New release:

The Coral - Coral Island

This ambitious concept album (the band’s 10th, and their first double) draws us into the world of a fictional seaside town and its seasonal cycles.

Influenced by their upbringings on the Wirral peninsula, ’Coral Island’ evokes memories of the bustle of the busy summer months (with all their accompanying entertainments), and what happens when the days turn colder, shorter and bleaker, the attractions close and the tourists leave. Also explored are the senses of both excitement and unease which such places can instil in you.

The 15 tracks are knitted together by spoken word pieces performed by Ian and James Skelly’s grandad, bringing to mind something like the second side of the Small Faces’ album ’Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake’. Further immersion into this world comes in the shape of an accompanying book written by keyboardist Nick Power.

Critics are already referring to this as The Coral’s ’masterpiece’, their ’magnum opus’.

Sounds Pick:

Fu Manchu - The Action Is Go

This ’stoner rock’ classic from 1997 is being reissued on vinyl as part of Fu Manchu’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

It’s considered to be a pillar of the genre, along with albums by the likes of Kyuss (whose ex-drummer, Brant Bjork, plays on TAIG), Monster Magnet and Sleep from earlier in the decade.

Punk and hardcore are as much of an influence as Black Sabbath and other 1970s’ rock luminaries, meaning there’s often a sense of urgency and element of aggression to the fuzzed-out riffs.

Topping it all off is the cover; an iconic, late 1970s’ shot of skateboarding legend Tony Alva above the lip of an empty Southern California swimming pool.

Speaking of skating, players of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 will be familiar with album opener ’Evil Eye’.

l Reviews written by Ed Oldham and Jack Doyle. Available from Sound Records, 9 to 11, Duke Street, Douglas.