Morrissey’s cancelling last month of his UK and European tour to promote last year’s Low In High School album was a fresh nadir for an artist whose career has, for…
Review: Various Artists – Now That’s What I Call Music! 1
The original Now! album weaned a whole generation off recording pop songs from the Sunday evening Radio 1 countdown Admittedly it wasn’t the first but it went on to become the…
Review: Gorillaz – The Now Now
There’s a peculiarly English criticism that’s often been levelled at Damon Albarn: “Too clever for his own good.” Its roots lie in the belief that somebody who thinks they know…
Review: Rick Astley – Beautiful Life
The re-evaluation of Rick Astley isn’t, in the grand scheme of things, the weirdest story of recent years. It is, nonetheless, odd. After his debut album’s phenomenal success, declining sales…
Reviews: Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell & A Broken Frame – 12″ Singles
Witness the musical growing pains of a band as the Essex electro-poppers get to grips with a new line-up and their own emerging sound. Ian Gittins gives this Sony reissue…
Review: All Saints – Testament
The London quartet follow 2016’s comeback LP, Red Flag, with a slightly flawed but rarely disappointing fifth album that’s not just for the ladies… Wyndham Wallace awards this album four…
Review: David Bowie – Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78)
Captured in the summer of 1978, this 2CD live set showcases a recovering genius back on top of his game and sounding as vital as ever. Ian Gittins review’s Bowie’s…
Review: Erasure – World Be Live
“I used to do my girlfriend’s makeup…” says Andy Bell in a surprisingly gruff voice. “When I had a girlfriend,” he adds quickly. “Years ago!” We’re barely two songs into…
Review: Jean-Michel Jarre – Planet Jarre: 50 Years Of Music
It’s easy to forget just how huge Jean-Michel Jarre was. There was a time in the late 70s when it seemed compulsory for every UK home to own a copy…
Review: Tom Bailey – Science Fiction
Almost three decades since their swansong, the former Thompson Twin finally releases his solo debut… a spirited and confident collection. Wyndham Wallace gives Science Fiction 4/5 and names it Classic…