New releases are getting thin on the ground as Christmas approaches, but here are some gems out next week. First up are Copenhagen’s foremost aural travellers, Papir, who conjure vast and melodic soundscapes using only guitar, bass and drums. One of the most unique bands in the modern European psych rock scene, they continue to innovate as they refine their sound with each album. IX is a wide-open record in every sense, from the flowing compositions – which linger but never overstay, jam and unfold organically – to the wonderful airy production. Terms like post-rock, ambient rock, psychedelia and krautrock may circle their sound, but none quite capture its shimmering, elusive magic.
Quatermass III was born from the people who brought you World of Twist, Earl Brutus and The Dials, the British Experimental Rocket Group and Science Monthly. The album’s first single, ‘Room at the Top’ is inspired by the JG Ballard short story ‘Billenium’ (1962), a bleak dystopian narrative that explores the oppression of urban spaces, dodgy rented property and overpopulation. Nothing bleak about this track though, it belts out its intentions with bubble vox, soaring guitars and Devil’s Interval chord changes. It’ll blow your bloody doors off.
Long March Through the Jazz Age is the final album by The Saints. It’s a moving farewell and a testament to Chris Bailey: a restless, uncompromising artist who always moved forward, one of rock’s great lyricists and iconoclasts. Recorded in late 2018 by Bailey and long-time Saints drummer Pete Wilkinson with a handpicked ensemble of Sydney’s most exciting young horn, string and keyboard players, it grew into a deeply human snapshot of modern times. The album marks the end of Chris Bailey and The Saints’ remarkable journey over five decades of music-making and rule-defying.
In 1975, Neil Young released Tonight’s the Night, widely regarded as one of the masterpieces in his catalogue. The album was recorded in 1973, following the major success of Harvest, but was not released for two years. The 50th anniversary deluxe limited edition includes 6 bonus tracks along with an unreleased original version of ‘Lookout Joe’ recorded during the original 1973 album sessions at S.I.R. in Los Angeles, which replaces the version recorded at Young’s Broken Arrow Studio that was included on the original album.
Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Morrison and Steve Stevens delivered the two instant classics that appear on this amazing double A-side picture disc vinyl release: the smash hit ‘Crack Cocaine’ that reached #1 on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart and #2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart; and Gods of Rock n Roll, the Top Ten hit on both charts that saw Ozzy, Billy and Steve do it again with a 57-piece orchestra in what is being hailed as Ozzy’s farewell.
Widely acclaimed as not just the greatest live heavy metal album of all time but one of the most iconic live releases in any musical genre, our release of the week is Live After Death, which was recorded during Iron Maiden’s performances at Los Angeles’ Long Beach Arena in March 1985 and Hammersmith Odeon in October 1984. The deluxe 40th anniversary edition contains two 140g colour LPs (one blue, the other yellow) featuring the 2015 audio remastering and is packaged in the original gatefold artwork. The package also includes a replica 24-page World Slavery Tour programme, bringing to life the original programme for a new generation, and a replica tour pass plus a glossy 12-page booklet, which expands the original booklet with a brand-new exclusive essay entitled ‘Rime and Punishment: Celebrating 40 Years of Live After Death’, where Iron Maiden fan-club editor Alexander Milas interviews Steve Harris, Nicko McBrain, Rod Smallwood and acclaimed illustrator Derek Riggs about the legendary album.
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