The former Gunners axeman returns to his birth place of Stoke-on-Trent for a homecoming show taking in Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, and Snakepit songs, as well as solo material in this Slash Live compilation.

This compilation, available as both a simple double CD and a lavishly illustrated book of lyrics, follows two volumes of The Great New Zealand Songbook from Auckland music marketing wiz Murray Thom.

Kate Bush's new album may sound fruity but rather than being obscure and difficult, it all knits together beautifully.

There were high expectations for The Checks' follow-up album to sophomore release Alice By The Moon and fortunately, they've outdone themselves.

Greatest Bits, the 40-track compilation released to coincide with the label's 30th birthday, is similar to In Love With These Times, because it captures the catchy, ingenious and strange sounds of the roster.

The title is hint enough that the 10-year-old whose freckled face fills the screen at the opening of this finely wrought French film belongs to a young girl; 20 minutes in and her true gender is established.

Hours before Black Sabbath played their first New Zealand show, young Kiwi promoter Barry Coburn was summoned to a makeshift dressing room where Ozzy Osbourne said, "When we come on, we want a burning cross - make it happen".

This rather jolly film, written by advertising man Bob Moore, put me in mind of the kind of entertainments they put on in retirement villages. It has a teaspoon too much treacly whimsy but it is distinguished by a quirky and inventive visual sense...

The incredible thing about reigning pop queen Rihanna is not her ability to strike the most sultry and seductive pose in music. Or that she has one of pop's most unique and mysterious voices.

The September 2010 Canterbury earthquake, its deadly February sequel and the thousands of aftershocks have generated so much news coverage that a documentary about the subject risks being superfluous.

The main man here is Hamilton-based Matthew Bannister, formerly of Flying Nun's Sneaky Feelings and Dribbling Darts of Love, one-time Mutton Bird, briefly a solo artist as One Man Bannister, and more recently guiding The Weather.

Director Richard Ayoade's debut feature film based on the novel by Joe Dunthorne may not have you laughing riotously, but its dry and deadpan delivery will have you smirking from beginning to end.

Shihad may sort of feel like part of the furniture, but they're certainly iconic, legacy artists, and it's about time they released a greatest hits compilation.

William Bensussen AKA The Gaslamp Killer doesn't even need to think about his answer when I ask him about his preferred rhythm structure.

The second consecutive night of Flying Nun's Nunvember celebrations saw a crowd filled with characters from Dunedin's musical history and father/son combos ready to celebrate the label's 30th anniversary in the historic Flying Nun home of Sammy's.

Seven groups, 13 songs, one-minute changeovers. Shameless genre-shifting, fearless showmanship, a healthy nod to metal and no shoegazing.

Te Kupu and Upper Hutt Posse travelled to Detroit in October 1990 at the invitation of Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.