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Week Ending:
25 November 2023

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Album Of The Week

How Do We Rate Album Of The Week?

TheBigBlack


Nirvana Logo

MTV Unplugged In New York

Nirvana - MTV Unplugged In New York (1994)

[Grunge Rock]

United States

Rating - 5 Stars

To say Kurt Cobain had become an icon of a generation post-suicide was a big call, but actually somewhat an understatement. His ghost loomed in hard rock everywhere, and certainly any band out of Seattle couldn't even sigh without fans clamouring to find hidden meaning in their laboured breath. It was inevitable that the flood gates of unreleased Nirvana material would pour forth to the masses quickly, but this first release (around 6 months after Cobain's death, timed of course to cash in on the Christmas market) was not what was expected - but it was certainly appreciated. Cobain's songwriting legacy to the general public was the loud/soft dynamic of so many Nirvana singles, so this album was a perfect way to help the world appreciate the subtleties of his songwriting. It also allowed him to explore some of his musical influences. MTV were looking for a set of hit singles, but what they got instead was a range of lesser known Nirvana songs stripped back (not quite unplugged, as Cobain insisted on amping his guitar still) played with a unique charm. Cobain was mostly zoned out for the performance, reportedly suffering from heroin withdrawal at the time, but every vocal moment still shines magically. Nirvana mega-fans already knew a couple of the covers played from various recent performances, but for those hearing songs like The Vaselines' 'Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam' (with Krist Novoselic on piano accordion) and the epic Lead Belly closer 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?' (something Cobain had toyed with for years) these were revelations. Bowie's 'The Man Who Sold The World' was also a very welcome surprise, but the addition of The Meat Puppets playing some of their own songs was like nothing in Unplugged history. It was a move typical of Cobain, once again showing that he played by no one's rules but his own.

mindkiller8


Metallica Logo

Metallica

Metallica - Metallica (1991)

[Thrash Metal]

United States

Rating - 5 Stars

The 5th album in their repertoire, this album single handedly broke many hearts, but equally won new ones. 'They have sold out', was the call as the singles released hit mainstream plays. It is a consequence of the general need to feed music fans with something new, a little left of centre. The likes of AC/DC in the hard rock space were a little quiet, so too were the likes of Van Halen who had their share of radio play in the past. Equally the band were moving on from arguably their greatest release, even up to this day. When you think of it, what band would not crunch on the carrot that could provide them with the wealth they couldn't even dream of as a bunch of teens in the early 80's sharing bedrooms etc? Even to this day, there is the old school and new school who start any discussion with 'when Metallica's first release came out in 1991...' OK, let's look at the record itself. Firstly it is different from previous releases, no doubt. If we skip over the singles that opened them up to a wider audience, you uncover some smart songs, not always at full speed, but equally as nasty. 'Sad But True' is the starting point. Mid album you find some fast paced, but very measured songs that still gives us the 'Yeeaahhaa' and 'Ohhww' from Het. My favourites come at the end of the album with 'God' and 'Misery' which finally has Jasonic applying his trade by himself. Final track is what we have expected over previous albums - a fast paced end, which leaves you in thought of it you will ever buy another record from them or not. I certainly did.


Core Discographies: This Year's Releases Coming Soon

These are new releases coming to Core Discographies soon.

All new releases are available.

Digital Library: New Additions

These are new releases added in the Digital Library this week. These will be tagged at a future date.

Digital Library Links: Digital Library

Click on any links below to see release details.



Aerosmith
Greatest Hits [Deluxe Edition]

[Album; Compilation]
2023
Rock


Aeternus
Philosopher

[Album]
17 November 2023
Death Metal


Amon Amarth
Heidrun

[E.P.]
4 August 2025
Death Metal (Melodic)

'Heidrun' is an E.P. by Amon Amarth.

Label(s):

Metal Blade Records Metal Blade Records (Region: International)

Attila Csihar
Void Ov Voices, Baalbek

[Album]
2023
Black Metal


Blink-182
One More Time.

[Album]
20 October 2023
Punk Rock


Bush
Loaded, The Greatest Hits (1994-2023)

[Album; Compilation]
10 Nove,ber 2023
Post-Grunge Rock

'Loaded, The Greatest Hits (1994-2023)' is a compilation album by Bush. It features singles from Bush's nine studio albums released up the that point, from their debut Sixteen Stone (1994) to The Art Of Survival (2023), a new song 'Nowhere To Go But Everywhere'.

Performer(s):

Gavin Rossdale Gavin Rossdale - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Chris Traylor Chris Traylor - Guitar [Member]

Location(s):

Studio 606 Studio 606 Some tracks.

Candlebox
The Long Goodbye

[Album]
25 August 2023
Grunge Rock

'The Long Goodbye' is the eighth and final studio album by Candlebox. The album was to be promoted with a farewell tour, after which the band would break up, with vocalist Kevin Martin citing a lack of support in the music industry and the high costs of touring.

Label(s):

Round Hill records Round Hill records (Region: International)

Corey Taylor
CMF2

[Album]
15 September 2023
Hard Rock

'CMFT' is the second solo studio album by Corey Taylor.

Performer(s):

Corey Taylor Corey Taylor - Vocals [Member]


Dethklok
Dethalbum IV

[Album]
22 August 2023
Death Metal

'Dethalbum IV' is the fifth studio album by Dethklok. The album was released along with the film 'Metalocalypse, Army Of The Doomstar'.


Dire Straits
Live (1978-1992)

[Album; Compilation]
2023
Rock

Performer(s):

Mark Knopfler Mark Knopfler - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Duff McKagan
Lighthouse

[Album]
20 October 2023
Hard Rock

'Lighthouse' is the fourth solo album by Duff McKagan.

Performer(s):

Duff McKagan Duff McKagan - Vocals / Guitar / Bass Guitar / Drums [Member]

Duff McKagan
This Is The Song

[E.P.]
10 May 2023
Hard Rock

Performer(s):

Duff McKagan Duff McKagan - Vocals / Guitar / Bass Guitar / Drums [Member]

Dying Fetus
Make Them Beg For Death

[Album]
2023
Death Metal





Melvins
Five Legged Dog

[Album]
15 October 2021
Grunge Rock

'Five Legged Dog' is the twenty-fifth album by Melvins. It contains acoustic versions of songs that appeared on earlier albums and is the first acoustic album released by the band.

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

The Cure
40 Live (Curation-25 + Anniversary)

[Album: Video]
2019
Alternative Rock


Airbourne
Diamond Cuts, The B-Sides

[Album; Compilation]
2017
Hard Rock


Airbourne
Breakin' Outta Hell

[Album]
2016
Hard Rock



Melvins
The Bulls & The Beas + Electroretard

[Album]
2015
Grunge Rock

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]


The Cure
Bestial Live 2011

[Album]
2011
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Hypnagogic States

[E.P.]
2008
Alternative Rock


Elvis Presley
The Essential

[Album; Compilation]
2007
Rock & Roll


Melvins & Halo Of Flies
H.O.F. M.O.F.

[E.P.; Compilation]
2007
Grunge Rock

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

Blink-182
Not Now

[Single]
2005
Punk Rock


Various Artists
We Reach, Music Of The Melvins

[Album]
2005
Grunge Rock

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

The Cure
The Cure

[Album]
2004
Alternative Rock



Loaded
Episode 1999, Live

[Album]
1999
Hard Rock

Performer(s):

Duff McKagan Duff McKagan - Vocals / Bass Guitar [Member]

Duff McKagan
Beautiful Disease

[Album]
1999
Hard Rock

Performer(s):

Duff McKagan Duff McKagan - Vocals / Guitar / Bass Guitar / Drums [Member]
Slash (Saul Hudson) Slash (Saul Hudson) - Guitar [Guest]
Izzy Stradlin Izzy Stradlin - Guitar [Guest]

Elvis Presley
Sunrise

[Album; Compilation]
1999
Rock & Roll


Melvins
Alive At The Fucker Club

[Album; Live]
?? September 1998
Grunge Rock

'Alive At The Fucker Club' is a live album by Melvins. The album was recorded August 23, 1997, at The Corner Hotel in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia. Melvins opened for the Cosmic Psychos in Richmond on August 22, August 23 and 24.

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

Dire Straits
Live At The BBC

[Album]
1995
Rock

Performer(s):

Mark Knopfler Mark Knopfler - Vocals / Guitar [Member]

Aerosmith
Box Of Fire

[Albums; Boxed Set; Reissue]
22 November 1994
Rock


Duff McKagan
Believe In Me

[Single]
1993
Hard Rock


The Cure
Sideshow

[E.P.]
1993
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Lost Wishes

[E.P.]
1993
Alternative Rock


Melvins
Your Choice Live Series Vol.12

[Album]
1991
Grunge Rock

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

The Cure
Assemblage CD Collection

[Albums; Boxed Set; Reissue]
1991
Alternative Rock


Melvins
Ozma / Gluey Porch Treatments

[Album; Reissue]
?? July 1989
Grunge Rock

Performer(s):

Buzz Osbourne Buzz Osbourne - Vocals / Guitar [Member]
Dale Crover Dale Crover - Drums [Member]

The Cure
Disintegration

[Album]
2 May 1989
Alternative Rock

'Disintegration' is the eighth studio album by The Cure. The record marks a return to the introspective gothic rock style the band had established in the early 1980s. As he neared the age of 30, vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith had felt an increased pressure to follow up on the band's pop successes with a more enduring work. This, coupled with a distaste for the group's newfound popularity, caused Smith to lapse back into the use of hallucinogenic drugs, the effects of which had a strong influence on the production of the album. It became the band's highest charting album to that point, reaching number three in the United Kingdom and at number 12 in the United States.


The Cure
The Peel Sessions

[E.P.]
1988
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

[Album]
1987
Alternative Rock


The Cure
The Head On The Door

[Album]
1985
Alternative Rock


The Cure
The Top

[Album]
1984
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Pornography

[Album]
1982
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Faith

[Album]
1981
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Seventeen Seconds

[Album]
1980
Alternative Rock


The Cure
Three Imaginary Boys

[Album]
1979
Alternative Rock


TheBigBlack's Last.FM Listening History

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