Black Sabbath, Headless Cross

Black Sabbath, Headless Cross (IRS-1989)

As a big fan of this band I as all fans love the Ozzy stuff and for a great reason. But all those albums done very well and sold quite rightfully in their million is America and beyond.

Next singer was again a favorite in Ronnie James Dio. But again that was a very successful era in the band. After the second 'Dio' album many fans seem to slowly move on. Some may have felt the constant lineup changes making that once fantastic band seem a little corporate and well stale. But by the time the band got to the late 80s the band was very different. New deal with IRS was signed and a real idea for a change in direction.

A great help for me in this album is Cozy Powell, what a fantastic drummer, he played on many other bands but notable for me Rainbow and on the 'Rising' album. He as ever plays a blinder on this album. And thanks to him a new singer was recruited in Tony Martin. The plan by Tony Iommi was to bring back Dio but Cozy suggested Tony Martin. The idea was to have him on rehearsals and well it all went so well this album was made with the three of them and like the old days all writing credits between the band.

There is an air of AOR on this album but it for me it is in that 80s feel, little bit of a hair metal sort of vibe. But those are all quickly trampled on with guitar from Toni Iommi, easily one of the geniuses of music. Great playing and some nice solos here. Not so much a big riff album but an all round classic rock structure.

The classic inro track really shows what this is all about, Occult and Satanic lyrics and references all over the album. There is also a nice mix of all out metal songs and the classic doom style the band invented in ‘Kill in the Spirit World'. one of the first things I heard about this album was the track ‘When Death Calls’ and I never knew the solo was by Brian May, again amazing stuff and it really expands on everything the band used to be but moving it forward to 1988. As I say the bands at the time were hair metal and slowly there was the grunge thing in the early 90s so it is a nice album in the middle of all that. There are some nice touches of keyboards that give the album that occult vibe from Geoff Nicholls and I think his best work with the band.

Produced by Powell and Iommi it shows how much creativity they had and I am glad that there was no others in the studio as the sound may well have been watered down for that 88 sound.
For me the best Sabbath albums are the first six then this one then the Dio stuff so there really is some great quality here. Well receved at the time by critics but on IRS it really never sold bundles or even got people buzzing at the band. If you are a fan of Sabbath or like many a big fans of the Ozzy/Dio era and and have not heard this it really is a cracking album and fully deserves to be in your collection.

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Johnny Cash, Ragged Old Flag

Johnny Cash, Ragged Old Flag (Columbia-1974)

Mr Cash had up till now some big selling albums. And one of them the 'At Folsom Prison' for me is one of the best live albums ever recorded. The live album was the second of live recordings from inside a prison. But those two albums were so successful I really can't put them in here so I have chosen this one. 

And a good choice I would think, this album was his first ever album where he wrote all the material himself. That is quite unusual for country back in 1974 and a kind of gutsy move. Not only that he did also have quite a political subjects included on the album. Again not the sort of thing you get that often in mainstream/radio music never mind country.

Title song 'Ragged Old Flag' is a spoken word tribute to patriotism. Released as a single it really shows how good a story teller he is. Back when he was young he would write poems and you can tell he loved a good story. Written during the Watergate scandal many Americans were questioning what they country had really done. 

Other songs have the classic man in back themes as he deals with working in jobs with long hours 'All I Do is Drive' and jobs where promotion offers very little in reward 'King of the Hill'. He delves into environmental subjects with ' Don't Go Near the Water' questioning where the fish are going and how clean the water may well be upon getting to the sea. Although the subjects for the songs can be regarded as being negative the album is helped with the inclusion of the Oak Ridge Boys. Mr Cash for me had one of the most unique voices in the world and on this album the crystal clear production does him justice but the Oak Ridge Boys give this some volume and wealth. 

This album is a great start for anyone who is just getting into Johnny Cash as it is a classic country album. Filled with messages and content and made more special as it is all his own (Bar 'I'm a Worried Man' co written with his wife June). The whole album is from his experiences and understanding. As I mentioned the two prison albums near the end of the album 'Please Don't Let Me Out' is about a prisoner who fears being released. Or does he simply think he has more freedom in prison? After all they then have to get a job and work for the man before dieing 'Pie in the Sky'. 

Many who are not used to country may dislike the title song but I love it, remember country music was the first style of music to really rebel like the punks did in the later 70s people had to break away from the so called proper way to play music. And like many punk bands this album is quite simple in structure but the content is what makes you think. As the pistols sang God Save the Queen a few years before Johnny had Ragged Old Flag out. Both to me are similar and can be taken by each of us differently. That to me is good songwriting.

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Whomp That Sucker, Sparks

Whomp That Sucker, Sparks (RCA-1981)

Most people into music know Sparks well due to the gold album Kimono My House but they did keep on going after that album and done some great albums. So much so it is hard for me to single one out.

But I have here is one I think could have done more in sales. Done at Musicland Studios in Germany the band seem to change the sound a little. Going back to a more rock sound and having Reinhold Mack producing is a great addition as he was now working with the likes of Queen and a great all round studio engineer and programmer. Ideal to now bring back a more rock sound to the brothers sound.

First track "Tips for Teens" you can't help but enjoy the all out pop tune and wonder why it was not on the radio every day all the time. It makes you want to buy dance shoes and give it a go. "Funny Face" also feels great and that rock sound is now here with the track showcasing some nice guitar work. Both songs were released as singles and done nothing much at all. Not sure why they seem to just miss the mainstream as they both would have fitted in well with the new wave sound that was hitting the airwaves in the early 80s.

"Upstairs" brings in that nice synthesizers sound that you have heard so many times before. The intro alone makes me pinpoint Musicland studios as I have heard it before. The music has always got some great lyrics from the Mael brothers. At times they come across as very repetitive and no real direction but listen closely.

"I Married a Martian" is a cracking song and so catchy again radio hit all over it and a great title so much so I can see why bass player Leslie Bohem went on to have a successful screen writing career. "Suzie Safety" sounds a bit like the theme tune to a kids show but again all those pop hooks keep the music fun. The album has a nice all rounded production and never sounds too polished. Last track "Wacky Women" should have been out as a single or at least had a crazy video made for it. Grab that comb and sing along to it before a night out. Plenty of drums and bass to keep the toes moving, I love this track!

So there you go I managed to choose a Sparks album and I fear in a few weeks (or seconds) I may change my mind but a great reason here is this album was released in the US under RCA but there was no other big deal in Europe or the UK so it was put out on other labels there. That could have been the mistake that stopped any real sales as the promotion of the band and album would have been hard to tie into each areas for selling. Still it did chart in America (Just) and done well in France where the band enjoyed a high level of success. But this album for me and in 1981 should have done very well in the UK and has Top of the Pops songs all over it. Remember those days you see an act on that show and instantly buy the single the next day? Well why not make up for missing it and give it a go now.

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Eddie And The Hot Rods - Life On The Line

Eddie And The Hot Rods - Life On The Line (1977-Island)

The Rods as this band were known as for their first and only top ten hit single and it is track one on this album. "Do Anything You Wanna Do" is an all-out classic punk anthem. With it coming out in the summer of 77 and a switch in sound from the rawer first album you could credit this song and album as the first real punk pop style music. Those bands that came out in the 90s were really just recreating this album for much of the time. But as the first track shows they just have something raw and inspiring in them.

But the single is no one off, as the album has a really nice production job and also was on a decent size record label in Island. Time in the studio is used well and can be heard in “Quit This Town” great riffy guitars and catchy vocals from the single continue, some melodies are even here to show you this band mean business. Unlike many punk bands of the time you really can hear the band play on this album and for me the drums are the winner. A sound like that really can stand tall after so many years and it makes this album sound great over 30 years later. “Telephone Girl” even lets you hear some clear bass lines, not quite at the level of some of the rock greats but it is a nice sound and one that reminds me there is more to playing in the right way.

“Life On The Line” is the title track and a great one with a nice screeching solo in the middle. I think even some AOR fans could switch to this album as there is so much on offer if they are happy to listen carefully. Not so much of the stage posing on offer as punk posturing in a way. It is a sound and feel of a pub rock band who know exactly how to turn a room of drinkers into fans. And that is a great skill, “(And) Don't Believe Your Eyes” feels like a bit of a slower song. More of a sing along song as the hit single was.

But remember how I say this is kind of the first punk pop style album? Well there is a great instrumental on here as well. As the album was released on vinal it was on the b side track one of the album and I am sure that was done for a reason. Make you double look to see if it is the same album? Joke aside “We Sing....The Cross” is a great track. “The Beginning Of The End” continues that negative style of the album and it is hard to ignore even the cover is a big statement. Not sure if it is to do with the record deal and music industry or just an off day. But it is again catchy with real lyrics and over 8 minutes the track on its own is more than most punk bands total output.

So why did the band not make it? I think it was over saturation of the punk market at the time and most really would not have seen much past a punk band here. Such a same as they are a great rock n roll band and this is a really catchy album with great tunes. It feels so much more mature and even now it is a shock to see it was made in 77. Took many punk bands into the post punk and early 80s to move the sound along and they done it in months.

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The Clash, Sandinista!

The Clash, Sandinista! (1980-CBS)

I was never a big fan of the Clash, I do like them and love the first album. I also have a lot of respect for the band as they really did include so many styles of music in every album they did. And that ties into this album in a big way.

The band made it big and way bigger than most punk bands collected together. But it never took away their punk mentality. Each album was full of great tunes and also very important political and every day subjects. This album has even been named after the troubles in Nicaragua taking the name of a political party in that country.

But the album is a first here and also something very rare in music. It is a triple album, and I do mean three LPs. The album fills up all six sides of the three slabs of plastic and I feel it is filled well. The story goes it was made three disks due to Bruce Springsteen putting out his the River album as a double and the music world creaming themselves over that. So a challenge in a way. Both artists really have no problems with each other and this reviewer looks at the River as one of the bosses top three so we all win here.

The album is no real departure from previous but one inclusion unique to it is all four member take lead vocals at some point. Also some tracks are there twice with the second being a Dub version. Sounds like some fillers here but it does seem to work. Now here is where respect is due, the band made a deal to have the album out at £5 so the punters could get it at the same price as other albums. This would have hit the bands finances and pretty much have robbed them of any royalties. So it was a big gamble and looking at sales it was a bad one for the band.

Only gaining a silver (60,000) units in the UK the album was certified gold in the US. So total sales in America must have been about 175,000 as the certification on multiple records in the US includes each disk as one sale. I feel it should have sold more and the marketing side of me sees it as a value for money buy as well. We have all purchased that soundtrack album in a supermarket as it has all the hit songs you like, cheaper than buying each individually eh?

Even the albums singles failed to do much "The Magnificent Seven" being the only top 40 hit in the UK. A great song and full of fun as was "Hitsville U.K." a great song that really shows how good the band were at writing pop music with a great world music feel. For me the album has the best sound out of all the bands albums, recorded and mixed by Bill Price he would have made sure all the music was recorded properly and that is not easy including multiple session players for things like trumpets, saxophones and harmonicas over two studios.

By todays standards artists think nothing of making an album run over 60 mins but back then a triple album was a real big thing and very rare. I hostly know of no band that done it successfully. The album has for some people filler tracks. Like "Career Opportunities" sung or rather worded by Mickey Gallagher's two sons, Luke and Ben it is an odd thing to do but it really shows how far punk had went from 76. Before the band would never have used valuable time in the studio like that but times changed in the punk world so fast.

The three disks do have a little different feel with the first full of the singles and fun, second and third feel similar but the last is way more experimental and it could have been a kind of side project in a way. But at the time the band sort of marketed the 3LP as a 2LP with a bonus 12" so looking at the last album as a bonus is a good thing. But still a cracking album and for me time has served it very well.

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David Bowie, Low, Heroes and Lodger (Berlin Trilogy)

David Bowie, Low, Heroes and Lodger (RCA-1977/79)

For me the best time in this mans career was in the 1970s. Album after album for me was fantastic and always sold well. But there were three albums that didn't sell as much due to the style of music contained on the album. Going from Art rock, experimental rock, krautrock, electronic, ambient and even pop over these three albums is just too much for many listeners. But time really should have changed your ears and tuned them into liking this music now.

For me "Low" is the easiest to get into, more electronic pop than anything. Ok you will not be able to start up the karaoke but there is music to move to here. "Sound And Vision" is a stand out track here on side one where as the second side really takes you on Bowie's trip through giving up cocaine. Brian Eno is a guest on the second side and this is where it really takes on the electronic synth style called krautrock. At the time it was totally new to most people as they had never heard the likes of Kraftwerk. Co produced with Tony Visconti he was a big part in the sound on the whole album and with Eno they labored more in the creative side than given credit.

The previous release in "Station to Station" was a big inspiration to the change in sound. As it was to be used for a film soundtrack this helped give Bowie some freedom in the writing of the album. That album has been given much praise from many bands in the area around punk in the 70s as it was capturing so much more than the typical AOR style that is always promoted by the labels.

Quickly the same year "Heroes" came out and with a similar sound but recorded in a more of an improvised way. Many first takes were used and again the album really can't be put into anything he done before. "Beauty and the Beast" provided a top 40 hit in the UK (only just at 39) the album was loved by music fans but really done nothing in America. Again the flip side provided a change from the other with "Sense of Doubt" and "Neuköln" being instrumentals and using that ambient style from his previous album. The album is less negative than the first as Bowie had moved to Berlin proper and recorded the whole album there.

With the first two albums having a kind of bi polar feel to them for most people you could easily love the first side and well... respect the second? But in 1979 "Lodger" may well be the one you like best. It is a far more straight forward release, that is in comparison to the other two. Still very much in an experimental style the album does not seem to suffer from any of his drug problems and at the time he was back to great writing. As with any good album travel is featured and tracks like "African Night Flight" and "Fantastic Voyage" get you thinking of booking a ticket abroad to get where he heard the influences for yourself.

The second side has tracks poking fun at our own culture. "Repetition" could be talking about other styles of music or even every day life, same job, same bus trip to work. And a top ten hit in the UK with "Boys Keep Swinging" gave this album much needed attention. Lyrics like "When you're a boy, other boys check you out" really shows he is thinking out loud and asking questions on gender, the video near the end had himself dressed in drag as three backing singers. In America the lead single was "Look Back in Anger" as the previous song was not considered due to the gender diverse topic that the song and video possess. This track was a nice rock track with some great guitar work from Carlos Alomar who provides guitar to tracks over all three albums.

As these albums were being recorded the music world was changing from punk to post punk and new wave bands all making it big. All challenging people to take on more diverse music. As his next album in "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)" coming out in 1980 he needed to sell well and did all thanks to the build up of the three albums before as the fans of those were again buying more great new music.

The three albums here were all but ignored by America and as each came out even got less attention in the UK. After this was three massive selling albums. They were simply just out too early I feel. But saying that you really would not have sold much more even in the 80s I think. Many bands and artists owe a big thank you to these albums as they really did open the door. May take a few listens but they really are his best work.

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Burzum, Hvis Lyset Tar Oss

Burzum, Hvis Lyset Tar Oss (Misanthropy-1994)

Recorded in September of 1992 this album along with three others were recorded in just over a year. Each for me are well worth buying and highlighting “Filosofem” from 1996 as it really is two completely different sounding albums.

This album is a concept album and in English is called If the Light Takes Us. Much of the Black Metal world was all about volume and speed where this music rewound all that back. This is far more of an ambient album. But the influence is there.

"Det som en gang var" ("What Once Was") starts the album with a guitar sound that has been made to sound very empty owning to the concept of the album. He messes about with synthesizers and guitars multi tracking to make a sound I really do not think could be done live. Well up to a point where a full band sound kicks in and all the rock fans out there will recognize some classic elements of riffs and rhythm. All still played while there is a droning in the background. About now you are shocked that it is all done by one person, every instrument, mixing and production was all done by one person. I think this is the key here as most people would most likely get someone else to play drums due to not being good enough but on this album it really does work very well. The production is not crystal clear but that is the whole point as well.

What is new here is the mix of ambient and metal in the same songs and at the same time. None of this one minute intro of building music up to a big guitar blitz. This is all here at once. Fourteen and a half minutes fly by.

"Hvis lyset tar oss" ("If the Light Takes Us") brings us back to a style most would see as BM but again there is that droning guitar sound. Same goes for track three "Inn i slottet fra droemmen" ("Into the Castle from the Dream") this has more of a repetitive nature to it. Not that far away from a drum and bass sound. The screams and growls keep you where you want to be though. Saying that the vocal work on this album is really kept to a minimum and I think that is helpful to many new ears on the style of music. Track three has most of the vocals on the whole album. And to those like me who can’t speak Norwegian you will not know what he is singing. There are plenty of pages on the web with translation and the lyrics are really nothing amazing. First verse of track three is “Between misty vales, Between gloomy mountains, Under gray clouds, In the black night”

Lyrics are never this style of music’s strong point. Well it is one of those reasons it exists. Can’t sing well it is not needed. Same as in track four "Tomhet" ("Emptiness") why bother writing bass, guitar and drum parts when you can use a synthesizers to make the epic feeling of nothing. I have read some say this track is a filler track and for me they are wrong it is my stand out track. I once went to Norway and got the train from Oslo to Bergen and got off at a stop in-between and went for a walk in the mountains of Finse. With 2hr wait between the trains I had a good listen to this music and it really does sound right. There is more to the track as it builds up and it really catches you unaware. I won’t ruin it but is for me a fantastic track. Other times I listen to it is on long flights more so at the start of the flight just to settle me down a bit. It has that effect on you.

This blog is about albums that missed the big time. This could never have made it big but looking at the last few years of Black Metal and bands headlining 60,000+ festivals and making big money then yeah the payoff never happened. Can’t do this live and I would never want to see it live. But what a great album.

If you like this check out “Filosofem” as well.

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My trip to Norway in 2012 on Flickr

The Almighty, Crank

The Almighty, Crank (1994-Chrysalis)

For any rocks fans who read this you may have well heard this band. More likely you have heard of them as in the early 90s they were very popular.

Based in Glasgow, Scotland they were one of many bands to come from Glasgow in many years. But unlike the others the music was simply and strictly in the rock category. No stranger to the studio or even the charts this is album number four, but at the time it was released rock music was not in. Britpop had taken over and every record label was signing anything with three chords and a cheeky smile.

The album came out to mixed reviews more so from the fans as it was more aggressive and louder. More akin to a punk band than the classy intros and ballads of a rock band. The cover for me was simply stunning, done by Jamie Reid simply an angel throwing a Molotov cocktail at Earth. The album backs up the cover.

First track "Ultraviolent" is the start I was expecting and thankfully it has it all. Loud and bold, the band hammer out the bass and drums big time. This is not for radio one on a Monday morning at 9am! The bands sound really is not a million miles away from before but the attitude is. Only two singles were released from the album and they are like chalk and cheese in the tempo department but both strangely sound right. "Wrench" is the slower song, big drum sound intro at the start and the song builds up, it is like a Ramones song slowed down. Anyone could play along with this a few chords and great lyrics. "Jonestown Mind" is way faster, I mean way, way faster. A breakneck start to the song and you feel like you are being piledriven by a wrestler. First line is "You're the Jesus that didn't get nailed, Everyone loves a righteous cause" So no daytime radio for this then.

The album is here as I think it deserves more attention and also cause there is no filler there at all. "The Unreal Thing" is another cracker of a song. The same big sound throughout the album and I think a great single. But were the kids ready for this after blasting Oasis? It really does not sound like it fits in 1994 at all. Even the metal world was struggling. But the production to me is not far from Nirvana and the Nevermind album. Nothing wrong with having a great sounding album.

The album keeps it going "Move Right In" and "Crank And Deceit" are all out rockers and intent on making you jump about like a loon. "United State Of Apathy" is a tribute to Bill Hicks and for me one of the highlights of the album. Great Bill inspired lyrics with "Sit up straight eat your Jesus flakes" up there as my favorite on the album. Great chorus in "Welcome To Defiance" if they took of the big drum sound and calmed it down a bit there may have been a hit. But fuck that let it rock out.

Back in 1995 I really can't remember any press on this album and I sort of fell into it by accident. The Wildhearts were to play T in the Park put pulled out. The Almighty were asked to take the place. Back then as I say all festivals were a wash with britpop and this band stood out big time. The new material for me was great, loud and for me being in my teens what I wanted.

The sound on the album may well be familiar to you as it was mixed by Chris Sheldon, who would go on to do albums by the Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro. Who knows if britpop had not have started, if the record company pushed them more in America with a nice big promo video. But fuck it it is all done now, give it a listen and the next time you hear Monkey Wrench you can give this album a pat on the back.

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Pain, Rebirth

Pain, Rebirth (Stockholm-1999)

Remember Napster? This album for quite some time was only available in Sweden and the reason I got this was due to Napster. Back then you could talk to the people you shared music with. Got chatting to a death metal fan from Sweden who recommended this to me. So downloaded it (Well it was free).

A bit of background here as it is important. Peter Tägtgren was at the time well known within metal fans as the leader of death metal band Hypocrisy he was also used many times by bands as a producer. His own studio was used for many classic metal albums, his own band were still going but his desire to make other music was so strong this album came about. Well it is his second under the name Pain. All writing/instruments are by his so it really is as solo as you can ever get. It was nothing but a side project but the album had a two hit singles in Sweden. Not sure if that was ever expected as the deal was simply kept to Sweden, this is where Napster came in to a music fans help. Import copies were very expensive back then. So I only ever had this on MP3 till a few years ago. 

The hit singles in "On and On" and "End of the Line" are so much fun and a real mix of styles. industrial and rock are mixed well but the ending sound is very surprising, strangely it feels more like pop music. Not so far away than what could be in the dance clubs. It can get you dancing much like "On and On" as the music is very repetitive but the vocals are all clean. As I say Peter was a death metal vocalist so a real change of style for him. But it all works. "End of The Line" has some nice loops and guitar samples that really show how good he is in the studio. Again the vocals help keep a tune and the ears are interested.

One of the songs I always loved was "Crashed" an all out rock track but it has keyboards as the lead tune at the intro but still feels very rocking. The guitars on this album are there but with little distortion it helps the overall sound balance out and I think that is why many fans of dance music took notice. "Suicide Machine" is another song I like, a little bit heavier again but the electronic side is obvious, more mixing of the guitars and samples. It really should not work but you find yourself singing along with it.

One track that mixes the guitars into what I could only say is a beat is "Parallel to Ecstasy" it is very interesting as the riff side of the guitar sound feels like it is made faster and looped to feel like a dance beat but it is a distorted guitar. Great stuff, I could see this all being released in the UK as a white label promo (white label is where no info is on the disc making DJ/radio listen) and getting many people interested.

I really do wonder what would have happened if this was put out with a big label as at the time Stockholm Records was not as big as it was. More so outside of Sweden. Perfect label would have been Deconstruction. Give this a go it was listed at the time as industrial/electronic rock but it really is more than that. Very catchy I remember friends into dance music asking me for a copy of this in 99. Always loved how they were enjoying it so much but always adamant they don't like rock music.

Now easily available it has had many reprints so the cover may well be different.

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Frank Black and the Catholics, Frank Black and the Catholics

Frank Black and the Catholics, Frank Black and the Catholics (SpinART-1998)

Here is the worlds first album to be made available on the MP3 format. And fitting in that the low fi quality of the format fits so well with this album. Rumored to have been recorded on a two track and all played live. The record company at the time refused to release something so unpolished.

But Black Francis is not the sort of person to sit about and wait, he went on and done other work. This was almost slipped out to the public with no real fanfare. Shame as it is a really catchy album with amazing songs. It is simply a rock album, nothing fancy and with some nice slower acoustic numbers to help balance it all out. Where the Pixies could be for some a little to alt rock this is quite easy for all to like. More of a punk feel in some of the guitar work but that is due to the way it was recorded.

"All My Ghosts" kicks in with a great pop punk attitude, catchy lyrics that you instantly remember and sing along to. Some of the count ins are left in on the record 1, 2, 3, 4, "Back To Rome" shows how great at lyrics he can be. Keeping the music simple and the melody the main aspect in all songs it is one great tune after another. His voice suits it all perfectly. "Do You Feel Bad About It?" is my personal favorite, so easy to play and sing to. Even this crappy guitar player/none singer can have fun with this.

"Dog Gone" could have been a big hit if the record company had it there way. No need for a big producer and a 128 track machine. Few harmonies and an acoustic and the track sounds like five grand better than most pop acts.

The band are happy to indulge in other styles and "Sis Sixty-six" has a nice country feel to it. You could be fooled into tapping that foot. "Steak 'n' Sabre" has some nice slide sounding guitar work, the band love to play. There are plenty of great tracks on this album and all get you as bigger and better than most albums that cost £100,000 to make.

You really do not notice the album was recorded in such a raw way and that is testament to the songwriting and the skills of the band. Music like this now would be massive as so many of the big popular rock bands on Radio 1 are missing that catchy tune or as we have here tunes. Black Francis really never sat still after the Pixies and many fans of the former band have missed this one.

The record company made a big balls up here, missing out on one amazing album, many bands that came and went during the britpop era could only dream of making music this fast and easy. If the album was out in 95 I may not have needed to put it here. The album was held back by the company hoping something would happen in the mainstream to fit this in. But the album is timeless. Some press and live TV could have made this sell a truck load. Failing that plenty of church goers may have got it as a mistake. And there reward is a great rock n roll album.

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Anathema, Judgement

Anathema, Judgement (Music for Nations-1999)

This band established a very good following from the previous years Alternative 4 album. New record label and album number five is todays entry for an album missed.

Sadly this band have never really been taken up in anywhere but the metal press. More so in the UK where the press are so obsessed with giving everything a title. This was classed as a metal band and much of that time was put into a similar area as extreme metal.

Sadly with press like that you will never get a chance and they did deserve it as the previous album was a fantastic offering. With the band changing style some what it was considered by fans as experimental. That is out the window on this so called second experimental album.

Album opener is a great introduction to what is going on here "Deep" has all the elements that will follow in later songs. A catchy intro, nice melodic guitars and a full on orchestral sound. The band really do mix classical music and rock music so well. There has to be one thing that makes two things come together. Much like the lost 5th Irish province of Meath it has been placed into the history books and ignored by all the people now.

But this is not much of a relic and 1999 was many years after the rock bands done it in the 70s. Track two "Pitiless" helps show the new ideas the band have. A much louder track and bringing with it distorted guitars and a full on drum sound. But as always the great voice of Vincent Cavanagh echoing out the song slows down and outros with acoustic guitars.

The album was out pretty much at the wrong time for any real chart success as the likes of Evanescence hitting worldwide success in 2003 the band were and still are leaps above that band. They were more of a gimmick to me and I feel this album is just way more serious. You can feel the hard work on the album and not just in the performance, the whole album sound utterly fantastic and if you have a nice sound set up this will be a real treat for those speakers.

Every track has amazing passages of music or you could call them thumbnails as the really have been scaled down to fit on a CD. It is like a 5 hour performance in a theater. "One Last Goodbye" even contains an all out ballad with that well known sound that Bon Jovi fans love so much. A very much simple track with acoustic guitars but without the cheese. This band make music sound £500 better.

Lee Douglas comes in to "Parisienne Moonlight" the song for me that steals the show. When you think of rock/metal bands that do the female to male vocals you think of Lacuna Coil, get that out of your head now. This is nothing but 110% performance. The build up on this song is astronomical, you will be on the edge of your seat.

Music for Nations does not exist and for the band it was over, but they have still plugged away and have completed many a European tour. They seem to go down well in many of those countries. All I can say is they must have taste. But there is also the fact the UK and America has to put all music in its own category. If you have a CD collection like that you may need a new category, call it the one that is never cool to love.


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Public Image LTD, First Issue

Public Image LTD, First Issue (Virgin-1978)

Many people including myself love the Sex Pistols. I even have them in this blog as I think they should have sold way more albums. History seemed to repeat itself here as the Pistols split up in America while on tour and this album was never released in America till last year. So if you are an American who has had this album on import then well done you.

As Lydon was on tour he would always write new material and some of it he simply could never take to the rest of the band. Listen to this album to find out why. One of my highlights is "Religion I" and "Religion II". The first is simply Mr Lydon reading out loud the lyrics to what is a full song with backing band on the second. His lyrics were taken to the band and instantly dismissed. The song was deemed to extreme for the Sex Pistols. I love the track and it makes me ask questions on many things, not just religion. The whole sound for the album is one that is pretty much as far away from the charts as you can get. For us now getting into the music from that era it is called Post Punk but I feel it is just rock n roll with more spite.

What I love about PIL and also this album is how slow the music is, many people take music that has some big statement or when it contains anything aggressive to be fast and loud and there for unalienable. Not here, nice slow thought out passages of music. "Theme" shows this with the very much simple but fun bass lines. Keith Levene's guitar work sounds complex but it is simply notes with some distortion and FX. As John Lydon comes in on vocals you know this will not be on BBC2.

The whole punk movement was built on showing that anyone can take to a stage and this album keeps it going. So what you can't sing like ABBA or play keyboards like Rick Wakeman. None of that matters and single "Public Image" shows this. It was quite catchy and the only real radio song here. The bass is simply an open E string on the intro and a few chords. Later Lydon explained the song is about how he was viewed in his past band.

"Low Life" has been talked about in being about the ex manager of the Pistols, Malcolm McLaren. The lyrics and the title track show you his thoughts. The song does have some nice melodic feel to it and can even be danced to with the nice bass lines and drumming.

Low Life

Low Life

Ego-maniac traitor

You never did understand

You fell in love with your ego

It did not fit into plan

The last track is one that stands out for me "Fodderstompf" seems like a piss take to me. The band were running out of time in the studio and had to get it done. I also think this song is what prompted the American label to want the album to be re recorded. As I said the album was never released in the US due to the label there saying the album was too uncommercial to go out. That was the point no? They missed it big time. Never less some re recording was done and still a strict no from the label. It is as if "Fodderstompf" was a song to see into the future. They were right.

Still the album sold well in the UK gaining Silver (60,000) award and a top 10 single in "Public Image". I wonder if America got this album what would have happened, imagine a promo of Religion going to stations? Fuck me! It would have made what the Pistols done look like an episode of Sesame Street.

Now available in the US via Light in the Attic Records and all over the world.

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F-Minus, F Minus

F-Minus, F-Minus (Hellcat, 1999)

I really do not know much on this band at all, coming from California and this being there debut album. At the time punk was sort of coming back in a real way. Green Day and other pop/punk bands kind of re ignited many younger people into the style. But this is for many fans of that music a little bit of a progression. Out with the pop part and well simply a real punk band.

Well it is more of a crossover in a way, I am happy to add them to the hardcore  bands from the time and I think live they could be as solid as many who were about in the late 90s. But anyhow I am not debating what/why they are but why you should get this album.

Again it is not all sing along but it is shout along stuff. The first track is a whopping 35 seconds long. This gives you an idea of what is on offer. But it is done very thoughtfully as many of the tracks really do gel into each other very well. "Slave Labor" is a title that may not get it listed on radio one but for me it gets my ears interested. The 90s were all about pop punk and then into skate punk. I really didn't give two fucks about those bands. Where I grew up if you went about dressed like that you were looked on as a rich kid. And most likely would get mugged.

Tim Armstrong (Rancid) produces this album and I think he done a great job, simply play. The drums at times sound bad and very much un professional but that gives this album its real spite. The constant kick on the bass drum that sounds like it is 25 years old and so far out off tune it would make the big name producers cry. By the way this band were later produced my Steve Albini so there sound really was catching peoples attention.

The songs do have at times some nice melodic parts, mostly in the vocals. Feel free to raise a fist and shout along as that is what it is all about. Many bands were making it and I think F-Minus were given much respect but the sales were not there. Later moving to Epitaph who have many times sold a shed load for punk bands. I have no idea why this band didn't make it as many hardcore band don't entice the punks to listen and this band did easily cross the border of the two styles. I had friends into punk liking them as much as UKHC (UK hardcore) fans.

If you like early Black Flag and much of the music on the Dischord label early days this album will slot right in and make that hellish bus ride to work on a Monday just a little bit easier. I makes me want to accidentally whack my guitar out of tune and make a hell of a racket. Job done!

Very easy to get this via Amazon indi sellers here

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Ulver, Bergtatt

Ulver, Bergtatt - Et Eeventyr i 5 Capitler (Head Not Found-1995)

This is an odd one for this blog, as the cover shows that it is black metal in it's content so commercial success really was never going to happen. But as many bands from that genre have now went on to headline big festivals and even start to sell very well I feel this can now be placed here. Many kids now seem to be right into the sound that was black metal from back in the 90s. But it really was back then underground. No radio station would play it and with all the stupid church burnings and silly corps paint the mainstream ran a mile.

Some of the music from many of the bands was pretty crap. But a few bands really did make it all work and with each album move on the style. This band moved it on with the very first album. Forget all the harsh vocals and screaming lyrics about religion here was a well made album that really has you enjoying it's content.

The album has the classic guitar, drum and bass content but the whole construction is quite different as it adds a lot of Norwegian Folk music to the mix. So much so the genre could be easily mistaken. But the elements of black metal are still there but used in more of an atmospheric way, helping to enlighten you to some sort of story. The title in English is "Taken into the Mountain - A fairy tale in 5 Chapters".

Back then you could not get this album very easily and I had to get it mail order. Not only that there was no internet shops so I had to phone a shop in Germany and ask how to get this. Then I had to get German Deutsch marks and send it in an envelope. People now would never ever bother with all the trouble but is how we did it back then kids. Two weeks later I got this (and others). The CD copy I have is all in Norwigen and has no English at all so it was all a nice mystery to me.

First listen is a real eye opener, the album it starts with some fast drums and guitar but nothing faster than a normal rock album. The first vocals are more of a chanting, and the music is quite confusing. You really do not expect any harmonies and melodic music in this album. It is different but it is there. At the time I had never heard such repetitive music not so much the same note but the same melodic tone repeated. A great little guitar solo played in a riff style accompanies the music. At the time I am sure I looked at the CD to make sure it is the right one.

The whole album has the Folk style there and is mixed with the classic down tuned black metal style but it is done in a way it feels right. The drums can be played very franticly and this is evident on track two where even that starts with a passage of acoustic picking style much like the folk music mentioned. Flute and piano are also welcomed into the music and again all mixed up in that metal style so many feel is to heavy. But this album is so refreshing and my best comparison is to opera. Not so much in musical content but in performance.

The album really was big news back then as it shocked so many hardened fans. Some disliked it most took it as a new start and from now on the style changed every year. This band did not tour live or even have photos or interviews helping to keep some sort of mystery about the band and the album. Who were there inspirations? what's the album based on? what is next? do you burn churches? all questions never asked as there were no one to answer them.

The repetitiveness of the music really trained my ears and got me into some other bands including many other styles of metal music that pushed the boundaries. Ulver to this day are still one of my favorite bands/artists and even now the music they make is for me utterly compelling. Later albums like "Shadows Of The Sun" again got me into even more bands and artists. Bands like Merzbow, Nurse with Wound and Thorr's Hammer were welcomed to my ears now.

The production is spot on here, not too polished but enough engineering so it can all be recorded right as the performances by the artists are simply stunning. The band went on to record more music under the black metal style but by album four they switched to a more Avant-garde metal style. And later ambient/electronic styles were explored, but the link to BM is always there and this album is one of the best even to this day 19 years later so many have tried to copy it and failed badly.

If you only hear one black metal album ever make it this one. And to the kids into Watain and Nachtmystium this is why they exist.

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Ricky Warwick, Belfast Confetti

Ricky Warwick, Belfast Confetti (Dr2-2009)

Here you have the Almighty singer/songwriter moving away from his old rock n roll past and into a classic Celtic/folk style of music. Ok the tunes are still here and it isn't all tin whistles and hand clapping. It does still pull a punch with the classic feel of rock. Rickey's voice sounds amazing on this album as if we have missed something all this time. 

He was asked by a friend when in New York to write a song about Belfast. The title song is a great single and if I had my way would be a huge hit. Not just that but the whole album has classic song after classic covering all feelings that you can in one album. Northern Ireland has its troubles and that has been used to write the album, Ricky says when I saw him live that while in New York he was drinking with a Belfast friend that pointed out that they couldn't stand in the same pub in Belfast and have a pint together. 

The album kicks of with a nice punchy fun track in "Can't Wait For Tomorrow" an acoustic night hit that can be played in any pub and have the punters sing along. The title track really is a local boy paying respect to his home town.

As the albums goes into track three you really get that hair standing on the neck feeling, this is a classic. "Throwin' Dirt" really is just a stunning track, simply written on the acoustic and few melodies to help fill the track but amazing lyrics. I even sit and play this on my guitar (badly).

Ricky's voice helps drive "Thousands are Leaving" a track that could be used in so many news reports forever. It is passionate and makes you think, the sign of a good song. "Hank's Blues" pulls it all back and rock n rolls out with that fantastic mix of folk and rock music. It really works so well on this track I start reaching for the washboard. Failing that hand claps require no skill.

One of my favorite tracks in "Punchin' Thunder" a song Ricky explains is about a mate who he went to gigs with at the Barras (Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow) and he would say "we will be punching thunder the night big man" meaning punching the air as the music is playing. A nice simple acoustic guitar riff starts the track and into a nice sing along melodic tune that thankfully Ricky has not needed to add in any extra harmonies. "Angel of Guile" gets the heart strings and brain functioning as does the ears. Again he sounds amazing as his voice makes the ground rumble when I have the amp pushing this on a Friday night in. Great tune that again just hits so many buttons, the album flows so well that you are three quarters in and EVERY track stands out as a classic. 

Some nice finger style picking in "Born Fightin'" helps bring the album to an end with "Can't Hurt a Fool" encompassing that great folk/celtic style so well. "If You're Gonna Bleed (Wear Black)" feels more of a country track (and I fucking love country) his voice again sounds so well in this style and the track clocks in near seven minutes and does not let you wander at all. Great ending to an album that I feel Sony and Phillips should use as evidence as to why the repeat button was put onto the first CD players. 

I mean in, this album is amazing. All eleven tracks are utter stunner's, not a bad riff, drum hit or lyric in sight. An album written with no eye on the charts it easily hits my chart. One of my albums of the year in 2009 and I have talked to fans of the Almighty who have never heard it. Each time I nearly have to get them in a headlock till they promise to buy it.  

I see why some people may well be put off as the Almighty was not a band they like or bother with but this is different, I have so far got this album as a present for a 67 year old and a 10 year old and both love it to bits. Timeless and a classic and sadly missed by so many, but not now eh? 

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Easily available online via these retailers.  

Classic Album Review Cryptopsy, Whisper Supremacy

Cryptopsy, Whisper Supremacy (Century Media-1998)

I was watching a tv show here in the UK called Room 101. The show is like a panel show where three guests choose things they want to put into Room 101 a fictional place where once it is in it never comes out.
One of the shows guests Sara Cox (A UK pop radio station presenter) choose to put in death metal as she simply can't get it. Now as far as I was concerned till this album I never got it. Or at least wanted to really get it but this one is the one that got me into that whole style of music in a big way. Saying that I would never have vanished it like shy may have tried to do simply due to not understanding it.

So if you fancy giving this a go this is a great place to start. This album was under a sub genre called technical death metal one I really still don't think exists even now as it is unfair to call any music technical but it is a way of helping to describe the music as well as the change in direction.

This music really was invented much like metal music in Birmingham, UK. If you have never been I can tell you the music fits so well. The city was a big part of the industrial revolution and many think it may never have happened on such a large scale if it was not for the size of the output in Birmingham. So this music really does accompany the cities historical past well.

A wall of noise is an easy description but track one "Emaciate" feels like that a barrage of drums and guitars greet you a few seconds in. But it does all fall down to a sort of technical conclusion and starts off in a direction I would describe as not wanting to stay static. Unlike many other bands of this style I can see how you can move to it as it is non stop energy. Bit like hardcore made fast and with added volume.

Many people hear a band like Slipknot and seem to wrongly at times call it death metal but if you hear that and then give this a listen it is a whole planet of difference. Most death metal bands have no gimmicks at all. Not that dressing up is a bad thing they just do not need it. The music is all it is about and one of the few styles of music the fans really do only care about what the next albums drum sound is like.

Talking of drums it again was a shock to hear such good playing, well recorded too. The music was as clear as a bell and each and every drum fill makes the room shake. It is that fast I really do not know how someone can play like that live, but I have seen them and yest it is like that. "Cold Hate, Warm Blood" was a popular song in the few pubs I visited that played this music. I think some of the reason I like this album so much is that the vocals really are not always there and the bad can be heard. The vocals on this track show that with a very quick verse and what sounds like a chorus only once.

All the music here is very deceiving as it does sound so easy and for many not hard to play at all. But listen closely the band is really working so hard. In between all the noise there are little passages of music not so much of a tune but like those zig zags you get outside schools. Such jagged and fearsome looking you would never ever park there.

Clocking in at 30 minutes it is that length it can be heard in total and for me enjoyed easily and it never feels to last too long. The sort of album to listen to when pissed off and I really do mean it when I say it helps. Many other bands at the time seemed to be obsessed with gore and gruesome covers on the album. Nothing wrong with that but when the music is crap I always stayed away. Till this album really blew the doors open.

Thankfully the style was not placed into room 101 and was saved by the presenter who thinks the fans deserve respect for what they support so passionately. In a time where music to many is nothing but background noise that can be streamed for free and never discussed. Try ignore this and try playing it in work the next time. See the reactions from people?! that is what music can do. Hey if you still don't get it you get my respect as you gave it a go. But one day when you miss the train and its an hour till the next one and it makes you very late. That anger does not need to be bottled up... and you can play this twice ha ha.

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Album review Street Dogs, Fading American Dream

Street Dogs, Fading American Dream (Brass Tacks Records-2006)

The Dropkick Murphys released a cracking debut in Do or Die. Lead singer  Mike McColgan left as he wanted to undertake a career elsewhere. He may have not understood the impact that first album had as the band went on to become one of the best American punk bands in a long time. Even the second album was fantastic helping to launch the band into a world audience.

A few years later Mike McColgan decided he wanted back in music and again a punk band was his goal. With many fans of the Dropkick Murphy knowing of him there was an reason for making album so this one is album number three. And what an album.

There is no messing about here you know what you are getting. Not much unlike the Dropkicks the music is fast and intense punk rock. Take out the obvious Irish influences and add in more loud guitars it was all done at 100mph. Jut the way I like it!

Songs have some really strange inspirations like "Fatty" about a fat kid being bullied. But the lyrics make you think. "Do you remember back in high school, that kid we all picked on, know one backed him, ever liked him, he takes carries that with him today". The song goes on to show the strength of that kid and not giving up. A song that could be used for so many other things.

The recording quality is very professional, and it should be. The whole band sounds great here and above all sound punk. Mike McColgan has to be one of the best vocalists ever in punk music. As I say the first Dropkick Murphys album is still a real important album, his voice helped to make that so.

"There Is Power in a Union" Is another highlight a Billy Bragg cover and for me way better than his version. The power and intensity in this could bring down companies alone. I had my own troubles with my work over the years and I fought them the whole way even to the point of seeing a lawyer just to know where I stand. This song is why I done it , Again Mike singing "let's Fight" is the difference from Bragg and him. Listen to this on the walk to work to pick up a redundancy letter and I will dare you not to fight back.

Some songs have even crossed that line of comedy while still being serious. "Tobe's Got a Drinking Problem" is about a band member who has that little bit more than he should. The song is delivered in a comedy way as I think he has managed to control his drinking. "I swear on almighty God that I am never drinking again" is a key lyric.

There are many Irish influences on here but a little less than the Dropkick Murphy went on to include on later albums. "Shards of Life" shows a full on folk sound with a nice mix of rock music. It is a welcome lighter structure and just as catchy tune with dobro, pump organ and acoustic guitar giving that classic Irish feel.

A fantastic all round punk album that fits so well in 2006 and even now it means just as much. There are some amazing lyrics on this album and that is something that punk music really can miss at times. Politically aligned to one side and for many people they may not like what they have to say. But they have to, the skill here is in the music and how good it is. Many Boston bands have a history of being great fun good time bands and this is right up there. Adults like me will feel the lyrics, the kids will love the music and for us all an album that uses the punk rock name properly. A rare album indeed.

This album is out of print but copies are about check sellers on Amazon

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Celtic Frost, Monotheist

Celtic Frost, Monotheist (Century Media-2006)

Come back albums can be at times pretty horrible. Sometimes a band you love coming back is not really what you may want as the chance is the album may well be crap. Or even worse ok!

But this band really can't be pigeonholed so the album was really an open door. What you do not expect is one of the best albums of 2000s. This band is a first for this blog as it is the second for an artist (previous here). I did try not to do this but the band have moved through so many styles they really can not be pinned down. This album is a real mix of doom metal and Gothic styles. The album has nothing new but it is all done so well. With a big production and all out band sound it really gets you by the throat.

But it is not all just noise the music is so well composed. Track four "Drown in Ashes" has more of an operatic feel to the start of the track, female operatic vocals accompany what is a speech style vocal track. All the time the band playing in the background. It really makes you wonder what is going on.

First track "Progeny" is the classic start to a metal album, really not giving much thought to the listeners possible mistake in having the Hi Fi too loud you may well need to turn it down. As I say there is more to the album so do not be fooled, this is not a run of the mill metal album.

Much of the bands previous output really did change minds and turn heads as they were labeled metal by the people who looked on without listening. Now the band have taken on a sound that can really attract more music fans as the whole alt metal and rock market is now so big. Noise and sludge are all here to a point but done in a way you can never rip off.

"Ground" has the riffs and it is all done very slow, those riffs that you feel moving the fillings. Music that you can feel when it is loud enough. The sound is so hard to describe as you really can't fix a band to it but as I say noise and metal are of very few words we can use. Almost feels like it is a lesson in how to be a sound as the vocals are so strong you wonder if someone is in the room with you live. Bass lines are simple and sound kind of detuned, chugging along, what a great album.

Back in 1999/2000 nu metal was the big thing, baggy trousers and baseball caps and all the kids had a new sound and look. But listening to this I have no idea what to wear! I do not think you can wear anything to this, a Slayer T Shirt would be over dressed.

No fucking about with song titles "A Dying God Coming into Human Flesh" as a title and repeats it in the song over and over. When it is done you feel it was cut short at 5:39.

Talking of track lengths "Synagoga Satanae" comes in at over 14 minutes and again you feel you want it to last a whole cd, how about a triple album. I could bang on about each and every track for pages but this blog is more to get you to listen and enjoy an album you may have missed. In 2006 you may have dismissed this instantly now it is 2014 you need to hear this. If you like heavy music listen to it and if you do not I really mean give it a go. The underground metal press went bonkers for this album but that is as far as it went.

A great new sound and great production mixed with immense song writing makes this one of the best albums in the 2000's for me. The album took four years to make and you can really feel it.

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Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska (Columbia-19982)

So back to business in classic albums people have missed and another big name. Many (if not all) have heard this mans output before. But have you heard the best stuff?

I rate three albums he has done as his best the River (1980), Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978) and this album. All were done very close to each other. But this album was very different in many ways.

Much of the output Springsteen has done after his first couple of albums were severely agonized over in the studio. Some albums taking six months or more to make but this one was done in a month. Not only in a month but on a home studio device. Very new technology back then here used to lay down his ideas before hitting the studio. The E Street band did get a chance to record this album but it was felt the demos were better. So what this album is at the end of the day is a demo tape that was released on a major label by a major artist. Big risk after the previous multi platinum selling albums.

The gamble did pay off but more for fans of music as many artists have gave this album credit. Based  mostly around a folk style music it tells tales in a first-person narrative style.

Mostly in a very bleak and real tone the music is basic with Bruce only using guitar, harmonica, mandolin, glockenspiel, tambourine and organ. And even then very sparsely. "Nebraska" kicks sets the albums whole pace with a very bleak story of a serial killer that was taken from a true story. Aged only 19 you can be forgiven for feeling a little bit uncomfortable. More stories follow till my highlight.

"Highway Patrolman" rings bells with me as I do have a brother but the story of a patrolman who's brother is on the wrong side of the law. Bruce is fantastic at telling you the story in a way it feels like you will never forget it. Little bits of info portray the life the men have. His voice is very controlled and direct as are all the instruments on the album, the harmonica sounds at times like he did record it as he was playing the song.

"Open All Night" is the only song to move from the folk style and has more of a rockabilly guitar riff to it. Electric guitar makes an appearance here and it does feel fresh to get a track that shows a little positivity.

One thing the Springsteen is one of the best in the world at is taking a song or tune from his head and placing it into the studio. He is one of very few in th world who can do this THAT well.  But this album is everything as far away from that you can get. All these songs could be adapted to a country style and sell millions. But his heart wanted this out as it makes most sense to him and to most others. Give this album a try and get an idea that he is not just a stadium rocker.

This style of album really can't be done by many, listen to many big bands who split and go solo this is what they hope to be able to accomplish. Again this was done on a four track studio at home with a little mixing for a commercial release. He had the balls to do it so you should have the courtesy to give it a go.

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Classic Album Review, PJ Harvey, White Chalk

PJ Harvey, White Chalk (Island Records-2007)

I have always enjoyed all of the output that PJ Harvey has done and also loved her side projects with John Parrish (Check out 2009s A Woman A Man Walked By). But this album commands respect from me. 

Not simply just a good album to me but as someone who plays musical instruments I have to respect how she really went out of her comfort zone on this album. A very risky thing to do. Away with the classic drum, bass and guitar band set up and move onto learning new instruments from scratch. Also add in a real change in vocal style and you have the makings of what could be a bad album.

But what did happen is Harvey committed herself as much as she could to the piano and other instruments to gain just what she needed to write an album. Now she can call herself a multi instrumentalist with credits outside of guitars including zither, harmonica, harp and cigfiddle.

How does it all sound? Well it is a simple album as you really can't do that much in a studio all on your own. But it is well done and written so well. She really evolved her songwriting skills here. "The Devil" has the blueprint for this album. Simple piano chords and her voice singing just a little too much higher than she may like. But it seems to work. The harmonies help to give the music stability but they are rarely used showing her control of the sound so well. Any producer would have put many on this to fill it up.

Second track 'Dear Darkness' has bleakness at the heart. The music is moving and also very gloomy so not one to play on a summers day at a BBQ. 'When Under Ether' is a real stand out track telling story of an unborn child, no reason given from what I can hear. Very much a thinking album. Title song and again another highlight 'White Chalk' makes you wonder why you have this on at all. But nice little acoustic passages and her voice convince you this is well worth the listen.

This album was made with much the same people as all her others but it really does sound that much removed from her past albums. Many artists try to do this and fail very badly, this album back when it came out made some new fans but I do remember fans being split on this one. Even her live performance was changed dramatically with PJ removing the traditional band format even from the live performance. Wearing a Victorian style, full length dress and playing many of the instruments live while sitting down is as close to folk you can get. It was more of a one woman show, but simply so much different than the busker you cross the street to get away from.

The album was a hit in the UK and sold ok but really it should have been bigger and people know that. The next album was four years away and on a similar style as this and BANG! people got it, Mercury Prize winner and praise that should have happened in 2007. So people were a little late, so what but those who were late missed out on a better album.

White Chalk is easily available on CD and LP from Amazon

Twitter: 29xthefun