The best,the worst and the thoroughly average Christmas albums of 2020

The best,the worst and the thoroughly average Christmas albums of 2020

It's hard to ignore an undercurrent of malaise amid the feel good assertions that Santa is for real,if we just believe.

  • byMichael Dwyer

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Four stars for Powderfinger's new album – not bad for a band that's not together
★★★★
Music

Four stars for Powderfinger's new album – not bad for a band that's not together

Unreleased 1998 - 2010 is the best album going around by a band that's not officially together.

  • byMartin Boulton
An album of Tim Minchin's personal tribulations? Surely he owes us more

An album of Tim Minchin's personal tribulations? Surely he owes us more

The separation of performers from fans has been no laughing matter this year. Nowhere is that more audible than here,on Tim Minchin's first-ever studio album.

  • byMichael Dwyer
Our verdict on AC/DC's first album in six years
★★★★
Art

Our verdict on AC/DC's first album in six years

The iconic band's new album is a celebration of rock'n'roll and a tribute to founding member,Malcolm Young.

  • byMartin Boulton
With a powerful new album,Midnight Oil makes a statement of their own

With a powerful new album,Midnight Oil makes a statement of their own

Midnight Oil's first album in almost two decades is also their most musically diverse.

  • byMartin Boulton
Bruce Springsteen's Letter To You is honest,raw and spiritual
★★★★
Music

Bruce Springsteen's Letter To You is honest,raw and spiritual

New album Letter To You is Bruce Springsteen's first with the E Street Band in six years.

  • byMartin Boulton
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Music reviews:Annie,Mary Lattimore,Dead Famous People and more

Music reviews:Annie,Mary Lattimore,Dead Famous People and more

Annie's Dark Hearts,Mary Lattimore's Silver Ladders,Loretta Palmeiro&Mark Isaacs'All Who Travel with Us and Dead Famous People's Harry.

  • byBarry Divola,Kish Lal,John Shand andBarnaby Smith
Andy,half of Groove Armada,is out standing in his field. Literally

Andy,half of Groove Armada,is out standing in his field. Literally

These days,the renowned DJ and member of the1990s party band is mostly found on his farm in southern France - or in a nearby bakery.

  • byCat Woods
Like a machine,Roisin Murphy brings it back for more

Like a machine,Roisin Murphy brings it back for more

The former Moloko singer,now solo artist,says she feels driven to keep producing music.

  • byCat Woods
Booted from his studio,beset by rats,Sufjan Stevens faces the chaos

Booted from his studio,beset by rats,Sufjan Stevens faces the chaos

Sufjan Stevens rises to challenges all around him with new album The Ascension.

  • byMartin Boulton
Beauty in the Ordinary:a musical love letter to the late Tony Cohen

Beauty in the Ordinary:a musical love letter to the late Tony Cohen

Astrid Munday works a sad but reflective joy into her tribute to her late husband – one of Australia's great record producers.

  • byMark Mordue