Gary Numan announces 30th anniversary Replicas tour

Gary Numan - he's the pop equivalent of Samson. When he lost his hair, no-one wanted to know. Slap a dodgy wig on him and suddenly everyone loves him. In fact, he's a name to drop these days thanks to support from the likes of Trent Reznor, Marilyn Manson and Damon Albarn. In fact, he's even appearing in the new series of The Mighty Boosh.

And Numan is also back for a spot of nostalgia, touring his first hit album, from the days when he operated under the Tubeway Army brand. Numan will perform the whole of Replicas plus B-sides on a 15 date UK tour in March 2008. Whether he'll come out on stage in the fondly-remembered little pedal car isn't clear. See over for full list of dates.

Gary Numan website

Sony BMG issues limited edition 10-disc David Bowie box set

Everyone knows a good few David Bowie tunes, but I'll guess not many have an extensive knowledge of the man's recent work. Well, if you want to know more, a new limited edition 10-disc David Bowie box set from Sony BMG should be worth checking out.

It's a compilation of Bowie's last five albums - Outside, Earthling, Hours, Heathen and Reality - all finding favour with critics, but without clocking up the sales or producing the hit singles. Each album also comes with a bonus disc containing remixes, bonus material previously released on special editions and extra tracks from single releases.

The albums are housed in paper sleeves (complete replicas of original vinyl sleeves) and with individual booklets. It's released on 3rd December, price to be confirmed.

David Bowie website

The Who's subscription web service

The remaining members of The Who must be short of some Christmas spending money - launching an online subscription service for the band's output.

For $50 (around £25), you get to become a 'Wholigan', giving you exclusive access to content, priority booking for gigs, discounted merchandise and access to blogs and message boards (which all used to be free incidentally). But on the plus side, you also get an exclusive, Wholigan-only 2-CD set of live rarities called View From A Backstage Pass and from 2008, access to every song in the Who’s back catalogue - and the option to download to an MP3 player. Oh yes - and a 'Who' email address of your own.

Good value? Depends how big a fan you are I guess. If you want the album, that's about £12 worth, so an additional £13 for the rest. If you decide it's worth the money, you can sign up from 5th November.

Find out more at The Who website

Via Modculture

Simply Red to split after 25 years

Top 10 Halloween Songs!

The dark clouds are gathering as the witching season is upon us. Yep. Halloween is here and it's time to dig out some spooky records to give your loved ones the willies... here are our Top 10 Halloween Songs... and we promise that it won't feature Thriller by Michael Jackson.

1. Monster Mash Bobby 'Boris' Pickett and The Cryptkickers

Onced banned by the BBC for being "too morbid", this jolly little dancer is the daddy of all Halloween records. The track sees Pickett taking off Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi while telling a tale of a monster rising from a slab and coming up with a dance... you don't get enough of that in 45s do you? Infinitely superior to all other imitators, the original is still by far the best. Click here to see a brilliant and baffling video for the Monster Mash.

Read over for the rest of the Top 10 Halloween Songs.

Beginner's guide to... Jimmy Page

Why bother?

With the recent regrouping of Led Zeppelin, it's worth peering into their back pages. Of course, you all know about the output of the mighty Zep, but what about the side projects?  Jimmy Page is responsible for some cracking records without his band mates. One of the world's finest guitarists is also quite deft behind the mixer too...

Essential purchase: Chris Farlowe - Moanin'

One of the most underrated 45s ever release, Jimmy Page turned a pretty bog standard track into a blistering behemoth of a track that features super heavy guitars, saucy horn sections and sitars. Farlowe delivers one of the most passionate vocal performances ever cut to wax. This monster as more ideas than your average long player and is in to kick you in the balls, and out again in well under three minutes.

Guitar pedal that played with Bob Marley and Dave Gilmour...

Click here if you want to bid on a very rare and special vintage Uni-Vibe guitar pedal. If vintage equipment isn't tempting enough, no matter how great the condition of it is, and the fact it comes with the original speed control pedal, maybe the documentation regarding its very unique history will draw you in?

The bidder informs that "Documentation from both the dealer where it was purchased, and from Al Anderson himself (renowned guitarist of Bob Marley and the Wailers), states that the unit was taken out of David Gilmour's Pink Floyd rig in the mid 1970's, and given to Al Anderson." The letter that accompanies this item reads "I Al Anderson owned the Uni-Vibe sold to [name of dealer]... sold to me by Dave Gilmour during the Animals tour..." and so on. Al Anderson has played with The Rolling Stones, James Brown, Peter Tosh, and Stevie Wonder, as well as The Wailers". Bloody hell. Click the link above for more info and history!

George Harrison goes pirate

The Beatles, at the height of their power could be a little po-faced. This is why it's so nice to see George Harrison, starring on Rutland Television, sending himself up and turning My Sweet Lord into a pirate ditty. Fantastic stuff!

Want hot Garage 45s? Go to Garage Hangover!

Jesus Christ almighty. Want a site that offers you the chance to listen to wild eyed snarling obscure garage for free? What? You want the original sleeves, labels and info on the groops? You got it. Garage Hangover is probably the best site I've been on in a long while, giving extensive notes (where possible of course) on snotty little frat boy rockers and pained howlers from US backwaters, complete with photos of the bands in action.

Thankfully, the site doesn't just focus on American bands as it also looks at those from South America and further afield. This is great place to try before you buy... and as we all know, sometimes, taking a punt on an original 45 can by risky and expensive. Look out for You Treat Me Bad by The JuJus and some growling Kinks covers by Los Matematicos. Me Atrapaste (or You Really Got Me) is a dancefloor winner! Click here to visit Garage Hangover.

Portishead LP nearly complete

Portishead's Geoff Barrow has announced that the band have nearly completed their third full-length album. In a posting on the band's website (on the 23rd) Barrow wrote that the band have been in London finishing up the long-awaited follow-up to their 1997 self-titled album. "I think one more day messing about with it and it will be done. Then into the wonderful world of mastering," he wrote.

Barrow added that the band are now "working on some artwork and getting the live stuff together". He also said that the band are preparing for All Tomorrow's Parties, where he may put together a football team with co-headliner Madlib. All Tomorrow's Parties is set to take place December 7-9 at Butlins Holiday Centre in Minehead. No word on a release date as yet, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

New Pink Floyd box set to hit the shelves in Winter

A new collection of Pink Floyd's studio albums is to be released as a limited edition box set in December.

The 16 CD collection is titled 'Oh By The Way' and will be packaged up as faithful replicas of the original vinyl editions. The Pink Floyd studio collection will be accompanied by a 20"x30" poster and a new portrait collage by Storm Thorgerson of 40 images from the band's history.

The box set limited to 10, 000 pressings is released through EMI in the US on Decmber 4, retailing for $249.00. It is expected to be released in the UK around the same time. Read over for the contents of the set...

Buzzcocks to release live album and tour

Buzzcocks have announced that they are to release a live album from their 30th anniversary tour last year, as a digital release next month.

'Buzzcocks 30' was recorded on the band's birthday tour last year, at the Kentish Town Forum. The group are invariably best known for 'Ever Fallen in Love (with someone you shouldn’t have)?’ which enjoyed a resurrection in 2005 when Pete Shelley re-recorded it with an all-star group, including Roger Daltrey, David Gilmour, Peter Hook, Elton John and Robert Plant amongst others as a tribute to the late Sir John Peel (click here to watch the video... it's not as bad as you'd think).

The live album includes tracks from throughout the band's 11 album spanning career, including 'What Ever Happened To', 'Operator's Manual' and 'Orgasm Addict'. Read over for tour dates.

Hand painted guitars of the stars to be auctioned

A host of hand-painted guitars signed by celebrities including Noel Gallagher, Kasabian, Ronnie Wood and Robert Plant are to be put up for auction.

The 30 Gibson SG guitars have been signed by the artists and uniquely designed and hand-painted by artists as one offs. They're set to be auctioned off at the Gibson Guitartown London Charity Auction, to be held at the IndigO2 on November 20.

The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood has hand-painted an SG with his pastel rendition of the Royal Albert Hall, while Pink Floyd's Roger Waters' guitar features an exclusive design by 'The Wall' cover art designer Gerald Scarfe. All money raised from the auction will be split between Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, The Prince's Trust and the Teenage Cancer Trust. For more information, go to Londonguitartown.com.

Beginner's guide to... The Kinks

Why bother?

Quite simply, I can't think of a greater songwriter who encompasses all that is great and awful about Englishness than Ray Davies. From grand pop to kitchen sink dramas, Ray's pen had it all. Not only that, Ray was backed by some of the finest musicians to ever grace a 45. Dave Davies could pull a ferocious riff from nowhere, or sing the sweetest harmony to Ray's nasal drawl. Quite possibly the most underrated band who ever lived.

Essential purchase:

Village Green Preservation Society A masterful LP that no record collection can afford to be without. At odds with most of its peers, instead of looking to Asia for inspiration, instead, Ray dwells in grimy seaside towns, back alleys and crown green bowling clubs. If you want an honest picture of modern Britain, this album stills holds all the cards. Inspired. Picture Book and the title track will still blows minds now.

Free Charlatans single and tickets up for grabs

The Charlatans have joined forces with XFM Manchester to give their new single away to you for absolutely nothing. When can you do this? Well, right now. 'You Cross My Path' is available for free today... and not only that, but you can also get your paws on the whole of The Charlatans' new album for free in 2008.

Tim Burgess explained, "We want 'the people' to own the music and we want the artist i.e. us, to own the copyright. Why let a record company get in the way of the people getting the music?" In addition, not only can you download the new single for free, but you can also win tickets for their tiny Manchester Ritz gig on November 4. Click here to download the track and click here to win the tickets.

Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band are BACK!

The weird and wonderful world of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band is to grace our ears once more with a new record and tour. The dada group have made their first studio album in 35 years - with new members Adrian Edmondson, Stephen Fry and Phill Jupitus joining the original gang.

Original members Neil Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater, 'Legs' Larry Smith, Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell, Sam Spoons and Bob Kerr have responded to the enthusiasm that has greeted them during their 40th anniversary tour, and created a brand new album. 'Pour L'Amour Des Chiens' features 70 minutes worth of new material from Neil Innes and co, 28 tracks - one of which is their own rendition of Kaiser Chiefs' 'I Predict A Riot'.

The album, released on December 10, will also come with a bonus DVD - featuring previously unreleased live performances. Tracks include the classic 'Urban Spaceman' and 'Jollity Farm'. Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band will be playing two shows 'It's A Yappy Christmas' at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire, on December 21 and 22. More tour dates are expected to be added soon.

For Sale: Hampstead home of Sid Vicious

Fancy living in a famous rock star's house? Well, you can live in a place that's housed Sid Vicious, John Lydon and Boy George if you have upwards of £360,000 spare.

The building in question is the grade II-listed New Court, Lutton Terrace, Hampstead in London, one-time squat for Vicious and Rotten at the Sex Pistols' height, described at the time as 'A1 squalor'. Except these days, the building is now a collection of 36 one and two-bedroom flats with price tags to match the upmarket postcode. For sale as housing association through Genesis homes, the flats are £360,000 for a one-bedroom and £450,000 for a two-bedroom, with 10 of the flats for sale.

So, any sign of Vicious still there? Well, it seems like over-zealous renovation in the 80s removed all of Sid and Johnny's etchings on the wall of their former home (number 39), but you can still see Sid's name on one of the bricks outside the building.

Find out more at Savills website

Via Retro To Go

Captain Beefheart Sure Nuff N Yes I Do

Sure 'Nuff 'N Yes I Do? There's nothing more I can say. Masterful.

Air Guitar champion seeks band members

Are you ready to rock? ARE YOU READY TO ROOOOCK?! AAAARE YOOO... hack cough splutter... sorry, I'm not really cut out for all this screaming. We all love to air guitar don't we? Well, Air Guitar UK Champion seeks members for the ultimate air band. So squeeze into spandex and unleash your inner noodler as the Hoxton Creeper, the reigning Air Guitar UK champion is on the hunt to form the ultimate air band.

Comprising drums, bass, keyboards, vocals and guitar, the Hoxton Creeper has posted an ad on Gumtree.com that has already received a massive amount of interest from budding air music enthusiasts. If you fancy picking up an invisible instrument and going wild to classic anthems, then it’s time to step up, tune in and mime out. Read over for some tips on how to be a champion air musician and how to audition for The Hoxton Creeper's band.

Single Review - Asobi Seksu 'Strawberries'

One Little Indian Records have always kept a beady eye on those who fall into the perimeters of pop music, of course, most notably with the all-conquering Bjork. However, those in the know realise that there is more to the label than one artist.

The latest big hope is Asobi Seksu. The NME have fallen over themselves to heap praise on this band, noting that they're "just the experience you've been craving". You shouldn't let that put you off though... occasionally, the NME look at half decent record.

So, what about this one? Are the rumours of My Bloody Valentine meets sixties pop fair?

Album Review - Kevin Ayers The Unfairground

When an old psychedelic master is on the comeback trail, it's quite fair to be full of dread. Many turn up with frazzled minds that have lost the sparkle and inventiveness, replaced by lazy posturing and back eighties production values. I mean, how can a writer go from Dear Mr Fantasy to Higher Love? Or Paperback Writer to The Frog Chorus?

So approaching Kevin Ayers', former pioneer and member of Soft Machine, newest LP - The Unfairground - was beset by a feeling of trepidation. That said, a quick glance at the (admittedly lovely) artwork, and it reveals that he's got Teenage Fanclub, Euros Childs, Candie Payne and Phil Manzera on board. As John Peel once said "Kevin Ayers' talent is so acute that you could perform major eye surgery with it". Is this going to be a rare triumph for those on the comeback trail?

Rakim finishing up new LP, then to tour with Ghostface Killah

The greatest rapper who ever lived, Rakim, is teaming up with Ghostface Killah and Brother Ali for the first Hip-Hop Live! tour, which will find the artists backed by the Rhythm Roots Allstars. Sadly, it's only in the US for the moment.

The 19-city trek begins Oct. 29 in Los Angeles and runs through Nov. 21 in Philadelphia. "I did a show with the band and it was a good mesh. I enjoyed it, the fans enjoyed it. So they hollered at me for this year's show," Rakim told Billboard.com.

Can't Buy me Love by Jonathan Gould

Interesting new book release for November if you happen to be a Beatles fan - Can't Buy Me Love by Jonathan Gould.

15 years in the making and indeed researching, the book is part biography, part cultural history, looking at the Beatles, how their influences made then the band they were - and how the world of the 60s shaped them and was changed by them.

That includes a look at the influence of R&B, rockabilly, skiffle and Motown on the band's sound, how The Beatles influenced other bands of the era and how events on both sides of the Atlantic – from the Angry Young Man movement of John Osborne and the Profumo scandal to the advent of television and the assassination of John F Kennedy – created the right cultural climate for the band's meteoric rise.

If that appeals, you can get your hands on a copy from 8th November 2007, priced officially at £25 for the hardback (although Amazon are taking pre-orders for £12.50).

Find out more about the book at Amazon.co.uk

C.A. Quintet: Trip Thru Hell (LP)

So it's Saturday morning and, as per, you're digging in the crates of your local record emporium, shuffling past 34th-hand copies of Abraxas by Santana and endless Light Classical LPs...and then you stumble across this. C.A. Quintet's 'Trip Thru Hell'. Everything about the sleeve screams: "THIS IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST ALBUM EVER." Firstly, it's called 'Trip Thru Hell.' There's nothing in that title I don't like. Drugs reference, teen punk spelling of 'through', heavy metal horror 'hell' reference. Secondly, the appallingly cheap-ass cover art looks like a bunch of kids in remedial class got stoned on Romilar and made a diorama interpretation of Dante's Inferno. It's reeealy bad / completely awesome. And lastly, it was made in 1969, and the track listing consists of titles like 'Trip Thru Hell Part 1', 'Cold Spider', and 'Underground Music'. You figure: I can't fail.

Beginner's guide to...Terry Hall

Why bother?

Because he's a British institution, writer of much great music and even greater lyrics and an influence to many - check out how many people wanted to sing some Specials tunes with him on this year's festival circuit. Oh yes, and he wrote the lyric "wish I had lipstick on my shirt instead of piss stains on my shoes". Genius.

Essential purchase:

The Specials by The Specials. It's a no-brainer really, a stunning hybrid of punk, vintage ska, anger and pointed lyrics that still has the same impact today as it did over 25 years ago. Just listen to Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle, A Message To You Rudy and Too Much Too Young - and tell me I'm wrong. As influential as the Sex Pistols - and all from Jerry Dammers' Coventry bedroom, rather than a trendy boutique in London.

Vox amPlug – headphone guitar amp with vintage looks

Fancy rocking out with your electric guitar, but don't want to wake the rest of the house? You need the Vox amPlug.

Styled like a classic Vox amp, it plugs straight into your guitar, stick on your headphones and enjoy a 'proper' guitar sound anywhere. Three versions available,  the Vox AC30, the Classic Rock and the Metal, which probably has the volume hitting 11. All three replicate the sound of a classic amp and the high gain of a large amp stack.

You can also plug in our MP3 player to play along to your favourites and you get up to 15 hours of thrashing from 2x AAA batteries. Expect to pay around £40.

Find out more at the Vox Amps website

Via Retro To Go

Essential Rock 'n' Roll Fashion # 298: The Cigarette

There's no denying the importance of the humble cigarette in rock n roll. Nothing says "Fuck you man" like a hard nut disappearing in a cloud of plumes. You can't really call yourself a real axe hero unless you have a fag dangling from your lips can you? Keef without a tab is like Mama Cass without a sandwich.

When The Woolies sang "I'm just 21 an' I don't mind dyin'", they probably blew smoke in the face of the cancer warning docs. Cigarettes flick a finger in the notion of future. They say 'I just couldn't give a fuck". Die young, stay pretty. Cigarettes show the world you're living fast... just don't let 'em catch you wheezing and gulping for air.

In the words of Mick Jagger... "he can't be a man cuz he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me..." Indeed. Indeed.

George Harrison becomes the latest Beatle to go digital

Parlophone have this week published most of George Harrison’s solo catalogue online. Nine of Harrison's albums are now available to download including 2001's remaster of his first post-Beatles album, 1970's 'All Things Must Pass.'

But is it really relevant? Is it just another way of re-flogging The Beatles' back catalogue? The recent remasters have been chosen thanks to the inclusion of bonus tracks and the like, and of course, the touched up sound. However, who is going to buy these?

To me, those digging George's back pages with either own the original vinyl or will have the remastered CDs. If they own the CD issues, then chances are, they'll already be ripped to computer. I'm certain of George's popularity in the Fab Four... but is his back catalogue going to set the download world alight? It doesn't seem likely (although I'd be thrilled to be proven wrong). So what can you get for your money?

Radiohead's In Rainbows - Worth the hype?

Radiohead, masters of marketing, have gone and done it again. To herald their new release, they've gone all clever clever and given their latest release - In Rainbows - away for free. I suppose it's easy to do something like that when you're already obscenely wealthy. Am I being churlish? Who cares? If you want a lapdog, go to the regular music press.

Radiohead often say "We're not doing interviews to promote our album" when they actually mean "We're not doing interviews, to promote our album". Now, giving the album away for free (and subsequently going all coy) has left everyone going ape about the band. It truly is masterful salesmanship. So. What's the new LP like? Any good? Read over for a truthful and honest track by track appraisal.

Lee Hazlewood tribute to take place at The Social

Sonic Cathedral's 'Some Velvet Morning' club night at The Social (near Oxford Circus tube stop) is to pay tribute to Lee Hazlewood (the coolest man who ever lived) later this month.

Taking place on October 29, the evening will see live sets from Dot Allison, Strange Idols, The Tamborines and The Left Outsides as well as some secret guests to be revealed on the night (a tenner on Jarvis Cocker making an appearance). A highlight of the evening will be the premiere listen of Hazlewood's last ever recording; a collaboration with Icelandic quartet Amiina.

Entry to Some Velvet Morning is free, but Sonic Cathedral will be raising money on the night for Hazlewood’s chosen charity, the Globe, Arizona, branch of the Salvation Army. For more details about Sonic Cathedral nights and records, including this one, click here www.Soniccathedral.co.uk

NWA's Straight Outta Compton to get deluxe treatment

News that NWA's landmark '88 album 'Straight Outta Compton' is going to be expanded and re-released (celebrating its 20th anniversary) has sent me scurrying to my copy of the LP and recalling the first time the title track graced my ears, knocking me to the floor with the headrush of the first kick in. Jesus wept. It's still FUCKING GREAT!

The expanded version will feature five bonus tracks including a live version of 'Compton's N The House', as well as a Snoop Dogg C Murder cover of 'Gangsta Gangsta'. It is due to be released in CD, vinyl and digital formats on December 4 in the US via Capitol. If you don't own this seminal LP, buy the reissue and get blown away.

Coming soon: The Who - Amazing Journey on DVD

Out on November 5th 2007 is a two-disc DVD set of The Who's finest moments coupled with rare footage of the band and band members - Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who and Six Quick Ones.

Directed by Paul Crowder, Amazing Journey is the lead feature, telling the story of the band through the music, footage, new interviews with the band, celebrity fans and musicians, plus recently-discovered concert footage, from I Can't Explain to the band's most recent tour and recordings.

The Six Quick Ones disc focuses on each individual band member, with a fifth part looking at the mod scene and the pop art movement and a final segment where legendary filmmakers The Pennebakers film the band in the studio recording material for the Then And Now album.

Disco Godfather (1979)

Here's the plot - a retired police officer becomes a celebrity DJ in the disco boom of the late 70s. But all is not well - a strange new drug is sweeping the streets, killing the Godfather's nephew.

Which sets things up for a kung-fu-filled revenge flick, as the Disco Godfather takes to the streets to deal with the dealers, nipping back behind the decks now and then to spin some tunes for the disco massive.

Enjoy...

"No future" for New Order

Former New Order and Joy Division (and Monaco if you're being really picky) bass man Peter Hook has confirmed that there is no future for New Order. The bassist has said that he would not reunite with drummer Stephen Morris and guitarist Bernard Sumner because of their "attitude".

Speaking before presenting a posthumous award to the late Tony Wilson at the Q Awards, he said: "There is no future for New Order. I mean, not as it was anyway. If they [Morris and Sumner] want to form a New Order 2 then that’s what it should be viewed as."

And The Award For Most Pointless Awards Ceremony On The Music Biz Calender Goes To...

THE Q AWARDS! I mean, who cares, right? Who even knew this celeb back-slappingpalooza was happening today? (Apparently it was held at "London’s" Grosvenor House Hotel.) The thing is: what does it matter in 2007 what Q Magazine thinks about anything? Back in the mid-90s Q was a reasonably entertaining rag, well written, funny, never cool per se, but had a certain sardonic charm and as long as there was a decent interview with Noel Gallagher you were pretty happy. In 2007 Q Magazine is basically one long advert for i-tunes, lazily churning out arbitrary ALL TIME TOP 100 GREATEST ROCK SONGS YOU MUST DOWNLOAD (from i-tunes) lists, endless Dave Grohl interviews and throwing Snow Patrol albums 5 star reviews. It is the Bible Of Bland. I don't even know who it's aimed at anymore. £50 Bloke buys Uncut. Klaxons Kid buys The NME. Still Buys Vinyl..uh...Guy reads Mojo. So who reads Q Magazine? Who cares what Q Magazine thinks? And what, therefore, is the value of a Q Award? A top musician getting a Q Award is like a top chef getting a Wimpy Award.

Tony Wilson to be honoured in Manchester

Factory Records founder and general music bizz legend Tony Wilson is to be honoured by Manchester City Council next week. Wilson, who died in August, is to have his name carved into the wall of the city's Town Hall - an honour usually reserved for honorary freeman.

The council are to declare next week that Wilson would `undoubtedly' have been worthy of honorary freedom of the city had he still been alive reports Manchester Evening News. A motion is expected to be unanimously passed saying Wilson will `always be known as Mr Manchester' with a request made to chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein to arrange for his name to be inscribed on the wall alongside the freemen of the city.

Beginner's guide to...Lou Reed

Why bother?

Because he was the leading light in the Velvet Underground and a man who has continued to produce interesting music for over 40 years. And everyone loves a grump, especially a talented one.

Essential purchase:

Well, the easy option would be some Velvet Underground or Transformer, Reed's Bowie-produced bestseller and home to his trademark Walk On The Wild Wide and that ode to heroin addiction, Perfect Day. But you really need a copy of the follow-up,  Berlin. As bleak as it is beautiful, Berlin is a concept album of sorts, covering drug use and depression. Buy it, live with it for a few weeks and grow to appreciate its brilliance.

Beyond The White Album: Top 10 'Colour' Albums

Ask a Beatles freak what their fave Fabs LP is, and a whole bunch of 'em (includin' meself) will answer "The White Album, but you know, it isn't actually called The White Album, it's just 'The Beatles - The Beatles', it's a self titled album, originally it was gonna be called A Doll's House after the Ibsen play of the same name but prog rock outfit Family beat The Beatles to it, so The Beatles ditched the idea of a title altogether and Richard Hamilton's almost entirely blank white sleeve gave rise to the double LP being popularly referred to as The White Album..."

That the Beatles were pioneers in countless areas of pop music is a truism barely worth repeating, but one of the trends they minted has barely been investigated...UNTIL NOW. The album title as colour swatch. 'The White Album' may not have been The Beatles' own title for their '68 masterpiece, but only a crank would refer to it by any other name now. So read on to discover Electric Roulette's TOP 10 'The ('insert colour') Albums'!

Buried Treasure - Beau Brummels 'Triangle'

There are loads of albums that get the 'lost masterpiece' tag. Many have gone on to achieve great notoriety and belated success. One LP that is ALWAYS overlooked is the stunning Triangle from the magnificent Beau Brummels.

The Beau Brummels often creep into critics top lost greats lists, but it tends to be Bradley's Barn that shows up. As fabulous as Bradley's Barn is, it doesn't hold a candle to the masterful work of Triangle.

Starting of as a garage band, the Brummels created a quieter racket than most, but hidden hidden in the faux Stones riffs and Beatle harmonies was one of the greatest voices - and greatest songwriters - in American rock'n'roll...

No Music Day is upon us... get the PA out

Get this. On November 21st, the world will have No Music Day. Why? Well, apparently, the 22nd of November is Saint Cecilia's day... and she's the patron saint of music. This day was chosen to give thanks for and to celebrate the existence of music. It's a bit like Lent before Easter.

No Music Day exists as an open invitation to choose not to blindly – or rather deafly – consume whatever music is on offer. It is a day to think about what we do and do not want from music, and to develop ideas of how that can be achieved. Since No Music Day 2005, thousands of people from around the world have registered their thoughts on www.nomusicday.com.

Well, I sit around thinking about things like that all the time without having a designated day. To celebrate No Music Day, I'll mostly be playing the slipmats at full tilt with all the windows open... and it's all Saint Cecilia's fault.

Album Review - The BDI's

I have to confess that I hadn't heard of The BDIs when their eponymous LP landed on my doormat. Skimming through the band's biography, it seems that they've got all the moves. Apparently, the legendary Jimmy Miller (producer of Traffic and The Stones no less) was sniffing around them before he shrugged off his mortal coil, and Matthew Priest of Dodgy is a big fan of the band. More reading reveals that The BDIs were once called The Panda Gang (again, haven't heard of 'em) who released stuff on Shifty Disco.

Reviews have namechecked vintage Stevie Wonder (careful now... let's not go overboard) and the words soul and funk keep cropping up... but what does it actually sound like?