Must Own Albums: Modern Marvels

/ James Fenney

21-by-AdeleAdele – 21

With the incredible 21, Adele suddenly became the most important woman in music. It would take me several paragraphs to list all the accolades and records it has broken. It has already become one of the best selling albums of all time and the singles ‘Rolling in the Deep’, ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ and ‘Someone Like You’ became worldwide number one hits.

arctic monkeys amArctic Monkeys – AM

After being one of the first bands to come to fame via the internet, they released the fastest ever selling debut album and soon became heralded as the greatest British band of the generations. Several albums down the line they went one better and combined their trademark Sheffield wit, slick Californian production and a newfound confidence to create their greatest album yet.

Amy_Winehouse_-_Back_To_BlackAmy Winehouse – Back To Black

Following her tragic death, Winehouse became the latest addition to the infamous 27 club. Her short lived, but hugely influential, music career has had a profound and lasting effect on modern music. Her final swansong Back To Black has already become a classic and features the singles ‘Rehab’ and ‘Tears Dry on Their Own’.

the-suburbsArcade Fire – The Suburbs

Canadian band Arcade Fire have crafted what may be the finest album of the 21st century thus far. The band’s bittersweet letter from the suburbs is grand and complex but still pulls you in with the warmth and familiarity of home. A compelling tale of life on the edge, searching for hope; it is pure, ambitious and simply magnificent.

Posthumous Albums: Music from the Great Beyond

/ James Fenney

kurt cobain

Following the recent death of David Bowie his music dominated the charts and Blackstar became his first ever number one album in the US. As bleak as the mourning period may be, death can be rather profitable. Michael Jackson for instance was in debt before his death, and a few months afterwards his estate had made millions. Record labels often use this fervour to produce albums long after an artist has passed away. The question is whether they should, or whether they should just let people rest in peace? Continue reading →

ELO to play Glastonbury’s Legends slot

/ James Fenney

elo-Jeff-Lynne

Jeff Lynne and the latest incarnation of the Electric Light Orchestra have been announced as the performers for the traditional Sunday teatime “Legends” slot for this year’s Glastonbury Festival. They follow in the footsteps of Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie who both performed to packed crowds. Jeff Lynne’s ELO has already been a surge in popularity after reforming and releasing their latest album Alone in the Universe which has since gone platinum in the UK.

Sir Terry Wogan passes away

/ James Fenney

BBC Radio 2 Presenters

This bleak January has taken yet another beloved figure from us in the form of broadcasting legend Sir Terry Wogan. After nearly 50 years as BBC Radio 2’s most popular presenter, he passed away aged 77 after a short battle with cancer. He was well known for his warm and witty broadcast style and his steadfast dedication to his loyal fans. He was the UK’s voice of Eurovision for many years and has been involved with Children In Need since the appeal’s inception in 1980. He was one of the greatest radio presenter ever to grace a microphone and Britain mourns the loss of such a national treasure.

Foals and Disclosure to co-headline Reading and Leeds

/ James Fenney

foals

Rising indie band Foals and dance duo Disclosure have been announced as co-headliners for this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals, joining fellow headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers. Foals secret set at last year’s festivals was one of the weekend’s highlights and they are quickly establishing themselves as one of the biggest new rock bands in Britain. It is Disclosure’s first ever UK headline slot and the first time an electronic act has headlined since 2002. The third and final headliner has yet to be announced.

Spotlight!: Rag’n’Bone Man

/ James Fenney

rag-n-bone-man

Though at first glance he might not look like it, Brighton based bluesman Rory Graham, better known as Rag’N’Bone Man, is a force to be reckoned with. He has one of the most powerful and distinctive voices around, and can equally excel with deep gritty delta blues and tender soulful ballads. With such unparalleled vocals at his disposal, he’s well equipped to dabble with any genre that takes his fancy. He has a fling with hard rock on ‘Hard Came The Rain’ and plays around with his earlier hip hop influences on tracks such as ‘Wolves’. Personally I think his talent captured best in the massive singles ‘Bitter End’ and ‘Lay My Body Down’; he truly has the kind of voice that only comes around once in a generation.

With such a varied repertoire he’s sure to tick boxes for many people, and following his appearance at Glastonbury last year he’s set to emerge from the underground and take the world by storm.