When Thievery Corporation‘s Rob Garza started writing what would become his new solo album, Daydream Accelerator, he found that his early pop influences were making their way into the music. Embracing that direction, he collaborated with several artists to create an indie-pop album that maintains the sonic experimentation of Thievery Corporation but with more of … Read more
After an extended hiatus from the project, Adam Sherburne and Mark Pistel have re-activated their radical activist music group Consolidated to release a new album, We’re Already There. It’s been followed by a series of remixes by such artists as Adrian Sherwood and R34L. Formed in 1988, Consolidated released their first EP, ¡Consolidated!, in 1989 … Read more
On their latest release, ODDfellows (Hakatak International), Information Society continues to create sophisticated pop music that fuses new wave, freestyle, electronic-industrial and other genres. Initially best known for such ’80s synth hits as “What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)” and “Running,” Information Society has continued to use technology in innovative ways and, most importantly, make … Read more
Over 40 years after unleashing such pioneering electronic hits as “Down in the Park,” “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?,” and the new wave classic “Cars,” singer/musician/producer Gary Numan continues to evolve and push his work in new directions. His 2013 album Splinter (Songs from a Broken Mind) was widely considered his best in years and was Numan’s … Read more
Since emerging in the early ’80s, Bananarama has had a string of hugely successful pop hits, including “Venus,” “Cruel Summer” and “I Heard a Rumour.” They’ve continued to tour and release music over the years and recently released “In Stereo,” their first album in a decade. “In Stereo” has a modern edge, but the pure, energetic pop songs are unmistakably Banarama. It’s become their most commercially successful albums in years, hitting the top 40 in England and several other countries.
In recent years, electronic music pioneer Howard Jones has been focusing his energy on live shows rather than new albums. His last release, “Engage” (2015) was part of a larger crowd-funded multi-media project. But having taken a break from touring to focus on new material, Jones is back with “Transform,” his first regular album in almost a decade. “Transform” showcases Jones fully embracing his electronic roots but within a modern context.
The Church recently kicked off the second leg of a US tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their “Starfish” album. We interviewed frontman Steve Kilby before the first leg, and recently had the chance to speak with guitarist Ian Haug, as well. Haug is the newest member of The Church, having joined in 2013. Previously, he was best known for being part of the long-running and highly successful Australian band Powderfinger.
Glen Matlock is not clinging to his punk days but has maintained the raw energy and knack for using simplicity as power when it comes to songwriting. His recent crowd-funded solo album, “Good to Go” is full of tightly-crafted and catchy rock songs that at times have a rockabilly edge. Matlock recorded it in London and upstate New York, collaborating with Earl Slick (David Bowie) and Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats).
With his new solo album, “Science Fiction,” former Thompson Twins member Tom Bailey has made a welcome return to pop music. After Thompson Twins ended in the early 1990s, Bailey remained active with such projects as Babble and International Observer, but his music had shifted into more experimental and varied directions. But after starting to perform Thompson Twins material live again, he founds his love for pop music re-ignited.
Dave Wakeling has been touring as The English Beat for many years, but until now had not released any new material. But the recently released “Here We Go Love,” is well worth the wait. The album captures the essence of classic English Beat without trying to recreate the past.