Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The Spotlight Kid was Captain Beefheart's sixth studio album and one, landing a mere three years after the legendary Trout Mask Replica classic, sees him continuing his avant-garde brilliance. Initially released in 1972, it stands out as the only album credited solely to Captain Beefheart, even though it does feature much of his Magic Band prominently. The material, integral to the band's repertoire, highlights Beefheart's eclectic musical vision and experimental spirit, taking raw blues as its starting point but then twisting into it hithertoo unrecognisable shapes and psychedelic distortions. Reissued for Record Store Day 2024 as a deluxe double LP set in a gatefold jacket with milky clear vinyl, this edition revitalises the album's enigmatic charm for contemporary audiences and reminds us all of its magnificent blend of blues, rock and avant-garde elements.

Review: Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band are the latest act to be featured in Warner's series of Now Playing greatest hits-style comps. Born Don Vliet, Captain Beefheart was a true innovator in modern music, boasting a four-and-a-half-octave vocal range, and fused free jazz, Delta blues, classical music and rock & roll with unique rhythms and surreal lyrics. Though he never achieved mainstream success, his influence permeated punk, new wave and post-rock and this album shows why, with tracks like 'I'm Gonna Booglarize You Baby' and 'Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles' showcasing his bolder moves, alongside the more introspective 'My Head Is My Only House When It Rains' and 'Clear Spot.' Vliet, a child prodigy in art, moved to the Mojave Desert in his teens, where he met Frank Zappa. They initially collaborated on a film project, but Vliet eventually formed the Magic Band. After several lineup changes, they released the seminal Trout Mask Replica in 1969. Beefheart's career spanned various experimental phases until he retired in 1982 to focus on painting, earning acclaim for his abstract outsider art.

Review: In the newly reissued (on bone vinyl, no less) Cher album Closer to the Truth, the pop queen made a triumphant return to her pop roots with an electrifying display of vocal prowess. The album is a dynamic blend of contemporary anthems and heartfelt ballads that showcase Cher's enduring relevance in the music world. From the empowering title track to the pulsating beats of 'Woman's World,' each song exudes charisma and confidence that reaffirm Cher's status as a pop icon. With its catchy hooks and infectious rhythm this is fine reminder of Cher's unparalleled talent and enduring legacy.

Review: Cher's new compilation Forever is a comprehensive celebration of her legendary career, now available on 2LP crystal clear vinyl with a stunning silver foil cover. This is the first vinyl collection of its kind since 1992, featuring a remastered selection of 19 iconic tracks. Spanning decades of hits, the album includes fan favorites like 'Believe,' 'If I Could Turn Back Time,' 'The Shoop Shoop Song,' and 'Strong Enough,' capturing the essence of Cher's enduring appeal. Sequenced non-chronologically, Forever brings together Cher's biggest chart-toppers, including 'Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves,' 'Dark Lady,' and 'You Haven't Seen the Last of Me,' along with her beloved ABBA covers and other timeless classics. Each track has been carefully remastered from the original tapes, ensuring the highest sound quality for this release. For fans seeking even more, the digital-only Forever: Fan Edition offers an additional 19 tracks, including rarities like 'A Woman's Story,' produced by Phil Spector, and the long-out-of-print 'I'd Rather Believe in You.' Cher continues to prove that her influence on music is unmatched, and this collection is a fitting tribute to her lasting legacy.

Review: Cher's Living Proof is a dance-pop extravaganza that showcases her iconic voice amidst a blend of disco and house beats. The album's infectious energy and undeniable hooks make it a standout in Cher's extensive catalog. Singles like 'The Music's No Good Without You' and 'Song for the Lonely' exemplify Cher's ability to command the dance floor with her powerful vocals. Now, with its reissue on Coke-coloured vinyl, fans can experience the album's electrifying sound in a whole new way.

Review: The age-defying Cher continues to turn out new music but this new one from Warner revisits her classic It's A Man's World album from 1995. It featured some of the American singer's biggest ever singles such as the easy to sing along to 'Walking in Memphis', plus more like 'One By One', 'Not Enough Love In the World' and 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore'. They have all been remastered from the best available sources 30 years after the album made it into the Top 10 in the UK, where it was also certified Gold.

Review: They're the biggest but most hated band on the planet, but that will never stop Coldplay. The band has long been at the top of the pop-rock world and once again Music of the Spheres is likely to keep them there. It is an album rather less wrought with emotional tension than they are known for but still has one eye firmly on the cosmos, like much of their material. In fact, there is a loose concept here that revolves around a distant solar system. The lead single, 'My Universe,' features K-pop kings BTS and is already a number one, and the rest of the tunes are so unashamedly big they will likely follow.

Review: Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head back in 2002 was a move on from their debut that showed deeper emotional and sonic complexity. With Chris Martin's distinctive voice at the helm, the album features anthems like 'Clocks' and 'The Scientist' which blend atmospheric rock with introspective lyrics. Tracks such as 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face' and 'In My Place' highlight the band's ability to fuse melodic hooks with poignant themes and the album's exploration of love, loss and introspection, supported as always by grand and dynamic arrangements and epic production, remains a standout in the band's catalogue.

Review: In Blue, the celebrated album by The Corrs, finds the Irish siblings navigating the fine line between their Celtic roots and mainstream pop sensibilities. Initially striking a balance with their 1995 debut, Forgiven, Not Forgotten, the group has evolved, embracing a polished sound that resonates widely, particularly in the U.S. Their collaboration with renowned producer Robert John Lange infuses the album with radio-friendly appeal, evident in standout tracks like 'Breathless' and 'Irresistible'. While some fans may lament the departure from traditional instruments, the album showcases The Corrs' melodic strength and lyrical warmth, proving accessible to a broad audience. Songs like 'One Night' and 'No More Cry' inject moments of freshness amidst the pop sheen, highlighting the band's ability to craft catchy, memorable tunes. In Blue remains enjoyable, celebrating The Corrs' musical journey while introducing their sound to new listeners. Now available on limited edition blue vinyl, this collection captures the essence of their infectious charm and artistic evolution.

Review: The Corrs return to their Celtic roots with their seventh studio album, blending familiar folk elements with their signature soft rock sound. Opening with 'Son of Solomon', the album features the tin whistle and violin that defined their early hits, with Andrea's emotive voice taking center stage. The album shines when the three sisters harmonise, evoking the charm of their early classics like 'Runaway'. Now pressed on red vinyl, tracks like 'SOS', addressing the Syrian refugee crisis, showcase the band's growing social awareness. 'Dear Life' cleverly blends lyrical wit with traditional instrumentation, while 'No Go Baby' offers a heartfelt, minimalist reflection on loss. The album closes with the melancholic, nearly eight-minute 'The Sun and the Moon', highlighting Andrea's vocal artistry. The band's harmonious rapport and Andrea's captivating vocals keep their sound fresh, is a nostalgic yet satisfying experience for longtime fans.

Review: As The Corrs gear up for their 2024 Talk On Corners tour across the UK and Ireland, they're marking the occasion with a special reissue of six classic studio albums on limited edition colour vinyl. This is the first-ever colour vinyl release for these albumsiaside from Forgiven Not Forgotten (2023) and Jupiter Calling's black vinyl in 2017imaking this a collector's dream. Each album arrives in three batches timed with the tour, offering fans a rare chance to own these beloved records on vibrant vinyl, just in time to celebrate the band's return to the stage.

Review: Reissued on yellow vinyl, Home by The Corrs marks a fitting tribute to their Irish heritage and late mother, capturing their classic blend of Celtic roots with polished pop sensibility. Originally released in 2006, this album reflects the band's true embrace of traditional Irish music, produced by Mitchell Froom and backed by the BBC Radio 2 Orchestra. The album elegantly balances traditional favoruites, like the haunting 'Black is the Color' and nostalgic 'Spancill Hill', with lively jigs such as 'Old Hag' and 'Haste to the Wedding'. Andrea Corr's angelic vocals shine, especially in Gaelic tracks 'Buachaill on Eirne' and 'Brid og Ni Mhaille', infusing the album with authenticity. Songs like Richard Thompson's 'Dimming of the Day' and Anna McGarrigle's 'Heart Like A Wheel' are soulful additions, while 'Old Town' feels slightly at odds with the folk theme. Avoiding overt sentimentality, Home stands as a lovingly crafted and intelligent collection of Celtic-inspired pop that fans and newcomers alike will find captivating.

Review: Neil Young recorded Toast in 2001 and has never previously released it. It is one of his numerous one-off genre-experiment albums and half of the tunes on it made it onto his Are You Passionate? in only slighted revised form. Made with backing from the soul legends Booker T. and the M.G.'s and Young's normal rock band Crazy Horse, there are hard hitting and hard rocking tunes like 'Timberline' next to more R&B leaning cuts and 'Gateway of Love,' a 10-minute guitar workout that is one of the best you will not have heard before.

Review: Where do you start with a new album from Neil Young? One of the great rock artists of the 1970s hasn't stopped since - much to the joy of many and the derision of others - and here presents his staggering 39th studio album. Recorded in the mountains of Colorado, as those who watch the accompanying film will know only too well, in many ways it's his most significant work since "Le Noise", and certainly has the power you'd hope from reunification with backing band Crazy Horse. "Colorado" is incredibly personal and intimate, and yet also focused on subjects that are much farther reaching than you or I. It's politically charged and socially motivated, while never forgetting it's the small stories that often resonate most with listeners. A true master here closer to the top of his game than he has been in a very long time, if there's justice in the world it will win over new fans by the bucketload.

Review: Back in November 1990, fresh off recording Ragged Glory, Neil Young and Crazy Horse took the stage at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz. They played a long and sprawling set of tunes that last three hours and took in songs like 'Love and Only Love' and 'Like a Hurricane' which they managed to hypnotically stretching out for more than ten minutes. The gig was also the debut live airing for 'Danger Bird' which was on the 1975 album Zuma. All of these make it on to the Way Down In The Rust Bucket album as part of Young's on going Performance Series.

Review: Neil Young's Early Daze with Crazy Horse is a treasure trove of mostly unreleased rarities from the early 70s. This 10-track album features familiar songs in rare and previously unheard versions, showcasing Young's raw, unfiltered creativity. Highlights include unreleased takes of 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown' and 'Look At All The Things,' co-written with Danny Whitten, adding depth to their collaborative legacy. Fans will also relish unreleased versions of classics like 'Helpless,' 'Wonderin',' and 'Down by the River.' The album offers a fresh experience with rare mixes of 'Birds' and the seven-inch mono mix of 'Cinnamon Girl,' complete with a unique guitar outro not present on the original LP. Early Daze is a compelling collection that captures the essence of Neil Young and Crazy Horse's early synergy, making it a vital piece of rock history.

Review: Neil Young's Early Daze is a treasure trove for fans, featuring mostly unreleased rarities from the early 70s with Crazy Horse. The ten-track album offers iconic Young originals and co-written pieces with Danny Whitten, including rare versions of 'Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown' and 'Look At All The Things.' The LP includes unreleased versions of classics like 'Helpless,' 'Wonderin',' and 'Down by the River.' Fans will also appreciate the rare mixes of 'Birds' and 'Cinnamon Girl,' the latter being the 7" mono mix with a unique guitar outro not present on the original LP version. Early Daze is akin to a mini Archives release, with only two tracks overlapping with Archives Vol 1, making it an essential addition for collectors. This album captures the raw and unpolished brilliance of Young's early work with Crazy Horse, offering a fascinating glimpse into the genesis of some of his most beloved songs.