Back catalogue: Soundtracks

Review: The most eminent British rock opera of all time, The Who's Quadrophenia, released in 1973, hears Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Roger Daltrey conceive and narrate the angst of a young postroom worker, Jimmy, living in post-war Britain amid the schismatics of the mods and rockers, as they warred in converse step. Exploring rebellion, let-off steam, and alienation through music, the record firmly set the stage for the 1979 film adaptation of the same name, which popularised the thoroughfare connecting London-Brighton as a vital identificatory artery for a certain angst-ridden generation. The album features standout tracks like '5:15' and 'Love, Reign O'er Me', and remains one of The Who's most celebrated works. It's now reissued through Bespoke Editions, with two CDs of Pete Townshend's demos, and a 5.1 DVD-A remix of eight tracks, plus handwritten lyrics in a book and a 13,000-word essay from Townshend.

Review: Mondo is re-releasing its immensely popular Superman: The Movie double LP and Graphic Novel Box Set. Initially unveiled at New York Comic Con in 2023, the previously sold-out collection is now available to a wider audience. John Williams' iconic Superman score is pressed onto two 140-gram vinyl records, featuring artwork by DKNG and liner notes by Michael Matessino. Encased in a clamshell with new artwork by Joe Quinones and Paolo Rivera, the box set also includes DC's Superman '78, written by Robert Venditti, with pencil work by Wilfredo Torres and inking by Jordie Bellaire. Initially, Williams' 'Theme from Superman (Main Title)' became a standalone hit, reaching modest positions on the U.S. music charts. Although Margot Kidder was initially meant to sing 'Can You Read My Mind?' with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, director Richard Donner opted for a musical composition with a voiceover instead. Williams' Superman score earned him an Academy Award nomination, though he lost to Giorgio Moroder's score for Midnight Express. Combining historical context with stunning new artwork and comprehensive liner notes, this release is a great edition of the iconic movie soundtrack.