An assault on your senses from start to finish. The beats are so fresh; the delivery matches the dictation of the drums. The first four tracks are perhaps the best opening four tracks on any album. No shit. Like all great artists, Run D.M.C managed to develop cartoon characters of themselves, whilst still sounding relevant. A nod and a wink, but all the while knowing that they have the balls to back it up. Outstanding.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“The song “Cowboy” is seen as being instrumental in the development of the fusion genre country rap.”

And it is for this reason alone that I bailed after the third track. What a bloody racket.

⭐

Wonky as fuck. It sounded like my MacBook was tilted at an angle as I streamed it. Beyond all the dizziness, there’s not a lot going on. Meat ‘n’ two veg indie songs played on out of tune guitars with reverb. JAMC did it far better.

⭐ ⭐

The Beatles released Let It Be only eight years before The Scream came out. It sounds like a musical lifetime has shifted in that period when you listen to the Banshees debut compared to The Beatles. The music of 2026 is very similar to that of 2018. Sure, the Banshees weren’t alone responsible for this transformation, but The Scream does show what is possible when you refuse to play alongside the established rules. It’s still accessible, with the rhythm and SHOCK tunes! Hong Kong Garden is a little, erm, awkward these days. Still a great debut.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

As the title suggests, Madcap is a BONKERS album. It most certainly wouldn’t have been released in 2026, with the fragile mental health of the artist exposed for all to hear. But I rather like the raw, emotional feel when compared to the shitty generic content that clutters up streaming services these days. Genius in the madness, etc.

And so there’s a new Cafe Bleu SIX CD boxset out. Gosh. Outstanding though TSC debut is, I’m not sure that anyone needs six CD’s of Cafe Bleu. Sure, one CD is an early TSC live recording; another is made up of BBC sessions. Actually, I might just fork out…

It has the official Weller endorsement as well. 2026 seems like a good time to reflect on 1984, living under Cold War uncertainty and retreating to music to help get you through it all. Not a lot has changed.

Universal has been drip feeding some of the rarities from the Cafe Bleu deluxe over the past few weeks. It’s been more hit than miss, tbh. This was a pleasant surprise though, a Long Version of Paris Match. It’s very much in demo form, but still captures that essential Cafe Bleu cappuccino vibe.

There’s also been a mix up in the pressing of the vinyl and CD’s. It’s one for the obsessives, but The Whole Point from the album is actually now The Whole Point II, which was originally a b-side from 1985.

That Weller golden run from late ‘83 through to around late ‘85 produced so much richness and variety. You go from late Jam sounds that could still be heard on Speak Like a Child, all the way through to tipping his toe in the water of Transatlantic soul with some of the Our Fave Shop extras.

Much like now tbh, with his prolific run of albums every other summer. Quite a legacy he’s building up.

Inoffensive, but not for me. I am open minded when it comes to music. I even played some George Michael the other day. But this isn’t part of my world. I recognise that it’s important for others. But sometimes I just want to listen to some dumb rock ‘n’ roll and wave my willy in the air.

⭐ ⭐

Fairport’s Liege and Lief. I thought I already had this tbh, but nope. The 1,001 Albums list threw this up earlier this week. I’ll have a bit of that, I thought. Fairport is a band that has always been around for me. There is a direct link going all the way back here to the much missed John Shaw and Here Be Dragons in the Fair City. They’re not exactly cutting edge, but they fit like a good pair of slippers. Sandy Denny is stunning on this album.

Sydney is not feeling too well today. But Syd is best when he’s a little bonkers. I’ve always loved Terrapin. The Marc and the Mambas cover is worth a listen. There’s obvious comparisons here with Bowie of the same period. Syd pours his heart out. It’s almost a Pink Floyd Unplugged - which sounds like a very bad trip, but somehow The Madcap pulls it off.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

A remarkably ambitious album - especially so for what at the time was a jobbing indie toilet band back in 1993. And you know what? They just about get away with it. I love the New Order pastiches on Wishing I was Skinny and Barney. The cod reggae attempts are brave, if nothing else. Giant Steps offered optimism as to where toilet indie could go back in 1993. Sadly flag waving hijacked the possibilities.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐