Tag Archives: pop

Album review: VON HERTZEN BROTHERS – War Is Over

Posted on November 21, 2017 by petefeenstra

Music Theories Recordings [Release date 03.11.17] ‘War Is Over’ isn’t so much a concept album as a dramatic prog rock album with associated musical influences, ranging from classic, hard and symphonic rock, to more poppy and synth influences. There’s plenty … Continue reading →

Album review: BARENAKED LADIES – Fake Nudes

Posted on November 14, 2017 by jason

UMC [Release date 17.11.17] Barenaked Ladies, a band you have to be careful when Googling particularly with this latest album title… Barenaked Ladies have deservedly won many awards in their native Canada – 8 Juno awards to date – for their harmony filled pop songs, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Barenaked Ladies, Fake Nudes, folk, indie, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: ANTHONY PHILLIPS – Invisible Men

Posted on November 13, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric [Release date 13.10.17] The former Genesis guitarist’s solo career has been enjoying a boom courtesy of Esoteric Recordings and their expansive reissue programme of his back catalogue. We’ve had the 70s – acoustic, analogue, much meditative melancholy resonating nicely … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), Reissues | Tagged album, Anthony Phillips, electronic, Genesis, Invisible Men, pop, review, Richard Scott | Leave a comment

Gig review: SQUEEZE – Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 November 2017

Posted on November 10, 2017 by jason

Squeeze - BEARDED THEORY FESTIVAL, Catton Hall, Derbyshire, 26-29 May 2016

Nearly 40 years after emerging as one of the best bands from that burst of creativity known at the time as the New Wave, Squeeze are not content with the easy option coasting on the Rewind-style nostalgia circuit. Instead the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Chris Difford, gig, Glenn Tilbrook, London, pop, review, rock, Royal Albert Hall, Squeeze | Leave a comment

Album review: BARBARA BLACK – Ad Libitum

Posted on November 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

[Release date 18.09.17] Barbara Black (not a very Spanish name) is, by all accounts, one of the best female voices on the Spanish female singer/songwriter, rock/metal scene. A classically trained singer, as well a pianist, and make-up artist and hairdresser … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Ad Libitum, album, Barbara Black, metal, pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – Skyscraper Souls

Posted on November 7, 2017 by jason

David Randall chatted to Chris Braide in October 2015 and this hour special provides background to the singer-songwriter’s career and on hooking up with Geoff Downes. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. Magical Think Tank Records [Release date … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Andy Partridge, Asia, Big Big Train, Buggles, Chris Braide, DBA, Downes Braide Association, Geoff Downes, Marc Almond, melodic, pop, progressive, review, Skyscraper Souls, Tim Bowness, XTC, Yes | Leave a comment

Album review: WHEN MARY – Tainted

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sonicbond [Release date 10.11.17] The second album from Norwegian art rock band When Mary – Trude Eidtang (vocals, synth, percussion, glockenspiel), Christian Paulsen (guitars, programming, synth, bass) and Vidar Uthaug (synth, organ, korg, Rhodes) is a rather enchanting affair. That … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ambient, art rock, electronica, pop, review, Tainted, Trude Eidtang, When Mary, White Willow | Leave a comment

Gig review: ANDREW ROACHFORD – Live Rooms, Chester, 2 November 2017

Posted on November 3, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Andrew Roachford has spent much of 2017 gigging with Mike + The Mechanics – during which time he was described in our review as ‘the epitome of cool.’ We should be grateful, therefore, that he can find the time to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 2 November 2017, Andrew Roachford, Chester, gig, Live Rooms, Mike & the Mechanics, pop, R&B, review, rock, soul | Leave a comment

EP review: JOSH TAERK – Stages

Posted on October 28, 2017 by jason

Apple Music [Release date 02.02.18] Josh Taerk has long been a favourite here at Ritchie towers and he is now back with a new five song EP, although one song ‘After The Fall’ is lifted from his last album ‘Here’s To … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars Revisited, Single and EP reviews | Tagged EP, interview, Josh Taerk, melodic, pop, review, rock, singer songwiter, Stages | Leave a comment

Album review: PUGWASH – Silverlake

Posted on October 27, 2017 by jason

Lojinx [Release date 25.11.17] Pugwash, the brainchild of Thomas Walsh, was a band until earlier this year when he disbanded it and went back to Pugwash being a solo project. However, on this album he finally managed to work with friend and fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, ELO, Jason Falkner, Jellyfish, pop, pop rock, power pop, Pugwash, review, rock, Silvertide, Thomas Walsh, XTC | Leave a comment

Album review: SQUEEZE – The Knowledge

Posted on October 24, 2017 by jason

Love Records [Release date 13.10.17] ‘The Knowledge’ is Squeeze’s third album since they reunited back in 2007 and 2015′s ‘Cradle To The Grave’ received rave reviews, plus saw the band gain more exposure as the album formed the soundtrack to the TV series … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Chris Difford, Glen Tilbrook, pop, pop rock, review, rock, Squeeze, The Knowledge | Leave a comment

Album review: THOMAS LANG – Scallywag Jaz (2 disc expanded edition)

Posted on October 22, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

SFE/Cherry Red [Release date 10.11.17] As we learn from the informative liner notes Tom T. Jones made his first demos in a studio in Birkenhead (Lily Savage’s spiritual home) before returning to his day job as a British Rail joiner. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged 30th anniversary edition, album, expanded, jazz, pop, review, Scallywag Jaz, soul, Thomas Lang | Leave a comment

Album review: LOUISE STEEL – Heartstorm

Posted on October 15, 2017 by jason

Louise Steel Music Louise Steel is a singer/songwriter from Leicester and she is joined by Andrew Dunmore, who played keyboards and wrote/co-wrote much of the music on the album, along with Louise. For a self-release it is very professional, from the CD … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Bonnie Tyler, Heartstorm, Louise Steel, melodic, Pat Benatar, pop, review, Robin Beck, rock | Leave a comment

Album review: SPARKS – Hippopotamus

Posted on October 5, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG [Release date 08.09.17] ‘Hippopotamus’ is a triumph of pop’s true potential over the usual clichéd familiar fare. It’s a cross genre album bursting with creativity, humour and stylistic diversity. The lyrical word plays, eclectic themes and nuanced melodies are … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, art rock, chamber pop, disco, glam, Hippopotamus, lounge, New Wave, pop, pop art, Rebecca Sjöwall, review, rock, Ron Mael, Russell Mael, SPARKS, spoken word | Leave a comment

Album review: THE LAFONTAINES – Common Problem

Posted on October 5, 2017 by jason

Wolf At Your Door Records [Release date 27.10.17] The average Get Ready To ROCK! reader may recoil in horror at the words ‘rap’, however fear not dear reader as the LaFontaines may well use rap a lot but they have … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Common Problem, pop, punk, rap, review, rock, Scotland, the LaFontaines | Leave a comment

Album review: JAMES WARREN – Innocent Bystander

Posted on September 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

David Randall chatted to James Warren in June 2017 about his career. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, 25 June 2017. Angel Air Records [Release date 13.10.17] It’s a good time at the moment for eighties-based music. With … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview | Tagged 80s, album, Innocent Bystander, interview, James Warren, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter, Stackridge, The Kogis | Leave a comment

News: MOLLIE MARRIOTT – radio interview, new album and tour dates (November 2017)

Posted on September 26, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

In this exclusive edit, Mollie Marriott chats to David Randall about the music business, the lead-in to her new album, and the current touring musical ‘All Or Nothing’ for which she provided vocal coaching. (10:27) The full version of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Album News, Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Gigs and Tour News, NEWS | Tagged album, gigs, interview, Joe Brown, Mollie Marriott, November 2017, Paul Weller, pop, radio, rock, singer, songwriter, Steve Marriott, Tour, Truth Is A Wolf | Leave a comment

Album review: MOONLIGHT DESIRES – Just The Hits 1981-1985

Posted on September 16, 2017 by jason

Infamous Butcher Records [Release date 15.09.17] Moonlight Desires hail from Canada and have produced a set of very enjoyable covers, and not the usual suspects either as they have gone for 80′s synth led pop rockers. The band’s name comes from … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 80's music, album, AOR, Corey Hart, Covers, Just The Hits 1981-1985, Lawrence Gowan, melodic, metal, Moonlight Desires, pop, review, rock, Steve Winwood, Styx, Trevor Ziebarth | Leave a comment

Book review: Some Fantastic Place by Chris Difford

Posted on September 14, 2017 by jason

W&N [Publication date 31.08.17] Chris Difford is the lyricist to Glen Tilbrook’s music and arranging in Squeeze, a band who have split up twice and now since reforming again in 2007 seem to be enjoying a purple patch both in terms … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged book, Chris Difford, Glen Tilbrook, memoir, pop, pop rock, review, Some Fantastic Place, Squeeze, W&N | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEAUTIFUL DAYS Festival – Devon, 18-20 August 2017

Posted on September 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Dance Before, During and After the Storm Between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th August 2017 the bizarre, the wonderful and the contradictions of the norm gathered in the grounds of Escot Park to embrace the eclectic bohemian eccentricity that is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 18-20 August, Alison Moyet, Beautiful Days Festival, Devon, Escot Park, festival, folk, gig, Hayseed Dixie, Levellers, New Model Army, Ottery St Mary, pop, review, rock, Sisters Of Mercy | Leave a comment

Album review: JUDIE TZUKE – Peace Has Broken Out

Posted on August 31, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Big Moon Records [Release date 01.09.17] To the casual observer, it may seem a long time since Judie Tzuke’s last studio release – the excellent One Tree Less, some six years ago. But those who’ve followed her more closely will … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged acoustic, album, Judie Tzuke, Peace Has Broken Out, pop, review, rock, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BRUCE COCKBURN, A BLUE FLAME, MORNING STAR

Posted on August 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

BRUCE COCKBURN Bone On Bone True North Records [Release date 15.09.17] Sounds like a name I ought to know, but maybe I’m thinking about ‘Rooster’. But, in reality, Canadian singer songwriter Bruce Cockburn sounds more like a cross between Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A New Flame, album, Americana, blues rock, Bone On Bone, folk, Morning Star, pop, review, Richard Stone, rock, roots, When Your Whole World Turns To Dust | Leave a comment

Gig review: HUE AND CRY Album Launch – PRS Building, King’s Cross, London, 3 August 2017

Posted on August 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

HUE & CRY Album Launch - PRS Building, King

Kicking the night off in great humour, Pat Kane informs his attentive audience that tonight we are to be locked in a room 8 floors above the ground for a 20 minute jazz odyssey. Luckily this was a joke. Instead, … Continue reading →

Posted in GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 3 August 2017, album, funk, gig, Hue And Cry, King's Cross, launch, London, Pat Kane, Pocketful Of Stones, pop, PRS, review | Leave a comment

Album review: HER – Revolution

Posted on August 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

India [Release date 03.06.16] The expectation from the cover art of Revolution – the latest release from native New Yorker Monique Staffile (HER) – blonde ponytails and face half covered by a stars and stripes cowboy bandana dusk mask – … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Her, Monique Staffile, pop, review, Revolution, rock | Leave a comment

Single review: SHARON LAZIBYRD – Don’t Worry

Posted on July 31, 2017 by jason

[Release date 01.09.17] The third single by Sharon Lazibyrd from her upcoming album due later this year. The song features Sharon Lazibyrd on vocals, ukulele, viola and cowbell and she is joined by Damon Bridge (accordion), Kate Bridge (backing vocals), … Continue reading →