REVIEW: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - NEBRASKA '82 (Expanded Edition)

4/5

Deliver Me From Nebraska

Tracks will take you through Bruce Springsteen's definitive, and now, in most CD cases, deluxe discography of his great American songbook. Although this runaway American dream takes you by road, not rail, for the working man who loves cars as much as he does the love of a good woman herself. This summertime, Bruce gave us the long awaited sequel to his 1998 'Tracks' box-set with 'Tracks II: The Lost Albums'. One that specially delivered actual ones, 'Somewhere North Of Nashville', like my new favourite set, the 'Streets Of Philadelphia' sessions. That was the theme song, from the Oscar winning Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington movie 'Philadelphia', that got me into Springsteen in the first place. With 'Jerry Maguire's' 'Secret Garden' actually being my favourite Spring song. And these unreleased 90s gems, from the "lost period" of The Boss, were the sessions that finally made my father a Bruce fan...and I couldn't be prouder. But there's more. 'Tracks III' is already being put together as we cutting room floor speak, and before all that, it's time to celebrate another classic album anniversary...albeit a few weeks late. Can you blame him? The Boss is a little busy.

Delivered on the same day the long-awaited and highly-anticipated Bruce biography, 'Deliver Me From Nowhere', starring Emmy winning actor Jeremy Allen White, of 'The Bear' fame, hits theatres, 'Nebraska '82' gets even more cinematic. The original 'Nebraska', featuring the title-track and strong singles, 'Atlantic City' and 'Open All Night', not to mention cult classics such as, 'Johnny 99', 'Highway Patrolman' and 'My Father's House', was two sides of one of Springsteen's greatest LP's. And after many reissues and bootlegs, this epic expanded edition gives you even more 'Reason To Believe' ("Still, at the end of every hard-earned day/People find some reason to believe"). It's a 'Used Car' full of stories, like the four that pull us to the end of this album on this closing curtain. Now, we're in the new age, where vinyls and crates are replaced with Spotify's and streams, you can see this same car, from the classic cover, with snow on the windshield, in black and white, pull across this long highway of broken American dreams and runaways. Just don't let the 'State Trooper' pull you over. Because he's got another story to tell, too.

This road, from 'The River' singer, was a darker turn in devils and dust. Off E Street, and one man alone, without his band of brothers, much like when he went through a 'Tunnel Of Love', depression and divorce. The sixth studio album from Bruce and Columbia Records was recorded unaccompanied on a four-track in his Colts Neck, New Jersey home's bedroom. Isolated and inspired to reach higher. This sparse and stripped-down set was favoured over the big band approach, but now you can hear what that all sounded like as 'Nebraska '82' goes electric like Dylan. Hearing 'Atlantic City' like this, is like hearing 'Atlantic City' live from New York on many an E Street Band album, in concert. Just like the live acoustic versions of his signature song 'Born In The U.S.A.', that really reveals what that song is truly about. That classic take gets its official album release here too. And aside from the original Green Day, end of September release date, what better day to release this reissue, than on the day 'Deliver Me Nowhere' is released? Springsteen's life and career is too huge for one movie (we could still see Juilliard classmates Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain reunite for a third time ('A Most Violent Year', 'Scenes From A Marriage'), to play Bruce and Patti), and Jeremy's portrayal focuses on these 'Nebraska' sessions.

Following last year's PBS special, 'Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska: A Celebration In Words And Music', these unreleased B-Sides and rarities take you back even further over the horizon. Purists have tracked the likes of a 'Pink Cadillac' and 'Downbound Train' before, as these outstanding outtakes are finally whistle official. Yet there's more darkness on the edge of town with the 'Losin' Kind' and 'Child Bride'. And we all know about 'The Big Payback' from a man who sang about troopers letting their brothers run free and judges sentencing men to more than 99 years to make it even. 'Working On The Highway', Springsteen is 'On The Prowl' ("Night after, night after lonely night my head don't touch the bed/I'm on a two-lane blacktop cruisin' in my rocket sled even more"), but it's the 'Gun In Every Home' that rings out even more to the problems in the boot-cut America, Bruce Springsteen sings for, from the blue jeans to the tied boots like these. "Some nights I put my baby to bed and I shut out all the lights/I sit downstairs in the living room and I listen to the sounds of the night/I stare out my window onto a street so empty and alone/Filled with two cars in each garage and a gun in every home/And I don't know what to do, no, I don't know what to do." By far one of his critical and best records, released only now. Yet what else could you expect, other than a sprung surprise, from a man who is 'Open All Night' in black and white? Just like the 'Live At The Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ' recordings from today that show us the path is still paved the same. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: NEBRASKA: 'Atlantic City', 'Mansion On The Hill', 'My Father's House'.

NEBRASKA '82: 'Gun In Every Home', 'Atlantic City (Electric Nebraska)', 'Open All Night (Live At The Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ)'.

Spin This: Bruce Springsteen - 'Devils & Dust'

REVIEW: CHRISSIE HYNDE & PALS - DUETS SPECIAL

4/5

The Great Pretenders

On the same New Music Friday that Haim give us a deluxe version of one of the best albums of the year ('I Quit') and The Last Dinner Party confirm themselves as the new women in music ('From The Pyre'), an absolute icon also takes to the stage. The great Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders is back for the first time since the groups 'Relentless' album of 2023. All for her first solo set since the 'Stockholm' singer was 'Standing In The Doorway' singing Bob Dylan in the times that were a-changin' in 2021. And this time, performing more classic covers for the great American songbook, and some other hymn sheets, she brings some 'Pals' along for the ride of 'Duets Special'. Just like when Ray Charles knew that 'Genius Loves Company', or Tony Bennett closed out his classic career with his own 'Duets' sets. Some of these faces in Hynde's corner may be familiar to you, too.

Playing pretend with the best in the biz, Chrissie opens up proceedings with a thing going on alongside the great K.D. Lang for the one and only 'Me & Mrs. Jones'. Only Chrissie and K.D. could make this Billy Paul classic so much more sultry, holding on to the "me-eee-eee-ee's". The Parlophone record serves this as a single, alongside the Rufus Wainwright assisted 'Always On My Mind'. Like Presley, on his. As a matter of fact, all these greatest hits could be a single on another great record from Hynde as she plays pretend. But rushing in, from 'Can't Help Falling In Love' with Mark Lanegan and Elvis, to the 'Love Letters' with Shirley Manson that will be left like anything but garbage, this is another classic to add to a definitive discography that is far from a pretender. Country, jazz, rock, pop. All avenues are traversed on this musical journey. Lucinda Williams 'Sway(s)', whilst Debbie Harry of Blondie joins the raven bombshell on 'Try To Sleep'. There's 'Dolphins' with Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan for 'Tron's' Ares, and more power from Cat Power on 'First Of The Gang To Die' for an artist that is getting finer than wine.

"Oh, come back to me/Darling, you'll see/I can give you all the/Things that you wanted before/If you will stay with me", yearns and burns on Brenda Holloway's soulful 'Every Little Bit Hurts' featuring Carleen Anderson. You can really feel it on this version, too. Highlights on this set include making a killing with Brandon Flowers on the 10CC 'I'm Not In Love' that is played as perfectly as Huey, back when he was with the Fun Lovin' Criminals. Although, no pretty picture could hide the nasty stain that the FLC apparently did to Morgan. 'It's Only Love', a Beatles son performing his pop's record, Julian Lennon, replies afterwards. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys closes things up nicely with the devotion of '(You're My) Soul And Inspiration', after his own duet album ('No Rain, No Flowers') with Patrick Carney, this calendar. And Alan Sparhawk also gives us a fine 'Country Line' in honour of Mimi Parker in tribute. Chrissie Hynde has her own jukebox of hits to put more than a dime in, but these classic record spins remind us of the time Scarlett Johansson had 'Brass In Pocket' for some 'Lost In Translation' Tokyo karaoke with Bill Murray. This album is the gold that will make you, make you, make you notice. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Me & Mrs. Jones (Feat. K.D. Lang)', 'I'm Not In Love (Feat. Brandon Flowers)', '(You're My) Soul And Inspiration (Feat Dan Auerbach)'.

Spin This: Chrissie Hynde - 'Stockholm'

REVIEW: THE LAST DINNER PARTY - FROM THE PYRE

4/5

A Midsommar Night's Dream

London's own, The Last Dinner Party fuse Kate Bush, Björk, Phoebe Bridgers (and the rest of her Boygenius supergroup), The Jezabels, Florence and the Machine, and so much more into their own style and 'Midsommar' music. This baroque pop and art rock gives us a late contender for album of the year, 'From The Pyre', just shy of two years since their prior, 'Prelude To Ecstasy' breakout gave us, explicit lyrics in hits like Lana Del Rey, and their signature, 'Nothing Matters'. Now, you can add a few more chart climbers to the women in music's 'Sinner', 'Caesar On A TV Screen' and 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us' jukebox. All in the same week and New Music Friday, Haim give us a deluxe version (featuring more Bon Iver) of their own album of the year ('I Quit') and the great Chrissie Hynde and pals play pretend on some classic covers for a 'Duets Special'. 

Abigail Morris (vocals), Lizzie Mayland (vocals, guitar), Emily Roberts (lead guitar, mandolin, flute), Georgia Davies (bass), Aurora Nishevci (keyboards, vocals) and a revolving roll call of drummers on the skins waste no time in going from your new favourite band, to a fond and familiar one. The artwork in the park is Shakespearean and the singles, set to play the globe, too. This combustible material primed to blow, like Fawkes this fall, is the perfect corpse bride for Halloween. Florence Pugh would be proud. The ceremony begins with the big hit 'This Is The Killer Speaking' and a murderous movie of a music video, playing it up. The third single 'Second Best' is anything but, as it joins the likes of 'On Your Side' and 'My Lady Of Mercy' to show you this Dinner Party has no peace and eats when it comes to a deluxe discography that is already definitive in its compelling and complex catalogue. On these top ten tracks, Last Shadow Puppets member James Ford (producing for the likes of Florence, Haim and Blur) gets a writing credit on tracks like 'Count The Ways'. But it's 'The Scythe' that will really cut you down in black and white. Especially when it comes to the moving music video with shades of LCD Soundsystem's 'Oh Baby' movie starring David Strathairn and Sissy Spacek, or The Jezabel lead Hayley Mary's final call to heed of 'Young & Stupid'. 

From the atmospheric 'Agnus Dei' operatic opening, to the curtains of a blazing 'Inferno' in sacrifice closing, 'From The' is something that will stay with you long after the smoke clears. The Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire, Hozier, Mumford & Sons) produced Island record makes October it's very own. Soon to be a classic like its cover, or prelude predecessor. Critical acclaim and award nominations came with 'Ecstasy', but this may just be the classic climax that turns LDP into a household name over your dinner table. Thanks to servings like 'Rifle' and second helpings such as one of the best 'I Hold Your Anger' as you pass the salt. On 'Woman Is A Tree' Mayland muses, "Blow, winds, crack your cheeks/I can’t feel a thing anymore/I’m superior mother, I answer the call/There is no other, I capture the fall." And this Autumn album does exactly that before the Last Dinner 'Sail(s) Away', like David Gray. Leaving the party with, "I'm more than a girl, I am a seaside/You carved your name inside of my thigh/Blue eyes, stained glass/You want the world, I'd give it to you/Just don't smoke in your room, buy new running shoes/Out in your garden spring has come." This is one last dance you want to save. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Woman Is A Tree', 'I Hold Your Anger', 'The Scythe'.

Spin This: The Last Dinner Party - 'Prelude To Ecstasy'.

REVIEW: THE COOL KIDS - HI TOP FADE

4/5

Hi Wind

Legend has it, in the same week that a new album from Mobb Deep, featuring a posthumous Prodigy, hits shelves, all to the tune of a Marvel Comic celebration of these hip-hop hero's Mass Appeal, alternative rap legends 'The Cool Kids' will hit us with that 'Hi Top Fade'. The Chicago, Illinois duo, like Havoc and P, of Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish return for the first time since 2022's three chapters of 'Before S### Got Weird', 'Baby Oil Staircase' and 'Chillout'. All as some long fingernails and wrist jewellery puts a burned mixtape into a car's CD changer. These kids have been doing it ever since 'The Bake Sale' of 2008 (what?!) came after their 'Totally Flossed Out' tape. An E.P. that will soon cook up its twenty-year anniversary (WHAT?!). Their debut, 'When Fish Ride Bicycles', hit the stereo spokes hard, like Lupe Fiasco on the skateboard, before the days of Kid Cudi. And they've had 'Special Edition Grand Master Deluxe' and 'Volumes' since then.

Now, there's a whole host of singles for your crates and 'Rockbox'. Like 'Foil Bass', '95 South', featuring A-Trak and Sango, and the Seafood Slim guest spot on 'Banana In The Tailpipe'. But it's when this perfect pair put their 'Cigarello Helmets' on in the outstanding opening that things get really rolling. Back to that 80s 8-bit style from one of the purest in the genre. 'We Got Clips' feels as old school as the appeal of the legends that currently have it this year. Whereas 'Dang' brings you even more hip-hop drums, straight out of Hollywood. "Hotter than a hairdryer, intertwined with some wires." And they're all plugged in into this studio sound. The movie making continues on 'Blade Runner', for the sci-fi cult favourites that feels like 2049, just like 'Tron: Ares' that also comes out this week, laying the grid groundwork for future tech, and love for the Depeche Mode 80s, all at the same time. It's that 'Crunch Rap Supreme' soul singing chorus that tells us, "I stay about the jam and I know when I'm in amber."

Scream for more Rocks and Inglish when they tell you 'Don't Say My Name' on the government issue, like a recent Dallas Mavericks TikTok trend. Smoother than a 'Clean Linen Satin Pillow', or how that track name sounds over xylophone playing keys. On 'Tryin To Get You' they rap "when you get that grill lit, you gotta let them coals burn/Just to heat up, where you put your feet up/Chefs let the smoke settle before they cut the beef up/Carry water, chop wood/Like a mud in the flood/It's gonna fell where it's stuck, like this page in that book." They even give us part two of 'Cinnamon', after their latte sprinkling classic off the 2009 Don Cannon mixtape 'Gone Fishing'. On 'Live Wire', the fuse gets lit even more with lines like, "I could win it all with you/I got tickets in the player's ball for two/Stepping out, had your dress matching my suit/The deeper the root, it's like the sweeter the fruit." All on a beat that Uncle Charlie Wilson would be proud of, because you know what these Chi-towners say about R. Kelly. It's something like 'Back Up Off Me', from these kids stepping in the name of the right way. Now, that's cool. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Cigarello Helmets', '95 South (Feat. A-Trak & Sango)', 'Blade Runner'.

Spin This: The Cool Kids - 'The Bake Sale'

REVIEW: MOBB DEEP - INFINITE

4/5

The Prodigy

Deeper than rap, Mobb Deep remain, in spirit, one of the best brotherhoods in hip-hop. No group was dirtier or grimier. The violence of the genre immortalized in something scarier than 'Shook Ones'. No halfway crooks allowed. You only had to see Eminem lip-sync along to them, rapping in the mirror to begin his legendary battle-rap movie '8 Mile'. Prodigy and Havoc were so renowned, even 50 Cent has to sign them, like fellow legends M.O.P. and Ma$e at the peak of his powers. This was a pair who weren't afraid to go up against the late, great 'Pac. But you can't listen to them diss tracks any more in all good faith. Tragedy struck in 2017, three years after their last album (2014's 'The Infamous Mobb Deep') when Prodigy passed away due to accidental choking. The rapper, real name Albert Johnson, had been battling with sickle cell anaemia his whole life. His legacy lives forever.

And now it's immortalized once more in the 'Infinite' album for infinity. A part posthumous Mobb Deep album and the final LP from the pair as previously unreleased vocals from capital P are mixed with producer and rapping partner Havoc, and longtime collaborator and the legendary producer of this album, The Alchemist (nobody works harder). Part of the year-long 'Legend Has It...' series from Mass Appeal records, it joins Nas and DJ Premier, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, De La Soul, Big L, and Slick Rick as one of the best rap albums of the year. And, like Big L, a life after death one. The amazing artwork, a tribute testament to their style, feels like they're still here together. And Prodigy again is immortalized forever in the accompanying Marvel Comics series that turns these legends into the superheroes that they are. Frequent flyer Nas gets down with Mobb on 'Pour The Henny' (like that, 'Bron, 'Bron?) and the sweet sample of the 'Down For You' single, featuring soul singer Jorja Smith ("If bein' in love is my downfall, then I'll be down for you.") for one of the best rap songs of the billboard year. Not to mention it's 'Love The Way' part two featuring H.E.R. herself. And after their own 'Legend' albums, Wu-Tang members Raekwon and Ghostface appear on 'Clear Black Nights'.

The reformed Clipse also shoot some on 'Look At Me' after their own amazing album reunion in 2025. Joining big hitting singles like the opening 'Against The World' Mobb opera and the grand 'Taj Mahal', built for the fans. Between all the 'Gunfire' and closing 'We The Real Thing', there's even a Big Noyd on 'The M. The O. The B. The B.' with a curious sample. But it's not like we can listen to 'Diddy' any more, anyway. This album clearly 'Score(s) Points', before the penultimate 'Discontinued' that will never happen to this band of brothers. They give it up for 'My Era' and all their classic contemporaries. And they also stick to their violent wordplay for 'Mr Magik', which won't bring you back after sawing you in two. It's like Prodigy says on 'Easy Bruh', "Longevity in hip-hop/The run is endless, our cash don't stop/You the great prеtender, you not this hot/I'll boil over, I'll mеlt the whole pot." Or when Havoc simply puts in "R.I.P.". These two will live on together in infamy. What else could you expect from the Infamous Mobb Deep? Legend has nothing on this. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Down For You (Feat. Nas & Jorja Smith)', 'My Era', 'Clear Black Nights (Feat. Raekwon & Ghostface Killah)' 

Spin This: Mobb Deep - 'Infamy'.

REVIEW: TAYLOR SWIFT - THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL

4/5

The Last Showgirl

Swifties rejoice. The new era is here. Recently, in the multiple Grammy (no need for Kanye) singer/songwriter's life and times, she's rerecorded and re-owned her renowned masters, embarked on an epic 'Eras' live concert circuit, that might just be the greatest and most successful world tour of all-time, and announced that "your English teacher and gym teacher are getting married", with her engagement to NFL, Kansas City Chief tight-end Travis Kelce. And we can't and won't forget how she stood in solidarity with our hometown of Southport, either, after the cruel Hart Space dance class tragedy that took too many innocent lives and showed us real heroes in the face of such evil. The Elvis of our generation, recently on Travis and Jason Kelce's 'New Heights' podcast, also revealed she'd be releasing a new album. Although she didn't show the album artwork until she got on her socials of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X and more. But now, here she is, in a bath in a cocktail dress with more than champagne problems, giving us 'The Life Of A Showgirl', from Elizabeth Berkley to Pamela Anderson.

'Elizabeth Taylor' too, for one of this twelfth night's best. Every album of this artist amazes, whatever the version, but since '1989' made her country career go genre bending supersonic, she's been on one, post 'Reputation' critic tasking (and this one reunites her with that LPs producer, Max Martin). Although this one feels closer to that one's standing. This 'Lover' gave us pure pop before the world shut down. Then during lockdown, she quarantined in a studio in the woods to give us both 'Folklore' and 'Evermore' in the same year, that felt like a century, of 2020. Before returning for the magic of 'Midnights' two years later. That felt like the trend, in-between 'Versions' albums that offered richer and deeper takes of her definitive discography that is now well and truly hers. Yet it's only been a year since we signed up for 'The Tortured Poets Department'. Now with 'The Life' and those boys behind her, Taylor moves on swiftly with a classic concept album that speaks now and speaks to more. You only have to hear 'The Fate Of Ophelia', sealed with a kiss that says, "I do" to know. Or the title-track, debuted live, featuring the only star capable of going for her crown, Sabrina Carpenter.

Alas, there is no beef here. No Kendrick Lamar 'Bad Blood'. That would be a real bad way to 'Ruin A Friendship'. And no, don't worry. That infamous track is not about Blake Lively, either, as her and Ryan Reynolds are taking more heat than a 'Deadpool' co-star right now. This is the same superstar who had fellow one, Katy Perry, literally send her an olive branch. And nothing is on the nose here, no "boring Barbie", or cocaine about it. Although Taylor does get into love addiction with the outstanding 'Opalite'. It's just good music here. A dozen to add to the discography that is getting definitive, like a Sinatra or Springsteen set-list. Just let it play. YouTube has even given Swift her own 'TLOAS' icon to drag and drop play along with the album's video visualizers. Taylor Swift's music is like Marvel movies. There's so much of it, maintaining a great quality, and it's always a blockbuster moment. Sure, in this busy life of ours, showgirl or not, some of us may only have the chance to take each one in once or twice, but it always sounds fresh and fond. Especially if we get the chance to watch, listen and learn again.

Like her 'Gasoline' friends, Haim ("he did it") telling us 'I Quit', Tay also samples the late, great George Michael on a 'Father Figure' song of the same name. Yet it's 'Eldest Daughter' that might be my favourite, like my idol sister. Whereas nothing sounds as hook, line and sinker slick as the stylized 'Wi$h Li$t' that will soon be the request of everyone's "playli$t". On 'Actually Romantic', Swift sings, "I heard you call me "Boring Barbie" when the coke's got you brave/High-fived my ex, and then you said you're glad he ghosted me/Wrote me a song sayin' it makes you sick to see my face/Some people might be offended" on a track that flips haters like Mariah Carey's 'Obsessed'. That queen before the queen was 'Here For It All' last week, but nobody dares come in listening distance of Taylor Swift this New Music Friday. Not when the likes of 'Wood' or 'Honey' are playing, bringing out the bears, like the folk and ever 'mores'. This showgirl's muse even takes on a culture with 'CANCELLED' in all-caps. "Good thing I like my friends cancelled/I like 'em cloaked in Gucci and in scandal/Like my whiskey sour/And poison thorny flowers." "Something wicked this way comes", indeed. Can't cancel the syndrome of this album recorded in Stockholm, during the Sweden leg of her 'Eras' tour, though. The show goes on, girl. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'Elizabeth Taylor', 'Eldest Daughter', 'Wi$h Li$t'.

Spin This: Taylor Swift - 'Midnights'