Review: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records, Analogue Productions presents the definitive pressing of Bad Company's second studio album, Straight Shooter, on 180-gram 45 RPM double LP. This reissue, featuring 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad,' is pressed at Quality Record Pressings and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing. Recorded just three months after their 1974 debut, Straight Shooter is a tight collection of eight strong, steady rockers. From the moment 'Good Lovin' Gone Bad' kicks off, it's clear Bad Company expanded their sonic palette. The album showcases vibrant colors: acoustic guitars for light and shade, guitars channeled through chorus pedals, and alternating pianos and organs with the occasional wash of strings. The album reached No. 3 on both the U.K. Albums Chart and the U.S. Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the RIAA a month after its release. Hits like 'Feel Like Makin' Love' and 'Shooting Star' became classic rock staples, and even rockers like 'Deal with the Preacher' benefit from this added muscle. The soulful grooves on 'Anna' and 'Call on Me' highlight the band's dexterity. Michael Ludwigs of 45 RPM Audiophile pressing captures the essence of guitar-driven, blues rock. This reissue of Straight Shooter promises a great listening experience.
Review: When you think of the way we were when Blink 182's angsty punk-pop was tapping the top of the charts one word comes to mind - innocence. Compared to this era of impending existential doom it was easier to work out solutions then, even if solutions weren't put into action. So welcome to the new age, and a new Blink 182 intent on carving a fresh place for themselves in this frighteningly complex point in history. It's as though 2016's "California" was a cathartic and temporary rekindling of old flames, giving closure and helping the band move forward properly. Here they take us into territories barely on their radar before. Not that opener "The First Time" doesn't nod to past glories. "Darkside" brings arty, experimental punk, "Heaven" is a main stage overture, "On Some Emo Shit" is a desperate call for help and admission of the universality of fragility.
Review: The Vinyl Champ are currently on a re-issuing roll, retroactively reviving some of the most impactful live shows of the 20th Century which nonetheless have yet to see the proper light of day, not least after the turn of the millennium or in vinyl form. Here they shift their focus to Bon Jovi, whose Wembley 1995 appearance, as part of their These Days tour, heard the stadium rockers reach the zenith of a mammoth 131-show tour (yes, you heard that correctly). All the Jovi-al hits, and with no misses either, come hurtling your way.
Review: Creed's Human Clay 25th Anniversary reissue on grey smoked vinyl celebrates the 1999 album that catapulted the band to global stardom. With its anthemic lead single 'Higher,' which spent 57 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and other rock staples like 'What If' and 'With Arms Wide Open,' this album defined the post-grunge era. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 20 million copies, Human Clay became a defining soundtrack of its time. The gatefold double LP reissue offers a nostalgic look back at Creed's monumental success, making it a coveted collector's item for fans of the rock scene of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Review: Since the release of Deja Vu in 1970, the music scene had evolved, but audiences still craved the harmony-driven idealism that catapulted Crosby, Stills & Nash to fame. CSN, the band's third album, reached number two on the charts, just behind Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. The album shows a mature lyrical depth and intricate compositions. Graham Nash's 'Just a Song Before I Go' became a hit single, epitomising his knack for radio-friendly acoustic tunes. Stephen Stills' 'See the Changes' and 'Dark Star' stand tall among his best, while David Crosby's contributions - 'Shadow Captain,' 'Anything at All,' and the poignant 'In My Dreams' - highlight his unique voice. Nash's multi-part epic 'Cathedral,' inspired by an acid trip in Winchester Cathedral, became a live staple. CSN is the last album where the trio's harmonies shine without additional voices, making it a timeless gem, blending country, pop, and rock seamlessly. Despite not reaching the innovative peaks of their first two albums, CSN remains a beloved album in their vault.
Review: The Darling Buds were an alternative rock band from Newport, Wales. They formed in 1986, were named after the H. E. Bates novel The Darling Buds of May and Erotica is their third and final album, released a few weeks before Madonna's album of the same name in October 1992. The album contained the US single, 'Long Day In The Universe', which was featured on the soundtrack for the Mike Myers film, So I Married an Axe Murderer. Erotica is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on translucent yellow coloured vinyl and includes an insert.
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged and surface marks but otherwise in excellent condition***
On Every Street was the final album recorded by Dire Straits in 1991 before they finally disbanded. It had already been more than six years since their landmark Brothers In Arms, but Mark Knopfler and co. had one more salvo of songs to gift to the world. It's a sentimental record in that Dire Straits way, not least on the title track, but there's also some mesmerising grooves to lose yourself in such as in the extended run of 'Calling Elvis'. This reissue comes courtesy of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, who have pressed the album up on double vinyl mastered from the original sources and sounding frankly immaculate - an edition for the audiophiles to nod approvingly to.
Review: On Every Street was the final album recorded by Dire Straits in 1991 before they finally disbanded. It had already been more than six years since their landmark Brothers In Arms, but Mark Knopfler and co. had one more salvo of songs to gift to the world. It's a sentimental record in that Dire Straits way, not least on the title track, but there's also some mesmerising grooves to lose yourself in such as in the extended run of 'Calling Elvis'. This reissue comes courtesy of Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, who have pressed the album up on double vinyl mastered from the original sources and sounding frankly immaculate - an edition for the audiophiles to nod approvingly to.
Review: The deluxe edition of Drive-By Truckers' Southern Rock Opera is a welcomed new package for their standout album. Originally released in 2001, this ambitious double album delves into themes ranging from the politics of race to 1970s stadium rock, all through the lens of Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd. New West Records' remixed and remastered edition elevates the album's sound quality, bringing clarity and depth to the intricate storytelling and powerful instrumentation. The resequenced tracks ensure a cohesive listening experience, maintaining the narrative flow while enhancing the album's sonic fidelity. The standout feature of this deluxe edition is the third disc, which includes multiple bonus tracks. Among them is the intriguing 'Mystery Song,' an impromptu recording discovered during the remixing process, adding a unique, spontaneous element to the collection. Additionally, tracks like 'Birmingham' and 'Moved' are thoughtfully integrated into the vinyl format, preserving the story's integrity while optimising sound quality. The special new edition, featuring a foil-stamped rigid slipcase and a 28-page book with spot gloss treatment, enhances the album's physical appeal.
Messing With The Kid (Popgala; Vliegermolen, Voorborg, March 10th 1973 - bonus)
Hands Off (Popgala; Vliegermolen, Voorborg, March 10th 1973 - bonus)
Review: In 1972, Irish blues guitarist Rory Gallagher was at the peak of his powers. On the back of two much-loved and critically acclaimed albums, Gallagher was named Melody Maker's Musician of the Year. Before scooping that gong, he toured Europe and, while in Switzerland, recorded a now legendary session for Radio Suisse. This CD showcases that session in full, complete with crowd noise and trademark effects aplenty, with Gallagher and his band's dazzling - if fuzzy and lo-fi, in keeping with the original recording - blues and blues-rock performances (Gallagher's squally and extended guitar solos are especially memorable) being joined by interview experts and introductions by the radio station's unnamed disc jockey.
Review: While he enjoyed a brief career as a musician in the 1960s, by the time he recorded debut album "Down On The Road By The Beach" in 1983 Steve Hiett was better known as one of the world's leading fashion photographers. In fact, it was at the suggestion of a Japanese gallery owner that he got back in the studio to record what has long been regarded as an impossible-to-find Balearic gem. Hiett's reverb and delay-laden Peter Green style guitar passages take centre stage throughout, winding in and out of languid grooves and ambient electronics to create what some have called "the ultimate desert island disc" - a record of such lazy, sun-kissed beauty that it sounds tailor made for drowsy days waking up on the beach.
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Chris Isaak's Heart Shaped World initially faced commercial struggle upon its release in 1989, despite critical acclaim. However, fate intervened when filmmaker David Lynch featured two tracks from the album in his film Wild At Heart, igniting interest in Isaak's music. 'Wicked Game,' originally an album cut, became a surprise hit after Atlanta's WAPW FM music director added it to rotation, propelling Isaak to newfound fame. The album's success led to a resurgence in popularity, with Heart Shaped World reaching its highest chart position nearly two years after its release and achieving platinum status. Isaak's introspective songwriting, exemplified by the haunting 'Wicked Game,' resonated deeply with audiences, showcasing his ability to evoke emotion with sparse instrumentation and soulful vocals. Beyond its commercial triumph, Heart Shaped World remains a testament to Isaak's artistic integrity and resilience. Despite facing industry skepticism early in his career, the album's success allowed Isaak to maintain his unique musical identity and secure a lasting place in the pop landscape.
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