EP Review: The Black Milk Project – Holes
It’s a subtle trick, but one that The Black Milk Project pull off with consumate ease. Where too many debut releases see the act in question overstretching themselves in an effort to grab attention and impress, the Holes EP opens with a calming cyclical guitar feature and from there additional layers of instrumentation are added …
Not Forgotten: Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak
After years of trying to match the commercial success of their breakthrough hit “Whiskey in the Jar”, it arguably happened at exactly the wrong time for Thin Lizzy. They had been given one last chance to record a breakthrough album and even when “The Boys are Back in Town” hit the charts in early April …
Live Review: Thunder, Terrorvision & King King – Sheffield Arena 19.2..2016
For me tonight is about seeking empirical proof that two rock bands did indeed have the live chops that friends and other fellow music fans had always insisted they had. Terrorvision always enjoyed a reputation for pleasingly rambunctious live performance, while seemingly 75% of Thunder’s career has been built on their reputation for being one …
Not Forgotten: The Czars – Before… But Longer
Like many people, I only know The Czars as the band John Grant was in before he temporarily turned his back on the music industry. As such it is tempting to approach them as little more than a footnote in what is proving to be an extraordinary solo career, however there’s more to them than …
Not Forgotten: Comus – First Utterance
I first became aware of Comus back in early 1996, when First Utterance enjoyed its first foray onto CD. Described by a reliable publication as “Freaky Folk Prog”, the largely acoustic music, idiosyncratic vocals and traditional instruments sounded right up my particular strata. Sadly I was a penniless student at the time, so intrigued was …
Not Forgotten – Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks
Blood On The Tracks is that rare thing, an album that deserves every word of praise heaped upon it. At this stage in his career Bob Dylan had done his best to shake off the oh-so cliched ‘voice of a generation’ tag. His mid 60s electric trilogy had been rightly celebrated, but it had made …
A beginners’ guide to The Beatles
For me there is one genuine great body of creative work from the 20th Century which is beyond criticism. It towers above the collected work of artists like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. The collected writings of JRR Tolkien finds itself overshadowed by comparison. The original trio of films in the Star Wars franchise looks …
Feature: double albums that are actually worth the time.
For some artists the single disc statement is not enough. It should be though, as the multiple disc release is a difficult beast to master and many of the most famous double albums are at least half a side too long (The Beatles, Blonde on Blonde, Songs in the Key of Life, Physical Graffiti, etc). …
Not Forgotten: Aretha Franklin – Aretha Live at Filmore West
When the Queen of Soul records a live album at one of the iconic live rock venues, things are never going to be anything less than interesting. Aretha Franklin, as ever, is a smart operator. She knows that not everyone attending tonight is her usual audience, so the set list is heavy with covers of …
Not Forgotten: 10cc – Sheet Music
These days 10cc are primarily known for the glorious overdub overload that is “I’m Not in Love”, however that monster hit single was just the tip of an often misunderstood creative iceberg made up of pop experimentalism, intelligent hit singles, art-rock, lovingly crafted production, and the search for the perfect pop song. Although it’s tempting …