The Big Short 2015

Dutch alternative rocker and songwriter Anouk became not only one of the most successful performers in her native Netherlands, but also managed to duplicate her success throughout much of Europe. Born in 1975 in the Hague, Anouk grew up with music in her family; her mother was a singer in a blues band. By the time she was 18, Anouk had joined a local R&B group, but it was short-lived – she left soon after, having been accepted by and subsequently attended the Rotterdam Music Academy…

Honus Honus (aka Ryan Kattner) has devoted his career to exploring the uncertainty between life’s extremes: beauty and ugliness, order and chaos. The songs on Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between, Man Man’s first album in over six years and his Sub Pop debut, are as intimate, soulful, and timeless as they are audaciously inventive and daring.

"I'm Going Home" from Ten Years After's previous release put them on the charts, at least in the U.K. (the band's U.S. breakthrough was at Woodstock a year after its release), but the four-piece was already experimenting with ways to expand their basic boogie rock template. Stonedhenge was the result, as producer Mike Vernon helped steer the band into a more jazz- and blues-oriented direction. That's especially evident in the swinging "Woman Trouble," but this set is generally more prone to broadening the sound without losing TYA's basic concept. It doesn't always gel – the four short pieces that feature each musician alone on their instrument is an interesting idea that ends up as a distraction – yet the album boasts some terrific performances by a group that was hitting its peak. Canned Heat, who TYA supported in America and who were also trying to push their own boogie envelope, were a big influence, born out by the very Heat-sounding "Hear Me Calling." Alvin Lee keeps his fleet fingers in check, preferring to work his style into a more organic fusion.

Mythology has provided fascinating and thrilling stories that are central to our lives, even today. The deep-seeded origins and wide-reaching lessons of ancient myths built the foundation for our modern-day legacies. Serving as entertainment, a means to bond, a way to pass along history, and as vessels for important lessons, morals, and rules, myths are prevalent in every civilization worldwide.

After having released boxed cd sets dedicated to former chief conductors Willem Mengelberg, Eduard van Beinum, Bernard Haitink and Riccardo Chailly (now only available as part of the RCO Live Radio Legacy, RCO 13006), the Anthology-series is now brought up to date with radio recordings featuring Mariss Jansons. After being chief conductor for eleven seasons, Jansons has resigned for health reasons. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's beloved sixth maestro will be succeeded by Daniele Gatti with effect from the 2016/2017 season.

Hanging In The Balance can be considered Metal Church’s coming of age. They really hit their creative prime here. The lyrics and music are well refined. The production is crystal clear thanks in part to producer Paul O’Neill, famous for his excellent work with Florida metal band Savatage. This album is highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a great thrash/power metal record as well as any REAL fan of Metal Church…

WITH THE DEAD, the new U.K.-based band featuring members of CATHEDRAL (Lee Dorrian) and ELECTRIC WIZARD (guitar/bass Tim Bagshaw and drums by Mark Greening), will release its six-track, self-titled debut on October 16 via Rise Above Records. First press only comes in hologram slipcase.

Here it is, what is supposedly the final Skylark album which comes 20 years after the band's debut. Soundwise it's a continuation of the previous album Twilights of Sand, meaning a fairly speedy foray into female fronted power-pop metal. It's difficult to name similar sounding bands but think later Nightwish crossed with a little Evanescence crossed with occasional doses of pop that wouldn't sound out of place (production aside) on the latest Taylor Swift album…