pop music
CD: The Horrors - LuminousThursday, 01 May 2014
Anyone who remembers the critical mauling that The Horrors received on the release of their first album, 2007’s Strange House, might be surprised to learn that seven years later, they have just put out a fourth set of new songs. Not only that, but... Read more... |
CD: Iggy Azalea - The New ClassicMonday, 21 April 2014
She may only be 23, but Iggy Azalea got off to a good start with those of us a good decade older last month when the video accompanying her single “Fancy” - an homage to 90s teen comedy Clueless - debuted online. Nostalgia sells, of course:... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: Vee-Jay RecordsSunday, 13 April 2014
Various Artists: Chicago Hit Factory – The Vee-Jay Story 1953-1966According to the book accompanying this 10-disc tribute to the Chicago independent label, “in one month alone in 1964 Vee-Jay records sold 2.6 million records. Two years later... Read more... |
CD: Aisha Orazbayeva - The Hand GalleryWednesday, 02 April 2014
It seems that the gradual leakage of avant-garde-post-classical-call-it-what-you-will music from the rarefied environment of concert halls and into the spaces traditionally inhabited by alternative and club music is now inexorable. And violinist... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: Elton JohnSunday, 30 March 2014
Elton John: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road box set“Elton John plays cricket as he plays piano; dressed to kill and as if his life depends on it.” The commentary on the film included in the box-set version of this reissue of 1973’s Goodbye Yellow... Read more... |
Rebecca Ferguson, Symphony Hall, BirminghamFriday, 28 March 2014
As anyone who has a television will know, Rebecca Ferguson is a graduate of The X Factor – having come runner-up in the 2010 competition. In fact, with her heavily-promoted back story of overcoming heart-ache and disappointment, it looks as if... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: Lou AdlerSunday, 23 March 2014
Various Artists: Lou Adler – A Musical HistoryLou Adler is more than a stitch in rock’s rich tapestry. Akin to a whole spool of yarn, he helped Carole King realise the monumental Tapestry, was integral to making 1967’s epochal Monterey... Read more... |
CD: Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My TimeSunday, 16 March 2014
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about Lily Allen, which you can call a victory for the omnipresent don’t-call-it-a-comeback PR campaign surrounding her forthcoming album. Specifically I’ve been thinking about how I was far less cynical in my early... Read more... |
Reissue CDs Weekly: Tyrannosaurus Rex, T. RexSunday, 09 March 2014
Tyrannosaurus Rex: A Beard of Stars/T.Rex: T.Rex, Tanx/Marc Bolan & T. Rex: Zinc Alloy and the Hidden Riders of TomorrowReactions to these reissues are going be determined by what level of fandom the band's acolytes subscribe to. These are not... Read more... |
Storyville - Muscle Shoals: the Greatest Recording Studio in the World, BBC FourSaturday, 08 March 2014
Back in the days before you could bash together an album on a phone, recording used to involve a group of musicians playing together in the same room. Finding the perfect studio ambience and acoustic was 90 per cent of the battle, and many a veteran... Read more... |
CD: Paloma Faith - A Perfect ContradictionSaturday, 08 March 2014
For better or worse, it’s not enough these days to be a perfectly serviceable pop singer. With Saturday night TV shows churning them out by the dozen, you need more than an attractive face and an ability to hit the right notes to stand out. With her... Read more... |
Bastille, Alexandra PalaceFriday, 07 March 2014
Bastille didn’t so much raise the roof at Alexandra Palace last night, as ask it politely if it wouldn’t mind elevating itself a touch. Their gentleness belies their success over the past year, since their first album, Bad Blood, was released. The... Read more... |
