New releases last two weeks: Rock

Review: One of the most important bands to come out of the punk era, Blondie changed pop music forever and this live performance at the Paradise Ballroom in Boston on May 27, 1978, sees the band just before mainstream success hit. Broadcast live on WBCN-FM, the show highlights their raw energy and the tight synergy between the band members. Debbie Harry, with her unique blend of punk swagger and glam allure, commands the stage as Blondie delivers a high-energy set that mixes their punk roots with emerging new wave influences. Songs like 'X Offender', 'Denis' and 'Rip Her to Shreds' are packed with punchy rhythms and catchy hooks, while deeper tracks like 'Youth Nabbed As Sniper' and 'Man Overboard' hint at the band's growing sonic complexity. This live recording not only demonstrates Blondie's ability to command a crowd but also marks the beginning of their ascent to global stardom with Parallel Lines. A perfect snapshot of Blondie during a transformative period with an energetic performance, when their influence on the evolution of punk and new wave music was just beginning.

Review: This 1992 live album captures the iconic UK rockers as they toured their final album On Every Street, wielding a setlist that balances hits and deep cuts. Side-A kicks off with the iconic early breakthrough hit 'Sultans of Swing', instantly impressing listeners in Mark Knopfler's signature fingerpicking guitar work. The energy continues with the ever-joyful 'Walk of Life', its infectious rhythm bringing an undeniable feel-good vibe. 'Heavy Fuel' rounds out the first side with its gritty, tongue-in-cheek take on rock star excess. Side-B opens with the smooth jazz-inflected 'Your Latest Trick', complete with haunting saxophone melodies that add emotional depth to the performance. The epic 'Telegraph Road' follows, serving as a masterclass in dynamic storytelling through music, with Knopfler's guitar work shining throughout its extended runtime. The album closes with 'Solid Rock', a fittingly energetic finale that evidently leaves the 65,000-strong audience at the Bedfordshire stately home wanting more. As the years go by, Dire Straits set themselves aside as one of the most talented, versatile and different bands in rock music.

Review: In 1962, a chance convergence of historical contingencies in Dartford, Kent, would set the stage for the formation of one of the world's best-known rock and roll bands, The Rolling Stones. After Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took inspiration from rock icons Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, not to mention the comparatively sentimental Chicago blueses of Brian Jones and Ian Stewart, the group's had laid the mac for their own sound. The Rolling Stones' love for early blues legends would define their success; this compilation The celebrates those roots, from Muddy Waters' 'Just Want to Make Love to You' through to Chuck Berry's 'Memphis, Tennessee' and Robert Johnson's 'Love In Vain'. Special bonus tracks include the jazz-infused 'Key To The Highway' by Jazz Gillum, further proving Jagger and company's far-reaching inspirations.