Tag Archives: review

Quick plays: TAYLOR YOUNG BAND, AUTUMN’S CHILD

AUTUMN'S CHILD - Zenith

TAYLOR YOUNG BAND Mercury Transit Handrawn Records [Release date 08.10.21] Taylor Young drummed for the likes of The O’s, Young Heart Attack and Polyphonic Spree. Now he takes on the role of band leader and is joined by guitarist, vocalist … Continue reading

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Album review: CHRIS FARLOWE & THE THUNDERBIRDS – Stormy Monday & The Eagles Fly On Friday

EPSON scanner image

Repertoire [Release date 28.1.22] This 3CD set brings together more than 50 newly remastered tracks, recorded by the R&B/soul powerhouse Chris Farlowe between 1962 and 1969. It’s an eclectic mix of studio, radio session and live tracks, and a definitive … Continue reading

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Book review: NU METAL A DEFINITIVE GUIDE, ON TRACK…KORN by Matt Karpe

Nu Metal A Definitive Guide

Nu Metal A Definitive Guide SonicBond Publishing [Publication date 24.09.21] Author Matt Karpe has been busy of late with two of his books published in quick succession. This Nu Metal guide is very comprehensive and a perfect introduction to a … Continue reading

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Book review: THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE ROCK SOUND SYSTEMS – Volume 2 by Chris Hewitt

Chris Hewitt - The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems Volume 2

Dandelion Records & Books  [Publication date 08.01.22] Chris Hewitt’s second volume of “The Development of Large Rock Sound Systems” is a lavishly illustrated, 500 photograph strong opus which charts the rise of big PA systems in rock music. It further … Continue reading

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News: Albums of the Month (October 2021 – December 2021)

Albums of the Month (October-December 2021)

DEEP PURPLE Turning To Crime (earMUSIC) While the production is big, solid and bright, there’s also a live-in-the-studio feel, like it was recorded quickly and spontaneously. Listen with open ears and the album shows the band on great form, and … Continue reading

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Album review: THE MURDER OF MY SWEET – A Gentleman’s Legacy

murder sweet legacy

Frontiers [Release date: 10.12.21] The Murder Of My Sweet’s latest release, A Gentleman’s Legacy, is a concept album, with a plot worthy of some of the better psychological thriller writers we may have encountered over the years. The band is … Continue reading

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Album review: CAP OUTRUN – High On Deception

CapOutrun-HighonDeception-cover2021

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] Swedish rock band, Cap Outrun’s debut album integrates Progrock with Melodic Rock. A bold mix of nostalgia and modernism. One of the prime reasons for Progrock’s popularity is the music’s illusion of improvisation. You’re not quite … Continue reading

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Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021

Gig review: BAD TOUCH – O2 Islington Academy, London, 2 December 2021

The gig was in the upstairs portion of Academy, which is more intimate than the main ground floor venue and provided for a vibrant, enthusiastic atmosphere. Something Piston appeared to thrive on. Their short, powerful set was packed with crowd … Continue reading

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Book review: On Track…ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA by Barry Delve

Sonicbond Publishing [Publication date 03.12.21] After a highly readable book on Queen a couple of years ago Sonicbond now publish a book based on my other all-time favourite band the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Wisely Barry Delve focusses solely on … Continue reading

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EP review: THIRD LUNG – Dialogues Of The Fatal Few

Third Lung

Facebook [Release date 26.11.21] We enjoyed Reading four piece Third Lung’s 2019 EP ‘Sooner Or Later’ here at Ritchie towers and I was delighted to read they have a new EP out. The EP is a compilation of singles, plus … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING – October Is Marigold

DAVID CROSS & ANDREW KEELING - October Is Marigold

Noisy Records [Release date 03.12.21] David Cross releases fine instrumental music via his own Noisy Records imprint. Cross was with King Crimson in the 1970s whilst Keeling has scored new versions of the band’s repertoire.  You’d expect that their music … Continue reading

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Feature: An introduction to Christmas (rock) Music

Jethro Tull - The Christmas Album

Christmas comes but once a year, and with it the usual mixed bag of toons.  But not for us the familiar stylings of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ or ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’.  We like to dig deep, a bit like … Continue reading

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Album review : STAHLMANN – Quarz

stahlmann quarz cover

AFM Records [release date: 10.12.21] 7th album from German band, Stahlmann. When Rammstein released their first album, in 1995, the German music press coined a new phrase, Neue Deutsch Harte. NDH became a cutting edge calling card for other bands … Continue reading

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Album review: MERCURY X – Imprisoned

mercury x

Frontiers [release date 10.12.21] In straddling the border between Progmetal and Symphonic Rock, Swedish band, Mercury X have staked out a fertile chunk of territory. This is their debut album (excluding two independent releases). It remains to be seen if … Continue reading

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EP review: ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

ROLY WITHEROW – Down By The River

Website [Release date 03.12.21] Roly Witherow is a prolific and acclaimed composer in the world of film, theatre and TV. Roly released his debut album ‘Ballads and Yarns’ in 2020, which he now follows-up with this new five-track EP. Roly … Continue reading

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Gig review: FISH – Cambridge Junction, 18 November 2021

FISH – Islington Assembly Hall, London, 15 December 2017

After four decades, four studio albums with Marillion and eleven solo albums it’s drawing close to Fish winding down a long and storied musical career that has seen the towering Scotsman touch the hearts of countless thousands around the globe. … Continue reading

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Album review: JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE – Live at Saffron Hall

JAMES WHITE & THE WILD FIRE – Live at Saffron Hall

Facebook [Release date 19.11.21] James White & The Wild Fire formed in 2020 and musically are a blend of country, bluegrass, indie and Americana, hailing from Saffron Walden, Essex. The group consists of James White (vocals and guitar), Brooke Bond … Continue reading

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Album review: DEEP PURPLE – Turning To Crime

DEEP PURPLE - Turning To Crime

earMusic [Release date 26.11.21] The rock legends’ 22nd studio album and it comes only a year after the critically acclaimed Whoosh (one of the band’s best albums in their 50+ years). Clearly at a loose end or two during the … Continue reading

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Album Review: AFTERLIGHT (Thea Gilmore) – Afterlight

Afterlight

Mighty Village Records [Release date: 01.10.21] What’s a woman to do when the life that you’ve led for over twenty years reveals itself over time to be a stifling, coercive relationship that’s dominated your life and musical career? The answer … Continue reading

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Book review: On track – Decades – ERIC CLAPTON, PORCUPINE TREE, LED ZEPPELIN, GENESIS, YES

On track...ERIC CLAPTON SOLO

Sonicbond Publishing The On Track series continues unabated and this – and the companion series ‘Decades’ – to a large extent reflects the enthusiasm of the publisher Stephen Lambe and his band of individual authors. Whilst we are frequently critical … Continue reading

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Album review: JULIAN LITTMAN – Goblin Market Music

JULIAN LITTMAN - Goblin Market Music

Website [Release date 01.12.21] Steeleye Span’s Julian Littman has created a concept album based on Christina Rossetti’s famous 19th Century poem ‘Goblin Market’. In addition, author John Matthews set out to adapt the themes in the poem to create a … Continue reading

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Album review: THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Best Of

THORBJORN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO – Best Of

Ruf [Release date 21.09.21] If there’s still a debate about the merits of European blues as opposed to its American antecedents, then Denmark’s Thorbjørn Risager  & The Black Tornado have finally kicked the argument into touch with this stellar ‘Best … Continue reading

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Gig review: MARILLION – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 26 November 2021

MARILLION – Hammersmith Apollo, London, 26 November 2021

Marillion are one of the hardest working live bands around and no surprise that they have wasted little time in getting back on the road after their enforced pandemic hiatus. Tonight was the first of a brace of gigs at … Continue reading

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Album review: MANIMAL – Armageddon

manimal armageddon

AFM Records [Release date 3.12.21] Armageddon is Swedish Power Metal band, Manimal’s 6th release. What it lacks in subtlety, it makes up for in bravado and sheer power, with the rough edges sanded down by a bunch of resilient, tough … Continue reading

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Gig review: SKERRYVORE – Arlington Arts Centre, Friday November 26 2021

skerryvore2

Possibly the most tartan on display south of the border outside of an Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop, Celtic folk rockers Skerryvore were in town for a Friday night to remember. Skerryvore consist of Alec Dalglish (vocals, guitar & the band’s … Continue reading

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