T’Pau, Bridge Of Spies. 25th Anniversary Retrospective.

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.

T’Pau, Bridge Of Spies. 25th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(1007 words, 1 image, estimated 4:02 mins reading time)

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Almost Always Never. Album Review.

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.

Joanne Shaw Taylor, Almost Always Never. Album Review. full post

(466 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

Dirty Dating.Com, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 14th 2012.

Cast:  Nicki French, Grace Bishop, Phil Hearne, Jo Mousley, Jess Schofield, Craig Chalmers, Alan Stocks.

The world of dating has never had so many options, mates dates, internet dating, blind dates, work dates, and now thrown heartily into the mix comes Pauline Fleming’s well observed look at the rights of passage involved in the world of speed dating.

Dirty Dating.Com, Theatre Review. Epstein Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(499 words, estimated 2:0 mins reading time)

Neal Morse, Momentum. Album Review.

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.

Neal Morse, Momentum. Album Review. full post

(513 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Hugh Cornwell, Totem And Taboo. Album Review.

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.

Hugh Cornwell, Totem And Taboo. Album Review. full post

(441 words, 1 image, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)

Kate Bush, The Dreaming. 30th Anniversary Retrospective.

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.

Kate Bush, The Dreaming. 30th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(1035 words, 1 image, estimated 4:08 mins reading time)

James Herbert, Ash. Book Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 10th 2012.

James Herbert has been the undisputed master of British Horror for the last 40 years. His books have thrilled millions and his writing has been loved all over. Aside from Stephen King, he is the very embodiment of spine-chilling terror.

In his first book for six years he re-visits an old character in David Ash, last seen in The Ghosts of Sleath in 1994. Whilst it is plain for his legion of fans to acknowledge that he still has the command to influence your darkest thoughts, to terrify the reader into a unconscious state of trepidation and despair, his books have become staid in parts, overblown and disturbingly grandiose which is not the reason the public fell in love him.

James Herbert, Ash. Book Review. full post

(498 words, 1 image, estimated 2:0 mins reading time)

Cat Power, Sun. Album Review.

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.

Cat Power, Sun. Album Review. full post

(398 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Rush, Hold Your Fire. 25th Anniversary Retrospective.

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.

Rush, Hold Your Fire. 25th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(990 words, 1 image, estimated 3:58 mins reading time)

Pink Floyd, A Momentary Lapse Of Reason. 25th Anniversary Retrospective.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 7th 2012.

A Momentary Lapse of Reason was the first Pink Floyd album since Roger Waters had left the band in 1985 and it didn’t nearly happen. Originally intended as a David Gilmour solo album, Momentary… suddenly became a vehicle for David Gilmour to show that the Pink Floyd name wasn’t dead and buried, “a spent force”  as Roger Waters had suggested. Joined by drummer Nick Mason, the only member of Floyd to have played on every album, Momentary… was for the new look Floyd as The Final Cutwas for the band as they started to disintegrate and ultimately go their own way.

Pink Floyd, A Momentary Lapse Of Reason. 25th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(894 words, 1 image, estimated 3:35 mins reading time)