Prefab Sprout‘s terrific 1990 album, Jordan: The Comeback, features a song named ‘Wild Horses’. It’s about an older gentleman’s unsavoury attempt to woo a young lady. Paddy McAloon is a brilliant lyricist, and he’s in full flight here, throwing in…
It’s a strong week, with the best record from Springsteen’s Tracks II and Justin Bieber’s most palatable record (I assume!). But my favourite release from the week is from maverick R&B producer Dijon. Bruce Springsteen Twilight Hours 2025, 8.5/10The best…
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the first volume only chronicled the USA. Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond, 1964–1969 emerged in 2001.…
Can you complete the 2000s song title with a picture? Most people smashed the 1950s quiz, but I imagine this one will be trickier. I scored 20/20 with 2:41 remaining – can you beat my time? Congratulations to NostalgicItalian,…
Detroit’s Marshall Crenshaw started playing the guitar at age ten. At high school he started the band Astigfa – an acronym for “a splendid time is guaranteed for all”, a lyric from The Beatles’ /Being For The Benefit of Mr…
This might be the worst collection of album art I’ve ever featured in this column. Addison Rae’s debut has passable art, but Bruce Springsteen and Tyler’s art directors both mailed it in this week. Bruce Springsteen Inyo 2025, 6.5/10Disc five…
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Footloose by Kenny Loggins Topped the NZ chart for 4 weeks from 3 June 1984 Kenny Loggins Loggins was born in Everett, Washington, 40 km north of Seattle. He started his career as a folkie,…
Can you complete the 1950s song title with a picture? I’m less versed in 1950s music than most of my regular readers, but I still puzzled my way to full marks. But you can probably beat my time. I…
In the 1980s hair-metal and synth-infusions represented the mainstream of rock, and a scrappy rock ‘n roll band from Minneapolis was relegated to cult status. Shortly after The Replacements broke up, Nirvana took aspects of their sound to the mainstream,…
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the first volume only chronicled the USA. Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond, 1964–1969 emerged in 2001.…
