Classic Compilation: Various Artists – Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits
As an example of the Tribute Album sub-genre, it’s fair to say that Step Right Up is easily one of the best.
Not Forgotten: Led Zeppelin – In Through the Out Door
In Through the Out Door was no disaster, but you can’t help escape the feeling that it was just the start of something new for the band.
Album Review: Lizzo – Cuz I Love You
I’m not a Lizzo fan. For starters I’m too white, too male, too middle aged, too cis to appreciate Lizzo on absolutely every level that she deserves to be appreciated on. I am not part of her ‘intended audience’. However, the fact that when I saw the broadcast of her recent appearance at the Glastonbury …
Not Forgotten: Creedence Clearwater Revival – Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival were a band out of time in 1969. Releasing albums of late 60s durability to a late 50s schedule, you might expect their albums of this period to be little more than their latest single, a few covers, and a whole load of filler. Reality is that all three of the albums CCR …
Classic Compilation: The Faces – The Best of The Faces: Good Boys… When They’re Asleep
The early 70s were a weird time. Elton John had some natural hair, David Bowie was a genderless alien and Britain’s best pop band were four Brummies with an in-built spelling disorder. Most strange to modern ears though is the fact that, back then, Rod Stewart was actually listenable. His solo albums were ballad-heavy, but still comparatively listenable, …
Album Review: The Hold Steady – Thrashing Thru the Passion
My relationship with the music of The Hold Steady is one that has evolved since I first heard their music back in 2007. I’d originally heard their name mentioned in passing a couple of times before I chanced my arm with their debut when I saw it cheap, however the first time I heard Almost …
Classic Album: AC/DC – Highway to Hell
Held in higher esteem than is perhaps strictly necessary, Highway To Hell has the sad distinction of being the last AC/DC album on which vocalist Bon Scott appeared. As has been proved repeatedly in the music industry, few things enhance the reputation of an artist more than death, so perhaps that is why so many …
Not Forgotten: Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs – Under the Covers Vol. 2
When the Under the Covers collaboration between power pop veteran Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles fame was announced, there must have been a fair bit of head scratching from fans of one but not necessarily the other. Then you hear their voices together and it makes absolute sense. Hoffs, despite her Paisley …
Not Forgotten: Fiery Furnaces – Blueberry Boat
I still remember the level of disappointment I experienced when I first heard Blueberry Boat. Fiery Furnaces debut, Gallowsbird’s Bark, is for my money, one of the best debut albums of the last two decades. A thrillingly shakey series of travelogue sketches recorded in a lo-fi manner, propelled by tumbling pianos, nicely rhythmic guitars and …
Not Forgotten: The Duckworth Lewis Method – The Duckworth Lewis Method
While concept albums about cricket may not be the most obvious career move, The Duckworth Lewis Method seemed to be just the project that The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon and Pugwash’s Thomas Walsh needed at that point in their respective careers. While Divine Comedy had enjoyed their commercial heyday as the 20th Century closed, their …