"XXV" is the 16th studio album by the British rock band The Shadows. The album was released in 1983 to celebrate their 25th anniversary in the music industry. It reached number nine in the UK Albums Chart in the same year.
The Shadows consist of members Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch, and Brian Bennett. In this album, they revisited earlier hits they had with the late Cliff Richard, such as "Move It" and "Living Doll." It also included an updated version of their smash hit 'Apache'.
"XXV" was the band's comeback album after their initial split in the 1960s, and it marked a brief period during the 80s when they were reunited. As for the music, the album overall leans quite heavily into the smooth, soft rock/easy listening territory they'd explored sporadically since their inception.
The album contains a mixture of new material and re-recorded classics, including covers of popular songs such as "Moonlight Shadow" by Mike Oldfield and "Africa" by Toto. With its versatile style and strong adherence to the intricate guitar artistry the band is known for, "XXV" indeed marks a significant milestone in the iconic band's career.
Due to its nostalgia-infused appeal and the presence of refreshed classics, the album was warmly received by fans and critics at the time, and it holds a special place in the discography representing The Shadows' unique stylistic blend of rock and roll, pop, and instrumental rock.
