The Jones Street Boys: Overcome

The Jones Street Boys
Overcome
Smith Street Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Catchy Americana from the "Empire State"!

Album Review:
Americana from Brooklyn might seem a little off but The Jones Street Boys prove that location means nothing if you can craft honest and sincere folk songs with catchy harmonies. Overcome is the bands debut record and it has all of the elements that create a great bluegrass album with a modern appeal. The Jones Street Boys harmonies are spot on and could fit easily onto any Jayhawks recording. Overcome has no surprises as the band uses all the staple folk instruments such as banjo, mandolin, harmonica, accordion and guitar which are played to perfection and lets the music tell its story. Songs like “River Wide” and “Last Time” are foot tapping fun with their strong strumming and harmonic choruses while tracks like “Walls of Time” capture you with their simplicity. Another point of interest for some will be on the song "One Last Love Song" that features the guest vocals of Mekons/Waco Brothers founder Jon Langford. The Jones Street Boys will be a new found treat for any fan of the modern Americana movement and fit beside any of that genres best. For others that like diversity in their playlist, Overcome is a great balance and won’t disappoint because The Jones Street Boys could be your new favorite.

Key Tracks: "River Wide", "Argentina", "Last Time"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Jayhawks
The Avett Brothers
Old Crow Medicine Show

Official Jones Street Boys Website
The Jones Street Boys MySpace
Smith Street Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Feist: The Reminder

Feist
The Reminder
Cherrytree/Interscope Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Bad Fire Note - What were we waiting on?

Album Review:
Everyone has deadlines to make and I clearly missed this one. I have been playing the crap out of Feist’s third album The Reminder and totally forgot to write about it. Plain and simple, The Reminder is one of catchiest and most memorable albums of 2007 that delivers a perfect balance of rock, folk, and electronic danceable pop, which will win you over after just one spin. Love ‘em or hate ‘em the iPod commercials can sell music and an artist in 30 seconds. The good news is that for the most part Apple has good taste and the explosion of “1234” on the airwaves beats anything the American Idols or Britney can spin out so it is great to see that level of exposure for Feist - She is worth every second. Feist is at the top of her game with The Reminder and coming from an indie background and working projects with Broken Social Scene, Kings Of Convenience and a multitude of other notable groups, just gives her songs that extra edge and excitement because they retain an indie vibe. The main winning element of The Reminder is its laid back and relaxing feel. Feist just effortlessly serves up great vocals and rhythms that make the album worth every minute you spend with it and a crime if you don’t hit repeat.

Key Tracks: "I Feel It All", "1234", "My Moon My Man"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Cat Power
Bjork
Julie Sokolow

Official Feist Website
Feist MySpace
Feist Info [Allmusic]
Interscope Records

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

The Celebrity Pilots: Spooky Action

The Celebrity Pilots
Spooky Action
MicroTone Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: A prized member of the GBV family.

Album Review:
Spooky Action is Chris Sheehan’s musical vehicle, The Celebrity Pilots sophomore release, which is full of indie rock gems that should make Cleveland proud. It is well known that Sheehan spends his other hours in the day supporting Robert Pollard on the keyboards and Spooky Action was recorded at Kent's Waterloo Sound Recording and co-produced by Todd Tobias. So to say The Celebrity Pilots are part of the widespread GBV family is an understatement. With that said, The Celebrity Pilots take all of that old school power pop and mix in some organ, guitar and Byrd like harmonies to create an album that gets better with every spin. Spooky Action has all the elements that not only will grab the multitude of GBV fans out there but easily captures fans of The Kinks or The Zombies with its sixties pop qualities, straight up rockers and lo-fi vinyl sound. The timeless sound of The Celebrity Pilots is the bands strength and upbeat tracks like “Festival Of Flies” and “Happy Bloom Day” will fit in on any shuffle playlist. So if you are looking for a band that is completely solid, yet flies under the radar, The Celebrity Pilots will not disappoint and Spooky Action is another great addition to Sheehan’s resume.

Key Tracks: "Festival Of Flies", "Happy Bloom Day", "Western Super Mare"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Tobin Sprout
The Grays
Velvet Crush

Happy Bloom Day (mp3)
Our Dumb Century (mp3)

More On This Album

The Celebrity Pilots MySpace
The Celebrity Pilots Info [Allmusic]

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Telenovela Star: Love, Lust, Sci-Fi & Monsters

Telenovela Star
Love, Lust, Sci-Fi & Monsters
Self-Released [2007]







Fire Note Says: Rock like we have not heard in awhile!

Album Review:
I would have never thought that putting a band together through Craiglist would work that well but Telenovela Star is proof that I don’t know anything. With only an EP in the bag since 2005, Love, Lust, Sci-Fi & Monsters is Telenovela Star’s debut record which is a solid offering of rock from the New York female trio. Some people may already be familiar with the bands music because their track "The Car Song” is the theme music for Beyond the Break, which is a drama on The N! Channel about competitive female surfers that sees Season 3 start in 2008. Currently the song is up for an Independent Music Award in the TV category. Clearly, the band would like to expand beyond the demographic of the surfer show and Love, Lust, Sci-Fi & Monsters has the strength to do so. Lead vocalist Hanna Klein soars from song to song and leads the band with sassy lyrics and an attitude that all good frontwomen possess. Songs like “Sucker”, “Fluff” and “Vampire” all follow a lost rock formula that many bands had in the early nineties like Vercua Salt and Tuscadero. Telenovela Star take this rock and modernize it with harmonizing hooks that groove and some mid tempo numbers that have a shoegaze burn to them with satisfying results. Telenovela Star has the potential to break out with the right timing and exposure, which could make them a band to watch out for in 2008.

Key Tracks: "Fluff", "Sucker", "Metrics"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Veruca Salt
Lush
Velocity Girl

Official Telenovela Star Website
Telenovela Star MySpace
Telenovela Star Info [Wikipedia]

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Your 33 Black Angels: Lonely Street

Your 33 Black Angels
Lonely Street
Self-Released [2007]







Fire Note Says: New York underground sees the light!

Album Review:
Stumbling across new music is one of my favorite little joys in life and when I breezed over Your 33 Black Angels MySpace page, I was instantly hooked by the group’s lo-key approach to creating their sound. Y33BA does not have the best singer nor do they have the best musicians but what the band does have is catchy cohesiveness. As an album, the self-released Lonely Street feels good to the ear when you play it all the way through or as songs jump up in the shuffle play. Some might say that is a lame approach or test for an album but you would be surprised how many albums by better known bands can’t pass that test. Y33BA pull it all off without trying that hard to impress anyone due to the effortless Josh Westfal’s vocals being delivered Malkmus style and the support by his band mates that make the music happen but never take a lead. Those two elements are the real treat and key of Lonely Street’s success because there are no distractions and you are completely sold on Your 33 Black Angels as a package deal from the beginning foot tapper “Psycho On Your Side” till the hush closing of “Ornaments” and pretty much everything else in-between.

Key Tracks: "Psycho On Your Side", "Sue", "This Is The Road To Lonely Street, The Path To Devotion"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Little Ones
Pavement
The Unicorns

Official Your 33 Black Angels Website
Your 33 Black Angels MySpace

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

The Glad Version: Make Islands

The Glad Version
Make Islands
Draw Fire Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: The Glad Version grows stronger with each release with Make Islands being their best to date!

Album Review:
It is always nice to see the progression of a young band and especially when they really start to hit their stride. Minneapolis’ Glad Version is definitely one of those bands. Make Islands is the bands third album since 2004 and the refinement of their sound is very noticeable. Each track has a much more methodical approach to it with every harmony, beat, guitar lick and hush vocal planned down to the second, which for some bands would come off like stale bread but for The Glad Version it enables their true self to shine through track after track. Even compared to the excellent Lights Out North Star [2006], The Glad Version sound like they have matured five years with the spotless production and lyrical strength presented here. Make Islands is definitely the album to bring the band a wider audience and now that they are older, wiser and more focused than ever, the winning elements of The Glad Version will ensure that every indie power pop lover will just eat them up and come back for more!

Key Tracks: "Ambulance", "Make Islands", "Quiet On The Set"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Nada Surf
Death Cab For Cutie
Margot And The Nuclear So & So's

Official Glad Version Website
The Glad Version MySpace
Draw Fire Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Happy Thanksgiving: Ten 2007 Releases To Be Thankful For!

Here is just a simple list of some 2007 releases that have been burnin’ up The Fire Note office this year. Happy Thanksgiving To All!

The Afghan Whigs
Unbreakable: A Retrospective 1990-2006
Rhino/WEA Records [2007]






You can fight all you want about the tracklist but nobody can argue that the Afghan Whigs helped define alternative rock and were one of the most distinctive bands in the genre. You can’t go wrong on their first compilation getting sixteen favorites and two new tracks.
___________________________________________________

U2
The Joshua Tree (Deluxe Edition)
Island Records [1987/2007]

This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Joshua Tree, which was U2’s biggest selling album to date. The deluxe package comprises a great sounding remastered Joshua Tree and a bonus CD that features b-sides and rarities from the Joshua Tree sessions.
___________________________________________________

Robert Pollard
Happy Jack Rock Records Singles Series
Happy Jack Rock Records [2007]





Like we need more Robert Pollard? That answer is always yes! The Happy Jack Rock Records Single Series features one 7" per month for 12 months (starting June 22, 07). The A sides are from Robert Pollard simultaneous releases on Merge Records, Standard Gargoyle Decisions & Coast To Coast Carpet Of Love, while the B side is a non album release. Long live the 7” and Pollard B Sides!
___________________________________________________

Sonic Youth
Daydream Nation (Deluxe Edition)
Geffen Records [1987/2007]

"No. 1 in Top 100 Albums of 80’s" (Pitchfork, 2002)
"100 Greatest Albums of the 1980s" (Rolling Stone, 1989)
"100 Alternative Albums" (Spin, 1995)
"Top 99 Albums of `85 to `95" (Alternative Press, 1995)
"The Essential 200 Rock Records" (Rolling Stone, 1997)
"Top 100 Albums of All Time" (New Musical Express, 2003)

- Enough Said.
___________________________________________________

Robert Plant | Alison Krauss
Raising Sand
Rounder Records [2007]







Never would have dreamed up this duo, nor did we think it would be that great. We all were wrong!
___________________________________________________

Ani DiFranco
Canon
Righteous Babe [2007]

After 18 albums released in the 18 years since the launching of her own Righteous Babe record label, DiFranco offers a two disc, 35-song retrospective that offers a glimpse into why she is a pioneer. Who needs major labels – Ani already knew this.

___________________________________________________

Idlewild
Scottish Fiction (The Best Of 1997-2007)
EMI Records [2007]

You may or may not know Idlewild but they are one of the biggest Scottish rock acts of all time and this compilation is a stellar introduction to what you have been missing.

___________________________________________________

The Libertines
Time For Heroes: The Best Of The Libertines
Rough Trade Records [2007]

Too early for a best of from The Libertines you say? That’s what you think till you pop this puppy in and it showcases what a great band they really were.

___________________________________________________

NOFX
They've Actually Gotten Worse Live!
Fat Wreck Chords [2007]







If you never had a chance to check out one of the great punk bands of our time live this album is for you!
___________________________________________________

Young Marble Giants
Colossal Youth & Collected Works
Domino Records [1980/2007]







Shame on you if you have never heard this album. This digitally remastered and expanded set does the album justice and sounds great. Colossal Youth has influenced many bands we all love today and should be somewhere in your collection.

The Forms: The Forms

The Forms
The Forms
Threespheres/The Rebel Group [2007]









Fire Note Says: The Forms give lesson in rock on sophomore disc!

Album Review:
The wait is finally over! The Forms have finally released the follow-up to their critically lauded debut Icarus [2003] with their self-titled sophomore disc. After four years in the making, The Forms make the wait worth every minute offering another post-rock set of tracks that will instantaneously grab a permanent position in your playlist. Anyone can pick up a guitar and pound out some rock, in reality I am pretty good at Guitar Hero, but not just any band can sound this good. The Forms hit you with catchy angular rock that is short, precise, and melodic which does not leave any room for error. In fact, Icarus was a lengthy eighteen minutes and The Forms almost doubles that output clocking in just less than thirty minutes with expanded song structures that work for the band. The Forms are not offering anything new here but they do show that spending some time on a project can provide rewarding results and prove that sometimes less really is more – lets just hope we don’t have to wait another four years on the next record!

Another note of interest to Forms fans is their contribution of “Ignoreland” to Stereogum’s tribute to R.E.M.’s ‘Automatic For The People released October 2nd! You can download all the tracks for free here Stereogum Automatic For The People along with other indie bands like Rogue Wave, The Wrens, Meat Puppets, and Dappled Cities totaling 22 tracks in all with the bonus tracks!

Key Tracks: "Knowledge In Hand", "Alpha", "Blue Whale"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Dismemberment Plan
Pinback
The Wrens

The Forms WOXY Lounge Act Download

Official Forms Website
The Forms MySpace
The Forms Info [Allmusic]
Threespheres Records
The Rebel Group

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Rebekah Higgs: Rebekah Higgs

Rebekah Higgs
Rebekah Higgs
Outside Music [2007]







Fire Note Says: Another rewarding album from up North!

Album Review:
Rebekah Higgs is a great new singer-songwriter from Halifax, Nova Scotia and her self-titled release will win you over with one listen. At just 24 years of age her voice is well-seasoned and her material is timeless, singing about the trickiness of love and dealing with the good and bad of relationships. The songs all have strong melodies and tell perspective stories that keep your interest with their clever wordplay. What sets Higgs apart from every other girl with a stellar voice is the albums layered production and intricacy that brings in just a hint of electronic much like several of her influences Bjork and Radiohead. The album has a complete balance with a good mix of upbeat feel good tracks and ballads that really spotlight Rebekah’s voice. If you are a person that is always in search of that new artist before they break big, Higgs is the artist for you to hear now because tomorrow it may be too late!

Key Tracks: "My Feet", "Parables", "Piano Song"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Emma Pollock
Feist
Amy Millan

Parables (mp3)
Mr. Weatherman (mp3)

Official Rebekah Higgs Website
Rebekah Higgs MySpace
Rebekah Higgs Info [Wikipedia]
Outside Music

More On This Album

Buy at Napster

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Minipop: A New Hope

Minipop
A New Hope
Take Root Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Lush indie pop from the San Francisco Bay!

Album Review:
Fans in the Bay Area have been enjoying the sounds and buzzing about Minipop from the day the band hit the live circuit in 2005. With the recent release of their debut record A New Hope everyone else now can experience what all that hype is about. Lead vocalist Tricia Kanne’s enchanting vocals will immediately grab your attention with her soaring range that weaves in and out of each song and not once let you consider turning Minipop off. The band itself is already primed for the next step and has a large underground following playing with renowned bands such as Metric, Tegan and Sara, Midlake, Rogue Wave and Tokyo Police Club, as well as strong performances at Noise Pop Festival and SXSW earlier this year. A New Hope is full of solid indie pop gems that have a perfect balance of crisp guitars, atmospheric song structures and bittersweet vocals that register an instant win for the band and will easily pull in fans of all different genres. A New Hope is one of those albums that slowly creeps into your favorites with repeat listens and will be, well into 2008.

Key Tracks: "Like I Do", "Generator", "Ask Me A Question"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Eisley
Great Northern
Belly

Official Minipop Website
Minipop MySpace
Take Root Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir: The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir

The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Bloodshot Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: 1 dedicated leader + 50 musicians = getting it right!

Album Review:
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir has one of those great band names that just confuses the hell out of the common folk. Although they are led by Welsh born Elia Einhorn, the group hails from Chicago, their gospel examines issues of drug abuse, mental illness and sexual identity and the choir is just a solid group of musicians who are better recognized as a chamber pop collective, given the 50 musicians that appear on the record. This self-title debut for Bloodshot Records is the group’s sophomore outing and as precise and tight as the music is you would think that the band is well into their career. The subject matter of the album grabs your interest with its intensity and weaving tales but still allows you to wonder off because the tracks are catchy, textured, upbeat and harmonic. The 9 tracks get some extra help from the stellar performance of Ellen O’ Hayer who takes the lead on several songs giving the album a more collective feel and also one of its best tracks with “Everything You Paid For”. Some other notable performers that help out include Sally Timms, Nora O’Connor (The Blacks) and Kelly Hogan who sing backup on the album, and musicians Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley), Matt Priest, Megan O’Conner (Canasta), and Brett Whitacre (Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers.) With the talent that The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir bring together and an album that only clocks in at 25 minutes you just can’t go wrong with giving SYGC a spin, which I guarantee is all it will take to convert you into a believer too.

Key Tracks: "I Never Thought I Could Feel This Way For A Boy", "Aspidistra", "Everything You Paid For"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Belle & Sebastian
Arcade Fire
The Reindeer Section

Official The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Website
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir MySpace
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir Info [Allmusic]
Bloodshot Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Jim Ward: Quiet EP

Jim Ward
Quiet EP
Civil Defense League [2007]









Fire Note Says: Sparta frontman goes Quiet!

Album Review:
You may not know Jim Ward the musician by name but I guarantee you have heard of his ground breaking band At The Drive-In and his current band Sparta. After coming home from a loud Sparta tour, Jim wanted to sit and rest at his house just playing his acoustic guitar quietly. He enjoyed these sessions so much that he started recording them in his studio, which was the beginning of what he hopes could be a series. The first of that possible series is presented here on the Quiet EP, which puts Ward in a completely different light and forum. The EP should not be written off as just “home recordings” because all five tracks are complete compositions that Ward even invited several friends to help on the project musically which include Ray Wallace (Secret Life of Sparrows) on the song "On My Way Back Home Again", Chris Heinrich (Sleepercar) adds ukulele on "Coastlines" and Maura Davis (Denali, Ambulette) sings on "Take it Back". The end result of Jim Ward’s new project is a clearly defined new beginning in an artist’s career that shines a bright light on his future as a solo artist as he changes pace from the loud to the Quiet.

Key Tracks: "Take It Back", "On My Way Back Home", "Coastlines"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Sleepercar
Iron & Wine
William Elliott Whitmore

Jim Ward MySpace
Jim Ward Info [Wikipedia]
Civil Defense League

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

The Exploders: Easy And The Sun

The Exploders
Easy And The Sun
Rubber Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: Straight shootin' quality Rock n' Roll!

Album Review:
Melbourne’s The Exploders let it all hang out on their sophomore release Easy And The Sun and are successful focusing all of the garage energy from their self-titled debut into a full fledge rock experience that is loaded with big riffs, catchy hooks and smart songwriting. Stand out tracks on the album include the impossible to get out of your head “I Can't Dance”, the dabbling in 60s pop track “Little Summer Dress”, and the in your face guitar driven “Straight Ahead”. After their mostly spiffed up demos debut was a hit the duo of TJ Allender (vocals/guitar) and Paul Doery (bass) wanted to take the recording of Easy And The Sun to a serious level this go around and flew to Dallas, Texas to work with producer Stuart Sikes (Modest Mouse, The White Stripes, Cat Power and Hot Hot Heat). The results speak for themselves with an album that shows off the different faces of The Exploders and a diverse style that will appeal to the masses. The Exploders succeed because they not only sound current but they bring back the spirit of The Jam, The Replacements and The Rolling Stones with their all out rock assault that not only makes Easy And The Sun worth checking out but repeat listens a must. No word yet on an US release so you will need to hunt down the Aussie import.

Key Tracks: "I Can't Dance", "Little Summer Dress", "Cola"

Bands With Similar Fire:
You Am I
Supergrass
Jet

Little Summer Dress (mp3)
I Can't Dance (mp3)

Official Exploders Website
The Exploders MySpace
The Exploders Info [Allmusic]
Rubber Records

Buy at iTunes Music Store

More On This Album

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

The Hives: The Black And White Album

The Hives
The Black And White Album
A&M / Octone Records [2007]









Fire Note Says: The Hives take us on a wild ride for number 3!

Album Review:
Our favorite Swedish dudes make a big return on their third album The Black And White Album with new suits, color schemes and a whole new arrangement of their straight up dance punk formula that forms some bizarre offerings and ultimately satisfies the listener at its conclusion. The Hives launch the in-your-face punk right out of the gate with first single “Tick Tick Boom” that does not sway away from their familiar sound but as “Try It Again” kicks in with the backup cheerleading you begin to notice that this album is bigger, slicker and made for a much wider audience. At this point, many of The Hives original fanbase may check out but if you stay, The Hives have more head turners planned for you. The big swing of “Well All Right!” is a fit for the band all the way down to the wooh-hoos and the mid song ballad break. The weird funkiness of “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” and the finger snapper “Puppet On A String” will make many just shake their head and ask what the boys have been smoking but the rock that surrounds even the weirdest moments is completely solid and makes everything else you might question about The Black And White Album work. Now for your most important warning about The Black And White Album: The Hives will shake the hell out of your speakers and cause wooziness with too many spins but good old fashioned rock n’ roll fun is guaranteed!

Key Tracks: "Tick Tick Bomb", "Well All Right!", "Try It Again"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The White Stripes
Devo
Talking Heads

Official Hives Website
The Hives MySpace
The Hives Info [Allmusic]
A&M / Octone Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Fancey: Schmancey

Fancey
Schmancey
What Are Records? [2007]








Fire Note Says: A full scale 70's pop assault!

Album Review:
Todd Fancey is best known as a guitarist in The New Pornographers alongside his buddies Case, Newman, and Bejar. Schmancey is Todd’s sophomore release under his Fancey moniker and it follows in the footsteps of his 2004 self-titled debut by fully reaffirming his lovefest with blissful 70’s pop. From the opener to closer you would swear that the radio has been dialed back and I am pretty sure that on “Heaven’s Way” the Gibb brothers are in the backing vocals. Even the tracklisting on the CD is split into a Side A and Side B with the perfect record turning song and Sloan like rocker “Karma’s Out To Get Me”, which is a great reminder of the way music used to be organized and how that piece of art has been long lost in the digital age. Whether you call Fancey a side project or the priority gig for Todd it has elements that reflect his time spent with the Pornographers which will just widen Schmancey’s fanbase. For everyone else, you will be stunned how these songs just grow on you with each listen and while their vibe is a throwback to the 70's, Fancey feels fresh, current and just right for today!

Key Tracks: "Witches Night", "Lost In Twilight", "Karma's Out To Get Me"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Peter Bjorn And John
The Bee Gees
Sloan

Witches Night (mp3)
Gulf Breeze (mp3)
Fader (mp3)

Official Fancey Website
Fancey MySpace
Fancey Info [Allmusic]
What Are Records?

Buy at eMusic

-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri

The Purrs: The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together

The Purrs
The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together
Big Damn Deal Music [2007]









Fire Note Says: The Purrs find the right mix on third LP!

Album Review:
The Purrs are back with their third effort The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together, which brings more of their UK / Seattle groovin’ rock n’ roll connection to the masses. Building on all the hype the band has earned over the last several years The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together shows great refinement from their earlier work. Where before they dabbled into different elements of Brit-pop, shoegaze and psych rock, The Purrs have now jumped in with both feet and made the combination of all these styles their own. The catchiest track on the album “She’s Got Chemicals” not only is their best song to date but it has an instant hook and beat that will stay in your head all day. The albums flow is like a two phased journey by frontloading the beginning with shorter pop rock songs while the second half of the album will appeal to The Purrs shoegaze fanbase with the almost eight minute “Disconnected” and the last four songs averaging around the six minute mark. The Chemistry That Keeps Us Together will appeal to every indie fan out there, because it has all the components to grab different fans and unite them for one Purrs experience!

Key Tracks: "She's Got Chemicals", "Waiting For The Asteroid", "Drive"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Velvet Underground
The Redwalls
The Church

The Purrs: The Purrs [Fire Note Review 9/15/06]

Official Purrs Website
The Purrs MySpace
The Purrs Info [Allmusic]

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Cat Empire: So Many Nights

The Cat Empire
So Many Nights
Virgin Records (AU) [2007]







Fire Note Says: This band will keep you guessin'!

Album Review:
The Cat Empire does not like to be pinned down into just one style or genre and So Many Nights is the proof. The Melbourne, Australian band plays a fusion of jazz, rock, ska and funk all with a heavy Latin influence. Their high energy and instrument switching constantly keeps you guessing track to track but uniformly you will agree that they are pretty good at each genre. The quick shift in direction might be confusing but for The Cat Empire it is the element that makes them interesting. So Many Nights is the bands forth album and it debuted at number 2 down under just last month. The Cat Empire has a small following in the US after seeing their 2005 album Two Shoes release earlier this year and hitting all of the late shows to support it. I do hope that we will get another chance to see The Cat Empire stateside with the release of So Many Nights early in 2008. So until that time if you are looking for unique band to add to your playlists, be sure to seek out The Cat Empire’s more ready available Two Shoes, which should influence you to either be ready to buy So Many Nights when it hits or seek out the import now.

Key Tracks: "No Longer There", "Sunny Moon", "So Many Nights"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Coral
The Toasters
The Zutons

Official Cat Empire Website
The Cat Empire MySpace
The Cat Empire Info [Allmusic]
Virgin Records

-Reviewed by Liam Blazer

Emma Pollock: Watch The Fireworks

Emma Pollock
Watch The Fireworks
4AD Records [2007]







Fire Note Says: Goodbye Delgados - Hello Pollock!

Album Review:
Many on the indie seen took a huge sigh back in 2005 when the breakup news of The Delgados hit the boards but now is time for those fans to rejoice again with the debut record from longtime Delgado Emma Pollock. Her new record Watch The Fireworks is a solid collection of tracks that sound innovative, current and inviting all directed by Pollock’s gift of melody and lyrical weaving. Of course, Emma does not just pull off her debut without some help and that comes in the form of a usual suspect in her husband and Delgado drummer Paul Savage, Campbell McNeil (Aerogramme), and some other longtime collaborators. For all of those Delgados fans out there Watch The Fireworks has a very familiar sound with start and stop guitars, distinct drums and vocal completeness. Emma Pollock’s debut is full of highlights and is a pleasant reminder of why we liked The Delgados and why we should look forward to Pollock’s solo career.

Key Tracks: "Acid Test", "Paper And Glue", "The Optimist"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Feist
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton
Aimee Mann

Official Emma Pollock Website
Emma Pollock MySpace
Emma Pollock Info [Allmusic]
4AD Records

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Oslo: The Rise And Fall Of Love And Hate

Oslo
The Rise And Fall Of Love And Hate
Six Feet Music [2007]






Fire Note Says: A band destined to be recognized.

Album Review:
Oslo is one of those bands that many people in the “business” know about but they remain relatively new on the public scene. The band hopes all of that will change with this week’s release of their sophomore record The Rise And Fall Of Love And Hate. It is not like they have not had any press because Oslo’s music has already appeared on CSI: NY and The Unit as well as the band being selected to support Blue October’s fall tour. Oslo has many friends and support partly due to founding member multi-instrumentalist Gabrial McNair, who has played for No Doubt as well as Green Day and Gwen Stefani. After McNair linked up with Kerry Wayne James, lead vocalist Mattia Borrani, keyboardist Damon Ramirez (Fungo Mungo) and drummer Charlie Walker (Institute, Helmet) the band was on their way to breaking out. Oslo plays a true mix of rock, shoegaze and UK charm straight out of California that is full of textured layers and detailed song structures. Borrani’s vocals soar above the instrumentation and lead each song to a convincing conclusion. The album was co-produced with Grammy Nominated engineer/mixer Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mickey P (Beck, Peaches, The Eels) and Sam Fogarino (Drummer, Interpol), which also plays on several tracks along with other guest performers like Adrian Young (No Doubt), Melissa Auf Der Maur, and Paz Lechantin (Zwan). The balance for Oslo on The Rise And Fall Of Love And Hate is that for all of the complexity of their music the tracks succeed because they are very brooding and catchy, which just makes you want to take them for another spin.

Key Tracks: "No Regrets", "A Darker Shade", "Slowdive"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Interpol
South
Editors

Official Oslo Website
Oslo MySpace
Oslo Info [Allmusic]
Six Feet Music

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony