Back catalogue: All genres

Review: This double pack brings together the original, pre-reformation Pixies' last two albums from the early 90s with Bossanova from 1990 marking a distinct shift in the band's sound, Black Francis pursuing a more 'space age heavy metal' direction, a vision he had long desired. The album is imbued with haunting melodies like in 'Ana' and 'Velouria' and contains some of Francis' best lyrical work, dealing in unsettling concepts and a dreamlike atmosphere that's unlike anything they'd done before. Following closely in 1991, Trompe le Monde continues this exploration, both musically and thematically, with its most famous moment 'Planet of Sound' seemingly joining the dots between punk and metal. The title track, which translates to 'Fool the World', sets the tone for an album that adds more avant-garde touches to their alternative rock. While maintaining the Pixies' signature style on 'Alec Eiffel' and the impossibly funky but still lead heavy 'U Mass' - the only track containing the c-word that even sneaked onto a Desert Island Discs playlist thanks to one Jimmy Carr - it still pushes the boundaries even further with more experimental elements. A comprehensive experience of this fascinating and often underrated period in the Pixies' career.

Review: Status Quo's iconic 1977 album Live! sets sail once again with a special 8xCD super deluxe reissue on May 16, 2025, celebrating two of the band's most electrifying performances in Glasgow. Recorded over three nights at the Apollo Theatre in October 1976, the album first captured a selection of tracks from said shows; for their boogie-rock sound and high-energy stage presence, these Glasgow performances were pivotal in cementing Status Quo's reputation on the world stage, in their prime. The reissue offers the gigs again in full, remastering them from newly discovered 24-track tapes, guaranteeing superior sound quality. The set includes a 24-page illustrated booklet with new sleeve notes, rare photographs and memorabilia, shedding light on the impact of the shows and the making of the album.

Review: Imagine you're in for a long car journey and can only take one Suede album, which one do you take? Well, this is the one, really. Reissued as an expanded 3CD set, it features all their best b-sides from the hallowed first three albums (Suede (1993), Dog Man Star (1994) and Coming Up (1996), plus a further 19 B-sides and extra tracks from 1999 to 2023. It's the extra, latter day era numbers that are getting a standalone release on vinyl for Record Store Day as Sci-Fi Lullabies Vol.2, but with this CD set you get everything lumped in together as a bumper package. The tracklist is ridiculous: 'The Sadness in You, the Sadness in Me' from 2022 is a power ballad that could stir the most stoic of hearts. 'Another No One' is a slow, achingly beautiful and melancholy number and 'Europe Is Our Playground' - clearly written pre-Brexit - celebrates a golden Schengen era: "From Spain to Camber Sands/Europe is our playground."

Review: Before Marc Bolan's untimely passing in 1977, T. Rex was a cultural whirlwind, an electric force that blurred the lines between glam rock and larger-than-life mythology. The band's influence during the early 70s reached levels that not only defined a generation but also cultivated the feverish phenomenon known as "Trextasy," rivaling even the mania of Beatlemania. Amid the hits that catapulted them into superstardom, hidden on the flipsides of their most famous singles, were some of Bolan's most vivid and unpredictable musical momentsitracks that now stand as an alternative narrative to the T. Rex story. This collection brings together 27 of these gems, charting a journey from the swaggering energy of 'Telegram Sam' to the reflective tones of 'Celebrate Summer.' These B-sides, often overlooked in favour of their A-side counterparts, show a different side to Bolan's genius. Many of these tracks, such as 'Cadillac,' 'Thunderwing,' and 'Lady,' could have easily stood on their own as hit singles, their impact only diminished by their position as B-sides. 'Born To Boogie' gets a newly discovered single mix, while 'Sunken Rags' offers an introspective side of Bolan that feels like a hidden treasure. The inclusion of Gloria Jones adds a fresh layer of soul to the proceedings, her voice a perfect foil to Bolan's otherworldly swagger. These tracks, strung together in one place, feel like an alternative history of T. Rex, highlighting the artistry that was often buried beneath the mainstream success. They not only reaffirm Bolan's stature as a visionary, but they also open up new pathways for the listener, offering an alternative lens through which to understand the full depth of his music.