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Night On Fire Image
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: The Louisville, KY retro-electronica outfit, who drew numerous Daft Punk comparisons with their 2002 EP 'Le Funk,' have transitioned into a dance-punk sound with this full-length debut.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Blender
    80
    Immediately transforms VHS or Beta from disco revivalists into one of rock's best new bands. [Oct 2004, p.130]
  2. VHS or Beta has made an album that truly sounds great, and that ought to be enough, though they will probably be called hacks and rip-off artists anyway.
  3. Kill the instrumentals and one or two filler tracks and you've got one of the best EPs of the year.
  4. Filter
    68
    Still, without the pirate blouses and eyeliner... it's just homage, isn't it? [#12, p.99]
  5. An uneven but promising debut album that suggests that the group may still create something distinctive.
  6. VHS or BETA have moved on, like so many bands this year, to pillaging the dance-friendly template of late-80s Cure.
  7. Q Magazine
    30
    The actual effect... is closer to a whinier Duran Duran, with even their slapped bass-driven grooves hobbled by the paper-thin production. [Apr 2005, p.124]

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. MS
    Nov 4, 2004
    10
    Beautiful album!! FYI - Louisville is NOT a "small college town"
  2. EmaN
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    best ep i've heard in a long time. they have a unique but familiar sound; i think that's what is so appealing about them. hats off to them!
  3. EW
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    I love this band! Their not that big in the UK so I had a hard time trying to find the album, but when I did i was soooo happy!!! The beats I love this band! Their not that big in the UK so I had a hard time trying to find the album, but when I did i was soooo happy!!! The beats are highly addictive and you can't help but dance! Their like what you get when you mix together Duran Duran, Daft Punk and The Cure. Get this album NOW!!! Expand
  4. MikeB
    Oct 18, 2004
    9
    This album rocks right out of the gate. Night On Fire is the probably the best lead track on any album this year.
  5. BennyB
    Jun 9, 2005
    8
    I've been listening to this album non-stop since I bought it. There's nothing new here though and there is a bit of bandwagon I've been listening to this album non-stop since I bought it. There's nothing new here though and there is a bit of bandwagon hopping feel to it. But in music for musics sake terms, it's definitley worth a listen if you like rock/dance crossovers or 80's revival music. Collapse
  6. DouglasS
    Nov 1, 2004
    8
    a new sound to freshen up my playlist. To me they have a "The Killers" meets the 80's sound. Its a fun album that made me feel nostalgic a new sound to freshen up my playlist. To me they have a "The Killers" meets the 80's sound. Its a fun album that made me feel nostalgic and rock out at the same time. Expand
  7. billyc
    Oct 1, 2004
    7
    though not on par with other great louisville acts such as my morning jacket, "night on fire" showcases the amount of talent coming out of though not on par with other great louisville acts such as my morning jacket, "night on fire" showcases the amount of talent coming out of the small college town. vhs or beta's new cd shows a lot of promise for a more darker and less poppier sound. i say it's good, but not great, but there is a LOT of potential for the betas to be something bigger than the sum of their parts. go cards? Expand

See all 9 User Reviews