Review: Daniel Johns is a bonafide Australian rock powerhouse - with or without bandmates. The primary songwriter, guitarist and frontman of Silverchair, an outfit who among other things claim more ARIA Awards than any other name in the ceremony's history, he's also one half of acclaimed duo The Dissociatives with Paul Mac and shares a second partnership with Luke Steel on the Dreams project.
All that aside, his first solo album, 2015's Talk, reiterated his ability to turn hands to almost any musical style, packing his oeuvre with a range of great ideas. Futurenever is the second lone wolf LP, and backs up the idea that he's insanely talented and relentlessly restless. Across the 12 tracks, we're given great pop in the truest sense ('D4ngersboy', 'Someone Call An Ambulance', 'Freaknever'), huge symphonic R&B balladry ('When We Take Over'), sexy funk ('I Feel Electric'), and stadium emo rock ('Reclaim Your Heart').
Review: Nena's second album, released in 1984 and now reissued on striking red vinyl, was a shift from the assertive sound of their debut, presenting a more romantic and introspective approach. The album cover, featuring a shadowy band photo against a black backdrop and a simple question mark as its title, hints at its deeper emotional themes. While the opening track 'Rette Mich' carries forward the energy of their first album, the overall mood embraces love and longing, with Nena's voice revealing a touching vulnerability. The music leans toward 70s Baroque rock, combined with the catchy simplicity of 80s pop, as all band members contribute to the songwriting, ensuring a rich tapestry of melodic sophistication. The title track, initially released as a mellow single, captures the emotional complexity of desire and resonated deeply with fans, further solidifying Nena's status in the German pop scene. Following the unexpected success of '99 Luftballons', which became a worldwide hit, this album helped elevate Nena and her band beyond the constraints of the Neue Deutsche Welle movement, marking them as a unique force in pop music history. Its timeless appeal ensures that Nena remains a classic in German music.
Review: On her 2023 album Tension, Queen of Pop Kyle Minogue leant into dance music culture in a big way, delivering a set of bold, weighty and throbbing dance-pop singalongs rooted in EDM, Euro-dance and the more boisterous and forthright end of LGBTQ club culture (a theme that has been a significant part of her musical output from the earliest days of her career in the 1980s). As a sequel, Tension II is similarly framed - think catchy, effects-laden vocals, trance-adjacent synth stabs, bustling beats and plenty of nods to club sounds old and new. There are a few collaborations, too, most notably with The Blessed Madonna ('The Edge of Saturday Night'), Sia ('Dance Again'), and Orville Peck and Diplo ('Midnight Ride').
38 9897 N, 76 9378 W (feat C Dot Castro & Big Lenbo) (4:49)
Ayo (feat Bun B & Lil Keke) (4:20)
Lightyear (3:50)
Review: American rapper Logic announced his retirement from music in 2020, but returned with this surprise release, College Park, in 2023. For all intents, such a stunt might come across as disingenuous, but it makes sense in Logic's case, as the album is more of a personal paean to Logic's complex and difficult childhood. When the moment comes to revisit your past via your art - regardless of whether you ostensibly "quit" beforehand - you take it. Over the course, Logic leads us by the hand into his hometown of College Park, Maryland, where he took the first steps on his hero's journey into the rap biz. Logic's story is thoroughly emotional, and this is certainly his most personal album yet, with tracks like 'Wake Up' and 'Self Medication' exemplifying the artist's newfound maturity and a full-circle return to earthen realness.
Review: How long has Billy Idol been doing it for? Who can even count any more, but here he is bursting back onto the airwaves with his canny blend of hard rock and anthemic pop hooks, sounding like the maximalist 80s juggernaut he's always been. 'The Cage' is a chugging, sing-a-long monster with enough rousing self-help energy to border on sports rock. If you've loved Idol and the musical world he exists in all these years, you'll be very happy to hear every inch of this mighty four-track single. Epic rock without parallel.
Ace Of Spades (live At Whitla Hall, Belfast, 23rd December 1981)
Stay Clean
Over The Top
The Hammer
Shoot You In The Back
Metropolis
Jailbait
Leaving Here
Capricorn
Too Late, Too Late
(We Are) The Road Crew
No Class
Bite The Bullet
The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
Overkill
Bomber
Motorhead
Review: Few bands embody pure, unfiltered rock'n'roll like this power trio, whose vicious sound was forged in sweat, speed and sheer volume in the squats of West London and went on to effective bulldoze the line between hard rock and punk overnight. Driven by the unmistakable growl of their frontman and bassistiequal parts outlaw poet and rock deityithe group delivered some of the most incendiary riffs in history, backed by a rhythm section that hit like a runaway freight train. This edition pairs the original 12-track studio recording with an originally televised full-throttle live set from Belfast in 1981, capturing the band at their most primal. From the precision attack of 'Love Me Like a Reptile' and the relentless stomp of '(We Are) The Road Crew' to the sheer force of 'The Chase Is Better Than the Catch', the first half is a masterclass in unhinged rock'n'roll. The second half turns up the intensity even further, featuring live versions of 'Overkill', 'Bomber', and 'No Class'iraw, deafening, and unstoppable. Remastered from the original tapes, this edition is a high-voltage reminder of why they remain one of the loudest, fastest and most influential bands of all time.
TNT (Terror 'N Tinseltown) (LP1: Dr Feelgood remastered)
Dr Feelgood
Slice Of Your Pie
Rattlesnake Shake
Kickstart My Heart
Without You
Same Ol' Situation (SOS)
Sticky Sweet
She Goes Down
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Time For Change
Dr Feelgood (LP2: The demo Recordings)
Get It For Free
Kickstart My Heart
Time For Change
Without You
Dr Feelgood (LP3: The live Recordings)
Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
Without You
Kickstart My Heart
Same Ol' Situation (SOS)
Review: Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood celebrates its 35th anniversary with a deluxe edition that captures the full power of their legendary 1989 release. Featuring hit singles like 'Kickstart My Heart', 'Dr. Feelgood', 'Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)', 'Without You', and 'Same Ol' Situation (S.O.S.)', the album showcases the band's powerful blend of hard rock and glam metal. The title track, with its gritty guitar riffs and unforgettable chorus, set the tone for an album that would top the charts and solidify the Crue's status as rock icons and this anniversary edition offers a remastered version of the album along with rare demos, live tracks and exclusive memorabilia. The set includes a 24-page replica tour book, a replica tour itinerary, and a range of collectibles like posters, patches, and guitar picks. It brings listeners back to the band's two-year Dr. Feelgood World Tour, a defining moment in their career. Dr. Feelgood remains a landmark in rock history, blending rebellious energy with personal recovery themes, making it both timeless and relevant decades later.
Review: The Jazz Experiments of Charlie Mingus showcases Mingus's distinctive blend of avant-garde jazz and traditional influences. Mingus's compositions are intricate and unpredictable and always gently pushing boundaries with complex harmonies and spirited improvisation. The album's dynamic range from frenetic energy to soulful introspection highlights Mingus's mastery as a composer and a bassist. Tracks like 'What Is This Thing Called Love?' and 'Stormy Weather' demonstrate his ability to reinterpret standards with fresh vigor and though not for casual listeners, this record rewards those willing to delve into Mingus's bold experimentation and profound visions.
Metal Will Never Die (feat Ronnie James Dio - bonus track) (5:18)
Prisoner Of Paradise (bonus track) (3:51)
Review: Originally released in 2012 and serving as the sequel to 2000's The Very Beast Of Dio greatest hits compilation which boasted choice cuts from the metal/rock icon's first six studio albums and live EP, Vol. 2 picks up right where its predecessor left off, covering the final four of the ten Dio full-lengths - Angry Machines (1996), Magica (2000), Killing The Dragon (2002), and Master Of The Moon (2004). Naturally devoid of peak prowess anthems such as 'Holy Diver', this collection is for the completionists, die-hards and those who actually paid enough attention throughout the years to mark the endearing amount of emotion and care that went into all of the output Ronnie James Dio would put his name on, all the way up his final years.
Review: An essential collection of Motorhead's singles from 1995 to 2006, now available as an expanded double CD set. Featuring iconic tracks like 'Sacrifice', 'Love for Sale', and their electrifying cover of 'God Save The Queen', the compilation shows the band's relentless energy and songwriting talent during this era. Disc one highlights live versions of fan favourites such as 'Over Your Shoulder' and 'Overnight Sensation', while disc two continues with the gritty rock anthems 'Shut Your Mouth' and 'Whorehouse Blues'. The collection includes rare radio edits, live cuts like "R.A.M.O.N.E.S.," and an insightful 2004 promo interview with Lemmy and Mikkey Dee. The album exemplifies Motorhead's versatility, proving they never lost their edge. This double CD version boasts not only their hardest-hitting tracks as well as plenty of rare moments.
Review: The Grind Date is now two years strong so gets a customary Anniversary Edition that invites us to revel in the album's enduring impact on hip-hop. It features the iconic American trio's signature eclectic style which is of course to blend thought-provoking lyrics with laid-back beats. With standout tracks like 'Shopping Bags (She Got from You)' and the title cut, De La Soul's ability to remain relevant while experimenting with fresh sounds is very much laid bare. This edition includes remastered audio but with a sympathetic edge that retains the nicely undercooked sound of the oringal.
Review: This is a special Record Store Day 2024 release that rights a wrong for hardcore Madness vinyl heads.
With the exception of 'Baggy Trousers,' 'Embarrassment' stood as the sole Madness single from the 80s not to receive a 12" release. This year's annual waxy celebrations however present a special opportunity to own it on vinyl as the classic Motown-inspired hit gets the coveted treatment as part of this six-track EP. Also included is the original 7" mix alongside a previously unreleased instrumental version meticulously crafted by Clive Langer, which offers fans a fresh perspective on this iconic Madness track.
Review: Angus from Australian indie folksters Angus and Julia Stone has an unearthly beauty to his voice so we're always partial to checking out what he's turned his hand to. This is his fifth studio album under his moniker Dope Lemon and it follows his acclaimed 2023 album, Kimosabe. There's certainly an axis between 'Golden Wolf' and some of the early Angus and Julia Stone, but with more of a Killers-esque rock engine to it. Elsewhere, 'Electric Green Lambo' takes us on a detour through some funky, soulful grooves that would suit blazing a cigar in the Havana sun. And the sleek 'Sugarcat' has the strongest beat of the set and it's a guaranteed mood bump every time you hear it.
Review: Hailing from The Gret White North's Toronto, PUP (Pathetic Use of Potential) are your favourite current punk band's favourite current punk band. Originally formed in 2010, the past decade and a half has seen the group deliver one consistent album of bangers after the next, with their new fifth full-length Who Will Look After The Dogs? arriving three years on from 2022's The Unraveling Of PUPTheBand, proving that prior titular statement to be mistaken information. Expanding their sonics as far as their musical palettes, the LP showcases the debaucherous yet earnest Canadian troubadours pulling simultaneously from both more radio-centric college rock as well as more intense hardcore this time around, while modern punk legend (and once Bomb The Music Industry lynchpin) Jeff Rosenstock makes a standout appearance on the latest single 'Get Dumber'. Gritty, melodic, and sincere, all within the same breath (or verse), it's a tough year for any punk band to compete whenever PUP rear their grimy head.
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