Music & Entertainment Blog

Unarguably one of the most successful bands of the past 30 years, Green Day’s 2004 album is one of the most essential listens of the 21st century. A concept album following the central character of St Jimmy, the album charts the rise and fall of the Jesus of Suburbia.

Topics: Flame Tree Pop, Flame Tree Music, Rock Guitar

Selling over 10 million records, Licensed to Ill by The Beastie Boys is an all time essential listen. Bridging genres and developing ones of their own, they are a group underpinned by sonic revolution.

Topics: Flame Tree Pop, Flame Tree Music, rap music, hiphop

After a brief mention of Vampire Weekend in our last entry to our essential listens list, someone questioned why Vampire Weekend hasn’t made the cut. It was an interesting suggestion and the more I thought about it and listened to the album (and their subsequent work) the more sensible an addition to the list it seemed. So without further ado...

Topics: Flame Tree Pop, Flame Tree Music, Pop Music, Rock Guitar, Indie Music

In the third entry to our essential listens list we have an album created full of intelligent verse, emotional depth and interesting musicality, written by a teenager. After a couple of albums that were somewhat successful but didn’t quite manage to hit the right note, Morrisette’s experimentation on Jagged Little Pill would take the world by storm.

Topics: Flame Tree Pop, Flame Tree Music, How to Play Piano, Pop Music, Rock Guitar, Alanis Morresette, Jagged Little Pill

Continuing our look at our 10 essential listen albums we turn to the 90s and an R&B classic. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is rightly considered by many to be a turning point in hip hop and rap, as well as a landmark moment in female rap. Popularising the blend between rapping and singing, that would later be key in the catalogues of artists like Drake, Ms. Hill is as influential now as she was 20 years ago.

Topics: Flame Tree Music, Lauryn Hill, miseducation

In our new series of blogs we are looking at a collection of albums that need to be listened to all the way through at least once in your life. The list is in no way exhaustive (how could it be?) but takes a look at some classic albums, and some lesser listened to greats, that represent an era, a genre or an artist. There are few better examples of this than Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. Considered by many to be John’s best, the album spans genres and styles to create one of the most creatively interesting albums of the 70s! An important moment in his discography, as well as the history of pop and rock music, see why we think Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is an essential listen.

Topics: Flame Tree Music, Flame Tree Pro, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John, Rocketman

The most famous living guitarist in the world, Eric Clapton’s (b. 1945) career has passed through an extraordinary series of highs and lows during his five decades as a guitar hero. He has also experimented with numerous stylistic changes but has always returned to his first love, the blues.

Topics: Flame Tree Music, Blues Guitar, Flame Tree Pro

No best blues guitarist lineup would be complete without a mention of Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–90). Exploding on to a generally lethargic blues scene in 1983 with his Texas Flood album, Stevie Ray Vaughan administered a high-voltage charge that revitalized the blues with his stunning playing and imagination. 

Topics: Flame Tree Music, Great Guitarists, Blues Guitar, Flame Tree Pro

Heading back to the Chicago blues classics, this week we take a look at George 'Buddy' Guy (b. 1936) who is known best for his influence on guitarists such as Jimmy Page (b. 1944), Keith Richards (b. 1943) and Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–90).

Topics: Flame Tree Music, Great Guitarists, Blues Guitar

Last of the 'Three Kings,' but not least, this week we have the short-lived hard-party musical career of Freddie King (1934–76), the father of many classic soul-stinging riffs and one of the first blues musicians in history to play in a mixed race group.

Topics: Flame Tree Music, Blues Guitar, Flame Tree Pro