Review: The latest offering from The The, 'Linoleum Smooth To The Stockinged Foot,' emerges as a deeply personal and haunting track, showcasing Matt Johnson's evocative songwriting amidst a backdrop of surrealism and introspection. Penned during Johnson's recovery from a critical surgery, the lyrics resonate with introspective depth, capturing a hallucinogenic journey heightened by discordant horns and fiddle arrangements. This release stands out for its collaborative spirit, featuring guest musicians like Sonya Cullingford on fiddle, Terry Edwards on horns and Gillian Glover on backing vocals, all contributing to the song's atmospheric complexity. The single cover, features artwork by Johnson's late brother Andrew (Andy Dog), adds a poignant layer to an already compelling release.
Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake (4:07)
Frozen Clouds (3:32)
Review: THE THE's eagerly awaited Ensoulment marks their first studio album since 2000's NakedSelf. This 12-track collection traverses sharp social commentary and personal introspection, something the band has always excelled at through the years. To celebrate the release, a strictly limited 7" vinyl single will feature 'Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake,' a standout track from the album. The single also includes an exclusive B-side, a previously unreleased track, making it great for collectors wanting a unique piece of their discography. With Ensoulment, THE THE delivers a potent mix of incisive lyrics and introspective musings, reinforcing their legacy with a fresh yet timeless edge. While, like most of mainstream media missing this amazing band as usual, true tastemakers know the legendary career Matt Johnson has had. His impact is immeasurable.
Review: Iconic post-punk visionaries THE THE have been a much missed presence on the British alternative scene. Despite touring with relative regularity, their new album in 2024 was their first in a quarter of a century. Formed in 1979 by singer-songwriter Matt Johnson, they have had a revolving door policy with regards to the line-up - and included Johnny Marr for a spell - but Johnson remains the sole constant member and mind behind the name. This 7" release comes after the band have been touring their latest album Ensoulement and worked out which tracks deserve a featured release. "We found that these two songs were amongst the most popular. 'Where Do We Go When We Die?' was written for my late father Eddie Johnson (author of Tales From The Two Puddings) whilst 'Risin' Above The Need' is a philosophical muse upon addiction and materialism and the power of the human spirit to overcome obstacles," says Johnson in a press release. Proving that deciding on which release to print after road testing is definitely the right way to go about business, this 7" is an irresistible, soulful treat that will make up for its brevity through begging to be played on repeat.
Hell To Pay At The Gates Of Heaven (Shoop) (CD: live & demos)
The Steam (live)
Lamentable Ballad Of Gascony Avenue (live)
Who's Been Having You Over (demo)
Shoreleave (live)
Punk Buck Bonafide (live)
Travelling Tinker (live)
Paradise Is Under Your Nose (demo)
All At Sea: A Film By Roger Sargent (DVD)
Review: Infamous Libertines and Babyshambles frontman Peter Doherty returns with his latest project, Peter Doherty and the Puta Madres, formed by members of Doherty's touring band from his 2016 "Eudaimonia" tour. He brings with him, of note, Jack Jones - also a member of Trampolene - who shares vocal duties and guitar collaboration with Doherty on the LP. Expect a ragged, not entirely inharmonious, array of spangled guitars, boot-skootin' fiddles, broken down jazz and deconstructed mega blues. A good one for those smokey nights of Laphroaig when lamenting the ups & downs of one's life and times, all spent in an irreverent tone of UK punk and blues, or as the band call it: an intimate portrait of love, loss, being lost, happiness, tragedy, addiction and the power of the human soul to transcend its darker levels
Review: Despite emerging as a synth-pop outfit, Talk Talk's sound evolved considerably in a short space of time. By 1986, when their third album The Colour of Spring hit record stores, they'd ditched the synth-pop of their debut and the free-jazz-influenced post-rock of its sequel in favour of a more traditional indie sound - albeit one still infused with some electronics and bags of aural invention. The performance captured on this CD (originally recorded for a radio broadcast) dates from 86 and mixes interpretations of tracks from The Colour of the Spring with new takes on earlier singles and classic cuts. Highlights include a rushing version of 'It's My Life', the concert-opening 'Talk Talk' and a decidedly Balearic, harmonica-sporting 'Living In Another World'.
Review: David Byrne's seminal Talking Heads group remains a huge influence on a wide range of artists to this day. Their artsy take on music making and performance is still unique, and plenty of their tunes still bang. True Stories was the seventh studio album by the American outfit back in 1986 and preceded Byrne's plated film True Stories. The record features studio recordings of songs from the film and standout hits like 'Wild Wild Life' whose video won two MTV Video Music Awards in 1987. As far as catchy melodic pop and beautiful rock moments go, this is packed with them.
Review: An absolute delight for Tears For Fears fans, this archival radio broadcast showcases the Bath band at the peak of their powers during a U.S tour in 1990. As was the fashion for decades, the concert - in Santa Barbara Bowl in California - was recorded for, and broadcast by, local radio station KROQ. It offers a snapshot of the outfit's career up to that point, flitting between evocative versions of genuine classics ('Head Over Heels/Broken', 'Mad World'), fan favourites ('Advice For The Young at Heart', 'Famous Last Words'), insopired covers (a storming run through of 'When The Saints Go Marching In', a loved-up interpretation of Beatles classic 'All You Need Is Love'), and extended versions of the band's most inspiring moments ('Everybody Wants To The Rule', 'Shout').
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