The RoomThirteen staff dip into their collections again to share some choice picks for June; here's what the team are listening to right now:


Andrew Latham

Hawkwind - Onward
New album from the space rock legends. Some of it's really good, some of it's a bit patchy and some of it (namely yet more re-hashes of old songs) is pointless. I'm trying very hard to get into it but so far it's not really making a huge impression...but this is Hawkwind so I shall persevere!

Gallows - Grey Britain
Well worth a re-visit. Far better than it often gets credit for I reckon; Gallows spread their wings a bit, introduced a bit more melody and inventiveness coupled with bigger production and all for the better.

Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Just read a book about them so dug this one out and blimey, you forget just how good they were back in the day! There's absolutely no filler here whatsoever, just hit after hit, a brilliant collection of their finest moments. This of course makes it all the more depressing if you look at what happened to them from the 70s onwards, when let's face it, they produced some total garbage.


Bruce Cousins

Thursday - War all the Time
Recently deceased but not forgotten this band will be remembered for breakthrough album Full Collapse which still receives praise eleven years on. I have been honouring the memory of this greatly underrated band by listening back to the records, with this their major label debut, War all the Time, being the pick of the litter. Should Stay True, the last track from most recent album No Devolucion have served as a warning to us that they were ready to pass on the baton to today's roster of rock bands?


RX Bandits - ...And the Battle Begun
Bold untitled opening which only features vocals, cleverly panned and sung in harmony followed by in the round, acts as a both a lyrical and musical motif for this beautifully framed album which dangerously spans styles like frogger leaps from lane to lane on a busy motorway. Fast in places, slow in others, gentle and delicate then heavy and hard there is plenty to listen to in this well crafted collection of ambitious songs. This means there is much to take in first listen, but do not fear, as the clear and crisp vocals with lush backing make it accessible right off the bat.


Richard Ounsworth

Zebrahead - Phoenix
In light of Slam Dunk festival 2012 I decided I should really break my Zebrahead virginity and see them but first to listen to some of their stuff. I chose a random album and got listening. Glad I picked this one! Phoenix is a fantastic album! HMP starts the album off with a fantastic punch and from there it just gets better and better! Truly a band that I have over looked for too many years! MFZB!

Bad Meets Evil - Hell the Sequel
Everyone has the reason that they got into music, that first album when you thought 'music is alright actually' mine was Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP and since then I've loved him. Teaming up with Royce da 5'9 (what a name!) this album is non stop hip hop which is sometimes needed when you're in that kind of mood. This album really makes you appreciate that rapping isn't just for people who can't play instruments, it's actually quite a difficult art form, every song is amazing and Eminem has truly outdone himself (especially after some shit he's done in the past). Even Bruno Mars on lighters doesn't make you want to be sick, which I think is an accomplishment in itself.

Fall Out Boy- From Under the Cork Tree
Recently I've been feeling nostalgic of the times gone by, I remember 2007 was the year that I saw a lot of amazing bands (most of them from the Decaydance label) and really found my genre musically. From Under the Cork Tree is in my top ten albums of all time. Patrick Stump (in my opinion) is a lyrical genius, it's impossible to pick a favourite track off such a piece of artistic beauty. Truly this is when FOB were at their peak musically, all they need to do now is come back and take over the world again. Fall Out Boy where for art thou Fall Out Boy.


James Cartlidge

Duke Special - Songs From the Deep Forest
If you haven't heard of this guy, you should. There truly aren't many artists that produce music like this guy does. He manages to combine pop melodies with vaudeville and baroque, almost music hall sounds. He's made two studio albums of regular music (with another one coming soon), and three albums which are all based around separate themes: one is music for a musical, one is a concept album based on the silent movies of Hector Mann (as you do) and one is music for an unfinished musical. If I'm being brutal, the first two albums are where the Duke really shines, they're totally irresistible. The other ventures are interesting, but these albums barely contain a track that isn't gleaming with quality. He's touring this month (and I've just seen him for the seventh time, it was brilliant as always), debuting material from his upcoming album, but I'll take any excuse to revisit Duke's early work.

Warren Zevon - Learning to Flinch
I've always been a fan of Warren, but recently I've started to investigate some of his lesser known recordings, and unlevelled this hidden gem. This is quite simply one of the finest live albums ever recorded from an obscenely underrated genius who is sadly no longer with us. It is just Zevon, from start to finish, accompanied by either an acoustic guitar or a piano throughout. It's a wonderful showcase of what just one person and an instrument can achieve. The performance is strong throughout, with Zevon barely missing a note and playing with the formula of his own songs, not only displaying his undeniable gift for song-writing, but his talent as both a pianist and guitarist. You can't really ask for more from a live album than this.

The Black keys - El Camino
Only got into this band recently, but they appear to be putting in a brilliant representation of good-time classic rock, with a modern twist. Just check out the singles Lonely Boy and Gold on the Ceiling and you will quickly discover how solid and addictive the Black Keys can be. That is, if you haven't already.


Emma Gould

Big Black - Songs About Fucking
Been digging through my old vinyl collection again recently and dragged out this old favourite for about the millionth time. Needless to say it's still brilliant; Albini's dead pan vocals, a shed load of distortion and that unrelenting drum machine over some of the grimiest lyrics you'll ever hear, it's an addictive combo.