It’s been close to a decade since the world last heard of BROKEN HOME, an ’80s band who emerged in the aftermath of British MR. BIG’s breakup to release two albums and proceed to the brink of oblivion, where the ensemble existed until "Fragments" arrived in 2018. After that, it was quiet with regard to both groups – until now, when the former collective’s new single “Georgia” began getting played on various stations.
There’s been a sudden surge of activity in the STATUS QUO camp in the last year, what with their classic “Live!” album receiving a deluxe treatment, “On The Level” seeing an expanded reissue, and Francis Rossi putting “The Accidental” out fairly recently, and it doesn’t seem to stop yet. There’s a two-LP set planned for Record Store Day, April 18th, with a two-CD package to follow on April 24th, of the Frantic Four’s famous, and frequently bootlegged, 1979 recording from London.
Judge Smith‘s oeuvre may not be exactly labyrinthine, but there are fairly famous works in his discography, such as 2000’s “Curly’s Airships” which featured a lot of luminaries, and rather obscure opuses too, including the brilliant "Mr. Mckilowatts Dances" from 2023. And then, there are things that fall between these two categories, things like “The Kibbo Kift” which the esteemed artist wrote with composer Maxwell Hutchinson fifty years ago but never moved past the pure stage phase, the musical’s riveting, and quite educational, libretto taking pride of place in the veteran’s lyrics anthology and whetting many of his fans’ appetite for hearing this opus. Soon, it will be possible, however.
A quarter-century after the arrival of “Revolutions” signaled the advent of a new prog rock force on the scene, MAGENTA haven’t lost an iota of their adventurousness, and there’s no better testament to the Welsh ensemble’s wondrous consistency than an album they’re plan to release on April 10th. Titled “Tarot” and featuring ten tracks, penned by Rob Reed to get wrapped around Christina Booth’s voice, it follows 2022’s “The White Witch” with a fresh set of tunes whose subject may not seem too original, but there’s something in fortunetelling that pulls people in, and this is what the forthcoming platter promises to deliver.
There’s something poetic about the chord THE BOOKSHOP BAND – one of the smallest Scottish ensembles, a duo performing mainly in the spaces their name refers to and at literary events – struck with Pete Townshend whose own outfit, THE WHO, are one of the largest offerings in the world. While sone would think Beth Porter, Ben Please and their new friend’s "Emerge, Return" was a unique thing – and, of course, it was! – and money can buy any collaboration, that uniqueness is to be undermined on February 24th with the release of “Oz Sucks”: a three-track mini-album which celebrates the titular magazine.
