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Album Review: Nickelback – Everything Under the Sun
Few bands have spent the last three decades dividing opinion quite like Nickelback. From the arena-filling choruses that defined the early 2000s to a reputation that has often seen them become the subject of rock music's biggest punchlines, the Canadian quartet has rarely struggled to make themselves heard.
Album Review: Radio Free Alice – What’s In Between
When there is a lot of buzz around a new band, you feel like saying, what a time to be alive. Without revolutionising the wheel completely, this year’s buzzy Melbourne breakouts Radio Free Alice have taken a range of familiar eighties and noughties cues and made them feel fresh and brand spanking new. To release a single song with practical universal acclaim across the music press is an achievement in itself, but for that universal acclaim to persevere into every single a band releases is unprecedented. After hammering away over the past half a decade as one of the underground scene’s hottest properties, the release of those singles have consolidated their debut album ‘What’s in Between’ as one of the most highly anticipated indie albums of the year. If you saw them performing their hits from previous EPs at festivals, you know their wiry riffs and stellar hooks make for irresistible listening. This debut album is just as compelling as anything we have heard from them before, and much more timely.
Album Review: Tony Iommi – From the Dark
What is there to say about the absolute legend that is Tony Iommi? He and the Black Sabbath boys invented heavy metal in the late 60s. His guitar playing has astounded and influenced a world of musicians for over 50 years and the man has genuine and unarguable hero status. A little over a year has passed since Sabbath’s final Villa Park gig and the sad passing of Ozzy and now Tony has released his first solo record in almost 20 years.
Album Review: Michael Kiwanuka – Fudge
The announcement of Michael Kiwanuka’s fifth album ‘Fudge’ also came with the sad news that he had suffered a stroke in July of last year. I personally just want to start with wishing Michael all the best with his recovery in what must have been, and continue to be, a very difficult time. I’ve been a huge fan of Michael’s ever since he played ‘Tell me a tale’ from his first album ‘Home again’ on Jool’s Holland in 2011. Since then he released the exceptional ‘Love and Hate’, the Mercury prize winning ‘Kiwanuka’ and, his excellent fourth album, ‘Small Changes’. All of these records are outstanding and the touring performance of ‘Love and Hate’ that I saw at the Brighton Dome was mindblowing.
Jamie T – Electric Bristol
Jamie T delivered a stripped back set at Electric Bristol on 18 October, in support of his 6th studio album 'Ghost (100 Days of Morning)' captivating a packed crowd with his trademark style and sharp songwriting. The intimate venue amplified the atmosphere, making for a memorable night of passionate singalongs and an electric performance. Tim Alban was there for Erazer to capture the evening, check out the photo gallery below.
Album Review: Jamie T – Ghosts (100 Days of Morning)
What happened to Jamie T? Not a question we’re asking, thank goodness, unlike many of the big noughties anthem makers. Jamie’s legacy has survived thanks to his honest songwriting and working class references, both of which are more evident than ever on his sixth album, Ghosts (100 Days of Morning). It has come together from a series of old voice notes Jamie unearthed on his phone, blending songwriting ideas of his from over the decades with the hindsight of where he stands now. It consolidates him as one of our great songwriting storytellers.
Album Review: Basht – Poor Advice
If it feels like Basht have entered with might and velocity, it’s because they have. Hailing from Dublin with a back catalogue built from the clashing of fuzzy guitars and a gloriously grungy rhythm section, the band are seeking to stand out amid the Irish scene’s steady stream of musical exports.
Album Review: Blossoms – Songs From The Wedding Cake
The Stockport favourites find magic in the mundane on an irresistibly fun sixth album bursting with personality
Album Review: Walt Disco – Self-Titled
What you are about to read is a bunch of sentences about how cool Walt Disco are. Because, seriously, after making waves in Glasgow’s underground scene with their first album, Unlearning, in 2022, and their second, The Warping, in 2024, their third, self-titled LP transports us back to the band’s unique universe with the same gothic elegance and sonic dynamism, but this time elevating their vision to transformative, deeply moving new highs.
Album Review: Kodaline – We Were Only Young
We’re talking about the grand finale, because, sad news, We Were Only Young is Kodaline’s fifth and final album.