Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: TC.KYLIE x The Hourglass deliver a dynamic jazz fusion outing here that mixes up Hong Kong, Japanese, and British cultures in a top debut album. Jazz fusion pianist Kylie leads her band with great energy while playing keyboard and synth keytar that is a little reminiscent of Japanese jazz rock. Based in Hong Kong and London, she's inspired by Shaun Martin, Robert Glasper and Japanese acid jazz groups like Fox Capture Plan and Jabberloop and that shows in these sounds. They are bright, happy and uplifting with the majestic flute leads of 'Merry-go-round Of Life ' impossible not to fill you with excitement and joy.

Review: Originally released in 2004 to a hot reception, this iconic soundtrack from the beloved Sega game Feel the Magic XY/XX features Tokoi's unforgettable blend of eclectic, funky and also smartly experimental compositions. The music complements the game's quirky, surreal themes with catchy rhythms and vibrant colours. This anniversary edition offers remastered tracks with enhanced sound quality so is a guaranteed nostalgic journey for longtime fans or a superb introduction to the brilliance of Tokoi's work for new ears.

Review: Best known as - but not restricted to being - the singer from 1970s prog behemoths Yes, Jon Anderson embarked on an American tour in 2023 after the universally (by the band at least) despised Union album. This time he was not backed not by his famous bandmates but by The Band Geeks, a bunch of musicians who meticulously recreated the music of the greats of the 1970s. "They sound just like the classic Yes of the seventies," he commented at the time, "the Yes that I know and love." Therefore this live collection sees him employing his distinctive, almost unfeasibly high and pure tones to a number of classics from the band's earliest days, with 'Starship Trooper', 'Your Move - I've Seen All Good People', 'Yours Is No Disgrace' and the ever triumphant 'Close To The Edge' among the list of undeniable crowd pleasers. It may be two decades on from these songs' initial inception, but Anderson and the aforementioned Geeks do a pretty good job of rolling back the clock here.

Review: Dream Division present their latest album Rose In The Garden Of Winter, a contemporary gothic disco undertaking of polished and still genre-various proportions. Echoing the stylistic ambitions of Bauhaus, but perhaps describably updating their sound for the modern ear, Dream Division offer a metamorphic record, able to shapeshift into a range of chiropteran forms: cinematic punk, dub, goth-disco, lounge, even interluding raga. Impressively, the personnel list on this record make up an intricate human nonagram, through the central vector on this ritual star is Tom McDowell, who handles synths, vocoder, production and songwriting and commands a puppeteer's control over various synthesists, sitar caressers and theremin cooers. Delightfully devilish throughout, A Rose... reminds of something between a lycanthropic, late 70s Mancunian punk blowout and a fanged Italo-disco bashment in which the sprinklers sprinkle blood on sight of a daywalker.

Review: Elephant9, renowned for their electrifying live performances, continues to impress with their upcoming double live album, Catching Fire, recorded during a remarkable 2017 concert in Oslo to celebrate Terje Rypdal's 70th birthday. This release, available on double vinyl through Rune Grammofon, adds to the band's impressive discography, which includes multiple studio albums and live recordings. Catching Fire shares a visceral energy reminiscent of classic live albums from Mahavishnu Orchestra, ELP, and King Crimson, combining moments of intense improvisation with serene interludes. The 22-minute opening track showcases Rypdal's distinctive, glacier-like melodic lines, demonstrating his mastery and unique approach. His synergy with Stale Storlokken, who has supported him for nearly 30 years, creates an inseparable musical dialogue, while the rhythm section of Torstein Lofthus and Nikolai Haengsle ensures a solid, dynamic foundation. With its careful mix aiming to capture the live concert experience, Catching Fire is poised to be a highlight for fans. The world of Norwegian jazz prog never sounded better.

Review: Phaedra is the fifth studio album by German electronic group Tangerine Dream, recorded in November 1973 at The Manor in Shipton-on-Cherwell, England, and released in 1974 through Virgin. An icier, tempoless departure for a band otherwise better recognised for their sequencer-led, soundtrack-bred sound, this was a hidden moulin for frost-drone fanatics, and a deviant pupil of the otherwise strict Berlin School. Despite receiving little to no airplay, Phaedra gained significant traction through word of mouth when it was released by a rather more hippified Richard Branson's fledgling Virgin label, eventually reaching number 15 on the UK Albums Chart and remaining on the charts for 15 weeks. Its long-form pieces, such as 'Sequent C' and 'Mysterious Semblance At The Strand Of Nightmares', represent an indifference to constraints of timing, instead washing over the ears as diachronic, swirling, crisp ice ambient smirrs.

Review: This new reissue of The Angel From The West Window by Tangerine Dream's showed the returned back to their electronic music roots in 2011. Departing from the mellower tones that characterized some of their 90s output, the band's latest album at the time delved into more challenging and orchestral electronic landscapes. The Angel of the West Window, inspired by the works of German author Gustav Meyrink, showcases a revitalised sound: pulsating sequencers, expansive synthesized textures, and evocative electric guitar solos dominate the album. Collaborating with Thorsten Quaeschning, Froese infuses the tracks with dynamic rhythmic foundations and ethereal electronic layers, creating an edgy and immersive sonic experience. Electric violin accents add a haunting depth to the compositions, enhancing their atmospheric quality. Standout tracks like 'The Mysterious Gift to Mankind' and 'Living in Eternity' highlight Tangerine Dream's ability to blend synthetic and organic elements seamlessly. The album's thematic richness and sensitive melodies evoke a cinematic scope, making it ideal for both introspective listening and atmospheric settings. Long-time fans have welcomed this resurgence, celebrating Tangerine Dream's return to form and their enduring influence on electronic music. Tangerine Dream's musical legacy and innovative spirit is part of electronic music history. Fans of their Virgin records output should really enjoy this album.

Review: If you're trying to work out where in Tangerine Dream's back catalogue Finnegans Wake fits, then good luck. According to our sources, this is "roughly the group's 125th release". So it's remarkable just how fresh and forward thinking the record sounds, given most people start running out of original ideas once they reach adulthood, let alone make it past the first two LPs. First released in 2011, eight tracks launch us towards the stratosphere on a rocket of synths and electric guitars, chords soaring ever higher as the background symphony of glitter and chime invoke images of stardust falling over an ocean of zodiacal light below. If that's too conceptual, then let's just say this is progressive kosmische Kraut at its most epic and bold. Just like the rest of their output, then.

Review: Toe's latest release is an impressive and intricate offering in the post-rock/math-rock genre, showing the band's ability to craft technically complex yet soothing music. With more textured instrumentation than in previous albums, the band experiments with a variety of sounds, including acoustic and electric guitars, marimbas, and synths, while also incorporating vocals in select tracks. This broader palette enhances the richness of their compositions, blending tight rhythms with emotional melodies. Tracks like 'After Image' and 'Goodbye' exemplify the band's capacity to weave lyrical elements seamlessly into their instrumental fabric, creating a chilled yet engaging atmosphere. The drumming, often at the forefront, steals the show with its dynamic precision, propelling the album forward without overwhelming the overall sound. It's a standout feature, providing both energy and nuance throughout the record. Influences ranging from King Crimson to Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell are evident, though Toe maintains their own distinctive voice. The controlled interplay between instruments is both intricate and meditative, a balance between individual technicality and the collective structure of the compositions. This album solidifies Toe's reputation as a band pushing boundaries while maintaining a highly listenable and relaxed vibe.

Review: Now I See The Light is the comeback album from often-overlooked Japanese math rock pioneers Toe. As the title suggests, the blissful, meditative soundscapes offer listeners a refreshing perspective, providing the emotional grounding needed to view life through a renewed lens. Toe exemplifies modesty in their artistic expression. Their music, characterised by intricate instrumental subtleties, reflects a reserved demeanour, paralleling their minimalist online presence. Their focus remains solely on creating music, naturally attracting those who truly appreciate their craft. Discovering toe is thus a serendipitous experience. Blending elements of post-rock, pop, jazz, electronic and ambient genres, toe has crafted a sound that feels both seamless and cohesive. The album opens with '????', enveloping the listener in the warm embrace of intricate guitar harmonies, akin to a comforting reunion. The band's chemistry radiates through each hypnotic rhythm, reflecting their strong bond. Though primarily instrumental, tracks like 'Loneliness Will Shine' feature tender vocals from guitarist Yamazaki Hirokazu. His airy voice enhances the beautiful instrumentals, creating a captivating atmosphere reminiscent of Dredg's El Cielo. The placement of these vocal tracks within the album ensures a well-balanced pacing, making it feel neither purely instrumental nor vocal. The pristine audio quality of the album allows every detail to shine. '??????' exemplifies this, with carefully panned elements creating an amazing depth. Despite its clarity, the production maintains a human touch, avoiding sterility and instead feeling authentic. What stands out most about toe is the unwavering authenticity woven into their music. There are no gimmicks or over-the-top embellishments, just pure auditory bliss from beginning to end. After a nine-year hiatus, it's as if they seamlessly continued their musical journey, allowing us to experience the light they bring to the world. The CD includes a poster, adding an extra touch for fans.

Review: Before Tool were known for their grandiose live shows that keep frontman Maynard James Keenan shrouded in darkness next to drummer Danny Carey, before they were considered progressive metal titans unmatched by any act within the scene, they were just another four-piece alternative metal group made up of four outsider misfits who seemingly struck a unique balance with one another and a burgeoning fanbase. Captured in 1991 at a performance in the Los Angeles Jello Loft where they would cut their teeth, this set is made up of material from both their 1992 debut 'Opiate' EP and 1993's follow-up full-length Undertow, pre-dating the release of either project, with the songs landing on almost completely unsuspecting ears. Take a fly-on-the-wall earful of early versions of 'Cold & Ugly,' 'Sweat', and 'Hush', which showcase their first forays into aggressive grooves whilst the juxtaposition of these tracks next to their much darker, proggier successors such as 'Sober' and 'Swamp Song', highlight the singular vision they were already striving towards before even dropping one official project.

Review: If you deep dive into online information about this somewhat mysterious Tool live release, you can start to piece together some facts from the mythology. The thing we are most certain about The Pepsi Challenge: Colorado Broadcast 2002 Volume One is that there are many theories pertaining to what it is and whether it's a bootleg or not. Certainly this has nothing to do with the Pepsi Challenge per se, but rather the title refers to where the album was recorded. The year was 2002, the place Denver's Pepsi Center, now known as Ball Arena. Here, mighty metallers Tool stopped by on what was a mammoth tour and delivered what several fan forum posts suggest was the best date of the lot. We're not sure how many of the shows the OPs attended to make that assertion, but we do know that this LP sounds like it was an incredible night.

Review: Trying to find reliable information about The Pepsi Challenge: Colorado Broadcast Volume Two isn't easy. In fact, it's almost like the Holy Grail search. That's if the Holy Grail was a quest for details about one of very few live recordings by almighty US rock dons Tool. Definitely rarer than the steak you still dream about from that time you spent far too much money on a mains, but it was worth it, other than that we're coming up short on certainties. One thing we do know is this was recorded at Denver, Colorado's Pepsi Center, now Ball Arena, home of the Denver Nuggets basketball team and an 18,000 capacity venue. According to several fan forums, the show took place in 2002 and is remembered as one of the best on the band's tour that year. Recorded live for FM radio, it's now made its way onto wax, and reflects the power and majesty of these guitar icons.

Review: Tusmorke, Norway's psychedelic spelunkers, return with Dawn of Oberon, their 12th album in as many years. A fittingly occult release, arriving twelve years after their debut, Underjordisk Tusmorke, Dawn of Oberon chronicles a period of flux, welcoming then bidding farewell to drummer Kusken and featuring keyboardist Herjekongen. Recorded in their own space, the album captures the band's enduring, self-proclaimed Peter Pan syndrome - 25 years young, never growing up, just growing old. This time, they delve into the subterranean kingdom of the Fair Folk, a sonic expedition to the far reaches of the mind. Dawn of Oberon is pure Tusmorke: acid-drenched, trollish, and utterly unique. It's a trip into the underground, a sonic exploration of fantasy and the far-out.