Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Scottish rock veterans return with an ambitious concept album that chronicles a life marked by rebellion, excess and reinvention. Crafted with cinematic scope, the album pieces together the journey of an individual navigating shifting cultural landscapes, embracing chaos, and emerging on the other side transformed. Spanning 25 tracks, the music unfolds like a series of vignettes, moving from youthful idealism to reckless abandon and eventual redemption. There's a raw energy pulsing through the arrangements, from raucous, blues-drenched rockers to more introspective, soul-baring ballads. 'Hopper's On Top' barrels forward with driving rhythms and swaggering vocals, channeling a period of artistic ambition and Hollywood turmoil. Elsewhere, moments of reflection soften the edges, drawing the listener deeper into the story. Produced by Scott alongside James Hallawell and Brother Paul Brown, the record's sonic palette is rich, blending folk-rock roots with cinematic flourishes. Guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen and Fiona Apple add weight to the narrative, their contributions enhancing the album's dynamic range. Packaged on "burnt" vinyl 2xLP, this release is both a tribute and an exploration of resilience, art and survival. It's a bold addition to their storied career.

Review: Brit folk rock troubadours The Waterboys have put together an evocative exploration of life's complexities with this, their 16th album, all while being inspired by actor Dennis Hopper's defiant spirit. The album blends folk-rock, Americana and poetic lyrics into an introspective look at mortality, legacy and transformation. With Mike Scott's distinctive voice and emotive songwriting, the tracks balance philosophical musings with gritty realism and so embody Hopper's famously raw and rebellious energy, the sort that made him such a star of the silver screen and movies like Easy Rider. The album's atmospheric instrumentation includes sweeping strings and soaring guitars that enhance its reflective nature. Life Death & Dennis Hopper is an ambitious record but one that resonates with depth.