on Moo, You Bloody Choir for everyone in the US to get onboard (does anyone know who Travis is over here?) but there is enough to start building a following and we should welcome them back for album number four.

Key Tracks: "One Crowded Hour", "Just Passing Through", "The Cold Acre"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Starsailor
Jeff Buckley
The Decemberists

Official Augie March Website
Augie March MySpace
Augie March Info [Allmusic]
Jive/Zomba Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

Tegan And Sara: The Con

Tegan And Sara
The Con
Vapor/Sire Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Sisters return with a consistent effort.

Album Review:
The first thing you notice on Tegan And Sara’s new album The Con is the expanded sound and polished production (courtesy of Death Cab’s Chris Walla). The songs all have a real bubble and bouncy feel to them flying by at a nice running time of 38 minutes. The Con is over before you have a chance to take it all in but lead single “Back In Your Head” is probably one of the more catchy songs in their catalog right behind “Walking With The Ghost”. I found myself hitting repeat several times on that track alone. I believe what makes Tegan And Sara work is their solid harmonic connection, which is probably either the twin thing, the fact that they have been playing together for a very long time or a combination of both. Regardless, as a whole The Con will please longtime fans of the duo but the jury will be out on if Tegan And Sara can bring many more to the fold. Although, I could see them landing a song on a new Grey’s Anatomy episode this fall – then all bets are off.

Key Tracks: "Back In Your Head", "Relief Next To Me", "Hop A Plane"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Feist
Luscious Jackson
Aqueduct

Official Tegan And Sara Website
Tegan And Sara MySpace
Tegan And Sara Info [Allmusic]
Vapor Records
Sire Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

The Lonely H: Hair

The Lonely H
Hair
The Control Group [2007]







Fire Note Says: Don't let their young age fool you - The Lonely H are the real deal!

Album Review:
Talk about an early start. Port Angeles, WA band The Lonely H just graduated High School in June and now have already released their 2^nd full length album Hair. You might think their inexperience in age would lead to a very juvenile sound or silly songs about grade school crushes but the reality is that The Lonely H can be compared to any well seasoned band out there lyrically or sonically. Hair has a very southern rock vibe to it and lead singer Mark Fredson’s voice would make you believe that he is actually around 30. The album has a balance between classic rock and a modern edge not quite as hard pounding as a Wolfmother but more inline with Kings Of Leon. Every track is a foot taper and hovers around the 3 minute mark except when they totally surprise you on the dynamic fourth track “Drought” which is 8 minutes long and a throwback to those classic Zeppelin tunes that just rock out forever. The young age of The Lonely H is a great thing because not only is Hair a solid release but this ensures we should hear much more from this stellar young band in the years to come.

Key Tracks: "The Meal", "The Drought", "Hair"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Kings Of Leon
The Strokes
Marah

Official Lonely H Website
The Lonely H MySpace
The Lonely H Info [Allmusic]
The Control Group

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Crazy Joe And The Mad River Outlaws: The King Of Nerd-A-Billy

Crazy Joe And The Mad River Outlaws
The King Of Nerd-A-Billy
Atom Records [2007]






Fire Note Says: Welcome to Crazy Joe's world!

Album Review:
Crazy Joe is back with his Mad River Outlaws and he is aiming for a new crown – The King of Nerd-A-Billy! This is Crazy Joe’s second full length release of rockabilly originals and reworked standards that I simply can’t put down. From the opening killer Johnny Horton cover “Wise To The Way Of A Woman” to the groovin’ closer “Kansas City Baby” The King Of Nerd-A-Billy packs tons of fun into a concise 30 minutes. Crazy Joe and his Mad River Outlaws strength is that they don’t take themselves serious but don’t mess around with their music. The guitar playing is top notch, the band is completely in synch and the Joe’s voice is right on key but never do they seem like they overdue it or force their sound. You can just imagine Crazy Joe smirking and truly enjoying himself as sings about his true love in “My Guitar” or the ladies in “I Like My Chicken Fryin’ Size”. With all of that said - do yourself a favor and change up your listening pattern today with a little rockabilly, a hint of surf, a sprinkle or theremin and a whole lotta old school rock n roll by joining Crazy Joe and his Mad River Outlaws nerdy kingdom!

Key Tracks: "Wise To The Ways Of A Woman", "I Like My Chicken Fryin' Size", "My Guitar"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Lee Rocker
Los Straitjackets
Buzz Campbell & Hot Rod Lincoln

Crazy Joe: Sweatin' Bullets Over You EP [Fire Note Review 7/7/06]

Official Crazy Joe Website
Crazy Joe MySpace
Crazy Joe Info [Allmusic]
Atom Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Sum 41: Underclass Hero

Sum 41
Underclass Hero
Island Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Pop Punk mostly done by the numbers.

Album Review:
I am all about a band maturing musically. Every band dreams about releasing tons of albums and having a nice career. The problem for Sum 41 is that they are still trying to find their way. Underclass Hero marks their fifth full length and it finds the band still struggling to figure out their identity. As a pop punk album it meets all of the standards. It has some catchy tracks, several ballads, and plenty of punk riffs but when you get to this stage in a bands career it really needs to be more than punk 101. Setting out to make a statement is fine – It works for Bad Religion – If you are set on making a concept album that works too – It worked for Green Day. But the one thing both of those bands have is solid songwriting to back it up. Unfortunately it is not here consistently for Sum 41 on Underclass Hero. Don’t get me wrong – I believe Sum 41 have it in them to make a really good punk album. The key for them is to find their focus and build on what they are good at, which is fast solid catchy pop punk tracks.

Key Tracks: "March Of The Dogs", "Underclass Hero", "Walking Disaster"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Blink-182
Green Day
Plain White T's

Official Sum 41 Website
Sum 41 MySpace
Sum 41 Info [Allmusic]
Island Records

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby