New Music: You Got Me Searching

          

After just announcing his 2025 tour dates, Jack White returns with a blistering and bursting brand new single "You Got Me Searching" which arrives today as the B-side to the No Name track, “That’s How I’m Feeling." now this is an energetic rock tune that jumps between its head-banging refrain and bluesy breakdowns, with White’s vocal wail serving as the anchor throughout. The single is available to stream today, scroll below to listen to it. Next Friday (November 22nd), the song and its A-side, “That’s How I’m Feeling,” will arrive on a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl via Third Man Records.

New Music: Night Or Day

          

Franz Ferdinand presents "Night Or Day" from the forthcoming album "The Human Fear", out 10th January 202, a song about the ups and downs in life, according to Alex Kapranos who revealed: "Life may never be easy, but damn, we'll make sure we live it up night or day. Night into day", the band colaborated with director Rianne White to capture the Drama-Noir of the environment where we recorded this and the rest of the album, and also because she has a sensitivity and energy which exploded into that space, giving a glimpse of the world where we made the music, filmed entirely on location at AYR Studios with a powerful meeting of visual and sound, all caught in the eye of 16mm black and white film.

New Music: Nobody Loves You More

          

Taken from Kim Deal's debut studio album "Nobody Loves You More" due up to be this November 22,  her new single under the same name, it's big band ballad with Deal playing a tender guitar accompanied by strings and a brass band, the video is directed by Alex Da Corte, and offers a visual take on the album's cover art inspired by the Dutch artist Alex Da Corte, showcasing Deal playing and sing the song on a small stage floating in the vast sea accompanied by a flamingo.

New Music: Ghost

          

The South London based band "Honeyglaze" a haiky-loving trio comprised of vocalist and guitarist Anouska Sokolow, bassist Tim Curtis, and Yuri Shibuichi on drums, presentes their latest single "Ghost" from their latest album "Real Deal" released last 20 September, now this is a powerful hypnotic song with a visualizer by Max Taeuschul

The Re-Issue: Band Aid/Do They Know It's Christmas? 40th., Anniversary

Band Aid's legendary and iconic 1984 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", is being reissued to mark 40 years since the original release.

 

Written by Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure, Do They Know It’s Christmas? was of course performed by ’80s pop stars of the era, including George Michael, Paul Young, Sting, Duran Duran, Phil Collins, Boy George, Heaven 17, Spandau Ballet & Bananarama amongst others.

The reissue is being released on CD and vinyl and features the original recording from 1984, the Band Aid 20 version (from 2004) and the song as sung by ‘Band Aid 30’ in 2014. It also features the “if you’re going to cock it up…” rendition performed at the end of Live Aid in 1985. However, this release’s claim to fame is a new ‘Ultimate Mix’ created by Trevor Horn that mixes vocal contributions of the many artists who have recorded the song over the decades into one seamless whole. 

So basically, you can hear a Sting sing alongside Ed Sheeran, Boy George with Sam Smith, and George Michael with Harry Styles, and this practically is not so good, at least to me, because I think the 2014 version is probably the most weak and boring of all.

Unfortunately, the 1989 "Band Aid II" version isn’t included in this new edit, since the multi-tracks cannot be found, although that doesn’t explain why the 89 version isn’t included on the CD and vinyl in its original form.

And just like 40 years ago, this is all for a good cause, with proceeds going to the Band Aid Trust.

Do They Know It’s Christmas? will be released on 29 November 2024. It will be premiered online on 25 November.

 

Do They Know It's Christmas? Track List: 

 

1. Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984 Version)

2. Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas? (2004 Version)

3. Band Aid 30 - Do They Know It's Christmas? (2014 Version)

4. Band Aid - Do They Know it's Christmas? (2024 Ultimate Mix)

5. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas? (Live At Wembley Stadium, 1985) 

New Music: Look At You Now

          

Taken from the lastest album by OMD "Bauhaus Staircase" released last year, their brand new single "Look At You Now" it's a fantastic smooth synth pop tune just like the good old days of the band, indeed their laster recording sounds exactly like that, bringing back the 1980s in plein 2024, the video was shot anc created by Cine1080Studio, another AI animation with powerful girl fighting scary living skeletons and other things in a far far away galaxy.

Primicia: New London Boy (Boy Harsher Remix)

          

Taken from Pet Shop Boys' new double A-side single "New London Boy" / "All The Young Dudes Remixes", this is the Boy Harsher Remixwith brilliant 80's vibes that turns this into something truly better than the original remix, personally I think this should be the main single.

New Music: All The Yound Dudes/West End Girls with The Manchester Camerata Orchestral Version

          

The Pet Shop Boys were honored at the last EMAS gala with the Pop Pioneers Award, also delivered a fantastic performance along with the Manchester Camerata the medley "All The Young Dudes"/"West End Girls" the performance was so cool and fantastic, that the duo decided to stream a new studio recording of the medley available in two versions, the one they performed at the event and a more solemn orchestral version

New Music: All The Young Dudes/West End Girls With The Manchester Camerata

         

The Pet Shop Boys were honored at the last EMAS gala with the Pop Pioneers Award, also delivered a fantastic performance along with the Manchester Camerata the medley "All The Young Dudes"/"West End Girls" the performance was so cool and fantastic, that the duo decided to stream a new studio recording of the medley available in two versions, the one they performed at the event and a more solemn orchestral version

Rocktrospectiva: The Funny Retro Pop On "The Honeydrippers: Volume One" Turns 40

 

Released on 24 September 1984 and then on 12 November in the UK, "The Honeydrippers: Volume One" was a mini album by a band led by English rock singer Robert Plant, a project originated when Atlantic Records president Ahmet Ertegun wanted to record an album of his favourite songs from the 1950s., so Plant was chosen because Ertegun had seen his pick-up band the Honeydrippers performing 1950s standards. Included in the band were Chic front man Nile Rodgers, Late Night with David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer, and former Yardbirds guitarists Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page a former co-partner of Plant with Led Zeppelin, the album spawned the single "Sea Of Love".

As a curious fact, "Sea Of Love" became Plant's biggest-selling single, but according to Plant, the original single was "Rockin' at Midnight," with "Sea of Love" as the "B" side, the single was eventually "flipped" because radio stations were playing "Sea of Love" far more than Rockin' at Midnight. Plant feared his career would be ruined by this, and that people would think of him now as a "crooner", instead of the rock and roll singer he'd always been.

In the years to come, Plant stated that this was his personal favorite project that he ever recorded, so the plans to do another Honeydrippers album was under discussion between Plant and Ertegun, but unfortunately the second one died in December 2006, so the plan was shelved permanently. 

This retro-rock project that hauled out five golden oldies from the pre-Beatles era and served them up authentically, or at least as authentic nostalgia. There is a certain sense of pastiche here, particularly in how "Sea of Love" is drenched in oceans of strings, far more than on the Phil Phillips original, which manages to evoke the era of lily white pop covers in a way that no straightforward cover could, but that's part of the charm of the record. Some may find this kind of pastiche a bit distancing, even campy, but there's a genuine warmth in Plant's performance, and his group of Honeydrippers both had a great time running through these handful of oldies, particularly on "Rockin' at Midnight." It may not be much more than a lark, but it's truly fun, even if it might have been slightly more fun making it than it is listening to it.

 

The Honeydrippers Volume One Track List:

 

1. I Get A Thrill

2. Sea Of Love

3. I Got A Woman

4. Young Boy Blues

5. Rockin' It A Midnight

Albums: Songs Of A Lost World

Released on 1 November 2024, "Songs For A Lost World" is the fourteenth studio album by English rock band the Cure. The band's first release of new material in 16 years, with all the songs composed solely by singer/guitarist Robert Smith, for the first time since the 1985 album The Head on the Door. It is also their first studio album to feature Reeves Gabrels and the studio return of keyboardist Roger O'Donnell. 

 

The album took several years in the making, although it was intended for release in 2019, five of the nine tracks had been performed live between 2022 and 2023, dufirn their "Show Of A Lost World", all the songs were written entirely by Robert Smith it wasn't something easy cause Smith had to struggle to find the perfect balance and imaginery for lyrics, finding inspiration from the poem "Dregs" by Ernest Dowson, with themes of loss, isolation, impermanence and mortality.

 

The album has been a fantastic surprise by fans and critics alike, with echoes of "Disintegration" (1989), "Wish" (1992) or "Bloodflowers" (2000), but it's seems hard to imagine the real sound, every The Cure fan has its proper opinion, although this is their most consistent and grateful album in a long time. The album provides visual and textuals, with a strange but proper cover art that features a sculpture by Janez Pirnat titled "Bagatelle" (1975), according to Smith and explained in an article from  November 6, 2024 on Artnet, explains that Robert Smith saw the piece while flipping through a book and almost immediately wanted to use it for the cover.  However, in 2021, when Smith tried to contact Pirnat to use his sculpture for the forthcoming record, he learned the sculptor had died—on the same day, no less, that the musician discovered his work. Pirnat’s widow granted permission and even gifted the work to Smith.  Cure cover artist Andy Vella explains that he pictured it floating in space, almost as a distant relic from a forgotten time; a buoyant force resisting any kind of gravity. 

 

The album opens with the moody and atmospheric "Alone" actually this track was the first single off the album, according to Smith “It’s the track that unlocked the record; as soon as we had that piece of music recorded, I knew it was the opening song, and I felt the whole album come into focus”, the song struggles with the realuty of impermanence and change, next is "And Nothing Is Forever" in which Smith seems to reconcile himself to the difficult recognition of transience as the essential truth of life and offer the possibility of companionship as remedy. "A Fragile Thing" the econd official single of the set, explores the delicate nature of romantic relationships and the inevitability of parting, and then we have the dramatic and atmospheric "Warsong," the album's shortest track, surveys the wreckage from an emotional battlefield seemingly created by two people who can do nothing but fight one another, the percussive "Drone:Nodrone"  picks up the pace and settles into a groove, now this is far from a happy tune, next is the devastating "I Can Never Say Goodbye" heartbreakingly documents the passing of Smith’s brother, Richard, then "All I Ever Am" focuses on the fruitlessness of rumination over personal history and the past.

 

The album final track is the longest a more than ten minutes song and properly called "Endsong" was inspired by "a starlit night that reminded Smith of a similar evening in 1969, stargazing in the back garden with his father when Apollo 11 landed on the moon." Smith reflects, "I grew up in the glorious 30 years from the end of the Second World War—the world that I was born into was getting incrementally better every year.  It just seemed that the world was on an upward trajectory and the moon landing was part of that." However, “around the time I turned 16 in ’75, it seemed like the world sort of stalled and it’s been travelling down ever since." So, "Endsong" perfectly captures that feeling of disappointment when we realize that life does not stay at its peak and the world is not all magic.  

 

The album received a critical acclaim, praising the lyrics, dark sound and of course Smiths's vocals that seems not aging, also the album has been a commercial success, being their first album since their 1992's "Wish" to reach the No. 1 in the UK, also is one of the fastest selling albums of the current year, the wait really worth it, with Smith soundind comfortable and sure as ever, and the band perfectly playing and sound as usual, the favourite part is definitely the first five tracks although the album remain focus and consistent until the end, there is a feeling of loss that haunts across the album, the perfect soundtrack for endings, we don't know what might comes next, Smith suggests he will retire in five years when he reaches 70, rumours of two extra albums has been around, NME quited that Smith ha a second new album finishe and a third is currently on work, who know's, but if the inevitable retire finally arrives, that would be a powerful studio statement for a 45-year career band.

 

Songs Of A Lost World Track List:

 

1. Alone

2. And Nothing Is Forever

3. A Fragile Thing

4. Warsong

5. Drone:Nodrone

6. I Can Never Say Goodbye

7. All I Ever Am

8. Endsong

New Music: Let The Flowers Grow

           

Legendary artists Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) & Boy George (Culture Club) join together on this beautiful new duet single "Let The Flowers Grow" an epic orchestration and soaring vocal performances from both creating a deeply emotional masterpiece, under the production of Youth from Killing Joke, the art video is courtesy of Tim Rim Hill.

New Music: All The Young Dudes

          

Taken from the Pet Shop Boys new double A-side single "New London Boy"/"All The Young Dudes" is the cover the duo made of David Bowie's 1972 classic although it was released as a single by Mott The Hoople, the new version is so refreshing and pretty Pet Shop Boys oriented-sound, although the video directed by Slava Mogutin and filmed in New York, is not what I was expecting with a bunch of young males and no Pet Shop Boys, and almost look like an amateur production for PSB standards.

New Music: Trial By Fire

          

Taken from The Horror's new album "Night Life" out next 21 March, 2025, this is the spooky and heavy "Trial By Fire",  one of the most agressive songs on the album and trying to relive their raw roots between their two EP's under an industrial sound and their latest album, the song is about the curses that chases you through life, the video is directed by Paris Seawell.

New Music: New London Boy

          

Taken from the Pet Shop Boys' new double A-side single "New London boy / All the young dudes", this is a new re-imagined version of the track available on the duo latest album "Nonetheless" now this is absolute synth perfection that reminds a little bit their 1984 classic "West End Girls". 

New Music: Bug

          

Fontaines DC are back with their new single "Bug" another guitar-oriented track taken from the band's new album "Romance" the video is adapted from the feature film, "Bird" directed by Andrea Arnold.

New Music: Renegade

          

Doves are back with a brand new album "Constellations For The Lonely" introducing the're brand new heavy single "Renegade" an epic return from a beloved band that practically took us as a surprise and with a video directed by Hignston Studio that reminds us that dystopian world of Blade Runner.

Rocktrospectiva: The Positive And Massive "Make It Big" Turns 40

Released on 5 November 1984, "Make It Big" was the second studio album by English pop duo Wham!, under more control over the production, this would give the chance to George Michael to colaborate and participate on the production, actually he was credited as a producer too, the album was the hiatus for the duo, hitting the number 1 on both sides the UK and United States spawning four singles " "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go", "Careless Whisper", "Freedom" & "Everything She Want" also the christmas single "Last Christmas".

Not only causing a stir in the charts but in fashion too, the shirts the duo wore in the video for the single "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" that read "Choose Life" became a fashionable statement, and this would be the first of many hit singles for the duo, "Careless Whisper" was a massive power ballad too, for "Freedom" the duo performed a concer in China being the first Western pop act to performed there, and finally "Everything She Wants" was released as a double A-side with "Last Christmas" that year too. 

Writtend and recorded in Southern France over a course of six weeks, allowing the duo to escape from press attention, and also due to tax reasons, the duo achieved meteoric success with their infectious pop anthems and youthful appeal, something that their second album Make It Big truly cemented.

Marking a significant departure from their earlier work, granting the band greater creative autonomy, under the guidance of Michael's producing prowess, showcasing his songwriting talent, which had initially been overshadowed by the band's commercial success, while only two tracks were not solely written by Michael (The Isley Brothers’ “If You Were There” and the legendary “Careless Whisper” by Michael & Ridgeley), the remaining six songs were solely composed by the singer, demonstrating his exceptional ability to craft some of pop music’s most profound and enduring melodies. Michael's songwriting savvy, often overlooked during the band's peak popularity, would ultimately become a defining characteristic of his solo career.

The album was composed with only eight tracks, remember it was the pre-CD era back then so practically vinyl only allowed this, so the big difference between "Fantastic" was that this helped to established their career and this insted solidified their status as a global and massive superstars. The album's lead single “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” became an instant cultural phenomenon, its infectious melody resonating with audiences worldwide, a moment in pop culture history that would forever help shape the 1980s pop movement, characterized by its distinctive style, sound, and visual appeal, all things that were significantly influenced by MTV of course that was at their peaked.

Another interesting thing was, that Wham relied on soul, motown, and funk instead to turned into synthesizers, also the clever use of harmonies with soulful brass helped the duo the set apart from the other groups of their era, without losing the pop appeal, the album's remaining singles—"Everything She Wants," "Freedom" and "Careless Whisper"— finished to solidified Wham!'s reputation for creating pop classics, just like "Everything She Wants" which is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and longing, on "Freedom" the sound is more upbeat and celebratory, but it also carries a deeper meaning. It is a call for personal liberation, both from societal constraints and from the confines of a romantic relationship, "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” is perhaps the most iconic and enduring song in Wham!'s repertoire and of the 1980s., a slow-burning ballad with a haunting saxophone melody, the song explores themes of infidelity and betrayal. Michael's soulful vocals are put to full use and convey a sense of regret and longing, while the lyrics offer a glimpse into the complexities of not just human relationships, but also Michael’s inner struggles with love and loss, the song’s emotional intensity and chorus have solidified its place in the pop music canon.

But the album had another hidden tracks/gems too, the charming and melodic "Heartbeat" and "Credit Card Baby" as well, unfortunately these two pale in contrast with the other four massive singles, although "Hearbeat" was used as a promo single in several countries peaking well on local charts, don't forget that "Last Christmas" arrived late between November/December that year and became another instant hit single arriving on time to cement the band's enduring legacy as a timeless masterpiece that helped to introduce George Michael solo career.  

The album was a massive success, the critics were fairly positive, although some critics considered a flawless pop record, forgetting the album really nailed it, spawning four hit singles and boosted the sales, helping Wham! to succeed in a global scale.

 

Make It Big Track List:

 

1. Wake Me Yp Before You Go-Go

2. Everything She Wants

3. Heartbeat

4. Like A Baby

5. Freedom

6. If You Were There

7. Credit Card Baby

8. Careless Whisper

Rocktrospectiva: The Mainstream Fashionable "Alf" Turns 40

Released on 5 November 1984, "Alf" was the debut solo studio album by English singer Alison Moyet, the album launched Moyet's solo career following the disbanding of synth-pop duo Yazoo. The album reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and spawned the singles "Love Resurrection", "All Cried Out", "Invisible" and "For You Only".

Back in 1983, shortly before the release of Yazoo's second studio album, You and Me Both, the band announced that they were splitting up. Deciding to pursue a solo career, Moyet soon received various offers from different record companies and ended up signing to CBS for £1 million later that year. 

However, after signing the contract, Yazoo's American record company Warner Bros then put an injunction on her. The legal issues took a year to be resolved by settlement in 1984. When Moyet was able to start working on her debut album, a meeting was held with CBS, so the label after checked the recently succesful in the United States by Spandau Ballet and Bananarame suggested that Moyed should team up with producers Tony Swain & Steve Jolley.

The collaboration with the two producers proved successful and the three began writing songs for an album. Moyet later recalled: "I was simply in a space with two accomplished and encouraging blokes who were saying, 'Let's write some songs', and we didn't find it hard." The recording sessions took three months to complete. CBS suggested the album be titled Alf, which had become Moyet's well-known nickname since before Yazoo.

The album opened with "Love Resurrection", peaked at No. 10 in the UK,  this is quite a gentle track, and at times in the chorus, the song is really quite catching and was a great choice for a debut single and an album opener, "Honey For The Bees" is quite a light and upbeat song, laden with wonderful little synths tinkling away in the background which really feels like it’s helping to usher the pace, "For You Only", feels somewhat downbeat and a little sad, as Alison sings about how she fears of being alone, next is the brilliant third single "Invisible" with big 80s beats and keys, Alison's vocals are huge and strong but believe it or not, this song despite being reasonably catchy, remained at No. 21. "Steal Me Blind" introduces a gospel choir as backing vocals, and the end result makes something that sounds fairly blues-styled.

Second parte arrived with "All Cried Out", peaked at No. 8, this is a phenomenal track, that was deserved of its hit status. The song is wonderfully 80’s sounding – both musically and vocally, next is "Money Mile" a softer one and a really a nice song, that despite feeling minimal worked perfectly for the record,"Twisting The Knife" has an almost disco-styled intro that probably would be fit for a single, and then "Where Hides Sleep" with some dreamy vocals singing the song title before being joined by a gentle synth loop. Alison shows off her softer vocals here, and this works really well as the keys tinkle in the background.

Not a bad record, maybe a little bit early 1980s, but it doesn't matter, Alison voice and songwriting works perfect with lovely track and lovely moments. The album was a commercial success in the UK and Worldwide in New Zealand peaked at No. 1 and even in the United States was the most succesful record peaking at No. 45 there.

The album received positive reviews highlitghtning Moyet's voice, which accommodates perfectly with the sound and style, delivering a more powerful sound than Sade, especially with the power on the tracks "Love Resurrection" and "Invisible" that defines her career back then, definitely Moyet delivers an enormous, walloping mid-'80s pop sound that constantly threatens to overwhelm both the songs, which are a mixed bag, and occasionally even the formidably voiced singer herself. 

 

Alf Track List:  

 

1. Love Resurrection

2. Honey For The Bees

3. For You Only

4. Invisible

5. Steal Me Blind

6. All Cried Out

7. Money Mile

8. Twisting The Knife

9. Where Hides Sleep 

In Memoriam: The Legendary Producer "Quincy Jones" Dies At 91

Quincy Jones, the legendary record producer, & arranger whose influence spanned more than seven decades, has died at 91. His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed his death in a statement, noting that Jones died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles’ Bel Air neighborhood. The statement did not specify the cause. 

Known for producing Michael Jackson’s landmark albums "Thriller" and "Bad," Jones’ career far exceeded even those iconic works. Jones transformed genres, introduced new styles, and championed Black artistry in a largely segregated industry. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 2013.

His contributions as a record producer, arranger, composer, and performer reflect a boundless curiosity that kept him at the cutting edge of music across generations. His presence shaped countless albums, film scores, and even social movements, making him a bridge between jazz, R&B, pop, and hip-hop and between Black and white audiences.

Jones began as a jazz trumpeter, arranging for bands like Count Basie’s and becoming a respected composer in his own right. His compositions for films, including "The Pawnbroker" and “The Color Purple,” displayed his extraordinary range, mixing classical, jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban influences. His television scores, such as those for “Sanford and Son” and “Ironside,” brought Black music to mainstream audiences, shaping a generation’s auditory landscape.

The three Jackson albums Jones produced — "Off the Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" — stand among his most famous works. The albums broke sales records and redefined the global pop music industry, bridging racial divides and setting new standards for production. And however, Jones’ career had already reached milestones before those Jackson records. He had become the first Black vice president at Mercury Records in 1964 and had garnered critical acclaim for his arrangement of Count Basie’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Over time, he received 28 Grammy Awards from 80 nominations, a record surpassed only by a few.

Born in Chicago on March 14, 1933, Quincy Delight Jones Jr. faced a childhood filled with challenges and resilience. According to his official biography, Jones was primarily raised by his father, a carpenter, after his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenic disorder. Moving to Seattle in his early teens, he honed his craft in a music scene as diverse as his musical inclinations. By 15, Jones had already earned a spot in Lionel Hampton’s band, launching a career that would take him across the globe and into the company of musical greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Charles, who would become a lifelong friend and collaborator. Jones’ time as a jazz bandleader and arranger in the 1950s established his name in elite music circles, but his ambitions led him into film and television scoring, where he created iconic soundtracks. 

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Jones’s music could be heard in theaters and living rooms, with scores for films like “In Cold Blood” and “The Deadly Affair” and contributions to Alex Haley’s “Roots,” the celebrated mini-series. His soundtrack for “The Color Purple” in 1985, adapted from Alice Walker’s novel, remains a cultural milestone.

In 1985, Jones united more than 40 of the world’s biggest music stars for the charity single "We Are the World," raising awareness and funds for famine relief in Africa. The project’s success further cemented his reputation as a visionary capable of bridging divides for a greater cause. His label, Qwest, produced a roster as diverse as his interests, featuring artists from George Benson to the experimental jazz saxophonist Sonny Simmons. Through the 1990s and 2000s, Jones expanded his reach beyond music, producing television hits like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and the magazine Vibe. 

In his later years, he remained active, working on projects that celebrated his love for jazz and hip-hop alike. In 2022, he collaborated with The Weeknd on "Dawn FM," delivering a spoken monologue reflecting his decades of life and artistry. His work became a rich tapestry, woven with threads from every major genre and cultural moment in modern American history.

Jones leaves behind seven children, Jolie, Kidada, Kenya, Martina, Rachel, Rashida and Quincy III, in addition to his brother Richard, and sisters Margie Jay and Theresa Frank.

The Re-Issue: Last Christmas 40th., Anniversary Re-Issue

 

 

This year marks the 40 anniversary of Wham's classic and timeless festive single "Last Christmas" and this will be reissued again, but this time – as with ‘Careless Whisper‘ – to celebrate the original released on both.

The CD single and 12-inch vinyl variants will offering four versions of the track, the difference from the CD single released in 2023 is that the single and Remix versions of "Everything She Wants" are absent (Last Christmas was a double A-side). 

So they are replaced by the instrumental version of "Last Christmas" and a "Live at Wembley Arena, December 2006" version (performed by George Michael, and not Wham!.

There’s a black vinyl 12-inch, a snowflake white vinyl 12-inch and a Zoetrope vinyl 12-inch. All feature the four tracks listed below.

Last Christmas is released on 13 December 2024, via Sony Music.

 

Last Christmas 40 Anniversary Track List: 

 

1. Last Christmas

2. Last Christmas (Pudding Mix)

3. Last Christmas (Live At Wembley Arena, December 2006)

4. Last Christmas (Instrumental)

New Music: Say Goodbye To Mum & Dad

          

Tears For Fears presents their new single "Say Goodbye To Mum & Dad" taken from their brand new album "Songs For A Nervous Planet" beatiful vibrations on this song like reconnecting with an old friend, practically this new tune has it all, the old sound with new modern vibes, the video was shot again by Maschina introducing the Astronaut taking a trip across the planet before return back to another place and time.

Primicia: 10X

          

The French indie pop artist Louve released her brand new single "10X" a cutie ballad sang in full french by the promising artist and with a video portraying the artist in different Parisienne escenarios.

New Music: Quicksand

          

Paul Heaton join forces with Rianne Downey in his brand new single "Quicksand" taken from his latest album "The Mighty Several" with a certain 60's and 90's danceable pop with ska vibes, in order to makes us dance, a truly fantastic single indeed.

Rocktrospectiva: The Varied And Pleasant "Lifeblood" Turns 20

 

Released on 1 November 2004, "Lifeblood" was the seventh studio album by Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers, the album spawned two singles "The Love Of Richard Nixon" and "Empty Souls", peaking at No. 13 in the UK album chart, and received positive reviews from critics. 

The original title was Litany, due to the song "Litany" who was recorded during the sessions, but at the end the track ultimately only appeared as a B-side on the "Empty Souls" CD single, so the title then turns into "Lifeblood". This time, the band replaced its political lyrics for personal reflection despite the tracks "The Love Of Richard Nixon" was about the United States disgraced president Richard Nixon and "Emily" was about the suffragette leade Emmeline Pankhurst, the band reflects about their past in "1985", the missing of Richey Edwards in "Cardiff Afterlife", also Nicky Wire reflects on the ghost that haunted this record turning into a retrospective, because the main themes were about death, solitude and ghosts, being haunted by history and by your own past.

 

Under the production of legendary Tony Visconti, the recordings began in New York but unfortunately Visconti only finished three tracks "Solitude Sometimes Is", "Emily", and "Cardiff Afterlife", then, the band move with Gred Haver and finished the record in Ireland and Wales, the album is fantastic from the point of view that is a depart from their sound replacing the band's traditional guitar walls of sound with more subtle and melodic playing, putting some emphasis being given to keyboards and synthesizers, the result was a blend on pop rock, synthpop and synthrock. 

 

The album received positive reviews from critics, something which had not happened with their previous effort "Know Your Enemy", a pleasant album full of several interesting things like the keyboards, strummedguitars and tasteful harmonies, oriented to elegiac pop, due in part the work of Tony Visconti, who helped to deliver a fairly best album since their "Everything Must Go". 

 

Lifeblood Track List:

 

1. 1985

2. The Love Of Richard Nixon

3. Empty Souls

4. A Song For Departure

5. I Live To Fall Asleep

6. To Repel Ghosts

7. Emily

8. Glasnost

9. Always/Never

10. Solitude Sometimes Is

11. Fragments

12. Cardiff Solitude

Rocktrospectiva: The Brillian And Intimate Acoustic "Unplugged In New York" Turns 30

Released on 1 November 1994, "Unplugged In New York" was the first live album by the American alternative/grunge rock band Nirvana, the album was released nearly seven months after the suicide of the band's leader Kurt Cobain, as a part of the series of MTV Unplugged, the album features a mostly acoustic performances, recorded on November 18, 1993 in Sony Music Studios in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. 

Under Beth McCarthy direction, the show was aired on MTV on December 16, 1994, the curious about this was that the band used some electric amplification and effects and palyed mainly a lesser-known material and some covers by The Vaselinas, David Bowie, Lead Belly and Meat Puppets, their guests were Pat Smears and the cellist Lori Goldston, alongside Meat Puppets members Cris and Curt Kirkwood. 

The album debuted on the Billboard 200 on the No. 1., and spawned the single "About A Girl", and in some places the cover "The Man Who Sold The World" were used as a single. 

The MTV Unplugged series began airing in 1989, and Nirvana had been in negotiations to appear some time, Cobain finally accepted while they were touring with the Meat Puppets under the promotion of the band's latest album "In Utero", but the band wanted their experience to be different as others, not just the typical show of other bands playing their hits with acoustic guitars, so the band's manager Danny Goldberg comunicated Cobain's decision to play the Unplugged, and this was moved because Cobain wanted to remain visible for MTV for the released of "All Apologies" and "Rape Me", their double A-side single in December, and despite not making music videos for either song. 

The band's elaborated video for "Heart-Shaped Box" was so good, but Cobain dind't had any idea for a follow-up video, so the Unplugged was the perfect idea to keep the band in touch with their fans and MTV was the main connector.  

The band rehearsed for two day at the SST Rehearsal Facility in Weehawken, New Jersey., these were tense and difficult with the band running into problems performing various songs, Cobain disafreed with MTV about the set list, because the channel wanted to hear the band's hits and to be scorted by famous names just like Eddie Vedder or Tori Amos instead of the Meat Puppets, the day before filiming, Cobain refused to play, but he appeared at the studio the following afternoon, he was suffering from drug withdrawal, with no smiles, fun or nothing coming from him, so everyone instead to be happy felt a little worried about him.

As a premonition, Cobain suggested the stage be decorated with stargazer lilies, black candles, and a crystal chandelier. So Coletti asked, "You mean like a funeral?" Cobain replied, "Exactly. Like a funeral." without even know that within the next five months he will be dead. Nirvana was joined by guitarist Pat Smear and cellis Lori Goldston, also he used his acoustic guitar through his amplifier and effects pedals, which you can hear it on "The Man Who Sold The World", the band filmed the entire performance of 14 songs in a single take, and included one song from their debut Bleach, four from their Nevermind album, three from In Utero and six covers, the only hit the band performed was "Come As You Are" and they release "All Apologies" which had not yet been released as a single back then.

The set ended with "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" by Lead Belly a song later Cobain recalled as his favorite performer ever, Mark Lanegan had covered this song on the album The Winding Sheet with Cobain on guitar. The episode of Nirvana was broadcast in December 1993, 45 minutes long and omitted the songs "Somehting In The Way" and "Oh Me", after Cobain's death, MTV aired the episode constantly, in August 1994 DG announced a double album "Verse Chorus Verse" comprising live performances including the entire MTV Unplugeed however the task was too emotionally difficult fot Novoselic and Grohl, so the project was cancelled a week after the announcement, and instead just released the Unplugged performance with Scott Litt to produce the record. 

The performance was released on DVD on November 20, 2007, the DVD release featured the entire taping, in 5.1 DTS surround sound, including the two songs "Something in the Way" and "Oh Me")excluded from the broadcast version. Bonus features consisted of the original broadcast version of the performance. The album originally released on November 1, 1994 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, receiving positive reviews from critics saying that as an acoustic ensemble, Nirvana sounded touchy, and possessed of a ragged glory and considered the album as the one of the most brilliants released that year, because many considered as a testament to Cobain's depth of feeling, a second masterpiece of the band discovering a new sound and style, even The Guardian wrote that MTV Unplugged in New York had become "inextricably linked" to Cobain's death a few months after its recording, citing the funereal set design and the sense that Nirvana was "on the verge of a new musical direction, beyond their grunge roots".

 

Unplugged In New York Track List:  

1. About A Girl

2. Come As You Are

3. Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam 

4. The Man Who Sold The World

5. Pennyroyal Tea

6. Dumb

7. Polly

8. On A Plain

9. Something In The Way

10. Plateau 

11. Oh Me

12. Lake Of Fire

13. All Apologies

14. Where Did You Sleep Last Night

Rocktrospectiva: The Powerful "Big Music" Turns 10

Released on 31 October 2024, "Big Music" was the 16th., studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, the album spawned three singles "Honest Town, "Let The Day Begin", & "Midnight Walking".

The story of the album began in the days of their previous studio album "Graffiti Soul", according to Jim Kerr, the band had a lot of ideas at the moment, so the chance to write two albums simultaneously was something for real, indeed several tracks were omitted from "Graffiti Soul" the vibe full of passion, power, raw urgency and vitality was a plus. 

The retunr of Mel Gaynor to drums brougth a familiar propeller to band itself, this aided a lot the classic foundation of Charlie Burchill on guitars and Andy Gillespie on synths supporting Kerr's roaring voice, so this album practically finds the band as a complete circle, gaining inspiration from 1979 rediscovering the urgency of certain record such as "Empires And Dance" & "Sons And Fascination", but instead to recreated they just integrated with the guitar-focus on works suchs as "NEw Gold Dream", "Sparkle In The Rain" and "Once Upon A Time" and you can notice this on three tracks such as "Blindfolded", "Midnight Walking" and "Imagination" draw inspiration on the band's 1982-1985 period full of big beats and drums programming with and edgy guitar. 

Jim Kerr's phrasing and trademark voice is remarkable on "Honest Town" which was written by Iain Cook of Chvrches, "Someone Somewhere In Summertime" is brilliant with Kerr pulsating narrative through the track, "Blood Diamonds", the other Cook written by Cook, gathers a a synth-driven vintage sound to a modern dance pop, "Kill Or Cure" is fantastice with its fat bassline, synth pulses and shimmering guitars in the verses, "Imagination" has a certain The Cult guitar intro influence, other irresistible tracks are "Concrete And Cherry Blossom" and "broken Glass Park" both cotains irresistible hooks and warm atmosphere supporting Kerr's dramatic voice, and finally The Call's cover "Let The Day Begin" surrounded by zig-zagging synths and roaring guitars by Burchill.

Practically the album has everything you can expect drom the band, who finally seems to come to gather all the pieces of their identity to turn this album into their most consistent work since "Once Upon A Time".

The critics were positive considered the album as their best in decades, matching the bold music within with the title, embracing their past and looking forward the future, an album to fully appreciate again the band, that helped the album to reach No. 12 on the UK Albums chart.

 

Big Music Track List:

 

1. Blindfolded

2. Midnight Walking

3. Honest Town

4. Big Music

5. Human

6. Blood Diamonds

7. Let The Day Begin

8. Concrete And Cherry Blossom

9. Imagination

10. Kill Or Cure

11. Broken Glass Park

12. Spirited Away

Rocktrospectiva: The Finest "Can't Fight Fate" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, although some other recalled it was on 7 October "Can't Fight Fate" was the second studio album by American singer Taylor Dayne, the album continued her chart success spawning four massive singles "With Every Beat Of My Heart" No. 5, "I'll Be Your Shelter" No. 4, "Heart Of Stone" No. 12 and of course he brilliant and her most synonymous song "Love Will Lead Your Back" that peaked at No. 1

One of the most fantastic and truly gifted vocalist of the late 80's., early 90's, her powerful and incredibly soulful vocals would go on to help secure her as not only one of the ‘80s strongest voices, but also one of the strongest of all time for certain people. The artist went on to do something that most artists struggle with, she released an equally, or maybe better, follow-up album. Like its predecessor, Can’t Fight Fate also delivered ten strong tracks, this time with the likes of the legendary hitmaker Dianne Warre.

On "Can’t Fight Fate" the artist gently tried to move away from the dance tracks from their Tell It To My Heart days. You can find a much more adult contemporary feel about this album, certain tracks from this album had supposedly been offered to Dayne’s peers at the time, perhaps Tina Turner or Whitney Houston, but were ultimately turned down. So they looked forward to Dayne and she not only gained some incredible songs, but she now had the music and production to sink that enormous voice into. 

Although the album is set in the adult contemporary genre, notable tracks like "I’ll Be Your Shelter" sit firmly in the pop arena, but with Warren"s artistry, they paved the way for Dayne’s vocals to remain unrestricted. The album's lead single "With Every Beat of My Heart" appeared as if it was designed to capitalize on the formula that had so clearly worked prior, and it did, confirming that Dayne was anything but a one hit wonder with a big voice.

The track "Heart of Stone." showcases the strength and soul in Dayne's vocals, and what about the feeling on "Love Will Lead You Back" one of the most heartbreaking power ballads ever released, "You Can't Fight Fate," also penned by Warren, and "Ain’t No Good" continue with this adult contemporary feel, heading into rock territory, something that worked wonders with Dayne’s voice. The dance floor was not forgotten either so she included "Up All Night," now this is a pure club classic.

Critics noticed and declared the album was lush and dramatic, especially for the power ballads, but the rock tracks here were the real killers, delivering a true rock star sound, the album is considered one of the most diverse and exciting dance pop and rock album from that magical and golden era in the late 80's/early 90's, unfortunately, she would not go on to achieve the same commercial success that both of these albums, in particular Can’t Fight Fate, went on to achieve. Even the phenomenal balladry that Dayne delivered on “Love Will Lead You Back” was not enough to see the singer secure the same commercial success she had become accustomed to, maybe because the times and sounds changed in the years to come, nevertheless, this is Dayne’s finest work to date. 

 

Can't Fight Fate Track List:  

 

1. With Every Beat Of My Heart

2. I'll Be Your Shelter

3. Love Will Lead You Back

4. Heart Of Stone

5. You Can't Fight Fate

6. Up All Night

7. I Know The Feeling

8. Wait For Me

9. You Meant The World Of Me

10. Ain't No Good 

Rocktrospectiva: The Rawer "Book Of Days" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, "Book Of Days" was the sixth studio album by the English alternative rock band The Psychedelic Furs, the album peaked at No. 74 in the UK and No. 138 on the Billboard 200, spawned two singles "Should God Forget" and "House" which peaked at No. 8 and No. 1 respectively on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. 

 

Co-produced by David M. Allen, the album marked the return of original member Vince Ely,  the album was deemed as dense, murky, agitated, dark, raw and hauntingly pretty that captures the attention of long time fans, the voice of Butler was so intense and the guitars were perfectly rawer to create an alternative rock sound that was emerging back then.

The band was looking to return to their roots, so this album was a rawer return thanks in part to Ely's return, the sound caught everyone as a surprise, cause the public expected more of their polished pop hits but nevertheless, the album is still highly regarded and remains an integral part of their canon today.

 

The album has interesting tunes such as the brilliant "All That Money Wants", propelled by Vince Ely fine work on drums, definitely "Book Of Days"  benefited from a great producer Dave Allen, whose work with the Cure is partially echoed at many points on this textured and intense collection of songs. Perhaps Richard Butler's voice isn't remarkably different than before but he sounds better all the same, this was taking in count by Allen letting his voice through the mix while John Ashton's rich and ringing guitars fill out the mix instead of keyboards. 

 

The strong part relies on the Tim Butler & Ely rhythm section, if not always as frenetic as in early days, shows a partnership well reestablished, and the end result can often rival the early Furs at their best, unfortunately, the set hadn't hook mainstream songs althought this never was a problem for the band, often the best moments aren't the individual songs but their differing approaches like the heavily distorted bass rumble of "Entertain Me," the stripped-down blend of acoustic guitar and cello of "Torch.", you can also notices the echoes of The Cure and The Chameleons here on the finest "I Don't Mine", the killer "House" offering an intense explosion of modern rock alternative sound with the Furs at its prime.

 

Book Of Days Track List: 

 

1. Shine

2. Entertain Me

3. Book Of Days

4. Should God Forget 

5. Torch 

6. Parade

7. Mother-Son

8. House

9. Wedding

10. I Don't Mine

The Event: Pet Shop Boys At The EMAs 2024

Pet Shop Boys will receive their first MTV EMA, Pop Pioneers Award at the 2024 MTV EMA, The event is set to take place on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. 

The legendary English duo, consisting of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, will also perform on the show with the Manchester Camerata, an orchestra that has been working in Manchester and beyond since 1972.

The award recognizes "their contribution to the world of pop music, including the groundbreaking sonic and visual spectacles they create for their fans. The award also honors their unique style, enduring influence, and their army of steadfast fans around the world," according to a statement.

This 2024 marks 40 years since the first Pet Shop Boys record was released. The duo has notched 22 top 10 hits on the Official U.K. Singles chart (including four No. 1s) and five top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (including one No. 1)."West End Girl"  reached No. 1 on both charts. "It’s a Sin," "Always On My Mind" and "Heart" were their other U.K. to hit the No. 1