Everyone seems to like the other two Nick Drake studio albums- Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter– but as much as I like them, for me it’s all about the quiet, sad, low-key gem from 1972, Pink Moon. Drake’s music, for me, reveals the kind of torpor of country life. It’s a paradox, a senseContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Nick Drake- Pink Moon”
Category Archives: Classic albums
Overlooked Classics: Common Holly- Playing House
There are some artists who make albums that should have been huge. Better known by her stage name Common Holly, Brigitte Naggar is a Canadian musician from Montreal.As Common Holly, Naggar has released two full-length albums, but her debut is so underrated it beggars belief. It’s so fully formed, it’s astonishing. Naggar’s first album, Playing House, was releasedContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Common Holly- Playing House”
Mute Reissue These Immortal Souls
The blurb: THESE IMMORTAL SOULS ANNOUNCE LONG AWAITED REMASTERED REISSUES OF THEIR TWO STUDIO ALBUMS PLUS A BRAND NEW COLLECTION OF NEWLY DISCOVERED LIVE RECORDINGS & RARITIES GET LOST (DON’T LIE!), I’M NEVER GONNA DIE AGAIN & EXTRA – OUT 12 APRIL 2024 ON MUTE LISTEN TO AN UNRELEASED COVER OF ALICE COOPER’S ‘LUNEY TUNE’ A long-awaited remastered reissue of These ImmortalContinue reading “Mute Reissue These Immortal Souls”
Overlooked Classics: Sparks-Propaganda
Dismissed by American rock critic Robert Christgau as being made by “twerps’ (his slagging off is usually a good sign- just ask Iggy Pop) the fourth studio album saw Sparks expanding upon their trademark baroque pop sound, forever torn between arch and urbane (Something For The Girl With Everything) and sincere (the beautiful Never TurnContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Sparks-Propaganda”
Overlooked Classics: Little Simz- Grey Area
Maybe I’m cheating a little on this one, as it was the album which broke her (third time’s a charm) but I think Simz’ last two albums, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert and No Thank You have somewhat eclipsed even this 2019 gem. Grey Area broke the mould for UK hip hop in at leastContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Little Simz- Grey Area”
Overlooked Classics: The Damned- Strawberries
Who said goths don’t have a sense of humour? Strawberries, The Damned‘s fifth studio album, is a fun ride.Drawing upon sixties psychedelia, as with Generals, Dozen Girls and Stranger On The Town, it’s got some gleefully silly lyrics, due in no small part to trickster Capture Sensible and his playful subversion. Indeed, Don’t Bother Me andContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: The Damned- Strawberries”
The Space Age Genius of Tomita
Before Air or Aphec Twin, there was Isao Tomita. Born in Tokyo, Japan in the early 30s, he’s often overlooked for similar sound pioneers. While Kraftwerk and The Radiophonic Workshop were rightly praised for their forward-thinking approach to electronic music in Europe, Tomita was quietly, brilliantly, doing his own thing in Japan. Sadly, his passingContinue reading “The Space Age Genius of Tomita”
Lost In Music: David Bowie -Hunky Dory
Hunky Dory is, for me, absolutely peerless. It’s perfection. It’s still overlooked in favour of The Rise and Fall Of Ziggy Stardust, etc, but it never fails to make me feel all warm inside. It’s hard to believe that Bowie was only in his twenties when this masterpiece was created. The songwriting, as well asContinue reading “Lost In Music: David Bowie -Hunky Dory”
Overlooked Classics: AC Marias -One Of Our Girls
Formed by Wire’s Bruce Gilbert and Graham Lewis, with film maker and singer Angela Conway, AC Marias made an album which pretty much seemed to disappear into the ether as soon as it had arrived. That’s probably as apt a metaphor as you could wish for, given the strange nature of this beautiful album. EvenContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: AC Marias -One Of Our Girls”
Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)
Feral, camp and outrageous, The Cramps‘ live album from 1983, was apparently tweaked a little (seemingly the audience screams were from a ‘bigger’ band) but still sounds fresh and vital. It’s definitely more playful than menacing. The line-up is Interior, Rorschach, Kid Congo Powers and Nick Knox. Classic line-up as far as I’m concerned. ‘YouContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)”
Hit The North 