Back in stock: Rock

Review: Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze Live On Air captures the electrifying essence of the American's legendary performances. Released posthumously, this album offers a superb glimpse into his unparalleled talent and stage presence. From the iconic riff of 'Purple Haze' to the soulful improvisations elsewhere, each track showcases Hendrix's innovative guitar techniques and charismatic vocals. The raw energy and spontaneity of these live recordings cannot fail to transport you back to the height of 1960s counterculture and reaffirm Hendrix's status as a musical icon for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Review: When Mick Mars stepped back from touring with Motley Crue, it seemed like the end of an era. Really, it was the beginning of a new one. The legendary guitarist, whose riffs, solos and overall devastatingly heavy sound powered the L.A. icons through four decades of world-conquering, multi-platinum sonic mayhem is, as he demonstrates on his debut solo effort, still a serious force to be reckoned with. Only now, listeners are reckoning with more Mars than ever before. On the aptly-titled The Other Side of Mars, fans get that vision in its full, multifarious glory. To be sure, there are plenty of characteristically riff-tastic, tough-as-nails hard-rock anthems, but The Other Side of Mars also shows the 71-year-old guitarist heading into new and uncharted territory, tearing through caustic, modern metal ('Broken On The Inside"', conjuring gothic-tinged soundscapes ('Undone'), digging into anguished, slow-burning power balladry ('Killing Breed"' and unspooling bluesy, cinematic instrumental workouts (the album-closing guitar showcase, 'L.A. Noir'). The music throughout the ten-track collection, meanwhile, is otherwise studded with slide guitars, violins, violas, keyboards, glitchy freak-outs and all manner of sonic surprises.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Box slightly damaged, slight surface marks, otherwise in perfect working order***


The 1971 classic album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, Blue is widely thought by many music lovers to be one of the best albums of all time. Already well into her career by the time of its release - it's her fourth album - it was certainly Mitchell's best yet, reflecting a period in her life where she took a break from touring and live performing to focus on creation. Its confessional and poetic lyrics, not to mention the distinctively groggy yet idyllic guitar and piano playing on songs like 'All I Want', 'River', 'A Case Of You', heard Mitchell encapsulate the various milestones, Renaissances and turning points of the contemporary rock landscape of the 1970s, into a singular LP.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record sleeve damaged, product in working order***


The enduring appeal of Steely Dan never fades with time, and why should it? Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's relentless pursuit of perfection and blue-eyed soul gifted us a whole heap of stunning albums, and their fiercely devoted fanbase would fight tooth and nail over which one gets the top spot. Our money would be on Aja though, given its enduring influence, its rich extended life through a whole host of sampling and the quite simply flawless run of songs, composition, production and beyond. It's one of the greatest albums out there, and you'd do well to grab a copy if you don't own it already.