Review: In honour of Record Store Day 2025, Canadian-American alt-rockers Big Wreck have decided to reissue one of their most popular albums, 2012's The Albatross. Available in limited numbers (only 1,000 of this CD version was pressed), it not only includes the freshly remastered original album in full, but also three alternate versions, rare bonus cut 'Fade Away', and a raucous live recording of title track 'Albatross'. The original album remains a timeless alt-rock classic where raw guitar riffs, bluesy solos and Ian Thurnley's distinctive lead vocals wrap around thickset bass and punchy drums. For proof, check standouts 'Wolves', 'Glass Room' and the rowdy 'The Rest of the World'.
I Want To Be There (When You Come) (live At The Improv Theatre, 1999)
Rescue (live At The Improv Theatre, 1999)
Lips Like Sugar (live At The Improv Theatre, 1999)
Bedbugs & Ballyhoo (live At The Improv Theatre, 1999)
Nothing Lasts Forever (radio One Jo Whiley acoustic Session 1997)
The Killing Moon (radio One Jo Whiley acoustic Session 1997)
Baseball Bill (radio One live At The Kilburn National 1997)
Just A Touch Away (radio One live At The Kilburn National 1997)
I'll Fly Tonight (radio One live At The Kilburn National 1997)
Altamont (radio One live At The Kilburn National 1997)
Lips Like Sugar (WHYT radio acoustic version 1997)
I Want To Be There (When You Come) (WHYT radio acoustic version 1997)
The Killing Moon (WHYT radio acoustic version 1997)
Forgiven (radio One live Lounge Session 1999)
Nothing Lasts Forever (radio One live Lounge Session 1999)
Review: It's now 25 years since Echo and the Bunnymen reformed (the Liverpool-born band initially disbanded in 1993) and recorded 'Evergreen', their seventh studio album. While reviews were mixed at the time, there's no doubt that it's as jangly, timeless-sounding and sonically gorgeous as any of their more acclaimed albums of the '80s and early '90s. Given that it was released at the height of 'Britpop' (Liam Gallagher provided backing vocals on 'Nothing Lasts Forever', a by-product of Oasis recording in the studio next-door), it's sound is far baggier, looser and warmer than much of the music being made by their younger rivals. On this expanded anniversary edition, the original (if remastered) set is joined by a disc of live recordings, both from their own shows and promotional radio sessions, all of which were laid to tape between 1997 and '99.
Review: Lora Logic, co-founder of UK punk legends X-Ray Spex, was famously ousted before recording their 1977 debut, Germ Free Adolescents. Undeterred, she formed Essential Logic, a post-punk outfit celebrated for angular sax lines and distinctive vocals. Their 1979 debut, Beat Rhythm News (Waddle Ya Play?), reached number 11 on the UK Indie chart and now arrives on CD to mark its anniversary. Logic reunited with X-Ray Spex for Conscious Consumer in 1995 and revived Essential Logic with 2022's Logically Yours boxset and 2024's Rekalibrated, featuring a diverse array of remixers. This Deluxe Edition includes the original album, a compilation of 1978-1983 recordings and new sleeve notes penned by Lora herself.
Review: After turning his hand to big band jazz on his previous album, Father John Misty (John Tilman to friends and family) returns to more familiar sonic territory on this sixth set. The Sanskrit title apparently translates to "great cremation ground", offering a hint to the weighty and philosophical themes behind some of the singer-songwriter's lyrics this time around. In many ways, it is a classic Father John Misty album: all sweeping strings, Americana-tinged folk-rock, grandiose 1970s pop-rock productions, funky-as-hell nods to Rare Earth ('She Cleans Up') effortlessly emotive vocals and White Album-era Beatles excellence.
Review: Now 21 years into a hugely successful career, you'd forgive Kings of Leon for resting on their laurels. That they've not done that with Can We Have Fun, their ninth studio album. Instead of dialling in alt-rock-tinged American rock anthems - their stock-in-trade - they've instead delivered a set that's as spiky, unpredictable and infectious as their earliest work, while also making space for moodier, slower and more atmospheric songs. So, on one hand you have recent single 'Mustang', an infectious slab of garage-rock funkiness, and the weighty Foo Fighters riffs and booming bass of 'Nothing To Do'; on the other the slow-motion beats, effects-laden ambient textures, soft-burn guitar solos and dreamy sonics of 'Split Screen' and the country-goes-indie flex of 'Actual Daydream'.
Review: This double disc set showcases two near legendary concerts by former Smiths front man (and celebrated contrarian) Morrissey, both of which were recorded for radio broadcast. Disc one features a 1991 concert in Hamburg, recorded during the promotion of his sophomore solo album Kill Uncle and featuring mostly material from his first two post-Smiths sets - as well as a deliciously raucous cover of the Jam's 'That's Entertainment'. Disc two, meanwhile, offers up seven tracks recorded in London in 1995, at a time when Morrissey had become a controversial figure thanks to his use of imagery and lyrics linked by some to unacceptable nationalism. It's arguably the stronger of the two sets in terms of performance and sound, with the versions of 'Dagenham Dave' and 'The Operation' standing out.
A Thousand Stars Burst Open (Tintwhistle Band version)
A Revelation (Tintwhistle Band version)
Review: Pale Saints' breakthrough album, In Ribbons, turns 30 years old this year and so the label that first put it out is looking back with this superb new anniversary edition. The album was a key driver in the shoegaze scene and became much loved for its ethereal sound. That has aged well here with bittersweet pop in tracks like 'Thread Of Light' as Meriel Barham's vocal delivery reaches through time and still hits the mark today. Musically the record blends bruising riffs and dreamy atmospherics and has been freshly remastered for this special commemorative CD edition which should appeal to fans old and new.
Review: Berlin-based Dina Summer - a synth-loving trio fronted by the suitably sassy and no-holds barred singer Dina P - impressed with their Italo-disco and turn-of-the-millennium electroclash inspired debut album, Rimini. Three years in, they return with an arguably even stronger set - the notably darker, more stylish and more new wave-influenced Girl's Gang. Many of their trademark elements remain to the fore - Dina P's dead-eyed spoken word vocals, the use of vintage drum machine rhythms and sequenced basslines - but this time round come accompanied by black mascara-clad nods to post-punk, New Romantic, goth-rock and Depeche Mode style synth-pop sounds. As previously stated, it is genuinely stylish and impeccably observed stylistically, but what makes it stand out is the substance behind the sheen.
Review: This refreshed edition of the standout album from Ultravox comes as part of Record Store Day Black Friday 2024 and has been mixed in majestic stereo by Steven Wilson. It arrives on a double CD and pays tribute to one of the band's most influential works and in the process highlights the groundbreaking sound that defined their era. The album retains its timeless appeal all these years on and mixes up the innovative essence of the original with a modern touch. Alongside the original tracks, this edition includes instrumental versions that serve up a deeper exploration of the music and make it a must-own piece for fans old or new.
Review: 25 years have now passed since Liverpool legend Pete Wylie and his long-term backing band released Songs of Strength & Heartbreak, which marked the post-punk era combo's return to action after 16 long years. Something of a triumphant return, the set flits between raucous punk energy ('Never Loved as a Child'), Oasis-ish riffs on mid-late period Beatles ('Sing All The Saddest Songs', 'Disneyland Forever'), riff-heavy post-Britpop indie-rock ('I Still Love You', post-punk headiness ('Loverboy') and all manner of orchestrated, reach-for-the-ceiling sing-alongs ('Hey! Mona Lisa'). To mark the album's birthday, Chrysalis has served up this expanded 'deluxe' edition. Unusually, this time round CD1 boasts the album as it was originally demo'd and produced in 1998 - including a slew of songs that were subsequently shelved - with the 'released' version (2000) nestled on CD2.
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.