Back catalogue: All genres

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Secret Superstar Sounds, courtesy of Soul Jazz, offers an eclectic and excellent collection of oddball punk and powerpop rare cuts from little-known bands from the late 70s, including but not limited to The Squares, The Meanies, The Monitors, Plummet Airline, and Krypton Tunes. Falling between the cracks of punk, new wave and post-punk, these unfairly overlooked and forgotten to time gems came from a slew of DIY ethos purists inspired by the messaging of bands like The Desperate Bicycles, Sniffing Glue fanzine and early UK punk labels like Stiff, Chiswick and Rough Trade, recording everything in-house, then sending their recordings to the likes of John Peel and labels with hopes of some airplay or recognition, little of which came. A long-lost micro-genre of unfairly forgotten underground punk (but not punk) gems awaits.

Review: Secret Superstar Sounds, courtesy of Soul Jazz, offers an eclectic and excellent collection of oddball punk and powerpop rare cuts from little-known bands from the late 70s, including but not limited to The Squares, The Meanies, The Monitors, Plummet Airline, and Krypton Tunes. Falling between the cracks of punk, new wave and post-punk, these unfairly overlooked and forgotten to time gems came from a slew of DIY ethos purists inspired by the messaging of bands like The Desperate Bicycles, Sniffing Glue fanzine and early UK punk labels like Stiff, Chiswick and Rough Trade, recording everything in-house, then sending their recordings to the likes of John Peel and labels with hopes of some airplay or recognition, little of which came. A long-lost micro-genre of unfairly forgotten underground punk (but not punk) gems awaits.

Review: This compilation serves as a sonic time capsule, collecting the raw energy and diversity a 70s scene with its roots in the UK's suburban music scene. Across three LPs, it highlights punk, post-punk, new wave and ska with an expertly curated tracklist that celebrates both iconic anthems and underground gems. Kicking off with explosive tracks like 'London Calling' and 'Blitzkrieg Bop', the first side sets the tone with pure punk energy. From the urgency of The Undertones 'Teenage Kicks' to the melancholic beauty of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', it's a journey through the era's emotional spectrum. The inclusion of The Cure's 'Boys Don't Cry' and XTC's 'Making Plans For Nigel' shows the post-punk shift toward introspection and innovation. The second LP leans into eclecticism, blending punk-fueled energy to melodic classics. It captures the intersection of rebellion and refinement. Tracks like Martha And The Muffins' 'Echo Beach' and Pretenders 'Brass In Pocket' add a touch of sophistication with a broader palette of sounds. Finally, the third LP celebrates the ska revival and early synth-pop with The Specials 'Gangsters', English Beat's 'Mirror In The Bathroom' and UB40's 'Food For Thought', before transitioning into more futuristic sounds like Gary Numan's 'Are 'Friends' Electric?' and The Buggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star'. Ending with a nod to the dawn of a new musical era, this collection balances nostalgia with a depth not many others get close to.

Review: This is the first-ever vinyl reissue of a rather confrontationally-titled but landmark compilation of early California hardcore punk that was originally released by New Underground in 1982. It features iconic bands from the day such as the Descendents, Minutemen, Saccharine Trust and Redd Cross alongside lesser-known acts like Civil Dismay, Ill Will and Zurich 1916. Like all punk, it is raw, unpolished, and visceral which helps convey the passion and gutter feelings expressed on the often harshly delivered vocals. Fully remastered for the occasions this includes a double-sided insert with notes by Susan Swear which helps make it a pivotal piece of punk history.

Review: A box office flop at the time of its release in 1995 - only recouping around $6million of its $25million budget - Tank Girl has since become a cult classic of the post-apocalyptic science fiction canon. Popularised thanks to its strong feminist messages and vivid construction of a universe, the foundations of which were found in a comic book series of the same namer, the soundtrack is both of its time and every bit as high impact as the flick. From Bjork's moody and abrasive 'Army of Me', to the disrupted lo-fi rock & roll of Hole's 'Drown Soda', Ice T's typically snarling and sinister 'Big Gun', and the trip hop landmark 'Roads' by Portishead, the credits read like a who's who of 1990s cool. And this emphasises just how on point Tank Girl was, even if we didn't all seem ready to acknowledge it back then.