Album of the week through 2025

This list originally started as an experiment on BlueSky.

Most modern mainstream music never resonated with me, and let’s face it, a lot of it is generic, banal, and formulaic.

Until a few years ago, I didn’t think anyone made adventurous, intellectual rock music any more. But it's still very much alive, just completely hidden from the mainstream.

So this year, every Friday, I’m going to post to this list, a non-mainstream album that I love and that was released after 2010.

Artists at this level are really struggling. Neither recorded music nor touring makes any money until you hit the big time, they just do it for the love of it.

If you like what you hear, buy it if you’re able! It really makes all the difference.

Sirens

Odin Dragonfly

21/02/25

A duo spun off from the band Mostly Autumn. Heather Findlay on guitar and vocals; Angela Gordon on keyboards, flute, and vocals. This is their second album. The style is quite folksy ... simple instrumentation under some amazing harmony vocals!
The Similitude of a Dream

The Neal Morse Band

14/02/25

A conceptual Prog epic. It's loosely based on the story The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. Mike Portnoy (of Dream Theater fame) has described this album as "one of the defining works of his career".

If you like narrative driven conceptual rock in the vein of Tommy, Quadrophenia, or The Wall, then give this one a go!
Empath

Devin Townsend

07/02/25

This is one for metal fans. I never understood death metal until this album ... I guess because it's fairly eclectic and transcends any single genre.

I also think the song "Spirits Will Collide" is one of the greatest songs ever written. Of all time. My sanity has been questioned several times for this opinion, so make of that what you will.

Oh, and it also features Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger on a death metal track called "Hear Me". Go figure ...
Please Come Home (Bonus Tracks Edition)

Lonely Robot

31/01/2025

The first album under the "Lonely Robot" moniker by the genius that is John Mitchell and the first in the so-called "Astronaut Trilogy" of albums.

This album and its two "sequels" explore sci-fi themes such as the human condition, and the idea that life originated outside Earth. Conceptual space rock at its best!

The standout track for me is "Oubliette", with stellar vocals by Kim Seviour.
English Electric: Full Power (hi-resolution audio)

Big Big Train

24/02/2025

I'd describe Big Big Train as the personification of England in the form of a rock band, which is amusing because their current lineup only has one Englishman 😝. This was their second album with singer David Longdon who sadly passed away in 2021.

The highlights of this album for me are "Swan Hunter" which is about the ship building industry in the North-East, and "East Coast Racer" which tells the story of the LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard which holds the speed record for a steam locomotive.
Staring at the Moon

Jenny Colquitt

17/01/2025

I bought this album after seeing her support another band called The Beggs Sisters last year. It's just a great singer-songwriter style pop album. "Fallin' Angels" especially is an absolute banger.
Cardington

Lifesigns

10/01/2025

I discovered them in 2022 after enough people had recommended them that I had to check them out.

This is their second album, and the one that resonates with me the most, especially the track “Different”.
Light Up

Solstice

03/01/2025

My favourite discovery of 2024. I saw them at The 100 Club in London last year almost by accident. I'd gone to see the support act, Ebony Buckle!

Solstice completely blew me away. They're a fusion of folk, rock, and pure joy.