Light Of Other Days, The - Celtic Thunder

Advantages: Beautiful and atmospheric
Disadvantages: Too short and not for everybody

...Before we start, a brief introduction to Celtic music. Originally Irish and Scottish (well, the Ireland and Scotland, as well as parts of England, of Celtic times (think William Wallace aka Braveheart)), Celtic music is, generally, not as popular as most other forms of classical-based music. Although there are many instantly recognisable Celtic songs, as well as artists (such as Enya, Celtus, Maire Brennan), people know very little about this beautiful form of music. Most Celtic songs have pipes, fiddles, powerful drumming, with maybe a bit of piano, guitar or even keyboards (like Celtus), as well as the Irish bagpipes and many strings offering sweet chords in the background. Quite often, there is also singing, either in English or, more traditionally, Celtic/Gailic. For this reason, I like to think Celtic music as a combination... Read review

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Advantages: A great album
Disadvantages: If not quite as good as their debut

...Thunder’s second album, 1992’s “Laughing on Judgement Day” showcases everything that made Thunder great. There are some wonderful up-tempo rock/pop songs, a ballad that seems to make your heart beg for mercy, and some of the band’s trademark humour. The title itself is an indication of the band’s whole attitude to life – if you’re not laughing, then you’re not living. The album cover itself is pretty stunning. Weird, but wonderful, if you like. I’m not entirely sure what it’s meant to represent, but this was their first album cover by Storm Thorgerson who, with a company called Hipgnosis, designed about 16 album covers for Pink Floyd, and also worked on album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Genesis. He also designed the cover for Thunder’s third album, “Behind Closed Doors”, which was the best thing about it. Hiring Storm... Read review

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Advantages: The best of British rock
Disadvantages: Maybe a little cliched

...Back in the 1980’s, a wonderful band called Terraplane decided to call it a day, after producing a couple of brilliant albums which no-one bought. Fortunately for rock lovers, three of the band, vocalist Danny Bowes, guitarist and main songwriter Luke Morley and drummer ‘Arry “H” James enjoyed making music and each other’s company far too much to let it end there. So they stayed together, started another band, and called themselves Thunder. In August 1989, the newly formed band signed to EMI. Not long afterwards, a bassist (Mark Luckhurst) and a guitarist/keyboard player (Ben Matthews) were added, and the recording of one of British rock music’s greatest ever albums started. In February 1990, Thunder burst onto the scene with their first single “Dirty Love”, which was followed in late April 1990 by their debut album, “Backstreet... Read review

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