So Boy & Bear weren't named after Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh - apparently they used a random band name generator. But judge them not on the quality of their name, their music speaks for itself.
The band's third album Limit of Love is a worthy successor to2013's Harlequin Dream, especially the title track and first single, Walk the Wire. Boy & Bear are set to play Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in February. See boyandbear.com for details.
He's performed some memorable guest appearances himself - notably on Sia's Elastic Heart - and his brilliant latest album features Lana del Rey and Ed Sheeran, but now The Weeknd has called on the skills of Eminem and Nicki Minaj with the release of two remixes of his hit The Hills.
Both tracks are pretty seamless collaborations - still dark and moody as befits a song referencing a horror movie. Seamless except for the notable vocal gaps on the clean versions - the guy does like his colourful language.
It's a year since Elbow wowed fans at their Powerstation gig on the back of their album The Take Off and Landing of Everything. Since then they've released the EP Lost Worker Bee, and singer Guy Garvey is about to debut his solo album Courting the Squall. See his Facebook page for a preview; the track Unwind is particularly impressive.
REVISIT A CLASSIC And now for something completely different. The 1978 concept album Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds features actor Richard Burton, the Moody Blues' Justin Hayward, David Essex, New Zealand's Chris Thompson, Julie Covington and Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. Based on HG Wells' novel, the story will be familiar to most, as will some of the music on the prog classic, with Forever Autumn a favourite. Perfect for fans of 70s Pink Floyd and rock operas.
