MAY 2024

ISSUE NO: 557

PET SHOP BOYS - Although 1984 was also the year Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe took their first halting steps towards electronic pop legend status, it would take a while for the world to tune in. Now much-cherished as a British pop institution, we invite them to look back in languour
BRUCE DICKINSON - With a new solo album a Top 10 hit, the indefatigable Iron Maiden frontman steps out of the cockpit of modern hard rock to take tea and cake with RC
KAREN CARPENTER - In 1979, the voice of the Carpenters went into the studio to record her first solo LP. Why didn’t it see the light of day during her lifetime?
EINSTURZENDE NEUBAUTEN - Forty years ago, they were at the height of their notoriety after one of rock’s most audacious stunts. But they were in it for the long haul, as founding frontman Blixa Bargeld explains
BANANARAMA - Another act who were spattered across 1984 like a spilt bottle of hair dye, the Nanas have now made 12 albums. We tell the story of each one
FORMAT WARS - It was the year the CD began to take the format fight to its black plastic foe. Which side were you on?
BEST OF 1984 - We list our entirely subjective but indisputable shortlist of the 50 finest albums from a memorable year in music
FROM THE VAULTS - Reissues from the likes of T.Rex, Deep Purple, Broadcast and Sun Ra are unboxed and assessed
NEW ALBUMS - Michael Head & The Elastic Band head our line-up of new releases, while Fat White Family and Beth Gibbons also feature prominently
BOOKS - Gered Mankowitz’s Stones book reviewed, plusss Amy Winehouse biopic viewed
LIVES - Shows by 10cc, Ash, Judas Priest and The Who reported on by our witnesses