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The Subways: All Or Nothing

All Or Nothing

Long-awaited 2008 sophomore outing from the youthful, Grunge-inspired Brit trio. This album saw the band decamp to L.A. to work with legendary U.S. Alt-Rock producer Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins), who beefed up and smoothed out their sound. The result is a considerable sonic progression from the rudimentary Garage Punk of their debut, which sees them absorbing various influences from U.S. Rock history and beyond. Includes the singles 'Alright' and 'Girls & Boys'.

The Watson Twins: Fire Songs

Fire Songs

Identical twins Chandra and Leigh Watson, veterans of the contemporary folk rock scene in Los Angeles will release "Fire Songs", their label debut full length. The twins are akin to various scenes such as indie rock, new folk, alt-country/Americana and cannot be neatly categorized into one. The Kentucky-born duo count folk, gospel, blues and country as early influences. The album was produced by Russell Pollard and J. Soda (members from various incarnations of Sebadoh, Earlimart, Everest, and Folk Implosion) and is the follow up to the Watson Twins 2006 self-released and critically acclaimed "Southern Manners" EP.

UNKLE: End Titles: Stories For Film

End Titles: Stories For Film

2008 album from the experimental Hip Hop outfit. This, the fifth album from the dance-rock crossover heroes, comes almost exactly a year after their last album War Stories and as the title suggests is a collection of cinematic pieces "inspired by the moving image", some of which have actually featured in films. Intersperses short string interludes and moments of gorgeous ambient warmth with driving, Rock-influenced anthems such as they recorded on War Stories, The album is a collection of new music recorded for the audio visual world over the past two years, including `Trouble In Paradise' for the BMW advert.

The Black Ghosts: Self Titled Album

The Black Ghosts

The new album from Simian's Simon Lord and The Wiseguys' Theo Keating, recording together as The Black Ghosts (out July 8th), is an eerily melodramatic affair but some undeniably ominous credentials back up The Black Ghosts’ tales of modern gothic romance. Theo’s godfather directed Hammer House of Horror movies, which exposed him to their supernatural charms from a very early age. Simon, too, experienced a disquieting form of bohemia during his easily-influenced years. His grandmother, Madeleine Dring, was a music hall satirist and was considered a psychic.

Seth Lakeman: Poor Man's Heaven

Poor Man's Heaven

2008 album from the West Country-born singer and songwriter credited with bringing folk music to a whole new audience since his 2005 Mercury nominated debut, Kitty Jay. Seth's third album perfectly captures the raw, rhythmic energy of his live shows. Produced in large part by Seth's brother and fellow band member, Sean Lakeman, Poor Man's Heaven represents a progression for Seth's sound. While remaining firmly rooted in Folk, it moves from a more acoustic-based feel to a fuller, rockier sound, underpinned as ever by emotive lyrics and story telling, this time with a strong coastal theme.

Motley Crue: Saints Of Los Angeles

Saints Of Los Angeles

Explicit Version. 2008 is great with Vince, Nikki, Tommy & Mick of Motley Crue, our rock'n'roll Saints of Los Angeles. The band created CrueFest which is five bands, one colossal show and a trail of panties from coast to coast featuring Motley Crue, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Sixx: A.M., and Trapt, plus the Rock Band second stage experience, CRÜE FEST is sure to upset neighbors and blow out eardrums across the nation. The single 'Saints Of Los Angeles' features vocals of Josh Todd (Buckcherry), Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach), James Michael (Sixx:A.M.) and Chris Taylor Brown (Trapt).

Dirty Pretty Things: Romance At Short Notice

Romance At Short Notice

2008 sophomore album from the British Indie outfit led by former Libertines guitarist Carl Barat. Recorded between London and Los Angeles, the follow-up to 2006's Waterloo To Anywhere perfectly demonstrates the band's songwriting progression and musical growth. There is added emphasis on the heartfelt, earnest and often angry lyrics from frontman and ex-Libertine Barat, while the Punk fuelled guitar riffs and gunshot rhythms remain. 12 tracks including the single 'Tired Of England'.

Jewel: Perfectly Clear

Perfectly Clear

Jewel's new country disc definitely looks backward rather than forward for its inspiration, with a pronounced acoustic background and the piercing, declarative sound of fiddles, steel and dobros rather than electric guitars forming the musical settings. Her songs explore themes ranging from empowerment ("Stronger Woman," "Perfectly Clear") and anger ("Anyone But You") to betrayal ("Till She Feels Like Cheating") and romantic fulfillment ("Everything Reminds Me of You," "Two Become One.")

Amos Lee: Last Days At The Lodge

Last Days At The Lodge

Last Days at the Lodge is Lee's third record, following his first two critically-acclaimed and tremendously successful records, Supply and Demand (2006) and his 2005 self-titled debut. This 2008 record is produced by Don Was, and features Lee on guitars, Doyle Bramhall, Jr. (Eric Clapton) on guitar, Spooner Oldham (Neil Young, Aretha Franklin) on keys, Pino Palladino (The Who, D'Angelo) on bass, and James Gadson (Bill Withers) on drums, along with many others.

Donna Summer: Crayons

Crayons

Donna Summer is trying for a comeback that's a bit overdue. The diva delivers a set of brand new tracks that does indeed have the variant and roving colours of a pack of Crayola. But before anyone starts waxing lyrical on a triumphant return they'll have to listen up. It would have been a dereliction of her disco duties if she hadn't tried to provide trump tracks like lead single Stamp Your Feet and title track, the dancehall meets doo-wop , Crayons (feat Ziggy Marley). but the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to expectations.