Reviews

Apr 18, 2022

GIG REVIEW: Nation of Language @ The Bodega, Nottingham, 16/04/22

Skinny ties, Korg synthesisers, Doctor Martens. Early ‘80s new wave was back with a vengeance last night at Nottingham’s The Bodega -...

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Apr 10, 2022

GIG REVIEW: Bastille @ Manchester AO Arena, 08/04/22

If you listen to any track from Bastille’s new album ‘Give Me The Future’, it quickly becomes obvious that it is based around the concept...

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Jan 22, 2022

Now Playing: ‘and the Anonymous Nobody…’ by De Le Soul (Album Review)

I added one of the tracks from this album (Snoopies ft. David Byrne) to one of my playlists recently, and have found myself listening to...

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Jan 22, 2022

Now Watching: Rammstein @ Rock Am Ring, 2010 (DVD Review)

A review of Rammstein’s set at Germany’s Rock Am Ring festival in 2010, which I’ve been watching a lot of recently… The nuts and bolts of...

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Oct 29, 2021

BOX SET REVIEW: Architecture and Morality (The Singles) - 40th Anniversary Vinyl Box Set

There’s not a great deal to say about the tracks on ‘Architecture and Morality’ that hasn’t already been said. Most people reading this...

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Jul 29, 2020

ALBUM REVIEW: ‘2 In2 The Groove’ by Boom Boom

Released 24th July 2020 One of the joys of being sent albums to review on a semi-regular basis is that sometimes you have your attention...

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Jul 28, 2020

SINGLE REVIEW: ‘Miracles’ by NoSecret

Premiered 26th June 2020 It’s safe to say we could all probably do with a bit more positivity in our lives at the moment, considering the...

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Dec 12, 2019

ALBUM REVIEW: 'Dogrel' by Fontaines D.C.

Released 12th April 2019 It’s always nice to hear bands embracing the place they grew up in, and on their debut album ‘Dogrel’,...

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Nov 11, 2019

Easlea & Forde on 'Decca' & 'EMI': Louder Than Words 2019

As is often the case with panels at ‘Louder Than Words’ festival, walking into this discussion feels at first as if you are entering the...

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Oct 30, 2019

EP REVIEW: ‘Bite The Bullet’ by MiG 15

As one of a number of synth-driven pop bands from Liverpool who are currently gaining national attention, MiG 15 surely knew that this...

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Oct 6, 2019

SINGLE REVIEW: 'Sitting In The Dark' by Jay Dunn

Premiered 1st October 2019 / Streaming 19th October 2019 Picture the scene: it's late in the evening. You're in a taxi on the way home,...

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Aug 27, 2019

SINGLE REVIEW: 'Don't Go' by OMD

Raw synth classics, dance music, experimental concept albums, pseudo-Caribbean pop; over the last forty years OMD have covered an...

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Aug 26, 2019

ALBUM REVIEW: ‘And The Anonymous Nobody...’ by De La Soul

Three years on from its original release, The Sound of The Crowd looks back at De La Soul’s ninth studio album... Comprising seventeen...

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Jun 6, 2019

LIVE DVD REVIEW: Rammstein @ Rock Am Ring Festival

The nuts and bolts of Rammstein’s music are exactly what you might expect from a self-professed ‘dance-metal’ band - violent onslaughts...

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May 9, 2019

ALBUM REVIEW: 'Transform' by Howard Jones

“Of all the people in the world, why would you choose me?” It is with these rather pessimistic lyrics that Howard Jones opens his ninth...

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Mar 25, 2019

SINGLE REVIEW: 'ill Manors' by Plan B

The world of protest songs is a difficult one to navigate. It is filled with potential dangers and cliches: audience-alienating...

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Jan 27, 2019

SINGLE REVIEW: ‘John Doe’/‘Curse The Songs’ by Weimar

Released 1st February 2019 ‘Just because songs might have dark themes, doesn’t mean they have to be dull and dreary.’ In the late ‘70s...

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Jan 17, 2019

SINGLE REVIEW: ‘Mortifier’ by Dawn Street

Released 14th January 2019 I was once told by someone who claimed to know a lot about music, that the best way to get people to listen to...

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Dec 3, 2018

SINGLE REVIEW: ‘Lost My Mind’ by Shannon Hurley

Released 28th November 2018 Having already released a number of albums- both as a solo artist and member of electronica duo Love and...

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Nov 18, 2018

ALBUM REVIEW: ‘#LookingForTheWorld’ by Michael Armstrong

Released 23rd November 2018 Track Listing: 1) Too Many Cars 2) Doin’ The Time 3) Gold Dust 4) She’s All Kooky 5) Periscope 6) Looking For...

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Oct 31, 2018

ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Never Near’ by Kinesis

Track Listing: 1) Beaten Heart 2) Grumpy Angel 3) Brittle 4) Where Is The Summer 5) See You In The Morning 6) Don’t Care 7) Be With You...

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Oct 19, 2018

ALBUM REVIEW: 'Unfurnished Rooms' by Blancmange

The last few years have seen something of a return to form for Blancmange. Despite their hefty output of late (Unfurnished Rooms is their...

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Oct 3, 2018

ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Dark Matter’ by Magician Among The Spirits

Released 2nd October 2018 Track Listing: 1) Protean 2) Sanctuary 3) Monster 4) Like A Work Of Art 5) Lorelei 6) The Red Hour 7) The...

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Sep 20, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: ‘Dear Mr Pop Star’ by Derek and Dave Philpott

Due for release September 2018 Sending letters to celebrities, particularly pop stars, is a practise that has been around for years-...

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Aug 4, 2018

EP REVIEW: ‘Great Aspirations’ by TC&I

Track Listing: 1) Scatter Me 2) Greatness (The Aspiration Song) 3) Kenny 4) Comrades Of Pop - - - It might only be fifteen minutes...

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Aug 4, 2018

‘Circu5’ by Circu5 (aka Steve Tilling)

Track Listing: 1) Coming Home 2) My Degenerate Mind 3) Stars 4) Days Erased 5) Strings 6) Blame It On Me 7) The Amazing Monstrous Grady...

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Jun 1, 2018

Single Review - ‘3am Tears’ by Rob Challis

Released 1st June 2018 As a singer/songwriter and pianist, it can be very easy to fall into the habit of writing clichéd, ‘cheesy’ pop...

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Dec 15, 2017

Album Review- ‘The Punishment Of Luxury: B-sides And Bonus Material’ by OMD

Released 15th December 2017 Track Listing: 1) Isotype (Single Mix) 2) Skin 3) The Punishment Of Luxury (Single Mix) 4) The Punishment Of...

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Nov 1, 2017

Single Review: 'Armchair Generals'/'No Justice'- She's Got Claws

TBR 30th November 2017 Poignant yet boldly observant lyrics have been a theme of the music of She's Got Claws right from the very start....

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Oct 13, 2017

'Action Figures' - Superdivorce

Release Date: 27th October 2017 (Too Sweet Records) Track Listing: 1) The Predator 2) The Gavel 3) Expensive Stopwatch 4) Ten Speeds 5)...

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Sep 27, 2017

'Deluxe/Debris'- Tiny Magnetic Pets

Released August 25th 2017 Track Listing: 1) Lost My Guiding Light 2) Semaphore 3) Radio On 4) Cold War Neon 5) Here Comes The Noise...

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Sep 20, 2017

'Honey Tear'/'Un(speak)able' - Many Faces of Duncan

Released 2015/2017 'Honey Tear' Track Listing: 1) Invisible Interior 2) Breakdown 3) Love To Love 4) Let Sleeping Gods Lie 5) Brilliant...

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Sep 13, 2017

'Magnetic Heaven' (1986) - Wax

Track Listing: 1) Right Between The Eyes 2) Hear No Evil 3) Shadows of Love 4) Marie Claire 5) Ball and Chain 6) Systematic 7) Breakout...

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Sep 10, 2017

The Punishment of Luxury- Signed Limited Edition (3000 Copies) Deluxe Book Version

Price: £55.00 (from PledgeMusic, plus postage) Includes: - Copy of the album on red vinyl - Copy of the album on CD - Bonus disc...

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Sep 9, 2017

'The Punishment of Luxury' Single Review- OMD

PREMIERED: 18th July 2017 12" RELEASE: 13th October 2017 Second single from 'The Punishment of Luxury' Track List: A: The Punishment of...

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Sep 9, 2017

'Isotype' Single Review- OMD

PREMIERED/DIGITALLY RELEASED: 29th May 2017 12" RELEASE: 28th July 2017 First single from 'The Punishment of Luxury' B-Side: Non-album...

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Sep 7, 2017

'The Punishment of Luxury' - OMD

Released 1st September 2017 Track Listing: 1) The Punishment of Luxury 2) Isotype 3) Robot Man 4) What Have We Done 5) Precision and...

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Aug 27, 2017

History of Modern - OMD

Released 20th September 2010 Track Listing: 1. New Babies; New Toys 2. If You Want It 3. History of Modern (Part I) 4. History of Modern...

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Aug 23, 2017

Behaviour- The Pet Shop Boys (1990)

Behaviour- Pet Shop Boys (Released 22nd October 1990) Track Listing: 1) Being Boring 2) This Must Be The Place I've Waited Years To Leave...

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Aug 20, 2017

English Electric - OMD

Released 5th April 2013 Track Listing: 1. Please Remain Seated 2. Metroland 3. Night Café 4. The Future Will Be Silent 5. Helen of Troy...

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Aug 18, 2017

Junk Culture (Deluxe Remastered Edition) by OMD

Original album released 30th April 1984, remastered edition released 2015. Disc 1 1. Junk Culture 2. Tesla Girls 3. Locomotion 4....

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Aug 16, 2017

Balance Of Power - ELO

Released 3rd March 1986 Track Listing: 1) Heaven Only Knows 2) So Serious 3) Getting To The Point 4) Secret Lives 5) Is It Alright 6)...

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Aug 15, 2017

Album Review- Dazzle Ships (Remastered Edition) by OMD

Released 4th March 1983 (Remastered Edition released on CD in 2008) Track Listing: Radio Prague Genetic Engineering ABC Auto Industry...

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