The Sound of Young Scotland? Spinning Coin Channel Postcard Records on ‘Hyacinth’
Recorded in France, by musicians resident in Berlin, Spinning Coin's Hyacinth still sounds like it was made in Glasgow. In 1981.
Ian Rushbury
It's all my big brother's fault. If he hadn't played me Abbey Road a thousand years ago, I'd have turned out normal. Being a bassist, writer, and music geek is huge fun though. And the hours are great. Favourite Beatle: still Paul.
Ash Compile the Indie-Disco Classics on ‘Teenage Wildlife’
Ash harnessed their teenage angst and energy and built a career on it, as you can hear on Teenage Wildlife, a career-spanning, hit-filled compilation album.
Jazz Meets World Music on Jon Hassell and Farafina’s ‘Flash of the Spirit’
Originally released at the end of the 1980s to a bemused audience, will Jon Hassell and Farafina's Flash of the Spirit fare any better in the new millennium?
Debut Record of the Year? Squirrel Flower Is in the Running With ‘I Was Born Swimming’
Tougher than you think, Squirrel Flower’s first album, I Was Born Swimming, combines Joni Mitchell with dream pop, but with an indie rock bite.
Revisiting Dream Pop Past with Pale Saints on ‘The Comforts of Madness’
Straining to be heard over the noise of a 1,000 over-effected electric guitars, are Pale Saints the lost champions of shoegaze?
Always the Bridesmaid? Laura Nyro’s Debut Is Ready For Reappraisal
An album full of hits for other people, Laura Nyro's More Than a New Discovery showcases the artist behind the songs.
Ben Watt Turns Middle-aged Angst Into Gold on ‘Storm Damage’
For solo album #4, Ben Watt makes second age musings on mortality and introspection sound beautiful.
Even the Misses Sound Like Hits on Supergrass’ ‘The Strange Ones 1994-2008’
Straight outta Britpop and straight to the top of the charts, and then gradually back down. When everyone was watching Oasis and Blur call each other names, they should have been listening to Supergrass.
The Revillos Reprise Their DayGlo Pop-Rock on ’Compendium of Weird’
A collection of ragged rehearsal recordings, out-takes, and alternate versions that is actually worth the price of admission? The Revillos have pulled it off.
Rush Drummer Neil Peart Passes Away at 67
Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, one of the most technically gifted rock musician of his - or any - generation - passed away from brain cancer on 7 January, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
The Curmudgeonly King of Noir Chronicled in ‘Notes From the Velvet Underground: The Life of Lou Reed’
Howard Sounes' Notes From the Velvet Underground is a beautifully considered book, with enough detail about the life and career of Lou Reed for the geeks, enough context for the historians, and just enough juicy stuff for everyone else.
Lost Classic Or Self-Indulgent Folly? Gene Clark’s ‘No Other’ Redefines Country Rock
A flop in 1974, but now looked on as one of popular music's finest albums, does this expansive 4AD reworking of Gene Clark's No Other confirm its greatness, or reveal a case of the emperor's new clothes?