Your last listen

[savvypaul]

[savvypaul]

[CN211276]

Dream Theatre - Octavrium
Rainbow - Long live rock n' roll
The Scorpions - Taken by force
Judas Priest - Painkiller

[NSNO2021]

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark 'The Punishment of Luxury' (2017)



Third album from the 2000's reformed original duo and the best of the three. An intensely Kraftwerk-inspired sound carried by the familiar gifts for catchy pop tunes and wacky experimentation. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys are on top form here and this record stands up alongside their 80's classics.

Recording quality is outstanding with a squeaky-clean, sharp-edged holographic clarity. An adventurous trip that brings a smile to your face and gets your foot tapping along.

[NSNO2021]

Seem to be in a synth-pop frame of mind ....

Bel Canto 'Shimmering, Warm & Bright' (1992)



Utterly gorgeous melodic dream-pop from this Norwegian band. Vocals from Anneli Drecker that drip with sensuality and the music fits perfectly in-between the likes of Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance.

Do yourself a favour and give it a listen.

https://youtu.be/i5Njw0ovIbY

[Fretless]

The Passions 'Sanctuary' (1982)



Third and final LP from post-punk, one-hit-wonder outfit ('I'm in love with a German Film Star'). The group's trademark echoplex-guitar and yearning vocals from Barbara Gogan are here filled out with a slick production that includes a healthy dose of synths.

Loved this to death when it first came out, must get a CD copy sometime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VxXhoSy2IM

Those were the days ...

[CN211276]

Crippled Black Phoenix - No sadness or fatrwell
Demon - Blow out
Yes - Fragile

[NSNO2021]

Fila Brazilla --- I have been flitting around looking for something new to my ears and came across this new to me group and was quite taken by some of it.

[CN211276]

Dream Theatre - When dreams and day unite
Motorhead - The world is yours
Iron Maiden - Seventh son of a seventh son

[Fretless]

Daniel Cavanagh 'Monochrome/Colour'



Anathema's principal songwriter and lead guitarist, Daniel Cavanagh had a lot of quieter, more personal songs left over after the band's 2017 album 'The Optimist' and so he recorded them himself and issued the album 'Monochrome'. This has now been re-released as an extended version with extra tracks from the sessions.

This is a gentler take on the explosive Anathema sound with piano and violin playing a greater role, supporting vocals are supplied by Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering). The underlying power is still present and you realise that the strength lies in the finely-crafted music and impeccable playing. The full-out sonic attack of the band isn't required here.

Essential for Anathema fans and anyone who enjoys atmospheric melodic rock like Pink Floyd or Porcupine Tree.