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We started 2024 with the sad news that Tony Clarkin of Magnum had passed away just days before the release of the band’s latest album. The band have been venerated over the years by GRTR! and were celebrated in our GRTR!@20 promotion in December 2023 when they entered our “Grotto of Greatness”.
Whilst Magnum’s future may now appear doubtful hopefully the Tony tribute gigs in early 2025 will restore confidence and momentum. Clarkin’s passing does underscore our comments last year that rock is getting old and, frankly, a little infirm. Several tours have been cancelled this year due to illness whilst some artists have retired from touring altogether.
As if to make matters worse we learned that in 2023 more than 100 venues closed and there seems to be no respite from small attendances and rising bills for smaller operators. Artists are playing half the number of “grass roots” gigs than normal.
Get Ready to ROCK! Managing Editor David Randall responded to a feature in “i” newspaper on 9 September “Ticketmaster’s ‘Black Friday’ model is ruining pop culture“. This followed the Oasis ticketing controversy and “dynamic pricing” which makes prices extortionate depending on increased demand.
Randall wrote in the paper “It’s rather ironic that Oasis – working class heroes of the 1990s – should be subjected to such scrutiny about ticket pricing…If these and similar artists are really genuine why don’t they organise an extensive small-venue tour and give back something to live music, and those places that nurtured them?”
In terms of recorded music sales compact discs made a revival in 2024, although vinyl and streaming still shows the greatest growth. In October Billboard reported a decline in vinyl record sales in the U.S. This may be due to rising vinyl prices, fuelled by erratic supply and multiple formats issued by certain big name artists who hog the pressing plants.
The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in music has been a topic both for discussion and legal action.
If at times there appears to be an end of an era feel to the piece, there are any number of upcoming bands vying for our attention. As ever, our traditional end of year listings reflect this.
Again this year we have refrained from an overall top placing in each poll category (due to the sheer diversity of selections) but we have included the top genre selections of our specialist editors. We’ve also included one generalist category – classic rock – which was shared by two bands of the moment – at least in the ears and eyes of our reviewers - Brave Rival and Scarlet Rebels. Both acts also featured strongly in the Live Acts category.
On Sunday 22 December a special show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio will celebrate “The Best of 2024″
Photo: Andy Nathan
The Best of 2024 - Highlights
Albums Of The Year (by genre)
Blues Rock:
WALTER TROUT Broken
Classic Rock:
BRAVE RIVAL Fight Or Flight/SCARLET REBELS Where The Colours Meet
Melodic Rock:
HONEYMOON SUITE Alive
Progressive Rock:
STEVE HACKETT The Circus And The Nightwhale
Metal:
STARCHASER Into The Great Unknown
Singer Songwriter:
AMELIA COBURN Between The Moon And The Milkman
Reissue:
BLACK SABBATH Anno Domine
Selected Breakthrough Acts
GRACE BOWERS & THE HODGE PODGE
JOANovARC
THESE WICKED RIVERS
FLORENCE BLACK
BYWATER CALL
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News of 2024 (January-March) |
Jason Ritchie (News & Reviews Editor)
Albums
1. SCARLET REBELS Where The Colours Meet
One of the few recent rock albums where there are no skippable tracks. They will have to go some way to beat this album but if any band can, Scarlet Rebels can!
2. MAXIMO PARK Stream of Life
This band just keep getting better & better. Quiz Show Clue, Favourite Songs, You’re Own Worst Enemy and the title track are fine examples of modern indie pop rock.
Good to have them back and with some classy new songs like ‘In My Blood’, ‘Face the Master’ and ‘Rise Up’. Still the best thing to come out of Stoke along with oatcakes and Stoke City FC.
Nearly made it
4. Kid Kapachi – There Goes the Neighbourhood, anthemic punk meets indie pop and not one duffer. Even includes music royalty with a guest appearance from Suggs.
5. Kissin’ Dynamite – Back With A Bang, hands in the air, sing-a-along rock anthems.
6. Judas Priest Invincible Shield, the band’s best album since 1990′s ‘Painkiller’.
SINGER SONGWRITER Album of the Year
AMELIA COBURN Between The Moon And The Milkman
7. Amelia Coburn – Between The Moon And The Milkman, as my review said, “Honed over time, Amelia Coburn’s debut album is a thing to treasure and will be one of the finest singer songwriter albums you’ll hear this year”
Amelia Coburn is on tour in the UK from 17 January
8. Miracle Mile – East of Ely, Miracle Mile comprise of Trevor Jones and Marcus Cliffe who conjured up a splendidly enjoyable musical journey. The lyrics are things of beauty and the musical arrangements transport the listener off to marvellous places.
9. Cats In Space – Time Machine, may take a few more spins to get into than their previous albums, but it is well worth the effort. Queen, ELO, 10CC and Supertramp’s musical legacy all influence this fine album.
10. Hamish Hawk – A Firmer Hand, his breakthrough third album which deservedly received critical acclaim. ‘Men Like Wire’ and ‘Nancy Dearest’ are amongst the finest quirky pop songs released this year.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Live Acts
They never disappoint and few bands can match their musical class, or indeed the vocal talents of Steve Overland.
Finally got to see the Cats perform live and was not disappointed. Musically tight and the band enjoyed performing as much as the audience appreciated seeing and hearing them.
Cats In Space play UK dates 11-15 December
Classy Black Crowes and southern rock/soul infused show by the Commoners. Ably supported by Madison Galloway, a blues rock whirlwind!
Reissues
QUEEN Queen I
Full bells and whistles remaster including reinstating the track Mad The Swine, which was missed off the original release. Sounds very different now especially Roger Taylor’s drums.
Breakthrough Acts
POPPY
One minute melodic pop, the next screamo, then full on metal, Poppy is hard to classify but she will become much more well known throughout 2025 and beyond.
ACROBVT
Couple of singles into their new name and sound, with a couple of decent support slots and a few playlist spots these guys should be become deservedly better known.
GYPSY PISTOLEROS
Road hogs of late and with a new album, ‘Welcome To The Church Of The Pistoleros!’, due in May, expect bigger things from this band.
David Randall (Managing Editor)
Albums
SOUTH OF SALEM Death To The Party
The band’s brand of gothic hard rock translates well to their stage show.
The band play UK dates 27 March – 4 April
Tireless live performers, great female vocals and a sophomore album firming up their more classic rock credentials.
With an appealing female vocal and a Scandi folk vibe, a great way to contemplate the changing seasons.
Nearly made it
TERAMAZE Eli: A Wonderful Fall From Grace
Superior prog pop metal from an Australian band we’d never heard of.
THESE WICKED RIVERS Force Of Nature
Full of great hooks and riffage
MAGNUM Here Comes The Rain
Given poignancy now and maybe all the better for it.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION V
Like a David Gilmour album, easy to get a bit blase because of the predictable brilliance. Now all we need are some live dates.
AD INFINITUM Abyss
Swiss/German-based metal fused with electronica with excellent vocalist Melissa Bonny.
KISSIN’ DYNAMITE Back With A Bang
The band’s motto: Bring Back Stadium Rock. A series of hard rock anthems perfectly designed to get bums off hard stadium seats and maybe a few lighters in the air.
Photo: David Randall/GRTR!
Live Acts
Excellent stage presence, dancing girls, and great grooves.
David Randall chatted to Clark Datchler for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio following an earlier interview tracing his early career with Johnny Hates Jazz. He discusses the band, his solo career, and the 2024 tour dates. First broadcast 14 April 2024.
Oh alright, maybe a guilty pleasure, but the eighties never sounded so good.
The band play London O2 Indigo on 19 December, playing the complete ‘Turn Back The Clock’ album on stage for the first time
A little bit safe in the setlist, maybe, but a masterclass in pop rock precision and marshalled by a close on octogenarian.
Reissues
Not strictly a reissue, but an excellent double album of late sixties folk into early seventies heavier stuff. Familiar names and the forgotten.
Breakthrough Acts
SOUTH OF SALEM
Solid gigging in 2024. Another UK tour is lined up for March/April next year which should increase their following.
BRAVE RIVAL
Touring tirelessly in 2024, and with their second album latterly, the next release should firmly establish these contenders.
EXPLORING BIRDSONG
With a new production team, and hopefully a debut album and more gigs, this prog pop trio should raise their profile in 2025.
THESE WICKED RIVERS
Derby’s finest and on the back of a fine album and several tours the only way now is to Castle Donington.
BLUES ROCK Album of the Year
PETE FEENSTRA (Blues/Blues Rock Editor)
Albums
‘Heartwork’ is a real return to form by John Fiddler (aka Medicine Head), with heartfelt songs, deep grooves, sumptuous tones, some post-Lennon style phrasing and Belinda Campbell’s ethereal accompaniment.
It’s is a loosely defined conceptual album, captured in the chorus of ‘It’s all about the love’ – “It’s all about the feeling, its all about the love, its all about the healing.”
The album has a delightful lightness of touch which multi-instrumentalist and producer Fiddler uses to underpin the songs strengths.
Everything flows mellifluously from the beautifully voiced ‘Everybody Has The Blues 9Sometimes)’ into the reggae lilt of ‘Livin’ in a Bubble’, leading to the uplifting ‘Ridin’ In My Car’, which features guitarist Dzal Martin on a stellar West Coast finish.
Probably the most diverse album of his career and a great example of a rock blues artist with an innovative approach, an indomitable spirit and the drive, energy and feel to realise his vision.
The album is topped and tailed by ‘Broken’ and ‘Falls Apart’ – arguably two career highlights – which despite their pessimistic titles, tap into the self affirmative qualities of the album as a whole.
Just listen to the raw emotion of Trout and Beth Hart on the balledic title track and the magnificent ascending guitar line on ‘Falls Apart’.
It doesn’t get much better.
Walter Trout plays UK dates 6-11 May
‘Papillon’ is a polished song driven rock album by an Anglo-French band, led by the baritone vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Dick Grisdale.
The 12 tracks mix inherent artistry and emotional intensity, with shimmering guitar tones and eclectic lyrics.
The band’s arrangements push the filmic imagery of his song from melodic rock into jangly synth-pop, gothic imagery, Chanson Francaise and even a proggy, rock-blues finish on a monumental self titled anthem.
Drummer Jeff Gautier is a driving force who mixes power with subtly, while keyboard player Paul Mouradian adds electro pop and proggy flourishes, leaving bassist Simon Pearson to lock the grooves together.
There’s even a reworking of the Alex Harvey version of ‘Next’, but it’s the originality of Grisdale’s imagery, as on the evocative on ‘Dry Martini’, the transcendent ‘The Living Room’ and the extended anthemic bookend of Lazarus Heights’ that clinches a marvellous debut album.
Nearly made it
Son of Man’s third album sees them trade their Man heritage for classic rock with nods to the gods of the genre such as Zeppelin, Purple, Floyd (with Dave Gilmour in particular), AC/DC, The Who, and on the last track Yes.
They’ve morphed into a powerhouse rock band with traces of AOR and symphonic edges, built on muscular grooves, keen dynamics and real intensity.
Check out ‘There Will Come A Day’ for an unlikely meeting of The Eagles with Pink Floyd, or the cinematic finish of ‘Thanks For The Ride.’
Sweden’s Blues Pills have cut one of the most vibrant and relevant pop rock albums of the year.
‘Birthday’ bursts with energy, spontaneity, fresh ideas, real intensity, deep grooves and contemporary crafted pop rock.
It strikes the perfect balance between a ‘live in the studio’ vibe and a song driven album, topped by Erin Larsson’s animated vocals.
It’s all there on the adrenalin rush of ‘Don’t You Love It’, and also ‘Holding Me Back’ which explodes like a spring coil, allowing the music to brilliantly illuminate the track.
Live Acts
Birmingham’s Vincent Flatts Final Drive is the kind of kick ass boogie band with a brilliant front man Steve “Bertie” Burton, who can start a party any time, any place, anywhere.
Burton’s belligerent phrasing and stage presence exudes passion, commitment and a sense of fun.
He’s backed by the sturdy rhythm section of drummer Rich Shelton and bassist Russ Cook who alternatively groove, boogie, stomp and rock out to give guitarist Gary Harper plenty of stylistic options over which to solo imperiously.
The band tear into the night with a mix of rock, boogie southern, rock, whiskey flavoured country and good old fashioned rock and roll!
The crowd roar along with the band, the bar staff are on the counter and the beer is flying in a magical moment in time.
Walter Trout is a supreme guitarist with a locker full of well crafted songs spanning rock, blues, ballads an even a boogie, full of meaningful personal narratives.
Then there’s his connection with his worldwide fans, as evidenced by his ability to charm an urbane Parisian crowd in the elegant Alhambra Theater.
Tonight, Trout digs deep to present his life stories, with contrasting moments of humour and despair, but always shot through with his band’s musical excellence and his own ability to make each note count like punctuations in a conversation.
From the pounding rocker ‘Wanna Dance’, through the plaintive ‘Say Goodbye to the Blues’, to the southern tinged ‘Ride’, rocking blues never sounded better in the heart of Paris.
Pete Feenstra chattied to John Butler for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio playing tracks from the current album. First broadcast 24 November 2024.
DPW’s blend of harmony rich, jingle-jangle bluster and strong songs still hold a timeless appeal some 35 years after the release of their critically acclaimed ‘Shakespeare Alabama’ album.
Tonight they flash through the archive leading into ‘Presley Trap’ a brand new album which shows they have worn well.
Front man John Butler is still the effervescent wiry figure of old, complete with a beret but still armed with a passionate Dylan meets Lennon vocal attack.
They rip into 2019′s ‘Let It Melt’, the Stonesy swagger of ‘Everybody’s Going Nuts’, the new ‘Wonder (Just A Word)’ and the county tinged ‘Wound That Doesn’t Heal’, which suggests Butler still has the songcraft.
As they roar into ‘Like Princes Do’, ‘All The Myths On Sunday’ and ‘When The Hoodoo Comes’, I quietly think this was a great band born out of time.
Reissues
EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND Gone Blue
While you may not have imagined underground heroes such as the Edgar Broughton Band being comfortable bedfellows with the Beeb (who used to be regarded as part of the establishment), their path forward was smoothed over by their champion John Peel.
The 4-CD box set with an illustrated booklet, includes Top Gear sessions, a mono ‘In Concert’ and even a “John Peel’s Sunday Concert” featuring favourites like ‘Dropout Boogie’ and ‘Freedom’.
SNAFU You Know It Ain’t Easy; The Anthology
One of several hard gigging Brit rock bands in the mid 70′s who in retrospect were probably too versatile for their own good.
Featuring soulful vocalist Bobby Harrison and one time Tramline and later Whitesnake guitarist Micky Moody, Snafu mixed up a gumbo of rock, funk, boogie, soul and rock and roll, well represented here in an excellent anthology.
MAN God Walking Past (5 DVD box set)
The whole turbulent history of the South Welsh legends Man, in an exhaustive 5 DVD box set, spanning 9 hours, which took nearly decades to complete.
There are contributions from band members Deke Leonard, Terry Williams, Clive John, Martin Ace, Phil Ryan, John McKenzie etc as well as the former management team of Barrie & Jenny Marshall and label A&R guru Andrew Lauder.
There’s a full supporting cast and lots of great live footage, as the documentary also traces the backdrop of the changing times, making it an essential viewing (and listening) for all Man and rock fans in general.
Breakthrough Acts
GRACE BOWERS & THE HODGE PODGE
Grace is a teen guitarist from Nashville who doesn’t sing, but plays guitar with both guts and subtlety.
She’s influenced by among others Leslie West and Slash, but her music has contemporary appeal as evidenced by the debut album ‘Wine On Venus’, which is a cool mix of rock, soul, funk, pop and classic rock.
LINDY URBAN
The 16 year old Muscle Shoals singer-songwriter has a big future.
Hailing from N.W. Alabama, and influenced by Steve Stills and Bonnie Rait, her music is an ethereal blend of folk and rock.
Her vocal is a cross between the grit of Eliza Neals and the husk of Joanne Shaw Taylor.
She’s already been writing with the award winning Spooner Oldham who helped shape the Muscle Shoals sound, the very place where she cut her debut single ‘Ain’t Bound Now’ with leading indie producer Grant Walden.
MINE ROAD
Dublin based, Mine Road is an old school, riff-driven powerhouse rock band with a melodic undertow, and always with an eye on a good hook.
The band feature the Cash brothers (Stuart on guitar and Steve on drums), who are joined by Ken Carthy (vocals) and Dave Flood (guitar), plus Donnacha Neary on bass.
They sound as if they are powering their way though a lot of pent up frustration on the dynamic thrust of ‘Snowplough’, the opening cut of their impressive ‘Tomorrow’s Sky’ debut album.
DAVE WILSON (Live Editor)
Albums
Following hot on the heels of the first Megalomanium released in 2023, this album proved to be another slab of perfect melodic rock with anthem after anthem encouraging you to sing along.
Devin is a force of nature that you can never second guess. This album contains full-on rockers, big soundscapes and huge riffs which Devin blends together perfectly into one cohesive piece. A twisted genius at work.
SAXON Hell, Fire and Damnation
24 studio albums in and Saxon are still producing quality metal of the first order. This was also the first album to feature Brian Tatler on guitar and co- writing duties which was no bad thing. Worth a listen for the monstrous title track alone.
Live Acts
Chris Sumby and the team managed to pull together an amazing line up for this years festival with something for everyone. The sun shone (mostly) and the music a was top notch with my personal highlights being Tailgunner, Eclipse, KK’s Priest and the mighty Saxon.
The Friday party night was also well worth my trip down with The Quireboys headlining and a fantastic set by Paul Di’anno which sadly proved to be one of his last.
This was the first of two nights in Glasgow Quo played at the bandstand and it was an excellent night. Francis Rossi was on great form, laughing and joking with the crowd throughout and the set list was a great mix of old and even older tracks. If the 2024 tour proves to be the band’s last (heard that before!) then they definitely went out on a high here.
Alice is now rocking in his mid-seventies and shows no signs of slowing down, thankfully, as he is still the master of shock rock. Surrounded by one of the best bands in the business, this show should be held up as a masterclass in stagecraft for any upcoming band. He may no longer be 18, but we most certainly still like it!
Photo: Darren Griffiths
Breakthrough Acts
One of the band’s of the Stonedead weekend for me. For such a young band to be recreating the glory days of the NWOBHM is unusual, but the fact that they do it so well is staggering. 2024 has been a great year for them which I think will only continue into 2025
Having heard so many good things about this band, especially in a live setting, I was keen to see them for the first time recently. By god, they were good! With a big headline show at Chepstow Castle already booked in for 2025, the trio look poised to step things up in the coming year.
MELODIC ROCK Album of the Year
Andy Nathan (Melodic Rock Editor)
Albums
Their debut was impressive enough but its even more diverse successor lived up to the promise I felt when hearing the new songs live. Adventurous, refreshing and imaginative.
2 SCARLET REBELS Where The Colours Meet
The South Wales band’s third album raised the bar with their passionate, arena-worthy anthems taking a significant step forward in scale.
In a really disappointing year for new melodic rock releases the veteran Canadians bucked the trend with a very fresh sounding pop rock album, their strongest in years.
3= THE NEW ROSES Attracted To Danger
For several albums now the Germans have consistently delivered with a strong set of songs, rough edged yet always with strong songwriting skills, and their latest was no exception.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Live Acts
There will be few if any further chances to see the Scorps in the UK, and I didn’t begrudge paying top whack for a brilliantly choreographed show, not least as they played nearly all of LoveAat First Sting, a seminal album in my rock upbringing.
2 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND
At 74, The Boss and his band still put on a show of remarkable energy and warmth, especially memorable at a huge stadium steeped in history and in a country with which ‘The Boss’ has a special bond.
3 FM
A spring and an autumn show in intimate environments confirmed that Britain’s premier melodic rock act are playing as well as ever and their unforced joy in doing so transmits itself to the crowd
Nearly made it
I’m afraid the old ones are the best and as well as those three honourable mentions to a Saxon given a shot in the arm by Brian Tatler – both arguably outshining Judas Priest at Wembley Arena, then the perfect headliner for Stonedead, and Deep Purple, again regenerated by a new guitarist in Simon McBride but the rest of the seventy-something band still so vibrant and giving off a childlike sense of enjoyment.
It was a great year for festivals too and some of the best sets I saw were there – Maid of Stone (Those Damn Crows and Tyketto), Malmo Melodic (Dare, Houston, Chez Kane and Remedy) and Firefest (Coney Hatch, Robin McAuley and Midnite City), while Firevolt again proved to have the best vibes of any small festival in the UK.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Breakthrough Acts
Already threatening a major breakthrough, from the singles to date a new album will give them further ammunition to do so.
I was rather late to the party but this year’s ‘Beneath the Neon Glow’ album charted highly, and I was very impressed with her stage presence and varied, Americana influenced sounds which should have wider cross over potential.
3 NITRATE played their first live show this year which should give a springboard for them to take off with their classic old school anthems. And among the many young Scandinavian acts, Streetlight’s new album is one to particularly look forward to together with the return of State of Salazar.
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News of 2024 (April – June)
David Gilmour is to release his first studio album in nine years. ‘Luck And Strange’ is released on September 6 on Sony Music, whilst lead single ‘The Piper’s Call’ was released on April 25. The lyrics were composed by his wife Polly Samson. KISS have sold the rights to their music catalogue, brand name and intellectual property to Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment Group AB for a reported $300m. This year’s Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductees will include Peter Frampton, Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band and Ozzy Osbourne. Retailer Our Price Records is back with an online store launched on April 30 and physical stores planned in the UK after the online relaunch. Billboard is reporting that, according to sources close to Linkin Park, the band is considering a 2025 reunion tour with a female singer and three members from the band’s classic line-up. A growing list of musicians have joined Steve Marriott’s children and former bandmates to protest against the release of “new” recordings featuring AI-generated versions of his vocals. As reported by Variety, Cleopatra Records are in discussion with the Marriott estate about completing some of his unfinished demos with the aid of AI technology. RIP Robin George known for his solo work, including his 1984 hit ‘Heartline’, as well as producing and working with Phil Lynott, Asia, Notorious (with Diamond Head’s Sean Harris) and Damage Control (which featured Spike and Pete Way). Bruce Springsteen has cancelled a number of shows on his current European tour due to vocal issues. The tour will resume on June 12 in Madrid, with dates in Marseille, Prague and Milan all being postponed. Heart have cancelled their upcoming UK & European tour as Ann Wilson will undergo a medical procedure and needs six weeks recovery time. Robin Trower (pictured) has cancelled his US dates set for September and October over health concerns. Cross-sector lobbying group UK Music has written to the leaders of the UK’s political parties urging them to pledge support for the music industry in the run up to the General Election on July 4. The letter calls for specific action on AI, touring and tax credits, as well as new investment in music education and a ban on for-profit ticket resale. Compiled by Jason Ritchie |
PROGRESSIVE ROCK Album of the Year
STEVE HACKETT The Circus And The Nightwhale
Alan Jones (Prog Rock Editor)
Albums
1. STEVE HACKETT The Circus And The Nightwhale
The venerable Mr. Hackett appears to be on a creative roll at the moment. Putting his ‘Genesis Revisited’ shows and albums to one side, his solo output over his last few albums has been nothing short of exceptional, and is surely topped here with ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’.
His first ‘concept’ album since his initial solo effort ‘Voyage Of The Acolyte’ in 1975, the tracks take the listener through the various stages of Hackett’s life and career and the result is nothing short of masterful, with superb songwriting, backed up with a brilliant band and that glorious guitar soaring all over it.
Essential. Just essential.
2. JON ANDERSON & THE BAND GEEKS True
Jon Anderson, lest we forget, was eighty years old this year and yet the voice of Yes continues to both thrill and surprise in equal measure.
Accompanied by a band of beyond-exceptional musicians, you struggle to believe that this is not a Yes album from the seventies – the voice is as mellifluous as it ever was and the songwriting and musicianship are just off the scale.
One of the biggest, and best, surprises of the year.
3. LEON ALVARADO The Changing Tide
Leon Alvarado is a consummate musician who specialises in making albums that sound like ‘tribute albums’ to other artists, but which are definitely not, if you know what I mean.
On ‘The Changing Tide’, he’s turned his hand to the sound of Pink Floyd – and produced an album that Gilmour, Waters, et al would have been proud to hang their names on.
Ignore any naysayers claiming “plagiarism” – yes, it sounds like Pink Floyd, but it’s written to sound like Pink Floyd, and, as I mentioned in my review, what are Pink Floyd pumping out now other than remastered remasters of remasters?
Nearly made it
THE PINEAPPLE THIEF It Leads To This
Since Gavin Harrison (drummer with Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, et al) joined Bruce Soord and The Pineapple Thief on the ‘Your Wilderness’ album a few years back, the band’s profile has definitely been on an upward trajectory.
‘It Leads To This’ is the next step on this journey and compares favourably with their last two albums ‘Dissolution’ and ‘Versions Of The Truth’ – although definitely heavier in both sound and subject matter.
But despite its relentlessly dystopian aura, the music is just tremendous in every respect.
Following the tragic loss of main man David Longdon in 2021, Big Big Train have picked themselves up and, led by founder member Greg Spawton and new vocalist Alberto Bravin, have produced one of their finest albums since 2016’s ‘Folklore’.
It sounds different, yet reassuringly the same, as the band have made a splendid effort at moving on from the past by using Bravin’s voice and instrumental skills as a complement to, rather than a cloning of, its previous sound.
SLASH Orgy Of The Damned
Where G’N’R fretmeister Slash turns his attention to the blues – and what an album this is.
Helped out by the likes of Paul Rodgers, Billy Gibbons, Iggy Pop, Brian Johnson and others, Slash’s guitar cuts through like a buzz-saw and his duet with Beth Hart on the blues classic ‘Stormy Monday’ is a wonder to behold.
Reissues
Very much the ‘forgotten’ album of the Yes canon, ‘Talk’ has been given the full ‘box set’ treatment, which, in hindsight, it fully deserves.
Produced by Trevor Rabin and with the lineup of Anderson, Kaye, White, Squire and Rabin, the album bombed at the time (mostly due to the record label going bust) but should be recognised by both Yes fans and lovers of progressive rock in general as very much a ‘lost gem’ – especially for the sixteen minutes plus epic ‘Endless Dream’.
Breakthrough Acts
A new(ish) name on the progressive rock scene, but on the evidence of the band’s sophomore album ‘Blood On Water’, definitely a band to keep an eye on.
KATHERINE PRIDDY
A marvellous singer/songwriter from Birmingham whose voice could melt butter and whose two albums to date ‘The Eternal Rocks Beneath’ and ‘The Pendulum Swing’ are essential listening.
Catch her performance of ‘A Boat On The River’ on ‘Later with Jools Holland’ on YouTube.
METAL Album of the Year
STARCHASER Into The Great Unknown
Brian McGowan (Metal Editor)
Albums
What impresses you most with Body Of Work is the sheer variety of songs and sounds and styles, and yet, very clearly, it’s all Albert Hammond. He never really had an instantly recognisable sound, or even a particularly distinctive voice. What he has are distinctive songs.
Ever since that point the band have been honing their sound, making minor adjustments here, small changes there, cultivating musical deftness in order to further animate their lyrical ideas.
STARCHASER Into The Great Unknown
The album is well stocked with pulse quickening hooks, often outdoing some of today’s better Melodic Rock albums, not something commonly encountered in Metal.
Reissues
LILLIAN AXE The Box Vol 2 : The Quickening
These songs and more prove it’s as much the lyrical content of Lillian Axe’s music that has created such a solid fanbase.
VARIOUS ARTISTS I See You Live on Love Street, Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-72
…Love Street compiles a faultless collection of tracks from a unique era in the history of popular music. And hearing it now, much of it seems just as relevant today as it did then.
PALLAS Eyes In The Night, The Recordings, 1981-1986
Pallas are not front page news, and never have been, but they have produced a body of work that demands the kind of celebration we have here with this anthology.
DAVE ATKINSON
Albums
THE BLACK CROWES Happiness Bastards
Their first new music since 2009 and the reunion in 2019. This is a really fine album. Not always guaranteed for a band who have been away from the studio for so long, even with their pedigree. But this has the groove, swagger and style of old.
Mogg called a halt to UFO’s Last Orders European tour when a heart attack intervened. I thought that would be the end of the line for the veteran frontman. But no. He came back with a fresh, classy album full of hard rock gems. It’s not UFO, but it’s very good.
I’ve always thought a lot of this band. Bucket loads of energy and always some fine, powerful tunes. This is their best release in some while. As my esteemed colleague, Jason Ritchie commented, ‘If Metallica hailed from Morecombe they may have sounded like this…’
Photo: Paul Clampin
Live Acts
An institution, given a new lease of life by a thrilling new guitarist. No-one plays and sounds like this. No-one does this hard rock, blues, prog thing wrapped around elegant, refined, memorable songs with such class. How long this renaissance might last is anyone’s guess. But we will sure miss them when they are gone.
Samantha Fish at Koko in October was a proper barnstormer of a gig. Rollicking and hard-hitting blues rock, high on power, intensity and pyrotechnics. More so than this reviewer had anticipated. And with a top band to back her too. She is quite a talent. Go see her if you can.
It had been a while. 35 years in fact, since I last saw Anthrax. March 1989 at this very same Hammersmith Apollo. Though it was the Odeon then, of course. This was a great gig. It felt like a party. Some kind of potent homecoming to a spiritually important venue where the band’s enthusiasm and energy were exactly what was needed. Long live thrash.
Breakthrough Acts
Bywater Call’s third album this Summer, ‘Shepherd’ cements the seven-piece Canadian ensemble as a very fine act indeed. They are even better live. Bringing, rock, southern soul, roots and a bit of jazz and country too. If you like music how can you not like this lot?
DEA MATRONA
I first caught this Northern Irish band, led by Orláith Forsythe and Mollie McGinn, supporting Kris Barrras at the Craufurd Arms in 2023. This summer, they supported Sheryl Crow at the Halifax Piece Hall. I was staggered to see the improvement in confidence, musicianship and material. At this rate of increase they will be stratospheric in another year.
THE ZAC SHULZE GANG
A really exciting power blues trio. Formed in 2020, their ‘Made of Three’ debut EP has six electrifying tracks. Live, they deliver their own material and well-chosen covers like a rocket-fuelled slalom. Sights and sounds to behold and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
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News of 2024 (July-September)
Sweet will release their final studio album, ‘Full Circle’, on September 20 via Metalville Records. It marks drummer Andy Booth’s recording debut with the band following Bruce Bisland’s retirement last year. Stevie Nicks postponed her Glasgow and Manchester shows due to a leg injury. Channel 4 has closed its music TV channels, including The Box, 4Music and Kerrang! RIP Influential blues musician John Mayall OBE, whose band The Bluesbreakers was a springboard for stars including Eric Clapton, Walter Trout and Peter Green. Aerosmith have announced their retirement from touring and have cancelled their upcoming farewell tour. Journey have cancelled their UK & Ireland tour due to start in October. Oasis have reunited for the first time since 2009 and play a series of UK and Irish shows next July and August. Queen have announced a remastered and expanded boxset of their 1973 debut album ‘Queen.’ Retitled ‘Queen I’, the album has been remixed and restored by Justin Shirley-Smith, Joshua J Macrae and Kris Fredriksson to sound the way the band always wanted it to. It will be released on 25 October as 6CD + 1 LP ‘Queen I’ collector’s edition boxset, containing 63 tracks with 43 brand new mixes, with ‘Mad the Swine’ restored as the fourth song on the album’s running order. Mick Box (pictured) has announced Uriah Heep will retire from full scale touring and plan to announce farewell tour dates soon. The tour is expected to start in February. BMG has reported a 11.1% increase in revenue to €459m ($491.7m) for the first half of 2024. Digital revenue, which accounted for nearly 70% of the company’s overall revenue, grew by 20.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Compiled by Jason Ritchie |
Joe Geesin
Albums
DEEP PURPLE =1
The British veterans are back with a wonderful album, some cracking tunes, and new guitarist Simon McBride. The guitar fits in perfectly, rest of the band on form; songwriting and Gillan’s vocals all standing out.
RHAPSODY OF FIRE Challenge The Wind
More symphonic operatic power metal from the Italian legends. Christopher Lee may have passed but the music is a wonderful and embracing as ever.
FREEDOM CALL Silver Romance
More uplifting sing-along-power metal, bouncy and uplifting. And sometimes that’s just what you need.
Reissues
BLACK SABBATH Anno Domini (4CD)
A long overdue overhaul of the four Tony Martin albums not previously remastered (sadly no explanation of why the live set was omitted), but proof that Headless Cross and Tyr are excellent and essential parts of the Sabbath catalogue.
FAST EDDIE CLARKE Make My Day (4CD+Book)
A wonderful retrospective of the former Motorman’s career, before during and after Motorhead, with a biography and 4CDs, what’s not to love.
The former Procol Harum’s breakthrough album and an absolute classic. This multi disc reissue includes a surround sound mix which I was lucky enough to experience at the Dolby Atmos studios in central London – worthy of any price for that alone.
NIKK GUNNS
Albums
An outstanding effort from the one and only Spike and the best incarnation of the band since the classic lineup.
GUN Hombres
Great album from the band, possibly their best to date.
Another fine album from the Danish band that just deliver quality album after quality album.
THE BLACK CROWES Happiness Bastards
Flawless, absolutely brilliant new album from the Robinson brothers.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Live Acts
My first time seeing the Boss, it won’t be my last, an absolute masterclass in how to deliver the goods.
MICHAEL MONROE
Playing the whole of Hanoi Rocks Two Steps From The Move album plus a set of solo favourites, this man does not slow down, Hanoi Rocks are my favourite band and this was just a very special gig
THE BLACK CROWES
This was one of those gigs that you will never quite recover from, and if the Black Crowes themselves weren’t enough the encore featuring Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler may well prove to be his last live vocal appearance
I can never understand why The New Roses are not a lot better known by now, this surely must change soon. Absolutely brilliant live act.
Reissues
TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS Long After Dark
Nicely put together package with a load of great bonus tracks
VAN HALEN For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
I’ve no doubt there is a wealth of material in the 5150 vaults that could have made this even better but the live show added here is enough to keep my on board
Photo: Zoran Veselinovic
Breakthrough Acts
New album ‘Should’ve Known Better’ is great and the band are well worth catching live
RED VOODOO
Definitely worth a listen if you haven’t already come across the band. This US band may not make it over here to play but they should get a couple of turns on your stereo.
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News of 2024 (October – December)
Kate Bush revealed in an interview on BBC Radio 4 that she is ready to create new music. Pink Floyd have sold their rights to their recorded music to Sony Music for $400m. The deal includes Pink Floyd’s recorded music, the band name and the artists’ “likeness”, meaning that the label will have the rights to merchandise and spin-offs. Johnnie Walker told listeners that he’s decided to step down from presenting his two Radio 2 and BBC Sounds shows later this month. Walker has been diagnosed with terminal pulmonary fibrosis. Shaun Keaveny will be the new presenter of The Rock Show with Bob Harris taking over on Sounds of the 70s. WHSmith has announced it will start selling vinyl again in 80 of its High Street stores. Thin Lizzy release ‘Acoustic Sessions’, their first new release in over four decades. The album reimagines beloved songs, where the original vocals from Phil Lynott are paired with brand-new guitar parts from founding member Eric Bell (pictured). The album is released on January 24 via Decca. Poison are set to reunite and tour in 2026. Christie’s will be auctioning 90 guitars owned and played by late guitar legend Jeff Beck, plus his amps and ‘tools of the trade’ on January 22. RIP Producer, musician, songwriter and soundtrack composer Quincy Jones. Linkin Park’s ‘From Zero’ album reached number one in UK albums charts, as well as taking the number one in Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. Drummer Nicko McBrain has announced he is leaving Iron Maiden, who he joined in 1982. The band have an yet as unnamed, replacement lined-up. Nicko McBrain suffered a stroke last year. His last show with Iron Maiden was on December 7 in Sao Paulo. Compiled by Jason Ritchie |
KAREN CLAYTON
Albums
1. SCARLET REBELS Where The Colours Meet
This album which hit the mainstream charts in the top 20, takes the Welsh rockers to a whole new level, from the Album opener “Secret Drug” the bar is set, and I was hooked.
The whole album includes foot stomping, catchy songs with deep lyrics, interspersed with ballads including a beautiful track with Elles Bailey, ‘Out of Time’ and a collaboration with Ricky Warwick
‘My House, My Rules’ which closes the album, this was worth the wait and is definitely my pick for album of the year.
2. THE TREATMENT Wake Up The Neighbourhood
The Treatment always feel like a fresh new band but this is in fact their 6th studio album It’s been 3 years since “Waiting For Good Luck” (2021), which was the album of 2021 for me.
So, what does “Wake Up The Neighbourhood” deliver, the bar has been set so high, can The Treatment deliver another belter….. the singles (Let’s Wake Up This Town, Back to the 1970’s and ‘When Thunder and Lightning Strikes) released so far suggest we are in for a treat and indeed we are!
Let’s Wake Up This Town – from Tom’s opening rallying call, this is setting the scene for an absolutely classic rock ‘n’ roll album, with a heavy nod back to those classic bands of the 1970′s, this album showcases classic rock pulled off by a NWOCR band and surely this is enough to wake up the masses to the fact that rock is well and truly alive, this established band deserve more attention in the rock community. Please, please check them out if you haven’t already.
3. GRAND SLAM Wheel of Fortune
This is another fresh invigoration as Covid-19 put plans for a re-launch of Grand Slam firmly on the back burner, ‘Wheel of Fortune’ is a testimony to both Laurence Archer’s songwriting and Mike Dyer’s powerful love of language.
Initially I was underwhelmed by the opening track as it sounded classic Thin Lizzy, but as the album goes on, the new different direction is showcased, the tracks get better and better and the nods to the past are rightly included, the legacy is legendary. I have found myself returning to listen to this album time and time again.
Photo: Andy Nathan
Live Acts
1. AC/DC
What a gig, what an atmosphere for a stadium gig! I’ve seen them before and yes, they are getting on these days (aren’t we all?) but their love of rock n roll, their fans and playing hasn’t changed.
Angus still has the energy to run round the stage like a mountain goat and Brian still can sing, those tickets were gold dust and so was the experience, so glad I was fortunate enough to be there, for I what suspect is their last world tour.
2. NICKELBACK
Nickelback are a marmite band, i have loved them since hearing ‘The Long Road’ album way back, they are heavy, they are melodic, they’re a party band and they know how to have a good time and they want you to have a good time too.
An interesting back story (check out the documentary on NetFlix) and a long line of challenges have been overcome to be back on that stage, as ever, they sell out and the Nickelback lovers are out in force to share a cracking night, always good, always on a high post gig, never disappointed, long may it continue.
This was my induction (finally) into Rebel Club, same band, two venues, both were good but the night at the Thekla was absolutely incredible, that boat rocked and then some!
The band have great presence, good connection with the audience and are slick in every aspect, this tour was for the new album (Where The Colours Meet) as well as older favourites, the Rebels know what they’re about, what they stand for and their fans adore them, rightly so too!
Breakthrough Acts
1. JOANovARC
Major festival band and most recently seen at Winterstorm and supporting Gin Annie, these girls absolutely rock! Be sure to check them out and catch them live, you won’t be disappointed!
These guys are awesome live, they bring the party to every gig and raise the roof, a long time fan, now must be their (well-deserved) time to hit it big.
3. THE REVENANT
This band is getting quite a lot of attention and rightly so, big lyrics, punchy rock, what’s not to like?
PAUL MONKHOUSE
Albums
A stunning sophomore that shows Brave Rival have the class and potential to join the superleagues.
FLINT MOORE The Ashes And The End
Rising stars long awaited debut fulfils all their promise and more.
SEPHINE LLO Diamond Falls
Beautiful and devastating, a heartbreaking album about loss and the struggle of living your life after tragedy.
Nearly made it
EVERGREY Theories of Emptiness
The Swedes finest yet, emotive and crushing in equal measure, theyre arguably the greatest heavy metal band on the planet.
ROYAL REPUBLIC Love Cop
Party album of the year, this is an opus packed with hard rocking glam disco with massive hooks.
BEAUX GRIS GRIS AND THE APOCALYPSE Hot Nostalgia Radio
Blues, rock and more than a little Cajun spice, this will get you dancing.
Live Acts
BRAVE RIVAL
You’ll laugh, youll cry, you’ll see the true power of music to change lives.
JULIE CHRISTMAS
Like a feral Bjork fronting Nine Inch Nails with an overall Kate Bush aesthetic, she was jaw dropping at Hellfest in France this year.
AMY MONTGOMERY
Truly a force of nature, few people can dominate the stage like this.
Worth leaving the house for
Bamboozle Primal yet classy, theyre utterly magnetic.
Tom Morello An artist for whos live shows the word incendiary was invented for.
Beaux Gris Gris and The Apocalypse A guaranteed good time and some incredible vocals and fretwork.
Flint Moore A band who not just touches souls but also draws everyone into the family.
Constant Follower Indescribably gorgeous songs, played with a transcending sprit.
The Blackheart Orchestra Unguarded and bewitching,
Beth Eliza Sparkling and fresh songs played with grace and effervescence.
Emily Fraser Soulful and disarming, one of the best new talents around, each gig is an intimate delight with the power to transport.
Teiger Unutterably cool, few bands have grasped the concept of light and shade the way this trio have, the results electrifying.
Deep Purple Proving they still have it, their recent show at the O2 crushed the notion that rock is dead in a phenomenal display of new songs and old classics.
Reissues
FISH Vigil In A Wilderness of Mirrors
His debut solo album and still one of the finest things hes ever done.
IRON MAIDEN Powerslave
Arguably their peak as a force and full of some absolutely incredible material.
KISS Creatures Of The Night
After a few wobbly years KISS decided to get heavy again and the results put this alongside such classics as Destroyer.
Breakthrough Acts
FLINT MOORE
Jeff Buckley meets Radiohead meets Pearl Jam in a head spinning blend that makes them unique.
BAMBOOZLE
Old school rock n roll meets indie sensibilities.
PREYRS
Pure passion and thrills, the quartet are an explosive force.
More crystal ball gazing
Jehenna Young guns with the tunes and talent to see them win hearts and minds with their modern take on rock.
Teiger Quiet is the new loud with the fast climbing London trio, their second album promising nothing but greatness.
Constant Follower Award winning Scottish troubadours who are just getting started in their inevitable rise to the top.
Beth Eliza Charming and fiercely talented, expect to hear her on your radio soon.
Emily Fraser Cambridge’s own sublime singer/songwriter who’s about to make some huge waves
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 24 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 26 November 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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