A quarterly feature highlighting album releases rated highly by the GRTR! review team and worthy of your investigation. We try and pick out a cross-section of albums that reflect the range of genres reviewed at the website. The star rating will be at least ****

SAMANTHA FISH Paper Doll Live

This is Samantha Fish at her searing best with a band which is on fire. Recorded at the historic Knoxville Bijou Theatre, and featuring Nashville gospel legends The McCrary Sisters, the album doesn’t let up from start to finish which is what her live performances are like. She has honed her craft to perfection and delivers this Paper Doll Live like a sucker punch to the gut.

If you missed her on her last tour, get this album: it’s the next best thing.  *****

Review by Andy Sharrocks

VANDEN PLAS AcCult II

VP succeed, mainly because of 1. Their very distinctive sound. 2. their spine tingling command of orchestral pace and colour, even when there’s no orchestra, and 3. The fact that the Lill brothers, Stephan (g) and Andreas (d), along with vocalist Andy Kuntz, have been together since the beginning.  ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO  Live At Hotel Cecil

Live at Hotel Cecil’ is an exhilarating album which seizes the moment to confirm Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado’s status as Europe’s leading blues outfit! *****

Review by Pete Feenstra

TARJA Frisson Noir

Without doubt one of her career highlights and for those hankering after a more Nightwish feel to her music, you’ll be more than satisfied. An album with so much going on musically the listener can’t wait to hear it all again! Fantastical music and a delight from start to finish. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

HARDLINE Shout

Let’s hope they return to Blighty, new album tucked firmly under their chains and leather, and play the damn thing in its entirety. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

ARGOVIA Primal Repetition

Lovers of highly tuneful prog rock will want to check out this album. And without delay.  *****

Review by David Randall

Albums of the Month (January – March 2026)