Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - Cold Roses (Lost Highway) By Steve Rudd

By God, this guy never ever seems to stop working. Despite a rather recent injury to one of his arms after an accident he had while playing a gig, this Country-Rocker is most definitely back on the scene - and not with just a few songs, but with a double-album that heralds a whole 19 brand new tracks. Granted, the total running time of both CDs combined comes to less than eighty minutes (so he could have theoretically crammed all 19 cuts on just the one CD), but that's by the by.

What's important is that this is yet another amazing release from Ryan, now armed with four musicians - that comprise the so-called Cardinals - to back his pursuits. The opening track of the first CD sets the tone in motion, as the mighty Magnolia Mountain oozes melancholic bliss. Sweet Illusions is acoustic-based, as are a large chunk of the songs, and is packed with a rare grace, with songs of a more rockier nature being few and far between on this release compared to some of the anthemic rock songs that Ryan has dynamically delivered in the past. Still, Beautiful Sorta is an excellent and upbeat rock song, and one that contrasts sharply with the sad and much slower nature of Now That You're Gone. The musicianship from all players is incredible, with Ryan being helped along on the guitar-abusing front by J.P. Bowersock on auxiliary six-string duty, along with Jon Graboff on Slide guitar. Cherry Lane is pure Countrified class (though, I guess, this strain of music is an acquired taste and either loved or loathed), How Do You Keep Alive is a gorgeously subdued classic, Dance All Night is heart-rendingly melodic, while Blossom proves to be beguilingly haunting. Cold Roses has been produced by Thomas Schick, who has also worked with Willy Mason. Release date: May 2nd 2005. www.ryan-adams.com

Music News - Bad Girls Collective By Carolyn
	As the house and dance music scene in England goes from strength to strength the city of Hull is supplying it with new and innovative DJs by the dozen. There are many good DJ's in this area and for its size and limited selling area, Hull is certainly keeping up with the rest of the country in its varied nights across the city and many new genres are being supported. There does seem to be a lack of Read more...

Album Reviews - The Automatic - Recover (B-Unique) By Steve Rudd Release Date: October 24th 2005
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CD/Album Reviews - Blind Frog Ernie - Inner Sanctum By Bernie Laverick
	Like skiffle, boogie and ragtime, the concept album seems almost like an ancient relic from a long gone era. But who could forget Rick Wakeman's epic The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table or even, The Six Wives of Henry Vlll? Riveting stuff! Even then, it was seen as self-indulgent pap, and quite Read more...

Single Reviews - Clor -Good Stuff (Regal) by Steve Rudd
	Fans who have been following this hugely exciting and innovative band right from the start might be glad to know that the original release of Good Stuff (when it featured on the band's limited edition Welcome Music Lovers EP) is now something of a much sought-after collector's item, with such a release Read more...

Single Reviews - Morning Runner - Be All You Want Me To Be (Parlophone) by Steve Rudd
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Album Reviews - Stoner - Life And Times (EP/Rhythmbank) By Steve Rudd
	Superficially judging by the cover photo of this stunning three-track EP release, one might blindly assume because this trio is comprised of three stylish young lads that the music will be of the all-out rock variety. They sure look ready to rock, and in spurts they do rock, but for the most part the music of Stoner is a refreshing diversion for rock fans in that there are strong elements of Soul Read more...

Single Reviews - Hey Negrita - Old Britannia by Steve Rudd
	Following-up their marvellous Devil In My Shoes single in captivating style, this is the second single from Hey Negrita, a London quartet that deserves to be huge. Pushing an intriguing style of music, elements of new-wave 'Country' and 'Pop' music dominate the lush and simply lovely sound. Old Britannia Read more...

Music News - Press Release - Introducing Paparazzi Whore
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Album/CD Reviews - Ricky - High Speed Silence (Beat Crazy Records) By Nick Quantrill
	Ricky were undoubtedly one of the music industry's success stories of 2004. Sheer determination, effort and no little talent saw the band's self-released single hit the national charts and the accompanying debut album receive a four-star review in 'Q' magazine. Now signed to Beat Crazy Records, their debut release for the label, Stop Knocking The Read more...

Music News - Ricky visit Hull Schools - 20th September 2005
	Jim Lines and Gary Rex of Portsmouth based band Ricky visited Hull as part of the relentless process of recording local school children performing a football chant. This is for their forthcoming single, a football inspired indie-anthem for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The premise is simple; wouldn't it be great to have the sound of a massive crowd at the beginning of the song to really add some Read more...

Music News - PRESS RELEASE - Bob Sinclair 'In The House' 3XCD Compilation (Defected Records) Release Date: 5th September 05
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Album Reviews - The Answer - Keep Believin' (EP Release/ALBERT) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
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Album Reviews - Fuji Heavy - Demo By Steve Rudd
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Album Reviews - The Apostacy - Demo By Steve Rudd
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Album Reviews - Edwina Hayes - Out On My Own (Radar) By Steve Rudd
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Music News - Mr Beasley - Radio 1 Tip Hull Band's Debut Single! By Matt Hill
	With Radio 1's One World show playing their debut white label single, this month Neon charts in DJ Magazine's top 40. So who are Mr Beasley and what's this new music they're making? After a few years of jamming, Bobby, Matt and Will met singer Sarah a year or so ago, and started to get some concrete ideas together. For the recent live gigs James has joined the line up on guitar Read more...