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Pillbox NYC – ‘Calling from Nowhereland’ (Vicious Kitten Records)

Pillbox NYC – ‘Calling from Nowhereland’ (Vicious Kitten Records)

Pillbox NYC were a no frills RnR band, who we see here captured for prosperity on a freezing Vancouver night in February 1994. The band featured Mr Ratboy, Steve Mach and Screamin’ Joe Rizzo, who collectively blazed their own way through the grunge-filled ‘90s and with their one album – 1993’s ‘Jimbo’s Clown Room’ – became a cult classic, which this recording shows how raw and in your face this band really were!

For the glam-loving freaks out there, the late Steve Mach’s name rang bells for me, as I recognised the name from Skin N Bones, who released the glam classic ‘Not A Pretty Sight’ in 1990. And while that album is an entirely different being altogether, it does highlight the RnR side to the band! 

Many have likened Pillbox NYC to D-Generation, but truth be told, while they shared a post-punk/glam glunk style, these were more of a dirtier proposition and sound all the better for it.

With songs like ’Sinister Urge’ and ‘Holly’, you have two of the most obnoxious opening songs ever committed to tape and easily set the tone for the rest of the album. Follow that up with ‘5000 Miles’ and ‘Come Up Heroin’. You can almost feel the eyeliner, grit and filthy fingernails between your ears.

The standout track for me is the live show closer of ‘What She Wants’, which is clearly an undiscovered classic. Following the live show, which is an underrated gem of a show, we have another nine songs in demo format, which were recorded as Jimbo’s Basement tapes from 1992. Most of which appeared rerecorded on the aforementioned ‘Jimbo’s Clown Room’.

These demos are for me the true highlight of this release, showing how brilliant this band was and why they should have been massive! Again, this CD will be of interest mainly to the glunk purists out there, but every lover of glam, punk, etc should give this a spin, and you will be rewarded with a time capsule that delivers the glunk like no other.

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Author: Dave Prince

Electric Boys – ‘Shady Side Of Town’ EP (Mighty Music)

Electric Boys – ‘Shady Side Of Town’ EP (Mighty Music)

Following on from the release of their 8th studio album ‘Grand Explosivos’ in 2023, Sweden’s finest exponents of funk n’ roll, Electric Boys, return with a four-track digital-only EP made up of songs recorded in the same sessions. These are songs that were left to one side for whatever reason, the band feel these songs were too good to be left unheard and are sending them out into the wild.

If you’ve not heard Conny Bloom and his boys since their Funk O Metal Carpet Ride days, you may be surprised to find they are a harder rocking machine than they were in the late 80’s.

Years of being on the road, and a stint for Conny and bassist Andy in the reformed Hanoi Rocks at the turn of the century, has given the band a new lease of life and a harder, groove-heavy 70’s rock sound. Over the course of the last decade, they have released a series of quality albums and toured them extensively.

Opener ‘Head Honcho’ has a signature groove, with some tasty licks and that familiar sultry Conny Bloom vocal that leads to a stadium-sized chorus.

Next up is ‘Grand Explosivos’, and it leads me to wonder why this was not included on the album that shares its title. It’s a killer tune to be fair, with an almost mariachi feel to the verses and a bombastic rock chorus. It fits the eclectic and commercial feel of the last album. I guess it just shows the high quality of the songs on offer, that this was left by the wayside.

‘Looking For Vajayay’ is pretty cool too. It rides along on a heavy bass groove, has some crazy ass horns going on, but lacks a catchy chorus, feeling like more of a jam than a finished song. That said, it certainly warrants repeated plays, and you won’t be hitting that skip button anytime soon.

Closer ‘Keep It Dark’ takes things up a notch, it features the vocal talents of guitarist Martin Thamander, who comes on all Paul Stanley here, which adds a different flavour to the Electric Boys palette. It’s a strong closer to a groovy set of tunes.

The band claimed these songs were too good to be left unreleased, and they weren’t wrong. They stand tall against the songs already released on ‘Grand Explosivos’ and are the perfect companion. While it’s a shame it is only a digital release, ‘The Shady Side Of Town’ EP is a worthy set of songs to add to any playlist. 

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Author: Ben Hughes

The Chesterfield Kings – ‘Loose Ends’ (Wicked Cool Records)

The Chesterfield Kings – ‘Loose Ends’ (Wicked Cool Records)

With the Jagger Swagger going on the Chesterfield Kings have always been able to turn on on super cool to 11 and on this new record they’ve unearthed an LP of B Sides and rare unreleased cuts tying up any loose ends for sure.

When they rock out like on ‘Live Life’, they can certainly cut the rug with the best of them – raw, rockin, edgy and boundless energy. The Chesterfield Kings ooze class on songs like this. Hailing from Rochester, NY, these cats peddle garage-fueled rock n roll. To be fair, it’s a ferocious collection from one of rock & roll’s most enduring underground legends, even their rough cut of The Quos ‘Matchstick Men’ is rough and edgy, then they spill into some whigged out Hendrix on a pretty reckless ‘Hey Joe’ . Cracking open the vault to deliver a fuzz-drenched feast of rarities, forgotten gems, and unreleased recordings spanning the band’s wildest years is just what the doctor ordered as we head into winter and need some tunes to warm us up.

For the first time ever, these deep cuts and obscure one-offs — many previously scattered across hard-to-find vinyl and CD pressings — are being digitally remastered yet still feel rough and uncut or smoothed over with modern tech. It’s a time capsule of pure rock swagger: stomping rhythms, snarling guitars, and that signature Kings attitude that has influenced generations of garage revivalists and true believers.

Among the deep cuts is a version of ‘Roadrunner’ that has a fantastic rhythm, crashing, banging and a little wallop whilst the guitar sound sharp as hell. I could go through all ten tracks but I don’t want to spoil it lets just say theres a Beach Boys style on ‘Muscle Beach Party’ and we end with a lightening take on ‘White Christmas that soulds like The Boys at their snotty finest.

So in essence The Kings covering the likes of The Kinks, The Lyres, and others is a fine addition to any collection, ‘Loose Ends’ captures the raw energy and spirit that have always defined The Chesterfield Kings. Go get it and make yourself 27% more hip than you were previously.

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Author: Dom Daley

Johnny Thunders ‘Que Sera Sera’ 40th anniversary edition in PINK 2LP

Johnny Thunders ‘Que Sera Sera’ 40th anniversary edition in PINK 2LP

Also – an unreleased ‘Short Lives’ 7” & 12” single, limited test-pressings with printed sleeve art are made available for the very first time

The 1985 studio album – in PINK vinyl & sleeve for this 40th Anniversary Edition. Features Glen Matlock, Wilko Johnson, Mike Monroe, John Perry, Patti Palladin & many others.

It’s the superior remixed & revamped version from 2019 with many unheard tracks – two extra tracks were discovered on the album 2” tapes; along with six unreleased outtakes and six live versions.

Remixed by The Vibrators’ Pat Collier (RIP), who has brought the guitar properly up in the mix – Johnny missed the original mixing sessions, now it is heard as he originally intended.

Gatefold notes by Nina Antonia. Limited edition. Also on 3xCD, now at a new keen price.

**To coincide, a limited quantity of 1986 test-pressings of an unreleased Short Lives 7″ and 12″ single with an unheard mix are on sale at the Jungle Direct UK store.  It was planned as a single, and a sleeve featuring 98 famous people who’d had Short Lives was designed by then-resident artist and designer Blodgett Waxwing.  However, that release got aborted and the Que Sera Sera single was recorded and released instead.  Now we’ve printed copies of the sleeve design and put these together with the unreleased test-pressing, on sale now.**

Simultaneously, the 3xCD box set is reissued at a super-keen price.  It includes extras of twelve more live tracks and the original 1985 album version, along with remixes, and a 36-page booklet that features the lyrics and exclusive photos alongside Nina’s informed notes.

2xLP tracks:

DISC 1: Remixed: Alone in a Crowd, Countdown Love, Blame It on Mom, Talk About You, M.I.A., Little Bit Of Whore, Short Lives, I Only Wrote This Song For You, Cool Operator, Billy Boy, Endless Party, Que Sera Sera.

DISC 2: Outtakes & alternate versions: Copy Cat, Blame It on Mom (outtake), Taking You Up Avenue D, Short Lives (outtake), I Only Wrote This Song for You (outtake), Cool Operator (first version). Live: Countdown Love, Just Another Girl, Talk About You, Alone in a Crowd, It’s Alright (Blame It on Mom). First issued in purple, 2019

3xCD tracks:

DISC 1: Resurrected: Alone In A Crowd, Countdown Love, Blame It On Mom, Talk About You, M.I.A., Little Bit Of Whore, Short Lives, I Only Wrote This Song For You, Cool Operator, Billy Boy, Endless Party, Que Sera Sera. Extras: Copy Cat, Blame It On Mom (outtake),Taking You Up Avenue D, Short Lives (outtake), I Only Wrote This Song For You (outtake), Cool Operator (first version).

DISC 2: Live in Europe: Geneva: Blame It On Mom, M.I.A., Cool Operator, Personality Crisis, Countdown Love, Little Bit of Whore, Amsterdam: Short Lives, So Alone, Sad Vacation, Too Much Junkie Business, Little Bit of Whore, Born To Lose, Chinese Rocks, Lyon: Countdown Love, Just Another Girl, Talk About You, Alone In A Crowd, It’s Alright (Blame It On Mom). (74 mins)

DISC 3: The original album: Short Lives, M.I.A., I Only Wrote This Song For You, Little Bit of Whore, Cool Operator, Blame It On Mom, Tie Me Up, Alone In A Crowd, Billy Boy, Endless Party. Remixes & single: Cool Operator (Black Cat mix), Short Lives (Heavenly ver.), Short Lives (Johnny’s remix), Que Sera Sera               

Jungle Records

Puzzle Tree – ‘Kingdom’ (Self Release)

Puzzle Tree – ‘Kingdom’ (Self Release)

Welsh alternative progressive metal band Puzzle Tree returns with their sophomore album in the brilliant form of Kingdom. The band made a splash back in 2022 with their debut album, Every Broken Floor. However, this album builds upon where the debut left off and expands into a mighty kingdom (pun intended).

Featuring the talents of Rachel Thomas on vocals, Matt John on guitars, keys & vocals, Jamie Roberts on bass, Matthew Alexander Powell on vocals, guitars & new member, Tony Jones on Drums & Percussion. The band are truly stepping into the light; however, the darkness and heaviness that prevails upon hearing this opus belies the somewhat young age of the group.

The opening intro of ‘Portal’ does exactly what is expected of it, and takes you somewhere else before the unrelenting first single ‘Writhe’. The band wastes no time in pulling you into their world, which is equally heavy and doom-laden but with a touch of melody that is so infectious that you can not help but fall in love with the songs.

‘Deadfall’ is next with a full-on assault, before taking things down a notch. It is this style of drastic changes that endears the band and their music to me. Upon first listen, you really do not know where the song will go.

One thing I must mention is the production; while the debut sounds great, Kingdom is the sound of a band that knows what they want, truly believes in it, and delivers the goods. The sound and performance that Matthew Alexander Powell and Lee Howells have laid down sounds effortless and showcase the music within beautifully.

The angelic voice of Rachel Thomas is a musical highlight that shines brightly, especially on ‘Lost Another Day’, which is definitely one of my favourite songs off the whole album. The double punch of ‘Kingdom Pt 1’ and ‘Kingdom Pt 2& 3’. Takes the listener on a musical voyage that I didn’t want to end. Sublime, and it makes me want to listen to the album on a black slab of vinyl.

Another standout track for me is ‘Heartless’, which is another loud-quiet-loud melodic banger! This album is a clear statement from the band that shows they are a force to be reckoned with, and if they can get a helping hand/push – I believe that you will be seeing them decimate stages across the country with their face-melting aural perfection.

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Author: Dave Prince

The Lemonheads – ‘Love Chant’ (Fire Records)

The Lemonheads – ‘Love Chant’ (Fire Records)

Years before going overground with a cover of Mrs Robinson and The whole Shame About Ray’ upwards trajectory and superstardom king of the slackers Evan Dando was besties with Oasis and perenial clusterfuck of drama on the live scene through the pages of Melody Maker and NME but never stopped making records going from the early days of the rather excellent records that were ‘Hate your Friends’, ‘Lovey’,’Lick’, ‘Creator’ before going overground and offered up the iconic stuff and big chart hits like ‘Car Button Cloth’ ‘ Shame About Ray’ and ‘Come On Feel’ before disappearing back into the murky underground Dando never stopped making music doing cover albums playign live as a band or solo this is his first Lemonheads studio album in a couple of decades.

It’s been a long time promised, and a cast of collaborators came and went, it’s a bold, melodic return to form with flashes of all previous models of the ban,d from the soppy acoustic folkified ramblings to the chaotic, rough house punk rock ‘In The Margin’. Dando has certainly found his mojo.

Now based in Brazil, where much of the album was recorded, Dando’s relocation in recent years has given him time to focus his attention on getting this done and on our turntables. ‘Wild Thing’ is powerful with big guitar and his distinctive vocal delivery front and centre. The laid-back acoustic junk of ‘Be In’ sits nicely between the happy-go-lucky uptempo swagger of ‘Cell Phone Blues’, another great Dando tune.

If you want more wild, unhinged meanderings, then the Neil Young styleings on ‘Togetherness Is All I’m After’ with distorted guitars strumming big chords over a slow groove and big vocal melody is classic Dando.

J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, and Tom Morgan rejoin the fold, alongside producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Antony and the Johnsons), Nashville’s Erin Rae, John Strohm of the Blake Babies and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. Adam Green of cult New York favourites The Moldy Peaches also contributes as co-writer on the aforementioned country detour that is ‘Wild Thing’.

You’ve got the groovy bass-heavy ‘Marauders’ offering something funky, whilst the title track is darker and punchier. ‘The Key OF Victory’ is an acoustic meandering campfire jaunt before the dreamy ‘Roky’ kisses the listener goodbye, and a very well-received new album from The Lemonheads that will, in time, sit proudly alongside some of this band’s fine catalogue of releases. In a different time from the last time we got new Lemonheads material, Dando has delivered a strong album that is worthy of the name. Let’s not leave it another twenty years if there’s more of this in the tank.

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Author: Dom Daley

Peter Hook & The Light UK Tour 2025

Peter Hook & The Light UK Tour 2025

GET READY // UK TOUR – NOVEMBER 2025

“Get Ready was a honeymoon record. Looking back now, it was very enjoyable to make, and I think is massively underrated. It did sort the wheat from the chaff and led to a New Order mk2, which played better but had lost a naivety whilst gaining a maturity. Barney and I became a ‘power couple’ in Manchester during the making of the record but, sadly, the old problems recurred when we came to play live. The writing was on the wall from then on. The two of us worked very hard to make this a great record and I think we succeeded. I am looking forward to playing all the tracks, many of which have never been played live before. The Light will shine through … Get Ready!” PETER HOOK

PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT have announced a full UK tour for November during which they will perform the New Order album Get Ready in its entirety, followed by a full set of the most seminal tracks from the back catalogues of both Joy Division and New Order. The tour follows three highly successful Get Ready dates at Bristol Marble Factory, London Troxy and Manchester Victoria Warehouse over the Easter weekend in April and a US Get Ready tour during early summer.

Get Ready was released in 2001 and reached #2 on the US Billboard Electronic album chart and #6 in the UK album chart. It was the seventh studio album from New Order and was dedicated by the band to Rob Gretton, the manager of both Joy Division and New Order, who had died in 1999.

The UK Get Ready dates follow a mammoth run of shows last year – including tours of Australia, New Zealand, South America, North America, the UK and Ireland – tours of Spain and France in March this year in which the band played the Substance albums by Joy Division and New Order, a full US Get Ready tour in May and June this year, and a host of UK and EU festivals throughout the summer.

UK GET READY TOUR | NOVEMBER 2025

Thu 06 WORTHING Assembly Hall

Fri 07 BOURNEMOUTH O2 Academy

Sat 08 COVENTRY HMV Empire

Thu 13 LIVERPOOL Olympia

Fri 14 EDINBURGH Corn Exchange

Sat 15 NEWCASTLE Boiler Shop

Thu 20 HOLMFIRTH Picturedrome

Fri 21 BATH Komedia

Sat 22 CAMBRIDGE Junction

Thu 27 LINCOLN Engine Shed

Fri 28 LYTHAM Pavilion

Sat 29 LEEDS O2 Academy

Tickets available here: https://peterhookandthelight.live

Dead Pioneers new Single ‘Freedom Means Something’

Dead Pioneers new Single ‘Freedom Means Something’

DEAD PIONEERS RAIL AGAINST CURRENT AMERICAN POLITICS IN NEW SINGLE ‘FREEDOM MEANS SOMETHING’

STREAM/DL HERE:

UK AND EU DATES CONFIRMED FOR FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 – TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:

Dead Pioneers, the indigenous punk rock band from Denver, have never been afraid to use their art as a vehicle to express their beliefs and anger at the current political landscape in America. Over two albums – their self-titled debut in 2023 and ‘PO$T AMERICAN’ from earlier this year, the band have concocted a unique blend of spoken word, hypnotic post-rock and punk roots that has quickly caught the imagination of music fans searching for something new, something real and a band with something to say.

Dead Pioneers have now returned with a new single that is perhaps their most enraged work to date. ‘Freedom Means Something’ was recorded at the same time as ‘PO$T AMERICAN’, but didn’t make the album at the time, yet despite being written over a year ago, it captures the political and social moment of the United States and the anger, fear and vitriol that comes in policy changes and egregious decisions being made by this current administration.

“It was one of a few pieces we did that didn’t make the album cut at the time,” clarifies frontman Gregg Deal. “It wasn’t an issue of good or not, so much as curating our second record to something that made sense. We are so pleased to be releasing this piece now. Much like our second record, we wrote for the moment and didn’t expect the message of the music to be more relevant to what is currently happening here. We stand by our message, politically, socially and culturally, in hopes for change. These statements are meant to be in the moment of recognising that there are those among us, the most vulnerable, who will be the first to feel the effects of what we can only call oppressive. It is our moral duty and obligation to say the quiet thing out loud in an effort to use the medium of music to provide another way to hear ideas that stand in opposition of policies that align with the principles of white supremacy and fascism and nazi ideology, undermining the basic principles of freedom. We hope you see this in Freedom Means Something.”

“We will tar and feather you with your money and prepare you for your place in the annals of historical genocide. Amidst the nationalistic maniacs that destroy families and land, and legacy and truth and decency. Your end is near,” says Gregg in the song’s closing verse. It’s powerful, intense and righteous.

Dead Pioneers are confirmed to play their first EU and UK tour in February and March, 2026. Support for all UK shows comes from Yakkie, featuring Janey Starling formerly of Dream Nails. Go HERE for tickets.

Dead Pioneers emerged as a dynamic extension of vocalist Gregg Deal’s performance art, seamlessly blending music with critical cultural commentary. Rooted in the same themes of identity and resistance that define his visual work, the band’s sound acts as a powerful platform for addressing the complexities of Indigenous experience. Deal harnesses the raw energy of punk and alternative influences to challenge prevailing narratives, using lyrics that provoke thought and evoke emotion. Just as his performance art confronts the legacies of colonisation and systemic marginalisation, Dead Pioneers – completed by Josh Rivera and Abe Brennan on guitars, bassist Lee Tesche (Algiers) and drummer Shane Zweygardt – engages audiences in a visceral dialogue about survival, resilience, and reclamation of voice. This musical endeavour not only amplifies his artistic vision but also creates a space for collective expression and solidarity, inviting listeners to reflect on the intersections of culture, history, and identity in a contemporary context. Through Dead Pioneers, Deal continues to assert that art, in all its forms, can be a powerful vehicle for activism and change. 

The band are currently playing shows in the US and working on new material and will start recording their third album later this year.

See Dead Pioneers at the following dates in the UK and EU in 2026:

February

26th UK Bristol, The Croft

27th UK Manchester, Rebellion

28th UK Leeds, Key Club

March

1st UK London, The Underworld

3rd NL Arnhem, Willemeen

5th DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof

6th DE Stuttgart, Juha West

7th DE Cologne, Helios37

9th CH Zurich, Bogen F

11th AT Vienna, Arena

12th DE Munich, Backstage

13th DE Berlin, Cassiopeia

14th DE Hamburg, Hafenklang

Find Dead Pioneers online HERE:

Mini Skirt – ‘All That We Know’ (Fuzz Club/Bad Vibrations)

Mini Skirt – ‘All That We Know’ (Fuzz Club/Bad Vibrations)

All grit and no glamour, Mini Skirt are a no-nonsense noisy bunch of musicians, and this new album gets right into the mix with the driving ‘Pottville River’ battering the listener with a hypnotic riff and tub thumping that will crawl inside your head and make you crave it more and more.

Lean in and take in every lyric and bop til you drop, nailing the tone of the record to perfection as the vocals are spat out rathe rthan sung like a lullaby this is music for people who give a shit and know exactly what they want. Noise but not for the sake of it, lyrics that give a shit that aren’t shit and an overall album that will take you on a journey you don’t want to go on but are a willing victim. Mini Skirt are in killer form.

Australia is the epicentre of this sound and boy do they do it well, in fact, they do it better than anywhere else on the planet from Stiff Richards and Split System to The Outsiders and the sniffers through Civic, C.O.F.F.I.N. and Grindhouse right back to Birdman and The Saints this far away island rules.

Five years since their debut album ‘Casino’, this album follows on from where that left off, leaving the informed in no-brainer territory, knowing what they’re getting for their bucks. For the newcomers, just jump in, it’s loud, raw, but bursting with passion. ‘All That We Know’ is now ready to push Mini Skirt in front of more people around the world, and that’s a good thing. These Australian pub-punkers will probably not give two shiny shits about some writer on the other side of the world, but they should know that they’re on the right path, and for someone who loves this honest, raw, passionate rock n roll thing, they should continue to deliver their brand of jagged, raw political Aussie noise.

I love the Saints wrapped in their DNA on songs like ‘Smart Enough’ and then to punch harder on ‘Chew The Cud’. I can imagine being in a sweaty, dark club being thrown around to, this being an experience we all should be on board with.

I find the hypnotic rhythms married to the noise-overdriven guitars the perfect match and most engaging. There is a darkness happening that’s like musical voodoo casting a spell over the listener. Songs like ‘Mud’ weave their way into your brain and are most addictive. ‘Squeeze Down’ is epic, but saying that, this whole album is pretty epic and one that opens different moments on every play. Man, I love records like this, and my advice is you will too, so waste no more time and get some Mini Skirt on the turntable. You can thank me later.

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David Ryder Prangley – ‘If You Were To Kiss Me Now, All History Would Pour From My Lips’ (Self Released)

David Ryder Prangley – ‘If You Were To Kiss Me Now, All History Would Pour From My Lips’ (Self Released)

We’ve already been mulling over our potential favourite albums of 2025 at RPM Towers. It’s been a very strong year so far, and a pleasingly varied one. Yet, I’ve been patiently waiting for this, the third in the trilogy of solo albums by the glamtastic David Ryder Prangley. If you only know him from the mighty Rachel Stamp, his solo work may come as a welcome surprise. Understandably, the album release was put on pause after the tragic death of Stamp drummer Robin Guy. It’s inevitable that a period of reflection and reevaluation was necessary. I’d like to state here for the record that Robin played the only entertaining drum solos I’ve ever seen. An enormous talent, a gentleman and a huge loss.

If you already know ‘Black Magic And True Love’ and ‘Vampire Deluxe’, ‘If You Were…’ is the perfect ending. There is a dark, ethereal thread running through the trilogy, mixing fables and true-life events from throughout David’s life. I’m not here to dissect the stories, I prefer to let the music transport me to other places. While there are fewer big bangers like ‘Sweet Heartbreaker’ and ‘Black Magic…’ here, do not despair. Immerse yourself in the album as a whole, and you will reap the rewards. It has been worth the wait…

‘The Devil Has Come To Dinas Powys’ is a dream-like introduction. David’s home town sets the scene, acoustic guitar and the synths of Laurie Black evoke a haunted forest. ‘Die Alone’ was written as a duet for David and Nymphs singer Inger Lorre. Sadly, this wasn’t possible, but it stands as a beautiful tribute. Drew Richards returns for guitar and co-production, with a deft touch throughout.

‘Let’s Fall Apart Together Tonight’ does indeed have a similar mood to ‘Black Velvet’ by Alannah Myles, with a darker, dirtier edge to it. ‘Big, Bad Wolf’ brings out a low-slung, classic rock n roll riff, albeit with ‘flute’ solo. Trust me, it works! David was thinking about the Elvis films, often derided, which he was hooked on. “Elvis would just be walking around then suddenly burst into some really weird song with lyrics that sounded like a cross between a nursery rhyme and pornography, and I decided to write one of my own”. Pleasingly sleazy.

‘Jesus Christ Is Coming To Town’ is the closest thing to Americana on here, inspired by Rachel Stamp’s experiences at the South By Southwest festival. ‘Stained Glass Star’ with its smoky, film noir guitars, reminds me of the most sultry moments by The Hillbilly Moon Explosion. The fragility of stardom and temptation, in a suitably sensual style.

‘Box Of Dead Lovers’ is possibly the closest to Rachel Stamp, a crunching riff. Influenced by the Paisley Underground movement, but with much more swagger here, which is only to be expected. ‘Joanie Loves Davey’ is a paen to Joan of Arc/Jeanne d’Arc, another childhood obsession of David’s. It includes “a singalong coda in a made-up language”, which explains why I was initially confused. The Stonesy riff wouldn’t be out of place on ‘Tattoo You’. Very catchy from the first listen.

‘Falling From The Stars Down To Earth’ is the perfect ending to the trilogy. The first song that David wrote while Rachel Stamp were on hiatus in the 2000s, “ a song of acceptance and hope”. While the gentle acoustic guitars evoke Zeppelin’s eastern influences, the overall feel is otherworldly, another thread that links the albums. The stunning cover photo by Rowan Spray only adds to the atmosphere. No one else really makes music like David Ryder Prangley. With plans for a concert to cover the trilogy, and with Rachel Stamp back onstage with drummer and long-time friend Joe Holweger, let’s hope there’s a lot more music to come.

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Author: Martin Chamarette