The Great White Sea Eagle

And they're off....

First new album of 2023 for me. James Yorkston, Nina Persson and The Second Hand Orchestra. Her out of The Cardigans and him out of James Yorkston.

It even comes with a free flexi disc, which seems to be a thing at the moment. Lovely.

2022 Vinyl Beauty Contest

Nine contenders from my collection for best looking record of 2022. To be honest, I could've filled this solely with records release by the Castles In Space label.

Jockstrap - I Love You Jennifer B

We all love an end of year chart. Even those of us who claim not to get a secret kick out of discrediting the choices and ordering of such charts. but at the same time they do have a massive plot hole don't they?

Case in point is my own list from 31 December. The following day I got I Love You Jennifer B by Jockstrap. It's a fantastic album, which I've played repeatedly over the last 4 days. It may well be a contender for my favourite album released in 2022, but I didn't hear it until 2023. Already my best albums of 2022 list is in tatters.

Next time I'll do a best albums I've heard during the year chart. This might just make it in there.

Bringing It All Back Home

An online conversation with my friend Ron, who is a massive Dylan fan...

"A confession. Other than compilations I have never owned a Bob Dylan album. I've changed that today - £5 from Sifters."

"That is a good start into the new year. Imagine that, the second side of the album was practically recorded in one take. Not bad, isn’t it: four out of four classics in one stoned moment "

"That's quite impressive. He'll go far."

2022 Re-view

Another year, another huge amount of great music. Top ten? Well heres 12 albums I've loved listening to in 2022, in no particular order. A healthy blend of electonics, guitars, blokes shouting, perfect pop,  great songs and some science lessons.

Yard Act - The Overload

Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band - Dear Scott

Confidence Man - Tilt

Brian Eno - FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE

Arctic Monkeys - The Car

Field Lines Cartographer - Dreamtides

Oliver Sim - Hideous Bastard

Suede - Autofiction

TVAM - High Art Life

The Sound of Science - The Sound of Science

Working Men's Club - Fear Fear

Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan - Districts Roads Open Spaces

On a different day it would be a different 12 albums.

Oh and here's a photo of some record spines.