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This Is Spinal Tap Spinal Tap 3h1c72
A perfect parody album that rocks in its own right.
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The Slider: 40th Anniversary Box Set T. Rex 2d5v4r
Bolan’s brilliance came through clearly on T. Rex’s seventh LP.
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The Defenestration of St. Martin Martin Rossiter b2b6d
A high-quality, stripped-back solo debut from the Gene frontman.
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Black and White The Stranglers 4y2856
The Stranglers’ essential third album pointed towards a more ambitious future.
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Another great album from Young and his rawest of backing bands.
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Good Feeling Paul Carrack 5v4s4u
An aptly-named and most enjoyable new solo collection.
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Presents the 8th Paul Heaton g4w13
An experiment that should revitalise Heaton’s always eccentric muse.
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Classic Album Selection (1970-73) Elton John 4w5w6f
Five albums from what might be Elton’s most richly rewarding period.
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Shake the Tree Nell Bryden 643l40
A recommended second album of well-crafted songs, worth investigating.
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All Through the City (With Wilko 1974-1977) Dr. Feelgood 4e2h1o
A great collection from the ever-invigorating Canvey Island rock crew.
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Locked Down Dr. John 2c541g
A very 21st century LP from an ageless artist always worth listening to.
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L.A. Woman – 40th Anniversary Edition The Doors 5e3ix
One of the band’s best, and their final fling with erratic frontman Morrison.
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Let’s Dance David Bowie 3t454m
The album that set the template for 1980s Bowie, for better and worse.
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Black Tie White Noise David Bowie 3b3152
The first step on Bowie’s journey of experimentation in the 90s.
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Satan Is Real/ Handpicked Songs 1955-1962 The Louvin Brothers 1s6f25
Two brilliant discs in one recommended package.
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Goin’ Back: The Definitive Dusty Springfield Dusty Springfield i173e
A fantastic, deluxe collection from one of pop’s greatest ever vocalists.
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Eat a Peach The Allman Brothers Band 182434
The Southern rock pioneers at their creative peak.
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Hoodoo Man Blues Junior Wells’ Chicago Blues Band 6w5u1l
A historical artefact, a listening joy and a blues tour de force.
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The Bandana Splits The Bandana Splits 113c1s
50s doo-wop, 90s indie and retro pop combines for a puzzling debut release.
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The Complete Remastered Keen Collection Sam Cooke 1gt46
The real roots of soul, exposed on a three-disc set of Cooke’s early recordings.
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Soul UK Beverley Knight 5t1o67
Knight’s taste for a cover version is impeccable.
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Traiveller’s Joy Emily Smith 3z2a4h
Avoids the grit that much of the modern folk scene opts for.
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City Of Refuge Abigail Washburn f67b
An original, accessible and highly recommended purchase.
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Inspired soul-rock covers of Creedence, The Beatles and more.
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Hemingway’s Whiskey Kenny Chesney 1y4g6v
The platinum-seller’s latest LP is a perfect slice of contemporary country.
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Beautiful Noise Neil Diamond 4c2c13
There’s a highly pleasant lightness to nearly all of this album.
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You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Neil Diamond 5o6y44
A chirpy album entirely brought about by a completely unplanned single.
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Songs From the West Coast Elton John 5n6k6b
An album of quality that nobody thought could have happened.
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Leon Russell Leon Russell 1xdm
Russell’s third album featured a wealth of high-profile special guests.
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Hank Wilson's Back Leon Russell 6v656m
Like all great country, this turns melancholy and gloom into melody and dancing.
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SoulBoy Various Artists 1m2gl
A crashing wave of joy and euphoria overwhelms the listener.
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Help! The Beatles j85k
Hardly their best album, but still marked by flashes of brilliance.
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A Hard Day’s Night The Beatles 415j3y
When the best band in the world realised they were the best band in the world.
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Beatles for Sale The Beatles 196d2m
A transitional record, but still joyous, inventive and exciting.
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Another Music in a Different Kitchen Buzzcocks 19142v
Everything about Buzzcocks’ 1978 debut is right.
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Mojo Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 1d4f6l
Petty’s latest with the Heartbreakers is a far cry from his finest fare.
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Power in the Darkness Tom Robinson Band 4l2m2z
Mixes the social anger and despair of the era with a radio-friendly rock sound.
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Never Been Gone Carly Simon 1d19m
Pleasant rather than essential, something that would be a nice tour souvenir.
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Stanley Brinks and the Wave Pictures Stanley Brinks and the Wave Pictures a5j4r
An interesting and largely appealing album.
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We Are Only Riders – The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project Various Artists 2t2a6u
As an introduction to Jeffrey Lee Pierce, this is a very good record indeed.
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Nowhere Boy OST Various Artists 733k3g
An intelligent soundtrack and a decent snapshot of Lennon’s musical influences.
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Them Crooked Vultures Them Crooked Vultures 5r214p
A funny, powerful and edgy debut from new supergroup on the block.
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The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again John Fogerty 2c5b72
Fogerty, despite the famous friends and the elderly tunes, still rocks.
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100% Beverley Knight 2b391l
The soulful singer is not only back, but also on brilliant form.
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Shaka Rock Jet 4r5s2k
Three albums in and they’re still a lot of rough fun.
