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MUSIC REVIEWS

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We take a studied gaze into the latest vinyl reissues available, in-store and online (while stocks last)!

Neil Young performing with Crazy

Horse in Mainz, Germany (2014). Image by Takahiro Kyono

Metallica Kill 'Em All (1983) , and Ride the Lightning (1984)

Neil Young Harvest Moon (1992) The surprise success of Neil Young's multi platinum 1972 album Harvest – and its number one single Heart of Gold – wasn't part of the artist's plan going forward. Not wanting to be tagged a singer songwriter, Young's follow-up release, Time Fades Away (which arrived just one year after Harvest ), was a live album of previously unreleased songs, recorded with Young's hard rocking band The Stray Gators. Seventeen albums later came Harvest Moon. Released in 1992 and widely touted as the real follow-up to Harvest , the album celebrates its 30th birthday with a newly remastered double vinyl release. All acoustic, it's a reflective and laid back affair with songs about family ( You And Me , Dreamin' Man , One of These Days ) and even a tribute to his dog, Old King . Such a Woman (with an 18-piece string section) remains a memorable love song, and From Hank to

Metallica wasted no time making their presence felt in the thriving metal underground of the early '80s. While the charts were being dominated by the decadent extravagance of glam metal, the Bay Area thrash scene was quickly evolving into a force to be reckoned with, galvanising a fervent fanbase seeking a more authentic and visceral musical experience. From the crucible of this scene, Metallica emerged with their debut album Kill ‘Em All, setting in motion a seismic shift that would forever transform the landscape of the music industry. The super-speed tempo at which Metallica played (see Hit the Lights and Whiplash ), combined with the fury that inspired their songcraft ( The Four Horsemen, Seek & Destroy ) had audiences clamouring for more. And Metallica delivered in a big way on their follow-up Ride the Lightning – widely

regarded as one of heavy metal’s finest hours. On this sophomore record, the uncompromising style displayed on Kill 'Em All persisted – yet the band had evolved significantly as musicians and songwriters. The compositions became more intricate, the lyrical themes revealed greater nuance, and the production underwent a substantial enhancement. Ride the Lightning bestowed upon us the timeless anthems For Whom the Bell Tolls and Creeping Death, along with the infamous Fade to Black . While this last hit is not a ballad in the conventional sense, it distinguishes itself through introspective lyrics and a more restrained and melodic approach, setting it apart from Metallica's other early material. No one could have predicted that Metallica would grow into the world-beating monolith (and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!) that they are today. But with the benefit of hindsight, the

signs were unmistakable. Kill ‘Em All and Ride the Lightning established the foundations; the rest was simply an inevitability. (UMR/Mercury) Alex Burgess

Hendrix speaks for itself. (Reprise) Billy Pinnell

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Eurodance was at the zenith of its moment In early 1994, so when Danish five-piece Cut 'N' Move flung their adorable hit Give it Up into the world this time 30 years ago, Australians responded with complete glee. The track stayed at number one on the ARIA chart for all four weeks of February, and also reached the peak spot in the UK, Ireland, and its native Denmark. The song is a cover of the original by KC and the Sunshine band, which was released in 1982. It marked a massive comeback for the American disco-funk group after the ripple effects of 1979's Disco Demolition Night, and hit number three in Australia at the time.

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Cut 'N' Move vocalists Zindy Laursen and Thera Hoeymans in the clip for Give it Up (1994)

30 FEBRUARY 2024

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