I was 17, but still heard Phil’s version before Peter’s. Great days.

Y2D110. Holiday Ghosts: Holiday Ghosts

Eurgh. Feckless faux noo York punk. Tuneless vocals, lo-fi, no-tal, playing.

1/10

Y2D109. I’m With Her: See You Around

Fantastic contemporary country folk from three great female singer/songwriter/ instrumentalists. The vocals are gorgeous and the songs are frequently haunting.

9/10

Fun fact that lying UK journalistic hacks won’t tell you because they hate Labour: Boris Johnson did not pass vetting when Theresa May appointed him Foreign Secretary. #UKPolitics

Y2D108. Morgan Delt: Phase Zero

Indie psych-rock. Wistful double-tracked vocals whisper in the background of reverb drenched, pedestrian songs. Nothing stands out and it’s very soporific.

5/10

Y2D107. Broadcast: Work and Non Work

Largely instrumental, wallpaper indie. Some interesting noises, but nothing to make it memorable.

5/10

Y2D106. Ultimate Painting: Ultimate Painting

Sweet and short, lo-fi indie pop, simple thumpy drums, clean guitars and wan double-tracked vocals set back in the mix. Consistently pedestrian pace and no great axe to grind with the world.

5/10

Y2D105. Pentangle: Basket of Light

Sounds amazingly crisp and contemporary in its production. Very traditional vocals but intricate and interesting musicianship. I didn’t particularly warm to any of the songs.

7/10

Y2D104. Gaz Coombes: World’s Strongest Man

Thumping good album, recommended by my nephew. If you didn’t know, it could easily pass for the more accessible works of Radiohead. A great album.

8/10

Y2D103. The Staves: If I Was

Heavenly, sisterly harmonies crown this lovely collection of folky songs. Creates a beautiful world in which to luxuriate.

8/10

Y2D102. Queen: Made in Heaven

I’ve put off listening to this posthumous offering. I shouldn’t have. For the first two thirds it’s good. Sadly by the end the reworked Mercury solo tracks drag it into potboiler territory, but it’s ok overall.
7/10

Y2D101. The Paradox Twin: A Romance of Many Dimensions

Quite Stephen Wilson in many of the songs. Some decent vocals from both singers and a solid modern-prog feel, with some stuttering rhythmic patterns to leave you counting. Enjoyable.

7/10

Y2D100. Angine de Poitrine: Vol II

More crazily addictive micro tonal riffage from the Canada duo. Perfect to chop vegetables to.

8/10

Y2D99. Bastille: All This Bad Blood (Disc 2)

Stayed as consistent as the first disc. Definitely someone to give greater attention to.

8/10

Y2D98. Bastille: All This Bad Blood (Disc1)

A recommendation from my eldest daughter. A vast collection of interesting songs with the unifying element of Dan Smith’s amazing voice. Lots to like.

8/10

Y2D97. Reverend & the Makers: The Death of a King

A third attempt with this band and at last an album which I really got. A deluge of short, interesting songs with diverse styles and a sense of purpose.

8/10

Y2D96. Dermot Kennedy: The Weight of the Woods

The love child of Lewis Capaldi and the Mumfords. Confident and accessible modern Celtic folk rock. Every song hinges on the perfect rasping break point in his voice.

8/10

Y2D95. Laura Nyro: New York Tendaberry

An extraordinary voice and a piano driven production which sounds like it comes half a decade after its release. At times it echoes Dusty Springfield and others it anticipates Carole King’s or Kate Bush’s heydays.

8/10

Y2D94. Raye: This Music May Contain Hope

A wildly eclectic and assured collection of songs. Everything from soul and jazz to Broadway. This is a hugely talented individual who is happy to choose whatever path she likes. Amazing.

8/10

Grr.

Y2D93. Pat Orchard: 10 Flags

Earnest folky indie prog stuff. I liked the arrangements and some of the songs, but I wasn’t a great fan of his voice.

6/10

Y2D92. Joni Mitchell: Blue

Put this on in a friend’s car yesterday and realised I’d never heard it, just live / cover versions of some tracks. Listened twice today. Glorious. Save for the pan’s too wide line.

8/10

Y2D91. Paul Simon: The Paul Simon Songbook

So after the failure of the first S&G album, Simon escaped to Britain and this raw, guitar and single voice is the result. He had another go at Sound of Silence (sic) too. The writing is improving and a couple of these got reworked on Parsley etc.

6/10

U2D90. Simon & Garfunkel: 3 a.m. Wednesday Morning

Continuing my discovery of S&G. Their debut is 50% covers and sounds like the soundtrack of a Mighty Wind. The two familiar songs stand out a mile, with the original acoustic Sounds of Silence a welcome change. I’m itching to sample vocals.
6/10

Y2D89. Simon & Garfunkel: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

I was familiar with half of this, but inspired by the stage show. The main surprise is how on Earth they spent the equivalent of £300k on its recording with recycled tracks and a 30 min run time. At its best great, but also fillers.
7/10

Y2D88. Beabadoobee: Fake it Flowers

Following up yesterday’s with her debut album. The vocal style is already all there, with solid backing, but maybe her songwriting chops were less evident. Still very listenable.

7/10

Y2D87. Beabadoobee: This is How Tomorrow Moves

Breathy girly vocals on heavyweight big production backing tracks. Really appealing sound and some great, interesting songs.

8/10

Y2D86. Queen: Queen II (2026 Mix)

Not really a first listen, but Brian May has been saying what a revelation the new mix is. Back in its day I always found that there was something depressing about the sound of this. I didn’t feel that was the case with this mix. So hooray! Cracking guitar.
7/10

Y2D85. Depeche Mode: Violator

Confident, assured and appealing. The sound of a band at the peak of its powers. Deserved its success.

9/10

The Jetsons lied to us