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Review: Message From The Country marks a pivotal moment for The Move in 1971, signaling changes on the horizon. The album showcases the band pushing their sound to its limits, incorporating intricate harmonies, lush arrangements, and Beatles-esque influences. Led by Jeff Lynne's songwriting and arranging, the record exhibits a charmingly ornate yet accessible blend of rock and pop-psych elements. Despite facing challenges as a reduced trio and shifting away from live performances, the Move delivered their most complex and cohesive album. From the post-psychedelic title track to the driving energy of 'Ella James' and the airy pop-psychedelia of 'No Time,' each song contributes to a unified and powerful listening experience. Message From The Country holds its own against the White Album with its blend of musical innovation and accessibility. While it may have been overshadowed by the emergence of Electric Light Orchestra, the album remains essential for fans of the Move, ELO, and Roy Wood alike.

Review: Originally released in 1995, Dogs Of War served as the 12th full-length from Barnsley metal legends Saxon, and not only marked a pivotal sonic turn towards embracing a more anthemic hard rock-tinged approach than ever previously heard, but also a major line-up shift. Cutting founding member Graham Oliver's almost two decade tenure short by one year, the LP would be the guitarist's last with his bandmates after it was discovered that he had overseen the sale of a 1980 live bootleg to which he kept all profits. Not very cool, and not very metal, but thankfully his last licks across this record are very much both.

Review: Following on from 1989's majorly successful and admittedly more commercial sounding fourth full-length Intuition, Trondheim glam metal-tinged hard rock heroes TNT would find themselves on the radar and eventual roster of Atlantic Records, who in 1992, would distribute the band's fifth album and first on the major label, Realized Fantasies. Praised by fans for its exceptional production with ludicrously bombastic percussion the whole way through, the project saw a sonic retracing of their more hardened edges, so as not to lose sight of their creative prowess. That being said, cuts such as the cheerful 'Easy Street' and epic ballad 'Lionheart' seem like they were purposefully designed to keep snooting record label execs off their proverbial backs. Never mind what glassy eyed nostalgia-baters say, Realized Fantasies goes hard as hell while delivering barrages of riffage, melody and playfully epic grandeur.

Review: Santana's Amigos album from 1976 stands out as a Latin-infused rock masterpiece that often goes unnoticed due to the absence of their most popular hits. Nonetheless, it is regarded as one of their most captivating albums, resonating with listeners through its infectious energy and musical prowess. The opening track, 'Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana),' showcases Santana's exceptional guitar skills, complemented by a solid rhythm section that propels the melodies to new heights. The album features standout tracks like the heartfelt ballad 'Take Me With You,' the dynamic 'Let Me,' and the grandiose 'Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile).' With its recent reissue on vinyl, Amigos becomes essential for both loyal Santana enthusiasts and those discovering the band's music for the first time. Embracing the fusion of Latin rhythms and rock elements, this album continues to captivate audiences and solidify Santana's legacy in the realm of musical excellence.

Review: Fargo Year Five is the fifth instalment of the acclaimed series Fargo and it debuted on screens back in November 21, 2023, and rolled out ten more gripping episodes. Continuing the tradition, Jeff Russo crafted the captivating music for this season, as he did for the preceding four. Notably, Russo clinched the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special in 2017 for his exceptional work on Fargo. Besides his prowess in television composition, Russo is revered as one of the founding members of the band Tonic, showcasing his multifaceted talent across various facets of the music industry, and this score is as good as all the ones that came before it.

Review: Not including the 2000 Diamonds & Nuggets compilation, 2001's Killing Ground would mark the first album of the 21st century, and 15th overall full-length from Barnsley metal titans Saxon. Distancing themselves sonically from the more hard rock-oriented approach taken on Dogs Of War or Unleash The Beast, the material here felt like a purposeful re-shift towards classic metallic song structure, complete with frenetic riffage and epic compositions. Most notable for offering easily the best latter day cut from the legends with 'The Court of the Crimson King', as well as serving as the last entry from drummer Firtz Randow, Killing Ground triumphed where so many seasoned metal veterans falter, by marrying their long-established sonic ethos to modern techniques whilst retaining their identity.

Review: Formed in the early 60s and initally recorded at the now world-famous Studio One studios in Jamaica, Heptones are most famous for bridging the genres ska and rocksteady.. In 1971 they left to work with Lee 'Scratch' Perry and found international success with re-recording and or updating many of their tracks again. Cool Rasta was their first new recording for the legendary Trojan Records in 1976, an album that has all the hallmarks of early ska - see 'Do Good To Everyone'. Elsewhere, 'Dreadlock' is a great example of their rootsier side, and the the album is not short on political, conscious messages either with tracks like 'Black On Black' and 'Suffering So'. Cool Rasta is an album that always hits the mark - and this version comes with limited hand-numbered copies on 180-gram orange vinyl.