Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Legendary guitarist Earl Slick is well known for his long-standing partnership with David Bowie and now he releases a remixed version of a track featuring Bowie on vocals. It comes on 7" coloured vinyl and celebrates a collaboration that produced plenty of iconic rock music that was well detailed in Slick's recent autobiography Guitar. In it, he recalls how Bowie spontaneously offered to sing on the track and that led to an unforgettable recording session. The remixed version honours their creative chemistry and brings Bowie's voice back to the forefront.

Review: In October 1977, Australian rock titans AC/DC were set to enjoy a night off in London following two successful shows at the Hammersmith Odeon, before they were tapped by The BBC at the last minute to replace The Sensational Alex Harvey Band who had cancelled their scheduled appearance on the Sight & Sound In Concert show at the Hippodrome in North London's Golders Green. While the likes of Queen, Jethro Tull, The Kinks and Roxy Music would perform at the 3,000-capacity venue over the years, no band or set has ever rocked the Hippodrome like Bon Scott and the boys did on this fateful evening. Ripping through a truncated, all bangers setlist of seven tracks in just 40 minutes, including 'Problem Child', 'Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be', 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and 'T.N.T.', while Angus Young would run rampant whilst shredding through the balcony section, this performance has gone down as one of most iconic from this early definitive era of the band.

Review: A slice of Australian rock champs AC/DC in action in 1978 in their classic Bon Scott-led line up, on tour in the US in support of their penultimate album before Scott's death in 1980, the often underrated Powerage. Along with staple live favourites that have remained in the band's set for yonks - see 'Rocker', 'Bad Boy Boogie', 'Problem Child' and 'The Jack' - there are rare outings for the groovy but more subdued, bluesy 'Gone' Shootin' and, the final encore here, 'Dog Eat Dog' from 76's massive Let There Be Rock album. You can almost hear the collectors' salivating.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight creasing to outer sleeve, record slightly warped***


Permission To Land is the debut album by glam rockers The Darkness, originally released in 2003. True to their name, The Darkness were dark horses indeed, having been sorely underestimated by the guffawing gatekeepers at Sony, who failed to see any promise in the band after being deemed "uncool", perhaps due to their bombastic rock & roll sound and high vocal drawl from Justin Hawkins. Sony were easily knocked off their high horse, however, when the band later signed with Atlantic, after which the album would top the US Albums Chart, peaking at number two. For the fans, this reissue harks back to their earliest hits, such as 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love', and 'Growing On Me'.

Review: Following on from 2021's Motorheart, Lowestoft 21st century hard rockers The Darkness return with their eighth full-length studio LP, the absurdly titled, very British - Dreams On Toast. While for the casual listener who remembers the band's explosive 2003 debut Permission To Land and the bevvy of major singles that record produced such as 'Growing On Me' and 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love', have likely long allowed the band to dissipate into the ether of their musical memory banks, those who still like their rock cheesy, camp and packed to the brim with Slade-style fret mangling solos, will find so much to crunch on here with bangers such as 'Rock and Roll Party Cowboy' and 'I Hate Myself' still delivering the "What year is it?!" retro-swagger that's becoming more difficult to replicate with each passing year. It also helps that frontman/primary songwriter Justin Hawkins has seemingly injected a booster shot into his own project thanks largely to his successful YouTube channel Justin Hawkins Rides Again, while for easter egg time, actor Stephen Dorff (known for is roles as the villain in the first Wesley Snipes Blade film as well as True Detective) makes a spoken-word appearance on the closer 'Weekend In Rome'.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks ***


Permission To Land is the debut album by glam rockers The Darkness, originally released in 2003. True to their name, The Darkness were dark horses indeed, having been sorely underestimated by the guffawing gatekeepers at Sony, who failed to see any promise in the band after being deemed "uncool", perhaps due to their bombastic rock & roll sound and high vocal drawl from Justin Hawkins. Sony were easily knocked off their high horse, however, when the band later signed with Atlantic, after which the album would top the US Albums Chart, peaking at number two. For the fans, this reissue harks back to their earliest hits, such as 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love', and 'Growing On Me'.

Review: The Darkness have made a name for themselves with unashamedly flamboyant rock anthems and often tongue-in-cheek lyrics and their latest album Dreams On Toast, their first for four years, further solidifies their status at the top of British rock. Fans can expect soaring guitar riffs and infectious hooks, blending nostalgia for the excesses of 80s New Wave of British Heavy Metal with a fresh perspective on the genre. Singer/guitarist and frontman Justin Hawkins hasd stated that they they crafted a dozen bangers with the help of divine inspiration, so prepare for religious experience and revelation. A memorable rock experience that will resonate with both new and longtime listeners alike.

Review: The special and almost 50-year-old live album captures the legendary singer-songwriter at the height of his career and performing to an ecstatic crowd in Melbourne. It's an electrifying listen full of Diamond's powerful stage presence as he blends his iconic hits with a raw, emotive delivery. The 1975 performance features fan favourites like 'Sweet Caroline,' 'Cracklin' Rosie' and 'Solitary Man,' each infused with the energy of the live setting. Diamond's voice, both tender and commanding, shines throughout the set so makes this a lovely listen for fans old or new.

Review: This 1992 live album captures the iconic UK rockers as they toured their final album On Every Street, wielding a setlist that balances hits and deep cuts. Side-A kicks off with the iconic early breakthrough hit 'Sultans of Swing', instantly impressing listeners in Mark Knopfler's signature fingerpicking guitar work. The energy continues with the ever-joyful 'Walk of Life', its infectious rhythm bringing an undeniable feel-good vibe. 'Heavy Fuel' rounds out the first side with its gritty, tongue-in-cheek take on rock star excess. Side-B opens with the smooth jazz-inflected 'Your Latest Trick', complete with haunting saxophone melodies that add emotional depth to the performance. The epic 'Telegraph Road' follows, serving as a masterclass in dynamic storytelling through music, with Knopfler's guitar work shining throughout its extended runtime. The album closes with 'Solid Rock', a fittingly energetic finale that evidently leaves the 65,000-strong audience at the Bedfordshire stately home wanting more. As the years go by, Dire Straits set themselves aside as one of the most talented, versatile and different bands in rock music.

Review: The Drive-By Truckers' American Band, originally released in 2016 and now reissued on silver vinyl, stands as one of the band's most politically charged and poignant records. Reflecting the turbulent times during which it was written, the album confronts the complexities of American identity, weaving historical events and personal introspection into its Southern rock fabric. With tracks like 'Ramon Casiano', written by Mike Cooley, the band delves into the killing of a young Hispanic boy by future NRA leader Harlon Carter. Patterson Hood's contributions, including the haunting 'Guns of Umpqua',]address the Umpqua Community College shooting, while 'What It Means' grapples with the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. The album's lead single, 'Surrender Under Protest', takes aim at Civil War revisionism and the Confederate flag, embodying the band's no-holds-barred approach to current issues. Musically, American Band strikes a balance between Cooley's hard-hitting rockers like 'Filthy and Fried', 'Kinky Hypocrite' and Hood's more introspective, soulful tracks, such as 'Ever South.' This nuanced blend of anger, reflection and Southern identity solidifies the album as a modern classic, reaffirming the Drive-By Truckers' place as one of America's most vital bands.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Box damaged, product in perfect working order***


The deluxe edition of Drive-By Truckers' Southern Rock Opera is a welcomed new package for their standout album. Originally released in 2001, this ambitious double album delves into themes ranging from the politics of race to 1970s stadium rock, all through the lens of Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd. New West Records' remixed and remastered edition elevates the album's sound quality, bringing clarity and depth to the intricate storytelling and powerful instrumentation. The resequenced tracks ensure a cohesive listening experience, maintaining the narrative flow while enhancing the album's sonic fidelity. The standout feature of this deluxe edition is the third disc, which includes multiple bonus tracks. Among them is the intriguing 'Mystery Song,' an impromptu recording discovered during the remixing process, adding a unique, spontaneous element to the collection. Additionally, tracks like 'Birmingham' and 'Moved' are thoughtfully integrated into the vinyl format, preserving the story's integrity while optimising sound quality. The special new edition, featuring a foil-stamped rigid slipcase and a 28-page book with spot gloss treatment, enhances the album's physical appeal.