Sparkle Hard, the new album from Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks, is light ’n’ breezy, head-down heavy, audacious, melancholic and reflective, good-time and bodacious, and it pulls off the smartest trick: it’s both unmistakeably The Jicks and – due to the streamlining of their trademark tics and turns, plus the introduction of some unexpected flourishes…
We start our 6 of the best for 20 April with Volunteer, yet another fine example of how Old Crow Medicine Show remains one of the most vibrant and forward-thinking traditional bands of their time. Released 50 years after being recorded, Live At The Fillmore East 1968 captures two blistering performances at the legendary New…
Recorded with his band in Manchester at his Crazy Face studios, Call The Comet is the third solo record from former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, and follows the critically acclaimed The Messenger (2013) and Playland (2014), both of which made the UK top 10. “Call The Comet is set in the not-too-distant future,” says Marr,…
We’ve got six gems for you due on 13 April. First up is US folk icon John Prine with The Tree Of Forgiveness, his first album of original material for thirteen years. 40 years on, punk legends The Damned are, unbelievably, still with us! David Vanian and Captain Sensible worked with Tony Visconti on Evil…
Arctic Monkeys return with their new album, entitled Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino. The album was produced by James Ford and Alex Turner, and recorded in Los Angeles, Paris and London. Track listing: Star Treatment / One Point Perspective / American Sports / Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino / Golden Trunks / Four Out Of…
The first of our recommended releases this week is Sex & Food, listening to which leaves you filled with pleasure; as always Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s work is hardly simple, but it’s a riot of rich harmonies and Prince-like virtuosity casually deployed. Kylie’s fourteenth studio album, Golden, is the result of an intensive working trip to…
Pink Floyd re-release their 1971 compilation album Relics and their 1995 UK Number 1 live album Pulse, both pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl. Both albums were remastered in 2018 by James Guthrie, Joel Plante and Bernie Grundman. Relics, Pink Floyd’s first ‘compilation’ album, includes singles, B-sides, tracks from their first three albums – The Piper…
This week’s six recommendations kick of with the deep baritone and gothic Americana of Micah P. Hinson, and Live At The BBC is exactly what it says on the tin. Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new album, Sometimes Just The Sky, is effectively a celebration of her acclaimed 30-year recording career and all the better for it.…
Producer/singer/songwriter Neko Case has won a large and loyal audience for her smoky, sophisticated vocals and the downcast beauty of her music. Now more than 23 years into her musical calling, Case is the consummate career artist – fearless and versatile, with a fierce work ethic and a constant drive to search deeper within herself…
This week’s garden of earthly delights opens with Boarding House Reach, an album with a spontaneous approach that takes Jack White all over the genre board. There’s moments of glitchy neo-funk, experimental gospel – yes, experimental – and a very strong influence from early ’90s hip-hop. Basically, it’s the result of one of the music…