Proper Vinyl & CDs

Review: This is the second of three inventive and influential albums that John Cale released through Island Records in the mid-70s. The Velvet Underground founding member was in stellar company with Brian Eno, Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera and one of the most prolific studio session guitarists of all time, Chris Spedding, all appearing on the album. The album is stacked with bangers, but of note is the life-affirming and soulful 'Dirtyass Rock 'n' Roll; his cover of 'Heartbreak Hotel', which is one of the best covers ever recorded and 'I'm Not The Loving Kind'. The latter gained recognition most recently when the late, great Mark Lanegan covered it beautifully for his Imitations album. Cale will forever be a wellspring of inspiration.

Review: Music legend John Cale, best known as the Welsh multi-instrumentalist who co-founded The Velvet Underground, which went on to become one of the most influential groups of all time, is best known for his collaborative work in bands and his work as a producer. But he has a storied solo catalogue. With releases stretching from 1970 to 2024, there's an impressive array to delve into. His fourth album, Fear, is considered by fans to be one of his best. Fear was recorded when Cale returned to living in London after spending years in America. A slew of musicians also signed to Island at the time appear on the record, including Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music and Brian Eno. It's a truly compelling mix of avant garde freakouts and melancholic art rock that's a reminder that music can be incredibly freeing and transcendental when played with this level of imagination and spirit.