Elvis Costello & The Imposters: Look Now [Album Review]

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Elvis Costello & The Imposters Look Now Concord Music [2018] Fire Note Says: Elvis Costello returns for his second album in the 2010’s, echoing and growing on his previous collaboration with Burt Bacharach, so it turns out that sophisticated pop rock is this year’s model. Album Review: In the 2010’s, Elvis Costello, the iconic punk … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Deerhunter – “Death In Midsummer”

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Deerhunter returns with an album out of time. It is concerned with the disappearance of culture, of humanity, of nature, of logic and emotion.

Deerhunter’s eighth LP, Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?, is out January 19 via 4AD. Like with previous Deerhunter albums- this new one comes with high expectations and from this first single and today’s Friday Fire Track, “Death in Midsummer,” the record could already be considered for a best of in 2019.

From the opening harpsichord and piano figures of “Death in Midsummer”, it is impossible to tell where the record came from. It is already a timeless composition that demands repeat listens. The sound is vintage but the progression in the song is tomorrow.

Deerhunter is already out on tour in a few days so check the list below and enjoy your Friday!

Deerhunter Website
Deerhunter Facebook
4AD

Deerhunter / Tour Dates

SUN 11/04 SAO PAOLO, Balaclava Festival
THU 11/08 SANTIAGO, Blondie
SAT 11/10 SANTIAGO, Fauna Primavera
SUN 11/11 BUENOS AIRES, Personal Fest
TUE 11/13 QUITO, La Ideal
WED 11/14 LIMA, Sala Raimondi
THU 1/17 LOS ANGELES, CA Lodge Room (with Confusing Mix of Nations)
MON 1/21 OSAKA, Bigcat (with Gang Gang Dance)
TUE 1/22 NAGOYA, Electric Ladyland
WED 1/23 TOKYO, O-East
FRI 2/15 NASHVILLE, TN Cannery Ballroom (with Faye Webster)
MON 2/18 CLEVELAND, OH Mahall’s 20 Lanes (with Mary Lattimore)
TUE 2/19 DETROIT, MI El Club (with Mary Lattimore)
THU 2/21 TORONTO, ON Danforth Music Hall (with Mary Lattimore)
FRI 2/22 MONTREAL, QC Le National (with Mary Lattimore)
SAT 2/23 NEW HAVEN, CT College Street Music Hall (with Mary Lattimore)
SUN 2/24 BOSTON, MA Royale (with Mary Lattimore)
WED 2/27 BROOKLYN, NY Brooklyn Steel (with Mary Lattimore, L’Rain)
FRI 3/01 PHILADELPHIA, PA Union Transfer (with L’Rain)
SAT 3/02 WASHINGTON DC 9:30 Club (with L’Rain)
SUN 3/03 BALTIMORE, MD Ottobar
TUE 3/05 PITTSBURGH, PA Mr. Small’s Theatre (with L’Rain)
WED 3/06 LOUISVILLE, KY Headliner’s Music Hall (with L’Rain)
FRI 3/08 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Stopover Music Festival

Ty Segall: Fudge Sandwich [Album Review]

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Ty Segall Fudge Sandwich In The Red [2018] Fire Note Says: Ty makes all 11 tracks here his own! Album Review: I typically don’t get too excited about a covers record but Fudge Sandwich from Ty Segall is a template for how to do it right. Ty is not trying here and that is the … Read more

Mercy Union: The Quarry [Album Review]

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Mercy Union The Quarry Self-Released [2018] Fire Note Says: How “super” does a supergroup need to be? Album Review: Mercy Union – the joint effort of Jared Hart from The Scandals and Benny Horowitz of The Gaslight Anthem, plus Rocky Catanese and Nick Jorgensen – is a New Jersey punk rock dream collaboration. But unless … Read more

John Hiatt: The Eclipse Sessions [Album Review]

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John Hiatt The Eclipse Sessions New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: On his 23rd album, The Eclipse Sessions, continues putting the stories of our lives, loves and families in accessible roots rock Americana. Album Review: In the opening lines of the opening song of John Hiatt’s 23rd album may tell the tale of the … Read more

MC50 “Kick Out The Jams” The 50th Anniversary Tour [Concert Review]

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MC50 “Kick Out The Jams” The 50th Anniversary Tour w/ The Detroit Cobras & Lift The Medium; Bogarts, Cincinnati, OH – Thursday, October 25, 2018 Thursday night’s MC50 concert was a chance for some to revisit history, as the band’s original guitarist, Wayne Kramer, returned with an all-star supporting cast to relive the music of … Read more

Foxing: Nearer My God [Album Review]

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Foxing Nearer My God Triple Crown [2018] Fire Note Says: St. Louis band Foxing makes bold, cinematic music, that both invites and withholds, marked by lush instrumentation, with passionate, at times paranoid, stacked vocals. Album Review: The third album from St. Louis band, Foxing, arrives in your speakers with an expected sense of presence and … Read more

The Ar-Kaics – “No Vacancy” [Video]

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The Ar-Kaics take their cues from the first wave of ‘60s punk—American teenagers taking cues from the British Invasion, in turn taking cues from pilfers of the hinterland originators—with the added vantage of several subsequent decades worth of wayward balladeers, no names and psychedelic rock hangovers.

The Ar-Kaics have been delivering their off-brand, spot-on garage rock originals out of Richmond, VA, via a flood of small press singles and a self-titled debut album—all of which have since become highly desirable in the collectors market—and several successful DIY tours across the lower 48, with shows in Canada and Europe to boot.

Their new record In This Time was out last Friday on Wick Records. You can find a copy HERE.

IDLES: Joy As An Act Of Resistance [Album Review]

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IDLES Joy As An Act Of Resistance Partisan Records [2018] Who: Bristol-based joy punks, IDLES have released one of 2018’s finest and vital albums. Sound: Joy as an Act of Resistance is a joyful collection of insightful, important and fun punk rock. TFN Final Take: IDLES were not content to rest on their laurels after … Read more

Patsy Moore: What Surprises Us [Album Review]

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Patsy Moore What Surprises Us Papa Chuy [2018] Fire Note Says: Patsy Moore brings a very special voice forward on her indie label, Papa Chuy, creating piano-based pop balladry with smart augmentation from African percussive polyrhythms, soulfulness with jazz instincts and artful orchestration that recalls the work of Joni Mitchell. Album Review: Patsy Moore is … Read more

Joe Strummer: Joe Strummer 001 [Album Review]

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Joe Strummer Joe Strummer 001 Ignition Records [2018] Fire Note Says: This anthology of solo work from The Clash’s Joe Strummer extends his established legacy celebrating his solo years fronting the 101ers, The Mescalerros, and his soundtrack work for films. Album Review: If Joe Strummer had retired from music and public life when The Clash … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: Ty Segall – “Class War”

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Ty Segall is releasing a covers album titled Fudge Sandwich next week on October 26th via In The Red. Today’s Friday Fire Track is from that collection and features Ty’s take on the Dils 1977 punk song “Class War.” What is unique about this cover is that Segall strips it down into a hum along … Read more

Spirit Of The Beehive: Hypnic Jerks [Album Review]

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Spirit Of The Beehive Hypnic Jerks Tiny Engines [2018] Who: Philadelphia-based Spirit of the Beehive offer us a meandering psychedelic trip. Sound: Hypnic Jerks is a more mellow affair than the Beehive’s last LP. It is also a bit more of a chore to listen to. TFN Final Take: I was amazed by 2017’s Pleasure … Read more

The Safes – “Universal Heartbeat” [Video]

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Chicago band The Safes have released a tribute to Juliana Hatfield today via American Laundromat Records. The record was engineered by the renowned Steve Albini at Electrical Audio. To turn this up to 11, The Safes asked their friends Ted Ansani and Mike Zelenko of Chicago’s one-and-only legendary power pop trio Material Issue to be the rhythm section for this recording.

The 7 inch features their cover of “Universal Heartbeat” and “I See You.” Purchase the 7 inch HERE and see below for full fall tour dates.

US Tour Dates:
Sat 10/13 – Des Moines, IA – Leftys
Fri 10/19 – Champaign, IL – Loose Cobra
Sat 10/20 – St Louis, MO – The Sinkhole
Fri 11/2 – Madison, WI – Mickeys
Sat 11/3 – Minneapolis, MN – Eagles Club
Fri 11/9 – Milwaukee, WI – Quarters Rock N Roll Palace
Sat 11/10 – Green Bay, WI – Lyric Room
Fri 11/16 – Lafayette, IN – Digbys
Sat 11/17 – Grand Rapids, MI – Tip Top Deluxe
Wed 11/21 – Chicago, IL – Schubas

The Bottle Rockets: Bit Logic [Album Review]

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The The Bottle Rockets Bit Logic Bloodshot Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Another fine rockin’ country album from these St. Louis pros. Album Review: If the alt-country Bottle Rockets ever have need for a patron saint, they explain in “Bad Time to Be an Outlaw,” from their 13th album, Bit Logic, their prayer asks “What … Read more

ORB: The Space Between [Album Review]

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ORB The Space Between ATO/Flightless Records [2018] Who: Formed in Geelong, Victoria, Australia the trio: guitarist and lead singer Zak Olsen, guitarist and bassist Daff Gravolin, and drummer Jamie Harmer have been bringing their riffs from the stars and beyond since January 2015. Sound: ORB doesn’t just live in the fuzz, they were born in … Read more

Richard Thompson: 13 Rivers [Album Review]

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Richard Thompson 13 Rivers New West Records [2018] Fire Note Says: At 69, Richard Thompson, one of the world’s best songwriters as well as one or rock’s greatest guitarists, brings it altogether again on “13 Rivers,” one of the very best albums of his long and storied career. Album Review: Who knew there would be … Read more

Cole Vargas: Cole Vargas [Album Stream]

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Columbus, Ohio’s Cole Vargas is another example of how much musical talent is out there just hiding and waiting for someone to listen. For Vargas, that ear was Kelley Deal (The Breeders, R. Ring) after a chat about his music with his mom and some exchanged contact info. Over the last several years, Vargas sent … Read more

Florence + The Machine: High As Hope [Album Review]

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Florence + The Machine High As Hope Republic Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Artful and stately from start to finish. Album Review: Early efforts from Florence + The Machine – in singles like “Kiss With A Fist” and “Dog Days Are Over” – came across with enough smarts and depth that suggested Florence Welch was … Read more

Baked Beans: Babble [Album Review]

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Baked Beans Babble Flightless Records [2018] Who: Melbourne/Geelong five-piece (fronted by The Murlocs’ drummer, Matt Blach) who recently signed with Flightless Records. Sound: Psychedelic rock of course! Baked Beans has the Flightless sound that only could come from Australia. TFN Final Take: From the foot tapping opener “Slow” that contains a full-on blast of Hammond … Read more

The New Old-Fashioned: Smalltown, Midwest, USA [Album Review]

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The New Old-Fashioned Smalltown, Midwest, USA Magnaphone Records [2018] Fire Note Says: The New Old-Fashioned continue to crank out gritty, anthemic heartland rock on their excellent third record Album Review: The name of The New Old-Fashioned’s third studio album, Smalltown, Midwest, USA, is an appropriate gesture toward the band’s roots, both literally and musically. Hailing … Read more

Max Pain And The Groovies – “Checkin’ Out Late” [Video]

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Max Pain and the Groovies have released their new EP, Sounds From The Hole, via Greenway Records. Their first release since relocating from Salt Lake City to Brooklyn, it was heavily influenced by the thousands of miles they’ve spent on the road touring.

Check out the video for lead single “Checkin’ Out Late,” a song about staying sane on tour. The video speaks to the many things that can go wrong: “whether it’s getting broken into, breaking down or getting played,” they share, “the only thing you can do is just keep on keepin’ on.”

You can find a hand-poured 7″ of the track right HERE via Greenway Records.

Swamp Dogg: Love, Loss, And Auto-tune [Album Review]

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Swamp Dogg Love, Loss, And Auto-Tune Joyful Noise Recordings [2018] Who: Jerry Williams Jr. a.k.a Swamp Dogg has been making music since the 1960’s. The Swamp Dogg moniker appeared in 1970 after Williams reinvented his sound with Total Destruction To Your Mind Sound: Swamp Dogg has alway presented a unique sound. Williams core will always … Read more