189 posts
New albums
The late Mitch Hedberg used to joke about how Pringles’ original intention was to manufacture tennis balls. “On the day the rubber was supposed to show up,” he’d say, “a…
Review: Beck – Hyperspace
Around his previous album Colors two years ago, Beck revealed it was only severe back pain that had prevented him from wanting to make more funk records in the vein…
Review: Coldplay – Everyday Life
The stadium mainstays return with a solemn, understated cry for tolerance and unity that might very well be their best work to date… Though they remain one of the world’s…
Review: Alexandra Savior – The Archer
“Seven years,” sings Alexandra Savior as her second album gets underway, “I’ve had seven years of bad luck and I’m just fine…” It’s a brave statement, but any self-deception is…
Review: Courteeners – More. Again. Forever.
The last stadium indie band left standing, there’s always been more going on with these Mancs than the laddish clichés unfairly attached to them imply… Having scrapped an album along…
Review: Georgia – Seeking Thrills
If a simple hook or singular sound are enough for you, you’ll get on well with Georgia Barnes, especially if you like a gimmick… As this year’s viral clip of…
Review: Simply Red – Blue Eyed Soul
From the moment Simply Red’s 12th album opens, with staccato horns blaring and “Baby” hollered as if by an overexcited James Brown, it’s clear Mick Hucknall’s not messing around with…
Review: Anna Of The North – Dream Girl
If Anna Lotterud’s 2017 debut lacked distinction, that was partly down to the number of other Scandinavian women operating in similarly frosty fields. Lovers fetishised the 80s effectively, but lacked…
Review: Magne Furuholmen – White Xmas Lies
Given he’s helped write some of the biggest songs by Norway’s biggest band, you’d think A-ha’s Magne Furuholmen would be happy. That his third solo album is a Christmas collection…
Review: The Brand New Heavies – TBNH
SHOP NOW ON AMAZON FROM £9.99 It says a lot that The Brand New Heavies’ co-founder and guitarist Simon Bartholomew describes their 11th album’s cover as “a bit clubby, a…