Reviews / Album

Groundation are a lot more than you initially expect, and despite the stylistic mélange, the band are very much self-assured and offering something new to a genre filled with pale imitators. Just don’t hold where they come from against them

While Ceremony are not incredibly original and do not break much new ground, what they do they do very well, making Zoo a great album to listen to from start to finish.

There’s a certain innocent charm to the music, built with cheap synths, primitive drum machines and artists who were still teaching themselves to use this new technology.

All up, Out Of The Game is a rare and unique recording that combines popular themes of love and death with magical arrangements and Wainwright’s consistent ability to surprise

To people who are already fans, you’ll love this. For the disbelievers, you’ll remain un-phased. And for newcomers, this would be the perfect introduction to the sound and style of a contemporary icon.

A Joyful Noise is a solid collection of Gossip greatness that is highly addictive and a sure-fire hit.

It’s inevitable - another Iron Maiden world tour, another double live album documenting it. The legendary heavy metallers don’t have a history of releasing shabby quality though, and the excellent production values and presentation of new live set En Vivo! don’t buck this trend.

So how do we never die then? Chasm’s answer is to mix the skills he’s already mastered with the new, and immortality sounds pretty great too.

Having said all this, there are moments when we are treated to Albarn’s own voice and some beautiful folk sounds such as Apple Carts. All in all, a somewhat confusing release from the ever-exploring Albarn; it probably works on stage, but as a record… eh.

Overall, what Best Coast has crafted is an effective, charming record filled with paradoxes and executed in their concise, playful style.