Steely Dan - Steely Dan - Aja

If ever a record knew its worth, it was Aja, the sixth album by Steely Dan. Released in late 1977 when half the world seemed to be down the disco and the other half were pogo-ing, here came an album that oozed detached sophistication, using every trick that keyboard player and vocalist Donald Fagen and guitarist Walter Becker had mastered over their first decade together.

Following on from 1976's The Royal Scam, any notion of Steely Dan being ‘a band’ had gone, with a huge stream of well over 40 highly skilled session musicians creating textures to support...

Cant - CANT

"Answer"from the album Dreams Come True2011On September 13, Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor goes solo when he releases Dreams Come True, his debut album as CANT. But you don't have to wait till then to hear the warped, bendy "Answer." The album was recorded with help from Twin Shadow's George Lewis Jr., and you can hear that in the decadent emptiness and synths here. But there's no trace of either dude's pop sensibilities here: This is pretty soundscape heavy and about as far away from Grizzly Bear as you can get.~ Andrew...

Fool's Gold - Fool's Gold

"Street Clothes"from the album Leave No Trace2011iTunesOn its debut album, the L.A. band Fool's Gold presented an unusual marriage of influences, pairing African melodies with Hebrew lyrics. The record won over legions of fans and caught the attention of critics, who described it with words like "beguiling" and "joyous."Fool's Gold's newest album is called Leave No Trace, and there's little trace left of Hebrew on it â€" the lyrics are mostly in English. In a conversation with NPR's David Greene, vocalist Luke Top and guitarist Lewis Pesacov, the band's two founding members,...

Jeff Buckley - Jeff Buckley - Grace

While Jeff Buckley’s sole complete studio document has achieved two million sales worldwide since its mid-90s release, its impact at the time was far from impressive. And that’s from both critical and commercial perspectives, as although today it’s regularly held in high regard come top-albums lists, a mixed reception greeted it on its initial emergence.

Listening today, almost 17 years to the day after that first release, it’s easy to hear why reviewers weren’t universally moved by Grace. Its best-known track isn’t even one penned by Buckley, Hallelujah being a cover of Leonard Cohen’s haunting masterpiece. Nor is Corpus...

Tedeschi Trucks Band - Tedeschi Trucks Band: Revelator

In 2010 Derek Trucks decided to suspend his self-titled group and wife Susan Tedeschi tabled her own touring band, so that the pair could start anew with a fresh, hand-picked collective. As the eleven figures who appear on the cover of Revelator can attest, they’ve opted to assemble a big band. Not only that but it’s a BIG band, featuring such heavy hitters as bass player Oteil Burbridge, his brother keyboardist/flautist Kofi Burbridge, the drumming tandem of Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson and a brass section. Yet despite the abundance of players, Revelator proves a fitting platform for Trucks’ tasteful,...

Def Leppard - Def Leppard - Mirror Ball

So, hot on the heels of headlining Download, the Leps (Def Hoople, or Mott the Leppard as they now seem to be known) release this, a mix of live tracks recorded from their 'The Sparkle Lounge Tour' plus 3 new studio tracks and a bonus DVD containing live performances and backstage footage.

There is no doubting the legacy of tracks on this album and what they have given the rock world. The first British band in the 80's and NWOBHM band to really have a go and crack the US and succeed big time, they are only one of five rock...

James - James - Laid

It may be hard to believe, but once upon a time, back in the pre-Britpop era of the early 90s, James were one of the biggest groups in the UK. Sure they dated further back than that, being the mildly unfashionable band mentioned in passing while fellow Manchester types The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays came, and went, and ultimately imploded. But after a couple of albums, they grabbed the baggy bandwagon by its number plate with 1990’s Come Home and eventually broke through big-time with indie disco perennial Sit Down when it was...

Eilen Jewell - Eilen Jewell - Queen of the Minor Key

Firstly, this disc is blessed with an evocative title, and its song of the same name delivers the sounds to match. Where do we place Jewell, this country miss who also sounds like a darkly mysterious rock'n'roller, a blues-gal, a purveyor of garage exotica? She appears to be quite naturally gravitating toward several scenes simultaneously, well-versed in the manners of each form. Jewell sings and plays acoustic guitar, also taking the occasional harmonica solo.

Closely identified with Los Angeles, though born in Boise, Idaho, Jewell currently lives in Boston. Her songs sound like they haven't reared up out of any...

Coldplay - Coldplay - Parachutes (2000)

Lightly tasteful tablature stories and fables is the best way to describe the debut album that put Coldplay on the maps of the music industry. 

Just like the reality of a Parachute, this album will seem to be taking its time. Truth is, the combination of musical professionalism and lyrical content is truly going the speed of light. Track three, “Spies", resembles an overcast system hovering over beautiful tropic skies. From one environment to another, using every format of creative instrumental technique to blend into one 5 minute and 18 second song. “ And if we don’t buy here, They’re going to find us,...

Eels - Eels (Latitude 2011)

Having seen Eels a fortnight prior to Latitude at Main Square Festival, I was appropriately excited for the sublime set I knew was in store. It was a performance that converted me from a casual fan to a full on screaming teenage girl.

Mark Oliver Everett's life has been blighted by tragedy, much of which has been the influence behind his 13 albums. His lyrical black humour, gruff vocals and rock n' roll style instrumentation translates well on stage but what makes E's performance really special is the emphasis on entertainment. The band is visually fantastic, with each member looking identical...