Monthly Archives: December 2011

A Song For Today: Hogmanay Heroes by Skint & Demoralised

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Rol

Should old acquaintance be forgot… One of my favourite new bands of 2011 (read my full Top 20 Albums of the Year here) ring out the old and ring in the new… And let’s get lost in time as they’re … Continue reading →

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List Songs: Hello by The Beloved

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Rol

Is It Me You’re Looking For…? …or is it Willy Wonka, William Tell, Salman Rushdie, Kym Mazelle, Tommy Cannon, Bobby Ball, Mork & Mindy, Bryan Hayes, Freddie Flintsone, Fred Astaire… or Andre Previn and the LSO? Hello Goodbye

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Records of the Year: Gay Pirates by Cosmo Jarvis

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Rol

Big Gay Heart Young pirates in love – it could so easily have been a camp piss-take. Somehow though, Cosmo Jarvis turns it into a tender love story. Quite, quite beautiful. No wonder Stephen Fry and John Barrowman tweeted it … Continue reading →

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Records of the Year: Ghost on the Canvas by Glen Campbell

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Rol

Bittersweet Symphony Glen Campbell’s final recording comes loaded with a weight of subtext beyond any other album released this year. The lyrics to the title track take on a whole new meaning when we consider the reason for Glen’s retirement. … Continue reading →

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Records of the Year: Headbutt by The King Blues

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Rol

When she kissed me it felt like a headbutt… That’ll teach you for falling in love with a Glasgow lass. Punk & Poetry They’re a little bit ska, a little bit punk, a little bit Billy Bragg, a little bit … Continue reading →

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A Song For Today: TKO (Boxing Day) by Elvis Costello

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Rol

Boxing’s Been Good To Me… Fed up of Christmas songs? Try a Boxing Day song… even better, a Boxing Day song you can enjoy all year round. From my favourite Elvis Costello album (though it’s a close run contest), Punch … Continue reading →

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A Song For Today: It’s Cliched To Be Cynical At Christmas by Half Man Half Biscuit

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Rol

‘Nuff Said Happy Christmas from the Mixtape!

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The Christmas Mixtape: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by Bruce Springsteen

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Rol

A Christmas Eulogy It’s one of my all-time favourite Christmas records, yet this year it’s tinged with sadness. Bruce’s very own Santa is no longer with us… I’ll be seeing Bruce live again next summer in Manchester, but it won’t … Continue reading →

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Records of the Year: Suck It And See by The Arctic Monkeys

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Rol

Some Other Sucker’s Parade Most critics seem to like the fourth Arctic Monkeys album more than I do. That’s OK, I liked the third one more than they did. The Monkeys still write a catchy tune, name-dropping Dandelion & Burdock … Continue reading →

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The Christmas Mixtape: Christmas Is Cancelled by The Long Blondes

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Rol

Last Christmas… Poor old Kate Jackson. One Christmas her boyfriend dumps her and goes off with another woman… the next, he turns up at her flat again like nothing’s happened. What a sleaze. No wonder Christmas is cancelled this year… … Continue reading →

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