The Quireboys - Beautiful Curse (Album Review)

‘Beautiful Curse’ is the Quireboys’ seventh studio record and for fans of the self-styled Gypsy rockers it doesn’t disappoint.  Even though it has been a long time since their last release - Halfpenny Dancer in 2009 - Spike and the gang pick up seamlessly from where they left off and deliver another fine, polished rock ‘n’ roll album.

Written by: Lee Johnston | Date: Friday, 12 July 2013

Pet Shop Boys - Electric (Album Review)

With new electronic acts popping up at every turn, it is fitting that two giants of the genre have returned in 2013. Depeche Mode ended a four-year wait for fans with the release of the critically-acclaimed ‘Delta Machine’ back in March, and now Pet Shop Boys have re-appeared with their first long player since they ended a 28-year association with Parlophone.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Friday, 12 July 2013

Defeater - Letters Home (Album Review)

Of all the bands to have popped up as part of ‘the Wave’ in American hardcore, Defeater have probably become the most universally celebrated. La Dispute may have the more deliberately obtuse song structures and Pianos Become the Teeth may have just a touch more self-pity, but Defeater have got the combination of both spot on since the release of their debut full-length, ‘Travels’, back in 2008.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Thursday, 11 July 2013

Aynsley Lister - Home (Album Review)

If there's any justice in the world this fantastic album from British blues-rocker Aynsley Lister will be rewarded with the kind of mainstream recognition usually reserved for artists with considerably less talent. 'Home' is a laid-back, maturely-delivered treasure trove of blues, rock, Americana, pop and jazz, bound together by gorgeous melodies, sophisticated compositions and exquisite soloing.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Wednesday, 10 July 2013

in violet - Opal (Album Review)

One thing is particularly striking upon first listening to ‘Opal’: this is a record born out of an immense degree of creative confidence. Jake Murray, the main man behind in violet, clearly has something to prove and his band adeptly treads the line between rousing alternative rock and atmospheric shoegaze.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 09 July 2013

Radkey - Cat & Mouse (EP Review)

It's time to party like it's 1983. Radkey – three teenage brothers from Missouri – play short, sharp punk with nods to Misfits, Black Flag, TSOL and the rest of the gang, and they do it rather well.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Monday, 08 July 2013

Tripwires - Spacehopper (Album Review)

Sometimes a debut album can be so good that no subsequent record will ever live up to it, and sometimes they fall just a bit short. On their first full-length, Spacehopper, Tripwires land somewhere in the middle.

Written by: Emma Dodds | Date: Friday, 05 July 2013

Whitesnake - Made In Britain/The World Record (Album Review)

It's only been three months since Whitesnake's last live package – 'Made In Japan' – landed, and they're already releasing another double album from exactly the same tour. Recorded during 2011, 'Made In Britain' features a variety of songs from assorted British gigs, while 'The World Record' captures different cuts from around the globe. Quality-wise, it's unfortunately another mixed big that delights and disappoints in equal measure.

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 05 July 2013

Six. By Seven - Love And Peace And Sympathy (Album Review)

In an alternate universe, Chris Olley could quite easily be as widely feted as Noel Gallagher, Kelly Jones or Kevin Shields as indie royalty. He possesses an impressive songwriting ability, whether with his band, Six. By Seven, or in solo work released as part of his Krautrock project, Twelve.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Thursday, 04 July 2013

Small Feet - Liar Behind The Sun (EP Review)

Be happy that this record made it out. The work of Stockholm-based singer-songwriter Simon Stålhamrhe, 'Liar Behind The Sun' is an arresting set of pop songs born from a battle against anxiety and depression.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Tuesday, 02 July 2013

Letlive. - The Blackest Beautiful (Album Review)

When letlive. initially released ‘Fake History’ in 2010 they were in danger of becoming also-rans in a post-hardcore revival that had seen the likes of Defeater and Pianos Become the Teeth become critical darlings. Their third album wasn’t expected to make much of an impact, but make an impact it did.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 02 July 2013

Transplants - In A Warzone (Album Review)

After eight years of their fans hoping for something more, Transplants have finally released a follow-up to 2005’s ‘Haunted Cities’.

Written by: Yasmin La Ronde | Date: Monday, 01 July 2013

Blackmore's Night - Dancer And The Moon (Album Review)

Prepare to enter a mythical realm of renaissance-flavoured folk, rock and medieval music from former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, his beguiling wife Candice Night and their assembled brethren of merry minstrels. While similar to past offerings, their eighth studio album under the Blackmore's Night name is their most commercial yet, delivering a heady brew of new age, Celtic and world influences with contemporary melodies and accessible arrangements. In short, 'tis most splendid!

Written by: Simon Ramsay | Date: Friday, 28 June 2013

Pixies - Bagboy (Single Review)

Two weeks really is an eternity in the music world. Since the departure of iconic bass player Kim Deal was announced by Pixies a fortnight ago, Black Francis has debuted music as part of the Thriftstore Masterpiece collective – alongside Pete Yorn, Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock and Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Dandy Warhols – and Deal's 'Last Splash' tour with the Breeders has powered on, barely stopping to crest the speedbump.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 28 June 2013

Editors - The Weight Of Your Love (Album Review)

Editors - Birmingham’s finest purveyors of doom-laden indie - are back with a first new album in four years and a rejigged line-up. 'The Weight Of Your Love' is their first release since the departure of guitarist Chris Urbanowicz, seemingly heralding a change in direction for the band.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Thursday, 27 June 2013

Maps - Vicissitude (Album Review)

Maps - Northampton’s James Chapman - first appeared on the music scene in 2007, when Mute Records released his debut album ‘We Can Create’. The record subsequently garnered much critical praise and a Mercury Music Prize nomination.

Written by: Graeme Marsh | Date: Wednesday, 26 June 2013

The Body Rampant - Midnight Mayfair (Album Review)

After the success of their 'Transient Years’ EP in 2011, the Body Rampant have pulled another one out of the bag with ‘Midnight Mayfair’, a concept album focused death and the afterlife.

Written by: Yasmin La Ronde | Date: Tuesday, 25 June 2013

Alice In Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (Album Review)

Alice In Chains are no doubt an enduring force in rock 'n' roll. Emerging during the grunge explosion of the early 1990s, their colossal second album 'Dirt' secured place in rock history. While 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' can't replicate that level of craftsmanship, it's got plenty to recommend it.

Written by: Josh Adams | Date: Monday, 24 June 2013

Mwahaha - Mwahaha (Album Review)

Mwahaha have been writing and performing together for nearly 10 years, bringing their own brand of experimental, psychedelic pop to the masses. Their self-titled debut was released last year and is now set for the reissue treatment through US label Plug Research.

Written by: Katie Vowles | Date: Monday, 24 June 2013

Kanye West - Yeezus (Album Review)

Separating the artist from the music is never the easiest thing to do. In the case of Kanye West, it's nigh-on impossible.

Written by: Huw Baines | Date: Friday, 21 June 2013