Back catalogue: Rock

Review: Who doesn't love Toy Story? It's an on going classic with a heart of gold, some of The best animation in the film world and most loveable characters to ever make the silver screen. Whether young or old, snuggling down to watch this sone is always a treat, and now you can bring some of that magic onto your decks with the red vinyl compilation album. It brings together some of the best tracks and favourite musical moments of the movie such as, of course the most notable song of them all, 'You've Got A Friend In Me (Para El Buzz Espanol)' as well as 'I Will Go Sailing No More' and 'We Belong Together.'

Review: Nena's second album, released in 1984 and now reissued on striking red vinyl, was a shift from the assertive sound of their debut, presenting a more romantic and introspective approach. The album cover, featuring a shadowy band photo against a black backdrop and a simple question mark as its title, hints at its deeper emotional themes. While the opening track 'Rette Mich' carries forward the energy of their first album, the overall mood embraces love and longing, with Nena's voice revealing a touching vulnerability. The music leans toward 70s Baroque rock, combined with the catchy simplicity of 80s pop, as all band members contribute to the songwriting, ensuring a rich tapestry of melodic sophistication. The title track, initially released as a mellow single, captures the emotional complexity of desire and resonated deeply with fans, further solidifying Nena's status in the German pop scene. Following the unexpected success of '99 Luftballons', which became a worldwide hit, this album helped elevate Nena and her band beyond the constraints of the Neue Deutsche Welle movement, marking them as a unique force in pop music history. Its timeless appeal ensures that Nena remains a classic in German music.

Review: Ahead of their time? Ruined by excess and ego? A difficult act to market? New York Dolls are one of those stories about the fickle nature of industry and listeners, and the risks of hedonism. Emerging from The Big Apple in 1971, the group had a thoroughly modern sound for the time, combining hard and what was then a very fresh glam rock sound with early punk prototypes, years before people would learn what that means. New York Dolls was the spectacular self-titled debut from the band, put out by Mercury in 1973. Although a commercial failure, it's often cited among the greatest rock 'n' roll records of all time, but despite critical success it did little outside the US, where sales weren't great as it was, and the outfit would only last another few years - with various lineup changes - before calling time. This rare release charts what came before all that, including collector's item demos from their time playing as Actress.

Review: One of the most divisive rock bands gigging today, Nickelback are easy targets and quite unfairly lampooned in the media. Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic famously came to their defence, stating that he loves them, which is a great endorsement and one we're inclined to agree with. They are a great power pop band. 'How You Remind Me' is - fact - one of the catchiest rock singles of the past 30 years and the band have endured and matured into one of the biggest rock bands of all time. This live album comes two years after the release of their chart-topping album Get Rollin'. They were touring in support of that album when they decided to professionally film and record one of the dates - their sold-out show on 1 August 2023 in Nashville. And it's a hit-laden feast: 'Photograph', 'Burn It To The Ground', 'Hero' and more. What's more: they brought out an array of guests; including: Bailey Zimmerman for 'Rockstar' and Chris Daughtry for 'Savin’ Me', making for a truly special evening.

Review: Street Angel captures a distinct period in Stevie Nicks' career when she had just left Fleetwood Mac and was battling Klonopin dependency. The recording process was fraught, but in this tension emerges an album more brooding than the breezy pop rock she had comfortably rolled out in her solo career up to that point. The title track speaks volumes for the mood around the record, downcast but still possessing a fierceness that Nicks has carried throughout her catalogue. 'Blue Denim' strikes a softer note which sits comfortably alongside her work in Fleetwood Mac, but it's the spaces she explores beyond that which make this an essential part of her long and winding story in rock and roll.

Review: In the dramatic twists and turns of her career, Stevie Nicks overcame adversity more than a few times to assert her place as a true icon of American rock music. In the wake of her departure from Fleetwood Mac and her battle with Klonopin dependency, Tom Petty encouraged her to hunker down and write the songs which would become her 2001 comeback, Trouble In Shangri-La. Coming from a place of sheer honesty and with the clarity of her regained health, it was a critically acclaimed return to form which vindicated her self-doubt and reminded the world of her incredible voice and unforgettable songwriting.

Review: Originally released in 2011, this solo album from Fleetwood Mac singer Nicks offers a deeply personal touch, blending her classic sound with new inspirations. Produced by Dave Stewart, the album carries a mix of heartfelt ballads and upbeat tracks that highlight Nicks' unique storytelling. 'Secret Love', originally penned during Rumours, is a gem that recalls her Fleetwood Mac glory days. 'Moonlight (A Vampire's Dream)' captures Nicks' signature whimsy, and 'For What It's Worth' showcases her lyrical intimacy. Nicks' inimitable voice and poetic lyrics remain the album's heart. Fans will appreciate this reissue, a celebration of her enduring legacy and her unmistakable presence in the music world.

Review: For anyone thinking that title might be a tad self-deprecating, it's worth noting that Noel Gallagher isn't one to rest on his laurels-there may be material here that'll satisfy the old-school Britpop fans in the house, such as the first single 'Lock All The Doors', yet elsewhere 'Chasing Yesterday' is notable not only for Gallagher's midas touch with indelible melodies but for experimentation that takes in such unlikely ingredients as saxophone-abetted jazz and funk even whilst maintaining his love for the classic pop and rock of the '60s and '70s. On this evidence, this tunesmith's well of inspiration isn't running dry any time soon.

Review: What you see before you ranks among the most mythologised live albums (n)ever released. Like the title suggests, it was originally recorded in 1972 at Parisian rock institution Le Bataclan, a legendary venue which would later gain notoriety after a group of armed gunmen opened fire on a crowd in 2015, killing 90 people. But that grisly recent history belies its status as one of the most respected concert halls in the French capital, and this not-quite-Velvet Underground show has contributed to that legacy. Showcasing the stop-you-dead qualities of Nico's staggering (and unique) vocal timbre, the surreal, immersive qualities of the Cale and Reed's legendary art-rock tones, this time capsule had been bootlegged and bootlegged until 2004, when it finally got an official release. Now it's back.

Review: This broadcast was first aired on French TV having been recorded at the Bataclan club in Paris, on January 29, 1972. It got a first official release in 2004 having been bootlegged for many years before that from a recording taken from the sound board at the gig. Fans of The Velvet Underground will know that this was the first time the group members Lou Reed, John Cale and Nico had all been up on stage together.