Originally published by L.S. Media. September 22nd 2012.
Although Billy Joel hasn’t released a hit studio album for a while, at one point his music could be heard almost everywhere. From the embryonic beginnings of M.T.V. and radio stations all over The United States of America and Europe, you couldn’t escape the talented piano player or his catchy and infectious music.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 19th 2012.
When someone thinks of Dire Straits with a 21st century perspective, invariably the first thought that gets conjured up is of the period of 1985 when they released the seminal and defining album of their career, Brothers in Arms. Whilst this album holds the affection of the dedicated and casual fans alike, it was the previous album, the 1982 release of Love Over Gold that firmly sets the band on course for the superstardom that was to follow.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 17th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
For 30 years Marillion have been proving their new album title wrong, they have surely made every musical note perspire, hum like an angel and make grown men quiver at the knees with ease of their performances. Now the band that some critics have spent their life rubbishing and others extolling the virtues of have released their new album; the exceptional Sounds That Can’t Be Made and like 2004’s Marbles it is an album of genius and sheer quality.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 13th 2012.
T’ Pau’s Bridge of Spies is a classic example of the changing nature of music taste that was taking effect in the late 1980’s. An album that was both well recorded and well received but which couldn’t unfortunately sustain the band indefinitely and although the 1988 follow up Rage saw the band reach another top five position, the music scene was changing, edgier, angrier and more derivative pop was taking hold. The bands that had substance to them such as T’Pau and the likes of Belinda Carlisle would fall by the way sides as casualties of pop stardom.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 14th 2012.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
If any proof were needed that you don’t have to have been born in America, be past the age of 30, nor have been born male to understand or more importantly feel how the blues can be played, audiences need look no further than Midlands raised Joanne Shaw Taylor and her incredible new album, Almost Always Never.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 13th 2012.
The question that some people who follow these type of things closely will be asking, is Momentumpossibly the best thing that Progressive Rock stalwart Neal Morse has ever given to the world? The follow up will no doubt be “why the long wait?”
The new album is arguably one of the finest albums that Neal has ever had a part in, the best though? Perhaps with the exception of The Whirlwind by Transatlantic and the 2002 album by Spock’s Beard Snow, then undoubtedly it is pretty darn close. It takes time to feel comfortable, to be in a space where you are not just going through the day to day motions or perceived monotony in which to produce an album which stands out, especially in the world of Progressive Rock.
Originally published by L.S.Media. September 12th 2012.
Whatever accusation you throw at Hugh Cornwell, boring and banal are the superlatives that should not ever be amongst them.
Since leaving The Stranglers in 1990, Hugh’s song-writing has stretched people’s intellectual knowledge and meant the freedom to enjoy a good song for what it is worth. He has produced albums that the listener either will adore and the songs much called for during his live set or frustrate with their alleged simplicity and lyrical content. Such is life and Hugh more than likely won’t care which camp you end up in. The same will be felt for Hugh’s new album Totem and Taboo. It will frustrate and please in equal measure and even though Hugh’s back catalogue reflects his time in the profession with a smile, there are times when even a fan will shudder. Totem and Taboo somehow manages to still have the raw inner anger in his compositions that endears him to a certain section of music lovers.
First published by L.S. Media. September 12th 2012.
It might not have the distinctive feel of her earlier albums such as The Kick Inside or Never For Ever or even the later album released in 1985, the sensational Hounds of Love but The Dreamingdeserves to be recognised as album of sheer incredible artistry by the elusive Kate Bush.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 8th 2012.
Normally an album can leave you feeling as exhilarated and insanely happy as almost anything you have ever experienced, sometimes the opposite is true, the melancholy that is there parading through every track on the album, doesn’t necessarily make you despondent but it will grab your attention and the mixture of melancholy and joy is a mix that very few artists manage to pull off.
Originally published by L.S. Media. September 8th 2012.
Two albums in a matter of days by the some of the kings of Progressive Rock may have had fans of the genre in apoplexy, a state of progressive nirvana that would see them upbeat about the state and nature of Progressive rock towards the end of the 1980’s. For some the disappointment of Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reasonwas coupled with how Progressive Rock would fare in the brave new world of resurgent electronica music and soap stars becoming music personalities.