You know, I don’t usually cover album reviews on this site. But that doesn’t mean that my listening habits are purely playlist-driven, or I don’t listen to albums at all. I wanted to make that point because, since its release at the end of May, I have enjoyed playing “Succession“, the sophomore album from Avec Sans, a lot. It is a nice hit of synth-pop amazingness. A special indulgent treat that I have gleefully and willingly incorporated into my music diet. Alice, Jack and Willow took time with the sophomore album, wanting to progress their sound and explore the electronic realm further. They have nobly released it independently during a pandemic. I am most grateful that they did. Listening to it has helped me keep on track when I’ve felt a wobble of anxiety kicking in these past few months.
This campaign is no different to any other they have continued with serving us singles aplenty. “Altitude“, “Slow DanceDown“, “I Will Be With You“, and “Backtrack” are joined by “Tell Me“. A track that seems to speak about pushing through the hard times with the help and support of family and friends. Very applicable to the stage where we are now in this COVID 19 pandemic.
A song of support and encouragement as we venture out and carefully recommence socialising and interacting again. The vibe of the track is very much that of brushing down and picking ourselves back up. In its own way, think of it as a self-help guide. Soothing sonics, vibrant sonics teeming with motivational lyrics. “Tell Me” is on point in musicality and capturing the mood in these times. The music video encapsulates these feelings, expressed in the fluidity of sweeping motions and freestyle dance movements. “Tell Me” is the release we need, while the music video reminds us what freedom feels like. While we can’t all be like an astronaut, we can nevertheless experience similar intoxicating feelings by enjoying a visit to a wide-open space. And luxuriate in the enveloping sonics of “Tell Me“.
On 17 June UMC/EMI will reissue Money For Nothing, the first Dire Straits greatest hits collection (featuring songs from the band’s first five albums), which was originally released in October 1988. Newly remastered by Bob Ludwig, Money For Nothing will be made available in digital and double vinyl formats across the UK on 17 June 2022 & early 2023 in the US.
Fully remastered by Bob Ludwig, and cut by Bernie Grundman, the Money For Nothing double vinyl reissue includes Telegraph Road (Live Remix) which was previously only available on the original CD format, and a previously unreleased alternative live version of Portobello Belle (Live). The album is cut over four sides for the first time and is pressed on 180g vinyl with original artwork. The vinyl and digital download will be available to order on 11 May here.
Frontman Mark Knopfler is one of the most successful musicians the UK has ever produced and is often cited as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Dire Straits’ sound defined the late 70s/early 80s with monster hits such as Sultans Of Swing, Romeo And Juliet, Money For Nothing and Walk Of Life (all included on this release).
Dire Straits’ 1985 album Brothers In Arms, a global No 1 and double Grammy Award winner, is one of the best selling albums of all time. After releasing their final album On Every Street in ’91, Knopfler set off on a new path as a solo artist.
Billy Idol has rescheduled The Roadside Tour 2022 with new dates now set for October 2022. All existing tickets are still valid for the revised dates.
Says Billy Idol: “As many of you know, this year has dealt me some health challenges which are nearly, but not quite resolved. While my recovery is almost complete, I have been given doctor’s orders to stay off the road until August – and so it is with great frustration that we must reschedule the UK Tour for October of this year. Thank you for everyone’s understanding and support. These shows will be worth the wait!”
For his first appearances in the UK since 2018, the singer will play six arena shows with the rescheduled dates listed below.
Supporting Billy Idol, and replacing The Go-Go’s on the original dates, are Television including original frontman Tom Verlaine.
Says Idol: “Sadly, The Go-Go’s are no longer able to join us. I am thrilled to share that now opening all UK shows will be Television, one of my favourite bands from the original New York punk scene and an inspiration to me throughout my career. I will be honoured to share the stage with them and hope everyone will come early to enjoy their set!”
The global lockdown of 2020 gave Billy Idol time to reflect and thoughts turned to his near-fatal motorcycle accident of 1990, how he dealt with it and how it related to the current crisis. “It seemed quite logical and natural to write something about my motorcycle accident,” he says. “I may have been saying, well, this is what people go through when they are in trouble. I think I was unconsciously making that connection.
“Certainly, the motorcycle accident was the catharsis, the wake-up moment. A little bit of me got left by the side of that road. Maybe I left behind the irreverent, youthful Billy and opened the door for a more attentive father and more sensitive musician. Something did get left by the roadside, but it was not necessarily a bad thing in the end.”
Idol’s touring band features his long-time guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens along with Stephen McGrath (bass, backing vocals), Billy Morrison (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Trudeau (keyboards, backing vocals) and drummer Erik Eldenius.
To celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Shakespears Sister’s seminal album Hormonally Yours, London Records have announced a special edition release across multiple formats.
A double platinum and Top 3 UK album Hormonally Yours secured Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit a place in British pop history, spawning the single Stay – which spent a staggering eight consecutive weeks at the top of the UK charts – and winning the duo an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection.
The anniversary CD format will include a DVD featuring all videos from the album shot by producer Sophie Muller plus live recordings of album tracks from the bands 2019 tour. In addition previously unseen footage shot during the making of the album is included.
Vinyl is available in two limited edition formats – standard white vinyl and a deluxe version in splattered vinyl. A special sequinned bag edition gives as a nod to the sequinned catsuits Shakespears Sister’s signature look around the album’s release.
The album will be released on 19 August and can be pre-ordered here.
Initially conceived as an alternative soundtrack to the 3-D sci-fi B-movie, 1953’s Cat-Women Of The Moon, Hormonally Yours stuck to the space age concept despite the soundtrack idea being shelved. As Marcella explains, the women in the film were their inspiration: “They were bold, they were daring, unapologetic about who they were.”
“We were diametrically opposed to fluffy little girls singing perfect little pop songs” she continues. “Siobhan’s idea was to be different, to be dramatic, to express yourself.”
Both members brought their own musician touchstones to the table. Fahey’s included The Smiths, glam, punk and Roxy Music whilst Detroit’s drew from blues and rock, with both women sharing a love of soul and Motown. “Together,” says Marcella, “we managed to mash all those desires and enthusiasms to come up with something unusual and memorable.”