Closer You Are Book Giveaway: Biography of Robert Pollard

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Update: The contest is over. You read correctly. Courtesy of Da Capo Press, TFN is giving away two copies of Closer You Are: The Story of Robert Pollard and Guided by Voices by Matthew Cutter. The book is the upcoming authorized biography of Robert Pollard, indie rock icon and founder of Guided By Voices. It … Read more

Damien Jurado: The Horizon Just Laughed [Album Review]

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Damien Jurado The Horizon Just Laughed Secretly Canadian [2018] Fire Note Says: Damien Jurado continues to enchant with his latest effort. Album Review: Damien Jurado has released 17 albums in 21 years – the man is prolific. With such a body of work to look back to, there are common sounds and themes that you … Read more

The Joy Formidable – “The Wrong Side” [Video]

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Earlier this summer, The Joy Formidable announced that they would be returning with yet another huge step forward, in the shape of new album AAARTH. The band is now unveiling a video for their latest single “The Wrong Side”.

Bassist and vocalist Rhydian Davies comments on the visuals; “This is our second collaboration with [Boston-based creative studio] TRLLM. We love their imagination and, like all our favourite artists, they’re not afraid to make it weird. They had the background to the song, how lyrically it’s pieced like a collage from memories and snippets of time, and they used that, along with the album artwork to create this experimental, multi-coloured dream sequence that we think captures the essence beautifully.”

AAARTH is released on September 28th via Hassle Records on CD, download and LP, as well as an extremely limited boxset, Indie retail exclusive vinyl, and Rough Trade exclusive vinyl, which will be supported by in-stores at Nottingham, Bristol and London East.

The Jayhawks: Back Roads And Abandoned Motels [Album Review]

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The Jayhawks Back Roads And Abandoned Motels Sony Music/Legacy Recordings [2018] Fire Note Says: The Jayhawks put their own stamp on songs Gary Louris had written with the Dixie Chicks, Jacob Dylan and others, inspiring a return to their own sonic roots. Album Review: If The Jayhawks were a band of equals, and I’m not … Read more

Ovlov: Tru [Album Review]

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Ovlov Tru Exploding in Sound Records [2018] Who: Newtown, Connecticut’s Ovlov return after 5 years to release a vibrant, noisy and fascinating album. Sound: Ovlov’s brand of melancholy muscle fuzz soars high on their new LP. TFN Final Take: It’s been a few years since the last Ovlov LP, am, came out, but time has … Read more

Lucero: Among The Ghosts [Album Review]

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Lucero Among The Ghosts Liberty & Lament Records [2018] Who: Memphis quintet Lucero is celebrating 20 years together as Among The Ghosts is their ninth studio album. Sound: Lucero puts forth the working man’s rock/alt country sound that sounds great in a dark bar or on a big stage. TFN Final Take: You can always … Read more

Clean Spill – “Rolling” [Video]

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Santa Barbara’s garage rock band, Clean Spill, have a new single and official video for “Rolling.” The song is the second release from the band’s forthcoming EP, Nothing’s On My Mind, due out soon before summer ends.

In an interview, Clean Spill told Consequence of Sound: “This song is the essence of Clean Spill, a happy song with sad lyrics that emulates the paradox of our band name. If all the lyrics were happy, the song would be cheesy.”

Clean Spill Website
Clean Spill Facebook

Video Premiere: Xuan – “We Were Just Talking”

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Xuan (pronounced “Swan”) Nguyen is a singer/songwriter from Dallas, Texas. She grew up in the burbs of Big D but being the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants helped influence an exploring life move to Viet Nam where she hosted a TV show. She then traveled around Southeast Asia and Australia before making another move – this time to Ireland!

She started writing songs in Ireland but it was after she moved back home and connected with Salim Nourallah (producer Old 97s, The Damnwells, Rhett Miller) at an open mic that got things rolling. He invited her to record at his studio which turned out to be her debut, Have Some Fun.

Have Some Fun is not out till November 16th via Palo Santo Records but TFN is giving you a premiere look (and listen) with her new video for album track “We Were Just Talking.” The video follows Xuan in the development of a new relationship and shows how it is not always easy. I don’t want to ruin it but it does have a happy ending!

Beyond the fun video, Xuan’s infectious indie pop voice makes this upbeat song stick in your head with her Jay Som meets Juliana Hatfield type of delivery. Everything about this video and track will have you wanting to hear more so make sure you check out Xuan’s social media and pick up the record on November 16th!

Xuan Website
Xuan Facebook
Palo Santo Records

Buddy Guy: The Blues Is Alive And Well [Album Review]

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Buddy Guy The Blues Is Alive And Well RCA Records [2018] Fire Note Says: In his early 80’s, blues guitar veteran and a major influence on folks like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, Buddy remains surprisingly capable and emotionally satisfying. Album Review: At a time when we’re hearing that blues rock veterans Jimmy Page is … Read more

The Friday Fire Track: GØGGS – “Pre Strike Sweep”

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GØGGS, the Los Angeles-based group comprised of co-founders Chris Shaw (vocals) and Ty Segall (guitars), and Michael Anderson (bass) and Charles Moothart (drums, guitar), are set to release their second album, Pre Strike Sweep, on September 28th via In The Red. Following their “foot to the floor” self-titled debut, Pre Strike Sweep should find the … Read more

The Alarm: Equals [Album Review]

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The Alarm Equals The Twenty First Century Recording Company [2018] Fire Note Says: The Alarm unleash their guitars in high energy rock that pays tribute to the passion of their 80’s heyday. Album Review: Late last summer, I eagerly prioritized catching the Welsh band, The Alarm’s US tour, which included joining the shows on the … Read more

Album Review Flashback – Motel Beds: Dumb Gold (2012)

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Sometimes it is fun to go back and check out a past review. Today’s flashback review features the Motel Beds 2012 release Dumb Gold which landed at #13 on our Blazing Top 50 that year. The record is a Dayton, Ohio “must have” for any indie rock collection and this week the album finally received … Read more

Iceage: Beyondless [Album Review]

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Iceage Beyondless Matador Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Iceage is energetic, dark, and surprising on their latest effort. Album Review: Danish punk four-piece Iceage is back with their first album in four years (and fourth LP overall), Beyondless. Punk is going a lot of directions these days, and Iceage has decided to enlist horns and … Read more

The Coke Dares: Fake Lake [Album Review]

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The Coke Dares Fake Lake Third Uncle Records [2018] Who: Bloomington, Indiana’s, The Coke Dares return with a 35 track album that will delight and amuse listeners. Sound: The Coke Dares blend humor with oddball catchy power-pop that falls somewhere in the realm of Guided By Voices meets DEVO with a dash of Ween for … Read more

Lung: Butcher [Video]

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Lung is a propulsive electric cello and drum duo from Cincinnati, OH. Classically trained cellist and vocalist Kate Wakefield has a voice that works seamlessly with the beats of drummer Daisy Caplan (ex-Foxy Shazam) and you may remember TFN review of their debut HERE.

The band’s sophomore album, All the King’s Horses is due out on SofaBurn Records on September 7, 2018 (CD) and October 26, 2018 (Vinyl). You can pre-order a copy HERE. You can check Lung out on tour at the dates below.

7/31 Bremerton, WA The Charleston
8/1 Bellingham, WA The Shakedown
8/2 Olympia, WA Home Throne Studio
8/3 Tacoma, WA The Safe House
8/4 Seattle, WA Kame House
8/6 Moscow, ID The Bayou
8/7 Spokane, WA The Pin
8/8 Missoula, MT Roxy Theater
8/9 Bozeman, MT Taco Monte
8/10 Billings, MT Julia Louis Drey-fest
8/11 Great Falls, MT The Back Alley Pub
8/12 Calgary, AB Ironwood Stage & Grill
8/14 Edmonton, AB Bohemia
8/15 Saskatoon, SK Witch Mansion
8/16 Regina, SK T+A Vinyl and Fashion
8/17 Minot, ND Why Not Fest
8/18 Pierre, SD The Exchange Coffee Shop
8/19 Rapid City, SD The Cave
8/20 Vermillion, SD R-Pizza
8/21 Sioux Falls, SD Cat Island
8/22 Grand Rapids, ND Ojata Records
8/23 Fargo, ND The Aquarium
8/24 Duluth, MN Blush
8/25 Minneapolis, MN Dead Media 6 PM
8/25 Minneapolis, MN 331 10PM

The Friday Fire Track: Fascinating – “Communist Power”

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Gutter pop from Cleveland, Ohio, returns with Fascinating’s new track “Communist Power.” Today’s Friday Fire Track does not mess around with its fuzzed-up guitar assault. Play it loud and raise a fist as you join Fascinating’s crusade against the current times. “Communist Power” is the first of 12 new songs from an upcoming album of … Read more

Radiohead “A Moon Shaped Pool” Tour 2018 [Concert Review]

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Radiohead w/ Special Guest Junun: “A Moon Shaped Pool” Tour 2018; US Bank Arena; Cincinnati, OH – Wednesday, July 27, 2018 British band Radiohead’s mercurial leader and frontman, Thom Yorke may have had a love/hate relationship with the mechanisms and expectations that come with an arena rock tour across America, but at Wednesday night’s concert … Read more

Tony Molina: Kill The Lights [Album Review]

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Tony Molina Kill The Lights Slumberland Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Concise perfection. Album Review: Tony Molina does not mess around with tracks. His ripping guitar mix of fuzz that was his 2013 record, Dissed And Dismissed, ran 12 songs in just over 11 minutes. His Confront The Truth EP (2016) contained 8 songs in … Read more

Gruff Rhys: Babelsberg [Album Review]

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Gruff Rhys Babelsberg Rough Trade [2018] Fire Note Says: Welsh singer/songwriter, Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals fame, hides dark, commentary in sweet, orchestrated pop songs in a compelling and enjoyable way. Album Review: Even though, Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys may be playing it straight on the smartly orchestrated pop songs of Babelsberg, his … Read more

The Babe Rainbow: Double Rainbow [Album Review]

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The Babe Rainbow Double Rainbow 30th Century/Flightless Records [2018] Fire Note Says: Beach vibes and carefree lives highlight The Babe Rainbows second LP Album Review: When it comes to Australian music labels Flightless Records is really the one to watch. In fact their roster of musicians happens to be one of the best in psychedelic … Read more

Fred Thomas – “Good Times Are Gone Again” [Video]

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Fred Thomas has been making music nonstop for years. He has continually evolved but gained notice with 2015’s critically hailed album All Are Saved, then last years Changer and now a new long player titled Aftering.

“Good Times Are Gone Again” is taken from Fred Thomas’ new album, Aftering, which is out September 14, 2018 via Polyvinyl Records. You can pre-order the record HERE.

The Friday Fire Track: Mozes And The Firstborn – “Hello”

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Netherlands-based Mozes and the Firstborn are back with a new single and today’s Friday Fire Track “Hello.” You may remember the band’s excellent Headphone Approved self-titled debut back in 2014 on Burger Records. Since that time, the group has toured with The Growlers, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and together PANGEA to just name a few, while … Read more