http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

Bevis Frond - White Numbers

2nd release from Nick Saloman after his decade long hiatus. Where his last album, Leaving of London, was somewhat subdued (though still very good), this new double disc cd contains more crunchy guitars & swirling psych tracks. Hard to pick a favorite song but early contenders include "Opthalmic Microdots", "More Chalk", "I Crave You", "Cruel World" and "Major Crime". Most of Nick's songs here have a bitter or bittersweet lyrical content that melts perfectly with the neo-psych feel of the music. He doesn't change styles much but that's okay with me as long as he churns out killer albums like this. There's a 42 minute guitar, face-melt jam at the end of disc 2. While I'm not big on such things it does keep the adrenaline going quite nicely.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

!!! - Thr!!!er

Love me some good dance pop. This is my favorite release of !!! as the songs are more cohesive instead of attempts at songwriting. Definitely infectious, more funky than their previous releases and nothing sounds forced. They sound like they were having fun making this and the fun is easily transferable when listening. Can't hardly sit while listening!

It's been a long time since I listened to those guys. Has their singer gotten any better? He was always the weak link for me in an otherwise very good band.

Well that sounds incredible. Have a link?

I'll get that to you shortly when I get my laptop back.

The vocals sound the same as on past albums, maybe a bit more out front on some songs. I never had any problem with the singing as I did with the song structure. Here the songs sound more like real finished pieces rather than ideas for songs. Not that I don't enjoy their back catalog, it's just that the songs on the new album feel complete and fleshed out.

You're a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks much, Frowny.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTUwMFgxNT..._id=8800005007
IRON MAIDEN - MAIDEN ENGLAND '88 (2013)

The old 'Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour' concert VHS reissued on CD and DVD. This is also the tour that their current tour is based upon, supposedly replicating the set and somewhat basing the setlist on it too.

The setlist is brilliant, combining favourites, standards, singles and album tracks from their discography up until and including the 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' album, including gems such as Still Life, The Prisoner, Moonchild, Die With Your Boots On, Killers, Heaven Can Wait, The Clairvoyant and Infinite Dreams.

Iron Maiden love to release live albums and while, with a lot of bands, an abundance of live records would be an imposition and an annoyance, there is a reason Iron Maiden do it. The live stage is where Iron Maiden are at their very best and I really don't think theres a live album of theirs I don't like.

The production is as sharp and vibrant as I have come to expect from Iron Maiden live albums, especially latter ones, and really brings out the best from the material. The musicianmanship is as tight as it ever was or is and although it takes a lot to say any Maiden live record is better than Live After Death, this at least comes very close to being the best and most essential live album in their collection.

Truly brilliant.

This was actually pretty cool. Thanks for sharing!

We certainly do, I always make sure to read your posts and check out any artists you mention. Mister Lies' samples don't quite motivate me to check out the album, but it's probably something I would enjoy enough if I played the whole thing.

Glad to see someone else here (besides the other people I know who like them, looking your way Alfred) is into 16HP.