New releases last four weeks: Rock

Review: A fresh rarities compilation bound to open Doors for you. In the five years that it spans, The Doors forged a distinctive path through the countercultural explosion of the day, blending dark psychedelia with blues, jazz, and literary influences. Formed in LA, their breakthrough came with their 1967 debut, which included 'Light My Fire', catapulting them to national attention. Frontman Jim Morrison's brooding charisma and poetic lyricism quickly cut accord the band's identity, and easily matched Ray Manzarek's swirling organ lines. Albums like Strange Days and Waiting For The Sun followed, identifying ambitious songwriting, romanticism and existential dread. This rarities set draws from that fertile period, capturing raw broadcast versions of songs that defined a band both of, and far beyond, its time.

Review: Fifty years after its original release, and over 20 since its first reissue, the quiet Beatle's landmark solo record All Things Must Pass has been punctiliously expanded once more, offering a complete sonic and archival overhaul. Spearheaded by Dhani Harrison and Grammy winner engineer Paul Hicks, the collection is a deluxe format-multiple, with one Uber Deluxe Box Set coming housed in a bespoke wooden crate and featuring 70 tracks. Alas, this CD edition is but a mere optical truncation, offering the humble and prudent listener a much sublimer curated experience: rooted in George Harrison's growing frustrations within the Beatles and a desire for artistic autonomy, 'Isn't It A Pity', 'Let It Down' and 'I'd Have You Anytime' still lie among the most enduring songs of Harrison's Tibetan Buddhist era, and with none other than compression master Phil Spector at the mix controls, you can be certain of a well-smoothened sonic experience from front to back.

Review: This 2017 remaster revisits Paul McCartney's 1989 return to critical favour i a release that saw the UK artist bridging new studio technology with classic songwriting craft. Working with Elvis Costello on several co-writes, and producers including Trevor Horn, Mitchell Froom and Steve Lipson, the record pulls in tight arrangements, layered instrumentation and a refreshed lyrical sharpness. Tracks like 'My Brave Face' and 'This One' pair bounce and brightness with detailed melodic phrasing, while deeper cuts like 'Don't Be Careless Love' and 'That Day Is Done' show a darker, more reflective register. The band lineup features long-time collaborators including Hamish Stuart, Robbie McIntosh and Chris Whitten, laying down solid, versatile performances across brass-led pop, mid-tempo ballads and soft rock with orchestral touches. It's a reissue that doesn't add much new material, but the pressing is clean and the Japanese-translated lyric booklet adds an archival touch. A sharply focused, musically rich snapshot of McCartney reasserting himself in the late 80s, with arrangements that still hold shape and detail decades on.

Review: Former Beatle Ringo Starr wasn't mincing his words when he called the line-up for his 2019 gig at The Greek 'All-Star'. From Santana's Gregg Rolie to Toto's Steve Lukather, Average White Band's Hamish Stuart to Men At Work's Colin Hay, there is some serious music industry heritage and high-level musicianship at work amongst those dudes. Starr doesn't waste the opportunity, running through a gamut of hits across an extended performance time, now captured on this two-disc set.

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: This five-disc CD set has an impressively broad and satisfying journey through one of the most dynamic decades in popular music. From glam to disco, punk to singer-songwriter balladry, soul to soft rock, each disc brings together an eclectic mix of tracks that still feels essential. The opening tracks boast undeniable energy: Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' and ELO's 'Mr Blue Sky' remain joyful anthems, while Blondie's 'Heart of Glass' and Gary Numan's 'Cars' introduce a touch of post-punk and synth-pop futurism. As the compilation moves into moodier and more socially charged fare, the inclusion of The Clash's 'London Calling' and Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' add depth and urgency, but there are moments of sheer beauty like Joan Armatrading's 'Love and Affection' and Justin Hayward's 'Forever Autumn' too. The disco era gets a full-bodied celebration with staples like Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive', Chic's 'Good Times' and Earth Wind and Fire's 'September', each one carrying the rhythm and flair that defined dancefloors at the time. Meanwhile, soft rock and radio-friendly hits like 10cc's 'I'm Not In Love' and Bread's 'Make It With You' provide smoother, introspective tones. Nostalgic singalongs such as 'Sweet Caroline', 'Mull of Kintyre' and 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon' add a glimpse of warmth that remains from the 60s. Each track is a classic in its own right, but together they form a kaleidoscope of 70s culture.