Devin Townsend - Zē (Album Review)

We really should take a moment to appreciate Devin Townsend's sheer relentlessness. Since reactivating in 2009 from the ashes of Strapping Young Lad, this unsung musical hero has released 10 discs of studio material, three elaborate box-sets and a boatload of random goodies, including flip-flops and foldable frisbees. Basically, Hevy Devy has been ploughing forward full speed for five years now, resulting in the culmination of the journey: 'Z²'.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Restorations - 'LP3' (Album Review)

Restorations, since putting out their first 7” five years or so ago, have built brick by brick, releasing guitar-heavy, Americana-indebted rock songs that took root in Philadelphia’s punk scene and blossomed into something bigger than their initial part-time plans allowed for.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2014

The Ting Tings - Super Critical (Album Review)

As much as the difficult second album is a major hurdle to clear, reacting to a negative sophomore experience isn’t all fun and games either. The Ting Tings, who possess a contrary streak that is both admirable and, if you’re a label type, probably a little taxing, responded to the breakout success of That’s Not My Name with the decidedly radio-unfriendly ‘Sounds From Nowheresville’ and promptly went it alone.

Written by: Gavin Rees | Date: Tuesday, 28 October 2014

At The Gates - At War With Reality (Album Review)

Killswitch Engage? Trivium? Shadows Fall? Child's play, boy. These bands simply wouldn't exist without the influence of Gothenburg deathmeisters At The Gates, who, after releasing melo-death classic 'Slaughter Of The Soul' in 1995 and disbanding a year later, have inspired countless musicians and infuriated a bucketload of fans. Two reunions have passed and now, 19 years after changing the extreme metal landscape as we know it, At The Gates have returned with new music.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Monday, 27 October 2014

Mark Lanegan Band - Phantom Radio (Album Review)

To describe Mark Lanegan as a musical magpie is a little reductive, but it’s true that the former Screaming Trees man has an uncanny ability to inhabit different styles, invariably without losing the essence of his weathered, world-weary voice.

Written by: Gavin Rees | Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Flying Lotus - You're Dead! (Album Review)

It's hard to conceive of having this many ideas in the first place, let alone being able to fuse them into something as consistently brilliant as 'You're Dead!'.

Written by: Matt Williams | Date: Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Ben Howard - I Forget Where We Were (Album Review)

In general terms, to describe an album as ideal background music is a grievous insult, just a step removed from dismissing it altogether. ‘I Forget Where We Were’, the second full-length by Ben Howard, puts a new spin on the phrase, though, so content is it to exist in the shadows, playing with shifts in tone and melody rather than laying itself bare.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Jessie Ware - Tough Love (Album Review)

In music, as in life, there’s some truth to the phrase ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’. So often we are presented with a list of collaborators along with a single or album, while ‘hitmaker’ has become a word used with alarming regularity by people you would expect to know better. Into this maelstrom strides Jessie Ware’s second album, ‘Tough Love’.

Written by: Matt Williams | Date: Friday, 17 October 2014

Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter (Album Review)

Let's dispense with the foreplay. We all know who Slipknot are, we know what they've been through and we know how much expectation sits on their shoulders. Judgement day has arrived.

Written by: Alec Chillingworth | Date: Thursday, 16 October 2014

Flying Colors - Second Nature (Album Review)

Photo: Jim Arbogast When this supergroup of virtuosos released their excellent, albeit comparatively conventional, debut album in 2012, many fans felt like they'd been stood up after eagerly awaiting a date with progressive rock genius. With this follow up the band seem determined to make amends, pulling out a collection of mini and major epics that deliver the dinner, dancing and full blown orgy of prog that was anticipated first time out.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Monday, 13 October 2014

Caribou - Our Love (Album Review)

How many songs about love do you know? Thousands, millions of them, right? They are pop music's default setting, often little more than confections or emotional wallpaper. Which makes Dan Snaith's latest record as Caribou all the more special.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 09 October 2014

Virgil And The Accelerators - Army Of Three (Album Review)

Photo: Martin Lewis When a young band bursts onto the scene with a highly praised debut album, following it can be a tricky proposition. Seemingly unfazed by the challenge, Virgil and The Accelerators have comfortably hurdled any notion of a 'sophmore slump' with a feisty hard-rock record that boasts an impressive level of craftsmanship.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 08 October 2014

Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright In The End (Album Review)

When viewed in black and white, the emotional turmoil caused by a few pop-rock songs is quite laughable. But, tell that to a Weezer fan who goes back to ‘Blue’ and ‘Pinkerton’ as touchstones for taste and personal experience, not to mention as examples of songwriting alchemy.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Wednesday, 08 October 2014

Johnny Marr - Playland (Album Review)

It might seem churlish to criticise one of the most influential guitarists of a generation for top-loading an album with six string delights, but it's hard not to come to that conclusion with 'Playland', the second solo record by Johnny Marr.

Written by: Gavin Rees | Date: Tuesday, 07 October 2014

Gerard Way - Hesitant Alien (Album Review)

As one of the modern game’s most successful chameleons, the odds were always pretty good that Gerard Way would be able to make a solo career work. Still, even with that said, ‘Hesitant Alien’ is a fine opening statement.

Written by: Matt Williams | Date: Friday, 03 October 2014

Jamie T - Carry On The Grudge (Album Review)

Time has a tendency to get away from all of us. Five years have dropped through the hourglass since Jamie T released ‘Kings & Queens’ and subsequently sought out the edges of the map as his 20s ticked along, giving ‘Carry On The Grudge’ added weight to grapple with.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Thursday, 02 October 2014

Finch - Back To Oblivion (Album Review)

At this stage, it’s hard to tell what casts the longest shadow; ‘What It Is To Burn’ or the aftermath of Finch’s follow-up effort, ‘Say Hello To Sunshine’.

Written by: Matt Williams | Date: Wednesday, 01 October 2014

Mr. Big - ...The Stories We Could Tell (Album Review)

Apart from Scorpions’ Wind Of Change, rarely has a rock band been as misrepresented by one of their songs as Mr. Big were by 1991’s mega hit, To Be With You. Although that acoustic ballad made them a household name, it was far removed from the hook-laden, quirky hard-rock that characterised much of their work. Over two decades later, those skills remain as sharp as ever on this uplifting eighth studio album.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 01 October 2014

Prince - Art Official Age/Plectrumelectrum (Album Review)

Of all the problems faced by musicians, a seemingly endless supply of creativity is rarely one of them. But, as Prince returns with albums 33 and 34 in one of pop’s greatest careers, the issue is set for a dance in the spotlight.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Joe Bonamassa - Different Shades Of Blue (Album Review)

Photo: Christie Goodwin After releasing a studio record a year for what seems like an eternity, Joe Bonamassa took his sweet time sculpting this follow up to 2012’s hugely successful 'Driving Towards The Daylight'. Billed as his first album of all-original material, this is a confident, polished offering that looks set complete his hard earned transformation from blues-rock underdog to bona fide superstar.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Thursday, 25 September 2014