Reviews
Adam Cohen (2012)
What Other Guy
Masterful first single from his fourth album for Leonard Cohen's son, Adam Cohen
Altered Images (2022)
Mascara Streakz
Innovative first album in thirty-nine years from acclaimed Glasgow pop outfit Altered Images
AM/FM (2001)
Mutilate Us
Principally a duo, Philadelphia based AM/FM comprise Brian Sokel and long time friend, Michael Parsell. Sokel writes the majority of the material, handles the lead vocals and plays the bulk of the ins
American Music Club (2008)
Decibels and the Little Pills
Heratfelt new single from the American Music Club, the first from 'The Golden Age', their second since their reformation of a few years ago
American Music Club (2008)
All the Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco
Suprisingly upbeat download only latest single from the frequently gloomy the American Music Club
Apples In Stereo (2001)
The Discovery Of A World Inside The Moon
Back in the late sixties a type of music given the title of 'Bubblegum' was frowned upon for not being real music. It was bright, bouncy and had no substance according to those who knew better. Strang
Apples In Stereo (2002)
Velocity Of Sound
Life-saving "poppy fuzzy psych" from the consistently reliable Apples in Stereo
Art Brut (2009)
DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake
Old school punk on latest single from London-based band, Art Brut
Ben Lee (2007)
Ripe
Left-of-centre pop rock from talented Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee which would be more effective still if he had exercised more in the way of quality control
Black Francis (2010)
Nonstoperotik
Patchy, but occasionally compelling and brilliant collection of modern love songs from Pixies front man, Black Francis
Chris Ford (2016)
Good Morning America
Third album from British singer-songwriter Chris Ford which is political and personal but not indispensable
Chuck Prophet (2009)
Let the Freedom Ring
Excellent blues-influenced ninth album from former Green on Red guitarist, Chuck Prophet
Dan Bern (2002)
New American Language
Fifth album from versatile L.A. based singer-songwriter Dan Bern, who draws comparisons Bob Dylan, Tom Ovans and John Otway
Del Amitri (2021)
Fatal Mistakes
Well-crafted and eclectic first album in nineteen years from Glaswegian band Del Amitri
Dropkick Murphys (2010)
Live on Lansdowne, MA
Raucous collection of mainly drinking anthems on exuberant live album and DVD from Boston-based Irish folk-punks, the Dropkick Murphys
Echo And The Bunnymen (2001)
Flowers
'Flowers' is the album by the Bunnymen that truly carries on from where they left off in 1987, when they split up shortly after releasing the eponymous album, which is known to most hardcore fans as t
Echo And The Bunnymen (2005)
Siberia
Immediately classic and definitive new album from Echo and the Bunnymen, their fourth since their reformation in 1997
Echo And The Bunnymen (2005)
Stormy Weather
Strong first single from Echo and the Bunnymen off their new album 'Siberia'
Echo And The Bunnymen (2005)
In The Margins
Second single from Echo and the Bunnymen's new 'Siberia' album, let down slightly by its uninspiring choice of B sides
Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now (2010)
Fixin' the Charts: Volume One
Shallow and throwaway debut album album from Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now, which in reworking several popular standards veers close to parody
Experimental Pop Band (2004)
Tarmac And Flames
Impressive indiepop from former Brilliant Corners' star Davey Woodward's latest group the Experimental Pop Band, which comes closes "to delivering the classic they have only previously hinted at"
Eyes Adrift (2003)
Eyes Adrift
Slow burning "reflective grunge country", featuring former Nirvana bassist, which while initially unappealing, definiely proves to be something of a grower
Grand Duchy (2009)
Seeing Stars
Pop-influenced and upbeat-sounding new single from Grand Duchy, the latest project of the Pixies' Frank Black
Green On Red (2007)
BBC Sessions
Excellent collection of radio sessions recorded for the BBC between 1988 and 1991 by influential American-based country Green On Red
Hayseed Dixie (2010)
Killer Grass
Rewfreshing balance between country and humour on latest album from Hayseed Dixie, whose music merges inspirational covers with original material
Howling Bells (2011)
Into the Sky
Increasingly impressive first single from their forthcoming third album from country infuscd Australian neo-goths, Howling Bells.
Jackie Leven (2003)
Shining Brother / Shining Sister
Eclectic 8th solo album from former Doll by Doll frontman, Jackie Leven, which finds him taking in elements of hip hop , waltz and poetry
Jackie Leven (2001)
Great Songs From Eternal Bars
Former frontman of the early eighties rock band Doll By Doll, Scottish singer/guitarist Jackie Leven has developed into one of our greatest songwriters and storytellers. There are few artists who just
Maria Mckee (2005)
Peddlin' Dreams
Superb sixth solo album from former Lone Justice front woman,Maria McKee
Mary Lorson And Saint Low (2003)
Tricks For Dawn
Largely instrumental, and decidely uncommercial new album from former Madder Rose stars, Mary Lorson and Billy Cote
Minus 5 (2003)
Down With Wilco
Country rock side project of various well-known music personalities, including R.E.M's Peter Buck and the Posies' Ken Stringfellow, but which, despite the personnel involved, proves to be mildly disappointing
Nightingales (2012)
No Love Lost
Fiery and socially aware, yet bleakly comical first album in four years Birmingham-based punks, the Nightingales
Ocean Colour Scene (2010)
Saturday
Somewhat under developed ninth album from Britpop survivors, Ocean Colour Secne
Pere Ubu (2009)
Long Live Pere Ubu
Menacing and visceral combination of punk energy and drama, comedy and art on latest album from Pere Ubu, which takes direct inspiration from the absurdist play 'Bring Me the Head of Ubu Roi'
Pigeon Detectives (2013)
We Met At Sea
Hit and miss fifth album from West Yorkshire-based indie rock band, the Pigeon Detectives
Psychedelic Furs (2020)
Made of Rain
Stunning first album in nearly thirty years from groundbreaking and influential post-punk outfit the Psychedelic Furs
Ron Sexsmith (2020)
Hermitage
Optimistic and subtle seventeenth album from much acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ron Sexsmith
Ryan Adams (2001)
Heartbreaker
The name Ryan Adams may be new to you but you may have heard of the group he led called Whiskeytown. At the moment their future is a little uncertain and it is not even totally clear if they will cont
Saint Low (2001)
Saint Low
Finding that she had a stockpile of songs she felt unsuitable for Madder Rose, songwriter and vocalist Mary Lorson decided to form Saint Low as an outlet for them.
Always in the passenger seat as
Seth Lakeman (2016)
Ballads of the Broken Few
Ambitious new album from violin-playing folk artist and multi-instrumentalist, Seth Lakeman
Shed Seven (2024)
A Matter of Time
Infectiously enthusiastic first album in seven years from 90’s Britpop act Shed Seven
Sophie Ellis-Bextor (2022)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Kitchen Disco - Live at The London Palladium
Energetic and high-spirited but versatile live album from Sophie Ellis-Bextor which was recorded at the London Palladium and inspired by her popular kitchen disco live streams which she recorded during lockdown
Suzanne Vega (2010)
Close-Up, Vol. 1-Love Songs
Fantastic stripped down collection of Suzanne Vega's classic love songs, the first of four themed albums of her music which will be released over the next two years
Suzanne Vega (2016)
Lover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers
Richly constructed and emotionally intellectual album from much acclaimed New York-based singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega about the writer Carson McCullers
Tom McRae (2010)
The Alphabet of Hurricanes
Mournful fifth album from English-based singer-songwriter Tom McRae, whose fragile voice is reminiscent of Nick Drake and Alex Chilton
Undertones (2008)
Dig Yourself Deep
Fine second comeback album from the Undertones, which even without Feargal Sharkeu, would have had John Peel if he was still alive raving about it completely
Various (2015)
Joy of Living: A Tribute to Ewan MacColl
Excellent tribute album to celebrate the centenary of folk singer Ewan MacColl’s birth, which includes covers by artists including Steve Earle, Jarvis Cocker, Billy Bragg, Paul Brady and Damien Dempsey
Waterboys (2020)
Good Luck Seeker
Imaginative and literate latest from the Waterboys which proves to be an album of contrasts
Related
Interviews
Nell Bryden
Interview
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Nell Bryden has recently released her debut album, 'What Does It Take', on Cooking Vinyl. Lisa Torem talks to her about it, her inspirations and her recenr role playing shows to entertain troops in Iraq