2021 Re-View

Here’s my top-ish 20 something albums of the year. In approximate order of favouriteness/most played.

Hamish Hawk - Heavy Elevator

Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Carnage

Self Esteem - Prioritise Pleasure

Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan - Interim Report, March 1979

Pye Corner Audio - Entangled Routes

Steven Wilson - The Future Bites

King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Butterfly 3000

Casper Clausen - Better Way

Hannah Peel - Fir Wave

Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra - Stylophonika

Concretism - Teliffusion

Low - Hey What

Jane Weaver - Flock

Snapped Ankles - Forest Of Your Problems

Damon Albarn - The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows

Tindersticks - Distractions

Mogwai - As The Love Continues

W. H. Lung - Vanities

LoneLady - Former Things

James Yorkston - J Wright Presents...

Godspeed You Black Emperor! – G_d's Pee At State's End!

The War On Drugs - I Don't Live Here Anymore

Jarvis Cocker - Chanson D'Ennui

And here's some more waifs and strays that I appear to have photographed at some point but didn't post. In 2021 it often seemed harder to buy an album on black vinyl than on coloured vinyl.

Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra - Stylophonika

What the world needs right now is more music made with stylophones.

This is excellent, well worth checking out - a selection of covers (Bowie, Vangelis, Eno and Jarre) and originals.

Everything Must Go Mug

25 year ago I saw Manic Street Preachers live and I bought this mug, with John Paul Sartre's existential "Hell Is Other People" quote on it.

It's served me well, but one too many accidental visits to the dishwasher has left it in this state. This may be it's final cup of tea, after which it will fulfil its final destiny: "Everything Must Go"

The Human League on the Phone

Manchester Arena 

10/12/21

7" Singles - F

From Joshua Falken (Kieran Hebden's War Games referencing alter ego - for one single anyway) to The Futureheads doing a capella cover versions.

Two artists sharing top place for most singles this time. FGTH and John Foxx.

Warm Digits on the Phone

Yes Basement, Manchester

24/11/21

7" Singles - E

Starting with the brilliant "The SAS And The Glam That Goes With It" by Earl Brutus (great sleeve too) and ending with the Brian Eno goes dance single "Fractal Zoom" (including a Moby remix).

Although not known as a singles artist Eno takes the top spot for most 7" singles starting with E.

Working Men's Club on the Phone

The Ritz, Manchester

12/11/21

7" Singles - D

A relatively small collection (compared to B and C) of about 30 singles. Don't be fooled by the quality or age of the first and last records. There's the usual mixed bag to come.

Highlight so far? Dead Combo's electronic mess of a cover of Bowie's Let's Dance followed by Holiday In Cambodia.

Black Midi on the Phone

The Ritz, Manchester

8/11/21

7" Singles - C

Bookended by Cabaret Voltaire and Cut Copy. Not quite the big hitters that I had for the letter B, but still a good place to start and end.

Currently listening to Can doing their bizarre cover version of the Can Can. There'll also be plenty of Julian Cope to work through I would imagine.

7" Singles - B

Bookended by these two new wave classics. In between these there's going to be a lot of Bowie and a bit of Balaam and the Angel.

Like this wonderful Japanese only release...

7" Singles - A

Listening to all my singles. A to Z.

Starting, fittingly, with the single I've owned for the longest: Abba's Chiquitita.

I was clearly very proud of my early records, so wrote my name on the sleeve. God knows why I then thoght it would be a good idea to scribble it out!

This, and the following record (Super Trouper) both play remarkably well, considering they were used as some of the test discs when my brothers and I used to make our own stylus and amplifier out of a sewing needle and a cone of paper.

One thing I've noticed - I don't have as many ABC 7" singles as I expected. Having said that, I still love this Be Near Me double 7" package.

7" Singles Odyssey

After an enjoyable 3 year journey throght my albums a while back, I've decided to start my 7" singles odyssey. Listen to them all, sides A and B and, where relevant, any second (or more) discs. It makes sense to do this in alphabetical order, but there will no doubt be some exceptions - Christmas singles will obviously be played in December and there's a box sets which I might play at different times.

There's over 900 of them, so I may be a while. Here we go...

Plastic Mermaids on the Phone

Yes, Manchester

23/10/21

RIP RHK

I named this blog after the Cabaret Voltaire song Nag Nag Nag, so a tribute is only right. Here's some of my listening for the next few days.

Richard H Kirk - A poineer and a Sheffield legend. You will be missed.

Instrumental Vienna

The RSD release of an instrumental version Ultravox's Vienna album was quite unexpected and a really nice touch. It came immaculately packaged alongside the vocal version, with both being the Steven Wilson remixes. I may not end up listening to it too much, but it does sound great, with so many subtle details, previously lost in the mix behind the vocals, coming to the fore.

Now, who's up for a Karaoke party?

Record Store Day 2021 (Drop 1)

Some records...

Can - Live in Stuttgart 1975

The new Can live album is a triumph. As an audience recording it does have its limitations sound wise, but they've done a remarkable job on getting this to sound as good as it does. Best listened to when you have the headspace, it's a truly immersive experience.

Roll on the next one.

Super Furry Animals - Frisbee

I love this version of Frisbee. It was released as a promo 12", probably as a way of Creation Records announcing their new signing rather than as a possible lead single - the band/label decided to go with Hometown Unicorn shortly after.

It's a different recording, at a slower tempo with a heavier sound. Not releasing it as a single was probably the right decision, but it's still a great track.

The Sophtware Slump...On A Wooden Piano

The gift of sound and vision - this looks and sounds wonderful.

"The Software Slump...On A Wooden Piano" by Grandaddy.

One or the greatest alternative rock albums of the 21st century reimagined as a solo piano piece. Pressed on tricolour vinyl.

Gruff Rhys - Set Fire To The Stars

Relaxing on a Sunday morning to Gruff Rhys.

I haven't seen the film Set Fire To The Stars (starring Elijah Wood), but this soundtrack is excellent.

Wagon Christ - Recepticon (swirl vinyl)

After what was, I suspect, a combination of Covid and Brexit related delays (it was pressed later than scheduled and then the stock took over a month to make it's way to the UK), the swirl vinyl version of Recepticon, the first Wagon Christ album in over 9 years, is finally here.

It's a stunner - both in looks and sound. Music wise there's no surprises here, continuing with the laid back sample heavy sound of previous Wagon Christ albums. For someone who has released four albums in the last 12 months - this followed three Like Vibert Presents... albums - the quality control is reassuringly high.

Visually the discs are quite beautiful. Crystal clear vinyl wirh a coke bottle green hue and bright but subtle swirls of colour, it's housed in another stunning Celyn Brazier sleeve.

Dope - Guerilla Grow

One of Julian Cope's many side projects. This great 2017 Dope album had finally got a vinyl pressing. The 12" formal really allows the stunning artwork to shine.

I Trawl The Megaherz

I didn't pick up on this when it was originally released (as a Paddy McAloon album) but it really is a remarkable album.

2020 Sounds

Here's some of what I was listening to in 2020. If we can draw positives from the year, one was the chance to spend time away from the rush and bustle of life and really listen to music.