by Ed Biggs Much more than most reunions, the return of Sleater-Kinney in 2015 after nearly a decade on hiatus didn’t just feel right, it felt necessary. When they called it a day in 2006 shortly after their excellent seventh album The Woods, singer-guitarist Corin Tucker, guitarist Carrie Brownstein and drummer Janet Weiss had built up a bulletproof reputation, with a substantial cult fanbase and enough critical praise to match some
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by Ed Biggs The passing of David Bowie, who succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 69 on January 10th, felt very much more momentous than the average passing of a rock legend. Bowie’s death feels like one of the most significant losses, not just for pop music, but for the totality of Western popular culture. Truly, no artistic voice has been heard like his since, or so fearlessly fought
In terms of music alone, 2015 has been a year like most others in recent times: some promising debuts, more excellent work from established artists, highly anticipated comebacks and reunions, and a clutch of instant classics that could easily stand the test of time.
Ah, Christmas: the season of travel disruptions, disappointing presents and violent stomach cramp. Not to mention being bombarded by the same bloody songs over and over again. If you’ve ever quietly gritted your teeth in murderous rage at Noddy Holder screeching “It’s CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAAS” for the 50th time in a week, we feel your pain. To provide a soothing remedy for what ails you, we’ve made a playlist of ten weird and wonderful seasonal
All 25 Oasis singles, ranked from worst to best.
2015 has been our first year of operation under our new name The Student Playlist, and it’s been a year of steady expansion. There are now five of us, with a view to adding yet more talented, passionate writers in the new year as we continue in our quest to point out the best new music, rediscover old albums, both stone-cold classics and hidden treasures, and cause lively debate with
by Matthew Langham Founded by Jeff Barrett, formerly of Alan McGee’s legendary Creation Records, Heavenly Recordings is now into its 25th year and has seen a number of the UK’s biggest independent artists pass through its door. In light of the celebration, the label has released a celebratory compilation featuring artists from its current roster spread over two discs. This compilation, released on September 18th and entitled Heavenly 25 will feature
To adapt that famous misquotation attributed to Mark Twain, reports of the album’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Ever since the turn of the millennium, conventional wisdom has had it that the traditional long-player is on its way out, an arcane format out of time with the digital world that will cede inexorably to a future of singles and playlists. But while many artists have experimented with what an album
by Ed Biggs and Matthew Langham R.E.M. called time on their nearly thirty-year recording career in September 2011. During that time, they displayed a longevity, consistency and dedication that has eluded almost everybody else: they never went on hiatus or pursued solo projects and, with the sole exception of the gap between Around The Sun and Accelerate in their final decade, never waited more than three years between studio albums. The story of their career and the way
Lauren James and Ed Biggs present their monthly round-up of new album releases, from the biggest rock, indie and pop acts to the best underground albums coming onto our radars, plus a handful of classic LPs from years gone by – click here to listen now! Alternatively, you can subscribe to our podcast by searching for ‘Student Playlist’ or ‘Laser Guided Melodies’ on the iTunes store, or by finding us on PodoMatic! The May
