Life-Changing Music: Roni Size/Reprazent – New Forms (Mercury Records, 1997)
Although release in 1997, it was late in ’99 when I discovered a new obsession. I was aware of drum’n’bass from school mates but was then a serious guitar freak. … Continue reading
Album of the Year: Beady Belle – Cricklewood Broadway (Jazzland Recordings 2013)
Forsaking the folk/country experiments of recent albums, Beady Belle returns with a fascinating concept album, based on Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth. Here, the Norwegian electronic jazz poppers have managed … Continue reading
20th anniversary focus: Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream (Virgin 1993)
Seeing that it’s Halloween, and some unlucky households will be dining on their fair share of the orange fleshed gourd, now’s a more than timely reflection on a certain Chicago … Continue reading
Volcano Choir – Repave (Jagjaguwar Records 2013)
Nowadays, the TV seems packed with adverts appealing to touchy feely twenty-to-thirtysomethings, promoting the latest smartphone or finest oak-aged whiskey, replete with young beardy men in open weave knitwear. Volcano … Continue reading
20th anniversary focus: A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders (Jive 1993)
The greatest all-rounders in rap A Tribe Called Quest have reunited again for some touring just as their classic third album reaches its 20th birthday. The ‘funky diabetic’ Phife Dawg, DJ … Continue reading
Depeche Mode – Delta Machine (Columbia/Mute 2013)
The kings of alternative synth-pop submitted studio album number thirteen earlier this year, and now that Depeche Mode are into their promotional world tour, I should give Delta Machine a … Continue reading
Level 42 – The Ultimate Collection [2CD] (Polydor 2002) & [3CD Box Set] (Polydor 2003)
Level 42 – The Ultimate Collection [2CD] (Polydor 2002) Spanning two decades from the Early Tapes to Forever Now , this brilliant two-CD goes a long way in improving upon … Continue reading
Depeche Mode 2013 World Tour: Classic Live Album Reflection: 101 (Mute, 1989)
With the prospect of another rare world tour, it’s appropriate to revisit this classic live two-CD, documenting one of Depeche Mode’s career highlights, performing to 80,000 souls at the Rose … Continue reading
The Stooges – Fun House [2CD Remastered Edition] (Rhino Records/Elektra, 2005)
The crunchy raucous Stooges are well represented on this reissue of their second studio album, first released in 1970. Not quite “The Definitive Rock Album of America” as boasted … Continue reading
Iggy And The Stooges – Raw Power [Deluxe 3CD/DVD Edition] (Columbia/Legacy, 2010)
For the collectors, Sony Legacy has released this commemorative box set dedicated to the most important proto-punk album ever. Very much a grower, the album was a flop in its … Continue reading
Sandy Rivera – House Masters (ITH/Defected, 2009)
This House Masters edition gives Kings Of Tomorrow’s Sandy Rivera the DJ-friendly unmixed two-CD compilation treatment, featuring 20 full length clubby house tracks, most pleasingly centred around releases from … Continue reading
Queens Of The Stone Age – Rated Rx [Deluxe Edition] (Interscope Records, 2010)
A fantastic version of a fantastic record, with more or less everything you could wish for in a deluxe edition of a ten year old release. The brilliant 11 … Continue reading
Beady Belle – Closer (Jazzland, 2005)
Beady Belle have the knack of always giving you just enough and never too much. And we have here another short, perfectly formed collection lifting off with the brooding … Continue reading
Beady Belle – Home (Jazzland, 2001)
The first Beady Belle album, a Norwegian collaboration between singer/multi-instrumentalist Beate S. Lech and bassist Marius Reksjø, is a fantastic mix of perfectly dreamy singer song-writing and snappy electronica, with a … Continue reading
10th Anniversary Reflection: Beady Belle – CEWBEAGAPPIC (Jazzland Records, 2003)
The second Beady Belle album sees the group settle more rather than throw brilliant ideas around as in their debut. This is no problem, since we are treated with some … Continue reading
40th Anniversary Reflection: Iggy & The Stooges – Raw Power
Strap on your crash hat and get some ‘Raw Fucking Power’ It’s February 2013, and 20 years ago Nirvana’s Kurt, Krist and Dave were thrashing out In Utero in the studio. In his Journals, … Continue reading
Everything Everything – Arc (RCA Victor, 2013)
Amping up the eccentricity on the ‘difficult second album’ Everything Everything are one of the most inventive UK guitar bands of the last 5 years. Their curious vocals and enthusiastic … Continue reading
Soundgarden – King Animal (Mercury, 2012)
Soundgarden’s perfect Seattle mix of Sabbath and Zeppelin rises once again in their first album for sixteen years. Since their recent reforming, the band have kicked off their comeback with … Continue reading
Phonograph Dave 