From sweeping orchestral scores to jazz, blues and soul gems, soundtrack albums are in the spotlight as the awards season approaches. The Mail’s music critic ADRIAN THRILLS picks the best. THE PROM (Sony Masterworks) The closest thing to a song-and-dance blockbuster in the tradition of The Greatest Showman is the feel-good soundtrack to Netflix musical … Read more
PEARL CHARLES: Magic Mirror (Kanine) Rating: Verdict: Feel-good Californian pop WHY DON’T WE: The Good Times And The Bad Ones (Atlantic) Verdict: Catchy boy-band harmonies Rating: PASSENGERS: Songs For The Drunk and Broken Hearted (Cooking Vinyl) Verdict: Pithy character studies Rating: The start of a new year is traditionally the time to pinpoint pop’s up-and-coming … Read more
BARRY GIBB & FRIENDS: Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. I (EMI) Rating: Verdict: Classics with a country twist Elvis Costello once said a great song should be robust enough to be sung in different styles, whether that’s on an acoustic guitar or with all the bells and whistles of an orchestra. It’s a theory … Read more
Doubts remain over the gigs and tours planned for 2021, but recorded music looks set for another great year, with plenty of albums in the pipeline. Adrian Thrills looks ahead to the treats in store… Barry Gibb The new year kicks off with a fresh spin on some timeless pop as the sole surviving Bee … Read more
Paul McCartney: McCartney III (Capitol) Verdict: The Fab One Rating: Paul McCartney’s two previous all-solo albums arrived at pivotal moments. The first, 50 years ago, was a rough-and-ready affair made as the Beatles were falling bitterly to pieces. The second, in 1980, came as his next band, Wings, were crumbling. Now we have McCartney III, … Read more
Still looking for a gift for the music fan in your life? A bumper crop of box sets may provide some inspiration. The Mail’s music critic ADRIAN THRILLS rounds up this year’s best… Joni Mitchell has always bristled at the notion that she is a folk singer. Given that her music has encompassed pop, jazz … Read more
This will be a Christmas like no other . . . but pop’s finest are still decking the halls with festive fare. From Nashville divas to Manhattan punks, the Mail’s music critic sorts the crackers from the turkeys. DOLLY PARTON: A Holly Dolly Christmas (Butterfly) Rating: With two Christmas albums to her name already (in … Read more
MILEY CYRUS: Plastic Hearts (RCA) Verdict: Charismatic tour de force Rating: GARY BARLOW: Music Played By Humans (Universal) Verdict: Engaging big band tunes Rating: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG: No Fun Mondays (Reprise) Verdict: Homespun pop and punk Rating: Miley Cyrus leaves nothing to chance in highlighting her growing interest in rock music on her new album. … Read more
NEIL DIAMOND: Classic Diamonds (EMI) Verdict: Never seemed so good Rating: JOHNNY CASH: Johnny Cash & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Legacy) Verdict: Revamped country standards Rating: NICK CAVE: Idiot Prayer – Nick Cave Alone At Alexandra Palace (Bad Seed) Verdict: Sublime piano pieces Rating: No singer made the spring lockdown look quite as relaxing as … Read more
The musicians who have flourished in lockdown have been quick-witted and flexible. Jon Bon Jovi took stock of evolving events on his new album 2020. Charli XCX poured the frustrations of quarantine into How I’m Feeling Now. Kate Rusby and Molly Tuttle delivered homespun cover collections. Elvis Costello has also been fleet of foot, with … Read more