Reviews
Bob Dylan (2009)
Together Through Life
Comfortable-sounding, but lyrically unimaginative and ultimately forgettable latest album from Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (2005)
No Direction Home: The Soundtrack (A Martin Scorsese Picture)
Magical double compilation, released to coincide with Martin Scorsese's recent documentary of the same name, which compiles togther 28 officially previously unreleased Bob Dylan tracks from the era 1961 to 1966
Bobby Gillespie and Jehnny Beth (2021)
Utopian Ashes
Excellent country-influenced new album from Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Savages' singer Jehnny Beth which tells of a crumbling marriage
Bruce Springsteen (2022)
Only the Strong Will Survive
Authentic collection of 60’s and 70’s soul covers from Bruce Springstee
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (2021)
The Legendary 1979 No Nukes Concerts
Breathtaking new live album from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band recorded at two 1979 anti-nuclear concerts at New York City's Madison Square Garden
Buddy Guy (2010)
Living Proof
Magical and seemingly effortless latest album from Chicago-based blues innovator Buddy Guy, which includes guest appearances from BB King and Carlos Santana
Calvin Harris (2022)
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.2
Enjoyable collection of dance anthems which Calvin Harris has recorded with a series of impressive collaborators
Chicks (2020)
Gaslighter
Political first album in fourteen years by multi-Grammy Award and bestselling country artists The Chicks
Crystals (2011)
Da Doo Ron Ron: The Very Best of the Crystals
Extensive retrospective from superb Phil Spector-produced girl group, the Crystals
Darlene Love (2011)
The Sound of Love: The Very Best of Darlene Love
First rate compilation of Darlene Love's hits from the 60's, some with Phil Spector, and both as a solo artist and also with acts such as the Blossoms and the Crystals
Darlene Love (2015)
Introducing Darlene Love
Versatile new album from 60's star Darlene Love which was produced by Steven Van Zandt and features fourteen high-energy tracks written by contemporary and classic songwriters
Depeche Mode (2023)
Memento Mori
Exhilirating and revitalising tour-de-force fifteenth album from Depeche Mode, their first recorded as a two-piece after the death of founder member Andy Fletcher last year
Editors (2007)
Smoke Outside the Hospital Doors
Commanding and clever first single from their second album for the Editors
Foo Fighters (2023)
But Here We Are
Elegiac new album from the Foo Fighters, their first since the death last year of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins.
Gloria Estefan (2020)
Brazil.305
Impressive mix of new songs and reworking of older material in first album in seven years from Latin singer Gloria Estefan
Hope Of States (2003)
Enemies/ Friends
Anthemic and epic new single from the much touted Hope of the States, the new hopes of British alternative rock
I Am Giant (2014)
Science and Survival
Abrasive but enthralling second album from bestselling New Zealand-formed hardcore act, I Am Giant
Janis Ian (2017)
The Essential 2.0
Fine double CD compilation whch is more than illustrative of singer-songwriter Janis Ian’s impressive 52-year career, as it draws from a variety of genres and explores multiple moods
Jayhawks (2009)
Music From The North Country - The Jayhawks Anthology
Fine anthology, which featuring tracks from all six of their studio albums, provides a fantastic introduction to much missed Americana group, the Jayhwaks
Joe Satriani (2015)
Shockwave Supernova
Excellent new album from guitarist Joe Satriani, which features a wealth of thought-provoking, original instrumental compositions
Johnny Cash (2011)
Bootleg 3: Live Around the World
Flawed and mainly inessential double CD of largely unheard material from the late Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash (2011)
Bootleg Vol II: From Memphis to Hollywood
Exploitive and scrappy collection of demos and other unreleased tracks from the late Johnny Cash
Larry Jon Wilson (2008)
Larry Jon Wilson
Stunning first album in 28 years from under-acknowledged, but influential country star Larry Jon Wilson, who shows himself on it to be every bit an equal of Johnny Cash
Letzte Instanz (2009)
Schuldig
Overblown and predictable metal pop on latest album from German hard rock band, Letzte Instanz
Mandoki Soulmates (2020)
Living in the Gap/Hungarian Soulmates
Enthralling double album from prog rock supergoup and collective Mandoki Soulmates which is a cultural and musical revelation
Manic Street Preachers (2004)
Lifeblood
Welcome return from the Manic Street Preachers, whose seventh album proves to be their best since 1996's 'Everything Must Go'
Mew (2009)
No More Stories
Stunning and ultimately uplifting fifth album from experimental Danish indie rock band, Mew
MGMT (2008)
Oracular Spectacular
Ambitious and strong debut album from New York-based band MGMT, which, mixing psychedelic rock, folk and electro-pop, which neverthless is eclipsed by their recent hit single success in the charts
Paul Simon (2023)
Seven Psalms
Rewarding and playful Biblical-inspired new album from Paul Simon
Pistol Annies (2021)
Hell of a Holiday
Irreverent Christmas album from country supergroup the Pistol Annies
Polysics (2009)
Absolute POLYSICS
Frenzied latest album from whirlwind Japanese act Polysics, who have moved from a punkpop to an intense Eurodisco sound
Raveonettes (2005)
Love In A Trash Cab
50's influenced beatnik guitar-rock on second single from the Raveonettes’ third album 'Pretty in Black’
Ronettes (2011)
Be My Baby: The Very Best of
Excellent if unnecessary new compilation from ultimate 60's girl group, the Ronettes
Santana (2012)
Shape Shifter
Excellent largely instrumental latest album from guitar outfit Santana, which is dedicated to Native American Indians
Steve Ellis (2018)
Boom! Bang! Twang!
Former Love Affair singer Steve Ellis is helped out by Paul Weller, Mike D’Abo and members of the Stone Foundation and the Moons to deliver his best solo album to date
Tenille Townes (2023)
Train Track Worktapes
Stripped back EP comprising of songs written and recorded during a charity trip across Canada from country music singer Tenille Townes
Tom Grennan (2023)
What Ifs & Maybes
Upbeat and appealing new album from Brit Award=nominated soul singer-songwriter Tom Drennan
Various (2010)
Nowhere Boy: Original Soundtrack
Flawed, but fascinating double CD album which compiles together songs from the recent John Lennon biopic 'Nowhere Boy' and also some of the songs that influenced the Beatles
Various (2013)
West of Memphis: Voices for Justice
Challenging and thought-provoking album which is the soundtrack to a recent documentary film, which, including tracks from Johnny Depp, Nick Cave and Lucinda Williams, tells the story of the West Memphis Three whom were wrongfully convicted for the murder of three eight year old boys in 1993
Various (2012)
This is BBC Radio 6 Music Live
Superb double CD collection of live performances by musicians including Elbow, Arcade Fire and Amy Winehouse for BBC Radio 6 Music