Back catalogue: Rock

Review: Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, self-described "Adventure Metal" outfit Mega Colossus appear to have little interest in using the metal genre to craft sonic aggression. Utilising melodious leads, powerful vocals and technically impressive flashes of prog brilliance, their fourth full-length Showdown offers up a form of triumphant positivity and anthemic fantasy, harking back to the classic era of illustrious prog and classic rock with subtle nods to the likes of Rainbow, Deep Purple, and Kansas. It might not be 1978 anymore, just don't tell the band that.

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: 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: In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the groundbreaking self-titled album from GT Moore & The Reggae Guitars originally released on Charisma in 1974 is being reissued. This record, which bridged the gap between the 'Pub Rock' scene and the emerging sound of reggae music in the UK, arrived amidst the onset of "Reggae Fever." G.T. Moore, formerly of the legendary folk group Heron, emerged as the first white musician to authentically delve into reggae. The eponymous debut album from the Reggae Guitars featured session musician John 'Rabbit' alongside Tom Platt, who engineered the iconic 'Catch A Fire' album. With a mix of originals and covers, including tracks by Bob Dylan, Heptones, and Diana Ross, the album stands as a testament to the fusion of musical styles and influences during that era.

Review: Rhythm & Blues follows on from the success of its Mott The Hoople at the BBC 1970 release - well worth a look (or listen) - with another retrospective compilation that makes a convincing case for us all diving headfirst into the band's full back catalogue to marvel at what's there. A collection of broadcast tracks from Top Gear, Sounds of the Seventies, and The John Peel Sunday Concert are included, and all sound gritty, growly, raw and vital. Among the highlights are versions of Like A Rolling Stone and When My Mind's Gone, which the release notes argue are "rare-as-hens-teeth", and we're not in position to argue, while the take on 'What'd I Say' feels soaked in enough spilt whisky and blues you could probably get loaded on the fumes alone. Ultimately, though, there's no point picking individual parts here. Instead, think wall-to-wall reasons why the Hoople were such a rare breed.

Review: As you will no doubt know if you are reading this, Mountain's debut album is a seminal piece of hard rock history that was released in 1970. Led by guitar virtuoso Leslie West and featuring the powerhouse vocals of Felix Pappalardi, the album delivers a thunderous blend of blues, psychedelia, and heavy riffs. Tracks like 'Mississippi Queen' and 'Theme for an Imaginary Western' showcase the band's dynamic range and undeniable musicianship. Elsewhere, the record's gritty production and infectious energy helped to establish Mountain as pioneers of the hard rock genre and an influencer on countless bands to come. It remains a timeless classic, rightfully lauded for its raw power.