256 posts
Michael Bolton was the big-haired, bigger-voiced balladeer with hits including How Can We Be Lovers? and How Am I Supposed To Live Without You. But when critics lined up to take potshots, the years of mockery took…
1 Hit Wonder: The Assembly – Never Never
Maybe it’s churlish to describe The Assembly as one-hit wonders, considering the chart hits that two of those who were part of the project were previously and subsequently responsible for,…
Lost & Found: Bon Jovi’s eponymous debut album
Bon Jovi’s first album doesn’t instantly point to the likely creation of a global hair rockin’ monster, but it’s still an enjoyable debut. It struggles to know what kind of…
Courteeners’ Liam Fray: “I’m trying to be a better man… whatever that is”
The chorus of Courteeners’ recent single Better Man summarises singer Liam Fray’s attempts at self-improvement and the imposter syndrome he feels about his band’s status as one of the last rock & roll…
Classic Album: The Sundays – Reading, Writing & Arithmetic
Mixing the feathery whimsy of the Cocteau Twins and the jangling melodicism of The Smiths, The Sundays were tipped for huge stardom. Only problem was: they weren’t ready to play the pop…
One Hit Wonder: Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – What I Am
The tuneful hoarseness of Edie Brickell’s vocals on What I Am are so good that they manage to stand out on an upbeat song that works on every level. Brickell…
Street Fighting Men: Simple Minds interview
With Simple Minds’ 1989 album Street Fighting Years getting the reissue treatment and a new studio LP harking back to their dancey roots taking shape, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill tell John Earls about…
Lovechild of the Haçienda: M People interview
As M People celebrate their phenomenal 90s run with a career-spanning boxset, Classic Pop sits down with Mike Pickering and Paul Heard – the creative core behind the big voice…
Lost & Found: The Human League – Romantic?
If only the Human League’s sixth album had actually been their fourth, eh? However, as house music and indie pop captured all the cool in 1990, comeback LPs from veteran…
Gabrielle: “I was strong enough not to chase fame”
Over 25 years after Dreams made Gabrielle a phenomenon, she remains one of the finest pop singers Britain has produced. Overcoming remarkable adversity, at 50, she’s finally ready to accept her talent……