When has the USA taking over the running of a country ever gone to plan? Even when there was a plan. I’m not sure The Don has ever read a history book. I’m not sure he’s ever read any book, including The Art of […]

At my 50th Mrs F insisted I got out from my happy place behind the mixing desk and greeted the invited throng. I handed over the controls to my musical partner in crime and circulated. What she didn’t know was […]

Shirley Bassey. Wikipedia says there are 34 studio albums and 25 comps (but there are many, many, more). Every time I see one in a charity shop, I pick it up, but it often turns out to be a rerelease of something […]

Is the Stiff Records Story worth buying? I got a book token for Christmas! And some socks, which went straight to the charity shop.

Because it was nominated, I acquired the latest album by Kim Wilde, although I haven’t listened to it yet. Did I ever tell you about the time she made me a cup of tea? {AW: Yes, you did…}

Well, they got Al Capone on tax evasion…

You know what? Call me a cynic, but I don’t really think it was about the machine guns.

No worries and it really doesn’t affect the results. My favourite album of 2025 came out in 1972. I didn’t think Shirley Bassey is ever going to be in an AW poll.

My fave, The Pursuit of Pleasure – Songs Mostly in Waltz Time, should be in here. Not that anyone (else) cares! It seems my votes have been overlooked, not that they would have affected the results.

Their bassist died recently.

There’s an excellent series about Stakeknife on BBC Sounds

One of my fave NO tunes is the Best & Marsh theme, which is on the flipside of Round & Round.

Yep, both are worth a read, as are Hooky’s, as they’re aware of the absurdity of it all, unlike Barney, who came across as a self-obsessed prima-donna in his, so I gave it away.

I bought the Durutti Column on half-speed mastered LP – natch – but didn’t vote for it because I haven’t played it yet.

They’re both compilations, Fred. One’s a sort of greatest hits (hah!) with a bonus 7″ by Art Objects, the other is deep cuts and live (comes with a live 7″).

In no particular order (so please assign points equally): Talking Heads – More Songs… Adam & The Ants – The Singles Skids – Land Sea and Sky: Skids Singles 1978-81 Blondie – No Exit Belly – King The […]

If you like, please scatter the points equally between these (I don’t think it will affect the end result): Fuzzy Lights – Fen Creatures Sunday Driver – Silk And Filth The Divine Comedy – Rainy Sunday A […]

It isn’t going to trouble the charts, but my favourite album of this year is: The Pursuit of Pleasure – Songs Mostly in Waltz Time. The lathe-cut LP is noisy and I’m first to admit it is front-loaded – you can […]

Where is that confounded Moose?

Hah!