Before the phrase “Italian power metal” sends you screaming for the exits, know that Secret Sphere craft a pretty sweet Dream Theater-style instrumental opener.
Now nearly twice the length of the English vinyl original due to the many contemporaneous tracks tacked on over the years, bursts with expanded possibilities.
Their integrity and refusal to bow to fad except as it suits them remains a model of the punk ethos and an iconoclastic beacon for unorthodox music-makers.
With the twin-babe presence of Brix and keyboardist Marcia Schofield adding sex appeal, The Fall crafted one of the least challenging records of their career.
Kurious is a perfect snapshot of a band, a country and a planet teetering on total collapse and Smith channels the tension into a handful of brilliant songs.