Day 293. Roger Hodgson: In the Eye of the Storm Debut solo album recalling elements of Supertramp, whose Crime album has been a favourite for nearly 50 years. Solid but maybe suffers from the lack of other musical/production input. Not Afraid sounds like a Davies vocal and song. 7 out of 10

Day 292. The Last Dinner Party: From the Pyre I hadn’t been impressed from what I’d heard before, but this is good album. An interesting mix of intelligent songs delivered with distinctive vocals and satisfying instrumentation. Great opening track. 8 out of 10

Day 291. Tame Impala: Deadbeat I’ve tried with them before. They have their fans. It seemed such a pointless album. Wan vocals and bland repetitive backing 1 out of 10

Day 290. Miles Kane: Sunlight in the Shadows New today and I’m seeing the launch gig tonight. Blimey, he’s morphed into Mark Bolan! Hope he’s got glitter and corkscrew hair to match. As the album progresses it becomes more Supergrass-like. Quite a dense mix. 7 out of 10

Day 289. Sigur Ros: Agaetis Byrjun A mesmerising album with sounds that ebb and flow across the occasional whispered vocals. Draws you into its own universe to form a soundtrack to whatever. Gentle and comforting. 8 out of 10

Day 288. Miles Kane: One Man Band Seeing him live this Friday, so listening for the first time. Appealingly upbeat collection which echoes Supergrass and Arctic Monkeys. I really enjoyed the overall feel. 8 out of 10

Day 287. Chris Stapleton: Higher I enjoyed his Traveller album a few years back. This covers a wider set of styles, all lead by his distinctive vocals. His forays into Feat-style southern rock were the high spots. Some classy guitar playing as well. I might have watched too much Yellowstone 7/10

Day 286. Jacob Collier: The Light for Days Hot on the heels of hearing him the first time, comes his latest album. Beautifully simple, with lots of tapped acoustic guitar. It’s just the sort treatment that I thought was lacking on his first album. No need to show off. Lovely 8 out of 10

Day 285. Gillian Welch: Boots no 2- Lost Songs vol 2 Another collection of Americana/ Country songs recorded with minimum fuss and bags of love and talent. A warm hug of a record. 7 out of 10

Day 284. Public Service Broadcasting: Night Flight A remix release of one of my favourite albums of 2024. What you lose in the emotional impact of Last Flight, you gain in the sort of Berlinification which was the hallmark of the previous album Bright Magic. Different kind stands out. 8 o/o 10

Day 283. Madison Cunningham: Ace Released today. A lovely, inventive and satisfying collection of songs delivered with a beautiful vocal style and engaging and varied instrumentation. 8 out of 10

Day 282. Jacob Collier: In My Room Hadn’t heard of him until I watched the Yentob interview yesterday. Goodness gracious, but he is a unique phenomenon. The harmonisations are off the scale good. He could very easily be smug, but comes across as very likeable. Technically flawless. 8 out of 10

Day 281. Ben Folds: So There The talented Mr Folds together with strings for a short and perfectly charming set of wistful songs. Followed by a whole concerto. Great stuff! 8 out of 10

Day 280. Sloan: Based on the Bestseller I’ve never heard of this band and they’ve been going 35 years. This is their 14th album and it’s stuffed with great pop rock songs which compare favourably with Jellyfish or Fountains of Wayne. Everyone writes and sings their own songs. Terrific. 8 o/o 10

Yes, yes I know I keep banging on about my fucking book! However, if you want one repost this and I’ll do a random winner pick thing by the end of the week because I’m great like that. ♥️📚 #amindofmyown

Day 279. James Morrison: Fight Another Day The love child of Terrence Trent and Stevie Wonder releases a ripsnorter of an album. The songs sound like classics and it deserves to be huge. His voice could ring emotion out of a Freeman’s catalog. Little Wings = pure Wonder inc harmonica. 8 out of 10

Day 278. Future Islands: Singles Another one recommended to me. An odd mix of 80s sounding synths and hammy accented English semi spoken vocals. A bit like a German Rex Harrison fronting New Order. I don’t see the appeal. 2 out of 10

Day 277. Peter Peter: The Cleansing Recommended by Mr. T. Assured and interesting collection of post punk songs. The backing tracks keep the attention but his voice is a limiting, if distinctive, factor. I remember seeing them in the 77 supporting Stranglers, but hated the guitarist. 7 out of 10

Day 276. Taylor Swift: Life of a Showgirl Polished pop from its First Lady. Will of course be huge, but less appealing to the me who really liked Folklore. Can’t fault it, but hard for me to love. 7 out of 10

Day 275. Pet Deaths: The Window (part one) Wistfully intriguing indie songs. Atmospheric, gentle and unconventional. 8 out of 10

Day 274. Tapir!: The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain A curious mix of folk and indie with vocals at times reminiscent of Tiny Tim and others Thom Yorke. Soporific and gentle. Formed of three EPs. Low key. The final part is the musically strongest. 6 out of 10

Day 273. Crybaby: CRYbaby Recommended by a friend. A weird record, drenched in reverb, which puts Hawley/Morrisey into the 1950s. Songs are strong but it’s disconcerting to listen to. 6 out of 10

Day 272. His Lordship: Bored Animal High energy diy punk rock album which sounds like a sloppy version of the Hives. Thumping drums, violent guitars and shouty vocals. Makes you smile. 6 out of 10

Day 271. Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Override Disk 3 of a triple CD! Laid back, but musically satisfying set of lo-fi songs. Shades of Eels as the discs go on (and on). I began to wonder what criteria he had for song sifting and what might have been achieved with some focus. 5 out of 10

Day 270. Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Override Disk 2 of a triple CD! Laid back, but musically satisfying set of lo-fi songs. This feels closer to a sort of musical Lou Reed. A huge collection of songs, of similar ilk. 6 out of 10

Day 269. John Cale: Slow Dazzle My first exposure to Cale. Lots of fairly middling 70s rock, but a splendid reimagining of Heartbreak Hotel and a frankly weird spoken word piece. Not what I expected. 6 out of 10

Day 268. Robert Plant: Saving Grace Beautifully delivered album of bluegrass/americana songs from Plant and his regular band. Atmospheric and captivating. I’m looking forward to seeing them in Kingston. 8 out of 10

Day 267. Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Override Disk 1 of a triple CD! Laid back, but musically satisfying set of lo-fi songs. A times veering into Dylan. 6 out of 10

Day 266. Laura Marling: Once I Was an Eagle More beautiful Joniesque guitar-based folk songs. It’s a warm and enveloping album delivered in an intimate style. Her voice is gorgeous as is her open-tuned guitar playing. 8 out of 10

Day 265. Flyte: Between You and Me Recommended by XTC chum, Imogen. What a fantastic, beautiful album! Gentle melodic songs performed with the sparsest of instrumentation. Nods to Radiohead and some Aimee Mann harmonies. Loved it. 10 out of 10

Day 264. Ocean Alley: Love Balloon If you put Toploader and the Zutons together, I expect they would sound rather like this new release. Upbeat and summery and easy to listen to. 6 out of 10

Day 263. Biffy Clyro: Futique Newly released. A confident, coherent collection of great songs. Big rousing choruses and a huge sound. Love it. 9 out of 10

Day 262. Sam Fender: People Watching Last of the Mercury shortlist. Starts like 80s Springsteen. Thankfully it settles into a solid set of catchy songs, delivered in a voice similar to Capaldi. Forays into Willbury territory notwithstanding, it’s good. Great closing song. 8 out of 10

Day 261. Divine Comedy: Rainy Sunday Afternoon Released today. A lovely collection of interesting and engaging songs. Reassuringly excellent music, beautifully performed and instantly likeable. Seeing them live in a few minutes. 9 out of 10

Day 260. Martin Carthy: Transform Me then into a Fish Traditional folk mixed with occasional self composed songs delivered with quivering voice and acoustic guitar. Folk royalty nominated for Mercury. Intimate and emotional- think fireside and the snug in a country pub. Entrancing. 6 out of 10

Day 259. Pink Pantheress: Fancy That Another Mercury thing. A whole 21 minutes of pop. Again, I struggle to understand what marks this out as special. Meh. 1 out of 10

Day 258. Pa Salieu: Afrikan Alien Another Mercury list. 27 minutes of what to my ears sound like cliched rap/hip hop. I don’t get the genre, or what is supposed to be special about this one. How dare they make a record that doesn’t appeal to 65 year old white man! 1 out of 10

Day 257. Joe Webb: Hamstrings & Hurricanes More Mercury. Presented as some sort of indie, this is a surprisingly straight, piano-led jazz record. The sort of thing you’d hear on BBC2 every week in the 70s. Pleasant to pootle around to, but nothing innovative. 6 out of 10

Day 256. CMAT: Euro-Country More Mercury list. An eclectic mix of songs and styles. Veering from country steel guitars to indie. A voice similar to the National, I think, but I’m beginning to get confused with all this exposure to new music. Entertaining. 6 out of 10

Day 255. Emma-Jean Thackray: Weirdo More Mercury. Endless repetition of bland lyrics. Shakatak meets Muzak. Tiresome. 1 out of 10

This is Melissa Hortman, on June 14, 2025 she and her husband Mark were murdered in a politically motived attack. She stood for environment rights, abortion rights and sensible gun control policies. Can we please take a moment to remember her good works. Please RT.

Day 254. FKA Twigs: Eusexua Another Mercury. A curious affair. Intimate female vocals over atmospheric programming and beats, but I struggle to work out what setting it’s intended for. Maybe it’s for catwalks? It doesn’t feel remotely like a dance record. Still, it’s interesting. 7 out of 10

Day 253. Jacob Alon: In Limerance Working my way through the Mercury list. A beautiful, ethereal and gentle album, sung in Thom Yorke/ Jeff Buckley style. The songs are acoustic and intimate and grab the ears. What a treat. 9 out of 10

Day 252. Cosmograf: When Age Has Done Its Duty Another dose of splendid 21st century prog. Strong Waters influence on vocals and lyrics and Gilmouresque guitar. In fact it feels a little like Final Cut, but in a good way. 8 out of 10

Day 251. Echolyn: I Heard You Listening The 2nd of theirs I’ve heard. Terrific album full of interesting songs and beautiful instrumentation. Feels both familiar and fresh. Will definitely listen again. Prog without slavish devotion to the 70s. Loved it. 9 out of 10

Day 250. Tom Odell: A Wonderful Life Gentle songs with sparse backing. His voice is similar to Thom Yorke- on the edge of breaking and often slipping into falsetto. It’s an album which feels intimate and draws you in. 8 out of 10

Day 249. Zopp: Dominion Another band appearing at Sunday in September on 14th. A sort of Jazz Prog blend. Maybe a bit Camelesque. Easy to listen to, but doesn’t really get the pulse racing. 6 out of 10

Day 248. Saint Etienne: International Brand new. Classy pop, with breathy vocals, glossy keyboards and gentle dance rhythms. Reminded me of Goldfrapp, in a good way. Even a Nick Heyward cameo. 7 out of 10

Day 247. League of Lights: Dreamers Don’t Come Down Competent pop record with strong female vocals and mainstream keyboard sounds. None of the songs really caught my attention. Pleasant but not arresting. Appearing at the Bedford 14/9. 5 out of 10

“Farage claimed last year to have “bought a house” in his constituency but the property is actually owned in the name of his partner, meaning he legally avoided higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional home – given he already owns other properties” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...