Ian Anderson
Thick as a Brick 2
EMI (2012)
If there's anything movies have taught us, it's that sequels almost always suck in comparison to the original. While there aren't nearly as many sequels in the musical world, occasionally an artist will go back and revisit one of the ideas that made them famous in the first place. In almost all of these cases, such as with Mike Oldfield's … Read more
Iron Maiden
Dance of Death
EMI (2003)
Iron Maiden has built one of the most reputable legacies of modern music. There is no doubting that. From such a legendary band, the fans can only expect the best. Having said such a thing, I'm issuing the following disclaimer: This review will be extra tough considering Maiden's history and importance to heavy metal music. First thing's first; the artwork … Read more
Subscribe
Bookmarks
EMI (2011)
Despite having the most un-Googleable artist/album name combination in existence, the Hungarian band Subscribe have beautifully combined influences of hardcore, heavy metal, progressive rock and what-else-have-you in their latest release, Bookmarks.Oh, sure, it starts out innocently enough with the orchestral track "Griping Portentous", featuring the most nightmarish combination of brass and sound effects possible. Of course, that's still pretty standard … Read more
Tex, Don and Charlie
You Don’t Know Lonely
EMI (2017)
Bonafide legends of the Australian music scene, Tex, Don and Charlie are somewhat an Australian super group with gravitas aplomb.Comprised of Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea, Beasts of Bourbon), Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and Charlie Owen, the trio first incarnated in 1993 and has since released an album every 12 years. The formula has not changed much, despite the passing … Read more
The Living End
State of Emergency
EMI (2006)
Maturity is a much-maligned thing within the pop world. Let's face it, there's nothing that the mass-media consuming pop-culture junkie detests more than a band that changes their sound. Maybe the new sound makes the consumer feel stupid? Maybe the new sound is just shit? Maybe it's something not worth postulating over? The fact is that this is how it … Read more
