There will be no weekly album releases until the new year now. Instead I will highlight a few of the albums I have enjoyed this year. I have some in stock and I can easily order any others you’re interested in. There is no order to these, just what I think have been great albums. Some you may agree with (possibly), some you may hate (probably), and some you might never have heard of (almost certainly)!
If you would like to let me know your favourite albums of the year, please email them to me. I can compile a list if anyone is at all interested.
Here’s this week’s six:
- Turnstile Never Enough CD £13.99 / LP £34.99
- This came out in June. For me it was an immediate attention grabber. Known as a bit of a hardcore punk band, this album spans several genres: alternative rock, metal, ambient, art rock. Bits sound like the Police, Rush, Rage Against The Machine, etc. Their superb Glastonbury performance helped sell a few more copies.
- I have the CD in stock, the LP can be ordered. I’ve also got a couple of back catalogues in stock.
- Marconi Union The Fear of Never Landing CD £14.99 / LP £35.99
- Ambient, electronic immersive soundscape goodness: 55 minutes of music separated into 9 pieces. I’ve played this a hell of a lot in the shop. ‘Cloud Surfing’ is 10 minutes of total bliss. Superb.
- The LP is in stock.
- Steven Wilson The Overview CD £12.99 / LP £25.99 / Blu-ray £18.99
- Those who know me know that Mr Wilson is one of my musical heroes, for his solo stuff, Porcupine Tree and his incredible Atmos mixes. This album is just two 20-minute full-blown prog tracks. Live, it is an immense beast. Hints of the prog greats Yes and Pink Floyd and electronic greats Tangerine Dream are all over this as well as Steven’s signature sound. If you have an Atmos set-up then the Blu-ray version will blow your mind.
- Blu-ray in stock; LP and CD can be ordered.
- Self Esteem A Complicated Woman CD £14.99 / LP £29.99
- The third album by Rebecca Lucy Taylor, better known as Self Esteem, is full of huge great pop songs, and makes swearing in a song into a massive sing-a -long. Again, another great Glastonbury set. This has been a huge year for her and rightly so.
- The LP and CD can be ordered.
- Gary Numan 1000: Live at The Electric Ballroom CD + Blu-ray £29.99 / 3-LP £49.99
- Gary’s landmark 1000th show was recorded for both Blu-ray and LP. It features a fantastic set list from throughout his career – full of bangers as the hip kids say, and it sounds wonderful. He released another live collection a few months before this, which is just as good!
- The LP in stock; the CD and Blu-ray can be ordered.
- AVKRVST Waving at the Sky CD £13.99 / LP £25.99
- The debut album from the Norwegian prog metallers was my favourite album of 2023, and this year’s follow-up is one of my favourites too. I’m pleased that a few regulars purchased this on my recommendation or by hearing it in the shop. It’s recommended if you like Porcupine Tree and Opeth. I sold more copies of this than the new albums by both Van Morrison and Neil Young combined. New music is the future!
- The LP and CD are in stock.