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: Moving away from their two-tone tingles and sauntering silliness, 'The Madness' was a thorough rebrand for the band - exploring a new name, a new sound, a rejumbled lineup, and all the new electronic music tech that te late 80s had to offer. Sounding more like Duran Duran than Madness as we know them, 'The Madness' hears a smattering of guest musicians join the party, including The Specials' Jerry Dammers on piano. It was this LP that caused such a furore at the band's Madstock festival in 1992, that a small earthquake erupted at 4.2 on the Richter scale in the London locale of Finsbury Park. Now you can relive said tremors of excitement with this reissue.
Review: Time-honoured guitarist Johnny Marr releases yet another new solo album this winter, 'Fever Dreams Pt. 1-4'. Charting his long and isolated experience of the first COVID lockdowns, this album documents the guitarist's "interior life" away from the spotlight of Modest Mouse, The Smiths or The Cribs. A unique turquoise vinyl houses this promising dark new wave pop bit - its sound preempted by the first part, released last year. In his own words, Marr calls it his "most ambitious solo record".
Review: Zak Starkey - The Who's drummer and, as it happens, Ringo Starr's kid - joined ex-Kula Shaker bassist Alonza Bevan and The Smiths legend Johnny Marr for what was a kind of British indie supergroup of sorts, for a brief moment of glory. Boomslang remains the first and only album released by JM and the Healers, landing in 2003 to a rather mixed bag of reviews. Some lauded its musicality, others criticised the frontman's lack of bravery in refusing to move out of comfort zones. Listening back 21 years later, we're not sure what people were looking for and, to be honest, that kind of summarises the post-millennial era. We'd spent a lot and did a lot in the previous century, and it took some time to refocus on the blank page of the next 100 years. For us, Boomslang is a well balanced trip through a variety of very UK guitar sounds, from loose, druggy, vocally-effected bits to bewitchingly quiet folk-tinged stuff and rowdier, fight night scores. To clarify - that's all good.
Review: Acclaimed and now rather veteran singer-songwriter Katie Melua is back with her ninth studio album Live & Money this March. It comes after she had a fine 2022 that included an acclaimed collaboration with Simon Geoff called Aerial Objects and for this one she links up with sometime Ghostpoet, Brian Eno and Regina Spektor producer Leo Abrahams. The album was recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios while Melua was pregnant and finds her reflecting on her place in the world. "It's about the scene changing and being a woman in the music industry and how strange and lucky I feel to have a job I'm addicted to." It's a great listen.
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.
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').
Edge Of Saturday Night (feat The Blessed Madonna) (3:36)
Midnight Ride (feat Orville Peck & Diplo) (3:27)
Kiss Bang Bang (2:26)
Diamonds (2:41)
Hello (2:34)
Dance To The Music (2:33)
Shoulda Left Ya (2:16)
Dance Alone (feat Sia) (2:50)
Review: Kylie Minogue returns with Tension II, her seventeenth studio album. This follow-up to 2023's Tension delves deeper into electronic and dance music influences, showcasing Minogue's mastery of infectious, high-energy tracks. 'Lights Camera Action', is a vibrant club anthem driven by pulsating beats and raving synths, setting the tone for a night of dance floor escapism. 'Edge of Saturday Night', co-produced with The Blessed Madonna, blends pop and house influences, creating a shimmering, feel-good track perfect for the weekend. Collaborations like 'My Oh My' with Bebe Rexha and Tove Lo lean into playful, flirtatious energy, while 'Midnight Ride' with Orville Peck and Diplo fuses country elements with festival-ready disco. The album culminates with 'Dance Alone', a pop-disco anthem featuring Sia, further capturing Minogue's signature style. Overall, Tension II is a dynamic, electronic-driven journey, filled with club-ready hits that solidify Minogue's timeless appeal on the dance floor.
Review: Kylie Minogue still remains just about Australia's premier cultural export. She is now up to a rather impressive 16th studio album with Tension, which is her first decent-sized body of new work since the 2020 disco, dance and pop album Disco. This one has a hint of electro-pop to it but it's still rooted in glossy, accessible, happy dance sounds that will be popular at weddings for decades to come. Dutch DJ and producer Oliver Heldens has linked with Kylie for one of the better tunes, '10 Out of 10', which is a mix of 80s, 90s and 00s eurodance.
Review: Kylie released Tension in September and shot straight to number one, reminding everyone who the reigning pop queen of all time really is. Capitalising on the snappy production that electrifies tracks like the breakout viral hit 'Padam Padam', this double-vinyl release provides extended versions of the album which lets the tracks ring out for the run time they truly deserve. It also means all 11 tracks are now in a form better suited to drawn-out blends, which will no doubt satisfy the DJs amongst Kylie's considerable fan base. '10 out of 10' indeed.
Review: When Kylie's Fever came out in 2001, it was world-conquering in a way that surpassed the dizzying heights Australia's biggest pop icon had ever scaled before. That's saying something, but more than 20 years later 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head' remains a monumental slice of earworm magic, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Tapping into that warm, disco-infected house wave that to be quite honest beats the likes of 'Get Lucky' to the punch, there is endless joy to be found in this pitch-perfect slice of millennial pop. The first pressings of this came around 2017 and are already worth a mint, so don't expect these ones to hang around for long either.
Review: Kylie keeps up her newfound 'Infinite Disco' brand with a special clear vinyl invitation to spacey joy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global pop megastar's Infinite Disco live performance was first broadcast online in 2020, accompanying her album 'DISCO', which showed off just what she could do with the style. Now, with the aid of the House Gospel Choir, Teemu Brunila, Sky Adams, and Maegan Cottone, she brings her take on the style further to life with live versions of all the hits from 'DISCO'.
Review: Motley Crue's 1989 release stands as a defining moment in their career, capturing the essence of late 80s rock with its high-octane energy and memorable hooks. The album features a blend of hard-hitting tracks and melodic ballads, showcasing the band's versatility. The remastered edition enhances the original sound, bringing clarity to the intricate guitar riffs and dynamic rhythms. This release serves as a testament to the band's enduring influence in the rock genre.
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.
The Dirt (Est 1981) (feat Machine Gun Kelly) (3:46)
Red Hot (3:21)
On With The Show (4:01)
Live Wire (2:55)
Merry-Go-Round (3:40)
Take Me To The Top (3:42)
Piece Of Your Action (4:37)
Shout At The Devil (3:06)
Looks That Kill (4:02)
Too Young To Fall In Love (3:22)
Home Sweet Home (3:51)
Girls, Girls, Girls (4:21)
Same Ol' Situation (SOS) (4:11)
Kickstart My Heart (4:40)
Dr Feelgood (4:49)
Ride With The Devil (3:40)
Crash & Burn (4:08)
Like A Virgin (3:08)
Review: The Dirt Soundtrack was released in 2019 and accompanied the Netflix biopic The Dirt, chronicling the wild and chaotic rise of Motley Crue. The album features 18 tracks and blends classic hits like 'Dr. Feelgood,' 'Kickstart My Heart,' and 'Girls, Girls, Girls' with four new songs, including the title track 'The Dirt (Est. 1981)' featuring Machine Gun Kelly. The soundtrack captures the band's famously hard-hitting, rebellious spirit while highlighting their influence on the glam metal scene of the 80s. With a mix of nostalgia and fresh material, this one serves as both a tribute and introduction to Motley Crue's legacy.
Review: The eight full-length from Motorhead is often regarded as one of their most underappreciated works. Originally released in 1982, 'Iron Fist' would be the final album from the classic Three Amigos era line up of Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. Citing the pressures of following up their, 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith' live album that debuted at no. 1 on the UK album charts, as well as the internally controversial decision to allow guitarist Eddie Clarke to produce, the end result would be a project respected and adored by most, with the exception of the men behind the craft. With Clarke's departure not long into the promotional tour, and the underwhelming regard Lemmy held the work in, it's times like this that we can thank the fans for championing the record and its praise for years to come. This 40th anniversary edition is mere proof that even sometimes the artist themselves doesn't get the last say on the staying power of their art.
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.
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: It isn't too absurd to consider that Motorhead appeared at the 2007 installment of the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival, when the organising team are renowned for purposefully selecting the best artists of leftfield variety to add dynamics to their line-up, and offer respites from the jazz-centric billing. All that said, there's still no denying the face-melting bizarre turn from one of the greatest heavy rock/metal acts to ever shred, and now the set has been immortalised on wax. Featuring essential cuts from their back catalogue such as 'Killed By Death', 'Iron Fist', 'Overkill', and (of course) 'Ace Of Spades', it's a genuine joy to hear Lemmy and co utterly embracing their newfound audience and delivering a breakneck sonic spectacle only the trio knew how to deliver.
Review: With the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival constantly working to offer the most dynamic respites from their jazz-centric billing, and showcasing their tastes for the best in outsider (anything other than jazz) music, it shouldn't come as too much of a shock that the legendary Motorhead ripped a mammoth set apart back in 2007. Featuring a plethora of tracks from their catalogue such as 'Killed By Death', and 'Ace Of Spades', while also serving as the first official release to feature the trio's much loved cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Rosalie', it's delightful and absurd in equal measure to hear Lemmy and his cohorts embracing an entirely different type of audience to deliver one of the most unique sets of their latter days.
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