79. Westside Cowboy: It Goes On

Released: 21 August 2026

Chosen by: Ben

Comments - 

Stu: Please NOTE, whilst offline in Lechlade this was on shuffle play apparently so the track listing is incorrect at the time of publication

I’m down at Lechlade next to the river on my deck chair with my headphones on listening to WESTSIDE COWBOY ❤️❤️ having grabbed my attention on the day of release I’ve been trying to hunt down the glorious Indies only vinyl variant, 2 platters, one red one blue!! I think you all know that I’m a huge JANGLE POP fan, so this fits like a well tailored suit! Along with the girl/boy singing that gets me every time! It kicks off with an absolute banger ‘KICK STONES’, my favourite track, and is followed swiftly by the bouncing bass line of ‘PAPERCHAINS’, it goes on and on and on. ‘‘PATCHWORK’ shows off their tender side with some lovely piano plonking in the distance. ‘PIN UP BOYS’ channels The Lemonheads and is a little more jagged on the guitar 🎸 ‘TAKE MY LEAVING.. has some lovely reflective acoustic guitar, ‘tastes like copper’. ‘WELL DONE KID has some lovely layered vocals with the girls voice just about making it to the surface. A marvellous outro with rolling drums and skittish guitar lines. ‘WORRIED AGE’ starts off slowly and then navigates itself through an increased tempo before it hits the brakes and then goes off like a firecracker 🧨 some sweet ‘Ahs’ finish things off nicely. ‘YOU COULD HAVE….syncopated drums and dual vocals. ‘BIG WHEELS’ has some lovely BA BAH’S. COYOTE’ this is the most beautiful place on planet earth, a cracking opening line! I like her voice and then the drums thump in and he joins in and it teally does go off big time and builds to a crescendo and registers as my second favourite track with paperchains in the bronze medal position. Last up is DOBRO, some dirty bass and some scratchy guitar lines. There’s definitely some LOU REED in here to my ears xxx A massive ⭐️ from me. A great LP ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Paul: Influences. We all have them. No idea is a new idea as a friendly colleague told me once. So what do we do with those influences? Use them as foundations and build something new on them? Or give them a lick of paint and hang some different curtains? 

The Bug Club, The Wedding Present, The Strokes, Kings of Leon are all here and plenty more besides - pretty good influences in my book but no furniture has been moved in the making of this record. Which is a shame because they undoubtedly have potential, Kick Stones is a great opener.

I don't love his voice, perhaps that's my biggest bugbear with it. It's alright. I've listened three times and my opinion has failed to shift. I'd like it more if bassist Aoife Anson O'Connell took the lead vocal more often. Coyote is easily the best track on the album. More of that next time please Westside Cowboy.

Dean: It goes on and on and on and on, on and on and on, and not without promise but I'm not entirely sure about a message or direction or identity. I'm enjoying listening to those jangly guitars and enthusiastic drums. They carry me some distance and when I look around me at the end of that journey, I see my 4 walls and the numbing noise of my own life and nothing has changed at all. Prettiness is what you put on those walls to fill holes in the spaces without effort - I know…we'll put it there.

That's going too far. Later in the record there is some social criticism and a more ironic stance taken. These are the slower songs, not the easiest to listen to, and perhaps that female voice has the furthest reach into my consciousness and my attention. When they slow down, they are less derivative, and the songs come from a deeper space within, that is often always guarded and therefore, worth hearing.

It seems that their project is one that is born from innocence and a need for expression. 

Imagine giving life to something that attempts to give air to genuine thought and feelings only to be met with the many versions of contempt that are already too available. It's not a star but I'll keep my ears open.

Ben: I really liked this album. I first came across them when they played Kick Stones on Later with Jools Holland and they had great energy, so I was keen to hear the rest. The lyric delivery reminds me a bit of Jonathan Richman, which is no bad thing, and the melodies are great. I also enjoyed the way the girl and boy vocals work off each other, which keeps things interesting from song to song. Kick Stones and Pin Up Boys are my favourites.

However, I didn't enjoy the slower songs as much. They lose some of the energy that makes the rest of the album so good, and I found myself waiting for the pace to pick up again.

They're a young and exciting band, though. This year's Bristol date, and indeed the rest of the tour, is sold out, so me and Brin are going to see them at Brixton Academy next year.

78. Sweeping Promises: You Say I Romanticize

Released: 14 August 2026

Chosen By: Dean

Comments - 

Stu: On my fifth listen now, really getting in to this record! Favourite track to date is track 2, My Friend”s An Entomologist, I love it’s lyrics and the way it builds and the little different guitar licks throughout over a throbbing bass and simple motorik drumbeat! Fantastic! Track 4 has Blondie all over it and is proud to be called Rapture! Audacious in a great way! Anyone channeling Debbie Harry has my heart ❤️ Loving ‘Does He Want To Be A Weatherman’. Simplistically wonderful ❤️❤️ and all neatly packed in to 34 mins!! No tracks to skip, they all offer something to burrow in to your eardrum. Good use of 3 minutes on every track. The first track initially gave me reservations BUT then track 2 kicked me in the head and I was hooked! Should have been track one, note to band on track llisting. Great choice Dean and perfectly sums up your musical taste. ⭐️

Dean: Really enjoyed Sweeping Promises. Quite a revelation really. I had some time over the summer to search for some new musical inspiration and I managed to find some refreshing music in genres I had neglected. I even downloaded their previous albums and they are also impressive.

That voice is fascinating, enriched by a playful virtuosity those guitars deliver. Like the experience of listening to the Strokes for the first time. Lyrics are original and fascinating. Riffs are constantly interesting without being repetitive. It is a vehicle that can inspire great change if they were to tackle themes that might be more relevant. It's a politically motivated band with the talent to convert or shape opinion. At this moment in time  the theme of marginalisation is poignant but the potential they possess should they realise it, is vast.🌟

Paul: There's a lot to like here. And, as mentioned in passing, I'm on the same page as Stu for a lot of it. I don't think it's the best choice of an opening track, My Friend's an Entomologist is probably my favourite and Rapture is the most Blondie thing I've heard post-Blondie. It's unashamedly post-punk and some of the bass lines are straight out of the Fall playbook.

And I wonder if that's why I don't love it like I should. Not all the tracks grab me like those mentioned above and what is there isn't bringing much, if anything, new to the party. Maybe I'm being too hard on it. The high points are very high and as Dean says the potential is there but overall I can't quite give it a star.

Ben: I used AI to generate these words but it includes what I think about the record quite nicely….

Sweeping Promises return with You Say I Romanticize, a record bursting with their signature frenetic art-punk energy and jagged, lo-fi charm. Instrumentally, the duo is in top form; the overall sound is delightfully urgent and raw. The undisputed highlight of the album is the propulsive, melodic basslines, which anchor the tracks with real ballast. The standout track "Accent" boasts a killer, spiky bass groove that demands your attention. However, the vocals prove a bit divisive this time around. While the sharper, frantic deliveries fit the aesthetic perfectly, the vocal performance falters on sustained notes, occasionally sounding strained and overly exposed in the mix.

77. Suede: Antidepressants

Released: 5 September 2025

Chosen By: Paul

Comments - 

Dean: Well I've listened three times too often. This is for me entirely superfluous. In the interest of balance, I enjoy the noise they make. He has a voice that I could follow if it said anything relevant to say which, unfortunately, it doesn't. I'm heading toward folk music that was more poiniant 20 years ago. I'll see you when I get there.

Paul: I never enjoy disagreeing with my learned friend above but I'm going to - I liked it. I also think there is plenty to say here around a mental health struggle. Some of the song titles and the cover would point to that.

Disintegrate ia a great glam-rock stomper to start with and Dancing with the Europeans is a big guitar power pop track backing it up. Then Antidepressants brings us some spiky post-punk. It's the sort of music that got me into this sort of music. Lovely stuff. 

Suede are, of course, better known for their nineties Britpop era - particularly a great run of singles between 1993 and 1997. While the songs that hark back to those days are perfectly fine I don't think they're the strongest tracks.

It finishes strongly - June Rain is heaped with sadness while Life Is Endless, Life Is A Moment brings us to a close like a Goth Smiths. It's not quite a star album for me but it's mighty close.

Ben: I quite enjoyed it. For me the first two thirds of the album is better, full of energy and good tunes but it tails off towards the end. 

They’ve never really interested me enough for me to spend much effort on actually listening and absorbing the music, and it’s the same here too. I sort of see where Dean is coming from, for me the lyrics are a bit too literal and the delivery always seems to be turned up to 10, a bit like Bono maybe.   I guess it doesnt matter so much during the rockier numbers but the slowies turned me off a bit.

However, overall I did enjoy it, and I will probably listen again.

Stu: SUEDE, ANTI-DEPRESSANTS then. It’s starts off with 3 bangers. I like the sound and I’ve always been a fan of Brets voice and it still delivers. Driving percussion and strident bass lines impress me throughout. Lyrics of course mean a lot to some and not to others. I find the first three tracks stimulating especially antidepressants considering my current situation and mood. Things slow down a little but I still find myself enjoying the energy and muscular approach of each track. Then we have the 2 slow burners to finish things off. I like these too so that’s makes a full house for me, no skips!! I did buy this on vinyl when it came out and the whole package really sits pretty tight, the black and white graphics along with the heavyweight sleeve and vinyl! Allowing a star ⭐ for this LP along with the new CURE LP. A real great showing from bands we grew up with ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

76, MONO: Snowdrop

Released: 12 June 2026

Chosen by: Stu

Comments - 

Paul: So that's two (mostly) instrumental albums out of the last three. Where Angine de Poitrine's effort was full of energy, groove and challenging riffs, Mono's isn't. I found it, in the main part, instantly forgettable. 

The exception being Hedera which starts with a real sadness to it that was interesting for a while but soon led to a soft-rock ending. Which was perhaps most disappointing of all. There's nothing for me here.

Dean: Yes... a little dystopian in style and sentiment. For me - an easy listen. A bit like eating bacon and egg or my mum's lasagna (she hasn't made it for a good many years) or buttery mash with salted sausage while two doors down, a house is burning down. It's the sound of decay happening a safe distance away or when a bee is found floundering on the pavement and no sanctuary or action seems available. I liked it. Thanks Stu a timely reminder that life is brief and our efforts count right now. Our perseverance justifiable but our inactivity can only be a symptom of our ignorance. This is the soundtrack of demise. Haunting 🌟 Or is it like watching England play?

Ben: Mono - a Japanese version of Mogwai? Slow burn songs which inevitably lead to noisy crescendoes. I skipped through it when Stu first suggested it and made an assumption that I wouldnt enjoy it. However, actually sitting down and playing it properly, when I was a little tired, I connected nicely with it. I dont know if I’ll listen again but it was a pleasant experience. For some reason it reminded me of this….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnkTUKtxRic

Stu: This Japanese guys MONO caught my attention way back and I’ve been in love with them from their debut LP The Pipal Tree. They combine all the atheistic things that I love. They look great, the artwork on their records is always on point and the musicianship is amazing. They can combine a small space or the Albert Hall. I find their music mesmerising, uplifting, spine tingling, cathartic, inspiring, insightful, compelling and jubilant. I always really look forward to putting on my headphones and as the light fades in to dark the orchestral strokes and piano Melodie’s lift you up and then the drums and guitars come in for a brief pummelling to set your pulse rate up a notch before returning you to the serenity within those strings and 88 black and white keys. I’ve never picked songs as I’ve always taken the LPS as a concerto similar to the great composers such as Beethoven and Bach. I cherish each listen and it nourishing my soul.

75. English Teacher: This Could Be Texas

Released: 12 April 2024

Chosen By: Ben

Comments - 

Stu: What a record!! I LOVE THIS SO VERY MUCH!! I do own a copy on vinyl! 3 talented guys on instruments and a glorious young lady with a wonderful voice when both singing or spoken word!! Very cleverly written and performed. They did win a MERCURY PRIZE, now waiting for the follow up! I think my favourite track is BROKEN BISCUITS!! Too many great tracks to choose from!!! Still trying to work out the cover image?

Dean: The lyrics hold the musicians to account. 

I remember when Ben would pick me up from Blunsdon and take me to Highworth or occasionally Lechlade and he'd play inspiring music on the way. Velvet Underground or Pavement? and naturally The Smiths. These are memories full of fresh air and mg midget nostalgia.

And I think of these experiences when I listen to Ben's choices. I have a great respect for a knowledge that inspired my own quest and am always intrigued where his interests are heading.

This album is among those I've downloaded. It is there but given little attention. Good to be given the space to listen without prejudice. 

It's a beautiful album, inspired by lyrics and sympathetic musicians who trust in the poetry.

I'm a believer in words that inspire thought and I'm a believer in lyrics that inspire change. Thanks Ben x 🌟

Ben: I appreciated the interesting directions the songs went in and the crescendoes reached - not too many verse, break, chorus and repeats here. This is a habit of my faves Steely Dan. However, even though I’ve listened several times I struggle to identify many catchy melodies - this is a bit of a disappointment. I couldnt catch too many of the lyrics or work out what the songs were about but the tone felt a bit over whingey. So, overall I appreciated the workmanship but struggled to warm to the record. 

This review may have been affected by my current condition - I think I may have covid and my body is aching like crazy and I have all the energy of a new born baby bird.

Paul: This is a review in two halves. For the first seven tracks I'd say there's a lot of it about. And English Teacher do it well, I'll give them that.  But I don't like it over much. By 'it' I mean British bands making this sort of music meets poetry, not quite a song musical genre. Like Ben I miss that catchiness. There are snatches of lyrics that I find interesting but then there are bits I can't pick out to know if it's a coherent idea or just a clever line padded out.

I like her voice and the musicians can clearly turn to many styles and the album really comes alive for me with R&B and then keeps it up. The rest of the record feels fully-formed and is the better for it. Albert Road seems like a song for our times. I'm interested to see which way they go next.

74. Angine de Poitrine: Vol. 1

Released: 14 June 2024

Chosen By: Dean

Comments - 

Dean: Well .... previously I'd never thought of Quebec as a potential holiday destination but I've changed my mind. I hadn't really heard a lot of AdP. I heard a few songs and downloaded the album without due diligence - now I'm smitten. Irreverent playful exuberant costumed brilliance. Dexterity knowledgeable enough to encompass a multitude of genres and cultures.

This was an absolute delight for me. 

The standouts for me, Sherpa - asymmetric metal? And Sahardwieh - f*****g wonderful.

I don't even miss the vocals. 

🌟Think I've found my next go-to good time.

Stu: Over the last decade I’ve bought 100’s of records that have a similar theme to this record. Instrumental meanderings as it were. So I’ve come to like this type of record. It’s best to let yourself go a little and NOT listen to intently on nuisance. Kick back and simply enjoy the unadulterated experience. It has thrust, it has urgency, it has balls, it has rhythm, it has groove, it has vigour, it forces you in to a convulsive type of dance, jerky movements with one foot firmly rooted to the floor whilst the other corkscrew’s around like tornado! I can hear lots of bands in the noodling without it being copycat. I like this record, best played loud and with plenty of room to jerk around!!! I’ll be adding this to my WANTLIST on DISCOGS ⭐️

Paul: Sherpa is possibly the best track I've heard this year. Starts off like the Monkees, turns into the Beastie Boys and then the bass kicks in - hey, it's the Fall, and then it rocks hard! It's all those and none of those as A de P have a real sound of their own. And I largely like it. but not totally.

Without a (full) vocal the repetition can be a bit much at times. But some of it is fantastic. And some of the off-kilter guitar doesn't always sit well with me. And some of it absolutely hits the spot. There are bits of this record I love and bits I really don't like. Often within 30 seconds of each other in the same track. I'm still confused, can you tell?

It's been interesting, it's been challenging, if I could give half a star I would. But I can't so I won't. For now. I might come back to it again.

Ben: Angine de Poitrine’s self-titled debut album is a calculated dive into minimalist post-punk. I thoroughly enjoyed its hypnotic energy and relentless repetitiveness, which successfully drives a claustrophobic, retro atmosphere. Surprisingly, several lead guitar riffs introduce an intriguing Middle Eastern flair, reminiscent of sounds floating through a crowded souk. However, the formula wears thin. One wonders if the duo failed in previous projects and merely invented their masked image to stand out from the crowd. It is stylish, but hints at gimmick over substance.

73. Bob Marley and the Wailers: Exodus

Released: 3 June 1977

Chosen By: Paul

Comments - 

Paul: It's a fine record, the first half of reggae culminating in the fantastic title track. The second half is poppier but none the worse for that. What I might have hoped for from it hasn't been delivered though. I did wonder if it might send me into a big reggae exploration and a new found admiration for the genre. That hasn't happened.

To be fair that might be my fault. I have been listening in the afternoon while either working out fantasy football scores or doing great work for charidee. If I'd been listening late at night with the lights down while feeling 'mellow' I might feel differently about it. But that's not the way I go about things.

I've enjoyed it and appreciate it but that's as far as it goes.

Dean: Not given to introspection, Bob was a quiet but unignorable voice for human rights and peace. He achieved so much with a persistent gentle, seductive, personal perspective that was carried globally and assertively but never forcefully. His was a voice that will carry long into history and has also played a significant role within that history. It has moved opinion and reconciled difference. Nothing I can say will elevate him further and I would dearly wish to. This may not be his greatest album but there is too much in here to ignore.

I listened to BM al ot when travelling through Oz. It was formative and relevant then. It's unfortunate that it's relevance is not so strongly felt at this time. I really wish it were. 🌟 One love

Ben: I really enjoyed the album - considering reggae is a fairly narrow musical discipline I feel this album manages to separate each song into its own entity. By this time Bob was a very experienced songwriter so no surprise I guess but each song is enjoyable and very listenable. There is also some interesting instrumentation with gentle guitar solos and unusual percussion. The album doesn’t really make a deep connection with me but I did find it enjoyable and fun.

Stu: So Exodus, indeed it’s a great record, Bob is very accomplished and there’s plenty of melody and a hefty amount of homage to the god. The sort of LP that should be in my collection as a reference point. I certainly wouldn’t indulge in the entire collection of his BUT I can admire his art and passion and his fight for his cause!!!