The Recoup

SINCE 2013: Books and books and books and books and occasionally other things

Album Reviews

  • Felt: Forever Breathes The Lonely Word (Cherry Red)

    We are dedicating this week to the Creation Records era the wonderful band Felt, whose records were reissued last week. We start with what is easily their masterpiece, a 1986 album that should have been starting point, but unfortunately proved to be their apex. It’s a stunning album that’s as fresh now as it was… Read more

  • The Durutti Column: Without Mercy (Factory Benelux)

    For the fourth Durutti Column album, Factory Records mastermind Tony Wilson insisted that the album be an experiment in adapting Vini Reilly’s distinctive music with a modern classical twist. This experiment has been expanded into a whopping four disc set, featuring other recordings from the era and two fantastic live performances. Read more

  • The Durutti Column: Without Mercy (Factory Benelux)

    For the fourth Durutti Column album, Factory Records mastermind Tony Wilson insisted that the album be an experiment in adapting Vini Reilly’s distinctive music with a modern classical twist. This experiment has been expanded into a whopping four disc set, featuring other recordings from the era and two fantastic live performances. Read more

  • Roger James: Riding Free: Expanded Edition (RPM)

    The sole album release by British musician Roger James is an absolutely delightful collection of the dreamy country–tinged soft rock that should have been the launch of a fruitful solo career. This compilation collects all of his material and provides a frustrating look into what happens when a talented artist doesn’t get the fair shake… Read more

  • Roger James: Riding Free: Expanded Edition (RPM)

    The sole album release by British musician Roger James is an absolutely delightful collection of the dreamy country–tinged soft rock that should have been the launch of a fruitful solo career. This compilation collects all of his material and provides a frustrating look into what happens when a talented artist doesn’t get the fair shake… Read more

  • Drivin’ N Cryin’: Too Late To Turn Back Now! (New West)

    By 1997, Atlanta rockers Drivin’ N Cryin’ had been through the major label machine. Stripped down to a power trio, they doubled down and made a no-frills album that would close out the band’s first era on a extremely high note. Read more

  • Drivin’ N Cryin’: Too Late To Turn Back Now! (New West)

    By 1997, Atlanta rockers Drivin’ N Cryin’ had been through the major label machine. Stripped down to a power trio, they doubled down and made a no-frills album that would close out the band’s first era on a extremely high note. Read more

  • The Whispers: One For The Money/Open Up Your Love/Headlights (Robinsongs)

    Whispers were one of the finest 1970s R&B bands, and these three albums from the latter part of the decade find their star on the rise, thanks to the superb harmonies and lush arrangements they had to offer. Read more

  • The Whispers: One For The Money/Open Up Your Love/Headlights (Robinsongs)

    Whispers were one of the finest 1970s R&B bands, and these three albums from the latter part of the decade find their star on the rise, thanks to the superb harmonies and lush arrangements they had to offer. Read more

  • Craig Smith: Love Is Our Existence (Maitreya Apache Music)

    Love Is Our Existence is a collection of recordings by Craig Smith, a 60s musician who was lost to mental illness and drug use before he could really establish himself as the talent he was. This collection of rough demo and Acetate recordings find him an angelic-voiced singer with a wide-eyed innocence that betrays the… Read more