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APRIL 2008 REVIEWS
If you want your material reviewed please send all Press Packs to:
PO BOX 410/MARGATE/KENT/CT9 3RB/ENGLAND/UK
For all other information please write to:
streetvoiceuk@yahoo.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE:
This site will be updated throughout April. Please do keep coming back
REVIEWS
4FT FINGERS - New Beginnings Of Old Stories: Haven't heard this Welsh Pop-Punk band in ages so it was a pleasure checking out this new album. From start to finish you're treated to some great tunes from the opening track 'Where Did All The Legends Go?' right through to the closing number 'New Beginnings Of Old Stories'. There's some right great numbers on here including 'The Escape' which not only has a good tune but some bloody spot on lyrics too! 4Ft Fingers have put out some great songs over the years and they continue that way with this album. In fact I'd go as far to say they've bettered their old material but only you can judge that. This album not only comes with great songs – The production and packaging are top notch too! If Pop-Punk is your poison then I highly recommend you check this release out. 8.5/10
Not On Your Radio Records
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12 GAUGE ALLIANCE - Album Promo: This Welsh four piece are a new band to me and they're not bad at all. OK I find these album intros a bit daft especially when they go on as long as it does on here. The other nine tracks are worth a listen though in places the tunes and vocals get a tad predictable. This ten tracker is full on metal with elements of screamo and melodies. Some good tracks on here like 'Take The Blood From The Stone', 'Unspoken Depravity' and 'Breaking Hearts Beaten'. 12 Gauge Alliance have something good going here and I'm sure most metal fans will enjoy this release. 7.5/10
12 Gauge Alliance On My Spac
Release Date: April 28th 2008
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ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE - The Punk Rock Anthology: Despite many of these tracks being re-issued on many occasions this is the first ever release covering the band's 28 year Punk Rock career. There's 38 tracks covered over two CD's from the bands first single 'Streets Of London' right through to their 2007 album 'Road To Rampton'. Everything's here including 'Streets Of London', 'So What', 'Woman', 'Out On The Wasteland', 'Queen And Country', 'Fucked Up And Wasted', 'There Is No God' and 'My Gods Bigger Than Yours'. Absolutely brilliant release compiled by Daryl Smith (Cock Sparrer) and Mark Brennan (Captain OI!) for Cherry Red. I can't find one filler on here and as well as putting two great discs together this comes with some great sleeve notes from Animal. If you only buy one Anti-Nowhere League release make sure it's this one. Certainly the best packaged re-issue I've seen in ages. 9.5/10
Cherry Red Records
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BAD LOVE & LICKER - S/T EP: This four piece aren't bad at all. Imagine a hard Rock N Roll band with Gallows style HC thrown into the mixture and you come up with Bad Love & Licker. The only shame is the band name is rubbish and no way reflects the quality of music on this four track release. What I like about this band is that they manage to write hard tunes with out all the song sounding the same. There's nothing worse than listening to a band where every track sounds the same and this is where they can capitalise on. Some great vocal delivery from Steve, while Math and Steve have a tight and solid guitar/bass sound with Ashley keeping it all together on drums. For me 'Sleazers Place' and 'Camera! Action! Lipstick! Lights!' are the best tracks on here. Still the other two aren't far behind. If you like Hard Rock or/and HC then check this four-piece outfit out! 7/10
Overground Records
Release Date: April 28th 2008
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BALAAM & THE ANGEL - The Greatest Story Ever Told: Despite the dodgy haircuts and the slightly commercial feel the band had on this debut album it helped their cause that they could actually play well! Much of the goth scene was still underground and with it came many bands still trying to master their instruments while Balaam & The Angel had actually done that years before! After all these years it's still good to hear many of the songs on this release and what's more they've stood the test of time. Songs like 'New Kind Of Love', 'She Knows', 'Light Of The World', 'Never End' and 'Day And Night' did it for me. In fact twenty plus years on they still are good songs and it's great to see this album being re-issued as this was one of the few good albums released in the 80's. Like most releases through Cherry Red you also get bonus tracks and this release is no exception. There's four bonus tracks including the 12" version of 'Light Of The World'. This release also comes with sleeve notes from Balaams drummer 'Des Morris'. 8.5/10
Cherry Red Records
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BALAAM & THE ANGEL - Live Free Or Die: This is the second album to be released by this Staffordshire based Goth/Rock band in the 80's. As potent as their debut album 'The Greatest Story Ever' this release showed the band moving away from the Goth sound turning more towards the rock sounds of bands like U2 and the American 'Hair' bands. For these guys moving in a different direction didn't do them no harm as the UK Goth scene was slowly fading away. This is the first time in years I've heard this album and again it stands the test of time and shows what brilliant musicians these three brothers were. There's some wicked tyracks on here such as 'I Love The Things You Do To Me', 'On The Run', 'Would I Die For You', 'Running Out Of Time', 'I Feel Love' and 'You're In The Way Of My Dreams'. As well as getting the version of 'Live Free Or Die' you also get two bonus tracks and sleeve notes written by Des Morris. A great release by one of the few decent bands to come out of the 80's with credibility. 8.5/10
Cherry Red Records
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BEDFORD FALLS - Savings And Loan: Despite the cool packaging this band didn't really excite me and I found that disappointing as I've heard great things about this band. Bedford Falls play Indie Rock in the vein of the Replacements and Lemonheads and the quality of musicianship is spot on but it's sounds a tad dated to me. These guys would have been legends in the 90's throughout the world of Indie Rock and probably like the Lemonheads they would be a cult band now! There's twelve tracks in all and annoyingly they sound similar so it's almost impossible to pick out the ones that stand out. I would have liked to have seen a bit more balls in the music and vocal delivery. However fans of this scene will probably dig this band just like Buffalo Tom of the Lemonheads/Replacements does. It just wasn't for me despite the tight musicianship throughout. 6.5/10
Boss Tuneage
Release Date: May 19th 2008
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BRIGADE - Pilot: This is the first single to be taken from Brigade's forthcoming album 'Come Morning We Fight' released in May 08. This highly charged rock number is a great choice of song to be released as a single and once you hear this rock quartet in action you'll realise just what a class act these guys really are. It's great that these guys have pulled together to write such a fine song such as 'Pilot' – This is a truly classic rock song. 'Yes It Is' is the second track on this single and what wicked track to follow on with. Brigade has set some high standards and this single is all the proof you need! If you've not heard Brigade before then this single is a great starting point. 9/10
Caned And Able Records/ Brigade
Release Date: April 28th 2008
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BRIGADE - Come Morning We Fight Sampler: I really hate it when labels send out these sampler promos out as you only get a few tracks to work on instead of sending out the full album. What you get here are six energetic tuneful rock tunes that will blow you away. Going on the basis of tracks like 'Pilot', 'Stunning' and 'Together Apart' you're going to be hearing one hell of an album. Brigade have certainly raised the playing level with this second album as their debut was always going to be a hard to follow but this rock quartet have achieved that. 'Come Morning We Fight' is certainly going to be one of 2008's best albums and that is down to four young lads who've given it their all with this album. There's not many bands doing the rounds these days who could write such a potent album and I for one really do recommend you check this album and band out! 9.5/10
Caned And Able Records / Brigade
Release Date: May 12th 2008
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BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE - Hearts Burst Into Fire: This is the latest single release from the 'Scream Aim Fire' album and what an excellent choice they've made. This song is by far the catchiest number of the album with plenty of melodic rock being played throughout this song. One can understand why a band gets to be huge with songs like 'Hearts Burst Into Fire'. As a bonus on this single you get the acoustic version of this song which will be a much appreciated by their fans. Bullet For My are set to become the biggest Metal band in the world and with releases like this who can possible argue? 9/10
Columbia Records
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DANGER - Californian Red: Danger are a Glam Rock band from Sweden and on first listen to this disc I was impressed. That impressed I've been playing it ever since! There's three tracks on this baby and all of them worthy of being on this release. In fact any of these songs could have been the main track. Kicking off the proceedings in 'Californian Red' which grabs you from the first moments and 'Remedy To My Energy' and 'Midnight Teaser' just have the same affect. Certainly a band well worth tracking down if you like your Rock 'N' Roll with plenty of Glam thrown in. 9/10
Danger On My Space
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DANGER - Shove It Up Your Azz: Like the above this CD shows some top quality tunes being played especially with the title track 'Shove It Up Your Azz'. This catchy Rock N Roll tune is something that has to be played loud to fully appreciate and I can promise you once that sound gets inside your head you'll be getting that air guitar out. Absolutely brilliant! Next up is 'Diamond Lightz' which is a great follow on track. Just listen to those guitars. The closing number 'On The Run' slows things down a little with a more rockier sound but what the hell as it's a great number and one which will bring them a lot of attention. Danger are a well talented band and I for one can't wait for an album! 9.5/10
Danger On My Space
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EATER - The Album: The re-issuing of Eater material is wearing a bit thin now as they didn't record much in the first place! However this is the best re-issue I've seen so far. All Eater's recordings are on this double CD. On the first disc is the infamous Eater album which is filled with sixteen punk rock classics such as 'Public Toys', 'Get Raped' and 'I Don't Need It'. On the second disc are the reissues of all Eater's singles which are really hard to find plus some live tracks taken from the Roxy Live albums. OK this all sounds a bit dated but fans of Eater and early Punk Rock will enjoy this release as this release is a slab of Punk Rock history. Not only do you get the full recordings from Eater but this also comes well packaged with some great sleeve notes from Alex Ogg, Andy Blade and Dee Generate. 8/10
Cherry Red Records
__________________________ ECHOVALVE - Helloagaingoodbye: Like most modern rock acts Echovalve play some great melodic riffs with up-tempo/screamo vocals that many youngsters enjoy. However I have to admit that Echovalve pull this sound off better than most bands playing this style of music. Much of this realism in the band's sound is down to them living the rock lifestyle to then having to deal with alcohol and drug addictions which led to them starting again and producing this solid album. There's eleven tracks in all and not one filler either but for me tracks like 'Dirty Little Secret', 'You Don't Want Me Anymore', 'Prelude' and the title track 'Helloagaingoodbye' are by far best numbers on here. If you really need any more convincing to check out this release I can safely say you're going to hear one of the best albums released in 2008 and I don't say that lightly either! These guys have done the business and they all play their part in making this a rather enjoyable experience. 8.5/10
Rock Ridge Music
Release Date: April 21st 2008
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ENJOY DESTROY - Little Dreams: It's good to see more and more youngsters picking up instruments instead of creating dreadful noises created in the studio and trying to pass it off as music! Enjoy Destroy are an up and coming band who play some kick ass rock and although a commercial sound I think they'll be sure to pick up a few fans from the more independent side of rock too! 'Little Dreams' is and eleven track album and it's fair to say there's no fillers here and the proof can be found in songs such as 'Music To Love You To', 'Take Me To Drover', 'Little Dreams', 'Screamer' and 'Glad We Met You'. This is certainly one album that deserves a listen and once you hear this you wont want to take it out your player. Not sure about the packaging and inner booklet but who cares when you get some catchy rock tunes on the disc that comes inside the packaging! 9/10
Fire One/Enjoy Destroy
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FANDANGLE - Fly Away: I haven't heard anything from this American-fronted Ska/Punk band in ages so this album was a very welcome package through my door. Recorded in LA with help from Grammy winner 'David Donelly' who's worked with the likes of Aerosmith, Pink and Velvet Revolver. Also featuring on this release includes Jason Freese (Green Day), Aaron Barrett and Ryland Steen (Real Big Fish) and Greg Bergdorf of Zebrahead. From the opening track 'Once Over' you're treated to some great Ska/Punk which in places also has a Soul feel too. Tracks such as 'Sit Back, Just Relax', 'Cheap Escape', 'Pornstars (Aren't For Everyone), 'Bones' and 'At Least I Tried' will soon have you skankin' wherever you maybe when you're tuned in to this cool album. 'Fly Away' is catchy and very infectious and once played you'll never want to turn it off! Top stuff from Fandangle here. 9.5/10
Party House Records
Release Date: 26th May 2008 ___________________________ ISOSCELES - Kitch Bitch/Watertight: This band tend to remind of the Pixies meets early Fuzzbox and you can spot those influences throughout 'Kitch Bitch'. A Good solid Pop number that is sure to win Isosceles some new fans. Not too sure about the flip side 'Watertight' I'm sure there'll be people who like it though I know more will go for 'Kitch Bitch'. Certainly a band to be looking out for and I hope get around to putting out an album in 2008. 7/10
Art Goes Pop RecordsRelease Date: April 21st 2008
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I WALK THE LINE - Black Wave Rising: This is the first time I've heard this Finnish Punk band and to say I'm impressed is an understatement as they have a cool as fuck sound. Music wise the band sound a cross between New Model Army, Rocket From The Crypt, Tiger Army and latter day Ultima Thule all rolled in to one with a 60's style Organ thrown in for good measure. The vocals are spot on with Ville sounding very similar to Mike Ness from Social Distortion. Put all these great ingredients together sees I Walk The Line put together one of the best Rock N Roll albums you'll hear in 2008. There's twelve tracks in all including a reworked version of their Finnish chart hit 'Monster' but that isn't the only corker on here. Just listen to the opening track 'Behind The Veil', 'Black Wave Rising', 'Rocky Roads Of The Underworld', 'Today' and 'Stranger In Paradise' all of whom could hold their own against band doing the rounds today. When people say Punk is dead they're wrong and it's albums like this that keeps he fire burning in this scene of ours. 9.5/10
Boss Tuneage
Release Date: May 19th 2008
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KAREN DAVID - The Live Sessions EP: This five track release combines traditional Asian sounds with Western pop music and while it's a pleasant listen I can't see this reaching many people into the pop scene as they are too blinkered and judging by the charts of today have poor taste too! However for those with a bit of adventure will get a lot of pleasure of this CD. For starts Karen David has one hell of a great voice and luckily enough has some excellent musicians playing with her on the 'Live Sessions EP'. Both Karen and her band are captured well here and what's more these recordings have been made without the aid of any computers etc. There's not one bad song on this release and once you get through the fact that this release isn't written and or recorded in the same tradition as many other artists of today then you'll realise why I rate this lady so much! 8.5/10
Foshfin Music
Karen David On My Space
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KREOSOTE - Dirty Pint: I rushed home with this eight track CD thinking these were an Oi! band but when I finally put it in the CD tray and the opening track 'Ratatat' started to play I cringed. Forget that I mentioned the word Oi! as these are more an eighties basic styled Punk band and to me a sound that I didn't care for back then and one I don't care for now! Even the lyrics are something out of the eighties. I didn't really enjoy any part of this CD and I'd have thought that these guys would have learned to play their instruments in a more creative way! 4/10
Kreosote/Cockbucket Records
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LANGHORNE SLIM - S/T: Never heard of this chap before and while Langhorne Slim isn't my thing I'm sure there's plenty of people out there who'd really get into these thirteen Folk/Rock songs. Opening up with 'Spinning Compass' this album really does contain some quality musicianship from Langhorne's band throughout and it's fair to say there are no fillers. Some of the tracks worth checking out are 'Restless', 'Colette', 'Diamonds And Gold', 'Oh Honey' and the closing track 'Hummingbird'. Having played this a few times I can see this guy winning a few new fans but I can't see this appealing to the masses as Folk still is a genre not entirely appreciated by the mainstream. Still you never know how this album will go down until you hear it so why not give it a chance? 8/10
Kernado Records
Release Date: April 28th 2008
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LEGION OF PARASITES - Another Disaster: Legion Of Parasites hail from the Crass/Anarcho Punk era and were a tad hit and miss to be honest. Most of their early stuff is worth avoiding unless you like the early Anarcho Punk sound. Even the !2" 'Undesirable Guest' on Fightback Records wasn't too clever. Things don't start to pick up on this release until tracks thirteen to twenty six which are the recordings taken from their debut album 'The Prison Of Life' which to me was the making of Legion Of Parasites and the Punk/Thrashy sound they later became well known for. I guess by then they'd matured and with songs like 'Abused', 'Massacre', 'Sea Of Desecration' and 'Another Disaster' you couldn't really go wrong. This comes well packaged with some great sleeve notes but despite all that this release is only going to be of interest to L.O.P. fans and the wider Anarcho Punk audience. 6.5/10
Overground Records
Release Date: May 5th 2008
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LINCHPIN - All That Glitters: This band kick ass live and it's a shame more of that live performance ciuldn't have been captured in the studio. I remember the Alarm used to have the same problems and once Linchpin get some more dosh behind them they'll put a release OUT I know they're capable of doing. Having said that 'All That Glitters' isn't a bad release and a good introduction to this London based Pop-Punk/Rock band. The tunes are there and well played throughout all six tracks. My favourites on this six track release are 'Let's Dance', 'Jump Jump' and the title track 'All That Glitters'. From them tracks alone you can tell that these guys can rock and I guarantee they're a taster to get you off your arse and to pop along and see Linchpin live. 7.5/10
Linchpin On My Space
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NO USE FOR A NAME - The Feel Good Record Of The Year: The title sums it up for me as this album makes you feel really good and I don't say that lightly either. There's fourteen great songs on this release and not one filler either. Even the slower numbers 'Sleeping Between Trucks', 'Ontario' and 'Kill The Rich' fit so well inbetween the more punkier numbers. I just love the way NUFAN have put this album together as they've taken the best elements from their past releases and with some excellent new ideas have come to produce one of the best albums you'll hear in 2008. As well as writing good tunes it also helps having some great lyrics too and having accomplished this you'll be totally blown away by this Californian four-piece. For me the best numbers include 'I Want To Be Wrong', 'Under The Garden', 'The Trumpet Player', 'Night Of The Living Living' and 'The Dregs Of Sobriety'. Tony Sly and Dave Nassie play some cool tunes on their guitars with Matty Riddle complementing those guitars with some solid bass lines. Vocal delivery from Tony Sly is spot on as usual and has to be one of the best vocalists to come out of the American Punk Rock scene for years. Also credit to Rory Koff for some top drumming and keeping it all in time. Not only do you get a wicked album you also get a top production and decent packaging for your money. An album to miss out on? No way! This fourteen track baby is a must! 10/10
Fat Wreck Chords
Release Date: April 1st 2008
Joint Album Of The Month
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PILGRIM FATHERS - Short Circular Walks In The Hope Valley: I don't know what to make of this band to be honest. Some of the tracks are ok but others are a little too progressive/psychedelic for me. I like my music simple and catchy and as you can guess by now much of this isn't! I can see what Pilgrim Fathers are trying to do but this really is only going to appeal to fans of the band and psychedelic music in general. There's ten tracks in all and I got into about two of them and that was enough for me despite playing this album about three times. If your love of music expands to the progressive/psychedelic sounds then maybe you ought to check this band out? If not then give this a miss! 5/10
Undergroove Records
Release Date: April 28th 2008
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SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES - From Southside To Tyneside: Despite Southside Johnny writing and playing music for several decades this is the first time I've ever heard this Rhythm And Blues band. I wasn't expecting much from this double CD release but I was pleasantly surprised by most of the tracks on here. Even the few cover versions they do they make their own and for a live recording the quality is amazing and any Rhythm And Blues enthusiast will love this release. For me the best tracks on this CD include 'Baby Don't Lie', 'All Night Long', 'Gin Soaked Boy', 'Coming Back' and 'All I Needed Was You'. The quality of live show that Southside Johnny and his band put on is spot on and this release is proof of that. Not only that but this CD comes well packaged with sleeve notes about the songs on this release written by Southside Johnny himself. I really can't recommend this one highly enough for fans of this music. To miss out on this twenty two track live recording would be sheer criminal. 8.5/10
Secret Records
Release Date: 28th April 2008
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STORY OF THE YEAR - The Black Swan: I have to say I was blown away by this thirteen track album simply because it's not predictable and unlike most Epitaph bands these five guys have something to say with some excellent lyrics that are socially/morally aware! The delivery of both the music and words is second to none and I for one believe everyone should give this a listen. There's some classic rock tunes on here with some great guitar delivery from both Ryan Phillips and Philip Sneed. The bass lines from The Skull certainly match the guitars and Josh Wills keeps it all together on with some amazing playing of the drums. Complementing these fine musicians on vocals is Dan Marsala who delivers the words with passions and sincerity. Story Of The Year have got it spot with this third album and the proof can be found in 'Wake Up' which was a hit song for these guys. Not only that but there's other great tracks such as 'Tell Me', the title track 'Black Swan', 'Message To The World' which is my favourite song on this album, 'We're Not Gonna Make It' and the Piano driven 'Terrified'. In fact every song is worth a listen and on hearing this album you'll know that these five lads haven't compromised on anything. John Feldmann and Elvis Baskette who are both known for their work with the likes of Good Charlotte, Atreyu, The Used, Escape The Fate and Puddle Of Mudd undertake production duties and do a blinding job too! Not only that but the quality of packaging is spot on. 'The Black Swan' is almost certainly going to be one of the hi-lights of 2008. You'd be insane to pass this baby up!
Epitaph Records
Release Date: 21ST April 2008
Joint Album Of The Month
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YOUNG HEART ATTACK - Rock And Awe: Young Heart Attack are a new band to me and what I heard on this new album I really enjoyed. The Dual Male/Female vocals from Chris Hodge and Jennifer Stephens work so well together and certainly gel with the well played Rock tunes. Some may say that the tunes may not be original sounding and those people do have a point but the band make up for that with some quality musicianship. There's certainly a lot of confidence surrounding this band and the proof of that can be found in all the songs on this release. Some of my faves include 'Hell On Earth', 'Runaway', 'Vacant Love' and 'Welcome To My World'. This five piece certainly need to be checked out. Fans of the modern Rock N Roll sound will love Young Heart Attack. 8/10
Not OnYour Radio Records
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VARIOUS ARTISTS - Elvis Inspirations Vol 2: Some may see this as a cash in on the Elvis legacy but others would argue that at long last some of the artists that Elvis covered or inspired him get their recognition at long last. I see this as a bit of both but in fairness to Secret at least they've packaged well giving the purchaser value for money. It's good to see a thirty six page booklet accompanying this release that tells the story of each song on this release. There's fourty songs spanning over two discs with artists such as Johnny Ace, Gene Autry, The Eagles, The Spinners, Ella Fitzgerald and Big Joe Turner making an appearance. What this release also shows is the amount of female artists that Elvis actually covered – This is something many Elvis fans are unaware of. If you're a fan of music from the late fourties and fifties or just want to hear the songs that Elvis either covered or was inspired by you can't go far wrong with this well packaged release. 8/10
Secret Records
Release Date: 21st April 2008
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