"Its best moments, of which there are plenty, are utterly intoxicating." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Nusantara Beat's debut album: www.silentradio.co.uk/11/13/album-...

#5debutalbums1014 17 songs of stop-start post-punk in 28 minutes on Trash Kit's self-titled debut - a definite contender.

"they magically capture the energy and exuberance of the 1960s... absolutely splendid." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Thee Headcoats & Thee Headcoatees www.silentradio.co.uk/11/10/album-...

#5debutalbums1014 Liz Green - O Devotion! (2011) A highly distinctive voice, the sort of sound it is easy to imagine coming from an old radiogram. In the running for my top five. As a sidenote, her Marc Riley session version of Bowie's Five Years is something else.

A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon news.sky.com/story/the-x-...

To say that I am looking forward to taking part in the music journalism panel would be a massive understatement.

"John Darnielle confirms his place at the pinnacle alongside Willy Vlautin of The Delines and Colin Meloy of The Decemberists as longform writers who bring their novelistic prowess and detail to song form." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the Mountain Goats: www.silentradio.co.uk/11/05/album-...

"a highly focused and impressive blast of desert psych." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Yenbatt by Noura Mint Seymali: www.silentradio.co.uk/11/02/album-...

This captures the joy of being in a group for the sheer enjoyment of it surprisingly well. Also a strong critique of the awful patriarchy & brilliantly acted. Very emotional. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

"It is an album whose sounds are almost possible to feel and touch, half an hour that is quietly overwhelming." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Hilary Woods' Night CRIU via @sacredbones.bsky.social @stereosanctitypr.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/10/28/album-...

"a fascinating account of a studio’s role in one of music’s most productive and creative periods." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Chris Connelly's book about Cargo Studio. www.silentradio.co.uk/10/22/book-r...

"It makes for a richly textured record, its melodies often lending it a sepia quality." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Cubzoa's Unfold In The Sky @bellaunion.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/10/20/album-...

"Twenty years on, Field Music’s eponymous debut sounds remarkably fresh and timeless." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the @fieldmusicmusic.bsky.social reissue: www.silentradio.co.uk/10/19/album-...

Not sure I've ever read a music autobiography in which the author has been so self-critical. Stylistically, an easy read but emotionally tough yet compelling.

"Its biggest revelation is how well their disparate voices combine... random pieces colliding yet works as an enjoyable mystery tour where it is never clear what might happen next." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Long Fling www.silentradio.co.uk/10/07/album-review-long-fling-long-fling/

More Sparks. Fantastic!

"Shows the value of gently probing, drawing out connections & contradictions... pairing these thoughts with imaginative arrangements and music of minimalist beauty works a treat." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews @theantlers.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/10/02/album-review-the-antlers-blight/

Well worth a visit to the Harris Museum, Preston for the Wallace & Gromit exhibition. Lots of models & sketches which made me want to watch all the films/shorts again plus some early works where it is easy to see Nick Park's style develop. It's free as well.

Digital ID cards are such a terrible & unnecessary idea. Please do everything possible to ensure a massive number of people sign this petition.

"Le Bon sculps great beauty from its jumble of feelings and it confirms her reputation as one of music’s most distinctive artists." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Michelangelo Dying by Cate Le Bon www.silentradio.co.uk/09/26/album-review-cate-le-bon-michelangelo-dying/

"It weaves its spell and is at its absolute peak when the instrumentalists combine at create a rare magic." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Cerys Hafana's Angel: www.silentradio.co.uk/09/22/album-review-cerys-hafana-angel/

10 Favourite TV comedies: Seinfeld Frasier Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? The Phil Silvers Show Black Books The Day Today Fawlty Towers Porridge Curb Your Enthusiasm The Detectorists

"a mature record that manages to embrace the ancient and modern, which is hypnotic in moods, relaxed yet emotive, a journey into his unique and influential world." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Mulatu Plays Mulatu www.silentradio.co.uk/09/21/album-review-mulatu-astatke-mulatu-plays-mulatu/

"even when the words are occasionally indistinguishable the music evocatively fills the void to tell the story." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews The Genesis @handofglory.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/09/19/album-review-the-genesis-a-story/

I like this album rather a lot!

"ALA.NI's voice is a delight, understated and uncategorisable albeit with noticeable jazz and soul inflections." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews ALA.NI's Sunshine Music www.silentradio.co.uk/09/12/album-review-ala-ni-sunshine-music/

Struggling to believe that I interviewed Robert Forster.

Wonderful Martin Parr documentary. Love the vivid nature and humour of his photos - www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Who Owns England? by Guy Shrubsole is a clear account of one of England's biggest problems - massive inequalities of land ownership, all the issues it creates & suggestions for alleviating the situation. A rallying call and well worth a read.

Wonderful and wild.

The Devo documentary currently showing on Netflix is a delight. I like the band rather than being a completist but it definitely added to my appreciation and enjoyment of their music and the ideas behind it.

I found this interview particularly fascinating.

Wonderful album.

This sounds fantastic.

"as extreme an example of a record of two halves as is imaginable." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Bobby's Place by Bobby Conn on @tapeterecords.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/08/19/album-review-bobby-conn-bobbys-place/

"The album is a grown-up record in the best possible sense, happy to display Morén’s full musical and emotional range." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews SunYears' The Song Forlorn. @silverpr.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/08/14/album-review-sunyears-the-song-forlorn/

"There really is no one quite like Prolapse." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new album from @prolapseband.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/08/12/album-review-prolapse-i-wonder-when-theyre-going-to-destroy-your-face/

"It is an album that rewards complete immersion in its troubled beauty." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews New Radiations by Marissa Nadler @bellaunion.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/08/11/album-review-marissa-nadler-new-radiations/

Excitement builds.

Fifty years ago today, I watched cricket on TV for the first time (England v Australia). It was an era of gnarly, seemingly old men (Corporal Jones lookalike David Steele on debut, John Edrich making a century) & a world removed from Bazball but I was instantly hooked.

Lovely film with the most deadpan humour: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

The far right terrorising asylum seekers in hotels love to spread the lie they’re worried about the risk of sexual assault. But here’s the truth: Two in five men arrested for last summer’s riots had been reported for domestic abuse. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

"his finest display of songwriting thus far." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews I Love People by @coryhanson.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/07/22/album-review-cory-hanson-i-love-people/

An interview with @coryhanson.bsky.social by @andrewneal66.bsky.social www.silentradio.co.uk/07/22/interview-cory-hanson/

"A decisive blend of uncompromising rhetoric and self-reflection with high spirited and inventive music." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new album from Made Kuti www.silentradio.co.uk/07/20/album-review-made-kuti-chapter-1-where-does-happiness-come-from/

@marcrileydj.bsky.social @gidcoe.bsky.social I am ridiculously pleased to have received a BAAAADGE. Thanks for keeping me so well entertained.

"a manifesto for the musically open minded, sounds from around the world coming together into an inventive and immersive whole." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Tian Qiyi's Songs For Workers www.silentradio.co.uk/06/26/album-review-tian-qiyi-songs-for-workers/

Our interview with Brighde Chaimbeul www.silentradio.co.uk/06/24/interview-brighde-chaimbeul/

"a spirit of fearless experimentation that makes for a refreshing and unique album." @andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Sunwise by Brighde Chaimbeul www.silentradio.co.uk/06/24/album-review-brighde-chaimbeul-sunwise/

Oh my, Sparks were magical last night.