Gorillaz

 

Artist:  Gorillaz
Origin:  Essex, England
Genre:  Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rap, Alternative Hip Hop, Rap Rock, Trip Hop, Electronica

Original line-up:

Damon Albarn:  Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Melodica
Jamie Hewlett:  Illustration, Visuals, FX

Simon Katz:  Lead Guitar
Junior Dan:  Bass
William Lyonell:  Rhythm Guitar
Cass Browne:  Drums, Percussion

Gorillaz are an English Virtual Band created in 1998 by Musician Damon Albarn and Artist Jamie Hewlett.  The band's 2001 debut album Gorillaz sold over seven million copies and earned them an entry in the Guinness Book Of World Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band.  The band has won other awards, including one Grammy Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award, three Brit Awards.

Title:  Cracker Island (2023)

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rap, Alternative Hip Hop, Rap Rock, Trip Hop, Electronica

Label:  Parlophone

Rating:   *****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side A:

 1.  Cracker Island (feat. Thundercat) (3:33)

 2.  Oil (feat. Steve Nicks) (3:50)

 3.  The Tired Influencer (3:31)

 4.  Silent Running (feat. Adeleye Omotayo) (4:26)

 5.  New Gold (feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown) (3:36)

Side B:

 1.  Baby Queen (3:40)

 2.  Tarantula (3:31)

 3.  Tormenta (feat. Bad Bunny) (3:13)

 4.  Skinny Ape (4:41)

 5.  Possession Island (feat. Beck) (3:26)

Personnel:

Damon Albarn:   Vocals on All Tracks, Synthesisers on Tracks:  A1-5, B2, B4-5, Electric Guitar on Tracks:  A2, B4, Piano on Tracks: A3-4, B2, B5, Bass, Keyboards on Track B3. Acoustic Guitar on Track B4, Mellotron on Track B5

Greg Kurstin:  Keyboards on Tracks:  A1-5, B1-4, Synthesisers on Tracks:  A1-5, B2, B4-5, Drums on Tracks:  A1-4, B1-2, B4, Percussion on Tracks:  A1-3, A5, B1-2, B4, Bass on Tracks:  A2-5, B1-2, B5, Electric Guitar on Tracks:  A3-4, B1-2, B4, Piano on Tracks:  A3-4, B1, Marimba on Track A3, Gutars on Track A5, Vibra;hone on Tracks:  B1, B5, Congas on Track B2, Mellotron, Acoustic Guitar, Pump Organ on Track B5

Thundercat:  Vocals, Bass on Track A1

Stevie Nicks:  Vocals on Track A2

Adeleye Omotayo:  Vocals on Track A4

Tame Impala:  Vocals, Synthesisers, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Wurlitzer  on Track A5

Bootie Brown:  Vocals on Track A5

Bad Bunny:  Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion on Track B3

Remi Kabaka Jr.:  Drum Programming, Percussion on Track B3

Tainy:  Drum Programming on Track B3

Beck:  Vocals on Track B5

Cracker Island is the eighth studio album by Gorillaz, released on February 24, 2023 by Parlophone, featuring Stevie Nicks, Beck Thundercat, Tame Impala, and many more!.  The album reached No. 1 on US Top Rock Albums Chart (Billboard)/US Top Alternative Albums Chart (Billboard)/UK Albums Chart/New Zealand Albums Chart/Croatian International Albums Chart/Irish Albums Chart.

Blue

 

Artist:  Blue

Origin:  London, England

Genre:  Pop, R&B, Electronica

Original line-up:

Simon Webbe:  Vocals

Duncan James:  Vocals

Anthony Costa:  Vocals

Lee Ryan:  Vocals

Blue are an English  most exciting and successful Boy Band  from London, formed in 2000 consisting of members Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Anthony Costa, and Lee Ryan.  Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf with a song "I Can".  Blue have sold 15 million records worldwide.

Title:  Heart & Soul (2022)

Genre:  Pop, R&B, Electronica

Label:  BMG

Rating:  *****

Format:  CD 

Tracks:

 1.  Haven't Found You Yet (3:20)

 2.  Dance With Me (2:40)

 3.  This Could Be Love (2:58)

 4.  Let's Get Sad (3:52)

 5.  Heart & Soul (2:42)

 6.  Man Do (2;58)

 7.  Magnetic (3:14)

 8.  Gravity (3:13)

 9.  Ultraviolet (2:15)

10. Stop (3:36)

Personnel:

Simon Webbe:  Vocals

Duncan James:  Vocals

Anthony Costa:  Vocals

Lee Ryan:  Vocals

Additional Musicians:

Ronny Svendsen:  All Instruments on Tracks:  1,  6

Anne Judith Wik:  Additional Vocals on Track 1

Steve DuBerry:  All Instruments on Tracks:  2, 8,10

Paul Visser:  Guitar on Tracks: 2, 8, All Instruments on Tracks:  4, 7, 9

Ronny Svendsen & Chris Young:  All Instruments on Track 3

Lewis Shay Jankel:  All Instruments on Track 5

Heart & Soul is the sixth studio album by Blue, released on October 28, 2022 by BMG.   The album reached No. 4 on UK Independent Albums Chart.

Muse

 

Artist:  Muse
Origin:  Teignmouth, Devon, England
Genre:  Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Space Rock, Post-Grunge, Indie Rock, Neo-Prog, Glam Rock, Electronica

Original line-up:

Matthew Bellamy:  Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Keytar
Christopher Wolstenholme:  Bass, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Harmonica
Dominic Howard:  Drums, Percussion, Synthesizers

Muse are an English Rock Band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994 by Matthew Bellamy (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Keyboards), Christopher Wolstenholme (Bass, Backing Vocals) and Dominic Howard (Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer).  Muse have won Numerous Music Awards including Five MTV Europe Music Awards, Six Q Awards, Eight NME Awards, Two Brit Awards-Winning "Best British Live Act" twice, an MTV Video Music Award, Four Kerrang! Awards and an American Music Awards.  Muse had sold more than 17 million albums worldwide.

Title:  Will Of The People (2022)

Genre:  Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Space Rock, Post-Grunge, Indie Rock, Neo-Prog, Glam Rock, Electronica

Label:  Warner Records

Rating:   ****

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Will Of The People (3:18)

 2.  Compliance (4:10)

 3.  Liberation (3:06)

 4.  Won't Stand Down (3:30)

 5.  Ghost (How Can I Move On) (3:36)

Side Two:

 1.  You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween (3:00)

 2.  Kill Or Be Killed (5:00)

 3.  Verona (4:56)

 4.  Euphoria (3:23)

 5.  We Are Fucking Fucked (3:36)

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Will Of The People (3:18)

 2.  Compliance (4:10)

 3.  Liberation (3:06)

 4.  Won't Stand Down (3:30)

 5.  Ghost (How Can I Move On) (3:36)

 6.  You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween (3:00)

 7.  Kill Or Be Killed (5:00)

 8.  Verona (4:56)

 9.  Euphoria (3:23)

10. We Are Fucking Fucked (3:36)

Personnel:

Matthew Bellamy:  Lead Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Keyboards, Crowd Vocals on Track 1
Christopher Wolstenholme:  Bass, Crowd Vocals on Track 1
Dominic Howard:  Drums, Percussion, Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Additional Musicians:

Bing Bellamy:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Elle Bellamy:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Buster Wolstenholme:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Caris Wolstnhome:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Ernie Wolstenhome:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Indiana Wolstenhome Tolhurt:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Tabitha Wolstenhome Tolhurst:  Crowd Vocals on Track. 1

Taddi Wolstenhome:  Crowd Vocals on Track 1

Will Of The People is the ninth studio album by Muse, released on August 26, 2022 by Warner Records.  Exclusive Red Vinyl.

Beirut

 

Artist:  Beirut

Origin:  Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Genre:  Balkan Folk, World, Indie Folk, Electronica, Baroque Pop, Alternative Folk, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Original line-up:

Zach Condon:  Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Ukulele

Beirut is an American Indie Folk Band that was originally the solo musical project of Zach Condon.  Their music combines elements of Indie Rock, and World Music.

Title:  Artifacts (2022)

Genre:  Balkan Folk, World, Indie Folk, Electronica, Baroque Pop, Alternative Folk, Alternative Rock, Indie Rock

Label:  Pompeli 

Rating:  ****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:  Lon Gisland EP, Transatlantique, O Leaozinho, The Misfits:

 1.  Elephant Gun (5:45)

 2.  My Family's Role In The World Revolution (2:07)

 3.  Scenic World (2:51)

 4.  The Long Island Sound (1:20)

 5.  Carcusels (4:02)

 6.  Transatiantique (3:35)

 7.  O Leaozinho (3:20)

 8.  Autumn Tall Trees (3:35)

 9.  Fyodor Dormant (2:47)

10. Poisoning Claude (3:01)

11. Bercy (5:01)

12. Your Sails (1:38)

13. Irrlichter (4:07)

Disc 2:  Early Works, The B-Sides:

 1.  Sicily (3:29)

 2.  Now I'm Gone (4:25)

 3.  Napoleon On Tge Bellerophon (3:36)

 4.  Interior Of A Dutch House (4:05)

 5.  Fountains And Tramways (3:50)

 6.  Hot Air Balloon (3:06)

 7.  Fisher Island Sound (2:44)

 8.  So Slowly (3:00)

 9.  Die Trerus Zum Ursprung (4:32)

10. The Crossing (2:00)

11. Zagora (4:03)

12. Le Phare Du Cap Bon (2:58)

13. Babylon (1:39)

Personnel:

Zach Condon:  Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Ukulele

Others:   Unknown

Artifacts is the compilation album by Beirut, released on January 28, 2022 by Pompeii Records, compiling a few early EPs and early words, The B-Sides.

Goldfrapp

 

Artist:  Goldfrapp
Origin:  London, England
Genre:  Alternative Pop,  Indie Pop, Electronica

Original line-up:

Alison Goldfrapp:  Vocals, Synthesizer
Will Gregory:  Synthesizer

Goldfrapp are an English Electronic Duo from London, formed in 1999, consisted of Alison Goldfrapp (Vocals, Synthesizer) and Will Gregory (Synthesizer).

Title:   Felt Mountain (Special Edition) (2022)

Genre:  Alternative Pop,  Indie Pop, Electronica

Label:  BMG

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

 1.  Lovely Head (3:49)

 2.  Paper Bag (4:05)

 3.  Human (4:36)

 4.  Pilots (4:29)

 5.  Deer Stop (4:06)

 6.  Felt Mountain (4:17)

 7.  Oompa Radar (4:42)

 8.  Utopia (4:18)

 9.  Horse Tears (5:10)

Personnel:

Alison Goldfrapp:  Vocals, Whistling, Keyboards
Will Gregory:  Keyboards

Additional Musicians:

Stuart Gordon:  Violin, Viola, on Tracks:  1, 9, Tremolo Violins on Track 6, Violin Solo on Track 9

Adrian Utley:  Bass on Tracks:  1, 4, Synth, Tremolo Bass Guitar on Track 2

Nick Batt:  Bass Synth on Track 1, Metal Percussion on Track 3, Additional Programming on Tracks:  1, 3, 4, 8

John  Parish:  Drums on Tracks:  1, 2, 9, Bass, Tremolo Guitar on Track 9

Alexander Balanescu:  Violin on Tracks:  2, 5. 8

Sonia Slany:  Violin on Tracks:  2-5, 8

Nick Barr:  Viola on Tracks:  2, 5, 8

Nick Cooper:  Cello on Tracks:  2-5, 8

Mary Scully:  Double Bass on Tracks:  2, 5, 8

Andy Davis:  Baritone Ukulele, Melodica, Koto on Track 2

Mute Male Voices:  Humming on Track 2

Jacqueline Norrie:  Violin on Tracks:  3, 4

Bill Hawkes:  Viola on Tracks:  3, 4

Rowan Oliver:  Percussion on Tracks: 3, 4

Andy Bush:  Trumpet on Track 3, Flugelhorn Solo on Track 7

Ben Waghorn:  Tenor Saxophone on Track 3

John Cornick:  Trombone on Track 3

Clive Deamer:  Brushes on Track 4

Steve MacAllister:  French Horn on Track 6

Steven Claydon:  Synth on Tracks:  6, 8

Flowers Band:  Brass Band on Track 7

Tony Orrell:  Drums on Tracks:  7, 8

Luke Gordon:  Additional Programming on Tracks:  3, 4

Chris Weston:  Additional Programming on Track 8

Format:  LP

Tracks:

Side One:

 1.  Lovely Head (3:49)

 2.  Paper Bag (4:05)

 3.  Human (4:36)

 4.  Pilots (4:29)

 5.  Deer Stop (4:06)

Side Two:

 1.  Felt Mountain (4:17)

 2.  Oompa Radar (4:42)

 3.  Utopia (4:18)

 4.  Horse Tears (5:10)

Felt Mountain is the debut studio album by Goldfrapp, originally released on September 11, 2000 by Mute Records, remastered and reissued on March 25, 2022 by BMG.  Gatefold Special Edition, Gold Vinyl.