Ed Percival

Y2D61. Galaxie 500. Today

Like a cross between Jonathan Richman, Doors and the lamest student band you’ve ever heard. Dreadful, tuneless vocals, drenched in reverb and flat lifeless guitars playing basic chords. No redeeming feature.

1/10

Will listen tomorrow

Y2D60. Days Between Stations: In Extremis

I was aware of ‘Man who..’ as it has a vocal from Colin Moulding. The rest is pleasant classic prog more akin to Floyd. Some of the tracks meander with guitar solos which don’t really get anywhere.

6/10

Y2D59. Laughing Stock: Life in Seven Dreams

For the most part, gentle, Floydesque prog. Lots of spoken ‘Dream within a dream’, which makes me think of Alan Parsons. On one track they lapse into that awful death metal growly voice thing. Some Tim Burgess guest vocals too.

7/10

Y2D58. Gorillaz: The Mountain

Wildly eclectic album infused with melancholy and Indian music. I enjoyed the Indian bits but always die a little when rap is dragged out.

It goes on a bit.

6/10

Y2D57. Bruno Mars: The Romantic

Pretty damn faultless piece of classic soul music. Magnificent voice, effortlessly delivering heartfelt songs over splendid backgrounds.

9/10

Y2D56. Scouting for Girls: Everybody Wants to be on TV

Knowing pop rock which put me in mind of Busted. Bright and cheerful but didn’t really float my boat.

6/10

Y2D55. Reverend and the Makers: The State of Things

Could be an entirely different band from D53. A sort of indie rock affair with tinges of Arctic Monkeys and The The. Once again, I don’t know quite what to make of it.

6/10

Y2D54. Jimmy Eat World: Bleed American

Satisfying American pop/rock album with punky guitars and vocals in the mould of Greenday or Sum41. The sort of band you’d like to see in a club.

Enjoyed it without it needing to be part of my life.

7/10

Y2D53. Reverend and the Makers: Heatwave in the Cold North

Listening as I’m seeing them live later in the year. Curious sort of Philly soul record, not that I have any expertise of that. Don’t quite know what to make of it.

6/10

Just listen to what Andrew’s nickname was amongst royal protection officers.

Y2D52. Moby: Future Quiet

I’ve not listened to anything of his since Play. This is a gorgeous, reflective, double album of largely piano-based pieces. Adds a lovely ambience to a cosy room in the afternoon.

9/10

Y2D51. Mumford & Sons: Prizefighter

Confident and assured folky/country songs. Some cracking lyrics too. I loved Icarus. Sounds like a band in top form.

8/10

Y2D50. Faye Webster: Underdressed at the Symphony

Intriguing blend of eclectic styles supporting an interesting female voice. It is an interesting and enjoyable album which isn’t shy of experimentation.

7/10

These two women are suing Andrew Tate, alleging he raped them. Here they visit the social media companies that created Tate. Please share.

*one voice altered to disguise identity

Y2D49. Mark Hart: Nada Sonata

The debut solo from former Crowdie, more interesting than his later one, but still very laid-back and unexciting. The vocals are mixed so far back that they barely register.

5/10

Y2D48. Lucy Dacus: Home Video

Discovered via Shazam and the Argyle in Brighton. Plaintive female indie folk with poignant and melodic songs. Thumbs is particularly moving.

7/10

I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is

Y2D47. Bjorn Riis: Everything to Everyone

A second visit to him. Classy, Gilmouresque scandi prog. Gentle and reflective. Calms the mind.

8/10

Y2D46. Fugees: The Score

Hugely critically acclaimed, but apart from the wonderful Killing Me Softly cover it’s just tiresome rap. More singing please.

4/10

We all know why Farage is making these wildly misleading and completely inaccurate claims - I know it and in your hearts you know it too - so however you decide to vote in this by- election please don't be taken in by the politics of division offered by Reform

Y2D45. The Lemon Twigs: A Dream is all We Know

There’s a strong sixties vibe to this album, with bags of Brian Wilson influences. Relentlessly upbeat and melodic. I liked it a lot.

7/10

Y2D44. Bic Runga: Red Sunset

I saw her live at Dingwalls many years ago, with Neil Finn on piano. This is her first album in a decade, half an hour of gentle pop music with little to get the toe tapping or pulse racing, but good on the ears.

6/10

Just going to leave this here

Y2D43. Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run

Final go with brooce. The album which contains the only song of his I like (BTR). That song apart, songs drone on for too long, endless ‘wall of sound’ production. ‘Meeting’ is the only colour. It’s tiring to listen to. Oh well, I tried.

5/10

Y2D42. Nine Inch Nails: Downward Spiral

Like nothing I’ve heard before, though I hear its influences on Stephen Wilson. Stunning programmed backing with compelling, fraught vocals to the fore. Draws you into a dark world, perfectly topped off by Hurt.

9/10

Y2D41. Discipline: Breadcrumbs

Laid-back jazz-rock with interesting shifts in rhythm, but ultimately descends into rather tedious noodling. Occasional interesting bursts of violin.

3/10

Joyous Caroleday!

Agree on Gravity, but all 3 Avatar movies have been visually spectacular and worth the ticket.

Y2D40. Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions: Bavarian Fruit Bread

A soporific reverb-laden shoe gazer of a record. Transports you into a warm, enveloping, drug-infused, scatter-cushioned, candle and joysticks world. Establishes its mood and sticks to it.

7/10