New releases last four weeks: Rock (All)

Review: On Your Feet Or On Your Knees was the band's first compilation and helped them shoot to stardom. With the rise of successful greatest hits albums, the label at the time pressured the young band to bring out a collection of previously released music, with then 12 songs featured here the result of collecting three songs per prior album that the band felt were their strongest. This album features some of the most beloved live songs by the band like 'Buck's Boogie'. For those that are new to the band, this is a great introduction to the history of BOC prior to their landmark hit 'Don't Fear The Reaper' smash the following year and this reissue comes on silver & black marbled vinyl.

Review: A great choice by Music On Vinyl - whom at this point have proven their mettle at sating the desires of almost any type of past music enjoyer - Chapterhouse's 'Whirlpool' is the debut studio album by the English shoegaze band, and thoroughly deserves this case of retrospection. In just nine tracks, the quartet of Andrew Sheriff, Stephen Patman, Simon Rowe and Ashley Bates established a hugely maximal sound, stylistically nailing the form by pairing its vacuuming vocal washes with more propulsive, hard-limited mixes and masters, informed by industrial and dance music most notably. Contemporaries of similarly tersely-named bands like Lush, Moose, Ride and Curve, Chapterhouse were indeed the most multi-syllabic, not to mention least restrained band out at the time; standouts 'Pearl', 'Autosleeper' and 'Falling Down' nailed the explosion of '90s indie ferment and the overflow of emotions that came with the decade.

Review: Originally released at the turn of the new millennium, America's Volume Dealer marked the sixth full-length from North Carolina sludging southern metal legends Corrosion Of Conformity, and would be the last to feature longtime drummer Reed Mullin before his return a decade later in 2010. Noted for being the band's most accessible or "radio-friendly" project due to the more polished production and increased reliance on melody, there's no denying that while the dank stoner-heft grooves of old are largely absent, the more alternative rock-leaning approach to their signature brand of metallic, southern blues, in hindsight, was a remarkable breath of fresh air within their back catalogue.

Review: Originally released in 2005 as the follow up to the more accessible, melodious alt rock endeavour that was 2000's America's Volume Dealer, the seventh full-length from Raleigh, North Carolina stoner/sludge legends Corrosion Of Conformity, boasting the epic title In The Arms Of God, would take a half decade of introspection and self-reappraisal to materialise. Rediscovering their incomparable knack for hefty trudging riffs that displace the Louisiana bayou blues to caverns of beer-soaked sludge, for many the album signalled a return to form with both critics and avid fans celebrating the band's more corrosive elements once again. The only project not to feature drummer Reed Mullin as this was during his sabbatical from the group, while most notably being the final work with primary songwriter and overall mastermind Pepper Keenan until his glorious return on 2018's No Cross No Crown.

Review: King's debut album, Steps In Time, is an infectious energy bomb of new wave dance pop. Led by the standout single 'Love & Pride,' the album delivers a vibrant collection of tracks that are sure to delight fans of the genre. While 'Love & Pride' undoubtedly steals the spotlight with its irresistible hooks and infectious energy, the rest of the album holds its own as well. The songs are all well constructed and grow on you with repeat listens like longtime fans of the album have realized. After 40 years, they still hold plenty of entertaining moments for those who appreciate the new wave meets pop sound.

Review: Message From The Country marks a pivotal moment for The Move in 1971, signaling changes on the horizon. The album showcases the band pushing their sound to its limits, incorporating intricate harmonies, lush arrangements, and Beatles-esque influences. Led by Jeff Lynne's songwriting and arranging, the record exhibits a charmingly ornate yet accessible blend of rock and pop-psych elements. Despite facing challenges as a reduced trio and shifting away from live performances, the Move delivered their most complex and cohesive album. From the post-psychedelic title track to the driving energy of 'Ella James' and the airy pop-psychedelia of 'No Time,' each song contributes to a unified and powerful listening experience. Message From The Country holds its own against the White Album with its blend of musical innovation and accessibility. While it may have been overshadowed by the emergence of Electric Light Orchestra, the album remains essential for fans of the Move, ELO, and Roy Wood alike.

Review: Santana's Amigos album from 1976 stands out as a Latin-infused rock masterpiece that often goes unnoticed due to the absence of their most popular hits. Nonetheless, it is regarded as one of their most captivating albums, resonating with listeners through its infectious energy and musical prowess. The opening track, 'Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana),' showcases Santana's exceptional guitar skills, complemented by a solid rhythm section that propels the melodies to new heights. The album features standout tracks like the heartfelt ballad 'Take Me With You,' the dynamic 'Let Me,' and the grandiose 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile).' With its recent reissue on vinyl, Amigos becomes essential for both loyal Santana enthusiasts and those discovering the band's music for the first time. Embracing the fusion of Latin rhythms and rock elements, this album continues to captivate audiences and solidify Santana's legacy in the realm of musical excellence.

Review: Originally released in 1995, Dogs Of War served as the 12th full-length from Barnsley metal legends Saxon, and not only marked a pivotal sonic turn towards embracing a more anthemic hard rock-tinged approach than ever previously heard, but also a major line-up shift. Cutting founding member Graham Oliver's almost two decade tenure short by one year, the LP would be the guitarist's last with his bandmates after it was discovered that he had overseen the sale of a 1980 live bootleg to which he kept all profits. Not very cool, and not very metal, but thankfully his last licks across this record are very much both.

Review: Not including the 2000 Diamonds & Nuggets compilation, 2001's Killing Ground would mark the first album of the 21st century, and 15th overall full-length from Barnsley metal titans Saxon. Distancing themselves sonically from the more hard rock-oriented approach taken on Dogs Of War or Unleash The Beast, the material here felt like a purposeful re-shift towards classic metallic song structure, complete with frenetic riffage and epic compositions. Most notable for offering easily the best latter day cut from the legends with 'The Court of the Crimson King', as well as serving as the last entry from drummer Firtz Randow, Killing Ground triumphed where so many seasoned metal veterans falter, by marrying their long-established sonic ethos to modern techniques whilst retaining their identity.

Review: Following on from 1989's majorly successful and admittedly more commercial sounding fourth full-length Intuition, Trondheim glam metal-tinged hard rock heroes TNT would find themselves on the radar and eventual roster of Atlantic Records, who in 1992, would distribute the band's fifth album and first on the major label, Realized Fantasies. Praised by fans for its exceptional production with ludicrously bombastic percussion the whole way through, the project saw a sonic retracing of their more hardened edges, so as not to lose sight of their creative prowess. That being said, cuts such as the cheerful 'Easy Street' and epic ballad 'Lionheart' seem like they were purposefully designed to keep snooting record label execs off their proverbial backs. Never mind what glassy eyed nostalgia-baters say, Realized Fantasies goes hard as hell while delivering barrages of riffage, melody and playfully epic grandeur.