Our music review archives go back 20 years now. In that time various library staff members have reviewed a huge range of material, across every genre in our collection and, since we used to have multiple copies of titles, we still hold a lot of these items in out off-site storage facility.
Due to a catalogue upgrade the links from our old, archived HTML Music & Film web-pages no longer worked, so they became unavailable to browse some time ago. However, since from February 1st of this year we are running a one year trial where all CDs will be free to borrow, we thought it was a good time to go back and revisit some of these old reviews for a new series called ‘CDs From The Vault’.
Blueberry boat / Fiery Furnaces
Coming hard on the heels of their
debut, this album is an 80-minute epic. Far more dense than their first, Blueberry boat is an astonishingly ambitious work, forever twisting and changing, with each track consisting of several parts. Not easy to digest in one sitting, the album definitely rewards repeated listenings. (Neil P.)
Complete discography / Minor Threat
Exactly what it says, this is a re-issue of the complete recorded output of the Washington, D.C. hardcore punk band from the early 1980s. They kick-started the straight-edge movement, released a bunch of fast, furious and to-the-point songs and then broke up the band while barely into their 20s. (Neil P.)
Tepid peppermint wonderland : a retrospective / Brian Jonestown Massacre
A two-disc collection of some of the highlights of this prolific Californian band’s output over the last 10 years. Almost 40 songs, from both singles and albums and including several unreleased tracks, are represented and illustrate the range of material Anton Newcombe and his many colleagues have produced on their long strange trip. (Neil P.)
Truly she is none other / Golightly, Holly
Ninth solo album from the former Thee Headcoatees guitarist and singer. She appeared most recently on the latest White Stripes album, and here she continues her idiosyncratic foray into mostly-acoustic Nancy Sinatra-type pop with attitude. And she’s in Wellington on 10th March! (Neil P.)
Open the iron gate, 1973-1977 / Romeo, Max
Leaving behind his earlier career singing smutty novelty songs, Max Romeo reappeared in the the mid-70s with this fantastic collection of religious and political reggae. Most of the tunes are twinned with their dub versions and are produced by Lee Perry. Angry and eloquent, these tracks are 70s reggae at its best. (Neil P.)
Continue reading “CDs From The Vault – 2005: Part 1” →