News

The sales of albums in the UK fell by 10 percent in 2012. The statistics, released by the BPI, also reveal that the CD album market shrunk by a fifth, with sales of albums on CD down 19.5 percent year-on-year with only 69.4m albums sold. Sales of digital and physical albums combined fell overall again by 11.2 percent to 100.5m over the past 12 months – although singles sales hit a new high.

Bobby Womack has revealed he's suffering from brain disorder Alzheimer’s. The 68-year-old, who released his first single in 1954, has admitted he struggles to recall the names of his songs and those of his collaborators. He said: “The doctor says there are signs of Alzheimer’s. It’s not bad yet but will get worse. He added: "How can I not remember songs I wrote? It’s frustrating. I don't feel together yet. Negative things come in my mind and it's hard for me to remember sometimes."

Ray Davies sheds light on his new projects, including an opera, a film and a solo album, in the new issue of Uncut, out on Thursday (January 3, 2013). The former Kinks frontman also explains the conflicting feelings he experiences when songwriting. Revealing what he goes through when he realises he's writing one of his great songs, Davies says: "It’s a moment of excessive emotion. And I do get very emotional when I write, sometimes… It’s just a chill you get.

Gram Parsons' legendary solo career is examined in the new issue of Uncut, out on Thursday (January 3, 2013). The back-to-basics approach of the country-rock singer's acclaimed GP and Grievous Angel albums were in sharp contrast to the more psychedelic work of his previous group, The Flying Burrito Brothers. Parsons' collaborator in his early band, The International Submarine Band, Ian Dunlop explains: "He’d got into a maze with the Burritos. The thing about the GP album is that he’s coming out of that maze wanting to make pure country music again.

Morrissey has paid tribute to guitarist Mick Ronson, best known for his work with David Bowie, in the new issue of Uncut.

Following on from yesterday's Top 75 new albums of 2012 post, here's our Top 30 compilations, reissues and box sets of 2012, with links to the original reviews where possible. Have a great Christmas and New Year, folks!

Ladies and gentlemen... please enjoy our Top 75 new albums of 2012, with links to the original reviews where possible. Tomorrow, we'll post the Top 30 best reissues, box sets and compilations.

Jack White has become the latest musician to make a guest cameo in US TV series Portlandia, the sitcom lampooning life in the alternative Oregon city.

Grizzly Bear have posted a tongue-in-cheek Christmas video for fans – watch it by scrolling down. The clip operates as an advert-cum-incredibly low bugdget music video, featuring a range of stock images including prawn rings, tacos, tomatoes, wine glasses, card-playing dogs and more set to smooth jazz versions of album tracks arranged for solo piano, sax and operatic voice.

Bob Mould has revealed a clip of his band performing live with Dave Grohl as he seeks funds to launch a new career spanning documentary.