Feel No Fret/Shine - Average White Band (The)

Advantages: Top quality acoustic rock
Disadvantages: None

...honest, I think that Walsh’s quality would shine through with any session musicians worth their salt, and he can be confident of solo success should “artistic differences” come up somewhere down the line. For now though, the rest of the band are more than capable; James Stelfox plays a subtle bass throughout which is at its best on “Way to Fall” and “Talk Her Down”; Ben Byrne’s drumming is solid if uninspiring; and Barry Westhead turns in a good performance on the keyboards. If you’ve been wondering whether to buy the album having enjoyed one or two of the singles (“Good Souls”, “Alcoholic” and now “Lullaby”) then wonder no more – “Love Is Here” is a fine example of the singer-songwriters’ art, up there with Black’s “... Read review

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Advantages: Unpredictable, relentless thrash metal from the Underworld.
Disadvantages: Long song lengths lack discipline.

...The second full-length album from American thrash metal band Slayer must have been something of a shock to the record buying public, even years before the infamous trial over its alleged influence on a couple of young fans, who decided to interpret the lyrics booklet as an instruction manual. Following the insane (and in most cases, merely immature) wickedness of the Norwegian black metal bands in the early 90s, who burned down churches and stabbed each other because the cold made them angry, and then screamed their lungs out about it against an impenetrably distorted musical background of white noise, this thirty-seven-minute heavy metal beast doesn't seem quite so bad. Nevertheless, this can be easily considered the first truly characteristic Slayer album, and my personal favourite for fairly odd reasons. The distinctive Slayer sound... Read review

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Advantages: perfect for chilling
Disadvantages: none whatsoever

...hook a la Santana whilst the lyrics are about dealing retribution on someone who’s stolen their girl Seed A punk song, again ranting about an ex, whom only her parents could love. Jailhouse Cool reggae song about the Rudies standing up for themselves Pawn Shop Another reggae song, complete with massive echo for a dub feel. It details that whilst a pawn shop may be a great place to shop its some one else who’s suffering as they sell their belongings to survive. Paddle Out 1 minute 15 of thrash about the virtues of surfing. Reminds me of early Jesus and Mary Chain in that amongst all the noise you can hear a tune trying to escape The Ballard of Johnny Butt The only song where Sublime sound like white boys trying to play reggae, but don’t fret they come across like the Clash rather than late period UB40. Burritos... Read review

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