“A notional entity consisting of a large number of people who share their knowledge or opinions with one another, regarded as producing… collective intelligence.” So states the Oxford English Dictionary…
Review: Jake Shears – Jake Shears
Listening to his solo debut’s opening track – cunningly titled Introduction – it would be easy to assume that Jake Shears’ goal was to pursue the same instincts that led…
Review: Morrissey – This Is Morrissey
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…