Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest

Grizzly Bear
Veckatimest
Warp Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: In a league of its own!

Album Review:
This is a record that I could easily run out of positive adjectives to describe and will could consistenly go crazy over for awhile because Grizzly Bear's new release Veckatimest is a complete enjoyable listen from Track 1 to Track 12. It is a sonic experience that sounds superb through headphones or over the car speakers as each song on Veckatimest builds, weaves and harmonizes. Grizzly Bear is not a group that overtakes you with power but with the artistry of finesse. They blend harmonies, folk and intricately use instruments with such an ease that each grandiose track comes off cleanly and transitions into the next without a hiccup. Each track feels like an event in itself, like the building orchestra in "I Live With You" or the jazzy swagger and harmonies in "Two Weeks" that instantly elicits humming along. The key to remember about Veckatimest is that it will not take you over immediately and may seem at times to lag but Grizzly Bear is not here to run a mile but to win the marathon. That is the beauty of Veckatimest because it really is a record that is meant for multiple listens, has hidden singles and surprises you around every perfected melody. This is easily an album that will be in our Top 5 if not the number 1 spot for 2009. I know it is a bold statement given that it is only May but Veckatimest is that good - believe the hype!

Key Tracks: "Two Weeks", "Ready, Able", "While You Wait For The Others"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Radiohead
Animal Collective
TV On The Radio

Official Grizzly Bear Website
Grizzly Bear MySpace
Grizzly Bear Info [Allmusic]
Warp Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Eat Skull: Wild And Inside

Eat Skull
Wild And Inside
Siltbreeze Records [2009]









Fire Drill Review:
What is not to like about a lo-fi record that gives you its all in under 30 minutes. That is exactly what you get with Portland's Eat Skull and their lo-fi sophomore LP ride Wild And Inside. The songs sound pieced together and fuzzy but Eat Skull somehow find a way to let the catchy pop surface. Wild And Inside takes a more old school garage rock approach and leaves out the really noisy stuff found on Eat Skull's debut. This shift in style definitely points to a new maturity of the band, which pays off again and again during each fuzzed romper!

Key Track: "Heaven's Stranger"

Band With Similar Fire: Times New Viking

Eat Skull MySpace
Eat Skull Info [Allmusic]
Siltbreeze Records

Wild and Inside - Eat Skull

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Black Moth Super Rainbow: Eating Us

Black Moth Super Rainbow
Eating Us
Graveface Records [2009]









Fire Drill Review:
This is easily the slickest record that Black Moth Super Rainbow has released, which I am sure is partly due to producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, MGMT) being at the helm. This is the album that should expand BMSR fanbase but probably won't get them into the mainstream. I am not sure any of the tracks are independently catchy but as an overall entry - Eating Us has smooth electronic transitions, attention getting swirling vocals and works well in one setting being the album is around 35 minutes and offers enough "moments" that it is worth going back to.

Key Track: "Born On A Day The Sun Didn't Rise"

Band With Similar Fire: Broadcast

Official Black Moth Super Rainbow Website
Black Moth Super Rainbow MySpace
Black Moth Super Rainbow Info [Allmusic]
Graveface Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Tori Amos: Abnormally Attracted To Sin

Tori Amos
Abnormally Attracted To Sin
Universal Music Group [2009]








Fire Note Says: Tori goes on and on and on.

Album Review:
There are certain things you want from a Tori album: 1.) piano - it is here 2.) solid emotional ballad - it is here on "Maybe California" 3.) Just songs and no concepts - Abnormally Attracted To Sin leaves the concept ideas of her most recent records behind 4.) Sharp, witty and dynamic song structures that leave you wanting more - sorry not on this one. On Tori's tenth album she does try to rekindle some of her earlier work and not worry so much about a theme but simply creating a great batch of tracks. The problem here is that at 17 songs playing out over an enormous length of 1 hour and 12 minutes, you just get bogged down. It is not that Abnormally Attracted To Sin doesn't have some solid Tori songs, such as in the stellar and trippy opener "Give" that is dark and sultry, but on too many tracks there is no stay factor. The songs exist but after you listen to five more, you will forget everything you already heard. Amos is on the right track by returning to the basics but next time she would benefit from pairing the list down to her best 12. I guarantee that if this is accomplished - Tori will rise again!

Key Tracks: "Fire To Your Plain", "Give", "Mary Jane"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Sarah Rabdau
Kate Bush
Charlotte Martin

Official Tori Amos Website
Tori Amos MySpace
Tori Amos Info [Allmusic]
Universal Music Group

Abnormally Attracted To Sin - ...

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Love in October: Love in October [EP]

Love in October
Love in October [EP]
The Musik Group [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
Love in October return to the scene this week with the release of their self-titled EP. The seven song record has a mixed bag of disco dance rock and indie pop that has a surprising 2 minute instrumental rock opener in Kära Gud, ge mig en själ..."("Dear God, give me a soul..."). The rest of the EP is fairly straightforward indie rock with a dance twist because Love in October's niche is that they supplement their style with a very hard driving guitar like in "Dance Johannes Kepler" but can still pull it back into the likable and smooth mid tempo "Permutations". This self-titled EP does exactly what you want, by having no filler while still offering catchy short tracks that stick in your head and make you want a full length - that is what Love in October is all about!

Key Track: "Like Nothing Ever Happened"

Band With Similar Fire: Weezer

Love in October: Pontus, The Devil, And Me [Fire Note Review 1/14/08]

Official Love in October Website
Love in October MySpace
Love in October Info [Allmusic]

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Meredith Meyer: It's Spooky To Be Young

Meredith Meyer
It's Spooky To Be Young
Willow Walk Music [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
Singer/songwriter Meredith Meyer has a very memorable voice that instantly stays with you on her four year in the making sophomore record It's Spooky To Be Young. Her voice is very Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLachlan and Aimee Mann like all balled into one, which is a recipe for success. Overall, It's Spooky To Be Young is a low key affair, which allows you to really get to know Meyer but it is also the only downside of the record, because I know she has much more to offer with her vocal talents!

Key Track: "Video Game Girl"

Band With Similar Fire: Aimee Mann

Official Meredith Meyer Website
Meredith Meyer MySpace

It's Spooky To Be Young - Mere...

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Alasdair Roberts: Spoils

Alasdair Roberts
Spoils
Drag City Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: Another release from Roberts that will grip you for every minute!

Album Review:
Alasdair Roberts is a Scottish singer/songwriter that provides some of the most thought provoking and metaphorical lyrics that rivals most of his indie peers. Spoils is Roberts fifth record and like his earlier releases, it needs to be repeatedly listened to, digested and then listened to again. Roberts stories usually take time to tell and on Spoils this style remains. With an average of almost 6 minutes a song, Roberts weaves his tales and sings them out with great passion in his simple strong Scottish accent folk way, which simply captivates you during all eight songs to conclusion. You get so involved with Alasdair, that you lose track of time, may not be able to remember the drive or simply will miss your appointments all together. Roberts is an artist that is not immediately accessible but once you get it - you get it and Spoils will creep into your everyday rotation. It is this kind of talent I seek out constantly and when you find it take hold because they don't all come along like Alasdair Roberts!

Key Tracks: "You Muses Assist", "Hazel Forks", "Unyoked Oxen Turn"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Songs: Ohia
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Bill Callahan

Official Alasdair Roberts Website
Alasdair Roberts MySpace
Alasdair Roberts Info [Allmusic]
Drag City Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Los Straitjackets: The Further Adventures Of Los Straitjackets

Los Straitjackets
The Further Adventures Of Los Straitjackets
Yep Roc Records [2009]







 

Album Review:
This is the record Straitjackets fans have been waiting for six years to hear. The Further Adventures Of Los Straitjackets leaves behind 60's twists and guest vocal tracks of their past several records, for a full album of what Los Straitjackets know best - Surf! It is a much more heavy record then some of their earlier work, which has memorable riffs and reverb that will get your feet tapping in seconds. For many, surf music is an acquired taste but trust me when I tell you that it only takes one spin of Further Adventures to make you a fan of these Mexican wrestling mask-wearing dudes from Nashville to get hooked and work your back through surf history. Nice to have you back Straitjackets!

Key Track: "Sasquatch"

Band With Similar Fire: The Mulchmen

Los Straitjackets: Smells Like Teen Spirit [Single] [Fire Note Review 1/15/09]
Los Straitjackets: Twist Party!!! [Fire Note Review 10/6/06]

Official Los Straitjackets Website
Los Straitjackets MySpace
Los Straitjackets Info [Allmusic]
Yep Roc Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Mark Kozelek: Lost Verses Live

Mark Kozelek
Lost Verses Live
Caldo Verde Records [2009]









Fire Drill Review:
Mark Kozelek has quietly been releasing live recordings that typically do a great job of capturing his dynamic stage presence and almost perfect delivery of his emotional tracks. Lost Verses Live showcases a compilation of his 2007 and 2008 acoustic tours with Sun Kil Moon/Red House Painters guitarist Phil Carney. The set is lengthy at 14 songs and 74 Minutes, which is a great thing for fans, because not only does Kozelek cover his Sun Kil Moon collection but you get the bonus Red House Painter's songs. What could be somewhat of a snooze half way in, due to the more low key structures of his songs, is totally balanced with Kozelek's connection with the smaller audiences and his sense of humor. If you enjoy Sun Kil Moon, Red House Painters or any other Kozelek project but have yet discovered his live recordings, then there is no reason not to start with Lost Verses Live, because it encompasses everything he has to offer!
Key Track: "Katy Song"

Band With Similar Fire: Mark Lanegan

Sun Kil Moon: April [Fire Note Review 4/18/08]

Official Mark Kozelek Website
Mark Kozelek MySpace
Mark Kozelek Info [Allmusic]
Caldo Verde Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

The Horrors: Primary Colours

The Horrors
Primary Colours
XL Recordings [2009]

Fire Note Says: Stylistic shift works for former UK garage rockers!

Album Review:
The Horrors stood out on their own limb back in '06 and '07 with their garage goth blend and guess what? The Horrors still stand out alone on their new release in '09 with Primary Colours plus have added another adjective to describe their vibe - shoegazers! The UK group still is very dark and still have a snarl but the interesting twist is that they now have a brooding lead singer in Faris Badwan that focuses much more on singing and emotion this round then just trying to be louder than the music. Like in the catchy faster paced "Who Can Say" spoken word interrupts the beats for a critical moment to drive home the songs point with a memorable lyric "And when I told her I didn't love her anymore, She cried. And when I told her, her kisses were not like before, She cried. And when I told her another girl had caught my eye, She cried. And I kissed her, with a kiss that could only mean goodbye." This true feeling did not really exist on Strange House [2007] and before a song barley passed the four minute mark, where two on Primary Colours shoot past seven. This all translates into an album that keeps you wanting to move forward and forces you to go back and make sure you didn't miss anything on the first go around. The Horrors have made a positive career turn with Primary Colours that still packs enough punch and smokiness to retain their old fanbase, while creating an atmospheric shoegaze in their songs that have a deeper substance, which in turn will grab an entire new batch of followers!

Key Tracks: "Who Can Say", "Scarlet Fields", "Sea Within A Sea"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Psychedelic Furs
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Spacemen 3

The Horrors: Strange House [Fire Note Review 5/10/07]
The Horrors: The Horrors EP [Fire Note Review 11/14/06]

Official Horrors Website
The Horrors MySpace
The Horrors Info [Allmusic]
XL Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Woods: Songs Of Shame

Woods
Songs Of Shame
Shrimper Records [2009]








 
Fire Drill Review:
I have been sitting with this record for quite some time now and have been slightly left speechless. Not because it is the best thing I have ever heard but because of its gripping appeal that has not let me put it away.

They say if you love something set it free and that is what I am doing with the newest lo-fi, folk tinged Woods record Songs Of Shame. The group is primarily the duo of Jeremy Earl and Jarvis Taveniere, which play together in Meneguar but Woods is a totally different project and musical direction.

On Songs Of Shame they accomplish releasing a cohesive record that will overwhelm you with its simplicity, melodic catchiness and surprises like the over nine minute jam "September With Pete" that just about makes up a third of the album. Woods is a group to seek out because Songs Of Shame is lo-fi record that everyone can get into because its perfect song structures trick you into believing its not!

Key Track: "Down This Road"

Band With Similar Fire: The Mountain Goats

Official Woods Website
Woods MySpace
Woods Info [Allmusic]
Shrimper Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Honor By August: Found

Honor By August
Found
Self-Released [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
Washington DC band Honor By August play a smooth style of catchy mid tempo anthem rock that has won them the grand prize in the Billboard World Song Contest, as well as the XM Radio / Bon Jovi “Have a Nice Gig” Contest plus they have had their music broadcast on ESPN. Found plays like any track could break Honor By August out to the masses because all twelve tracks have a likability to them with the right media placement new fans will be hooked instantly. Nothing on Found stands out as new but Honor By August backs up the record with solid songwriting and feelings that carry it to the next level. One listen to the piano ballad "Johnny (Pass Me Another One)" will drive enough emotional connection with listeners to propel Honor By August to a radio near you!

Key Track: "Found"

Band With Similar Fire: Better Than Ezra

Official Honor By August Website
Honor By August MySpace

Found - Honor By August

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Glassnote Ent. [2009]









Fire Note Says: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix gets better after every spin!

Album Review:
By the time you get through the first three songs on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and have spent eleven minutes with the French indie band Phoenix you will be totally sold. In these three tracks alone ("Lisztomania", "1901", "Fences") the band puts together a blend of stylish power pop punch that other groups strive to make their entire career. To basically describe Phoenix in a formula would call for packing the swagger of The Strokes, injecting the dance synths of Franz Ferdinand and stirring in catchy lyrics and a pop bounce much like Fountains Of Wayne. This formula works through the entire album, which is a superb compact 10 songs in 36 minutes. Phoenix is a band that seems easy to peg but certain tracks like the 5 minute instrumental "Love Like A Sunset Part I" is a quick reminder that they are not a total open book, as it builds into the 2 minute vocal "Part II" before returning to their pop prowess on "Lasso". Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix builds on the excellent It's Never Been Like That (2006) and sets the stage for its songs to be heard on all types of media outlets because each one's catchiness can stand independent. Phoenix has been on the edge of breaking out before and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix should be the record to successfully launch them to the masses, as they have already played SNL on April 4 and have been getting tons of Internet buzz, so I don't hear much that should hold them back as this album drops on shelves tomorrow!

Key Tracks: "Lisztomania", "1901", "Fences"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Fountains Of Wayne
The Strokes
Franz Ferdinand

Official Phoenix Website
Phoenix MySpace
Phoenix Info [Allmusic]
Glassnote Ent. Group

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Pho...

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

The Kingsbury Manx: Ascenseur Ouvert!

The Kingsbury Manx
Ascenseur Ouvert!
Odessa Records [2009]









Fire Drill Review:
North Carolina's Kingsbury Manx fall into that category of really good bands that nobody seems to gives proper credit, press or tagged as someones favorite band. My point is that if all of these things are true then the groups new release Ascenseur Ouvert! should change some of that. The record is full of melodic mid tempo numbers that have have a mix of slight chamber pop, psychedelic folk and indie rock which is completely satisfying to the very last strum!

Key Track: "Well, Whatever"

Band With Similar Fire: Fleet Foxes

Official Kingsbury Manx Website
The Kingsbury Manx MySpace
The Kingsbury Manx Info [Allmusic]
Odessa Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

Immaculate Machine: High On Jackson Hill

Immaculate Machine
High On Jackson Hill
Mint Records [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
Immaculate Machine have everything to gain and some higher expectations coming off their critically praised record Fables (2007). I don't know if changing the formula for the follow up High On Jackson Hill would have been totally recommended, with more eyes and ears on them now than ever, but that is what the group did. Instead of going into a recording studio, Immaculate Machine decided to record High On Jackson Hill in the basement of songwriter Brooke Gallupe’s childhood home in one full band live recording. The songs are good but I believe this stylistic change hurt the overall cohesiveness of the record and although you get some strong tracks. High On Jackson Hill is not immediately memorable, which is a shame because the iron is hot and Immaculate Machine may have missed their big opportunity to wow everyone as they are a talented group that have great potential!

Key Track: "You Destroyer"

Band With Similar Fire: The New Pornographers

Official Immaculate Machine Website
Immaculate Machine MySpace
Immaculate Machine Info [Allmusic]
Mint Records

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

Viva Voce: Rose City

Viva Voce
Rose City
Barsuk Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: Viva Voce shows how it does not take time to produce quality on Rose City!

Album Review:
They say touring makes you stronger and I believe that holds true for Portland's Viva Voce. Following the release of Get Yr Blood Sucked Out [2006], Viva Voce hit the road for nearly two years before being able to take a full year off to cleanse. The time off was well served as they mark their return next week with the energetic and ambitious Rose City. The record was written, arranged and recorded in one month but you would never be able to tell, as this batch of 10 tracks is some of their most engaging work to date. The married duo of Kevin & Anita Robinson have followed the successful formula found on their last record and continued it with simple arrangements and quality production leading to Rose City's slickness and sharp sound. Viva Voce never abandon their guitar-driven indie pop and although most of the record features Anita on lead, Kevin's opener "Devotion" and closer "The Slow Fade" are just as enthralling. The strength of Viva Voce is clearly the duo's harmonizing abilities through a balance of guitar and drum. The quick 2 minute "Die A Little" has some great "whoo hoos" that are as fun as the march beat in first single "Octavio", plus as simple as "Good As Gold" is - it is also that catchy. Rose City is another highlight in the Viva Voce catalog and showcases what indie music is all about!

Key Tracks: "Devotion", "Octavio", "Good As Gold"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Rosebuds
Magnapop
Sweet Jane

Official Viva Voce Website
Viva Voce MySpace
Viva Voce Info [Allmusic]
Barsuk Records

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Jarvis Cocker: Further Complications

Jarvis Cocker
Further Complications
Rough Trade Records [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
I must admit that I didn't know what to expect with a Steve Albini produced sophomore record from Pulp darling Jarvis Cocker. A rocking disc was not it but that is exactly what Cocker has pulled off on Further Complications. It is a record that has the extreme Jarvis swagger not giving one crap but pulling off a rock vibe that feels right. Further Complications gets an A for effort - Jarvis Cocker gets an A+ for the surprise!

Key Track: "Angela"

Band With Similar Fire: Art Brut

Official Jarvis Cocker Website
Jarvis Cocker MySpace
Jarvis Cocker Info [Allmusic]
Rough Trade Records

Further Complications - Jarvis...

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Danny Elfman: Terminator Salvation Soundtrack

Danny Elfman
Terminator Salvation [OST]
Reprise Records [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
First thing that diehards would have wanted on this soundtrack is the original Terminator theme music. You know the one that is in all the trailers! Ok - now you know that it isn't here, so you can move on. Danny Elfman of course has become a staple in the industry for movie scores and he holds his talents up for this propulsive and dark disc. Remember the world as we know it has ended so it feels like a soundtrack where you are constantly in danger and on the run. I believe Elfman captures the essence of the movie and supports the film as any quality score does. The soundtrack also includes Alice In Chains "Rooster", which was in the film but does seem a bit out of place alongside the soundtrack's fourteen instrumental tracks.

Key Track: "The Harvester Returns"

Official Terminator Salvation Website

Terminator Salvation Original ...

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

White Rabbits: It's Frightening

White Rabbits
It's Frightening
TBD Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: Another great album from Columbia, Missouri band!

Album Review:
The White Rabbits debut Fort Nightly made our Top 25 of 2007 and so their sophomore record It's Frightening was met with great excitement. What is interesting about the record is that the group has refined their sound by totally incorporating the musical influences around them including producer Britt Daniel of Spoon. This influence runs deep as It's Frightening could be Spoon reincarnated on several tracks like "Lionesse" and "The Salesman (Tramp Life)" with a jagged rock that typically only Spoon could produce. In fact, they are so close I bet you could actually fool your friends. What separates White Rabbits out is that they have a much darker attitude and swagger to them, especially on the last two closing tracks "The Lady Vanishes" and "Leave It At The Door", which pulls out a special listenable agony that is more comparable to a Radiohead vibe. At the end of It's Frightning's quick 34 minute running time you know you want more and that the White Rabbits are more than your average indie band, with a more than average sophomore record!

Key Tracks: "Percussion Gun", "They Done Wrong/We Done Wrong", "The Salesman (Tramp Life)"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Radiohead
Spoon
Passion Pit

White Rabbits: Fort Nightly [Fire Note Review 6/14/07]

Official White Rabbits Website
White Rabbits MySpace
White Rabbits Info [Allmusic]
TBD Records

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Apostle Of Hustle: Eats Darkness

Apostle Of Hustle
Eats Darkness
Arts & Crafts Records [2009]









Fire Drill Review:
I probably would have never predicted a third album from Andrew Whiteman's (Broken Social Scene) side project Apostle Of Hustle but that is exactly what we have here with Eats Darkness. The record leaves behind the underlining focus on Cuban music and also is much more peppy then their two previous releases. These more upbeat moments provide several great indie tracks and a really solid first half of the record, however, some of the talking samples and blips pose more of a distraction than benefit, ultimately leaving Eats Darkness resting somewhere in the middle.

Key Track: "Soul Unwind"

Band With Similar Fire: The Sea And The Cake

Official Apostle Of Hustle Website
Apostle Of Hustle MySpace
Apostle Of Hustle Info [Allmusic]
Arts & Crafts Records

Eats Darkness - Apostle of Hus...

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Venice is Sinking: AZAR

Venice is Sinking
AZAR
One Percent Press [2009]









Fire Drill Review:
Venice is Sinking have been pegged into the category of orchestral pop, which if you are like me ask - what the hell is that? Well - Venice is Sinking define it as having cinematic arrangements, subtle genre tweaks, and clear, ringing harmonies. I will go with that because the band's sophomore record AZAR, is full of lush arrangements, spacey instrumental tracks titled AZAR 1,2,3, & 4 and the ever so soft harmonies of Daniel Lawson and Karolyn Troupe. For a band that always seemed on the edge of implosion, AZAR finds them on top of their game and even pushing into more upbeat indie numbers like the super catchy "Okay". If you liked their debut Sorry About The Flowers [2006] you are really going to like AZAR!

Key Track: "Okay"

Band With Similar Fire: Low

Official Venice is Sinking Website
Venice is Sinking MySpace
Venice is Sinking Info [Allmusic]
One Percent Press

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Passion Pit: Manners

Passion Pit
Manners
Frenchkiss Records [2009]









Fire Note Says: I bet this album is going to grow on you!

Album Review:
Passion Pit stormed onto the hype scene last year with the excellent Chunk Of Change EP and now Manners is their official full length debut. This album expands on the electro-indie dance pop they perfected last year and Manners is bigger sounding then you might expect and never holds back delivering a punch throughout its 45 minutes. Passion Pit will have your foot tapping the entire time as you get one of the most exciting singles in "Sleepyhead", which is carried over here from the EP, to other tracks like "Little Secrets" and "The Reeling" that make use of a children's choir, giving them an extra upbeat and enjoyable swing, while all the songs have a underlying pulsing and pounding beat with precision timing. Passion Pit would be nothing without the soaring falsetto of vocalist/songwriter Michael Angelakos, that commands attention on every track with his range and talent for changing tempos mid-stream. Manners is an album that might not immediately appeal to some because it has a slick production and eager pace that at first might put you out but I recommend giving Passion Pit a few more spins before making an ultimate decision. They are a group that successfully can blend a multitude of genres and come out on top. With one misstep, Manners could have been an over-hyped mess but sticking with the formula created on Chunk Of Change, Passion Pit have offered an album that has a solid replay value and will get you movin' everytime you hit play!

Key Tracks: "Sleepyhead", "Little Secrets", "Eyes As Candles"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Animal Collective
MGMT
Phoenix

Passion Pit: Chunk Of Change [EP] [Fire Note Review 10/31/08]

Passion Pit MySpace
Passion Pit Info [Allmusic]
Frenchkiss Records

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Settle: At Home We Are Tourists

Settle
At Home We Are Tourists
Epitaph Records [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
At Home We Are Tourists is the debut record from Easton PA's Settle, which combines indie, emo, pop and beats to form their own niche of rock. The group is only releasing their debut but have been together in one form or another a total of eight years. This experience shows on the record as songs are well thought out, lyrically strong and musically tight. At Home We Are Tourists was produced by Adam Lasus (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Army Navy, Yo La Tengo) and mixed by Ken Andrews (Jimmy Eat World, Pete Yorn, BRMC), which seems like a good fit for Settle's style. The upbeat rocking tracks are where Settle shine and overall this debut should earn some new fans but has the potential to fall between the tracks if it does not get the right exposure with no ideal standout track.

Key Track: "Affinity For My Hometown"

Band With Similar Fire: Motion City Soundtrack

Official Settle Website
Settle MySpace
Settle Info [Allmusic]
Epitaph Records

At Home We Are Tourists - Sett...

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

John Vanderslice: Romanian Names

John Vanderslice
Romanian Names
Dead Oceans Records [2009]








Fire Drill Review:
John Vanderslice should have a bigger following then he actually does based on a consistent catalog and his new seventh album Romanian Names, will not break this streak. In fact, it could be one of his better records to date because of its free floating and laid back vibe. It has memorable ballads in "Too Much Time" and swaying harmonies on "Carina Constellation" and "C & O Canal" that will have you singing along. Romanian Names is the album Vanderslice has been on the verge of making for awhile now and will not only appeal to his followers but should be checked out by anyone looking for an example of what a good singer/songwriter can put together!

Key Track: "Carina Constellation"

Band With Similar Fire: Lonley Dear

Official John Vanderslice Website
John Vanderslice MySpace
John Vanderslice Info [Allmusic]
Dead Oceans Records

Romanian Names - John Vandersl...

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Maxïmo Park: Quicken The Heart

Maxïmo Park
Quicken The Heart
Warp Records [2009]









 Fire Note Says: This will please their fans.

Album Review:
I am not sure what it is - but many of the UK bands that blew onto the scene about 4 years ago seem to be circulating in the same pool of mediocrity. Maxïmo Park can now be added to that list on their third release Quicken The Heart. It is another unbalanced creation, much like their sophomore record, that has as many high points as it does forgettable moments. It does make more of a return to the guitar styles of their catchy debut A Certain Trigger [2005], which is the right direction, that rings through on the peppy first single "The Kids Are Sick Again", while still injecting a few more synthesizers and bleeps to round out the direction on Quicken The Heart. Lyrically the band seems somewhat lost and on cruise control, which for some fans will be enough, while others like myself had higher expectations for this group of UK hopefuls. The problem with Quicken The Heart is that nothing raises the bar higher for Maxïmo Park to get noticed. It is not a bad listen, but it also could easily get put in a stack never to be seen again. I do hope that these collection of songs play more energetic live and Maxïmo Park regroup for an album that has the "wow" factor - because they have that kind of talent!

Key Tracks: "The Kids Are Sick Again", "Calm", "Wraithlike"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Kaiser Chiefs
Bloc Party
Franz Ferdinand

Maximo Park: Our Earthly Pleasures [Fire Note Review 5/31/07]

Official Maximo Park Website
Maximo Park MySpace
Maximo Park Info [Allmusic]
Warp Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony