Review: Counting Crows' sequent 2021's Butter Miracle: Suite One with The Complete Sweets! Now expanding on the themes of its predecessor, the record hears all four tracks from Suite One alongside five new songs, blending this heartsick Berkeley, CA band's signature storytelling with sweeping melodies and raw emotion. Leading the charge is 'Spaceman In Tulsa', a striking single that not only marks their first new music in nearly five years, but appropriately concerns itself with the theme of metamorphosis - "the way music breaks down who we were and spins us into something new. It's about broken lives becoming something better," in the words of frontman Adam Duritz. The record coincides with a fresh tour kicking off in Nashville in Spring 2025, with stops across North America and Europe.
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: In 1984, Gary Numan launched Numa Records and started a new phase in his career with the release of Berserker. This album introduced a harder-edged digital sound into his canon while maintaining the analogue textures of his earlier work. It's a testament to the fact that Numan's creative evolution never stopped and blends both personal and fictional narratives into haunting tracks like 'My Dying Machine,' 'This Is New Love' and 'Berserker.' The remastered double vinyl edition includes the original album with bonus tracks that add extra perspective to this pivotal period in his career.
Review: A true return to form, Renascence is a standout in the band's iconic discography, serving as a spiritual and sonic successor to their 1974 album Promised Heights. It brings a fresh, modern edge to their foundational sound, which shaped early hip-hop and funk scenes in both the US and UK. Renascence tells the story of a band that never received its full recognition but is now reclaiming the crown by staying true to their rootsipolitically aware, spiritually positive, and delivering infectious grooves that stand the test of time. A jewel in the crown of their legacy.
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: Fifty years after its original release, and over 20 since its first reissue, the quiet Beatle's landmark solo record All Things Must Pass has been punctiliously expanded once more, offering a complete sonic and archival overhaul. Spearheaded by Dhani Harrison and Grammy winner engineer Paul Hicks, the collection is a deluxe format-multiple, with one Uber Deluxe Box Set coming housed in a bespoke wooden crate and featuring 70 tracks. Alas, this CD edition is but a mere optical truncation, offering the humble and prudent listener a much sublimer curated experience: rooted in George Harrison's growing frustrations within the Beatles and a desire for artistic autonomy, 'Isn't It A Pity', 'Let It Down' and 'I'd Have You Anytime' still lie among the most enduring songs of Harrison's Tibetan Buddhist era, and with none other than compression master Phil Spector at the mix controls, you can be certain of a well-smoothened sonic experience from front to back.
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.
Review: Seven strong San Francisco rock band Counting Crows have always walked a fine line between intimate storytelling and grandiose soundscapes. This time - taking the four tracks from their Butter Suite pt 1 Ep and adding five more new tracks - they sound like a band utterly in control of their own narrative. Adam Duritz's lyrics reflect a certain self-assurance as they weave through themes of reinvention and regret. Musically, the band brings a tighter, more focused intensity, merging rock, folk and even hints of alt-country with the ease of a band at their peak. 'Spaceman In Tulsa' takes its time, unfolding languidly, savouring every detail before pushing forward. And in moments like 'Boxcars,' it's clear this is the most cohesive they've sounded in years, with every instrument serving the story rather than competing for attention. They've done the work, and now, it's all paying off.
Review: Here's a timely re-issue that reminds us all just how quickly time flies. Already alternative rap OGs by the time this first saw the light of day back in 2004, De La Soul brought together the hip-hop elite to collaborate on their seventh studio album. Featuring cameos and production from the likes of J Dilla, Madlib, 9th Wonder, Supa Dave West, and MF Doom, the LP was met with critical acclaim when released and continues to stand up nearly 20 years later. Nostalgic yet forward-thinking, the well-formed album includes plenty of high points. 'Shopping Bags' offers a cautionary tale flow over dusty beats with a mightily hooky chorus, 'Rock Co.Kane Flow' demonstrates the group's ability to evolve with the changing times, while the feel-good flex of the title track is a standout, hands-in-the-air classic.
Review: The Thompson Twins' Into the Gap, first released in 1984, remains a standout example of 80s synth-pop, and the newly reissued red vinyl edition for its 40th anniversary underscores its enduring appeal. The album features hits like 'Hold Me Now', 'Doctor! Doctor!' and 'You Take Me Up', known for their inventive arrangements and a unique blend of influencesiparticularly Arabic music. Tracks like 'The Gap', which addresses themes of cultural diversity and 'Sister of Mercy' exemplify the band's ability to blend socially conscious lyrics with captivating production. Despite the album's origins in the 80s, its music feels timeless due to its strong songwriting and avoidance of overly quirky synth effects that have aged less gracefully in other records from the same period. Into the Gap remains an fun and catchy listening, filled with energetic, uplifting songs that still resonate with people today. It's a new wave classic and the finest achievement in the Thompson Twins' catalog.
Review: Dark Horse Records has put together this limited edition pressing of Nina Simone's seminal debut studio album, Little Girl Blue, in honour of its 65th anniversary. Originally released in February 1959, this special pink vinyl reissue features a 12x12 insert with an introduction by Dhani Harrison and of course the record itself includes many an iconic track. Take your pick from the likes of 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' and 'I Loves You, Porgy' which showcase Simone's early brilliance and hint at her profound influence on music in the decades to come. This collector's item is a tribute to Simone's timeless sound.
Review: Originally released in 1989, Headless Cross would serve as the second Tony Martin-era album from Birmingham metal pioneers Black Sabbath, following on from The Eternal Idol. Notably increasing the occult and satanic aspects to higher degrees than ever before, many heralded the work as a true return to form following the hard rock-centric turn of their latter material with Ozzy or throughout the majority of their Ronnie James Dio fronted run. With hefty, macabre riffage cloaked (and daggered) in shrouds of sonic gloom, the project would be the first to feature drummer Cozy Powell, while being their only full-length with session bassist Laurence Cottle. Marking the dawn of their deal with I.R.S. upon becoming disillusioned with the big major record labels, this criminally overlooked era of the band finally received its flowers in early 2024 with the release of the Anno Domini 1989-1995 box set which collates all the Tony Martin albums onto one fully remastered box set for many of the titles' first time ever made available on wax. This pressing offers the same updated, newly revitalised version, now being individually distributed.
Review: The second studio album from metal behemoths Motorhead saw the trio - in their classic line up form of Lemmy (bass, vocals), Fast Eddie Clarke on guitar and Philthy Phil Taylor on drums - truly hit their stride. In probabality, this LP, originally released in 1979, produced the biggest crop of classics of any in their career, with 'No Class', 'Capricorn', 'Stay Clean' and 'Metropolis' all joining the title track in the ranks of songs that would remain staples of their live sets for literally deacdes to come. The year is significant, as Overkill marks the band harnessing the anarchic overtones of punk to their metal power, with plenty of lyrical attitude added to the sharp riffing, 747-like basslines and double kick drum onslaught. This reissue restores the original tracklisting without the frills and extras of the 2005 remaster, but when it's all as shitkicking as this, why mess?!
King Tubby & Sciientist - "Chalice A Fe" (Dyb) (3:23)
Roots Radios - "Opposition" (dub) (3:45)
Sly & The Revolutionairies & Jah Thomas - "Cocaine" (3:48)
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - "Ghetto Slum" (3:39)
Roots Radios - "Storming The Death Star" (3:00)
Dennis Brown, King Tubby & The Soul Syndicate - "No Conscience" (2:53)
Scientist & Roots Radios - "Gunshot" (3:19)
Ossie & The Revolutionaies - "War Of The Stars (Mr Know It AlL)" (7" mix) (2:40)
Dennis Boveell & The 4th Street Orchestra - "Go Deh" (3:09)
The Revolutionaies - "Thompson Sound Incorporated" (3:32)
Joe Gibbs & The Professionals - "Pope Phyias" (The Selassie I Cup version) (3:02)
Sly & The Revolutionairies & Jah Thomas - "Marijuana" (2:43)
Review: Ras Jammy from Suns of Dub has curated a special release for Trojan Records that celebrates the deep cultural and historical ties between dub music and cannabis, all rooted in Jamaican music and Rastafarianism. This album, which arrives just in time for the stoners' best day of the year, 420, features iconic tracks from pioneering dub dons King Tubby, Scientist, Dennis Bovell and Roots Radics. These are the legends that helped shape the genre and this compilation highlights how they did it and what influence they had on the development of dub music. So, when the day comes, light up a fat one and turn this one up loud.
Review: Jeopardy is the debut studio album by English post-punk band the Sound, released in November 1980 via Korova. This being the heyday of the commercial music format, the album was released with the expectation of high chart performance, though it flopped on that front. Despite the anticlimax, Jeopardy went down in time as a dark post-punk paragon, invariably lauded by the small crock of critics who did hear it; this pattern would go onto be matched by the overall critical success of the Sound as a a band. The album's neo-noir, paranoiac hooks and exclamatory vocals make up its core aesthetic, though there is something truly authentic, an 'it' factor, that makes Jeopardy unique unto its own; its rapacious compositions, tight melodies and moments of toothy brightness add to this aura; it's as if they paved a hidden way for the more talented of South London bands of today.
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: The Sound's second album, From The Lions Mouth, solidified their stature as post-punk legends, despite their lack of mainstream recognition. Produced by Hugh Jones, the album exhibits a fuller sound compared to its predecessor, Jeopardy, while maintaining the band's atmospheric edge. Tracks like 'Winning' confront life's challenges with resilience, setting the tone for the album's introspective yet determined themes. The record effortlessly navigates between dynamic tracks like 'Fatal Flaw' and the atmospheric 'Silent Air,s shows the band's versatility and emotional depth. Adrian Borland's songwriting evokes a sense of loneliness tempered with a glimmer of hope, resonating with listeners even decades later. From The Lions Mouth stands as a timeless masterpiece of the new wave era, offering a poignant exploration of personal struggles and resilience. Despite their lack of commercial success, The Sound's influence on the underground music scene remains undeniable, cementing their place among post-punk icons. The album's reissue, with its spectacular sound quality and subtle inclusion of hidden gems like 'Hothouse,' pays homage to Borland's vision and the band's enduring legacy.
Review: Some 35 years after their platinum-certified album Doolittle launched them into the UK Top Ten, and 20 years since their acclaimed Coachella reunion, Pixies are thriving in their second act. Their tenth album, The Night The Zombies Came following the 1987 mini-LP Come On Pilgrim marks their first new release since 2022's Doggerel. The album features thirteen new tracks that showcase a cinematic direction and draw on themes such as druidism, apocalyptic shopping malls, medieval restaurants, 12th-century poetry, surf rock, gargoyles, and bog people. It also incorporates the distinctive dry drum sound reminiscent of 1970s Fleetwood Mac.
Review: Pixies' The Night The Zombies Came marks their tenth studio album and continues their resurgence with a fiery new direction. This release is a vibrant mosaic of eclectic influences, from Druidism and medieval themes to apocalyptic malls and gargoyles. The album, produced by Tom Dalgety, blends cinematic ambition with a diverse sonic palette. The tracks divide into two distinct camps: the country-tinged 'Dust Bowl Songs' like 'Primrose' and 'Mercy Me', and the intense punk anthems such as 'You're So Impatient' and 'Oyster Beds'. Notable is the single 'Chicken', showcasing the band's signature surrealism. With the addition of new bassist Emma Richardson from Band Of Skulls, and an expanded role for guitarist Joey Santiago, who contributed lyrics to 'Hypnotised' using a sestina form, the album explores new creative depths. The Night The Zombies Came reaffirms Pixies' enduring creativity and versatility, delivering a dynamic and imaginative collection that bridges past influences with a forward-looking vision.
Review: 1995 saw the semi-controversial release of the final Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath album Forbidden, marking their 18th full-length overall. Reuniting the 1990 Tyr-era lineup with the re-enlisting of Neil Murray on bass and Cozy Powell on drums, the project was maligned upon release on both the critic and fan sides of reception, likely stemming from the unusual choice to have Ernie C of Body Count man the desk for production duties with bandmate Ice-T even providing the spoken word segment on the opening track 'The Illusion Of Time'. While in later years, Martin would consider the project a "filler album that got the band out of the label deal, rid of the singer, and into the reunion", based off the fact that guitarist Tony Iommi would reconcile with original frontman Ozzy Osborne not long after, that still doesn't alter the fact that the original lineup reunion effort 13 wouldn't arrive for practically another two full decades. Whatever your deeply held personal beliefs, they are those out there who still fly the flag for this peculiar era from the metal pioneers, so much so that the Anno Domini 1989-1995 box set release earlier in 2024 collates all of the Martin-era albums into one definitive collection while being freshly remastered by Tony Iommi himself in perhaps an internalised effort to undo the production choices many have highlighted as a major point of contention. This limited ultra clear pressing marks the first time since the release of said box set that Iommi's remaster of Forbidden has been made available for individual purchase.
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.
You Take Me Up (Machines take Me Over - 12" version)
You Take Me Up (High Plains mixer - US 12" version)
Review: The Thompson Twins' iconic 1984 album Into the Gap is getting a fresh, deluxe reissue from BMG this fall. Remastered by Frank Arkwright, this special triple-disc collection includes the original album, which features hits like 'Hold Me Now', 'Doctor! Doctor!' and 'You Take Me Up', plus 30 additional tracks. These extras include B-sides, single edits debuting on CD and unreleased remixes by Pete Hammond of PWL fame. Into the Gap marked a pivotal moment for the Thompson Twins, as they transitioned to a trio after reducing their lineup. Working with producer Alex Sadkin at Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas, the band embraced synthesisers and electronic instruments, moving away from traditional rock sounds. This bold, experimental approach resulted in a new sonic identity. The reissue's accompanying booklet includes rare photos and insights from the band members themselves: Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway. Overall, a terrific edition to honour the 40th anniversary of the album.
… Read more
in stock$19.56
Artikel 1 bis 50 von 171 auf Seite 1 von 4 anzeigen
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.