(amazon.com)
Queen
Queen 40, Vol. 2: News of the World, Jazz, The Game, Flash Gordon, Hot Space
Hollywood Records
By David Chiu
From 1977 to 1982, Queen were at the peak of their popularity and power through hit albums, singles and concerts. It was a period during which they gradually veered away from the elaborate productions of the earlier records but without compromising the distinctive hard rock sound.
View full article »
(amazon.com)
NewBeats’ Noteworthy Reissues of 2011 (in no particular order)
The Dark Side of the Moon (Immersion Box): Pink Floyd
Nevermind (Deluxe Edition): Nirvana
Young Man with the Big Beat: Elvis Presley
Complete Albums Collection: Billy Joel
Queen 40 (Vol. 1): Queen
Winterland: Jimi Hendrix
Wish You Were Here (Immersionn Box): Pink Floyd
Faith (Special Edition): George Michael
McCartney: Paul McCartney
(nullco.com)
The soundtrack to the new film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, is due out Dec. 27. For those eager to hear what it sounds like, a free 6-track sampler– totaling close to 35 minutes–is available here. (You have to submit an email address for the download).
(amazon.com)
Neil Diamond
The Very Best of Neil Diamond
Columbia/Legacy
by David Chiu
There has to be something special about an artist whose popularity still remains high into his sixth decade of music. That certainly applies to Neil Diamond, whose body of work traces back to the era of ’60s Brill Building pop music. View full article »
(amazon.com)
Pink Floyd
Animals
The Final Cut
A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Capitol/EMI
By David Chiu
No doubt that Pink Floyd’s legend can be attributed to the mammoth success and popularity of hit records such as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. But during the period from Dark Side to The Division Bell, Floyd also made records that perhaps weren’t as popular, critically-acclaimed or commercially huge than the aforementioned albums, but in retrospect are underrated and deserve another listen. With Animals, The Final Cut and A Momentary Lapse of Reason—which were recently reissued individually and as part of the Discovery boxed set, this is a good time to look back on them. View full article »
(Amy Bezunartea)
(amazon.com)
Paul Simon
Graceland
The Rhythm of the Saints
Songwriter
Columbia/Legacy
by David Chiu
Paul Simon’s career flourished a second time in the ’80s, this time through his exploration of world music. View full article »
(amazon)
Kate Bush
50 Words for Snow
Fish People/Anti
By David Chiu
For an artist who is notorious for taking years to make albums, Kate Bush delivered not one but two records within a calendar year! The first one, Director’s Cut, a reworking of songs from The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, came out earlier this year; this latest one, 50 Words For Snow, is her first collection of all-new material since 2005’s Aerial. View full article »
(courtesy of Lara Meyerratken)
Listen to the exquisite track by El May (a.k.a. Lara Meyerratken) of ”Pleasant Experience,” a cover of a Small Black song. For information on El May and music from her previous record, click to her Web site.
