Epic US Schallplatten & CDs

Review: 2006 was a very different time in rock 'n' roll. We'd cast off the Britpop and nu metal of the previous century's finale and millennium turn, and things had moved onto sounds that were far more sentimental, sometimes self-pitying and always hyper-emotional. This was true both of the rise of emo and hardcore resurgence, and the more chart (and advert)-friendly stuff coming from the likes of Keane and Coldplay. Over in the US, The Fray were looking to secure membership to that Closer-soundtrack worthy club and on their debut LP made a strong case for it. How To Save A Life features a number of powerful tracks, from the titular lead single to the piano-vocal showstopper, 'Hundred'. Moving enough to become the best selling digital album of all time, at the time (only trumped by Eminem's Recovery in 2010), here it is in physical form.

Review: Chicago house great Lil Louis really nailed it when he wrote 'Cub Lonely' back in 1992 with his group The World. It was taken from their album A Journey With The Lonely and has lead vocals by Joi Cardwell that helped it become an instant club smash. All these years later it always gets a big reaction on the floor which is why it has now been reissued by Epic complete with a series of remixes. The I'm On The Guest List mix is the one with the wonky sax lines and steamy vocals, the instrumental is paired back and more club-ready then DJ Pierre's Afro club mix bringing some big and freewheeling synth energy. The Bellbottoms & Platforms mix is a subtle tweak and then the most raw of the lot is the Radically Lonely mix to close down.