Quick Takes – August 2026 Part 2: Album Reviews
Quick Takes for August ’26 (part 2) includes Jethro Tull, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Jamie Webster, Crumbling Ghost and Rusty Shackle.
Howard Jones: Original Studio Albums 1984 – 1992: Album Review
Hot on the heels of Howard Jones’ live tours in the UK and US, Cherry Red have released a brand new box set of all five of his early studio albums.
Banter – Hard Times: Album Review
A bumper banging bonanza from Banter shows that, regardless, they can’t be downhearted, needing you neither to be likewise.
Quick Takes – August 2026 Part 1: Album Reviews
The first part of this month’s Quick Takes includes Avi Engel, Rob Lytle, Jaime Chirif, Mark Chadwick, Frank Migliorelli and The Anchoress.
MG Boulter & Jenny Sturgeon – Wild Convenor: Album Review
Long-distance pen-pal duo MG Boulter and Jenny Sturgeon release Wild Convenor, where they polish and present nine of their very best.
Trashcan Sinatras – Ever The Optimist: Album Review
The seventh album from Trashcan Sinatras combines melodicism with perceptive lyricism – to an ever-present background of jangly guitars
Paul TJ O’Neill – Days In Glass Cages: Album Review
Bolton Iron Maiden drummer/vocalist Paul TJ O’Neill returns with Days In Glass Cages – an insightful ‘Bugs Life’ story that channels a host of 70s icons in the process.
Anthony Phillips – Gemini: Pieces For Piano: Album Review
Anthony Phillips performs a magical set of compositions for piano, conveying a moving sense of emotion, mood and stories.
The Jayhawks – Sanctuary Park: Album Review
The Jayhawks return with their first album in six years – just in time to celebrate their 40th Anniversary.
DMA’s – DMA’s: Album Review
DMA’s make their major label debut with their new self titled album on RCA Records.
Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth: Album Review
Fen are back with their eighth album, Elemental (Part I: Mourning Earth), via Prophecy Productions.
Phil Odgers & John Kettle – The War Is Over: The Songs of Phil Ochs Vol 2: Album Review
The War Is Over sees Phil Odgers & John Kettle pay further respect to the legendary Phil Ochs on the 50th anniversary of his passing.
Jah Wobble & Tian Qiyi – Mystic Liverpool; The Beatles Psychedelic Psongbook: Album Review
The collective Wobble/Wardle family turn on, tune in and drop an album of psurprising psuccour.
Xandria – Eclipse: Album Review
Wonders no longer await as Xandria hit the highs of Symphonic Metal.
Family Stereo – The Thread: Album Review
Songs anyone would, or should, want on their stereo, with old blocks and chips full to the fore.