The Unreal Tim Emm

Patrick Cowley, AFTERNOONERS (2017 compilation). Music from 1979 to 1982, 9 tracks were used in an adult film by this name. HOT BEACH features tom-toms of Finland. Sexy synth soundscapes. Died too young when, like Jobriath and Klaus Nomi, he was told: 'Go home and die. We can do nothing for you.'

Talk Talk, SPIRIT OF EDEN. Elegant, troubling, and poison for Parlophone execs, it seemed at the time.

Reverbed vocals from the depths of Hell's Kitchen. Rockabilly as rendered by VU or the Stooges. Alan Vega, COLLISION DRIVE, 1981 (2025 re-issue).

I'm not sure 'good' is quite the feeling it generates. Shock and awe, perhaps. For an LP recorded on a professional Walkman in 1987, it sounds quite clear, and Jarboe's keyboard sounds are favoured.

There I was feeling sorry for myself, wishing for a cute Bear. And what should be on the bus seat next to me? Thank you, danged literal God or djinn. :)

2022 reissue of 1993 release. Ms Wilson's rich low voice and arrangements that are unlike almost any other jazzbo repertoire. :)

The crew back, featuring Bjorn and Benny and Agnetha and Frida. :)

Is it weird? Is it orange? Is it promised to the...door hinge? BEST OF PIXIES, WAVE OF MUTILATION

Physically squeaky-clean Timmybear, 1/30/26.

Flare Acoustic Arts League, BIG TOP/ENCORE, 2011. Super deluxe edition, with odd items tucked into the sleeve (a penny, a green playing card, stickers, postcards, and so much more). Elegant chamber-pop, with the super-rich tenor of Uncle LD Beghtol (we miss him, 1964-2020). Sad and lovely.

You Must Get Them All, a book about the Fall not to be mistaken with gotta catch 'em all from Pokemon Go. Though I picture Mark E Smith as Peachschnappsichu or Grimmsnarl (which is an actual Pokemon).

A rare LP of Queen St. W. Toronto art-rock/theatre. ca. 1979 (I've heard differing years, and it's not dated). Photo by Gloria Berlin (aka GB Jones), with How'Rd Pope (Carole's now late brother) on guitar on two tracks. Though this may be on the illegitimate side, re-issue-wise, it sounds good. :)

FANTA tie in to Universal Pictures' FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDYS 2 (thank you, Maria, for letting me know - still had to look up what it was...); me post hair-and-beard-cut 1/10/26.

Trembling Blue Stars, THE LAST HOLY WRITER, 2x10", 2007. One of two albums I have in that odd format/configuration (the other being the last Fall album, NEW FACTS EMERGE). Shimmery, sad, literary.

The other 12" Soft Cell released this year, just before Dave Ball's death - this one having a tie-in to a reissue of their second album (the other stood alone). Cover of Suici*e (four takes), with guest JG Thirlwell (Foetus).

Daniel's other album recorded in 1983. At his brother's house, and he had no access to a piano, so he plays the same kind of wheezy chord organ my sister and I had when we were kids, and a blue-Belgian-animated-character uke. Double album, and great for what it is. :)

Daniel's first album of 1983. For a product of depression, it can be oddly wry. Minimal music, recorded on home tape decks. The track KEEP PUNCHING JOE seems to be dubbed over someone else's jazzy record. :)

Gerard Van Herk's MARTIAN KISS. Famed for being in Deja Voodoo, a sludge-a-billy duo, he was out of music for 36 years. Back with joyfully sinister rootsy/Crampsy schtuff. And thank you, Gerard, for being in my neighbourhood at Xmas and dropping it off for me right after my bandcamp order. :)

Other Capy shirt. Again, naked from shirt down, but you can't tell. 🙂

1974. I was seven, my sister Kelly was ten. Watching Don Kirshner's Rock Concert show. On came the Dolls, and oh darlings, I was never the same. RIP Kelly, my TV-viewing buddy and facilitator of my corruption. :)

Irish band Pillow Queens, NAME YOUR SORROW. Abrasive guitars, smooth vocals, a bit anthemic, and as the name suggests (to those hip to the lingo), queer as f. :)

Demos from 1975 and 1976, and a live version of a track not done in the studio until 1978, in 1976. AND the biggest coup - two Artistics demos from 1974 (apparently one more exists - discovered in 2025).

1994/2025 Black Friday release. Delightfully loud, catchy amateurism. It plays at 45, by the way - at 33, a secret Rocket From the Tombs influence appears. ;)

Devo, MERRY SOMETHING TO YOU (2010/2025 Black Friday picture disc). Essential? No. Fun and festive? Yes. :) Four versions - b side similar art in green.

An album full of love songs. But even by late Jonathan standards, his love songs are a bit warped. Songs of love about vampires, and of course an ode to Irish identity (faith and be-goy-rah).

Black Friday haul. Talking Heads, TENTATIVE DECISIONS lp and 7", demos and live, Artistics demos on the 7"!; Bratmobile, REAL JANELLE/PEEL SESSIONS 12"; Jonathan Richman, YOU MUST ASK THE HEART 1995 reissue; Devo picture disc MERRY SOMETHING TO YOU.