One Day As A Lion: One Day As A Lion [EP]

One Day As A Lion
One Day As A Lion [EP]
Anti Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
Didn’t know if this day would ever come but One Day As A Lion marks the return to recording for Rage frontman Zach De La Rocha with the help of former Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore. The EP is really set up as man vs. machine as Rocha pits his instantly recognizable vocals and keyboards against the drums of Theodore. The end result is 20 minutes of protest music that has the right intensity that Rage Against The Machine fans will embrace but yet still retains a different flavor for a new generation to pick up the cause.

Key Track: "Wild International"

Band With Similar Fire: Rage Against The Machine (duh)

Official One Day As A Lion Website
One Day As A Lion MySpace

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

Bel Air: Pole To Pole

Bel Air
Pole To Pole
Self-Released [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
Brooklyn just keeps overflowing with its musical talent and the debut from Bel Air continues the rush. Pole To Pole is rooted in the Americana sound which offers a combination of male/female lead vocals and multi-layered harmonies that balance the musically solid album. The record also features slide guitarist Mike Brenner (Marah, Magnolia Electric Company) on several tracks which rounds out its alt-country flavor while building on several members indie rock backgrounds. The cohesiveness of the group and strong collaboration of ideas ultimately creates an enjoyable debut which is perfect for any time of the day listening.

Key Track: "Looking Up"

Band With Similar Fire: Whiskeytown

Official Bel Air Website
Bel Air MySpace

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Night Marchers: See You In Magic

The Night Marchers
See You In Magic
Vagrant Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
The Night Marchers are a new band but the players will be very familiar to many. John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes, Sultans) is leading this foursome along with Hot Snakes guitarist Gar Wood and drummer Jason Kourkounis plus newbie CPC Gangbangs bassist Tommy Kitsos. See You In Magic is full of tracks that represent the Reis sound with his knack for catchy punk rock out numbers that keep your feet tapping. The Night Marchers do offer more melody and less volume in certain places compared to their collective previous work but at the end of the day Reis and the boys still rock pretty good!

Key Track: "I Wanna Deadbeat You"

Band With Similar Fire: The Raconteurs

The Night Marchers MySpace

-Reviewed by Aidan Rox

The Pack A.D.: Funeral Mixtape

The Pack A.D.
Funeral Mixtape
Mint Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
It may seem weird but after being introduced to The Pack A.D. in January with Tintype the duo’s sophomore album Funeral Mixtape is upon us right now from Mint Records. What is cool is that the band’s second release hits with a solid right hand blues rock force and embraces the tag of the female Black Keys because that description is spot on. Becky Black has a voice that has been compared to Janis Joplin and those throaty vocals are in full display as The Pack A.D. rock out harder and more confident than their debut showing an evolvement into one of the more interesting groups out there.

Key Track: "Making Gestures"

Band With Similar Fire: The Black Keys

Making Gestures (mp3)

Official Pack A.D. Website
The Pack A.D. MySpace

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst
Merge Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
This time out Mr. Bright Eyes decides to just self-title his new record with his given name Conor Oberst and make a jump to bigger indie Merge Records. As an artist that is slowly working his way into this generation’s Dylan or Springsteen Conor Oberst continues the campaign because this record easily reaffirms the strong skill set of songwriting and performance that he possesses. This album definitely feels more relaxed than his previous work but if you have been a longtime fan of Bright Eyes there is nothing here that should steer you away because it is another batch of 12 quality songs.

Key Track: "Sausalito"

Band With Similar Fire: Bob Dylan

Bright Eyes: Casadaga [Fire Note Review 4/12/07]
Bright Eyes: Four Winds EP [Fire Note Review 3/15/07]

Official Conor Oberst Website
Conor Oberst MySpace

-Reviewed by Sam DaMatta

Ghosty: Answers

Ghosty
Answers
OxBlood Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
Ghosty have been adored in the Midwest indie scene now for several years and Answers is the bands sophomore record. The album is full of melodic and catchy tunes that use all of the group’s collective talents to simply release one solid performance. This band has collaborated with the Flaming Lips and individual members have worked with Rogue Wave, Dr. Dog, Benjy Ferree, Sia and avant-jazz group Snuff Jazz. The bands entrenchment into the music scene when they are not together and the hard work put in when they are has paid off because Answers is worth taking for a spin again and again.

Key Track: "Dumbo Wins Again"

Band With Similar Fire: Pavement

Like A Bad Lie (mp3)

Official Ghosty Website
Ghosty Myspace

Buy at iTunes Music Store

-Reviewed by Sam Damatta

Wild Sweet Orange: We Have Cause To Be Uneasy

Review has moved here to The Fire Note!

Matt Keating: QUIXOTIC

Matt Keating
QUIXOTIC
Kealon Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
To be honest it has been about 11 years since I checked out anything by Matt Keating but I have found memories of his record Killjoy [1997]. So there is nothing like reconnecting to your audience and entice someone like me back by releasing a double album with a total of 23 tracks that covers a lot of ground. You get some rockers, some ballads and a whole lot of great songwriting. Keating probably is and has been one of the more underrated artists in this category and QUIXOTIC highlights that.

Key Track: "Louisiana"

Band With Similar Fire: Tommy Keane

Official Matt Keating Website
Matt Keating MySpace

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

The Hectors: Sometimes They Collide [EP]

The Hectors
Sometimes They Collide [EP]
Tarantism Records [2007]








Fire Drill Review:
The Hectors are a fun little band out of LA that actually put this EP out late last year but have been doing the “trying to breakthrough thing” by touring and promoting. It is that initiative that finds Sometimes They Collide here on the Note plus a lot of help from the infectious vocals of Corinne Dinner. There style is somewhere in the middle of a classic indie rock sound like a female Pavement with some reverbed guitars that has pop elements but never really goes there. Not to mention they make great, creative and plain fun videos!

Key Track: "Carol And Sanford"

Band With Similar Fire: Belly

Official Hectors Website
The Hectors MySpace

-Reviewed by Robyn Gatsby

Carbon Whales: South [EP]

Review has moved here to The Fire Note!

Kelley McRae: Highrises In Brooklyn

Kelley McRae
Highrises In Brooklyn
sonaBLAST! Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
Sophomore album from Brooklyn girl Kelley McRae that has super pleasant vocals and strong acoustic guitar work. Her voice range is a mix of styles that are a combo of Neko Case, Laura Cantrell and Ani DiFranco all mixed into different tracks for a cohesive album that moves effortlessly from track to track. Coming in at a perfect 35 minutes, Highrises In Brooklyn is an album that once it gets some airtime it should be an instant hit along with the name Kelley McRae.

Key Track: "Highrises In Brooklyn"

Band With Similar Fire: Laura Cantrell

Official Kelley McRae Website
Kelley McRae MySpace

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

King Khan & The Shrines: The Supreme Genius Of King Khan

King Khan & The Shrines
The Supreme Genius Of King Khan
Vice Records [2008]







Fire Drill Review:
The Supreme Genius of King Khan & The Shrines is a collection of their best tracks over the last several years from 7”s, 10”s and three full length records. This band has the infectious sound of soul on speed and this record contains melodies that will stay with you long after it has concluded. This is a great introduction to a band that for sure will be a band to watch for their next full length of all new material.

Key Track: "Land Of The Freak"

Band With Similar Fire: Jon Spencer

King Khan MySpace

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony

Plushgun: Plushgun [EP]

Plushgun
Plushgun [EP]
Tommy Boy Entertainment [2008]







Fire Drill Review:
Really good synth rock that is poppy, dance-able and catchy by one man show Daniel Ingala who goes by moniker Plushgun. Also be sure to watch first single "Just Impolite" cool video by director Tyler Shields featuring him and Rainn Wilson (The Office) in a scuffle. This EP is a quick 4 song sample of Plushgun's music with a full length due in January '09.

Key Track: "Just Impolite" (Video)

Band With Similar Fire: The Postal Service

Official Plushgun Website
Plushgun MySpace

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

Muy Cansado: Stars & Garters

Muy Cansado
Stars & Garters
Precious Gems [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
Muy Cansado thrives on the dueling vocals of Chris Mulvey and Lisa Libera making their sound very reminiscent of the Pixies. Their debut Stars & Garters is a raw rock sounding, bar ready and intense experience from beginning to end. It is full of straight ahead indie punk explosions that will take you by surprise and reaching for the repeat button when it’s over.

Key Track: "Telemundo"

Band With Similar Fire: Pixies

Telemundo (mp3)
Stockholm Syndrome (mp3)

Official Muy Cansado Website
Muy Cansado MySpace

-Reviewed by Reece Michael

Brice Woodall + The Positrons: Sine Wave Sea

Brice Woodall + The Positrons
Sine Wave Sea
AEMMP Records [2008]








Fire Drill Review:
Really smooth laid back album from Brice Woodall that mixes indie pop, a dash of electronic and a whole lot of heart. Sine Wave Sea is glued together with Woodall’s somewhat haunting vocals that create a surreal atmosphere throughout the record. Brice Woodall is a new artist that has paid his dues and won several awards in the independent music scene over the years – check out why!

Key Track: "Outside Blurring"

Band With Similar Fire: Joseph Arthur

Official Brice Woodall Website
Brice Woodall MySpace

-Reviewed by Reece Michael