Album of the Day: Run-D.M.C. - Raising Hell

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.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Links for 29-01-26

“Will they have a ceremony for the last domain to be turned off, kind of like the last Blockbuster was. Does anyone remember Blockbuster?”

via @davewiner

“We were joined by colleagues from government: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed, Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds, and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney.”

What a bunch of charmers.

Sun Out, Focus Gone. 5–1

After the crappy rain and storms of the day before, Wednesday afternoon had perfect conditions at the Table of Dreams. The air was deadly still. If you stood at one end of the table then you were blessed by catching a winter sun tan. The rain had also washed off the muddy footprints from the entitled local middle class little shits.

GAME ON.

The weather may have been blessed, but as ever, my table tennis skills were a little left field. I actually do have the skills; it’s the focus and concentration that I find hard to maintain. I raced to a 1-0 lead. I couldn’t be arsed to continue with my tactical game of hard and fast, forcing backhand errors. Time for some spin. Time to walk away with a 5-1 defeat.

Oh dear.

Album of the Day: Siouxsie And The Banshees - The Scream

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.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Postman Delivers:

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.

Tupperware Skies, Power-Walk Vibes

Another day, another meh Weird Wiv walk. That’s unfair. The meh was in the weather, and not the sights around CO7. It was one of those Tupperware days where you appear to be living under a giant grey plastic roof. The solar light on my shed failed to flicker into action this morning. I’m still pounding the pavements, whilst semi-crocked. My calf is probably about ready for a return to running. But I’m rather enjoying these power walks right now.