Sufjan Stevens – “Life With Dignity (Helado Negro Remix)” [Video]

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A new Sufjan Stevens video for “Life With Dignity” (Helado Negro Remix), taken from Stevens’ The Greatest Gift mixtape, is out and it is sure to grab your emotions. Directed by Adam Carboni, the video follows three people living with cancer. A portion of proceeds from the release—a collection of outtakes, remixes and demos from Stevens’ 2015 album Carrie & Lowell—benefit the Cancer Support Community.

The Cancer Support Community (CSC) and its Gilda’s Club affiliates are dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. CSC achieves its mission through three areas: direct service delivery, research, and advocacy. The organization touches more than one million people a year through its international network of Affiliates that offer the highest quality social and emotional support for people impacted by cancer, as well as a community of support available online and over the phone. For more information, please visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org. So that no one faces cancer alone®

The Fire Note Writer Edition Top Albums of 2017

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The Fire Note wouldn’t be possible without the talented writers that share their educated thoughts and true enjoyment of music with our readers. The time and commitment that goes into writing consistently is appreciated by TFN and taken for granted by everyone else! Our official year end Top 50 is coming soon but clearly everyone … Read more

Prog 2017: The Year In Review

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Progressive Rock is not dead. It’s been relegated to the back of the line but it refuses to go away. And this is the time of year I get to reflect on all of the previous twelve month’s worth of proggy goodness that my ears have received. Yeah, it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta … Read more

Mavis Staples: If All I Was Was Black [Album Review]

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Mavis Staples If All I Was Was Black ANTI- [2017] Fire Note Says: In the Trump era, Mavis Staples – who earned her chops with the Staples Singers, and lately has been backing up Bob Dylan – works with producer Jeff Tweedy to provide positive anthems for the resistance. Album Review: B.B. King once told … Read more

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard: Polygonwanaland [Album Review]

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King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Polygondwanaland No Label [2017] Fire Note Says: This King Gizzard is free for everyone! Album Review: I have no problem calling King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard the most ambitious band of 2017. The band seems to be on track to keep their promise, a year with 5 releases. … Read more

Lorde: Melodrama [Album Review]

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Lorde Melodrama Lava Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Lorde resists contemporary pop conventions and dusts off 80’s vinyl influences to craft one of the strongest and most original pop records of the year. Album Review: Four years ago, the meteoric rise of New Zealand’s Lorde was fueled by the strength of “Royals,” a single that … Read more

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – ATO “Polygondwanaland” Vinyl Editions | LTD Copies

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ATO has finally launched two special variants for King Gizzard’s Polygondwanaland release. The first is the Hand-Stamped ‘Reclaimed’ Vinyl release which will could be on your turntable before xmas! Here are the details: Hand-stamped white jacket. Stamp design by Joel Melrose, “Reclaimed” vinyl made from excess “trim” @ IRP reground into new pellets, making each … Read more

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: Soul Of A Woman [Album Review]

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Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Soul Of A Woman Daptone Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Sharon Jones’ last will is a testament to classic R&B, and a celebration of life. Album Review: Most of the time you don’t know when something will be your last time. When I took my son over to St. Louis … Read more

Future Islands: The Far Field [Album Review]

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Future Islands The Far Field 4AD [2017] Fire Note Says: Somber and spare, The Far Field marks a surprising change in tone for Future Islands. Album Review: Mainstream audiences were first introduced to Future Islands frontman Sean Herring, in all his demon-voiced, swivel-hipped glory, when Future Islands’ played the poppy, charismatic “Seasons (Waiting on You)” … Read more

U2: Songs Of Experience [Album Review]

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U2 Songs Of Experience Interscope Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Music doesn’t have to be inspirational to be good, but U2 at their best is just that. Album Review: One of the challenges when your band’s the second highest grossing touring bands of the year, is “Getting Out of Your Own Way.” Of course, that’s … Read more

The National – “Dark Side Of The Gym” [Video]

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The National have released the video for “Dark Side Of The Gym”, directed, choreographed and starring NYC Ballet Resident Choreographer and soloist Justin Peck and executive produced by former Miami City Ballet dancer and current dance filmmaker Ezra Hurwitz. Also starring former Miami City Ballet mentor and Principal dancer, Patricia Delgado, the video finds the duo gracefully move around a balloon filled auditorium.

Their new album Sleep Well Beast has received Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package.

You can currently catch The National on tour in North America, see all tour dates below.

2017
12/1 — Vancouver, BC — Queen Elizabeth Theatre
12/2 — Vancouver, BC — Queen Elizabeth Theatre
12/4 — Philadelphia, PA — Verizon Hall
12/5 — Washington, DC — The Anthem
12/7 — Montreal, QB — Metropolis
12/8 — Montreal, QB — Metropolis
12/9 — Toronto, ON — Sony Center For The Performing Arts
12/10 — Hamilton, ON — FirstOntario Concert Hall
12/12 — Chicago, IL — Civic Opera House
12/13 — Chicago, IL — Civic Opera House

2018
12/20 — Las Vegas, NV — The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
12/23 — Mexico City, MX — Pepsi Center WTC

St. Vincent: Masseduction [Album Review]

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St. Vincent Masseduction Loma Vista Recordings [2017] Fire Note Says: St. Vincent builds on the success of her last album, bringing her performance art mechanics, manic guitar noise and energetic electro-pop hysterics face to face with tragedy and lives to tell about it. Album Review: St. Vincent’s eponymously titled 4th solo album, released in 2014, … Read more

Rick Rude: Make Mine Tuesday [Album Review]

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Rick Rude Make Mine Tuesday TinyRadars/Sophomore Lounge Records [2017] Who: New Hampshire’s Rick Rude make a lasting impression with Make Mine Tuesday. Sound: Make Mine Tuesday is a stunning debut album that is sure to make people who like Built to Spill, Heartless Bastards and The Pauses swoon. TFN Final Take: Another “Better Late than … Read more

(Sandy) Alex G: Rocket [Album Review]

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(Sandy) Alex G Rocket Domino [2017] Who: The bedroom pop of Alexander Giannascoli aka (Sandy) Alex G has grown substantially since we first stumbled upon his 2014 record DSU on DIY label Orchid Tapes. Rocket is his sophomore record for Domino. Sound: (Sandy) Alex G plays a melodic pop that ranges from lo-fi experimentation to … Read more

The Menzingers: After The Party [Album Review]

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The Menzingers After The Party Epitaph Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Bursting with big guitars, sweeping storytelling and endlessly catchy melodies, After the Party is a bold realization that finds The Menzingers’ raising the bar yet again. Album Review: From the crunchy guitars and lightning-fast drums of their debut record A Lesson in the Abuse … Read more

Pardoner: Uncontrollable Salvation [Album Review]

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Pardoner Uncontrollable Salvation Father/Daughter Records [2017] Who: San Francisco’s Pardoner blend and bend their influences into a rather epic debut LP. Sound: Uncontrollable Salvation is a fantastic blend of fuzzy power noise slathered with skewed guitars, impeccable pop moments and an abundance of shoegaze noise. TFN Final Take: Pardoner’s debut LP, Uncontrollable Salvation was an … Read more

Chris Taylor: Down A Dead End Street [Album Review]

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Chris Taylor Down A Dead End Street Self-Released [2017] Fire Note Says: San Antonio singer/songwriter with a half dozen albums of original LPs under his belt, offers up a tribute to Bob Dylan. Album Review: These days, San Antonio singer/songwriter and painter, Chris Taylor can be heard regularly around his hometown playing The Cove and … Read more

King Krule: The OOZ [Album Review]

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King Krule The OOZ True Panther/XL Recordings [2017] Who: London’s Archy Marshall is a well-known and respected artist in the UK and has released work under his own name, Zoo Kid and King Krule as The OOZ is his sophomore release. Sound: King Krule has a unique sound that blends multiple styles of jazz, garage, … Read more

The Church: Man Woman Life Death Infinity [Album Review]

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The Church Man Woman Life Death Infinity Unorthodox [2017] Fire Note Says: On their 25th album, The Church from Australia continue to deliver those floating guitar lines that intertwine and grow to create that dreamy, ethereal sound that fans have come to expect. Album Review: On their 25th studio album, Australia’s The Church maintains the … Read more