Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: A four-CD career retrospective of Motorhead's iconic guitarist, coupled with a 320-page book, is set for release via BMG. Authoured by veteran rock journalist Kris Needs, in collaboration with Clarke's widow Mariko Fujiwara, the book provides a detailed account of Clarke's life and career. The narrative begins with Clarke's formative years, from his early musical inspirations to his significant collaborations, including recording with Curtis Knight. The story delves into his pivotal years with Motorhead (1976-1982), the formation of Fastway, and his solo endeavours. Personal insights from Mariko and Clarke's close friends enrich the biography, offering a look into his life beyond the stage. The CDs include The Early Years, featuring tracks from Zeus, Continuous Performance, and the Muggers. Motorhead Era, highlighting hits like 'Ace Of Spades,' unreleased demos and Eddie's work with Girlschool, Fastway, which showcases the band's evolution with demos, remixes, and tracks from eight albums and the Solo Years, focusing on his solo albums and collaborations. Stories don't come much more comprehensive than this.

Review: The Retrospective: Selected Recordings 1973-2023 is a double vinyl album that offers a rich exploration of Bryan Ferry's remarkable solo journey. Spanning over five decades, this collection presents tracks from Ferry's career, illustrating his evolution as a solo artist. Each record in the set showcases a different aspect of Ferry's music, whether it's rock 'n' roll, refined pop, or jazz and blues influences. Highlights include original tracks like 'Slave To Love' and 'Don't Stop The Dance,' alongside stunning covers such as 'The Price of Love' and 'Song To The Siren.' The set also includes rare and unreleased gems, providing fans with a broader look at Ferry's extensive catalog. The included book offers a unique insight into Ferry's artistic legacy, further enhancing the experience. With its diverse selection including a few covers, this collection serves as a fitting tribute to Ferry's enduring impact on music, making it a valuable addition for those who appreciate his work.

Review: The double gatefold edition of The Best Of Bryan Ferry offers a comprehensive look at the artist's illustrious career, with the 20 tracks including two brand-new recordings, the arrival of 'Star' marking Ferry's first new music in over a decade. The compilation opens with the classic 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall' and 'These Foolish Things,' setting a reflective tone, before the covers of 'The 'In' Crowd' and the timeless 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' proving to be great additions from Ferry's early work. 'Casanova' and 'Let's Stick Together' highlight his evolution into a dynamic solo performer, then side-2 includes 'Slave To Love,' a global hit from the mid-80s, and 'Don't Stop The Dance,' blending Ferry's signature style with new wave influences. LP2 continues with another chart success in 'Kiss And Tell,' and 'Your Painted Smile,' a gem from the underrated Mamouna in 1994. 'I Put A Spell On You' stands out as a testament to Ferry's mastery of covers, while 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' runs with that amazing talent. The set closes with 'You Can Dance' and 'Johnny And Mary,' encapsulating the breadth of Ferry's career and providing a nuanced view of his musical journey. This compilation offers as much of brilliant career as possible into a 2x12 retrospect while being unique in the additions spanning his career plus the debut of a couple new songs. The king of suave is still making it happen more than 50 years after Roxy Music took pop music by storm.

Review: Gavin Friday's Ecce Homo marks his return with a bold, sonorous expression after a 13-year hiatus. The album, produced by Dave Ball (Soft Cell), Michael Heffernan, and Riccardo Mulhall, showcases Friday's evolution as an artist, blending rebellion, anger, and introspection into a deeply personal exploration of identity and societal disillusionment. Known as the former frontman of the Irish post-punk band Virgin Prunes, Friday crafts Ecce Homo with a striking mix of emotional vulnerability and defiance, tackling themes like religion, power, and self-liberation. The title track's haunting yet euphoric sound, paired with an AI-generated video, sets the tone for an album that breaks genre conventions while maintaining a sense of triumph. Ecce Homo is a work of fearless self-expression, building on the reflective grief of 2011's Catholic while celebrating the strength found in independence. This album affirms Gavin Friday's enduring artistic presence.