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Metallica - Death Magnetic

THE fierce rows and wrangles that spawned 2003’s St Anger album almost ripped Metallica apart, hence a break of almost five years during which James Hetfield says they rediscovered their hunger. Read

Groove Armada - Lovebox Festivals and Fiestas

WITH the pitiful British summer fading away into a stream of booze, bands and boogies, it’s time for the annual spate of follow-up compilation albums. Read

Todd Rundgren - Arena

ROCK’S nearly man remarkably releases his 21st album in a solo career stretching back close on four decades, and decides to return to his roots with an unashamedly retro ramble which borrows from bigger bands. Read

New Kids On The Block - The Block

WE’VE had comebacks from Take That, and The Spice Girls. And now it’s time for the ultimate boyband to have a stab at fame once again. Read

Staind - The Illusion Of Progress

IT'S seven years since anthemic single It’s Been Awhile sent Staind soaring into rock’s premiership, culled from chart-topping album Break The Cycle. Trouble is, it became a millstone and subsequent sets failed to live up to the hype. Read

CSNY - Deja Vu Live

THE decision by Crosby Stills Nash & Young to reunite for the Freedom Of Speech tour in 2006 met with mixed reviews, and live highlights reveal why. Read

Little Man Tate - Nothing Worth Having

THERE must be something in the water up in Sheffield. With their second album, indie heroes Little Man Tate are set to leave hometown pals Arctic Monkeys out in the cold. Read

Narada Michael Walden - Awakening/The Dance Of Life

NARADA Michael Walden, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, is amongst the most successful US record producers ever. Read

Gerry and The Pacemakers - The Very Best Of

GERRY Marsden formed the original Gerry and the Pacemakers in Liverpool back in 1960, along with Les Chadwick on bass guitar, Les McGuire on keyboards and Gerry’s brother Fred on drums. Next week Gerry celebrates his 66th birthday. Read

My World - Bryn Christopher

DON'T be fooled by the album cover – Bryn Christopher is not your usual drippy singer/songwriter that we’ve been bombarded with lately. From the first track Help Me you’re hooked by his powerful vocals, and his funky soulful sound. Read

Southside Johnny - Grapefruit Moon

HE was once reckoned to be a rival to Springsteen but these days Southside Johnny and his Asbury Dukes play sweaty venues like the Robin in Bilston to the fiercely loyal faithful. Read

Various - Rock ‘N’ Rolla

IT is criminally good, the coolest soundtrack of the year. But then what would you expect from Ian Neil, the man who selects the songs for Guy Ritchie’s gangster Britflicks? Read

Michael Jackson: King Of Pop

TO mark his 50th birthday, here’s a shameless re-hash of Jacko’s hits all of which the faithful will already own, either from first time round or in the definitive History set. Read

Gomez - Bring It On 10th Anniversary Edition

FRIGHTENING to think it’s 10 years since we were swept up in the enthusiasm engendered by Gomez’ cocktail of rootsy Americana and electronics. Read

The Verve - Forth

IT'S known as Lead Singeritis. Read

Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun

HE is one of popular music’s most deeply revered figures, a legendary writer, producer, arranger and performer of some of the most cherished music in rock history. Read

Chris Rea - The Ultimate Collection (Crimson)

CHRIS Rea was born and raised in Middlesborough in 1951, of Italian and Irish parents, and broke onto the scene in 1978 with Fool If You Think It’s Over (a hit again four years later for Elkie Brooks). Read

Aretha Franklin - Aretha (SPV Blue Label)

ARETHA Franklin is recognised as the Queen of soul, with close to 100 hits on the American Billboard Hot 100 and a string of Grammy awards. This fascinating album, recorded in 1960, shows us where her illustrious recording career began. Read

ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK - The Dark Knight (Warner)

WHEN called upon to write the soundtrack to the darkest Batman movie yet, Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard decided to dispense with a hummable hero theme, instead building densely layered cellos and double basses to reflect the complex character of the caped crusader and his Joker nemesis. Read

CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Brotherhood

ODDS are you’ll already have most of this compilation, either on the original albums or the Singles 93-03 collection. Galvanize, Block Rockin’ Beats, Star Guitar and Hey Boy Hey Girl are among familiar faces as Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons play this weekend’s V Festival. Read

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