Title Fight: Shed

Title Fight
Shed
SideOneDummy Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Watch out because Title Fight have some teeth!

Album Review:
What is the last album you listened to that had some real venom? Well, Pennsylvania punk hardcore band Title Fight will hope you say Shed after taking it for a spin. It is their new record and once you check it out, the album will most certainly be your new pick, as it has a perfect balance of edgy throaty sung vocals with a soaring melodic component that will have you coming back for more quickly. Title Fight is either completely hyped up, like the rocking title track that gets right in your face or they have the ability to pull the energy inward, as the almost instrumental "Safe In Your Skin" plugs along or how the closing track "GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) smolders with an intensity that showcases their maturing nature as a band. Shed is only 27 minutes long, so Title Fight do not mess around with these 12 tracks. The band is all business here and it comes off in this record as confidence. Shed brings the controlled noise over and over, while it was produced by Gorilla Biscuits/Quicksand songwriter Walter Schreifels. This not only was the perfect selection for a producer but Title Fight mirror Schreifels's same type of energy on Shed, that provides plenty of highlights and should also bring some new fans to this genre!

Key Tracks: "Shed", "Flood Of '72", "GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Quicksand
Hot Snakes
Helmet

Title Fight Website
Title Fight MySpace
Title Fight Facebook
SideOneDummy Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Glasvegas: EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\

Glasvegas
EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\
Columbia Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Glasvegas falls into several sophomore traps!

Album Review:
For any band to break in the US, there typically needs to be some excitement. Scottish band Glasvegas thrilled us on their self-titled debut back in 2009, as it had all the right pieces with sprawling singles, reverb undertones and memorable theatrical moments. Pretty good for a debut, so now comes the sophomore effort EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ and like the cumbersome title, this record tries really hard to recreate the magic but falters some, as it just doesn't posses the hunger that flowed throughout their debut. Right from the opening track "Pain Pain Never Again", you get a 3 minute spacey instrumental track with some voice overs that takes to long to just be an intro while lyrically the tracks don't feel very strong. Some of the bigger moments on EUPHORIC still work, like the catchy and heartfelt "Dream Dream Dreaming" plays well into the bands strength and "Euphoria, Take My Hand" delivers nicely as a single. My main problem with EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ is that it never takes off at any moment. It keeps its similar tone and tempo throughout and honestly at 50 minutes the record is too long as everyone needs a little diversity!

Key Tracks: "Dream Dream Dreaming", "Euphoria, Take My Hand", "The World Is Yours"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Ride
Doves
Keane

Glasvegas: Glasvegas [Fire Note Review 1/6/09]

Glasvegas Website
Glasvegas MySpace
Glasvegas Facebook
Columbia Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Southeast Engine: Canary

Southeast Engine
Canary
Misra Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Southeast Engine once again creates a thought provoking listen!

Album Review:
Athens Ohio band, Southeast Engine goes the concept route on their fifth full length Canary that tells the tale of an Appalachian family struggling through the Great Depression. Their quality Americana style is still in full effect, while they also incorporate pieces of bluegrass, gospel and a bluesy rock into their grand picture painted by solid songwriting. What works well on Canary is how these tales seem just as fitting today even though their subject matter is located well in the past. The driver behind this is frontman and chief songwriter Adam Remnant, as he not only sounds more confident then ever but his historical knowledge raises up out of the music and makes you a believer. The other key component here is that not all the songs on Canary are about strife nor are they folk sleepers, as "New Growth" offers hope, "At Least We Have Each Other" keeps the family going and "Summer And Her Ferris Wheel" cheerfully rocks along. This is the balance that Southeast Engine brings to the table as Canary is another solid entry into their catalog and showcases their talent for great storytelling, modern Americana and a passion for their surroundings!

Key Tracks: "Cold Front Blues", "At Least We Have Each Other", "New Growth"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Magnolia Electric Co.
Bright Eyes
The Tallest Man On Earth

Southeast Engine: From The Forest To The Sea [Fire Note Review 3/5/09]

Southeast Engine Website
Southeast Engine MySpace
Southeast Engine Facebook
Misra Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Material Issue: International Pop Overthrow [20th Anniversary Edition]

Material Issue
International Pop Overthrow [20th Anniversary Edition]
Hip-O Select/Mercury Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Material Issue are rightly given the remastered and expanded treatment 20 years after this power pop classic was released!

Album Review:
1991 was a special year in music as Nirvana spread Nevermind to the world, the Smashing Pumpkins launched Gish and power pop was completely re-energized by Chicago's Material Issue on their major label debut International Pop Overthrow. It is a record that is full of 3 minute catchy nuggets that turn up the guitars and let the hooks do the talking. The band was sadly cut short with the suicide of lead singer Jim Ellison in 1996 but their influence and legacy has lived on through countless bands and the Chicago IPO festival named affectionately after this record. This 20th Anniversary Edition of IPO not only brings a stellar remastered sound but 8 bonus tracks that were recorded during the album sessions. Most of the tracks appeared on promo only releases but the final track "The Girl With The Saddest Eyes" has never been released or available anywhere. Material Issue is still a band that I am sure a large number of people don't even know existed, so it is nice to see them get the royal treatment here and if you are one of those individuals - please start your power pop education now by picking up a copy of this album, rolling down the windows and just letting it crank!

Key Tracks: "Valerie Loves Me", "Diane", "The Girl With The Saddest Eyes"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Cheap Trick
Fountains Of Wayne
Matthew Sweet

Hip-O Select Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Sonny And The Sunsets: Hit After Hit

Sonny And The Sunsets
Hit After Hit
Fat Possum Records [2011]

 Fire Note Says: Sonny & The Sunsets hit you with catchy line after catchy line and will quickly make you appreciate their simplistic style!

Album Review:
Sonny And The Sunsets play a very simple jangly indie style of rock that is both catchy and addicting. Leader Sonny Smith delivers a very retro laid back vocal that is upbeat and inspired by 60's pop but also is completely inviting. It is almost like this record is being performed in front of you, as you can feel the vibe and foot tap your feet right along with Sunsets. "Teen Age Thugs" has a repeating chorus that will have you repeating "Teen Age Thugs" well after its over and "Don't Act Dumb" cleverly packages something every dude wants to say at some point. This is how Hit After Hit succeeds because Smith is so good with melody. It comes naturally on each and every track and makes for an enjoyable 28 minutes only to give you the chance for a break to hit repeat. Sonny And The Sunsets have released an album here that may not initially be you favorite but after several spins I guarantee that more than one of Smith's lines will be stuck in your brain!

Key Tracks: "Teen Age Thugs", "I Wanna Do It", "Don't Act Dumb"

Bands With Similar Fire:

Jonathan Richman

Girls

White Fence

Sonny & The Sunsets: Tomorrow Is Alright [Fire Note Review 12/2/10]

Sonny & The Sunsets Website
Sonny & The Sunsets MySpace
Sonny & The Sunsets Facebook
Fat Possum Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Smoking Popes: This Is Only A Test

Smoking Popes
This Is Only A Test
Asian Man Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Smoking good!

Album Review:
The Smoking Popes have always been an extremely fun band to listen to and even though it has been 16 years since their debut record, the band finds themselves sounding as youthful and free spirited as ever on their first album in 3 years, titled This Is Only A Test. Part of this energy can be credited to the album's overall concept, which finds the tracks being delivered through the eyes of a teenager, while they tackle having mono, young love, contemplating college, and playing in a punk band. This of course could have been disastrous but the Smoking Popes pull it off with ease, as the smooth croon of lead singer Josh Caterer has not changed one single bit and musically the band is tighter, more precise and completely focused. Maturity does this to you, along with bringing the experience and ability to incorporate sharp as needles hooks that helps make This Is Only A Test a solid power pop punk record that highlights everything that has always made the Smoking Popes infectious. The real question will be if the Smoking Popes can translate to a younger audience but the reality is, if given the chance, This Is Only A Test should easily resonate with that age bracket, as well as totally satisfying longtime fans.

Key Tracks: "Wish We Were", "Punk Band", "This Is Only A Test"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Weezer
Descendents
Superdrag

Smoking Popes: Stay Down [Fire Note Review 11/6/08]

Smoking Popes Website
Smoking Popes MySpace
Smoking Popes Facebook
Asian Man Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Hammer No More The Fingers: Black Shark

Hammer No More The Fingers
Black Shark
Churchkey Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Catchy trio Hammer No More The Fingers offers up sharp sophomore record in Black Shark.

Album Review:
Hammer No More The Fingers is still probably one of the better bands out of North Carolina that you have never heard, as their sophomore album Black Shark expands on their debut and once again offers plenty of solid hooks, excellent guitar work and catchy phrases. This record was created while playing over two hundred shows in the past two years of touring and finds the band again working with talented producer J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines). His style blends well with HNMTF's artful use of guitar, harmonies and song progression while driving the band in the absolute right direction. Black Shark finds the group confidently expressing themselves, as "The Visitor" is a solid sprawling number that lets its intensity build right up the the end, while lead off track "Atlas Of An Eye" showcases all of their talents in a pure 2:19 package that never feels rushed but hits a home run. There is no reason that Hammer No More The Fingers shouldn't be a bigger name on the indie circuit and behind their excellent sophomore record Black Shark, I would only expect a greater following with the proper exposure.

Key Tracks: "Atlas Of An Eye", "Leroy", "The Visitor"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Promise Ring
Parts & Labor
The Dismemberment Plan

Hammer No More The Fingers: Looking For Bruce [Fire Note Review 4/17/09]

Hammer No More The Fingers Website
Hammer No More The Fingers MySpace
Hammer No More The Fingers Facebook
Churchkey Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Happy (Belated) Birthday: The Fire Note is 5

Happy Birthday to us! Not sure what happened but we forgot our own birthday! The Fire Note turned 5 on April 10, 2011!





As always we want to give special thanks to the independent labels, promotion firms, major labels, visitors and bands themselves for their support over the last five years. Here is to another great year!

Times New Viking: Dancer Equired

Times New Viking

Dancer Equired

Merge Records [2011]

Fire Note Says: Dancer Equired finds Times New Viking recording in a studio for the first time and slightly altering their style.

Album Review:
Change can keep everything fresh and what better time to offer something different then when you switch to a new label. That is exactly what Columbus, Ohio's Times New Viking has done on their Merge Records debut Dancer Equired, as the band ditched their lo-fi hissing rock and went

into an actual studio this time to record their most straightforward indie record to date. You catch on right away as the opening track "It's A Culture" starts with duel mirrored vocals from keyboardist Beth Murphy and drummer Adam Elliott and lets the song jangle along at mid-tempo pace with completely understandable lyrics. You might think it is just a trick but this formula is used throughout Dancer Equired with even more expansion into the vocal side of things that has tracks relying on layered harmonies. The interesting twist to Dancer Equired is that even though Times New Viking has cleaned up the vocals and lowered the intensity the instruments still come off completely raw. The album still hits their typical average length of 30 minutes, so it gives the listener plenty of time to absorb Dancer Equired and that is a good thing. It is a record that needs multiple spins because it does feature some of their best writing to date but without taking the instruments or washed out vocals a step further, Dancer Equired seems to stall. I respect Times New Viking for making a change but hopefully next time they will push more to become the band they were going for here because I get the change (and even like it) - I just don't hear their excitement!

Key Tracks: "Try Harder","Downtown Easter Bloc", "Want To Exist"

Bands With Similar Fire:

Pavement
Yuck
Sonic Youth

Times New Viking: Born Again Revisited [Fire Note Review 11/12/09]

Times New Viking: Stay Awake [EP] [Fire Note Review 10/28/08]
Times New Viking: Rip It Off [Fire Note Review 1/24/08]
Times New Viking: Present The Paisley Reich [Fire Note Review 8/9/07]

Times New Viking Website

Times New Viking MySpace

Times New Viking Facebook

Merge Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Crystal Stilts: In Love With Oblivion

Crystal Stilts
In Love With Oblivion
Slumberland Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The Crystal Stilts avoid the sophomore slump on the stylistic In Love With Oblivion!

Album Review:
What makes the Crystal Stilts so damn cool on their sophomore outing In Love With Oblivion? Is it their mysterious looks? Is it frontman Brad Hargett's murky vocals? Is it the undertone of surf guitar that circulates throughout the record? Is it that they are able to incorporate sounds of car wrecks, creaking bugs, or atmospheric tones right into the mix? I believe the answer is all of the above. The Crystal Stilts return with a record that only expands slightly from their excellent lo-fi reverbed debut Alright Of Night [2008] but drives home their cult status of swag with an increased confidence in what they are doing. The small things here help In Love With Oblivion rival the Crystal Stilts debut, as the mysterious "Alien Rivers" crosses the seven minute mark while "Silver Sun" represents one of their most pop sounding songs to date. These little risks outside their comfort zone gives In Love With Oblivion that cool edge that fans of the Crystal Stilts look for, which even includes Hargett's vocals slowly creeping a little more upfront. The rest of the record falls right in line with what we loved about their debut, although it could be argued that the songs here actually are a bit more musically tight. With another solid record in their catalog we can only guess what the Crystal Stilts will do next but be ready, because this is a band that will always be on the verge of releasing that monumental album but will be perfectly content staying with the underground!

Key Tracks: "Through The Floor", "Shake The Shackles", "Invisible City"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Bauhaus
Black Tambourine
Clinic

Crystal Stilts: Alight Of Night [Fire Note Review 12/10/08]

Cyrstal Stilts Website
Crystal Stilts MySpace
Crystal Stilts Facebook
Slumerland Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Raveonettes: Raven In The Grave

The Raveonettes
Raven In The Grave
Vice Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The Raveonettes attempt to get back to the basics.

Album Review:
The Raveonettes fifth album, Raven In The Grave, actually upset me a bit because I set the bar really high and sadly the duo came in under my expectations. This is not to say there are not some great tracks here. "Forget That You're Young" represents The Raveonettes at their best with layered vocals and a memorable song structure, while rocker "Ignite" will make you turn up the volume knob. Opening track, "Recharge & Revolt" finds the duo venturing more into a shoegaze genre that works well for them and "Apparitions" contains a spooky quality to it that just comes off cool, as the song builds in intensity. With all of those praises, most of the other tracks suffer from weak or non-existent melodies and lyrically don't hold up to their previous work. There definitely is enough here to hold fans attention and when Raven In The Grave is good - it is really good. Returning to a more dark vibe is a direction I would like to see The Raveonettes take even further because they can pull it off. This duo would not have lasted that long if it wasn't possible. Raven In The Grave may not have all the pieces working together but still has style that is worth checking out, as The Raveonettes still show why they are relevant today!

Key Tracks: "Forget That You're Young", "Ignite", "Apparitions"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Dum Dum Girls
The Kills
Sonic Youth

The Raveonettes: In And Out Of Control [Fire Note Review 10/13/09]
The Raveonettes: Lust Lust Lust [Fire Note Review 2/28/08]

The Raveonettes Website
The Raveonettes MySpace
The Raveonettes Facebook
Vice Records

Free Ticket Giveaway: Jason White w/ David Mead At Southgate House (Newport, KY) April 22nd / 8:30 PM

We have a pair of tickets to giveaway to the Jason White w/ David Mead show @ Southgate House (Newport, KY) Friday April 22nd / 8:30 PM

If you live nearby or are in the area email us at thefirenote@gmail.com and we will set you up thanks to Crash Avenue.

Info on Jason White:

From: Nashville, TN

Album: The Longing (release date 6/7/2011)

Style: Americana

RIYL: Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright, The Decemberists

“If you want to know what gets me through my day…”

With that opening line, Jason White invites us in and sets the confident tone of his latest release The Longing.

What gets White, and by extension, the characters that inhabit his rich song vignettes, through their days, is a desire for something beyond the current limits of their lives. They hunger after what’s beautiful, what’s real, and often, what’s nameless and unattainable. They dream of new beginnings. They struggle for answers. They reach for love and fall short, but never quite give up.

The Longing is a stunning ten-song cycle that explores the longings and vagaries of the human heart. It begins with the gospel-tinged “For The Freeway Home” and the jaunty, loping title track, continues through the cinematic “Waitress” and Tin Pan Alley-like valentine “Perfect Stranger,” then winds down with the French-flavored “Belle Histoire d’Amour” and the breezy but black humor of “California.” With White’s strong acoustic guitar work and honey-on-sandpaper voice front and center, the collection offers up a melodic warmth that recalls 70s-era FM radio titans Elton John, Bread and The Eagles, while still sounding contemporary and completely fresh.

And there’s an edge to the softness, a confidence and authority that comes from White’s years of hard-won experience as both an artist and an award-winning songwriter. Born and raised in Cleveland, Jason White started playing guitar when he was seven. By the time he was in junior high, he was writing songs and gigging out with bands. His musical apprenticeship was as colorful as it was dramatic. Cross country touring in a van, an appearance on Star Search, the loss of a musical collaborator to suicide, a record deal turned sour, crooked management, and even a stint living Thoreau-style in a woodsy cabin.

Along the way, he released two critically acclaimed albums, Shades of Gray and Tonight’s Top Story. The first yielded a song that would change his life. In 2003, when a Nashville song plugger heard “Red Ragtop” on a local radio station, he brought it to Tim McGraw, who took it to #2 on the country charts. A moving tale of young love, its mention of abortion got it banned on several major stations and stirred up controversy in the national press. All of which helped White’s stock as a songwriter rise on Music Row.

As White prepares to hit the road in support of the album, he is cautiously optimistic about connecting with an audience in an overcrowded marketplace. “These days, everybody is so inundated with entertainment information, but most of it feels to me like it’s mass-produced. Even if you dig through the layers and there’s a real artist in there somewhere, it’s hard to tell. You hear vocals that have been Pro Tooled to death, songs that sound like they come from a machine. So what I hope is that people can listen to this record and hear that it’s homespun. That the songs were written very carefully and come from a sincere place, and the process was very organic and genuine.”

Craft Spells: Idle Labor

Craft Spells
Idle Labor
Captured Tracks Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Craft Spells debut might make you check the calendar but their 80's influenced debut Idle Labor is a smooth bedroom pop ride!

Album Review:
I am sure there is plenty of 80's music that most people would like to forget but do you remember a little gem by New Order called Power, Corruption & Lies [1983] or the sway in Talk Talk's The Colour Of Spring [1986]? If you don't know those albums, go look them up but fast-forward to 2011 and meet Justin Paul Vallesteros' and his Craft Spells debut, Idle Labor, as you might think that the 80's are upon us again. Right from the upbeat opening track "After The Moment" you realize that with well thought out but yet simple synth lines, steady guitar, a driving beat and pleasant to the ears bedroom pop vocals, a person can easily get lost in this record. Idle Labor stays true to itself, as each track follows the 80's synth pop guideline but is ultimately driven by Vallesteros carefree and effortless vocals. Craft Spells debut is not just a great history lesson, it is the perfect example of how music is cyclical and with only a few tweaks, such as some of the more lo-fi vocals and more modern background beats, Idle Labor sounds completely 2011. The record has a concise running time just under 35 minutes, so you just know that Craft Spells has more to offer, as leader Vallesteros gives more focus to his debut's success and figures out exactly where his band wants to go!

Key Tracks: "After The Moment", "Party Talk", "From The Morning Heat"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Beach Fossils
New Order
The Radio Dept.

Craft Spells Website
Craft Spells MySpace
Craft Spells Facebook
Captured Tracks Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Ha Ha Tonka: Death Of A Decade

Ha Ha Tonka
Death Of A Decade
Bloodshot Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Missouri band Ha Ha Tonka return with a catchy and carefree third LP in Death Of A Decade.

Album Review:
Ha Ha Tonka's third LP, Death Of A Decade, is a nice carefree Southern rock record that has plenty of gorgeous four part vocal harmonies and intricate mandolin lines running through the entire album. The band sounds completely at ease, as this record is full of upbeat numbers that keep the album hopping. Ha Ha Tonka have an ability to build a song up gradually, like on the soaring "Jesusita" that has stupendous peaks as the entire band interlocks its vocals but then can let the song drop to a simmer on a whim. This pattern works its way through the album, which also sometimes has diminishing returns because as you move into the second half, several songs have similar sounds and never really separate themselves out. That is not to say that Death Of A Decade is not enjoyable but to maximize their talent, Ha Ha Tonka really need to push their boundaries. If they don't, the band will never propel to the level one should expect because as evidenced by the elicited singing along at different points in the record, Ha Ha Tonka can write catchy tunes and have plenty of talent to offer.

Key Tracks: "Westward Bound", "Jesusita", "No Great Harm"

Bands With Simliar Fire:
The Moondoggies
Lucero
The Refreshments

Ha Ha Tonka: Novel Sounds Of The Nouveau South [Fire Note Review 6/17/09]

Ha Ha Tonka Website
Ha Ha Tonka MySpace
Ha Ha Tonka Facebook
Bloodshot Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

tUnE-yArDs: w h o k i l l

tUnE-yArDs
w h o k i l l
4AD Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Creative, unique and stellar sophomore album from tUnE-yArDs!

Album Review:
Once in awhile, there are albums that come along and cross genres, defy expectations and offer something that you have never quite heard before. tUnE-yArDs, aka Merrill Garbus, sophomore record whokill is just one of those albums. It successfully blends jazz, Afro-pop, funk, rock, R&B, house and folk all into one complete and complex experience that has peaks, valleys and plenty of artistic statements. With that said, it might be easy to dismiss tUnE-yArDs as too arty, too big for itself or just plain too hyped but that is where the stylistic vocals of Garbus comes into play. She makes this record what it is. You could put a thousand different vocals in front of this project and w h o k i l l would be overlooked, discarded and maybe even hated. Her catchy voice has power and control but its confidence is the main ticket. Garbus throws caution to the wind as she can tunefully rhyme, holler at the top of her lungs or deliver the most pleasant siren like vocals you have ever heard. It is this diversity that mixes with the album's ever changing musical environment that gives tUnE-yArDs a critically hailed venture here. Lyrically, Garbus does not hold back either as her songs cover violence, race and gender issues. This makes each of the ten tracks purpose beyond their catchiness. All of this combines for a 41 minute ride that is completely unique and one that really gets better after you spin it again. Even if tUnE-yArDs is not necessarily your style, w h o k i l l still has the power to earn your respect and that is the enjoyment in this record because something this fresh is always welcomed in the current musical scene!

Key Tracks: "Riotriot", "Bizness", "My Country"

Bands With Similar Fire:
M.I.A.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
Björk

tUnE-yArDs Website
tUnE-yArDs MySpace
tUnE-yArDs Facebook
4AD Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Alela Diane: Alela Diane & Wild Divine

Alela Diane
Alela Diane & Wild Divine
Rough Trade Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Alela Diane expands her sound and starts a new journey on album number three!

Album Review:
It is always amazing what can happen to an artist in-between records and for Portland's Alela Diane she finds herself leaving behind a more simplistic folk sound on her previous two records for a much richer and warm Americana album. There are a multitude of factors that have driven Diane this direction, which ranges from her now full fledged backing band, the Wild Divine, to plenty of touring stories, a new marriage, family and relationship issues, and even death. All of these topics, increased experience and talented backing group drive Alela forward, as her new path fits well with her spot on vocals. As she relied primarily on her self before, Diane excels with the collaboration on both songwriting and accompaniment here that takes her music to the next level. This move was risky, as the folk crowd can be particular but Alela Diane & Wild Divine showcases her knack for sustaining a bigger sound and clearly will be the perfect transition into her next record, as the bar will be set even higher because Alela's talent shines bright all the way through here on this expanded direction!

Key Tracks: "To Begin", "Of Many Colors", "Heartless Highway",

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Civil Wars
Neko Case
Joni Mitchell

Alela Diane Website
Alela Diane MySpace
Alela Diane Facebook
Rough Trade Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

TV On The Radio: Nine Types Of Light

TV On The Radio
Nine Types Of Light
Interscope Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: TV On The Radio once again prove they are a band that should always be heard!

Album Review:
TV On The Radio have consistently released mind bending records and although Nine Types Of Light feels familiar, it still has plenty of turns and twists that will keep your ears to the speaker. After taking a year off from the weary road, TV On The Radio went West to get some new perspective and rejuvenate, which I believe accounts for why Nine Types feels like the most laid back record the boys from Brooklyn have released to date. Its songs are not quite as manic or in your face but instead now have a much slower burning groove that still incorporates the bands knack for building walls of sound. This direction takes some adjustment on the first half of the record as "You" feels like a peaceful walk through the park and "Keep Your Heart" lets its intricate musical interplay steal the show. "No Future Shock" gets a little more of the funk you expect from TV On The Radio back but as soon as you slide into the second half of the the record Nine Types Of Light takes off starting with the horn filled "New Cannonball Blues", a feverish "Repetition" and a rambunctious "Caffeinated Consciousness". This weird balance actually works well for TV On The Radio, as they show some progression but still honor what they know best. Nine Types Of Light does not reach the pinnacle cohesiveness that Dear Science [2008] or Return To Cookie Mountain [2006] had nor does it sound as innovative but the record firmly highlights TV On The Radio's comfort level with their musical status and the ability to try new things, while never forgetting what got them here. This translates to a solid record that longtime followers should enjoy and leaves tons of room for new fans to get on board!

Key Tracks: "Will Do", "Repetition", "Caffeinated Consciousness"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Broken Bells
The Beta Band
Massive Attack

TV On The Radio: Dear Science [Fire Note Review 9/26/08]
TV On The Radio: Return To Cookie Mountain [Fire Note Review 7/12/06]

TV On The Radio Website
TV On The Radio MySpace
TV On The Radio Facebook
Interscope Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Head And The Heart: The Head And The Heart

The Head And The Heart
The Head And The Heart
Sub Pop Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The Head And The Heart get a proper release of their catchy Americana debut!

Album Review:
10,000 copies is a phenomenal number when you are selling your own record. That is exactly what Seattle's The Head And The Heart did on their own and now Sub Pop has re-released and remastered the album with “Sounds Like Hallelujah” re-recorded and live favorite “Rivers And Roads” added. Sub Pop has went to all this effort to spread the word about The Head And The Heart because their debut is a nice slice of Americana that is simple, straightforward and downright catchy. The record finds Jon Russell and Josiah Johnson trading off lead vocals, while strategically placed violin and piano move in and out around the records memorable melodies. The Head And The Heart don't necessarily offer a new take on an old genre but this self-titled debut is sincere down to the very last harmony. This sincerity takes the record a long way and with repeat plays it does not take long for The Head And Heart to become your listening of choice. If you have become a fan of the current neo-folk movement, that includes The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons, then The Head And The Heart are a no brainier that you surely will enjoy and I encourage you to check their self-titled debut out because the band has real potential to blow up!

Key Tracks: "Ghosts", "Lost In My Mind", "Rivers And Roads"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Mumford & Sons
Gomez
The Avett Brothers

The Head And The Heart Website
The Head And The Heart MySpace
The Head And The Heart Facebook
Sub Pop Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony