The NationalLaugh Track4AD [2023] I never thought that The National would embrace the concept of a surprise album, but here we are. That night at their 2023 Homecoming festival, the band tore through one of their greatest accomplishments in full: High Violet. Among other songs, they played the self-stated, Walkmen-inspired “Available,” and then followed that … Read more
The NationalFirst Two Pages Of Frankenstein4AD [2023] The National’s ninth studio album, First Two Pages Of Frankenstein, derives its title from a moment deep in singer Matt Berninger’s bout with writer’s block. To break the lock, he will often grab a book off the shelf just to get some words in his head. In this … Read more
HaydenAre We GoodArts & Crafts [2023] Hayden is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for his introspective and emotive lyrics, melodic sensibilities, and his ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in his music. One of his most well-known albums is Everything I Long For, which was released in 1995 and featured the indie hit “Bad … Read more
The National has announced the release of its ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, due April 28, 2023 via 4AD. Anchored by evocative melodies and an enthralling lyrical narrative, First Two Pages of Frankenstein signals a new chapter in the band’s beloved discography. The 11-song album was produced by The National at Long … Read more
Matt Berninger Serpentine PrisonBook Records [2020] Given the constant chaos and change in our world right now, we hold on to any signs of consistency, something reliable and true. Well, one thing we can count on is this: it’s reasonable to suggest that it’s inevitable for the lead singer of any popular band to want … Read more
In anticipation of Serpentine Prison, the upcoming debut solo record from Matt Berninger—frontman of critically acclaimed group The National—Berninger released another track from the record, “Distant Axis,” alongside a video which he directed with his brother, Tom Berninger, and Chris Sgroi. Berninger explains about the track, which he wrote with The Walkmen’s Walter Martin, “I … Read more
Taylor Swift FolkloreRepublic Records [2020] It’s almost hard to say what’s more surprising here, that Taylor Swift dropped a surprise new album last Thursday that was entirely recorded in the months of this virus pandemic quarantine, or that you’re reading about it here on The Fire Note, where we pride ourselves by primarily focusing on … Read more
The National I Am Easy To Find 4AD [2019] Fire Note Says: If I Am Easy to Find was a debut record, it’d be the best of the year. Album Review: There is a timeline in which, after the release of their breakthrough 2014 record Trouble Will Find Me, The National grew content, decided to … Read more
The National Sleep Well Beast 4AD Records [2017] Fire Note Says: Sleep Well Beast is one of the most expansive sounding albums The National has released. Album Review: The National are back with their seventh studio album, Sleep Well Beast, which marks their first release in four years. Right out of the gate, I will … Read more
The National’s Matt Berninger and Menomena/Ramona Falls’ Brent Knopf have joined forces for a collaborative offering under the moniker EL VY. Their debut record, Return to the Moon, comes out October 30 via 4AD. I like the groove of the title track which you can find below. EL VY will tour later this year and … Read more
The National A Lot Of Sorrow (Box Set) 4AD Records [2015] Fire Drill Album Review: “Sorrow found me when I was young / Sorrow waited, sorrow won. / Sorrow that put me on the pills / It’s in my honey it’s in my milk / Don’t leave my hyper heart below.” Now repeat! That is … Read more
On May 5, 2013 The National collaborated with Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson on A Lot of Sorrow, a durational performance presented as part of MoMA PS1’s Sunday Sessions. Kjartansson, who often uses repetitive performance to explore collective experience and emotion, invited The National to play their three-minute, twenty-five second song “Sorrow” live on stage, repeatedly … Read more
The Lone Bellow’s Zach Williams loves The National. “Their music is the music that I just listen to personally,” says the singer of The Lone Bellow. And, confirms Williams, The National’s multi-instrumentalist Aaron Dessner will produce The Lone Bellow’s next album, tentatively due out this October. The band has gatherered in the Dreamland Recording Studios … Read more
Here is the new video from Aheym, the upcoming collaboration between The National’s guitarist and composer Bryce Dessner and Grammy Award-winning Kronos Quartet. The video is directed by visual artist and longtime Dessner collaborator Matthew Ritchie. The album is due November 5 on Anti- Records as Aheym features four original compositions by Dessner performed by … Read more
Day 3 at Cincinnati’s Bunbury Music Festival was even hotter but that absolutely did not slow the bands or fans down from having a good time. Even a quick 20 minute early evening shower couldn’t hold the show back. Belle & Sebastian, Black Joe Lewis , The National and many others all had great shows … Read more
The National Trouble Will Find Me 4AD Records [2013] Fire Note Says: The National are a band at the top of their craft doing what they do best! Album Review: I feel there is a prerequisite for starting this review: a glass of red wine-if a red is not your thing then I’m sure a … Read more
Here is another track of The National’s highly anticipated new album Trouble Will Find Me which comes out next month. Check it out below.
Trouble Will Find Me, The National’s highly anticipated sixth album will be released on May 21 on 4AD. Formed in 1999, the Ohio-raised, Brooklyn-based band consists of vocalist Matt Berninger fronting two pairs of brothers: Aaron (guitar, bass, piano) and Bryce Dessner (guitar), and Scott (bass, guitar) and Bryan Devendorf (drums). There is no other … Read more
Trouble Will Find Me is due out May 21st via 4AD, and features Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent’s Annie Clark, and Sharon Van Etten, among others. “Demons” is the first single from the highly anticipated record that you can now hear below.
Having last night premiered their new album, Trouble Will Find Me, live at an intimate show at The Michelberger Hotel in Berlin, The National are today announcing a European tour that will take place at the end of the year. Taking in ten countries, tickets for the tour will go on sale shortly, with a … Read more
Trouble Will Find Me, The National’s new album will be released on 4AD on May 20th & 21st. This is the sixth studio album for the Brooklyn band, and follows 2010’s critical and commercial success High Violet. In an interview with UK’s UNCUT Magazine, front man Matt Berninger described the songs as more “immediate and … Read more
A brand new studio album from The National is slated for a May release on 4AD. This forthcoming release is follow up to the critically acclaimed High Violet (2010), which brought the band global critical and commercial success. Following the announcement of their return to New York on June 5th at Barclay’s Center, The National … Read more