EMI Vinilo y CD

Review: The Killers have long-since divided opinion. Yes, tracks like 'Mr Brightside' will still fill dancefloors slick with WKD each and every Saturday night, beer boys and party girls and lost freaks and first-timers all joining together in one of the most memorable choruses of the century so far. But then their penchant for OTT pomp and pageantry has always been something of a stumbling block for many 'proper rock fans'. With that in mind, Pressure Machine could do wonders for breaking down barriers.

We're not in Kansas anymore, that's for sure, but instead Utah, and the small town of Nephi, where lead singer Bradley Flowers grew up. The album effectively takes us on a tour of what was and what probably still is, by way of a more salt of the Earth, somewhat intimate and narratively-driven collection of rock 'n' roll tracks that invoke a timeless sense of American guitar storytelling, albeit with some theatrics still intact.

Review: Given that their last album was released way back in 2009, many thought we'd never hear from Kings of Convenience again. Yet here we are, bathing in the gentle beauty of Peace Or Love, the Norwegian duo's surprise sixth studio album. It's a formidably enjoyable affair that's as easy-going and gently sun-kissed as any of their previous excursions, with the duo adding quietly soulful, soft-focus vocals to tactile and pin-bright backing tracks that combine folksy acoustic guitars, twinkling pianos and lilting strings with shuffling rhythms that variously doff a cap to bossa-nova, samba, classic pop and French chanson. It's not difficult or challenging in any way, but given the state of the world right now, we're more than happy to settle for cheery, soft-focus beauty.

Review: For the first time in over 26 years, much-loved metallers Pearl Jam finally topped mainstream rock airplay charts in the US with the first single off their latest album. That came some 1000 days ahead of the album itself which has now finally arrived and has soon won over fans. That single, 'Dark Matter', became Pearl Jam's first No. 1 on the chart since 'Given To Fly' led for six weeks all the way back in January-February 1998. The rest of the album is full of just as much gold as that, with plenty more of their signature riffs and potent grooves all topped with Eddie Vedder's legendary lung-busting vocals.