187 posts
New albums
It’s hard to know what to expect from a name like U.S. Girls, and even more confusing given it’s ostensibly one person, Meg Remy, who’s made it her business to…
The Monochrome Set – Maisieworld review
As the simultaneous release of a 6CD boxset testifies, The Monochrome Set’s Bid has been churning out quirky indie pop now for almost 40 years. Though the band’s line-up has…
Prosecco Socialist – Songs From Behind Bars review
It’s not just David Rotheray’s two decades as The Beautiful South’s guitarist and co-songwriter that ensure Prosecco Socialist’s debut is so entertaining. Obviously these help – especially musically – but…
Belle & Sebastian – How To Solve Our Human Problems review
Those stumbling upon Best Friend – a Supremes-like tune late in this compilation of the Scottish collective’s three recent EPs – might be forgiven for thinking the band are stuck…
Turin Brakes – Invisible Storm review
If, from time to time, Turin Brakes have previously appeared a little whey-faced, the quartet tackle that straight away with their eighth album’s opening track, the thrusting Would You Be…
John Oates – Arkansas review
If Steve Martin can make banjo albums, and Hugh Laurie can play the blues, there’s no reason John Oates – of blue-eyed soul duo Hall & Oates – can’t make…
Tom Hingley and the Kar-Pets – May Contain Nuts review
How different the world might be if, when original singer Stephen Holt left to form The Rainkings in 1989, roadie Noel Gallagher had landed the job of Inspiral Carpets’ frontman.…
Geowulf – Great Big Blue review
Geowulf – yet another Australian band who’ve headed, Dick Whittington-style, to London to find fame, fortune, and pavements lined with gold and gum – are not, as their name might…
Pete Astor – One For The Ghost review
“All I’ve got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth,” Bono announced on Rattle & Hum, borrowing a phrase from country music’s Harlan Howard. Judging from his latest…
Rupert Holmes – Songs That Sound Like Movies review
Rupert Holmes is a British- American tunesmith largely remembered – or despised – for his somewhat anomalous 1979 hit single, Escape (The Piña Colada Song), probably because listeners assumed he…