National Album Day 2019

For 70 years, the album has been the standard bearer for an artists musical work. Whether it was Frank Sinatra‘s records of the late 40s and early 50s to Elvis Presley‘s unforgettable debut in 1956.

The 60s were dominated by a 4 piece from Liverpool. All of The Beatles studio albums bar one (Yellow Submarine – which is technically a soundtrack) made it to number one spot. It is now 50 years since the masterpeice Abbey Road.

In the 70s there was even a genre spawned for capturing the sound of the album – Album Orientated Rock. The likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Yes & Genesis concentrated on creating more than a collection of singles but a single body of work which was designed to be listened to from start to finish.

Now as vinyl album sales are due to outstrip compact disc sales again National Album Day returns for it’s second year on Saturday, 12th October 2019.

The theme for the day is “Don’t Skip” – to encourage music lovers and also those new to music to discover albums – both new and classic – in full.

Artists compose complete bodies of work to tell stories get there musical ideas across to the listener

The theme will also serve to highlight the wellbeing and mental health benefits of album listening as a form of musical mindfulness.”

#NationalAlbumDay @AlbumDayUK @rockshotmaga #rockshotmag

National Album Day 2019: Songs To Remember by Scritti Politti

by Simon Jay | National Album Day 2019

I met Green Gartside once...at Green Man Festival in Wales...he posed for some pictures I took...I was gobsmacked and could not think of two words to say to him. For me it was a totally overwhelming experience just being face to face with him. I had just listened to...

National Album Day 2019: The Whole Story by Kate Bush

by Faultress | National Album Day 2019

I’ve chosen The Whole Story by Kate Bush - I know that makes me a horrible philistine to choose a greatest hits but I don’t care! One of my dearest and oldest friends Lucy gave this to me on CD for my 15th birthday and I was like ‘What? the Wuthering Heights woman?…...

National Album Day 2019: Dogviolet by Laurel

by Greta Jaime | National Album Day 2019

Laurel perfectly encapsulates what it’s like to be a music maker in today’s landscape of artists with more control over their sound. Her 2018 debut album Dogviolet struck me with a deep level of confidence in both vocal delivery and performance that few artists are...

National Album Day 2019: Ten by Pearl Jam

by Belle Piec | National Album Day 2019

I was 12 and a half years old when Pearl Jam’s Ten album came out. It had a huge effect on me and my life. The thundering rawness of it. It’s lyrics screamed right to me, pushing through into my young tormented world. You might wonder why would a 12yr old need to hear...

National Album Day 2019: The Wall By Pink Floyd

by Tony Creek | National Album Day 2019

When I was a young lad starting to try and get serious about music, I had discovered Led Zeppelin and AC/DC, but could not get into Pink Floyd. I knew I should, but having listened to my friends copy of Dark Side Of The Moon, i just did not get it. Then at the end of...

National Album Day 2019: Stars Of CCTV by Hard Fi

by Simon Reed | National Album Day 2019

Whilst sadly the fame and fortune wasn’t that long lived (the second and third albums couldn't match the brilliance of this and with the band on seemingly indefinite hiatus nobody seriously expects any more from them), Stars Of CCTV, the debut album from Staines...

National Album Day: Remain In Light By Talking Heads

by Phil Honley | National Album Day 2019

Almost thirty nine years to the day Talking Heads presented us with Remain In Light. I was hooked on these former art school students from the moment I heard Psycho Killer three years earlier but with Brian Eno working his production magic on this album it has never...

National Album Day 2019: Ultra by Depeche Mode

by Nils van der Linden | National Album Day 2019

Ultra isn’t the best Depeche Mode album. (That’s Violator.) It isn’t even my favourite Depeche Mode album. (That’s Songs of Faith And Devotion.) But it’s the one that changed my life. It was 1997. I was battling through a medical degree that I had no right doing in...

National Album Day: Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park

by Nicholas Pollard | National Album Day 2019

Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory was my first ever album and a very important and enduring eye opener for many listeners. In 2000, at aged 10, I put this album on my Christmas list based solely on word of mouth. A schoolfriend wouldn’t shut up about how desperate he was...

National Album Day 2019: The Bride by Bat For Lashes

by Simon Partington | National Album Day 2019

I've always thought Natasha Kahn's voice was beautifully melancholic, until this album best evidenced for me on tracks like Sad Eyes or the single Laura. With The Bride she uses her songwriting and performing talents superbly to tell a story of love and loss. The...

National Album Day 2019: the B52’s by The B52s

by Pauline | National Album Day 2019

I like a challenge in life. I like to push my comfort zone a little further everyday and I never stand defeated. But when we were asked to get involved with National Album Day 2019 and write about one album we don't skip and enjoy from start to finish, I started...

National Album Day 2019: There Is Nothing Left To Lose by Foo Fighters

by Nicola Greenbrook | National Album Day 2019

For this year’s National Album Day, I’m travelling back to 1999 and pulling There Is Nothing Left to Lose by Foo Fighters from the vaults. Dusting off a collection of music that I will always play in its entirety without skipping a track. The late ‘90s heralded change...

A Place To Bury Strangers (Holger Nitschke)

A Place To Bury Strangers Share Reflective New Single ‘Where Are We Now’ Ahead Of ‘Rare And Deadly’ Release

New York noise-rock outfit A Place To Bury Strangers have unveiled their latest single Where Are We Now, the third preview of their forthcoming rarities collection Rare And Deadly, due out on 3rd April.

Bloodworm Announce Debut EP ‘Blood & Lust’ And Share Haunting New Single ‘Alone In Your Garden’

Nottingham trio Bloodworm have unveiled their brooding new single Alone In Your Garden alongside news of their debut EP Blood & Lust, set for release on 24th April.

Mathias Kom and Michael Cloud Duguay (Noah Bender)

Mathias Kom & Michael Cloud Duguay Share Expansive New Track ‘Old Fire’ Ahead Of ‘Closed City’ Release

Mathias Kom and Michael Cloud Duguay have unveiled Old Fire, the latest track from their forthcoming collaborative album Closed City, due for release on 27th March.

Widowspeak Announce Seventh Album ‘Roses’ And Share Dreamy Lead Single ‘If You Change’

New York indie duo Widowspeak have announced their seventh studio album, Roses, set for release on 5th June. Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled lead single If You Change, a track that captures their signature blend of hazy guitars and melancholic, timeless songwriting.

St. Vincent @ Royal Albert Hall (Andy Paradise)

St. Vincent Announces ‘Live In London!’ Album Capturing Landmark Royal Albert Hall Performance

St. Vincent has announced the release of Live In London!, a new digital album arriving on 20th March, capturing her acclaimed orchestral performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ed O’Brien Announces Second Solo Album ‘Blue Morpho’ And Shares Expansive Title Track

Ed O’Brien has announced details of his long-awaited second solo album, Blue Morpho, set for release on 22nd May 2026. Alongside the announcement, O’Brien has unveiled the album’s title track, offering a first glimpse into a deeply personal and transformative body of work.

Slayyyter Announces UK Dates For ‘WOR$T GIRL IN THE WORLD’ Tour Ahead Of New Album Release

Cult pop provocateur Slayyyter has announced a run of UK shows as part of her upcoming WOR$T GIRL IN THE WORLD tour, bringing her latest era to stages across Europe this autumn.

Swervedriver Expand ‘Raise At 35’ UK Tour With New Dates Following London Sell-Out

Oxford indie-psych outfit Swervedriver have announced additional UK dates for their Raise At 35 tour, celebrating the 35th anniversary of their seminal debut album Raise.