The next gathering of the Hundred will take place next Friday, 8th August, from 6 o’clock. The theme this time is cover versions that are better than the original. It would appear a few of you already have ideas to bring along. Excellent work! We will chat, discuss the potential terrible choices of cover songs,…
Led Zeppelin celebrate the 50th anniversary of their iconic sixth album, Physical Graffiti, with the release of their new Live EP. The EP features live recordings of ‘In My Time Of Dying’ and ‘Trampled Under Foot’ from Earl’s Court 1975, alongside ‘Sick Again’ and ‘Kashmir’ from Knebworth 1979. These live performances were originally released…
This week’s six scorchers start with Special Powers, the fifth studio album from North Sea Radio Orchestra (NSRO), which features a mix of songs and instrumentals both large and small from the psych/chamber/folk/pop world that bandleader Craig Fortnam has lived in for a while now. There is a strong emphasis on melody and chord combined…
The Last Dinner Party’s new album, From the Pyre, is a collection of stories, and the concept of album-as-mythos binds them. ‘The Pyre’ itself is an allegorical place in which these tales originate, a place of violence and destruction but also regeneration, passion and light. The songs are character driven but still deeply personal, a…
This week’s pop picks open with Gary Numan, whose Intruder live show at the OVO Arena, Wembley in May 2022 is now presented as A Perfect Circle, referencing his return to the legendary venue. The Blu-ray also features a backstage interview with Gary himself. This iconic show was an electrifying display of innovation, artistry, energy…
Robert Plant calls his new album, Saving Grace, “a song book of the lost and found”. The genesis of the album began during the lockdown in ‘The Shire’, when Plant’s customary wandering was all but forbidden. While his recent adventures have centred around Nashville, having reunited with Alison Krauss for 2021’s chart-topping, multi Grammy-nominated…
The first of this week’s scorchers is You’ll Be Alright, Kid, which shows off Alex Warren’s vocal prowess and evolving sound, bringing his rawest and most authentic energy yet on tracks such as ‘Carry You Home’ and ‘Burning Down’, along with his earth-shattering smash hit single ‘Ordinary’ and newest release ‘Bloodline (with Jelly Roll)’. Known…
On Better Broken, her first new album in 11 years, Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan brings her soulful, spellbinding and transcendent voice to a selection of songs that speak an uncompromising but radically illuminating truth about the state of the human condition. Better Broken ultimately affirms McLachlan as an unparalleled artist whose nuanced perspective and…
The first of this week’s crackers comes from Barry Can’t Swim, whose rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Following the success of his debut album, When Will We Land?, Barry has continued to solidify himself as one of the most exciting names in electronic music today. His hotly anticipated second album, Loner, is the…
Festival-headlining favourites Biffy Clyro make their highly anticipated return with Futique, which delves into our relationship with memory and what we cherish across time. Informed by reflections on the digital age’s impact on memory and the band’s own remarkable journey from teenage friends to alternative rock giants, Futique explores the challenges and enduring connections…