endianness

The world's most consistently average arena rock group Ghost is back again to deliver satanic metal for folks who aren't quite ready for the likes of Dissection. There's nothing impressive here, nor is there anything particularly bad—Prequelle is more of the same gimmick. This type of thing has been done better before, most notably by Mercyful Fate who took tired tropes of the 80's and caricatured them into b-movie pulp, yet even they couldn't stretch this concept past two albums.

A live album that's split into two parts. The first section was recorded before Edo Akemi was hospitalized; it has more energy than the later material on this release but unfortunately, it suffers from abysmal production resulting in listening that's more a chore than it's worth. The second half contains material recorded post-hospitalization and quality wise sounds marginally better but it's much tamer and doesn't have the same edge that makes Jagatara's best stuff engaging.

Coming from such an important group in the post-punk scene, having Gang of Four make such a harsh departure from their original sound infuriated many fans but I don't think the new-wave angle is such a strange departure. Both Entertainment and Solid Gold have dance sensibilities so the style shift works—even if it's lyrically lacking in comparison. There's a fun album to be found here but only if you're willing to accept that Hard is a deviation from their more essential work.

Sporting sick ascots and shades while rockin' on the guitar—the OJ boys are the coolest kids in the cul-de-sac. Orange Juice takes the post-punk style and slathers bits of adult contemporary, dub, and their love of 60's pop resulting in a spirit that falls within' the same ballpark as more artsy punk groups of the time while managing to keep their own identity. If you want your punk middle-class and full of snide, Orange Juice is a comfortable listen with an extra kick.