My Top 18 Albums of 2018 #14

As an early Christmas present, Santa is sending Ofsted to visit me tomorrow and for the rest of the week. Apologies therefore if this is brief. Besides, it doesn't seem like two minutes since I was last writing about this record...

14. Alejandro Escovedo - The Crossing

The treacherous journey of a Mexican immigrant into Trump's America told through an impressive range of musical genres.

More here.


Next: E's are good.

Saturday Snapshots #62 - The Answers

Reach out and touch faith - it's your own personal answers to Saturday Snapshots. It was just A Question of Time.

Alyson took the Early Bird trophy this week, ably assisted by Chris, Charity Chic, Rigid Digit and a last minute save, all the way from Dubai (thanks, Jim). C took issue with the Siouxsie & The Banshees photo which turned out to be Siouxsie and a bunch of non-Banshees, for which I apologise... but it was the least recognisable Siouxsie photo I could find on the interweb. She has a pretty iconic look.

Even if you only got one of them right this week, remember... Everything Counts!

My explanations will be brief this week due to an impending visit from Ofsted. (Yes, they know check music blogs too. Not much chance of this one getting Outstanding.)


10. The search for Shatner with Gin prezzies.

Spizzenergi - Where's Captain Kirk?

9. Say Goodnight... but not to Car B... and get down with Gordon!

Irene Cara - Flashdance (What A Feeling)

8. This is a warning - keep away from men with hooked needles!

Jim Croce - Don't Mess Around With Jim

7. Charlie's cute royal sibling turns off the lights.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - I See A Darkness

6. Shelter from the bombs in a flower patch.

Lynn Anderson - Rose Garden

5. Occultists can't handle early mornings.

The Supernaturals - I Wasn't Built To Get Up

4. Ancient lines that connect donkey brays will guide us down the road this evening.

Richard Hawley - Tonight The Streets Are Ours

3. Native American wailing spirits play baby games.

Siouxsie & The Banshees (minus Banshees in the picture) - Peekaboo

 2. Sounds like Elvis's catfish has taken Nilsson's medicine with a buffet carrier. 

Elvis's catfish jumping on a pole was King Creole, Nilsson's medicine was Coconut, which sounds a bit like...

Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Stool Pigeon

1. Not the First Noel, after the crash.

Just Can't Get Enough? Don't worry, Saturday Snapshots will be back next week. Until then... Enjoy The Silence!

Saturday Snapshots #62

People try to put us down, but Saturday Snapshots continues anyway. It's the quiz that always has you wondering "Who Are You?"

Identify ten top tunes and the artists that performed them from the clues below please. I know you Won't Get Fooled Again...



10. The search for Shatner with Gin prezzies.

9. Say Goodnight... but not to Car B... and get down with Gordon!

8. This is a warning - keep away from men with hooked needles!

7. Charlie's cute royal sibling turns off the lights.

6. Shelter from the bombs in a flower patch.

5. Occultists can't handle early mornings.

4. Ancient lines that connect donkey brays will guide us down the road this evening.

3. Native American wailing spirits play baby games.

 2. Sounds like Elvis's catfish has taken Nilsson's medicine with a buffet carrier. 

1. Not the First Noel, after the crash.

Stuck on any of the answers? I Can't Explain now... but I will tomorrow morning.



My Top 18 Albums of 2018: #15

15. The Proclaimers - Angry Cyclist

The Reid brothers tackle fascism, class, growing old, gin and life's big questions on another eminently replayable album.

How many cars have been stolen in Stoke?

Which brand of cigarettes do beagles smoke?

How do you stand on your head and drink beer?

I'd ask the questions if you were still here

(They also delivered one of the songs of the year: here.)


Next... crossing borders, jumping barriers, taking risks!

My Top 18 Albums of 2018 #16

16. Gretchen Peters - Dancing With The Beast

Superior storytelling from one of Nashville's best lyricists... heart-wrenching characters find hope in the darkest moments of depression.

More here.


Next: panic on the streets of Edinburgh... particularly in the cycle lanes.