Review – Page 289

Pop essentials and a little bit more

Jess & The Bandits – ‘Smoke & Mirrors’

October 10, 2017

If you are expecting Jess & The Bandits to stand still, then think again. ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ finds lead singer Jess Clemmons in a happy place, having recently found love with photographer Chris Peavey and announcing their engagement earlier this year, and that shines through on this second full length release.

The Darkness – ‘Pinewood Smile’

October 6, 2017

The Darkness are back with their new album, ‘Pinewood Smile’, their first since 2015’s ‘Last Of Our Kind’. It’s devilishly sarcastic, with fine musicianship and Justin Hawkins’ deliciously soaring vocals, it’s quite easily their best record to date and is sure to please both fans and critics alike.

Indie Pop Singer-Songwriter Jamie Mathias Releases New Album ‘The Great Escape LP’

September 22, 2017

Indie pop artist Jamie Mathias released his new album, ‘The Great Escape LP’ today, following the success of his EP release in 2015, which in turn led to huge success on his YouTube channel.

Foo Fighters’ ‘Concrete And Gold’ Shows There Are Still Superheroes

September 16, 2017

Foo Fighters’ previous album, ‘Sonic Highways’ was released in 2014, so fans and critics alike have been awaiting ‘Concrete And Gold’ with bated breath and perhaps a little trepidation. Their patience has been rewarded, with an album which front man Dave Grohl has described as, “Motörhead’s version of Sergeant Pepper”.

Roddan – ‘Bleed 432’

September 15, 2017

Singer songwriter Roddan, from Seattle Washington, released his album, ‘Bleed 432’ earlier this year, six original songs which cross between folk, Americana, blues, rock, and alt-country.

Yusuf/Cat Stevens Recalls The Past While Looking To The Future On ‘The Laughing Apple’

September 15, 2017

It was always going to be an ambitious project, but Yusuf (aka Cat Stevens) has managed it, with his new album, ‘The Laughing Apple’, out today on Decca/Cat-O-Log Records. Yusuf celebrates 50 years since his first album, ‘The Laughing Heart’ and reunites with producer Paul Samwell-Smith and guitarist Alun Davies, who worked with him on his seminal album, ‘Tea For The Tillerman’.

‘All The Light Above It Too’ – Jack Johnson

September 10, 2017

Jack Johnson has released his first studio album in 4 years and there are some predictable things about this album. It will of course soon be at the top of the billboard charts in the States, it does have that wonderfully laid back lyric rich surf style of years gone by but, and this is a big but, this time Jack has an axe to grind.