What does it sound like?:

The first Red Hot Chili Peppers album in five years, a belated follow up to 2011’s I’m With You, and the eleventh album of their career.

After twenty-five years at the controls, Danger Mouse replaces Rick Rubin as producer (making it the first non Rubin produced album since 1989’s Mother’s Milk), while Nigel Godrich of Radiohead fame handles mixing duties.

The music veers from readily recognisable bass driven funk to yearning orchestral balladry, while a distinct psychedelic influence rears it head at various points in the proceedings. More good news is there’s a lot less filler on here than on some previous albums.

The band appear adventurous and energised throughout, as they attempt to almost reinvent themselves and revamp their sound whilst not losing sight of their signature motifs. Indeed, it would be fair to say that the tracks that take their sound into new directions are the most successful here. Check out stand out tracks such as Sick Love, Go Robot and Dark Necessities for the more familiar sound, or Feasting on the Flowers and The Longest Wave for something a little different.

What does it all *mean*?

A subtle, intimate and expressive » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

After a bit of a sticky patch, Weezer returned to form about eighteen months ago with the release of Everything Will Be Alright In The End. Now they’re back with this, their tenth studio album. Another album arriving so relatively soon after the previous one might raise a few eyebrows, but any concerns are soon allayed when the album kicks into gear.

This is very much a summer album, a finely crafted selection of pop/rock songs with a definite influence of The Beach Boys throughout.

At only thirty-four minutes in length, it is a relatively brief listen, but not one of those minutes is wasted. Song after song is brimming with ideas and invention, the unconventional route usually being chosen ahead of the more conventional one.

Apart from the immediate rush provided by the singles, some of the material is perhaps not as immediate as things they’ve done in the past, but repeated listening definitely bears fruit as the songs really grow on you, worming themselves into your subconscious – you’ll be humming them before you know it!

What does it all *mean*?

This is an album that harks back to the band’s superb » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

BJH’s 1974 album has been reissued in the now standard 2 cd plus dvd configuration.

It’s a long long time since I last heard this all the way through, and some parts have stood the test of time better than others. It’s probably best known for the two pieces that bookended the original album, Child of the Universe and For No One. Sadly the original multi track master tapes of For No One have been lost, so that song does not appear on the new stereo mix of the album on cd 2, nor on the 5.1 and 96khz/24 bit versions on the accompanying DVD – a great shame as it neatly rounded off the original album and is one of the better songs on here.

Bonus tracks include the US single version of Child of the Universe recorded in early 1975, early mixes of Negative Earth and The Great 1974 Mining Disaster, and Woolly Wolstenholme’s only writing contribution Maestoso, which was omitted from the original album.

The booklet restores the album artwork to its original form, and includes an interesting essay, which is well worth a read.

What does it all *mean*?

» Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

A 2 CD & 2 DVD set recorded on Hackett’s 2015 tour, celebrating both the fortieth anniversary of the release of his debut Voyage Of The Acolyte album and also his latest studio work Wolflight.

The show is divided into two sets. The first showcases his solo catalogue, covering material from his debut and continuing through the years until we reach his most recent album. Highlights for me include great takes on Spectral Mornings, Icarus Ascending and Ace of Wands, before concluding with a storming version of Shadow Of The Hierophant, featuring a guest appearance by Amanda Lehmann.

The second set pays tribute to his work with Genesis, and covers the whole gamut from the familiar classics to some surprising selections of less often played material. As you’d expect, Hackett and his band, again featuring Nad Sylvan on vocals (and a special mention for Roine Stolt for an outstanding performance on bass and various guitars) immaculately and faithfully perform the songs. Any set list that includes, among others, The Musical Box, Firth of Fifth and best of all Cinema Show, has got a lot going for it!

The concert is reproduced in full on » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

When Steve Vai released Passion and Warfare back in 1990, it was hailed as one of the groundbreaking instrumental albums of that era. His virtuosity on the guitar, as demonstrated here, raised the bar for all aspiring musicians.

However, wind back six years to 1984 when Vai had just released his first album, a homemade affair titled Flex-Able . That was a very different affair to its successor, so much so that different people could have made the two albums.

The new disc in this package, Modern Primitive, shows at last the route from one to the other. Vai has finally completed the song sketches and works in progress he recorded in that period. They are a mixed bag for sure, showcasing wildly differing styles, some conventional, some wildly experimental – and consequently of course some work better than others. However it is fascinating to hear these songs finally brought to fruition.

Passion and Warfare has been remastered, and comes with four previously unreleased bonus tracks from those sessions – and twenty five years down the line it still sounds as jaw dropping as ever. Check out for example pieces like The Animal, For » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

A rather left field offering from Hackett, this album was originally released back in 1994 when for a while there was a vogue for rock guitarists to issue blues based tribute albums.

This album showcases a different aspect of his playing, and while he’s obviously not a natural blues player, he acquits himself well on this mixture of covers and originals, adapting his style to suit the occasion – Big Dallas Sky is probably closest to typical Hackett.

His vocals are a bit of a mixed bag, as he doesn’t have the strongest of voices for this type of material, but overall he does a decent job.

The original album is augmented by two new tracks specially recorded for this reissue.

What does it all *mean*?

He plays a mean harmonica – who knew!

Goes well with…

Not really for fans of his usual prog style work, but his enthusiasm for this music shines through nonetheless.

Might suit people who like…

Hackett, blues.

What does it sound like?:

Perversely, Anthony Phillips released this Orwell inspired album in 1981. Now available in the familiar 2 cd plus DVD format, this set follows the usual pattern of the first disc being a remastered version of the original album, the second has the outtakes and other bonus tracks and the DVD has the 5.1 mix.

This is a keyboard/synthesiser dominated mainly instrumental album, and was a radical departure from the pastoral feel of Phillips’ previous work.

At the time, Phillips was also working on the soundtrack for the documentary series Rule Britannia, and that material appears on the second cd, along with the keyboard based piece Ascension, demos for all the tracks on the finished album and a further sixteen minute demo Poly Piece, originally intended for the Sides album, but eventually not used on that album or its successor.

A comprehensive 24 page illustrated booklet restores the original album’s artwork and features comprehensive notes and an essay- there’s even a poster thrown in for good measure!

What does it all *mean*?

The experimental electronic sound of this piece divided opinion among fans at the time, but maybe is due for a re-evaluation.

Goes » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

When a set kicks off with an absolute classic like Maybe I’m Amazed, you know you’re in for a real treat.

Over the course of two and a half hours, this two cd set covers the whole era of McCartney’s solo work, going back as far as the first solo album from way back in 1970 and coming completely up to date with Hope For The Future, his 2014 song taken from the soundtrack of the Destiny game.

All his studio albums are covered with the exception of Run Devil Run, Driving Rain and Flowers In The Dirt. While it’s understandable he wants to gloss over Driving Rain, which was intertwined with his marriage to Heather Mills, it’s rather odd that nothing was selected from the very good Flowers In The Dirt, although there is apparently a deluxe version of that album in the works.

As well as the plethora of chart hits, too numerous to mention, it’s also great to hear again lesser known songs such as Arrow Through Me from Back To The Egg and Jenny Wren from Chaos & Creation In The Back Yard. There’s even room for The Fireman piece » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

The final one of the three expanded reissues. 1980’s Defector has the same band as on the previous year’s Spectral Mornings album, and was Hackett’s highest charting album, reaching the top ten.

The original album has two bonus tracks added, the stand outs being the atmospheric opener The Steppes and the rocky Hercules Unchained.

Disc two has Steve’s set from the 1980 Reading festival, while the DVD has a pseudo 5.1 mix derived from the original stereo master tapes.

As with the other reissues, a decent booklet rounds off this set.

What does it all *mean*?

For me, this album is not quite as good as Spectral Mornings, but nevertheless it is still worth checking out for its highpoints.

Goes well with…

Other Hackett albums, as showcased in the Premonitions box set. A chance to get this album as a standalone item if you don’t want to buy the full set.

Might suit people who like…

Hackett, Genesis.

What does it sound like?:

A year after the release of Please Don’t Touch, Hackett was back with Spectral Mornings, now re-released in the same expanded format as its predecessor.

This time Hackett dispensed with the guest artists used to such good effect the previous year, and went into the studio with his touring band, having already road tested some of the material on offer here.

As a consequence, the musicians sound very tight and there are some standout performances in this album of contrasting styles – a special mention for the excellent title track..

As with others in this series, the first cd has the original album in remastered form, lengthened by the inclusion of three bonus tracks, while cd 2 has Steven Wilson’s new stereo mix. As always, the DVD has Wilson’s 5.1 mix, which is quite a noticeable improvement on the original.

A neat booklet with some informative notes gives a nice overall package.

What does it all *mean*?

Arguably, this is a more Genesis sounding follow up to Wind and Wuthering than And Then There Were Three was.

Goes well with…

Unlikely to win over any new converts, but if you didn’t get the Premonitions » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

The first solo album released by Steve Hackett after his departure from Genesis, this 1978 release is given the deluxe reissue treatment in the usual two cd plus DVD format.

The first disc presents the original album plus three bonus tracks, while the second has a new stereo mix of the original album by Steven Wilson. The DVD has Wilson’s new 5.1 surround mix.

Hackett has been quoted as saying he wanted to be invisible on this album, and just to be the catalyst. This is indeed the case as the album presents samples of various differing styles of music, with extensive and sometimes surprising use of guest vocalists – Steve Walsh of Kansas, Richie Havens, and even Randy Crawford all put in appearances alongside Hackett himself.

Stand out tracks include Narnia, sung by Walsh, and Icarus Ascending, performed by Havens. Carry On Up The Vicarage is standard Genesis whimsical English eccentricity, while the instrumental title track is a piece rejected from the band’s last studio album featuring Hackett, 1977’s Wind and Wuthering.

An enjoyable album well repackaged with a nice booklet and artwork.

What does it all *mean*?

For those who didn’t invest » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

For the past month I’ve been immersing myself in this mammoth three cd plus dvd set.

Three different shows from the summer of 1973, each capturing Van Morrison at the top of his game, accompanied by the eleven piece Caledonia Soul Orchestra.

Each show has a slightly different ambience, but although all three excel, for me the show at The Rainbow is the pick of the bunch. Five songs from that cd also appear on the DVD, together with a further four performances not featured on the cd.

The set list varies from show to show, some songs appearing in several incarnations, others only once. All the performances though are previously unreleased, so there is no overlap with the original ‘It’s Too Late To Stop Now’ double album, which is also being re-released separately in remastered form as Volume 1 in this series.

What does it all *mean*?

What can I say – this is a superbly put together set, which has been well worth the long wait. This is a hard act to follow, but hopefully more reissues of the studio albums in similar expanded form will now follow

Goes well with…

» Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Almost three hours of the Dead spread over three cds – your heart will either sink or sing at that prospect.

Recorded at the band’s first run of appearances at the Red Rocks amphitheatre, the set encompasses the usual classics – Bertha, Deal, Eyes of the World, The Other One, Wharf Rat and Terrapin Station to name but a few highlights – and also gives an airing to less frequently performed pieces such as It Must Have Been The Roses and Ship of Fools. Proceedings are brought to a rousing finale with a cover of Warren Zevon’s Werewolves of London.

In an ideal world, I would have preferred Fire On The Mountain/Scarlet Begonias to Estimated Prophet, but hey, you can’t have everything!

This is a superb performance by the band and comes well packaged with the usual great artwork.

What does it all *mean*?

1978 was a busy year for the Dead with the release of the Shakedown Street album and 80 or so live shows, including the performances at the Pyramids, and this set captures them firing on all cylinders.

Goes well with…

Other shows in the 1978 box – this was » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

The Highwaymen – country’s very own version of the supergroup. Between the mid 80s and the mid 90s Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings enjoyed global domination of the country stage.

The first two discs of this three cd set capture them in concert at Nassau Colisseum in 1990, the full concert also being reproduced in pristine quality on the accompanying DVD.

As well as performing compositions from the band’s own albums, which show great interplay between the group members, the set also allows each man to take a turn showcasing their solo material. For me, it’s Cash and Kristofferson who come up trumps here with super versions of Folsom Prison Blues and Me and Bobby McGee respectively.

The final cd has performances from Farm Aid in 1992 and 1993, plus an unreleased studio version of Dylan’s One Too Many Mornings.

Great package that has been very well put together.

What does it all *mean*?

We’ll not see the like of legendary figures like these again.

Goes well with…

Other country or country influenced rock.

Might suit people who like…

Fans of the individual artists or those who may » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

The first official live album from the original line up of the band, this double cd set proclaims itself to be 100% live with no overdubs.

The concerts featured are from Houston in 1977 and Wembley in 1979, when the band were promoting two of the weaker albums in their catalogue, namely Burnin’ Sky and Desolation Angels respectively.

As such, the earlier marterial featured on both cds is the highlight here – there is not much duplication of songs (only two), although each cd does contain a (mercifully brief) drum solo.

All the well known songs are here, and the Wembley cd also features for unknown reasons a version of Hey Joe from a US gig recorded later in that same year.

There is a nice informative booklet although it doesn’t make clear if these performances represent the full shows – I suspect probably not though.

What does it all *mean*?

A good and enjoyable listen for lovers of this genre of classic British seventies rock, although one feels these shows capture the band at the beginning of the downward slope in their career rather than at the height of their powers. Nevertheless, » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Pub quiz question – which band made their debut with a live album, which subsequently turned out to be their only release?

It was of course Badger, the Yes offshoot featuring keyboardist Tony Kaye and bassist David Foster (co-author of Sweet Dreams and Time and a Word) .

This 1973 release has now been remastered and is officially released on cd in the UK for the first time.

Co-produced by Jon Anderson, the album features highlights from the band’s shows supporting Yes at the Rainbow in December 1972, shows which were filmed for the Yessongs concert film.

Don’t expect Yes type music from this though – instead the band produce a blues based rock sound, jointly led by guitar and keyboards.

The booklet, as well as reproducing Roger Dean’s original artwork, includes a new essay on the band.

Sadly there’s no bonus material on offer, but this is an album that still sounds good over forty years later.

What does it all *mean*?

Alas, the pop up badger, which lived within the original album’s gatefold sleeve, does not make an appearance!

Goes well with…

Other music of that era.

Might suit » Continue Reading.