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Music, Top Tracks of 20186 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #1 – Childish Gambino, Idles & BC Camplight

December 21, 2018December 21, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard I suspect we will only be able to make sense of the unprecedented times we are living in when they are firmly in the rear … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #1 – Childish Gambino, Idles & BC Camplight

Music, Top Tracks of 20186 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #2 – Underworld & Iggy Pop, First Aid Kit, Thom Yorke & Mavis Staples

December 20, 2018December 21, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard I think this is the third collaboration in our top five so far, one that seemed surprising at the time but makes perfect sense. Two … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #2 – Underworld & Iggy Pop, First Aid Kit, Thom Yorke & Mavis Staples

Music, Top Tracks of 20186 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #3 – John Grant, Gorillaz, Wooden Shjips, Karen O & Michael Kiwanuka

December 19, 2018December 21, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard My bronze medal for 2018 goes to John Grant. I was having a think about why I like the solo artists that I do and … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #3 – John Grant, Gorillaz, Wooden Shjips, Karen O & Michael Kiwanuka

Music, Top Tracks of 20186 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #4 – The Orb with Hollie Cook, The Go! Team, Odesza & Interpol

December 18, 2018December 21, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard This might be my first entry from The Orb in quite a few years, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been enjoying their prodigious … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #4 – The Orb with Hollie Cook, The Go! Team, Odesza & Interpol

Music, Top Tracks of 20184 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #5 – Suede, Thom Yorke & Phil Cook

December 17, 2018December 25, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard So we are into the ‘all important’ top five. The renaissance of Suede has for me been one of the highlights of the last few … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #5 – Suede, Thom Yorke & Phil Cook

Music, Top Tracks of 20188 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #6 – Eels, Amy Shark, Fontaines DC & Jon Hopkins

December 16, 2018December 18, 2018 Richardmlive

Looking back I realise that in 2018 I have moved so much over to streaming that I bought no downloads and only actually bought one music … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #6 – Eels, Amy Shark, Fontaines DC & Jon Hopkins

Music, Top Tracks of 20188 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #7 – Arctic Monkeys,Ruben, Gwenno & Gorillaz

December 15, 2018December 18, 2018 Richardmlive

Never been much of a fan of the Arctic Monkeys. I liked the first album, then they seemed to lift off into mainstream rock and global … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #7 – Arctic Monkeys,Ruben, Gwenno & Gorillaz

Music, Top Tracks of 20184 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #8 The Specials, Orbital, Pram & The Good, The Bad & The Queen

December 14, 2018December 18, 2018 Richardmlive

The most recent track in my countdown comes from the oldest band, with the largest gap in transmission. ‘Vote For Me’, debuted two weeks ago, marks … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #8 The Specials, Orbital, Pram & The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Music, Top Tracks of 201810 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #9 Nils Frahm, Tash Sultana, Eels & Neneh Cherry

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard In a tweet after his Hammersmith Apollo gigs last week I described Nils Frahm live as equal parts piano virtuoso,  club DJ and mad scientist … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #9 Nils Frahm, Tash Sultana, Eels & Neneh Cherry

Music, Top Tracks of 20187 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #10 – Muse, Laura Marling, Marlon Williams & Little Simz

December 12, 2018December 14, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard I don’t know,  you wait ages for an album influenced by 80s video games and analogue synth sounds and then two come along at once, … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #10 – Muse, Laura Marling, Marlon Williams & Little Simz

Music, Top Tracks of 20186 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #11 – Father John Misty, Hen Ogledd, Goat Girl & Franz Ferdinand

December 11, 2018December 14, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard Is it me, or has the general quality of videos improved this year? This effort from Father John Misty certainly has a lot of effort … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #11 – Father John Misty, Hen Ogledd, Goat Girl & Franz Ferdinand

Music, Top Tracks of 201811 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #12 – Idles, Khruangbin, Father John Misty & George Fitzgerald

December 10, 2018December 14, 2018 Richardmlive

Amongst my 2018 choices this could be seen as something of an outlier, given my current level of boredom with guitar bands, but this track from … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #12 – Idles, Khruangbin, Father John Misty & George Fitzgerald

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Top tracks of 2018 #13 – The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Interpol, Teleman (again) & A$AP Rocky

December 9, 2018December 11, 2018 Richardmlive

InterpolRichard Normally, when a band leaves a decade between their debut album and the follow up, you would accuse them of Stone Roses levels of indolence … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #13 – The Good, The Bad & The Queen, Interpol, Teleman (again) & A$AP Rocky

Music, Top Tracks of 201810 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #14: Courtney Barnett, Willaris K, Gaz Coombes & Teleman

December 8, 2018December 10, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard Following Andy’s selection of Courtney Barnett’s ‘Nameless, Faceless’ back at # 17 here’s my own favorite track from her second album and the most recent … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #14: Courtney Barnett, Willaris K, Gaz Coombes & Teleman

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Top tracks of 2018 #15 – Ólafur Arnalds, Shame, Slaves & The Presets

December 7, 2018December 8, 2018 Richardmlive

Ólafur Arnalds is no stranger to my end of year lists. Neither is Nils Frahm, as nominated by Andy a couple of days ago. However, for … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #15 – Ólafur Arnalds, Shame, Slaves & The Presets

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Farewell Pete Shelley

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 Richardmlive

So farewell then Pete Shelley. Just this Monday in my graphic design class we were admiring the work of Linder, who designed the Orgasm Addict image … Continue reading Farewell Pete Shelley

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Top tracks of 2018 #16: Moby, Running Touch, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Hercules & Love Affair

December 6, 2018December 8, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard There is an aquaduct channel in Los Angeles that seems to be the go to place for video and film makers, perhaps most famously in … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #16: Moby, Running Touch, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Hercules & Love Affair

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Top tracks of 2018 #17: Field Music, Courtney Barnett, Montaigne & Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

December 5, 2018December 7, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard Today’s track from me is ‘Count It Up’ by Field Music. This definitely has a Talking Heads vibe, both in the vocal delivery and the … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #17: Field Music, Courtney Barnett, Montaigne & Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever

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Top tracks of 2018 #18: Superorganism, Skeggs, Nils Frahm & Public Service Broadcasting

December 4, 2018December 7, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard In hindsight, my first three Festive Twenty choices all have really good animation/collage videos and this is probably the best of the three. It makes … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #18: Superorganism, Skeggs, Nils Frahm & Public Service Broadcasting

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Top tracks of 2018 #19: The Lovely Eggs, Shame, Billie Eilish &Mason

December 3, 2018December 5, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: For my second ‘Festive Twenty’ entry, let’s head North from Brighton’s Go! Team to a married couple from Lancaster – The Lovely Eggs. I am … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #19: The Lovely Eggs, Shame, Billie Eilish &Mason

Also..., Music, Top Tracks of 201811 Comments
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Top tracks of 2018 #20 – The Go! Team, Boy Azooga, Adwaith & The Coral

December 2, 2018December 3, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: Hard to believe that this is the seventh annual online version of our lists of the top tracks of the year, although we go much … Continue reading Top tracks of 2018 #20 – The Go! Team, Boy Azooga, Adwaith & The Coral

Covered In Glory, Music13 Comments
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..and finally. Covered In Glory Day 10: Thomas Dolby, The Unthanks, Little Roy, Deep Purple & Zoot

June 21, 2018June 22, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: I dropped a fairly clear hint to Andy in my day 8 posting that I thought he was going to post this, but he hasn’t … Continue reading ..and finally. Covered In Glory Day 10: Thomas Dolby, The Unthanks, Little Roy, Deep Purple & Zoot

Covered In Glory, Music13 Comments
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Covered in Glory Day 9: Madness, Husker Du, The Delgados, UFO & Rolf Harris

June 20, 2018June 21, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: Allowing for all the various contributions, we are about 50 cover versions into our marathon with just one day to go  and I have to … Continue reading Covered in Glory Day 9: Madness, Husker Du, The Delgados, UFO & Rolf Harris

Covered In Glory, Music12 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 8: The The, Maria McKee, Manic Street Preachers, 801 & Cat Power

June 19, 2018June 21, 2018 Richardmlive

So, only three choices left. I’ve still quite a few to choose from on my long list, even allowing for pre-emptions from others. There is one … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 8: The The, Maria McKee, Manic Street Preachers, 801 & Cat Power

Covered In Glory, Music10 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 7: Faithless, Associates, Blancmange, Youth Group & The Bangles

June 18, 2018June 19, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: Moving from yesterday’s 80s East German TV clip to one from Spanish TV in 2010, from the final Faithless album comes this inspired cover of … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 7: Faithless, Associates, Blancmange, Youth Group & The Bangles

Covered In Glory, Music4 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 6: The Redskins, The Clash, The Wedding Present & Nirvana

June 17, 2018June 18, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard There are many fine versions of Billy Bragg songs around, Kirsty MacColl’s ‘New England’ and Dubstar’s ‘St Swithin’s Day’ to name but two. However I … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 6: The Redskins, The Clash, The Wedding Present & Nirvana

Covered In Glory, Music11 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 5: Sophie Hunger, Africa Bambaataa, George Michael, Trespassers William & Weird Al

June 14, 2018July 5, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: I came across this little gem on a wet Sunday afternoon at the French Institute in January watching an animated film called ‘Ma Vie En … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 5: Sophie Hunger, Africa Bambaataa, George Michael, Trespassers William & Weird Al

Covered In Glory, Music3 Comments
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Covered in Glory Day 4.5 – Listener requests!

June 13, 2018June 13, 2018 Richardmlive

This theme is proving to be quite the debating point over on Facebook where I post the links daily, so at the risk of sounding like … Continue reading Covered in Glory Day 4.5 – Listener requests!

Covered In Glory, Music11 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 4: Gary Numan, Chaka Khan, Manfred Mann, Ballboy & The Sex Pistols

June 13, 2018June 14, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: ‘On Broadway’ is perhaps most famous for The Drifters version, but I have always adored this version which featured on Gary Numan’s Living Ornaments LP and … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 4: Gary Numan, Chaka Khan, Manfred Mann, Ballboy & The Sex Pistols

Covered In Glory, Music17 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 3: Thin Lizzy, Sarah Blasko, XTC & Scissor Sisters

June 12, 2018June 14, 2018 Richardmlive

Two years ago I posted Lizzy’s ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’ during our celebration of songs related to summer, to some debate. It was variously claimed that … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 3: Thin Lizzy, Sarah Blasko, XTC & Scissor Sisters

Covered In Glory, Music9 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 2: Devo, The Fall, Joe Cocker & Saint Etienne

June 11, 2018June 12, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard: Arguably Satisfaction by the Stones is the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo’s David of rock music. Thing is, I don’t actually like it. I’ve heard it … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 2: Devo, The Fall, Joe Cocker & Saint Etienne

Covered In Glory11 Comments
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Covered In Glory Day 1: Johnny Cash, The Leather Nun, G n’R, Sinead O’Connor, Muse & Housemartins

June 10, 2018June 12, 2018 Richardmlive

Richard:  Some of my upcoming choices in our celebration of the cover version will be obscure, other may be highly contentious, but I suspect my opening … Continue reading Covered In Glory Day 1: Johnny Cash, The Leather Nun, G n’R, Sinead O’Connor, Muse & Housemartins

Covered In Glory, Music1 Comment
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Coming soon: Covered in Glory

June 6, 2018June 6, 2018 Richardmlive

  The summer challenge the Uncertain Smile is setting for its musical hive mind of bloggers is (drum roll)…. Covered In Glory: Cover versions that are … Continue reading Coming soon: Covered in Glory

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Doctor Who and The Millennials

May 30, 2018May 30, 2018 Richardmlive

Here’s something I started in a recent cartoon course, which I have only now got around to finishing off. Clearly I needed to get it done and posted before the next series of Doctor Who starts in October… Continue reading Doctor Who and The Millennials

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A clear view of the stage….

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 Richardmlive

The first in a strictly non-sequential series…. Continue reading A clear view of the stage….

Top tracks of 20175 Comments
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Top Tracks of 2017 #1 – Slowdive, Algiers, Arcade Fire & Parov Stelar

December 22, 2017December 23, 2017 Richardmlive

If one theme emerges as I look back through the choices we have all made over the last twenty days then, aside from all the wonderful … Continue reading Top Tracks of 2017 #1 – Slowdive, Algiers, Arcade Fire & Parov Stelar

Top tracks of 20178 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #2 – The The, The Belligerents, The Charlatans, James Dean Bradfield

December 21, 2017December 22, 2017 Richardmlive

The blog has been running for over five years and this is our sixth annual ‘festive twenty’ When the blog was named The Uncertain Smile, there … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #2 – The The, The Belligerents, The Charlatans, James Dean Bradfield

Top tracks of 20175 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #3 – Arcade Fire, Winston Surfshirt, Fleet Foxes & more Beck

December 20, 2017December 21, 2017 Richardmlive

Richard: I loved ‘Everything Now’ after about 30 seconds and have continued to love it all year. Perhaps the album didn’t quite live up to expectations … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #3 – Arcade Fire, Winston Surfshirt, Fleet Foxes & more Beck

Top tracks of 20179 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #4 – The Horrors, Slowdive, Elbow & Beck

December 19, 2017December 20, 2017 Richardmlive

A couple of days ago I was listening to an Ultravox track and lamenting that bands don’t seem to do ‘proper’ videos anymore. Promos tend to … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #4 – The Horrors, Slowdive, Elbow & Beck

Top tracks of 201711 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #5 – Prophets Of Rage, Frank Carter, MGMT & Eli ‘Paper Boy’ Reed

December 18, 2017December 20, 2017 Richardmlive

Richard: So Christmas is less than a week away and we are now into our all important top five choices… Prophets of Rage remind me of … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #5 – Prophets Of Rage, Frank Carter, MGMT & Eli ‘Paper Boy’ Reed

Top tracks of 20174 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #6 – Gary Numan, Conor Oberst, Methyl Ethyl & Ride

December 17, 2017December 19, 2017 Richardmlive

A second appearance for Gary in the rundown so far. Roy opted for the lead single ‘My Name Is Ruin’, but I am going to go … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #6 – Gary Numan, Conor Oberst, Methyl Ethyl & Ride

Top tracks of 20177 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #7 – Public Service Broadcasting x2, Liam Gallagher & LCD Soundsystem

December 16, 2017December 18, 2017 Richardmlive

We have had a couple of overlaps between our lists so far, but I suspect that, based on conversations this year, this may well set up … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #7 – Public Service Broadcasting x2, Liam Gallagher & LCD Soundsystem

Top tracks of 20178 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #8 – Roger Waters, Loyle Carner, The Slow Readers Club & BNQT

December 15, 2017December 16, 2017 Richardmlive

Ian’s #9 from Robert Plant was mighty fine for a 69 year old, but here is – I suspect – the oldest artist to feature on … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #8 – Roger Waters, Loyle Carner, The Slow Readers Club & BNQT

Top tracks of 201710 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #9 – Saint Etienne, The Horrors, Teleman & Robert Plant

December 14, 2017December 15, 2017 Richardmlive

One of the albums of the year for me (and a lot of music journos, judging by the end of year lists) was Home Counties by … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #9 – Saint Etienne, The Horrors, Teleman & Robert Plant

Top tracks of 201711 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #10 – Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark, Gary Numan, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever & The Breeders

December 13, 2017December 15, 2017 Richardmlive

So we are into the top ten. Two things can tend to happen as we approach the summit, based on previous years. Our choices tend to … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #10 – Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark, Gary Numan, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever & The Breeders

Top tracks of 201711 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #11 – Future Islands, St Vincent, Cherry Glazerr & Alejandro Escovedo

December 12, 2017December 14, 2017 Richardmlive

After my last choice led to accusations of my being ‘wilfully eclectic’, I am heading back onto safer territory with Future Islands, a band most right-thinking … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #11 – Future Islands, St Vincent, Cherry Glazerr & Alejandro Escovedo

Top tracks of 20176 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #12 – Tom Adams, the National, Everything Everything & Mac De Marco

December 11, 2017December 12, 2017 Richardmlive

I suspect today’s choice could prove to be divisive. The moment I heard this track I loved it, but I suspect it may not be everyone’s … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #12 – Tom Adams, the National, Everything Everything & Mac De Marco

Top tracks of 20177 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #13 – Honeyblood, Daughter, Tash Sultana & Mogwai (again)

December 10, 2017December 11, 2017 Richardmlive

My number 13 choice is a rare (for me) bit of guitar-based indie rock. This is ‘Babes Never Die’ from Scottish duo Honeyblood. Shame that Buffy … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #13 – Honeyblood, Daughter, Tash Sultana & Mogwai (again)

Top tracks of 201711 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #14 – Cigarettes After Sex, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alt-J & Kasabian

December 9, 2017December 10, 2017 Richardmlive

If this track wasn’t on the soundtrack of the revived Twin Peaks then they missed a trick (I don’t know, as I don’t have Sky Atlantic). … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #14 – Cigarettes After Sex, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alt-J & Kasabian

Top tracks of 20174 Comments
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Top tracks of 2017 #15 – Soulwax, Seaford Mods, Ist Ist & Mogwai

December 8, 2017December 9, 2017 Richardmlive

As Ian highlighted in his first post, this list is primarily about single tracks as opposed to albums, but sometimes I will post a track mainly … Continue reading Top tracks of 2017 #15 – Soulwax, Seaford Mods, Ist Ist & Mogwai

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