#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 11. Dr. Jeckyll And Mr. Hyde - The Damned youtu.be/qwCwx4YNAOU?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 11. Architecture And Morality - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (1981) title song to their best (and most successful) lp, that not only gave us the utterly brilliant hits, but also some more uncompromising pieces like this youtu.be/XA3KTY--20g?...

#StandaloneSingles 11. Mirror Man - The Human League (1982) the first release after the massive success of Dare felt a bit slight and underwhelming at the time, but this one has aged surprisingly well. from Being Boiled to frothy digital Motown pop in 4 years! youtu.be/MMu1T_Tg5Fw?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 10. Listening Wind - Talking Heads youtu.be/RjWej8fOdR8?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 10. Bron-Yr-Aur - Led Zeppelin (1975) i always prefer the lighter shades of Zeppelin to the hard rock workouts. this showcases the brilliance and dexterity of Jimmy Page, an absolute master musician youtu.be/dx-StxSsGKA?...

i’m off to visit my mum for a couple of days. i will stop en route to spent some time with my amazing sister, but i repeat: i’m off to visit my mum for a couple of days

#StandaloneSingles 10. Pretty (Ugly Before) - Elliott Smith (2003) standalone as he died before finishing the lp; this was the last 7” released in his lifetime. i thought him the finest songwriter of my generation, and often wonder about the music we never got to hear youtu.be/rTGL0NnYO5U?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 9. Dirty Back Road - The B-52’s youtu.be/4DjuHSknPMk?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 9. Of These, Hope - Peter Gabriel (1989) i try to avoid the term “atmospheric” to describe instrumentals, as accurate as it might be. however, the sense of forward travel this song projects is extremely evocative. a very brave follow-up to So! youtu.be/jGsEaVz7UmA?...

#StandaloneSingles 9. Wonderboy - The Kinks (1968) probably the prettiest melody written by Ray Davies, i think this song is utterly adorable. the harmonies and harpsichord are so beautiful. however, i just read that this single only made #36 in the UK charts? appalling! youtu.be/8aNbDn4mBcA?...

good morning everyone, i hope your upcoming week is filled with joy and wonder! i’m off to a great start, i turned on the radio and was reminded what a brilliant song Messy by Lola Young really is

repost with a photo of yours that would make a good album cover

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 8. Bombs Away - The Police youtu.be/DhkcFullCBQ?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 8. Airlane - Gary Numan (1979) the Bowie jibes were boring and lazy. Numan’s lps from 1978 to 1981 were magnificent and this is a brilliant opener to his first solo lp. over 45 years after its release, it still feels like it belongs in the future youtu.be/4Kv0yLg4LBQ?...

#StandaloneSingles 8. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John Band (1975) coming towards the end of his imperial phase, the song comes with so many hooks and one of his most ambitious productions. to my ears, this sounds absolutely massive and full of joy youtu.be/sOF6_kHBkyg?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 7. Somebody Got Murdered - The Clash youtu.be/NrODxCsR4og?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 7. The Waiting Room - Genesis (1974) my uncle was the single biggest influence in my life, and his passion and enthusiasm for music was inspiring. this song terrified me as child, but turns into something quite beautiful. this is for you Alan. RIP x youtu.be/24wXJ6e4Ll0?...

#StandaloneSingles 7. Alabama Song - David Bowie (1980) discordant, drums bashing deliberately off the beat, a stop / start dynamic with tempo changes. i am trying to think of a more uncommercial song released as a single by a “major” artist… and failing! youtu.be/7QVeqBVOc7A?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 6. Dreams Of Leaving - The Human League youtu.be/Mfv34V4DchM?...

one of the many surreal moments in my life… taken last year, a lovely hotel in India displaying the arrest report of Sid Vicious on the wall. i have two questions: i) wtf - why? ii) does this type of content now belong on my newly minted Instagram account?

#StrictlyInstrumental 6. Optigan 1 - Blur (1999) maybe it’s because of the punch to the guts of the songs leading up to this moment, but this song deeply affects me in a way it probably shouldn’t. a perfect end to an lp that i consider to be their greatest achievement youtu.be/vk38e5worM8?...

#StandaloneSingles 6. Gangsters - The Specials (1979) just another masterpiece that leapt out the radio and demanded to be listened to, like so many songs seemed to “back in the day”! this amazing song smashed open a door for many other brilliant bands to follow…. youtu.be/lgCZN1rU5co?...

so… i’ve joined Instagram and now i’m not entirely sure why. it feels similar to something i did over 25 years ago when i bought a book called Dreamweaver For Dummies, thinking i was going to build my own website (i gave up after 2 days worth of misspent enthusiasm)…

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 5. Riot Act - Elvis Costello & The Attractions youtu.be/VO3-ci_1ERI?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 5. Nashville Skyline Rag - Bob Dylan (1969) where the (reluctant) “spokesman of a generation” lets the music do all the talking on this charming, beautifully played instrumental youtu.be/F4T3xs4-Jso?...

#StandaloneSingles 5. Wings Of A Dove - Madness (1983) it’s bright and sunny, always makes me smile, and puts a spring in my step. their unapologetic happiness was so flipping infectious. and none of this would have mattered were it not backed up with timeless songs youtu.be/MReDjx1FIaE?...

i was sat down having a coffee in town when a piano led, muzak version of Pixies Where Is My Mind started playing in the background. “all very interesting” i thought to myself. then the chords started to go somewhere i wasn’t expecting… turns out it was a Coldplay song called Fix You

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 4. Tattooed Love Boys - Pretenders youtu.be/yog-meAq1so?...

i'm new to #TicketStubWed and will be a challenge to find such artefacts from a golden age (!); but for some reason this is on my PC. Neil & Tim Finn (Crowded House) at Union Chapel 16th November 1995. and on the next day (pardon the pun), David Bowie at Wembley Arena. i missed Morrisey though....

#StrictlyInstrumental 4. Nothing To Fear - Depeche Mode (1982) i’ve read more than a few times that A Broken Frame is their worst lp. i’ve also read that this is one of the weakest songs on the lp. neither statement is true youtu.be/qPNOUAchNtk?...

#StandaloneSingles 4. Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - Ian Dury & The Blockheads (1978) the song comes roaring out the traps and doesn’t let up. incredible musicianship from a watertight band, brilliant lyrics, extremely catchy and memorable. what’s not to love about this? youtu.be/0WGVgfjnLqc?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 3. Isolation - Joy Division youtu.be/6x-Nl3_L1pA?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 3. Oh No - Frank Zappa (1968) FZ is my musical marmite. a lot of his work leaves me cold; way too puerile and smug. but when i listen to brilliant compositions like this, with complex arrangements and unusual time signatures, i am simply blown away youtu.be/p13-wFQMxv0?...

don’t really want to talk about that evil, sadistic, and thankfully dead piece of shit. but i am left scratching my head how the fallout from the latest batch of Epstein files is all about two seedy, arrogant, entitled British assholes. where’s the implicated Americans? political post: over and out!

#StandaloneSingles 3. Coz I Luv You - Slade (1971) it’s fair to say i’m not the biggest Slade fan in the world, a bit too predictable, especially when pitted against Bowie & Roxy as their contemporaries. but there is something about this song that is undeniably brilliant youtu.be/6jU6-yAH0D4?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 2. The Messerschmitt Twins - Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark youtu.be/z_oVRJ088BE?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 2. Graveyard - Public Image Limited (1979) basically an instrumental version of a previously released b-side, but with the Lydon vocals missing it gives space to let this superb lineup fly youtu.be/n7iWCK1lmgg?...

#StandaloneSingles 2. Fernando - ABBA (1976) now i’m old and grey myself, i cannot help thinking this beautiful song is close to perfect. their later work may have more pathos, but for me this is their greatest four minutes. have a wonderful week, lovely people youtu.be/dQsjAbZDx-4?...

#20SongsByYear in my opinion one of the strongest years for lps being released, so i’ll focus on some great album tracks in an attempt to convince the “don’t knows”! 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ 1. Live It Up - Blondie youtu.be/zoZvF4wIFGI?...

#StrictlyInstrumental 1. Art Decade - David Bowie (1977) probably his most beautiful instrumental, so direct and poignant youtu.be/FunE6URuRjM?...

two things i have learned today: a) jet lag means you decide to start ironing a months worth of washing at 7am b) the combination of both jet lag and being away for a month means you forgot where you put the ironing board

#StandaloneSingles 1. Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing In The Shadow? - The Rolling Stones (1966) such a glorious mess of a song. the amateurish mix, the strange “hook”, they never sounded so exciting on record ever again youtu.be/qFv38gUOTRw?...

my first music posts of the year starts tomorrow with #StandaloneSingles. the irony isn’t lost on me that my selections will make for an absolutely killer lp

proof that one of my oldest friends has lost his fucking mind….

sweet dreams Catherine O’Hara, rest in peace x youtu.be/FMbeMmYkAXQ?...

my pilgrimage up Adams Peak a couple of days ago: 22000 steps, 2250 metres above sea level, took 7.5 hours up and down and could hardly walk afterwards… at the summit the rocks form a shadow exactly in the shape of a triangle - one for the senseless beauty collection? @ineeddirection.bsky.social

a glorious three hour train journey through the heartland of Sri Lanka, ending up at a village called Ambewela. but to hear the sound of Daddy Cool blasting through the station tannoy must rank as one of the most surreal moments in my life #BoneyM

time to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. i’ve been on BlueSky for around 3 months and am really excited about all the interactions with you lovey people. tomorrow i go travelling for a while and will be off social media for the whole duration. stay out of trouble, you crazy kids! x

#Top31DavidBowie thought i’d approach this near impossible task in the way the Dame would approve. all his songs in a single playlist, and the first randomly selected one of the day will be my entry 31. Yassaasin (Turkish For: Long Live) (1979) youtu.be/c5dHmis5Mto?...

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Yungblud