Concord Vinyl & CDs

Review: Whether you're reading this and thinking Christmas seems a way off, or here because there's a next day delivery and time is ticking, A Charlie Brown Christmas is quite possibly one of the most exquisite scores to the silly season you're likely to come across. Better yet, it's a complete curveball, with this Peanuts cartoon score hardly topping the list when it comes to famous Yuletide music.

Sophisticated stuff, imagine slow drinks in a late night jazz bar. Surprisingly sexy, refined, laidback to the point where you can almost see flames dancing in a fireplace, and shadows licking at the walls. Of course, we do get 'Hark, The Herald Angels Sing' and 'Christmas Time Is Here', taking us back to the best parts of school age winters gone by, both delivered via vocal choirs. But, overall, this is a truly tasteful example of how to do festive well.

Review: Violent Femmes' second album, Hallowed Ground, released in 1984, stands as a bold departure from their self-titled debut, challenging listeners with its daring shift in tone and subject matter. Where their first album became an anthem for 80s teen angst, Hallowed Ground ventures into darker, more complex territories, both musically and thematically. The album opens with 'Country Death Song,' a chilling narrative that contrasts sharply with the youthful rebellion of their earlier work. This unsettling track sets the stage for an album that defies easy categorisation, blending folk, gospel, and punk influences into a cohesive yet unpredictable whole. Tracks like 'Jesus Walking on the Water' and 'It's Gonna Rain' showcase Gordon Gano's religious upbringing, bringing a raw sincerity to the band's exploration of faith and morality. These elements, combined with the band's improved musicianship, mark Hallowed Ground as a significant evolution from their debut. Despite its initial reception, which saw the album dismissed by some as a misstep, Hallowed Ground has endured as a powerful statement of artistic growth. Its willingness to challenge expectations and explore uncomfortable themes has cemented it as a standout in Violent Femmes' discography, one that continues to resonate with listeners seeking more than just another dose of teen angst.