Rocktopia: Marseille - 'Unfinished Business' - CD Reviews

Liverpool based Marseille were one of many bands of the late 70s/early 80s hard rock boom who were badly stung by record labels, splitting soon after their third album was released in 1984 to seemingly never be heard from again. Four fifths of the band would drift back into obscurity whilst a career switch by guitarist Neil Buchanan would see his star rise as a TV presenter on children's shows like No. 73 and his own Art Attack. Having grown tired of the TV world he sold the Art Attack franchise for a tidy sum and set about putting the band back together with the full original line-up. http://ping.fm/JTEXi

Rocktopia: Robin Beck - 'The Great Escape'. World exclusive album preview!

Having floored me once back in 1989 with her awesome debut, the seminal 'Trouble Or Nothin', it seems like Robin Beck is about to do it all over again with her forth-coming release 'The Great Escape'. Check out the exclusive snippets of all songs here on Rocktopia and judge for youself! http://ping.fm/1yBmw

Rocktopia: Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz - 'My Regeneration' - CD Review

When I first heard about Joe Elliott's project with members of the Quireboys I wasn't sure it would work, especially given that all the songs were to be by Joe's favourite musicians of all time – Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter and their various later bands – Mott and British Lions. I also thought I wouldn't know any of the material – I was so wrong on both counts! This is a collection of some of the best straight ahead rock songs you will ever hear and without realising it, will probably know several of already. http://ping.fm/4otux

Rocktopia: Devo - 'Something For Everybody' - CD Review

After twenty years Devo have finally released a new album and all I can say is, it was worth the wait. Interestingly, the band posted soundbytes of sixteen songs on their website and asked fans to vote for their favourites, of which they took the top twelve and put them on the album, hence the title I guess. They're all three minute pop songs, but then you wouldn't expect anything other from these masters of synth pop-rock. 'Please Baby Please', 'Don't Shoot' and 'What We Do' are amongst the most infectious songs I've ever heard and as good as any of the material from the 'Whip It' era. http://ping.fm/NbIZz

Rocktopia: Dweezil Zappa - 'Return Of The Son Of ...' - CD Review

Love him or hate him, Frank Zappa was nothing if not prolific. Now, in the midst of another Zappa Plays Zappa hectic tour schedule, Dweezil Zappa has released the live album 'Return Of The Son Of ...' – Zappa fans will know that the missing word is Shagoogagoogagunga, but I just wanted to put it in for those who didn't. On a two disc release, Dweezil has managed to choose just fourteen tracks to grace us with. http://ping.fm/0zW1l

Rocktopia - Official new Skin video on Youtube

The official video for 'Born To Rock 'n' Roll', from UK rock act Skin, is on Youtube now. The video features footage of the band performing the song from their appearance at this year's Download festival. The song itself is available as a free download from the bands website. http://ping.fm/1yRfq

Rocktopia - Black Country Communion cracks the UK album charts

Black Country Communion’s self titled debut album has charted at 13 in the Official UK Top 40 Album Chart - www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/albums The album has also hit #1 in Official UK Top 40 Rock Album Chart (www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rockalbums) and #2 in the Official UK Top 40 Indie Album Chart (www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/indiealbums). http://ping.fm/KRbTa