Best of the rest
Other new releases out this month.
Killing Joke
Malicious Damage Live At The Astoria 12.10.03
KilliNg JoKe/cadiz
The Raven/Parsons-era Joke go through mid-career doldrums motions. There’s power and passion here, but 16 years later they only sound 10 years younger and 10 times stronger. 6/10
SunnO)))
soutHerN lord
Pyroclasts
Four 11-minute ‘improvised modal drones’ recorded by Steve Albini during the sessions for which we’re supposed to be grateful. This is why punk happened. Get a grip. 3/10
Allan Clarke
BMg
Resurgence
A little sedate in production and kitschy in the country twang department, but deep inside this ex-Hollies vocalist’s comeback collection lies a decent slice of mainstream Americana. 6/10
The Monochrome Set
taPete
Fabula Mendax
Arch post-punk pop genius Bid turns his impeccable ear for an irresistible tune to an ambitious concept work based in the 15th century’s Hundred Years War. As one would. 7/10
Nine Below Zero
zed
Avalanche
Now expanded to incorporate brass and co-lead vocalist Charlie Austen, Dennis Greaves’ always-the-bridesmaid R’n’B vets have evolved and matured into assured contenders. An excellent reinvention. 8/10
Jan Akkerman
Music tHeories/Mascot
Close Beauty
The 72-year old ex-Focus guitarist’s frst album in eight years highlights engaging virtuosity, a signature tone, enduring acoustic and electric brilliance in a variety of complementary apposite settings. 8/10
Mikal Cronin
Merge
Seeker
With vocals reminiscent of vintage Plant, an inventive line in lush psychpop by way of mesmeric backdrop and rich inspiration in the white heat of Californian wild fires, Cronin’s produced an engaging gem. 8/10
Skint & Demoralised
Fierce PaNda
We Are Humans
Sheffield poet Matt Abbot and musical collaborator David Gledhill come across as a less ticky-Sleafords. Pithy street-smart verbals bear close scrutiny against a backdrop of indie ingenuity. 7/10
GospelbeacH
alive NaturalsouNd
Let It Burn
Nicely chilled, spliffs-by-the-pool Americana, a whiff of Dead here, a touch of Petty there, this third album finds the Los Angeleans aided and abetted once more by the late Neal Casal to transformative effect. 7/10
Simple Minds
Live In The City Of Angels
A sparkling career-spanning two-CD set delivered with casual, assured panache. Sounding better than remembered, time’s been kind to the Minds. More than worth a punt. Despite the lack of 8/10
Dead Shed Jokers
Pity My BraiN
All The Seasons
Light, shade, darkness, depth, melodic intricacy and emotional rawness coalesce on this ambitious live-in-studio third from a Welsh quintet positively dripping with passion, power and progressive potential. 7/10
James McArthur And The Head Gardeners
MoorlaNd
Intergalactic Sailor
Pastoral psych-folk at its most intimate and entrancing as McArthur’s third album benefits from the complementary presence of Syd Arthur’s Joel and Liam Magill. Acoustics weave, lilts lull, strings stroke; a welcome escape. 8/10
Life Metal
I Travel.