“These are new beginnings,” coos Blackpool native Rachelle Morris early on the follow-up to 2015’s hyped but nonetheless lukewarm Unguarded. “Find another name for me,” she continues, her voice giddy…
Jackie Moore – I’m On My Way review
The Jacksonville, Florida, singer Jackie Moore is another one of those artists whose chart forays span different eras. She had a gold-certified, million-selling single in 1970 with the gritty gospel/bluesy…
Leo Sayer – The Gold Collection review
Certain financial issues in the 90s and more recent reality TV debacles have somewhat tarnished his reputation, but Leo Sayer was a huge star in the 70s and, to a…
U.S. Girls – A Poem Unlimited review
It’s hard to know what to expect from a name like U.S. Girls, and even more confusing given it’s ostensibly one person, Meg Remy, who’s made it her business to…
The Monochrome Set – Maisieworld review
As the simultaneous release of a 6CD boxset testifies, The Monochrome Set’s Bid has been churning out quirky indie pop now for almost 40 years. Though the band’s line-up has…
Prosecco Socialist – Songs From Behind Bars review
It’s not just David Rotheray’s two decades as The Beautiful South’s guitarist and co-songwriter that ensure Prosecco Socialist’s debut is so entertaining. Obviously these help – especially musically – but…
Belle & Sebastian – How To Solve Our Human Problems review
Those stumbling upon Best Friend – a Supremes-like tune late in this compilation of the Scottish collective’s three recent EPs – might be forgiven for thinking the band are stuck…
Turin Brakes – Invisible Storm review
If, from time to time, Turin Brakes have previously appeared a little whey-faced, the quartet tackle that straight away with their eighth album’s opening track, the thrusting Would You Be…
John Oates – Arkansas review
If Steve Martin can make banjo albums, and Hugh Laurie can play the blues, there’s no reason John Oates – of blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates – can’t make…
Tom Hingley and the Kar-Pets – May Contain Nuts review
How different the world might be if, when original singer Stephen Holt left to form The Rainkings in 1989, roadie Noel Gallagher had landed the job of Inspiral Carpets’ frontman.…