The Sights: Most Of What Follows Is True

The Sights
Most Of What Follows Is True
Alive Natural Sound Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Detroit band returns after 5 years with a solid fourth record!

Album Review:
Once hailed as Detroit's next big band, The Sights rode a trail of hype behind their first two records right into a major label deal that imploded and left the band for dead back in 2005. Five years later, singer/guitarist Eddie Baranek has reassembled The Sights and released the groups fourth record Most Of What Follows Is True. Time has mellowed the overall sound of The Sights, as this record still contains garage rock pieces but is much more tame and even ventures down a folk road on several tracks complete with twang on "I Left My Muse" and "Maria". It is when The Sights bring back their upbeat attitude on songs like the power poppin' "Happy" or the grinding opening rocker "How Do You Sleep?", does this record find its groove. The 2010 version of The Sights does have a different sound, as maturity takes a lead role here and there is no pressure built on Most Of What Follows Is True's success. This lets The Sights be who they want to be, as this was a record made out of the love for music and it comes through here on every 60's influenced power pop nugget, every Detroit sounding garage stomper and even the steel pedal induced tracks all back up The Sights early hype and prove that their talent has never diminished.

Key Tracks: "How Do You Sleep?", "Guilty", "Happy"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Greenhornes
The Creation
The Singles

The Sights Website
The Sights MySpace
The Sights Facebook
Alive Natural Sound Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Motel Beds: Feelings

Motel Beds
Feelings
Fictionband Mechanics [2010]









Fire Note Says: Motel Beds create the right indie mix on stereo debut Feelings.

Album Review:
Dayton, Ohio band Motel Beds successfully blend a shoegaze approach with sprawling melodies, catchy hooks and steady guitar work on their stereo full length debut Feelings. The band relies equally on all of these components but never boxes themselves into a certain time constraint, as the over five minute floating opener "Mr. Salad Days" is just as engaging as the following two minute jangly track "Is This On?".  

Feelings strength emerges from the bands confidence and lack of urgency, which gives the tracks their ability to build, expand into melody and slowly fade away. Motel Beds offer enough diversity from the acoustic atmospheric "Bourbon Skies" to the more rocking "Loves Hz." to hold your interest, while giving you a consistent dose of dense song structures that even develop on the ballad "Suckerpunch The Odometer." This balance and style gives Motel Beds a unique sound and highlights their indie song craft that makes this debut worth checking out.

Key Tracks: "Mr. Salad Days", "Lights On", "81 Sun"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Chavez
Swervedriver
Built To Spill

Motel Beds Website
Motel Beds MySpace
Motel Beds Facebook
Fictionband Mechanics

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Boom Chick: Show Pony

Boom Chick
Show Pony
Self-Released [2010]









Fire Note Says: 20 minutes of blues rock momentum!

Album Review:
Brooklyn's Boom Chick had a very simple beginning, as singer/songwriter Frank Hoier invited Moselle Spiller over to sit behind a drum kit with absolutely no experience. Countless parties and rehearsals later, the groups debut record Show Pony is upon us and it is a solid 20 minute explosion of blues, atomic 50's rock n roll and dripping reverb. It is easy to compare their sound to early White Stripes because it is very similar right down to Hoier's howl but stylistically Boom Chick are more entrenched in historic Chicago blues and driving surf rock. Show Pony has a very live and vibrant scuffed sound, as most of the album was recorded on two-inch tape live with minimal overdubs. This gives Boom Chick the grit that separates them from other band comparisons and electrifies the record from beginning to end. From the scorching instrumental "Nailgun" to the fun rebel rousing closer "When I Don't Love My Rock N' Roll", Boom Chick have a seasoned and confident sound that hopefully is only just the beginning of this recording duo because I would love to hear what they do next!

Key Tracks: "Ghost Of Bo Diddley", "Cryin' Rooster", "Untitled Jam #1"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Make-Up
Howlin' Wolf
The White Stripes

Frank Hoier: Lovers & Dollars [Fire Note Review 11/7/08]

Boom Chick Website
Boom Chick MySpace
Boom Chick Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Nine Inch Nails: Pretty Hate Machine [Remaster Edition]

Nine Inch Nails
Pretty Hate Machine [Remaster Edition]
Universal Music [2010]









Fire Note Says: Dust it off and let it rip!

Album Review:
Originally released in 1989, Pretty Hate Machine was clearly on the fringe and ahead of its time. Nine Inch Nails sounded like a band that your mom should hate and leader Trent Reznor was a figure that religions thought they should fear. Maybe both were right but coming back to NIN's debut album, Pretty Hate Machine in 2010 brings much admiration and a better understanding of this record's inner parts. Pretty Hate Machine is a giant synthesizer driven record that combines dance, rock and electronics with its muscle lyrics that enlists emotional responses. You can throw a fist into the air, you can tap your feet, you can head bob, you can roll the windows down or shut yourself into a room and Pretty Hate Machine still sounds great. It is a record that remarkably stands up well to the test of time, as it absolutely does not sound dated. The remastering gives the album a little more pop and the added Queen cover of "Get Down, Make Love" (originally on the Sin single) offers up a quality rarity that some might not have, although not essential. The best part of this reissue is the album itself and its ability to reintroduce a new legion of followers to Nine Inch Nails. Kids today won't understand but one spin through Pretty Hate Machine should not only earn their respect but should offer a little connect the dots to bands they have worshiped and cherished over the last decade because more of them then you can count developed their sound from right here!

Key Tracks: "Head Like A Hole", "Down In It", "Sin"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Linkin Park
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Tool

How To Destroy Angels: How To Destroy Angels [EP] [Fire Note Review 6/21/10]
Nine Inch Nails: The Slip [Fire Note Review 6/10/08]

Nine Inch Nails Website
Nine Inch Nails MySpace
Nine Inch Nails Facebook
Universal Music

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Happy Thanksgiving & The Andy Kotowicz Family Foundation Auction and Benefit Shows Info

We hope everyone has a great holiday! We are taking today and tomorrow off. The Fire Note will return this Monday November 29th.


On a giving note - one of our biggest label supporters Sub Pop Records recently lost a dear friend and employee named Andy Kotowicz. There is a foundation set up in his name, some excellent benefit shows scheduled and an auction that has some really stellar items so please check out some details below and do what you can. (Click link for full description).

The Andy Kotowicz Family Foundation Auction and Benefit Shows

Rare and Collectible Items from:

Band of Horses, Bon Iver, Cee-Lo and James Blunt, Conan O’Brien, Foo Fighters, Jack White and The Dead Weather, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia and Dancing Bears, Jimi Hendrix, Light in the Attic Records, The Monkees, Muse, Nike, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, The Simpsons, Third Man Records, The White Stripes and more on

CharityBuzz.com now through December 14th

Benefit Shows Scheduled for Seattle and Ann Arbor to Raise Funds for Foundation

Seattle, WA - On October 24, 2010, Sub Pop Records’ VP of Sales, Director of Marketing, and remarkable friend Andy Kotowicz died as a result of injuries he suffered in a terrible car accident three nights previous. He was 37 years old and he is dearly, profoundly missed. The Andy Kotowicz Family Foundation was established in an effort to help provide for Andy’s wife Jocelyn and his young daughter Anna. An auction on CharityBuzz.com featuring items from Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Muse, The Simpsons and more is open for bidding now until December 14th. In addition to the auction a concert is scheduled for December 4th at Seattle’s Showbox at the Market with performances by many of the bands Andy worked with at Sub Pop as an A&R representative. Finally, there will be a benefit show held on December 8th, Andy’s birthday, in his hometown of Ann Arbor/Ypsi.

These shows and events, the wide array of auction items collected below, all are partial testament to the very full life lived by our friend. On behalf of Andy’s family and as part of it, we at Sub Pop Records are deeply grateful for all of the items donated here, for all of the artists, venues, vendors and assorted sponsors who have donated their time and/or something arguably more palpable. Please consider bidding on these items and or donating to or otherwise supporting the Andy Kotowicz Family Foundation.

Abby Gogo: Abby Gogo

Abby Gogo
Abby Gogo
Double Phantom Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Come get lost with Atlanta's Abby Gogo!

Album Review:
Atlanta band Abby Gogo bring you their style of psychedelic garage, which combines both elements of shoegaze and 60's pop rock that together creates a unique vision on their self-titled debut. The band really does sound as you might expect with distortion, deep groves and depth but what separates them out is how they are very focused on each of the compositions components and have the ability to meticulously pull them to the surface. This can either be the forefront vocals on the opening, just over two minute, track "Louder Than Dreams" or the sprawling feedback on the six minute "Glass". You hear what Abby Gogo wants you to hear and that is the real success of their debut, as it pulls you into their world. The band clearly is still young and evolving, as some of the longer tracks could have a better flow and honestly two of my favorites on the record, are the two shortest tracks. Abby Gogo have the right swagger to make a killer record and they display all the right tools here on their debut, which is not perfect but still is a pretty good listen!

Key Tracks: "Louder Than Dreams", "Feelin' Slow", "Glass"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Black Angels
My Bloody Valentine
The Black Hollies

Abby Gogo MySpace
Abby Gogo Facebook
Double Phantom Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

New Mexico: Have You Met My Friend?

New Mexico
Have You Met My Friend?
Self-Released [2010]









Fire Note Says: San Diego's New Mexico is definitely worth checking out!

Album Review:
This 7-song EP from San Diego's New Mexico is a fun punch of straight up rock n roll that will keep your feet tapping and your hand reaching to turn up the volume knob. From the in-your-face fast talking "Abused And Amused" to the stylish laid backness of catchy "Case Closed", New Mexico brings a confidence to this record that sounds great to the ear. The band does everything to draw you in, from the call outs on the pulsing "Get A Job", to the chime in chorus on lead off track "Motion Sickness" which really sets Have You Met My Friend? on full throttle. New Mexico actually go against some of the current modern garage rock trends here, as the trio let their songs evolve and play out without abrupt endings and have an average song length that is almost 5 minutes. New Mexico were recently nominated for best local group at the 2010 San Diego Music Awards and with some exposure they should go well beyond the borders of America's Finest City with this solid release!

Key Tracks: "Motion Sickness", "Get A Job", "Abused And Amused"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Strokes
The Great Shakes
The Soft Pack

New Mexico Website
New Mexico MySpace
New Mexico Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Russian Futurists: The Weight's On The Wheels

The Russian Futurists
The Weight's On The Wheels
Upper Class Recordings [2010]









Fire Note Says: The Russian Futurists return after 5 years with another upbeat pop offering.

Album Review:
Five years is a long time for any artist to go between records but that is exactly the last time we heard from Canada's psychedelic pop gurus The Russian Futurists. The album comes at you in all its upbeat pop grandeur and sounds like leader Matthew Adam Hart has not been gone for more then 5 days. The Weight's On The Wheels does have a brighter overall production that separates itself from The Russian Futurists previous releases and lets Hart's witty vocals shine through more then ever before. This gives the songs here more attitude, as the overall subject matter still focuses on the problems with love and other in general difficulties. Some of the standout changes from the past here would be "One Night, One Kiss", which is a duet with Ruth Minnikin (Heavy Blinkers) and the catchy grooves incorporated into "100 Shopping Days 'Til Christmas". Longtime fans will enjoy these subtle changes but The Weight's On The Wheels does suffer some in the last third due to repetitive sounds. The album does overcome this with its strong start and should still find its niche audience as it honorably represents the music The Russian Futurists have been releasing now for more then a decade.

Key Tracks: "Golden Years", "One Night, One Kiss", "100 Shopping Days 'Til Christmas"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Peter, Bjorn And John
Owl City
The Seedy Seeds

The Russian Futurists Website
The Russian Futurists MySpace
The Russian Futurists Facebook
Upper Class Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Ben Weaver: Mirepoix And Smoke

Ben Weaver
Mirepoix And Smoke
Bloodshot Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Just a man and his thoughts!

Album Review:
Ben Weaver's best instrument is his weathered voice and on his new record Mirepoix And Smoke, it is presented front and center. His 2008 release Ax In The Oak brought plenty of electric to the table, but here you get Weaver's voice that is mostly accompanied by acoustic guitar and banjo. This sets up one of Weaver's most intimate recordings yet and the songs here let the emotion just pour out. One of the most memorable lines takes place in "Drag The Hills", as Weaver exclaims that "I'd rather have scars from the life I lived, than have none from the one I missed.", which really highlights his overall world view. It is this common persona that can make so many resonate with Weaver's songs and why Mirepoix And Smoke shines. Recorded over three days and packaged in a nice running time of 30 minutes, Ben Weaver wears his life on his sleeve and makes Mirepoix And Smoke one of the most honest records you will hear all year.

Key Tracks: "Grass Doe", "Drag The Hills", "Split Ends"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Justin Townes Earle
Iron And Wine
Chuck Ragan

Ben Weaver Website
Ben Weaver MySpace
Ben Weaver Facebook
Bloodshot Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Giant Sand: Blurry Blue Mountain

Giant Sand
Blurry Blue Mountain
Fire Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Another solid album that highlights why Giant Sand have been releasing records for 25 years!

Album Review:
25 years in the business sort of gives Howe Gelb veteran status, as his new record, under his long standing vehicle Giant Sand, is another fine example of his excellent musicianship. Blurry Blue Mountain finds him going down many roads and never really landing completly in one genre even though Americana drives the bus, Gelb brings along a little lo-fi, jazz, country and plain old rock n roll. The album is self-described by Gelb as the space between the waking world and the sleeping one, which starts to makes sense after just one run through. This description adds a little mystery to your listening experience, as most of Blurry Blue Mountain's tracks pluck along and let Howe tell his tales. On the over seven minute "Monk's Mountain" both worlds are touched, as it gently works its way along with sudden bursts of instruments, while "Thin Line Man" hits at the album's midpoint and blows you away, as it is the most rocking track on the record with Gelb's devilish Nick Cave style vocals. Blurry Blue Mountain is not as widespread engaging as 2008's proVISIONS but it is more of a fan record that just represents a solid 50 minutes of Gelb's music. Giant Sand prove here once again, that in the future when influential bands are discussed, there is no reason that Giant Sand should not be a dark horse in the conversation because what seems to come so naturally on Blurry Blue Mountain for Howe Gelb, really will never be attainable for a significant amount of artists just trying to come close!

Key Tracks: "Monk's Mountain", "Thin Line Man", "Love A Loser"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Lou Reed
Sun Kil Moon
Nick Cave

Giant Sand: proVISIONS [Fire Note Review 8/28/08]

Official Giant Sand Website
Giant Sand MySpace
Giant Sand Facebook
Fire Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Girls: Broken Dreams Club [EP]

Girls
Broken Dreams Club [EP]
True Panther Sounds [2010]









Fire Note Says: Broken Dreams Club shows progression while still capturing the superb mojo of the Girls debut!

Album Review:
Girls debut record Album [2009], was an incredible release and landed at #3 on our 2009 Top 50 list. The Broken Dreams Club EP picks right up where their debut stopped and sounds just as confident, just as memorable and just as entertaining. It is hard to completely describe Girls sound because they consistently morph their style song to song, as lead off track ""Oh So Protective One" has lead singer Christopher Owens crooning away while the horns go off in the background. This transitions right into the foot tapping straightforward pop number "Heartbreaker". On the title track Girls slip into an Americana mode complete with slide guitar and finish the EP with the almost eight minute somewhat shoegazy "Carolina". You might think that Broken Dreams Club is all over the place with all of these separate paths but the reality is the EP shows true progression in a short amount of time with a little better songwriting, a little more production and not one bad track out of the bunch!

Key Tracks: "Carolina", "Heartbreaker", "Alright"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
The Drums
Real Estate

Girls: Album [Fire Note Review 9/29/09]

Girls MySpace
True Panther Sounds

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Archie Powell & The Exports: Skip Work

Archie Powell & The Exports
Skip Work
Team Cool Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Archie Powell makes skipping work worth the risk!

Album Review:
The smart and catchy debut full length from Chicago's Archie Powell & The Exports will strike an immediate chord in your rock pop brain. The foursome come at you in the most traditional form of song structures, with simple verse chorus verse and upbeat tempos. Skip Work succeeds because it gets to the point, as the 12 tracks average a short 3 minutes and give the record a concise just under 35 minute running time. Powell's voice is immediately likable and at times he throws in some vocal distortion to shake things up, while also not holding back a few cuss words here and there which adds to the bands swagger. Skip Work has everything going for it, from the snappy sing-a-long of "Enough About Me" to the strolling closer "The Darndest Things" and is simply entertaining because Archie Powell & The Exports are so musically tight. This is a record and a band that has so far, flown way under the radar but ultimately should appeal to fans that range from Weezer to Elvis Costello. It is this widespread charm and memorable eager tracks that will have you returning to Skip Work for repeat listens and telling all you friends to check out your new favorite band - Archie Powell & The Exports!

Key Tracks: "Enough About Me", "Skip Work", "Moving To The City"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Replacements
The Hold Steady
Elvis Costello

Archie Powell & The Exports Website
Archie Powell & The Exports MySpace
Archie Powell & The Exports Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Trombone Shorty: Backatown

Trombone Shorty
Backatown
Verve Music Group [2010]









Fire Note Says: This record will take you on a satisfying goovin' ride!

Album Review:
New Orleans Troy 'Trombone Shorty" Andrews is a raw talent that I stumbled upon recently and totally regretted that I have not heard of him before. I will be the first to admit that my jazz knowledge is limited, since the Note mostly covers indie albums but this record took me by surprise with its instant appeal. Clearly Andrews name comes from his supreme handling of the trombone but he is a rare artist that touches a multitude of genres here, as he mixes up pieces of rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul. Backatown not only offers excellent upbeat and party like instrumentals but also gives you five vocal tracks plus features the guest appearances of Lenny Kravitz, Allen Toussaint and Marc Broussard. Everything on Backatown gets your feet tapping with the added "heys" in "Hurricane Season" and the rock riffs in "Where Y' At" plus a stellar music lesson in the concise closing "928 Horn Jam." A full on instrumental groove here would have sufficed but the added soul vibe of the nicely dispersed vocal tracks gives Backatown depth and staying power, that not only should electrify the jazz world but the music community in general because this record is a blast from beginning to end!

Key Tracks: "Where Y' At", "Hurricane Season", "Something Beautiful"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Rebirth Brass Band
Kermit Ruffins
New Orleans Jazz Vipers

Trombone Shorty Website
Trombone Shorty MySpace
Trombone Shorty Facebook
Verve Music Group

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

The Concretes: WYWH

The Concretes
WYWH
Friendly Fire Recordings [2010]









Fire Note Says: The Concretes return with a new sound and direction.

Album Review:
Having a killer debut has haunted the careers of countless bands and Swedish indie pop group The Concretes have been trying to catch up to their self-titled debut for seven years. It is not totally their fault because along the way the group lost one of the most crucial components in lead singer Victoria Bergsman, which no matter how hard you try - is almost impossible to replace. This does not mean that it is not possible, as new singer Lisa Milberg stepped out from behind the drums to take the front and center position and although engaging, she does not have the same spirited vibe. WYWH is the bands fourth record and it has been promoted by having a "disco" state of mind. This simply means that it has less guitar and more keyboards, more bass and a more controlled pace that is stitched together with charming melodies. I don't mind the changing sound but what made The Concretes debut so good, was how its songs popped out and successfully mixed the floating vocals of Bergsman with an indie guitar jangle. That sound doesn't exist on WYWH and it has the band reaching for ideas and almost starting over. Some tracks still work, as "I Wish We'd Never Met" is full of feeling that translates perfect to the listener and the beats have success on the groovy and pulsing "What We've Become", that hits you with a confident attitude. Ultimately WYWH never takes hold of your attention enough to return back for more. That is where The Concretes new direction hurts the albums overall appeal and it would have been nice to see some indie pop included to better balance out the record - maybe next time.

Key Tracks: "I Wish We'd Never Met", "What We've Become", "My Ways"

Bands With Similar Fire:
October Project
El Perro del Mar
Camera Obscura

The Concretes Website
The Concretes MySpace
The Concretes Facebook
Friendly Fire Recordings

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

500 Miles To Memphis: We've Built Up To Nothing

500 Miles To Memphis
We've Built Up To Nothing
Self-Released [2010]









Fire Note Review: 500 Miles To Memphis bring you their impressive brand of country-punk straight from Cincinnati.

Album Review:
The Cincinnati-based rock country punk band 500 Miles To Memphis comes at you here with guitar guns ablazin' on their third record We've Built Up To Nothing. The album is driven by frontman Ryan Malott's vocals, which have just the right amount of twang and drawl to them and firmly plants 500 MTM's honky-tonk roots but leaves the door open enough for the band to expand their sound with a full orchestra and plenty of vocal harmonies. We've Built Up To Nothing is a 15 track, 55 minute ride, that never slows down but finds the band focusing on overall song structures and allowing listeners time to absorb the vocals without the instruments overpowering the lines. This all mixes nicely with the groups tendency to rev up songs with punk riffs, which consistently sets the tempo of the record but also showcases their ability to change up things on a catchy country ballad like "Moonlight". 500 MTM also flex their creative muscle here with the over 9 minute "Everybody Needs An Enemy" that offers a full spectrum of their range, while a song like "Shots" is all punk rock. 500 Miles To Memphis succeed on We've Built Up To Nothing by not trying too hard and excelling at what they do best - rocking your ass off country punk style!

Key Tracks: "It's Alright", "Barfly", "East Texas Angel"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Refreshments
Jason & The Scorchers
Two Cow Garage

500 Miles To Memphis Website
500 Miles To Memphis MySpace
500 Miles To Memphis Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Twin Shadow: Forget

Twin Shadow
Forget
4AD Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Twin Shadow's smooth delivery will win you over quickly!

Album Review:
Twin Shadow is a record that wins you over one song at a time, as its closet new wave meets an undertone of beats and stylish vocals that sounds retro and modern all in the same line. George Lewis, Jr. is the man behind the art and his debut Forget, works on a multitude of levels, as Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor gives the record a very clean and distinct sound, reminiscent of his own band. While Forget might sound a little too arty for some, it actually is a record that blends its sounds and supplies just the right amount of each competent to make it catchy and memorable. It is Twin Shadow's ability to balance all of their sounds here, that really enables Forget to succeed, as the record strategically is weighted with half of the tracks being upbeat and the other half talking on a more floating vibe. Pacing can make or break an album and clearly here, it propels its superbness, as the beats never wear out there welcome and Lewis's swaying Morrissey type vocals completely invite you in. Twin Shadow has not only released one of the better records this year but Forget possesses a timelessness to it that should hold up well into the future!

Key Tracks: "I Can't Wait", "Castles In The Snow", "Tether Beat"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The xx
Depeche Mode
Grizzly Bear

Twin Shadow Website
Twin Shadow MySpace
Twin Shadow Facebook
4AD Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Tom Howie: The Right And Wrong Of Everything [EP]

Tom Howie
The Right And Wrong Of Everything [EP]
Self-Released [2010]









Fire Note Says: Tom Howie shows off an emerging talent on his confident new EP.

Album Review:
Tom Howie is a 22 year-old guitarist/singer/songwriter that has an instantly likable vocal, which has a smooth falsetto delivery much like Chris Martin, Fran Healy and at times, even Jeff Buckley. Those are big names to stand up to and on this 5 song EP, Howie shows promise while he weaves his tales of heartbreak. The Right And Wrong Of Everything will not initially blow you away but it does stick with you if given multiple spins. Tom Howie is an emerging talent that may not take over the world on this release but with his sound and young age, I would definitely keep tabs on his full length progress because it has potential to be stellar!

Key Tracks: "Diamond", "What You Said", "Take It All Away"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Fran Healy
Coldplay
Jeff Buckley

Tom Howie Website
Tom Howie MySpace
Tom Howie Facebook

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Abe Vigoda: Crush

Abe Vigoda
Crush
Bella Union Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Band dives deeper into darker soundscapes and coldwave era!

Album Review:
Sometimes bands evolve quickly right before your eyes, which is exactly what happened with LA band Abe Vigoda on their sophomore full length Crush. On their debut, AV branded themselves "tropical-punk", which seemed appropriate and then on last years Reviver EP [2009] the group offered up more complex soundscapes that circled around the vocal pieces. This progression continues here on Crush, as the song structures now heavily incorporate synthesizers and take on an old school coldwave vibe that has a darker core. This new found direction ages the band, as they now seem completely in control and have a maturity well beyond a groups sophomore outing. Abe Vigoda has studied perfectly out of the Echo & The Bunnymen's guide and translate it smoothly into 2010. That is this albums draw, as the thick mood takes over your listening experience and allows Crush to take over your stereo. Abe Vigoda have transformed themselves from their previous noise rock into this more song focused vehicle, that works in their favor, as Crush is their most engaging record yet!

Key Tracks: "Pure Violence", "To Tears", "Sequins"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Echo & The Bunnymen
Interpol
The Psychedelic Furs

Abe Vigoda: Reviver [EP] [Fire Note Review 2/13/09]

Abe Vigoda MySpace
Abe Vigoda Facebook
Bella Union Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony