Quicksand deserve your attention, deserve another chance. Not out of sentimentality, loyalty, hipster revisionism or any other misguided motivation, but because they have made a really excellent new album.

A great pick n mix of groovy oddities and raging, underground lost treasures.

It’s more than rock a show, cult-ish but inclusive, a celebration of otherness and the mysteries of the universe.

Stylish if heavily stylized, single-minded, artistic and yet surprisingly commercial Kroh have created something truly special on ‘Pyres’. This may be the start of something special.

Paul drawls a few lines then the crowd whoops as the band set off on another bloody massive choogle. . . Ladies are dancing, arms are waved, beers are chugged, but mostly it’s a slow, hypnotic group frug, don’t pee on my rug, dude-tastic rocking hoe down.

Exile In The Outer Ring will only enhance EMA’s reputation as a talented and fascinating artist.

Fans of the band and their previous works will no doubt find something to enjoy on ‘Love From With The Dead’, but personally I would hope for more from musicians as revered as these.

All in all, this is a triumph. Go ahead and enjoy that new Quicksand album, but Dead Heavens are equally worthy of your time.

The best tracks here are all singular in their delights and are all equally surprising in small ways.

One fine rock n’ roll album – you will be pumping your limbs and hollering like the ghost of Joe Strummer

This album is an absolute triumph.

Only a churl would criticise an album that comes with such a heartwarming tale and several of these songs will be accompanying me on my travels over the summer.

Exodus are still at the forefront of the genre. This isn’t a heritage act for misty-eyed old rockers, Exodus is still very much the real deal.

‘Music For Megaliths’ is at times a genuinely effective and affecting piece of art, with a rare depth and sensitivity.

Twenty six minutes of utterly committed, intense, gonzoid thrashing, Feral Ohms is like a grungier Reign In Blood. You may consider that a recommendation.

Yep, whatever your preference, commercial or cult, there is something for everyone on Friday at Desertfest, Camden.

There is so much to enjoy on Kidal, so many deft and beautiful performances, that you cannot help but feel a solidarity with and respect for Tamikrest

Hot Thoughts proves what an enormous amount of promise Spoon still have in their locker.

This album is about as weird as it gets, but if you don’t enjoy it then you’re even fucking weirder. Instant classic.

A few more tunes like ‘Age of the Raven’ and a tighter editing on the songs and shorter track listing and this could have been a much more impressive debut.

From it’s confrontational title and all the way through it’s punishing noise and scabrous lyrics Why Love Now shows that the scum will always rise to the top.