Delighted to announce that In Another World: The Four Seasons of Talk Talk, is coming on May 21, 2026, published by the fabulous @newmodernbooks.bsky.social. There’s a lot of love in this one. Pre-orders: Resident: tinyurl.com/mrxrpsuh Rough Trade: tinyurl.com/28v3tda4 A: tinyurl.com/3sz3scf4

Every band eventually gets the biographer they deserve and there is no better writer to immerse the reader in the beautiful, singular world of Talk Talk than @graemethomson.bsky.social. I’m thrilled he’s joined us at NM and delighted to finally welcome this book to the world. Spring has sprung.

Nick Heyward - North of a Miracle (1983) Arista LP The sun is out. Literally and proverbially. #NowPlaying

RIP Pete Frame. Always love poring over those beautiful family trees. Here's the one that covers the Byrds - from the gatefold of the 1973 CBS compilation, The History of the Byrds. Just exquisite.

The postman has arrived. Very much enjoyed working on this. Out 23 April.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A magnificent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ lead in @mojomagazine.bsky.social for ‘Stay Alive’ by @scottrowley.bsky.social. With huge thanks to @keithcameron2.bsky.social “This superb book rues his absence while celebrating his music’s still audibly beating heart” Out next week

Jerry Maguire sequel incoming.

Textbook shave.

The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys (1985) Caribou/CBS LP I've seen copies of this in a million charity shops and curiosity has never gotten the best of me. Fascinated to know what the two Dr Eugene Landy 'co-writes' sound like, so I cracked yesterday. Pet Sounds, it ain't. #NowPlaying

Modest success at the charity shops just now. Particularly pleased with the Verve CD box set.

Leonard Nimoy Presents - Mr Spock's Music From Outer Space (1967) 1986 Raven Reissue LP Groovy album from one of the best Columbo villains and the noted author of 'I AM NOT SPOCK'. Also, he IS Spock. #NowPlaying

Shack - Waterpistol (1999) Marina LP I would tell you how I got this, but then you'd hate me. #NowPlaying

Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont Spelling Bee might be just the comfort blanket we all need right now. Available on iPlayer and, I promise you, it is an absolute delight. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-De8...

My wife just told me this is going straight in the skip when I die.

The Jesus & Mary Chain - Barbed Wire Kisses (1988) Blanco Y Negro LP Won this as a radio phone-in prize. Belated thanks to 'Turn it Up' - BBC Radio Sussex. Still one of my favourite radio shows. #NowPlaying

Johnny Pate - Outrageous (1970) MGM LP #NowPlaying

Charity shop just now. Sticker nerds please enjoy this vintage pre-war Our Price sticker.

Blue Juice Vol. 1 (1996) Blue Note compilation LP #NowPlaying

The Pastels - Illuminati (1998) Domino LP Never dips below fabulous, but the Kid Loco mix of Viaduct is absolute perfection. #NowPlaying

Seems like Spurs may have found their Felix Magath.

Francoise Hardy - Le Collection 62-66 (2009) Disques Vogue CD box set Charity shop pick up from earlier in the week. Have given all six discs a spin this weekend. Conclusion? £3 well spent. C'est formidable! #NowPlaying

Spencer Cullum's Coin Collection (2021) Full Time Hobby CD Charity shop find from the other day and one of my new favourite things. Absolutely sublime. #NowPlaying

One of the charms of the movie is that 60s London feels so damned grubby, so this is way too clean - not every flat needs to look like a Habitat showroom - and it's an episode too long, but I didn't hate this. Joe Cole is decent and Tom Hollander is always watchable. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmYZ...

Popped out for some fresh air after a gruelling five-hour Zoom meeting. Honestly, I am completely gruelled. (I may have passed a charity shop.)

In a couple of months, it'll be the 40th birthday of the C86 cassette. So why not prepare for the occasion by reading the Penderyn Prize-shortlisted, Richard Osman-recommended book on what happened next to the 22 bands on the tape? Available wherever you usually buy your books.

It's been a quiet year in terms of charity shop wins, so I'm sure you won't begrudge me.

Quentin Tarantino's character is the Jar Jar Binx of Django Unchained.

V/A - Spacelines - Sonic Sounds For Subterraneans - A DJ Selection by Sonic Boom (2004) Munster Records LP #NowPlaying

**NEW** FAILURE IS ALWAYS AN OPTION: GLORIOUS ADVENTURES ON THE BETA BAND FRONT LINE AND OTHER TALES by STEVE MASON A wild story about youth culture, success, sadness and redemption Crash landing 23-04-26 R: tinyurl.com/39r74x6k RT: tinyurl.com/2zbx5c3e W: tinyurl.com/42mb34pw @thebetaband.com

‘I will now sell four copies of Failure is Always An Option by Steve Mason’

The Kenneth Williams Reputations is available on iPlayer. #Bona www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

19-02-26

19-02-26

Out on the 12th March 👀

✨ Over eighty million records sold. ✨ One of the world's most successful pop stars. ✨ A modern day icon. But who is the real Kylie? Can't Get You Out of My Head: In Search of Kylie by Michael Cragg is out on 24 September. linktr.ee/cantgetyououtofmyhead

Marvin Gaye - Let's Get it On (1973) Tamla Motown LP Valentine's checklist. Marvin ✔️ Bottle of cheap wine ✔️ Fancy ready meal ✔️ Stinking cold ✔️ #NowPlaying

Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band - Bongo Rock - The Story of the Incredible Bongo Band (2001) Strut LP #NowPlaying

Booker T. & the MGs - The Booker T. Set (1969) Stax LP #NowPlaying

V/A - Pebbles Box (1987) Ubik Records LP Box set #NowPlaying

Well, this is just lovely. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKL...

It's Jo and Danny - Lank Haired Girl to Bearded Boy (2000) Double Snazzy Records LP #NowPlaying

The Electronic Concept Orchestra - Moog Groove (1969) Limelight Reissue LP Bought this from Rough Trade or Intoxica, I think. Listening to it now and...I mean, it's fine...but I'd probably rather have the £7.99 #NowPlaying

Remembering Grant McLennan on his birthday. Here are the Go-Betweens performing Apology Accepted on Whistle Test in 1986

42

Messin' Around Presents Root Down! - A Selection of Dancefloor Jazz, Funky Flavas & Block Rockin' Latin Beats (1999) Verve LP Essential, despite the use of the word 'flavas', which I find personally objectionable. #NowPlaying

The 5th Dimension - The Magic Garden (1967) Bell LP RIP LaMonte McLemore. #NowPlaying

This is my new answer when people ask* if I had a time machine and could travel back to any point in musical history, where would I go?

Television - Marquee Moon (1977) Elektra LP Obligatory spin. RIP Fred Smith. #NowPlaying

Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther (2006) Bella Union LP #NowPlaying