Christopher Anthony 
The Vaccines Melody Calling EP Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The Vaccines contine to evolve. Album Review: London’s Vaccines have had their ups and downs with critics since their 2011 debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?. I really liked that record but thought their sophomore outing Come Of Age (2012) was not … Read more
With quotes like “Riot Fest might have been the best GBV show ever” and “It was one of the rowdiest and one of the most satisfying Guided by Voices performances” being stated about the group’s live performance at Riot Fest on Saturday we feel like more people should see this show. With that said enjoy … Read more
Yuck have released a new video, directed by Michael Lawrence, for current single “Middle Sea,” from their forthcoming second album Glow & Behold, out Sept. 30th. Alongside the release, Yuck also have further tour dates to reveal. Adding to the now sold-out dates at their London residency at the Macbeth this week, the band have … Read more
The Julie Ruin Run Fast TJR Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Bikini Kill legend Kathleen Hanna returns with the debut of new group The Julie Ruin. Album Review: There really is no argument on how legendary riot grrrl pioneer Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre) has impacted the music scene today. It also seems that … Read more
Joanna Gruesome Weird Sister Slumberland Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Debut from Joanna Gruesome is packed with high energy and loud guitars. Album Review: Boy/girl vocals, teenage angst, noise pop, loud guitars, high energy, feedback and double time drums are just some of the great rock n roll moments you will hear on the debut … Read more
Today Deerhunter revealed a brand new video for Monomania (TFN Review) track “Back To The Middle.” Shot in London and directed by Olivier Groulx, the video features Durassie Kiangangu as its main protagonist. You can also catch the band on tour soon so check the dates below for a town near you! TOUR DATES: 09/06/13 … Read more
The new Night Beats record, Sonic Bloom comes out September 24, 2013. Recorded in a Tacoma, Washington warehouse, Sonic Bloom is packed with reverb soaked rock and soul blended with a touch of drone and classic rhythm-and-blues founded tracks. The limited vinyl is white on 180g with deluxe packaging and a numbered insert. The are … Read more
Vampire Weekend’s North American tour kicks off September 19th in Philadelphia and continues across the United States until the end of October. A complete listing of Vampire Weekend’s upcoming dates can be found below. In other Vampire Weekend news: Ezra Koenig, Rostam Batmanglij, Chris Tomson and Chris Baio will serve as special guests and assistant … Read more
Nine Inch Nails Hesitation Marks Columbia Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Nine Inch Nails returns with the large sonic palette Trent Reznor calls Hesitation Marks. Album Review: Jumping into the new Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks, feels like deciding to take a swim from Cuba to Florida. It is possible but it is a really … Read more
Kitten Forever Pressure Guilt Ridden Pop [2013] Fire Note Says: Kitten Forever have a riot for you! Album Review: After spinning through the quick 23 minute sophomore effort, Pressure, from the Minneapolis based trio Kitten Forever, I realized how much I miss this loose and fun riot grrrl style of music. Like so many quality … Read more
Jonathan Rado main project is Foxygen but he has ventured out on his own with his solo debut Law & Order. Below is the first video from the record. You can check out The Fire Note review of Law & Order HERE.
If you didn’t grab a copy from one of the special record stores last night Merge has you covered today. They are selling a limited quantity of the new Arcade Fire 12-inch single HERE. This is the first new music from Arcade Fire’s upcoming full-length record, Reflektor, out on October 29. Tracklist: A Side: Reflektor … Read more
J. Roddy Walston & The Business Essential Tremors ATO Records [2013] Fire Note Says: J. Roddy Walston & The Business show why they are one of the best bar bands in the land! Album Review: There is something about the raw sounding J. Roddy Walston that I just enjoy. His relaxed style bar rock has … Read more
We know a little more today than yesterday and we will even more tonight from what we know right now. That seems to be the media roll out for the new Arcade Fire record Reflektor due out October 29 on Merge. Everyone loves a mystery right? This feels like a case for the Hardy Boys … Read more
Arctic Monkeys AM Domino Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Arctic Monkeys bravely push into a new groove on their engaging AM. Album Review: It does not seem that long ago since everyone was rocking out 2006 with the Arctic Monkeys’ hit “I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.” It would have been easy … Read more
Sleeping Bag/Mike Adams At His Honest Weight Heavyweights Split 7-Inch Joyful Noise Recordings [2013] I have always liked the split 7-inch as it gives the small wax format even more purpose and typically there is a story behind the pairing. Here we have a Fire Note favorite Sleeping Bag teaming up with the more unknown … Read more
Volcano Choir Repave Jagjaguwar Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Repave finds Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon kicking back and having fun. Album Review: Justin Vernon has reached the status where everything he does with Bon Iver is scrutinized, complemented, made fun of, hated and loved. Basically, Bon Iver stirs an array of emotions and many people … Read more
This week Holograms celebrate the release of their sophomore album Forever. The foursome have also premiered a video for “Meditations” – their anthemic second single from the album. Filmed by Emanuella Zachariou (who also directed and edited) using a 16 mm box camera, the video’s hazy sepia tones and unhurried cloaked figures create a perfect … Read more
9 new ones from Chicago’s psychotic sons, Running. Vaguely Ethnic is pressed on limited colored vinyl (Half Clear – Half Pistachio Green w/ Splatter) and comes with a flexi of “Woke Up Applauding”. All LPs come with a digital download card. You can click HERE for a copy.
Bad Sports Bras Dirtnap Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Third album from Bad Sports rekindles a 70’s era that too many have forgotten or never heard. Album Review: Is it possible for a garage rock band from Denton, Texas to grow up? Well for Bad Sports that may have just happened on their third full … Read more
Equal parts producer and composer, Son Lux (aka Ryan Lott) bridges an unusual gap between old-world music discipline and next-level experimentation. Meditative but heaving with energy, Lanterns finds a peculiar congruency between futuristic soul and ancient sentiment. Driving orchestral pop (Lost It To Trying, No Crimes) is placed alongside haunting minimalism (Pyre, Enough Of Our … Read more
Neko Case The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You ANTI- Records [2013] Fire Note Says: Neko finds her way back from a long and lonely road. Album Review: Neko Case has always shot from the hip when it comes to her solo records. She loves … Read more
Ernest Jenning Record Co. is excited to release the video for Miniboone’s “I Could, I Could,” off their self-titled debut album, out September 10th. “I Could, I Could,” directed by Pat Breen, is available for viewing below. Miniboone is also touring this summer, including an album release party on September 6th at New York’s Mercury … Read more
Placebo have announced NYC & LA shows in advance of new album Loud Like Love’s release (out 9/17 via UMe). It the band’s first U.S. shows in six years. The dates are in advance of a full tour set for 2014. PLACEBO 2013 U.S. Shows Oct 15: New York, NY – Terminal 5 Oct 18: … Read more
Denton/Austin’s Bad Sports are back with their third album – and second on Dirtnap Records. The new album Bras was produced by the Marked Men’s Mark Ryan and Jeff Burke and is now available on limited yellow vinyl. The pressing is limited to 300 copies and you can snag one HERE.