Kate Bush: 50 Words For Snow

Kate Bush
50 Words For Snow
ANTI- Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The incredibly talented Kate Bush takes you on a trip that is both haunting and mesmerizing on her new long player 50 Words For Snow!

Album Review:
There is no argument that Kate Bush has influenced a multitude of artists and her work has always been considered classic. Her brand new studio album, 50 Words For Snow is a perfect example of why, as the record is daunting, gorgeous, grandiose and mesmerizing. Just by length alone, its 7 tracks run a whopping 65 minutes as it weaves its mystical stories about the hunt for the abominable snowman on "Wild Man" or the ghost that searchers for her dog in "Lake Tahoe". These stories are set over some of her most intricate piano driven tracks that ebb and flow with a quiet intensity of the bass, drum and guitar, which grab hold of you and don't let go. This is the magic of 50 Words For Snow, as you might think losing interest would be easy in 11 and 13 minute tracks but it actually is quite the opposite, as you look forward to what is next. The album features some notable guest artists, such as Elton John on the duet "Snowed In At Wheeler Street" and Andy Fairweather Low in "Wild Man" that both add a superb depth to the record. The closing "Among Angels" showcases that Bush still has it, as it features just her singing and playing the piano. 50 Words For Snow is not going to be a record you go back to on a consistent basis but it is a record to be hailed because when you do dedicate the time to it, Kate Bush will take over your world!

Key Tracks: "Wild Man", "Among Angels", "Snowed In At Wheeler Street"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Tori Amos
Bjork
PJ Harvey

Kate Bush Website
Kate Bush Facebook
ANTI- Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Gorillaz: The Singles Collection 2001-2011

Gorillaz
The Singles Collection 2001-2011
EMI/Virgin Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The most successful virtual band in the world shows you why on their new Singles Collection covering the last 10 years!

Album Review:
Who would have thought that cartoon gorillas could be so damn catchy? Well apparently Blur frontman Damon Albarn thought so, as his venture into the audio and visual innovation world of Gorillaz has turned out some great tracks over the last ten years. What you realize as you take on this new singles collection is how all of the Gorillaz songs still stand tall today and absolutely do not sound dated. They all bring a foot tapping likability to them and sound even better when the volume is turned up. If you lost track of the band after their big 2001 hit "Clint Eastwood", then this compilation is a perfect place to catch up. For hardcore fans, you probably have most of these tracks so the deluxe edition with the DVD might be the better selection. Overall, Gorillaz have an excellent collection of rock dance music that is both catchy and memorable that flows great together making The Singles Collection 2001-2011 worth every minute you give it!

Key Tracks: "Clint Eastwood", "Kids With Guns", "Stylo"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Daft Punk
Handsome Boy Modeling School
Massive Attack

Gorillaz: Plastic Beach [Fire Note Review 3/11/10] [#39 Top 50 2010]

Gorillaz Website
Gorillaz Facebook
EMI/Virgin Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Kerbivore: Temporary

Kerbivore
Temporary
Family Fun Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: New York's Kerbivore bring a classic sound forward on their debut Temporary.

Album Review:
Independent music lives on with Staten Island band Kerbivore, as current sole member Sean Kuhl offers up a classic sounding rock fueled debut with Temporary. You will instantly think The Replacements meets Dinosaur Jr. on lead off track "Passing Through", as Kuhl has a Westerberg gruff to his voice while the intricate guitar work is loud and driving. This wide and loose approach to Kerbivore's song structures work and make the first part of Temporary memorable in nimble 3 minute numbers. As the album progresses, so does its song lengths with "The Party Died Out" crossing the 6 minute mark that works with its right balance of a quick tempo and energetic vocal. This same longer song structure does hold some of the tracks in the last third of Temporary back a bit because their extension loses the sharpness found on Kerbivore's 3 minute songs. Overall, Temporary has many highlights and shows real promise when Kerbivore keeps things tight. If you are into bands that are completely off the radar then Kerbivore is for you and I definitely recommend checking them out as you will not be disappointed with this energetic debut.

Key Tracks: "From Now On", "Passing Through", "The Party Died Out"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Replacements
WATERS
Dinosaur Jr.

Kerbivore Website
Kerbivore Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Sloan: Is That All I Get?

Sloan
Is That All I Get?
Murderecords [2011]









Fire Note Says: Go back to the beginning with this newly released Sloan live set!

Album Review:
Sloan fans received a treat this month with the release of this live recording titled Is That All I Get? It was recorded by a fan in the audience via cassette on September 20, 1993 in Winnipeg, MB and you will be surprised that the recording actually sounds descent. It by no means is a sonic experience but that is what makes this era of Sloan so interesting, as this show captures the moment between the release of their debut, Smeared [1993] and their sophomore album Twice Removed [1994]. The set list offers up eleven tracks with five of them from Smeared, three b-sides and three from Twice Removed that are all preformed in a raw, energetic and guitared out fashion. Knowing the history of what was to follow, Is That All I Get? is an entertaining listen for Sloan fans because you can hear a significant difference from how the three Twice Removed tracks are presented here live compared to the album versions released in '94. If you have ever seen Sloan live, the energy captured here will be familiar as it has never changed. This is exactly why Is That All I Get? is a fan must and why Sloan have built such a loyal following over the years!

*For the collectors out there make sure to seek out the limited green marble vinyl release of this recording as there were only 300 pressed and sold out quickly!

Key Tracks: "500 Up", "Worried Now", "Amped"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Velvet Crush
Big Star
Superchunk

Sloan: The Double Cross [Fire Note Review 5/5/11]
Sloan: B Sides Win: Extras, Bonus Tracks And B-Sides 1992-2008 [Fire Note Review 10/20/10]
Sloan: Hit & Run [EP] [Fire Note Review 12/9/09]
Sloan: Parallel Play [Fire Note Review 6/9/08]
Sloan: Never Hear The End Of It [Fire Note Review 12/22/06]

Sloan Website
Sloan Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Sea Lions: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sea Lions But Were Afraid To Ask

Sea Lions
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sea Lions But Were Afraid To Ask
Slumberland Records [2011]








Fire Note Says: Get on the indie pop wave with the solid debut from the Sea Lions!

Album Review:
Have you ever put a record on and had an immediate attachment to it? That is how I felt when I first put on the very long titled and long awaited debut from Oxnard, California's Sea Lions. The band was formed in 2007 by singer/guitarist Adrian Pillado and originally was just a duo but now with five members, Everything You Always... represents a true progression from their "making noise" days. The album has an instant swagger to it with the short 23 second intro track before the foot tapper "I Should Be Sleeping" kicks off. The song has the Slumberland sound of vocals and instruments battling for the spotlight but its short indie pop is what really wins over the listener. The record is full of Pillado's croon that emotes a classic 60's scene while keeping completely current as most of its 15 tracks average 2 minutes. The tight guitar work packaged on "Tell Me" will have you playing air guitar while the background passing whoos in "As Times Change" will stick in your head. These short time limits on tracks let the Sea Lions get right to the point, as they hit you with strong direct instruments, quickfire melodies and plenty of pop youthful angst that is very infectious. This free vibe spirit maintains its cleverness on all of Everything You Always... 29 minute running time and keeps your ear hanging on every track. The Sea Lions have made an excellent debut that is a quick grower and a record that will sound great 10 years from now just as it did yesterday!

Key Tracks: "I Should Be Sleeping", "As Times Change", "Tell You"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Orange Juice
13th Floor Elevators
Shimmering Stars

Sea Lions Website
Sea Lions Facebook
Slumberland Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We hope everyone has a great holiday! We are taking today and tomorrow off. The Fire Note will return this Monday November 28th.

The Migrant: Amerika

The Migrant
Amerika
Self-Released [2011]









Fire Note Says: A solid self-released sophomore record from The Migrant.

Album Review:
Amerika is the sophomore album from The Migrant, aka Bjarke Bendtsen, which returns with another batch of his psychedelic pop-folk. Amerika differentiates itself from last years debut by bringing a fuller sound to the tracks with more instruments that are utilized to build songs into big finishes. This gives Amerika a more free rolling and spacious sound overall, while still letting Bendten shine vocally. On tracks like standout "The Hurricane", there is a bluesy hand clap pulse that pulls the listener along in supreme fashion as your focus goes straight to Bendten until an array of horns completes the track. Vocally, "Everywhere You Go" keeps in a lo-fi mode while the track builds its intensity and stretches out gorgeously until its quick quiet ending. "It's Alright Heart" lets Bendten's raw vocals maintain a soft stance until the last fourth picks up and lets his voice fly which turns out to be a nice transition into the likable rowdy sing along "Take It!". I do believe that Amerika, at times, struggles in the production category because some of the songs don't meet their full potential as they fall short over the stereo. This one piece does hold Amerika back from being great but the quality song structures, vocal delivery and building intensity still sets The Migrant apart from the crowd and makes this release worth seeking out as it becomes more infectious with multiple spins.

Key Tracks: "The Hurricane", "Take It!", "Everywhere You Go"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Iron & Wine
Bon Iver
I Build Collapsible Mountains

The Migrant: Travels In Lowland [Fire Note Review 9/16/10]

The Migrant Website
The Migrant Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Johnny Cash: Bootleg Vol. III - Live Around The World

Johnny Cash
Bootleg Vol. III: Live Around The World
Columbia/Legacy Recordings [2011]
(2CD Set)








Fire Note Says: A nice addition to the Bootleg Series from Johnny Cash and a must pick up for fans!

Album Review:
If you ever wondered what it would have been like to see Johnny Cash live back in the day then the third installment of the Bootleg Series from Legacy Recordings is a must have 2 cd set. This collection covers his earliest days on the road at the Big D Jamboree in Dallas Texas in 1956 to 1970 when he played the White House in Washington, D.C. that has an interesting 4 minute introduction from President Nixon. There is nothing better then hearing Cash sing "Remember The Alamo" in 1969 at the Annex 14 NCO Club in Long Binh, Vietnam or his set list at the classic Newport Folk Festival in 1964. If there was ever any doubt, Bootleg III simply upholds Cash as the superb showman that he was and lets the listener hear how he always loved his fans and knew how to play a crowd. I will admit that the two and half hours of music here can be a little overwhelming but if you take it in pieces, it is worth every minute you give it and something to fall back on when you are in the mood to hear the classic man in black!

Johnny Cash: Bootleg Vol. II - From Memphis To Hollywood [Fire Note Review 2/21/11]
Johnny Cash: American VI - Ain't No Grave [Fire Note Review 2/24/10]
Johnny Cash: American V - A Hundred Highways [Fire Note Review 7/4/06]

Johnny Cash Website
Johnny Cash Facebook
Columbia/Legacy Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Kooks: Junk Of The Heart

The Kooks
Junk Of The Heart
Astralwerks Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The Kooks return with a bright Brit-pop sound on album number three Junk Of The Heart.

Album Review:
More than ever before, The Kooks embrace their Brit-pop roots on their third album Junk Of The Heart. This can be a good or bad thing depending which side of the ocean you sit on. If you are on the States side, then The Kooks will need to work hard to rekindle some of the following they had with their 2008 release Konk because Junk Of The Heart plays it somewhat safe. Now, sometimes safe is not bad if it still catches your ear, like on the opening "Junk Of The Heart (Happy)" that bounces and grooves with a memorable chorus. "Taking Pictures Of You" is probably close to the best ballad the group has ever written, while the 60's British Invasion style of "Eskimo Kiss" is a true highlight. This is the swagger The Kooks can pull off but Junk Of The Heart does also sound familiar at times, in the way that you have heard it before. The band does not try to cover up where they are from but too often it buries their uniqueness and becomes easier to pass over The Kooks in a cluttered crowd of bands searching for air play. If you have been following The Kooks career then Junk Of The Heart will be a satisfying listen, especially if you enjoy 90's Brit-pop because the band shines in that format. Is there anything earth shattering new here? That answer is no but I still think there are plenty of shining moments here that are well worth checking out, as The Kooks show no signs of slowing down and once again showcase that they have the right components to make a stellar record.

Key Tracks: "Junk Of The Heart (Happy)", "Taking Pictures Of You", "Eskimo Kiss"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Suede
The Kinks
Longpigs

The Kooks: Inside In/Inside Out [Fire Note Review 9/25/06]

The Kooks Website
The Kooks Facebook
Astralwerks Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Los Campesinos!: Hello Sadness

Los Campesinos!
Hello Sadness
Arts & Crafts Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Los Campesinos! get serious on fourth long player, Hello Sadness, which paves new paths for the band and succeeds all the way to the end!

Album Review:
Any band with longevity always works their way towards a "mature" record, which is a widely used term to convey a multitude of things, such as the band could be taking a new direction musically, the band has down shifted their tempos and/or the group goes much deeper with their lyric subject matter than previous efforts. For Los Campesinos! and lead singer and songwriter Gareth Campesinos, the band finds their maturity in some of the darkest material they have penned yet. This is a shift from their earlier three records and here you can differentiate how the focus on each note is important to every composition on Hello Sadness. Los Campesinos! over the years have been the poster children for indie rock, right from their crazy hyped beginning to still carrying the torch on Hello Sadness. It is great to hear a record of this sort amid the ever growing do-it yourself approach or the continued chillwave movement because what you hear is what you get. The band no longer relies on hitting you quick with excitable indie rock numbers but uses their skills to build some intensity, as "To Tundra" is one of their most grandiose tracks to date. That does not mean that Los Campesinos! abandoned the big anthem tracks because the opening hand clapper "By Your Hand" is instantly likable, while the catchy "The Black Bird, The Dark Slope" shines with its layered harmonies and darker musical mood. Even though Los Campensinos! present mostly songs about life struggle on Hello Sadness, they package it into solid compensations, that take a few more listens to get into then their earlier work, but once you get there - the tracks stick. This is why Los Campensinos! are still important on album number four and why Hello Sadness is a must listen for any fan new or old!

Key Tracks: "By Your Hand", "Hello Sadness", "The Black Bird, The Dark Slope"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Cure
Cursive
Arcade Fire

Los Campesinos!: Romance Is Boring [Fire Note Review 1/26/10]
Los Campesinos!: We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed [Fire Note Review 11/21/08] [#18 Top 50 of 2008]

Los Campesinos! Website
Los Campesinos! Facebook
Arts & Crafts Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

R.E.M.: Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011

R.E.M.
Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011
IRS/Warner Bros. Records [2011]
(2CD Set)








Fire Note Says: This new double album compilation does an excellent job of covering all the eras of R.E.M.!

Album Review:
It seemed a bit weird to me that the day after R.E.M. announced their break up that the details of Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011 were released. To me, it was like we are going away but here is one parting shot to take your money. Well after sitting down with this 2 disc compilation I hereby eat my words. This collection represents the band's first career-spanning anthology and gives them to you in chronological order.

This of course means that it is really divided into three parts being college R.E.M., radio hit and award winning R.E.M. and lastly - trio R.E.M. after Bill Berry's exit in 1997. With that in mind, this compilation stays, like it or not, to this path as 13 songs are from the IRS records catalog, 14 are from the Warner Bros. Records days and 13 come from the trio years. What you find is that this approach really does a spectacular job of covering their extensive body of work as most of their singles made the cut.

Now that doesn't bless this release completely as there are still some question marks. Including 3 tracks from this year's Collapse Into Now [2011] seems one too many, even though they are not bad songs but the album time constraint means that something else more classic was cut. Adding "Living Well Is The Best Revenge" from Accelerate [2008] once again selects a song that is not bad but could have been a spot better used, although it helped stick to the equal splitting of the R.E.M. timeline. Personally, not including "Cuyahoga", "Superman", or "Pretty Persuasion" from their earlier material here was hurtful to my ear and instead having "Shiny Happy People" included was too easy, especially given it was a track that Stipe himself always said he hated. There are also 3 new songs included here which are solid but highlighted by the ballad "We All Go Back To Where We Belong", that represents a perfect R.E.M. track.

At the end of the day, you would be surprised on how well all of these songs work together. You recognize how lengthy a career R.E.M. had and how even the later material was consciously planned out and in this setting, sounds better than on the albums themselves. Will R.E.M. ever come back? Probably not but you never know. The good thing till then is Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011 does paint the perfect picture of R.E.M.'s career and is a proud representation of why they will always be near the top in a list of the greatest bands that ever picked up an instrument!

R.E.M.: Lifes Rich Pageant [25th Anniversary Edition] [Fire Note Review 8/8/11]
R.E.M.: Collapse Into Now [Fire Note Review 3/9/11]
R.E.M.: Fables Of The Reconstruction [25th Anniversary Edition] [Fire Note Review 7/14/10]
R.E.M.: Live At The Olympia [Fire Note Review 11/30/09]
R.E.M.: Reckoning [Deluxe Edition] [Fire Note Review 6/26/09]
R.E.M.: Murmur [Deluxe Edition] [Fire Note Review 12/1/08]
R.E.M.: Accelerate [Fire Note Review 3/31/08]

R.E.M. Website
R.E.M. Facebook
Warner Bros. Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Mastodon: The Hunter

Mastodon
The Hunter
Reprise Records [2011]










Fire Note Says: Mastodon drop the concept but still bring the heavy on fifth long player The Hunter!

Album Review:
For Mastodon's fifth album, The Hunter, the band forgoes a deep concept and just brings the heavy rock that you have come to expect from the Atlanta group. This gives the band some new creative freedom, as the 13 tracks come at you in different ways. Mastodon can assault you with blistering tracks like the three minute pounding on "Spectrelight", they can drive you back with controlled monster riffs on tracks like the album opening "Black Tongue", they can produce memorable big choruses, such as the sing a long "All The Heavy Lifting" and then can peacefully ride off into the sunset with the slower and sprawling "The Sparrow", which rounds out the album and the band. After creating such brain driven conceptual pieces in the past, it actually is refreshing to just hear Mastodon take on making an excellent rock record with no extras - just muscle!

Key Tracks: "Black Tongue", "All The Heavy Lifting", "Spectrelight"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Sword
Queens Of The Stone Age
Melvins

Mastodon: Crack The Skye [Fire Note Review 4/1/09]

Mastodon Website
Mastodon Facebook
Reprise Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Beach Boys: The SMiLE Sessions [Deluxe Edition]

The Beach Boys
The SMiLE Sessions [Deluxe Edition]
EMI/Capitol Records [2011]
(2CD Set)








Fire Note Says: A must hear!

Album Review:
If you already have picked up this classic then you know what all the hype has been about. If you are frowning and thinking about your parents, commercials or just songs about girls then you haven't discovered the real Beach Boys yet. Pet Sounds [1966] of course is the groups pinnacle "indie" record that, deservedly so, always gets the essential listen mark with its grade A lo-fi pop genius in action and if you know your history, SMiLE was supposed to be its follow up. This is the record that Brian Wilson had grandiose dreams of making his own Sgt. Pepper's but never pulled it off due to the music being considered too out there by his band mates, Wilson's own struggle to finish tracks and a multitude of other complicating factors. The album was abandoned and ever since has been the great pop mystery. In 2004, Brian Wilson put out his version of SMiLE but it was a reworked version and not the original tracks. This all leads us to The SMiLE Sessions and the way this album was always intended for the world to hear. Now I am sure that nostalgia and the anticipation of greatness influences your first listen of The SMiLE Sessions but the record is really superb. I also think that it would have struggled for success if it was released as expected because it was unique and progressive for the late 60's but sounds right at home in 2011. Considering all the genres that have been formed since that era, The SMiLE Sessions can be respected and accepted as art versus producing singles and charting. This gives the record an advantage today as it has all the great working pieces that made Pet Sounds so great but then adds in the theatrical components that are both extravagant and maybe even eccentric but all exciting at this point. The 2nd disc on this set also adds to the bigger picture of SMiLE, as it showcases more of the pieces that this record was cultivated from. It is not an essential listen every time but the bonus material definitely adds to the story plus if you want the full picture, there is also the box set version of this release that features 5 total discs with one of them containing the 34 session tracks that eventually produced "Heroes And Villains". The entire project is daunting but now that it has finally been released, the final verdict on The SMiLE Sessions is that the record is something to marvel at and most certainly has lived up to all the years of speculation that it was a hidden great!

The Beach Boys Website
The Beach Boys Facebook
Captiol Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Leafs: Come, Take My Hand EP

The Leafs
Come, Take My Hand EP
Self-Released [2011]









Fire Note Says: Second EP expands the length of The Leafs tracks with equally stellar results!

Album Review:
We told you about Australia's Leafs back in August and the group has just released it's second EP titled Come, Take My Hand, which expands their sound and finds the band experimenting with longer songs this go around with the same excellent results. Right from the opening strum on the title track, you can hear that The Leafs are onto something different as the drums don't even kick in till the one minute mark as the song maintains a cool mid-tempo pulse throughout. At 4:34 it is their longest composition yet and it showcases a completely different side of this band before getting to the more rowdy "Let's Get Fucked Up" which takes over your stereo. The soft delivered "The Error Of Your Ways" returns The Leafs to a more familiar territory with its short 1:25 time frame but then it is followed up by the almost 4 minute angular riff rocker "I Wanna Be A Machine". The Leafs recorded this EP in one night over 7 hours but its consistency and solid transitions would have you believing there were several sessions and retakes involved. The Leafs have once again offered up an EP that gets better after every spin and we can't wait for number three, which rumor has it should be out early next year!

Key Tracks: "Let's Get Fucked Up", "I Wanna Be A Machine", "Come, Take My Hand"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Lifter Puller
Coffinberry
Parts & Labor

The Leafs: Space Elevator EP [Fire Note Review 8/18/11]

The Leafs Website
The Leafs MySpace

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Birthday Suit: The Eleventh Hour

The Birthday Suit
The Eleventh Hour
Sing It Alone Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Idlewild guitarist/songwriter Rod Jones presents his new solo project - The Birthday Suit.

Album Review:
The Birthday Suit is the new solo project from Idlewild guitarist/songwriter Rod Jones that returns him to a familiar zone of catchy indie rock. Clearly the players are different but right from the opening album rocker "Do You Ever?", you realize that Jones could care less if The Birthday Suit is similar to Idlewild. It is a formula that has been successful over the last 16 years and The Birthday Suit embrace that success with their own catchy anthems and memorable melodies on The Eleventh Hour. The Birthday Suit does bring something different to the table here as the female backing vocal of Jacqueline Irvine gives songs a unique twist and the addition of violin by Catrin Pryce-Jones boosts some of the tracks depth. The Eleventh Hour will definitely appeal to Idlewild fans as many of the tracks feel and sound like Jones had already written them for his day job but as it turns out, The Birthday Suit bring a fresh energetic flare on this debut that displays a true passion for music and certainly has the potential to build a new fan base with these 11 smoldering tracks.

Key Tracks: "Do You Ever?", "Sell It All", "Don't Look Down"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Ash
Idlewild
Placebo

The Birthday Suit Website
The Birthday Suit Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Blouse: Blouse

Blouse
Blouse
Captured Tracks Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Blouse make 80's electronic pop cool again!

Album Review:
It is a fine line to walk but Portland, OR trio Blouse successfully recreate an 80's electronic pop vibe on their self-titled debut. This record could have easily fell into a terrible place if its ten tracks sounded gimmicky or contrived in any way but thanks to lead vocalist Charlie Hilton, Blouse take control with a modern 2011 flare, as her infectious tone captures you immediately on the opener "Firestarter". Her vocals float just above the steady beat and synthesizers as Blouse let their dream pop take over your speakers. Blouse also add a sense of urgency to their tracks which is where there indie edge comes from, as songs like "Time Travel" and "Videotapes" come at you with their up-tempo beats and leave you with positive memorable impressions. Blouse do struggle to maintain the edge of your seat anticipation throughout the entire album but clearly the highs outweigh the lows. Given the pure fact that Blouse successfully pull a genre forward to the present and then make it believable, catchy and addicting will not only have you hitting repeat but looking forward to where they take their sound next!

Key Tracks: "Time Travel", "Firestarter", "Videotapes"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Missing Persons
Broadcast
Berlin

Blouse Website
Blouse Facebook
Captured Tracks Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Youth Lagoon: The Year Of Hibernation

Youth Lagoon
The Year Of Hibernation
Fat Possum Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: This is one home recording you should check out!

Album Review:
Youth Lagoon is the project of 22-year-old musician Trevor Powers from Boise, Idaho that brings all of the elements you love from home recordings and then wins you over with his style. Opening track "Posters" kicks the record off in familiar territory, as you get Powers voice struggling to sing just above the flowing synth music as his tone echoes of the song structure. Now if you turn it off there because you have heard it all before then you have a made a critical mistake, as the song completely shifts gears at the 2 minute mark and flourishes instrumentally in complete stereo with a memorable beat. This transitions you right into "Cannons", which has a big sprawling chorus with Powers vocals drenched in reverb. One of the catchiest tracks on the record is "Afternoon" that is a whistle while you listen song that builds its volume on the way out, while the mostly hush "July" explodes out of nowhere with Powers singing to the top of his lungs capacity. These are just a few of the pieces that make The Year Of Hibernation so infectious and with 8 songs averaging around 4 minutes, Powers utilizes all the time and space to maximize his sound. Where most bands of this nature are usually in and out, Youth Lagoon hangs around and gives the listener fully realized ideas while catching your ear with a memorable lyric or beat. Musically you may feel that you have been here before but after several spins you realize that Youth Lagoon is a standout from an ever growing genre and The Year Of Hibernation just might be one of the best records we have heard this year!

Key Tracks: "Afternoon", "July", "Posters"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Real Estate
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Perfume Genius

Youth Lagoon Website
Youth Lagoon Facebook
Fat Possum Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Billy Joel: Piano Man (Legacy Edition)

Billy Joel
Piano Man (Legacy Edition)
Columbia/Legacy Recordings [2011]
(2CD Set)








Fire Note Says: Billy Joel's Columbia Records debut gets the Legacy treatment with an excellent bonus disc.

Album Review:
Have you ever been to a college bar and heard "Piano Man" or "Captain Jack" playing in the background? Have you ever noticed that all of the youngsters know the words and sing along? Did you ever wonder why? The reason why is that Billy Joel is an superb singer/songwriter that is celebrating a 40 year solo career and can easily identify with everyone through his songs which makes them memorable, catchy and in most cases - classic. Sure you can scoff all you want at Joel but really go back and listen to his early material and you can see why he has influenced so many artists of today. Piano Man of course is a great place to start, as it was Joel's second record but the first album he did with Columbia Records (A decision made because it was Dylan's label). The remastering is solid and the album is worth every minute but the 2nd disc here is the real gem, as it features for the first time ever, Billy's full performance at Sigma Sound, re-mixed from the original studio recording. The concert includes three Billy Joel songs, "Long, Long Time," "Josephine," and "Rosalinda", which do not appear on any other of his albums. This show also conveys his ease in front of the piano and each track contains an intro track telling some great stories. Every song on here is fresh, energetic and just a entertaining easy listen making this Legacy Edition worth the price of admission!

If you really want to check out Billy Joel's full work, the Piano Man (Legacy Edition) has been co-released with The Complete Albums Collection Box Set that features brand-new remasters of every Billy Joel studio album, two lavish 60-page booklets, printed lyrics to every Billy Joel composition, a new Q&A with Billy conducted by noted music journalist Steve Morse, and a bonus disc of 17 rare and non-album recordings.



Billy Joel Website
Billy Joel Facebook
Columbia Records
Legacy Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Atlas Sound: Parallax

Atlas Sound
Parallax
4AD Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Bradford Cox keeps his streak alive with another great release - only this time with his other project Atlas Sound!

Album Review:
Parallax, the third album from Atlas Sound, is the most developed record yet from the solo project of Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox. The record ventures down different areas of the rock path but as a complete record, Parallax is very cohesive. This is what makes the album so infectious because it is very easy to get lost in. The opening up tempo track, "The Shakes", finds Cox inflicting a very modern Bowie vocal style that immediately sets you up for greatness, as the atmospheric "Te Amo" showcases yet another side of Atlas Sound that can float and swirl synthesizers much like a laid back Radiohead. In previous Atlas Sound records, Cox had his vocals much more buried but here on Parallax the total opposite happens, as his vocals are clear, concise and in control especially highlighted on the ballad "Modern Aquatic Nightsongs", which lets Cox croon. This track leads you into the uber catchy pop song "Mona Lisa" that was one of my favorites here and is the perfect ending to side one, as it preps you for more great things to come. The swaying swagger and confidence packed into the closer "Lightworks" is exactly why Cox is already this decades indie King and if he keeps releasing albums of this quality, with both Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, then there won't be much support out there to vote against him. Clearly, Bradford Cox is on a streak and Parallax is another strong statement to the fact that will probably also end up on our Best Of list coming next month!

Key Tracks: "Mona Lisa", "Lightworks", "The Shakes"

Bands With Similar Fire:
David Bowie
Spiritualized
Brian Eno

Deerhunter: Halcyon Digest [Fire Note Review 9/30/10] [#3 Top 50 of 2010]
Deerhunter: Rainwater Cassette Exchange [EP] [Fire Note Review 6/30/09]
Deerhunter: Microcastle / Weird Era Cont. [Fire Note Review 11/10/08] [#16 Top 50 of 2008]

Atlas Sound Facebook
4AD Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony