Back catalogue: All genres

Review: While reappraisal and retrospect have given The Kinks' 1968 LP, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society, a well-deserved boost in the court of public opinion, which now rates the record among the finest of its decade, from any band, anywhere, this wasn't always the case. Originally released to a rather subdued reception, sales started poorly and went downhill from there. Some blame has been levelled at Ray Davies, who refused to allow any singles to be released in the UK or US and steered his band away from publicity events to promote the long player. They did, however, perform live on folk singer Julie Felix's Saturday night BBC TV programme, to rapturous applause. Both the songs they sang, and the audience response, are featured on this rare EP.

Review: Carole King's second album holds the title of being "the 81st best-selling album of all time," having sold more than 14 million copies around the world and picking up Diamond status in 1995. It was a multi-Grammy Award winner including Album of the Year and spent five weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It features two covers written by King, and demonstrated her technical style and the full range of a voice that was said at the time to be liberating for other female singers. A creative album of pop with real intimacy, it also shows a high level of musical accomplishment.

Review: The Kinks' fifth album Something Else by the Kinks continued the band's move towards eccentric baroque pop. The music-hall-inflected style centres around the introspective lyrics of Ray Davis, the album also marking the final involvement of American producer Shel Talmy. Nicky Hopkins plays keys on many of the tunes and backing vocals come from Ray's wife Rasa. 'Waterloo Sunset' is the standout tune here and one of the band's most famous singles. The album itself made it onto Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time back in 2003.

Review: With the release of 'The Journey: Part 1,' fans of timeless British rock staple The Kinks are given a glimpse into the band's early days, showcasing their evolution from a rhythm and blues band to the pioneers - whether they like it or not - Britpop. Combining a mixture of radio-ready, mastered hits and raw B-material, this mammoth compilation was compiled by the members of The Kinks themselves, spanning several decades' worth of music, not to mention a wealth of new history in the liner notes.

Review: Kiss' groundbreaking Creatures Of The Night was something of a shocker, as the band had taken a rather bold step in returning to a more heavyweight sound. The risk paid off, with the album becoming an instant classic and spawning no end of deluxe editions, one of which saw over 100 tracks pressed to a single box set. The kind souls over at UMC clearly saw it fit to release the original album as it was; simply nine tracks, from the massive femme fatale that is 'Killer' to the decadent judgment of 'Rock N' Roll Hell'.

Review: A fresh version of the 1976 Kiss classic complete on neon orange vinyl, Bob Ezrin, the original producer, has returned to the master tapes, improving the album's dynamic range and depth while preserving its original essence.to be an exhilarating experience, reinforcing the album's status as a cornerstone of their fabled 1970s output. With more drum presence and more audible guitar layers, enriching the original mix. While Bob Ezrin's remix emphasises modernity, adding subtle nuances like additional acoustic guitar on 'Beth' and varied echo effects, it doesn't drastically alter the core experience but really enhances The inclusion of alternate takes, such as the original guitar solo in 'Sweet Pain,' provides intriguing insights into the recording process. Fans will appreciate the remastered sound and the historically significant artwork, making this a worthwhile collector's item that celebrates the album's legacy with a modern twist. Destroyer: Resurrected proves to be an exhilarating experience, reinforcing the album's status as a cornerstone of Kiss' 1970s output.

Review: Mark Knopfler's One Deep River album from 2023 immerses listeners in a reflective journey through Americana's heartland. It is a typically poignant album from the rock icon that showcases his mastery of storytelling as it weaves together tales of life's trials and triumphs. With his distinctive guitar work and soulful vocals front and centre, Knopfler paints vivid landscapes of dusty highways and riverbanks at dusk on each track, from the introspective 'Beneath a Prairie Moon' to the bluesy swagger of 'Ride On Across.' With its timeless allure, One Deep River speaks of Knopfler's enduring legacy as a guitar troubadour of the modern age.

Review: Mark Knopfler's One Deep River album flows with the famously gentle current of his masterful storytelling and melodic guitar work. The title track, reminiscent of a serene waterway, navigates through Knopfler's trademark blend of folk, rock and blues and carries you on a journey through lyrical landscapes rich with imagery and emotion. With his distinctive vocals and intricate guitar licks ever present here, the Dire Straits talisman paints plenty of vivid portraits of introspection and contemplation that all speak to his enduring artistry and his ability to craft songs that resonate deeply with the soul.

Review: Mark Knopfler's 2023 album, One Deep River, is a written diary through the heartland of Americana. Demonstrating his mastery of storytelling, Knopfler intricately weaves tales of life's trials and triumphs, evoking a poignant reflection on the human experience. Each track showcases Knopfler's signature guitar work and soulful vocals, transporting listeners to dusty highways and riverbanks at twilight. From the introspective 'Beneath a Prairie Moon' to the bluesy swagger of 'Ride On Across,' Knopfler's ability to paint vivid landscapes through music is unparalleled. 'One Deep River' resonates with timeless allure, embodying Knopfler's status as a guitar troubadour of the modern era.

Review: This 2000 release was the first time his majesty of the melancholic Mark Kozelek had made a record under his own name as opposed to Red House Painters, and took many Red House Painters devotees rather by surprise by including - alongside three top-drawer songs of Kozelek's own - not one but three AC/DC covers along with one song by John Denver. Yet Kozelek transformed these well-worn rock classics into bleak and captivating glimpses into the darker recesses of the human condition, bringing out every drop of pathos and heartache in their bawdy lyrics as is his wont, and proving himself not only a man possessed of a uniquely affecting voice but a strangely transformative power as a performer. For many, 'Rock 'N' Roll Singer' marked not only the strangest work in his large back catalogue, but one of the finest.

Review: Lenny Kravitz's Blue Electric Light is a trip into his signature sonic realm - namely a world of blues-infused rock. It is his 12th album overall and has been preceded by the 'TK421' single which was well received by fans and critics alike. With all the usual gritty guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and pulsating rhythms, Blue Electric Light exudes a timeless cool from the man who is often said to do the same. Kravitz's lyrics resonate with introspection and a touch of mystique, creating compelling atmospheres that mix classic rock influences with more modern sounds to make it another standout record in Kravitz's diverse discography.