Never Ending Mixtape part 96

Hello and welcome to the latest additions to my Never Ending Mixtape. If you are new, this is a Spotify playlist where I simply add songs that I enjoy with no thought behind the order in which I do. The complete opposite to the way I used to spend hours making a mixtape!

Speaking of which, I recently watched High Fidelity for the first time in a long time. It's such a brilliant film with a brilliant soundtrack and VERY realistic characters. Rob Gordon (the main character) talks about the art of making a mixtape a few time through the film and the importance of them. If Rob made you a mixtape, you meant something to him and he hoped the mixtape meant something to you.

I used to love spending evenings or wet/cold afternoons pouring through records and CD's to make mixtapes for people. It's a bit of a lost art. 

Anyway, in my Never Ending Mixtape ... we jump from 4,064 songs to 4,167 with the addition of Love Is Lost by David Bowie with James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem - it's a banger! There is a LOT of Bowie songs added to the mixtape due to me prepping to DJ at The Admiral Woods annual Bowie night. See previous blog for further details and a playlist of the songs I played.

Thank you so much if you are one of the 361 people following the playlist. 3 new followers since last month :-) 

Thanks also if you dive in now and again. As always, I hope you discover an incredible song you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite you haven't heard in some time. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Here are a few of the latest additions;

Recent discoveries

Sound & Vision - Matthew Dear

Golden Years - Yam Who?

Visions Of You - Jah Wobbles Invaders Of The Heart

Backlash Blues - Nina Simone

Into My Arms - Nell Smith w/ The Flaming Lips

New releases

Bring An End - Butler, Blake and Grant

Knowledge - Edwyn Collins

i'm in love - Andy Bell w/ Dot Allison

Old favourites

Sleep On The Left Side (Les Rythmes Digital mix) - Cornershop

Rose Rouge - Saint Germain

Stop the Clocks - Miaoux Miaoux

Winter Hill - Doves

Fire and Rain - The Isley Brothers

All Right Now - Free

Hush - Deep Purple

A celebration of Bowie - DJ set

In early 2024 my great friend Phil and I danced the night away at The Admiral Woods annual celebration of the late great David Bowie. DJ's played hits, album tracks and songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan and Mott the Hoople - peers and friends of Bowie. We left the night feeling elated by the music, community and atmosphere, vowing to return in 2025.

We both bagged (FREE) tickets for 11/01/25 as soon as the night was announced. Then, Dave Ross, owner of the bar and the organiser of the night, contacted me to ask if I would be up for doing the opening 45-minute slot. Ummmmmmmm - absolutely! I'd be playing with Dave, Gerry Lyons who I put on the Uddingston Indie Forever nights with and the lovely Robert and Hugh from Simply Thrilled.

I tend to go with the flow when I DJ, that is part of the fun after all, responding to the crowd, choosing what songs might get/keep people on the dancefloor, but in this case, I wanted to pretty much nail what I wanted to play to ensure I made the most of my 45-minutes.

Conscious that the hits should be saved for later in the night, I set about digging deep into Bowie's extensive discography to see what I could find.

A few choice album cuts immediately sprang to mind, a theme of space developed, I discovered some cool cover versions and remixes that I hadn't heard before and a set began to develop. 

I Dig Everything was in and out of the set as I couldn't quite make it fit, then I decided it was super cool and would play it as the opening song to highlight the start of Bowie's career and the development of his sound. 

Matthew Dear's sublime cover of Sound and Vision was my opening song until last minute, then I decided it would fit better mid set. Blue Jean was dropped, should I play the house mix of Fame from 1990 or leave it in case someone was playing it later? Would anyone mind if it was played twice anyway, as it is fab?! 

Should I play Arcade Fire's Reflektor with Bowie guesting on backing vocals? Will I have time to play Speed of Life if I fade some songs out and others in?

Anyway, here is a playlist of the setlist I created.

NOTE - On the night I had to leave Hello Spaceboy out for Robert and Hugh to play later in the night (we have VERY similar taste), but it did mean that I could play Speed of Life instead and I also managed to squeeze in Blue Jean at the end. But I have left the playlist as I intended. 

There was a wonderful friendly atmosphere in The Admiral Woods and it was tremendous to hear Bowie blasting out of the fantastic sound system in the pub. Absolute Beginners sounded sublime, while Starman had hands in the air and everyone singing let the children boogie ... and we did!

Next year will be the tenth anniversary of Bowie's passing. I would highly recommend getting tickets for this night. You'll meet a lovely community of music and Bowie fans, ensure you have a January night out, get a night in a cool bar and dance the night away.

Enjoy this playlist!

All songs performed by David Bowie unless stated;

45-minute set

Well you know what, this has been an incredible pleasure .. Bowie talking

I Dig Everything

Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere

V-2 Schneider 

Dancing Out In Space

The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

A New Career in a New Town

Sound & Vision - Matthew Dear

I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship

Hello Spaceboy (Moonage Daydream remix) - David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys

Golden Years - Yam Who?

Fame 90 - House Mix

Jump They Say

Queen Bitch

In reserve

Blue Jean 

Speed of Life

Words of Wisdom and Hope

Back in 2002 Teenage Fanclub & Jad Fair released the Words of Wisdom and Hope album on Stephen Pastel's Geographic label. 

In a classic Fanclub tale, Fair stayed with Norman and his family in Glasgow and it was over a game of scrabble and a glass of wine that they got talking about making an album together. 

Within days, a studio in France had been rented and once they got over, Jad and the Fanclub recorded 16-songs together in just 2-days, all improvised, often with the band switching instruments and with Fair recording all his lyrics in one take.

"We recorded about 16 tracks over two days and had the album. Everything was completely improvised. It was very liberating to do something so quickly." Norman Blake

As a result, there is a raw charm across the 12-songs, with plenty of moments that are almost guaranteed to warm your heart and make you smile. If not, you might want to visit your doctor.

Fair improvises over Teenage Fanclub instrumentals that range from fuzzy and scuzzy garage guitar pop, to gentler and tender moments that follow on from the Howdy! album in 2000.

Norman went on to record with Jad a couple of times; releasing the Yes album in 2015 (check the gorgeous Add Your Name) and Raindrops with Jad and Tenniscoats in 2017. I also have a Japanese import called How Many Glasgow that I got in 2015. You can read an old blog on that album HERE

But back to Words of Wisdom and Hope.

Jad Fair oozes love, hope and positivity in his lyrics, while his voice is all warm and gooey in just the right way. Like a marshmallow toasted on a campfire. He brings out a side of the Fanclub that I'd love to hear more of, particularly with Euros now being on board. Euros strikes me as a musician who can create something from thin air. Could Norman invite Jad back over for another game of scrabble and book a few days in a wee studio like La Chunky or Green Door and knock something out?

Fair is a romantic and soul and that comes out in every single song. Given the spontaneous nature of the album, some are stronger than others. My favourites include;

Behold The Miracle which opens the album, the Fanclub work up a cool garage groove on top of a 3 note keyboard riff, that allows Jad to wax lyrically over the top.

The wondrous wonder of your smile

There is wonder in your eyes

Behold the miracle

Near To You rides in on a riff that sounds very Gerry Love, chiming melodic rushes that create beautiful urgency.

Jad keeps coming back to the song title on Crush On You and after every time he says it he goes on to clarify exactly why and what that feels like. The Fanclub rock out at times, the guitar is gorgeously fuzzy and the band sound loose but also locked in the groove. 

I am certain of our fate

I am certain of our future

Sunshine knocking at our front door

You Rock is slow, dreamy and beautiful;

Love's taken over, taken over my life

And I'm glad

The Good Thing is a tender acoustic album closer with Katrina Mitchell from The Pastels on backing vocals, while Jad sings about not giving up.

Those that dig deep into the Teenage Fanclub discography, beyond the albums and the singles off them, are richly rewarded. Here are a few other releases to check out;

• Ballad of John & Yoko - 7-inch only, released in October 1990 on Paperhouse Records. Limited to 5,000 copies, b-side features etchings of the bands signatures. Recorded in Fun City Studio NYC and released on John's birthday.
• The Peel Sessions EP - released in 1992 on Strange Fruit, a record label run with love from someone's shed. Includes a glorious live version of Alcoholiday.
• Free Again - 7-inch only, released in May 1992. I remember stumbling across this in the old Virgin Records on Argyle Street. A rip roaring cover of the Alex Chilton song. A real favourite of mine.
• Mine Exclusively / Patti Girl - Ltd 7-inch released with NME. This is Teenage Fanclub playing and recording with Alex Chilton. I recently picked up this gem from eBay.  Check them playing together on this Scottish Tee Vee footage. There is also a bootleg of their show at 13th Note HERE.
• Teenage Fanclub Have Lost It - EP released at the end of 1995 (peak Britpop). See my feature length blog HERE.
• Association - Teenage Fanclub covered their friends International Airport (led by Tom Crossley of The Pastels/Lightships) for the b-side of their gorgeous song Association. Look out for a blog on this in the near future.

The legendary Jad Fair

2025 Scottish music scene

Happy New Year everyone

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to visit. I hope my blog (there are well over 1,000 of them!) turns you on to some music you have never heard before, or you read something that encourages you to revisit a favourite song or album you haven't listened to in ages. 

Every January I take a little time to look ahead to gigs, festivals and albums that I am looking forward to over the course of the year. The Scottish music scene is ever evolving; new artists are breaking through, festivals like Tenement Trail are growing in size and reputation, favourite bands are still producing the goods and our appetite for live music shows no boundaries and we are blessed with incredible venues of all sizes in which to experience it.  

2025 is already shaping up to be a cracker. There seems to be more gigs and concerts on than I can ever remember. I have often wondered when the bubble is going to burst - but in these strange and often dark times we live in, music and the escapism offered by gigs, concerts and festivals, is more important than ever.

Here is a glimpse into some artists, albums, show and events that I am looking forward to.

4 New and emerging artists

Yes And Maybe

The buzz around this band at Tenement Trail was incredible. Yes And Maybe more than justified it with an impeccable performance of guitar and synth pop that reminded me of The Strokes crossed with Phoenix. The duo (expanded to a 5-piece live) met online during lockdown and hit it off ... big time! 

I can't wait to see them again live and hear what they choose to release as their debut single. That could be any song from their debut album that is already recorded and resulted in a string of offers from record companies, desperate to sign them up. Ones to watch for sure.

Kerr Mercer

OK, I mentioned young Kerr Mercer in my blog last January and he went on to have an incredible 2024, selling out headline shows at The Poetry Club, King Tuts and Saint Lukes, while also playing TRNSMT and countless support slots. Kerr reckons he is the youngest person to have played the Barrowland so many times. Hopefully, once Mercer releases some music and maybe he'll be one of the youngest to headline the legendary venue!

I'm highlighting Kerr again as his debut single is imminent, possibly around a March tour that includes a Glasgow show at The Garage, and he returns to TRNSMT in the summer. Kerr is writing continuously and building up an impressive collection of songs. Once Mercer starts releasing songs, he might not stop! Wait until you hear this guys voice! Throw in his writing skills, ability to play guitar and piano plus the added fact that his people skills are exceptional! 2024 laid very solid foundations for this young man to build upon.

The Cords

I also mentioned The Cords in my January 2024 blog, but they feature again after a storming 2024 where they released debut single Bo's Haircut / Rather Not Stay, recorded a 6Music session with Marc Riley, supported loads of their favourite bands (including Belle and Sebastian at SWG3) and ended it with a sublime Christmas single.

Eva and Grace have been recording their debut album with Simon Liddell (Frightened Rabbit) and Johnny Scott (Chvrches) and have super cool indie label ready to release it. Expect a couple more singles before then. 

Still teenagers, there is no rush for the sisters, but there is so much support for this band from the Glasgow music community (Monorail have been brilliant, really taking them under their wing) that an album, even at this early stage, seems like a great idea. A document of their time and progression.

Dallas Love Field

Another band I caught at Tenement Trail, their glorious psychedelic shoegaze sound filled BAaD and they seem like they are ready to take a big step forward in 2025. Dallas Love Field released debut single Drowned Out in the summer of 2024 and should be releasing a follow up by Spring 2025. 

The band have been working with Jason Shaw, who has previously worked with Ride. It will be interesting to see if they are working towards an album, or if they are just concentrating on producing as many brilliant songs as they can. That policy certainly worked for the aforementioned Ride who released  string of EP's early on. The band play The Hug & Pint on Jan.uary 11th

4 gigs I already have tickets for

Norman Blake at The Alex James

A hometown gig for Norman! I think the capacity is only around 100. I expected another night (or two) to be added, so the fact this is a one-off only adds to the sense that it should be a really special gig.

Hinds at Saint Lukes

I loved the Hinds album released in 2024, describing it as dreamy, trashy, thrashy, brashy garage pop with dashes of shoegaze and psychedelia. I think I'll appreciate it all the more after seeing them live.

Brian Jonestown Massacre at Barrowland 

I've never seen the Brian Jonestown Massacre live, despite the fact that their February date at the Barrowland will be their 9th visit to Glasgow since they played King Tuts in 2004! Who knows what mood Anton Newcombe will be in, but you can be guaranteed he'll want to play a rip roaring rock n roll show with his current band.

Oasis at Murrayfield

While I am still very much on the fence about the Oasis reunion, to the extent that I used my pre-sale code to get tickets for friends and not myself, I did then take my brother up on his offer of a ticket. Probably quite apt for Oasis! I imagine that Noel and Liam will travel separately, possibly stay in different hotels and only get together for the shows. Quite sad, but if that's what they have got to do ....

I just hope that they create some magic, that they make people happy and that their anthemic songs are belted out once more. I also hope that they properly kiss and make up, treat us to some hilarious interviews and remind everyone what a brilliant band they were.

3 albums I am looking forward to

Gerard Love & The Magic Influence

Gerry Love is kicking off 2025 with a show down in Liverpool on 28th February. I hope a Glasgow show isn't too far behind. Likewise, I hope we get some news about his long awaited new album. 

Nell Smith

I recently discovered Nell Smith's album of Nick Cave cover versions that she recorded with The Flaming Lips as her band. Sadly, very tragically, Nell died in a care crash last year at the age of just 17. Bella Union will be releasing the album that she recorded before her death. 

Butler, Blake & Grant

Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant were brought together by Douglas McIntyre to play a FRETS show at Celtic Connections in 2022. The trio clearly enjoyed the experience and have got back together to tour around the UK. A recent Uncut article told of how they jammed, wrote and recorded an album around the log fire at  Norman's home in the Clyde Valley. Sounds blissful! I'm expecting lots of warm acoustic guitars and harmonies.

4 festivals / events

King Tuts Wah Wah Hut is 35

King Tuts is 35! It's not traditionally a big anniversary, but hey, in Glasgow we don't need that much of an excuse to put on an event or party! Expect some big shows and some secret shows in the legendary venue.

Here is a blog I wrote on the 25th anniversary, reminiscing about 25 incredible gigs I attended in a venue that was my local for a decade when I worked across the road! Good times!

Summer Nights at Kelvingrove Bandstand

Summer Nights has announced a series of shows in Queens Park for next summer. Del Amitri, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Saw Doctors and Ocean Colour Scene are booked in. The line-up for Kelvingrove Bandstand has yet to be announced. I'd love to see The Charlatans on the bill. There is so much love for the band in Scotland and I am sure Tim and co would play a blinder in such a stunning setting. There are whispers that one of my favourite bands could be playing ...

Tenement Trail 2025

Tenement Trail is back on 12th October and if we're not doing anything for the school holiday, I'll be at this wonderful little festival set in and around the Barrowland, Saint Luke's and BAaD (Dallas Love Field pictured above). Expect surprise acoustic shows in pubs, sublime street food, cool vibes and some of Scotland's hottest up and coming bands and artists getting the opportunity to play to larger audiences than normal. The last 2 Tenement Trail festivals have seen the aforementioned Kerr Mercer and Yes And Maybe play early sets. Who will Tenement Trail be tipping for stardom in 2025?

Uddingston Musicfest Mainstage (part of The Bothwell Scarecrow Festival)

Returning after a year off, Musicfest Mainstage (part of the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival) is back with an eclectic bill of Echobelly and The Singing Kettle announced so far. Expect a couple of big announcements in the next month. I'm extremely lucky that this festival takes place a 10-minute walk from our house and a mere stones throw from my Mum's flat! Handy for a cuppa!

The Last Time

Cover version of the month #103
The Andrew Oldham Orchestra covers The Rolling Stones

I consider The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra cover version of The Last Time by The Rolling Stones to be a complete re-imagination of the song rather than a cover. I just don't hear anything remotely familiar to The Stones version.

Andrew Loog Oldham was (and no doubt is still) a creative soul, bursting with ideas and energy. Loog Oldham was still a teenager when he offered to manage The Stones after seeing them in 1963. When Andrew wasn't managing/producing The Rolling Stones, he was busy crafting marketing campaigns, setting up Immediate Records, producing, guiding and also forming his own 'orchestra'.

One story that I love is how Loog Oldham locked Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a room together until they had written a song of their own. The Stones, like many bands of that era, started as a covers band. That song they wrote was As Tears Go By, which became a hit for Marianne Faithful. 

John Lennon also recounted a tale of taking the riff of I Wanna Be Your Man to Jagger and Richards and they liked it. Lennon and McCartney then went off to the corner of a room to dash the song off. The Glimmer Twins were amazed - a lightbulb moment! The song would become The Rolling Stones second single.

Although The Last Time was classed as an original composition, the song lifts the melody and lyrics from The Staple Singers This May Be The Last Time. Jagger adds a couple of verses, while Richards and Brian Jones bring a wall of sound rhythm and a distinctive piercing guitar riff to the party.

Everything rides on the riff, the groove behind it, Jagger singing along on top. 

Well I told you once and I told you twice

But you never listen to my advice

You don't try very hard to please me

With what you know, it should be easy

Well this could be the last time

This could be the last time

Maybe the last time, I don't know

Oh no, oh no

After two verses and choruses there is an instrumental, still based around the lead riff, into the chorus and another verse. One final chorus then lead into  50-second outro, Jagger ad-libbing and screaming over his band singing maybe the last time. It sounds incredible, Jagger let loose and going for it. The song fades out, I wonder how long it went on for.

The Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra version completely reimagines The Last Time, to the extent that you wonder if it is actually a cover version at all. There is no raw guitar riff, there is no sneering Jagger or a version of him, there is no dirty groove and rhythm. Instead, we have a sprawling, symphonic statement; layers of lush strings that sound timeless, cinematic and melancholic. 

The arrangement is sublime, this isn't a song anymore, it's a soundscape, an orchestral piece of music that flow, glides and soars effortlessly. If this is the first time you have heard this, it sure won't be the last time. I always have to listen to this 2 or 3 times if I play it. Once is never enough.

3 decades later, Richard Ashcroft and The Verve discovered the Loog Oldham version and were inspired, especially the section from 1-minute 37 seconds, to write and create Bittersweet Symphony. I'll maybe write about that incredible song another time.

The Rolling Stones version

Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra version

The Rolling Stones original and the sensational Andrew Loog Oldham Orchestra cover version of The Last Time are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

Albums of the year 2024

Welcome to my annual blog where I list my favourite albums of the year.

My album of the year is Bill Ryder-Jones sensational lechyd Da. I was gutted his joint tour with Gruff Rhys didn't venture north of the border. I kinda regret not travelling down south or over to Ireland to see them. Both have released incredible records. 

Here are 14 albums I've enjoyed through 2024. A top 5 and then a further 11.

They include a number of albums that have been enjoyed across our household and I'm delighted that my youngest daughter Rosie is taking time to listen to albums and not just singles. I think Taylor Swift has played a big part in this. Albums by Taylor, Dua Lipa, Becky Hill (not in this list but still great), Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo (released in 2023) are played regularly in our house and cars. I'm so pleased that so many creative, talented and cool female songwriters and performers are making such brilliant music.

Hopefully Santa comes good with Gracie Abrams tickets for Rosie and I!

lechyd Da by Bill Ryder-Jones

Quite simply a masterpiece; deep, soulful, melodic, inventive and melancholic. Utterly beautiful from start to finish. Ryder-Jones is rarely in a hurry, finding riffs and melodies, singing in a gorgeous hushed whisper, bringing in strings, choirs, horns and lovely dashes of psychedelia when he needs to. Exceptional songwriting, musicianship, arrangements and production. 

This Can't Go On - official video

Sadnesss Sets Me Free by Gruff Rhys

Recorded in just 3-days, there is a gorgeous fresh feeling to this record. Rhys is as inventive as ever as he lets his imagination run wild with his lyrics. Gruff's natural sing-song voice is soothing and he finds melodies with ease.

Bad Friend - official video

Bright Future by Adrianne Lenker

Recorded to tape in Lenker's analogue studio, hidden in a forest, there is a stunning intimacy to this album. Three musical friends joined Lenker, the tape never stopped. Each song feels delicate and special.

Fool - official video

The Secret Of Us by Gracie Abrams

I discovered Gracie Abrams through my daughter Rosie who fell for her magnificent single Close To You. The hook in the bridge - I burn for you, but you don't even know my name may be my bridge of the year. I fell for it too and enjoyed sitting down with Rosie to watch YouTube videos of Gracie performing live and checking videos from her catalogue. Zoe eventually fell under Gracie's spell too.

There is a lovely authentic feel to Abrams work - visually and on record. Her songwriting is exceptional, many of her songs (like Risk) develop into fast-flowing words and melodies that seem to come effortlessly. 

God I'm jumping in the deep end

It's more fun to swim in

Heard the risk is drowning

But I'm gonna take it, I'll bend 'til I break it

You'll be my favourite mistake

This is a very strong album indeed and Gracie has just been announced for TRNSMT. Hopefully Santa comes through with tickets for Rosie and I to go and see Gracie at the Hydro in March.

Close To You - official video

Pomegranate by Tess Parks

A welcome late discovery. This is dreamy cinematic garage psychedelic guitar music that is easy to get lost in. Scuzzy and fuzzy at times, with shoegaze/psych effects at others and chiming on Crown Shy, which also introduces some lush strings. Parks sounds beautiful and cool as she sings you don't get mad at the sky as it starts to rain in the opening song Bagpipe Blues.  Tess now has 5 albums to her name, including 2 with Anton Newcombe. Fans of Brian Jonestown Massacre will love.

Running Home To Sing official video

Bubbling under

Viva Hinds by Hinds

Dreamy, trashy, thrashy, brashy garage pop with dashes of shoegaze and psychedelia, I can't wait to see them play Saint Luke's in February. I actually think the album will make even more sense after seeing them live. Do you ever find that?

The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You - official video

Short n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Wow! Super cool and sassy pop. Innuendo's galore, sugar coated choruses, enough hooks to floor Rocky, lyrics that are clever and funny, cool beats and sublime production. Impeccable pop. 

Espresso - official video

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal

What a pleasant surprise! The debut album by Kim Deal arrived in late November, that alone was a bit of a surprise. You would expect cracking guitar sounds (they are present - of course), but maybe not have anticipated it's strings, horns, hushed vocals and exceptional variety throughout. WARNING - Are You Mine? is a tearjeker.

Nobody Loves You More - official video

The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

A very hotly anticipated album in our house, particularly among our (now) 10-year old Rosie who considers herself a Swifty! I Can Do It With A Broken Heart is absolute pop perfection (check my blog) while Swift's songwriting is exceptional; telling tales, pouring scorn, being open and reflective, super confident one minute and full of self doubt the next. All with a lovely self effacing humour. The closing section of opening song Fortnight is sublime, the way it flows is stunning.

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart - official video

Manning Fireworks by MJ Lenderman

A late discovery via 6Music. Lenderman released this album in September, his fifth since his eponymous debut in 2019. I'm making my way through them. Lenderman is certainly prolific, he is also in the band Wednesday. Raw, stoned indie guitar sounds with a country edge, storytelling, humour and reflection are at the heart of his sound. Right up my street.

She's Leaving You - official video

A Dream Is All We Know by The Lemon Twigs

I missed these guys at Saint Luke's and I'll really need to make sure I catch them next time they are in town. Effortlessly talented with guitars, harmonies and songwriting, the D'Addario brothers fuse 60's and 70's sounds with ease; glorious harmonies, jangling guitars, fuzzed guitars - they can do it all. Simon and Garfunkel one minute, Big Star the next.

My Golden Years - official video

Dreamers On The Run by BMX Bandits
A fresh band of Bandits have captured the melodies, arrangements and flourishes that are in Duglas T Stewart's head perfectly. Lush, emotional and soulful. The title track is a particular favourite and possibly a career high. BMX Bandits celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2025 and I look forward to seeing them in Saint Luke's in late January.

Dreamers On The Run - official audio

In Giraffe by Adventure Team 

Think early Fanclub meeting Dinosaur Jr for a jam session. Lovely guitar sounds and cool melodies that veer off on beautiful tangents at times. I really enjoyed seeing these guys play BLOC earlier in the year.

Bummed Out (live)

Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa

Following up the immense pop of Future Nostalgia wasn't going to be easy and Dua Lipa certainly took her time (4-years), but Radical Optimism was worth the wait, while not being (pardon the pun) radically different from the predecessor. Houdini and Training Season were ace singles, while These Walls is an album gem. Dua's Glastonbury headline set was superb - a stadium/club/dance show. Huge in scale at times, super intimate at others.

These Walls - official video

Previous albums of the year

2010 - Shadows by Teenage Fanclub, This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem, Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

2011 - Love & Lemonade by Futuristic Retro Champions, Jonny by Jonny, The Quickening by Remember Remember

2012 - One Day I'm Going To Soar by Dexys, Electric Cables by Lightships, Light of the North by Miaoux Miaoux

2013 - Big Inner by Matthew E White, Reflektor by Arcade Fire, A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart by Bill Ryder-Jones

2014 - Morning Phase by Beck, Tied To A Star by J Mascis, Stay Gold by First Aid Kit

2015 - Beyond The Silver Sea by Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Matador by Gaz Coombes, Modern Nature by The Charlatans

2016 - Pii by Stephen Solo, Say It All With A Kiss by TeenCanteen, Here by Teenage Fanclub

2017 - Adios Senor Pussycat by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band, How The West Was Won by Peter Perrett, Erratic Cinematic by Gerry Cinnamon

2018 - And Nothing Hurts by Spiritualized, Impossible Stuff by Carla J Easton, Babelsberg by Gruff Rhys

2019 - Kiwanuka by Michael Kiwanuka, Purple Mountains by Purple Mountains, Pii3 by Stephen Solo

2020 - Fugitive Light & Themes of Isolation by Andrew Wasylyk, Weirdo by Carla J Easton, Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

2021 - Endless Arcade by Teenage Fanclub, Mirror Mirror by Pearl Charles, The Umbrellas by The Umbrellas

2022 - Poster Paints by Poster Paints, 11 by SAULT, Dear Scott by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

2023 - The Ballad of Darren by Blur, Nothing Lasts Forever by Teenage Fanclub, Blind On a Galloping Horse by David Holmes ft. Raven Violet

Nell Smith

On Saturday morning I fancied listening to The Flaming Lips in the shower! Too much info perhaps! I selected Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Part 1 and sang along, thinking that I really should get tickets to go and see them in Edinburgh in May.

Spotify algorithms kicked in and afterwards I heard a song that I had never heard before. It sounded really beautiful; haunting piano over warm chords, a vocal that was dreamy and wracked with emotion, drenched in reverb and just sounding supremely cool. I picked up my phone and discovered this was a singer called Nell Smith who had recorded and released an album, Where The Viaduct Looms, in collaboration with The Flaming Lips. The song was Into My Arms.

Nell Smith & The Flaming Lips - Into My Arms (video)

I immediately sent the song to my sister who also checked it out and sent a one word reply simply saying - gorgeous. I didn't get a chance to listen to the album that day, but returned to it on Sunday morning and decided to find out who Nell Smith was and how this collaboration came about. The album completely passed me by at the time. This kind of thing can happen with The Flaming Lips who are pretty prolific and some of their releases can fly under the radar.

My heart broke as I scrolled down and read 'Nell was a singer songwriter based in Fernie, BC. She was tragically killed in a car accident on October 6 2024.'

I was moved to tears as Nell's music played and I learned that she was only 17.  

FUCK!

I learned that Nell had fallen for The Flaming Lips and ended up meeting the band. Wayne became friends with Nell and her family, eventually suggesting she record some Nick Cave songs, as she had never heard his music, so had no pre-conceived ideas as to how to sing the songs.

Nell Smith & The Flaming Lips - The Ship Song (video)

Where The Viaduct Looms is the result of that recording. It's truly gorgeous and beautifully cool. A  posthumous album will be released next year. 

Please find some further information about Nell from Bella Union and her own website.

What a tragic loss. Thoughts go out to Nell's family and friends.

From Nell's website

Nell was listening to music before she was born.

Born in Leeds, UK, in 2007, Nell listened to music in utero following her mother’s plan which was to give her familiar sounds once she was born to aid her to settle more easily.

As she grew, she was attracted to music and quickly developed an interest in artists including Herman Dune, Arcade Fire, Metronomy, The Flaming Lips, David Bowie, The Fleet Foxes, and MGMT. Attending festivals with her family, Nell experienced live music from the age of 2 and grew more and more interested.

After moving to Canada in 2012, Nell gravitated towards The Flaming Lips and eventually saw them in Spokane in 2017 aged 10, bursting into tears of joy when she saw the tickets. She watched the show from the front row with her brother. 

Fast forward to 2018 and Nell was again at a Lips show, tenacious and determined, she managed to get a letter onto the tour bus and her yelling from the side of the stage prior to the show caught the attention of Wayne Coyne who came and said hi. Following Nell’s prompt, he went on the bus and found the letter.

A duet through the space bubble while Wayne sang David Bowie’s Space Oddity created a connection, and Wayne maintained contact with Nell’s parents as she learned to play guitar.

Nell started performing live at the age of 11, playing alongside established musicians and writing her own songs.

In 2020 Nell recorded an album of Nick Cave cover versions under the tutelage of Wayne Coyne.

Where the Viaduct Looms was released on November 26, 2021 on Bella Union and can be ordered here.

This work will be followed by an album release worked on in conjunction with Penelope Isles with some songs co-written with Shred Kelly.

The album is due out in Spring 2025 and sadly is a posthumous release following Nell’s untimely death in a car accident on October 6 2024.

Nell’s memory will live on through a memorial fund set up in her name. To contribute please purchase her upcoming album, donate to the fund’s Gofundme or purchase something from the shop.

From the Bella Union website

This inspiring and heartwarming story begin when Smith first met Wayne Coyne at the age of 12 at The Flaming Lips’ headline show at the Sled Island Festival, Calgary, in 2018 with her family. Nell had already attended several Lips shows and was a regular at the front of the stage, dressed in a parrot costume and screaming out the band’s songs. Coyne soon began to notice the kid in the parrot suit and sang a David Bowie cover directly to her at the show in Calgary, with Nell singing every word back.

A musical bond formed with Coyne staying in contact with Nell and her father Jude as she learned to play guitar, while their creative relationship began to flourish when she started to write her own songs.

When a planned trip to record with the band in Oklahoma had to be cancelled due to covid Coyne suggested Nell record some Nick Cave songs and email them to Oklahoma to be backed by the band. Coyne chose Nick Cave because Nell didn’t know him and wouldn’t have preconceived notions as to how to sing the songs.