Author | Lightnews

Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 14h

It was a formative time developing my tastes.
Four of the top five were favourites at the time, Colossal Youth a later choice because it sounds unlike anything else from the time.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 14h

Hi Rich
My #5debutalbums8084 choices:
1. Dexys - Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
2. Scritti Politti - Songs To Remember
3. Echo & the Bunnymen - Crocodiles
4. Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth
5. Teardrop Explodes - Kilimanjaro
Bubblers - REM, The Beat, Three Johns, Girls at our Best, The The

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Reposted by Andrew Neal

Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 3d

"a fascinating account of a studio’s role in one of music’s most productive and creative periods."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Chris Connelly's book about Cargo Studio.
www.silentradio.co.uk/10/22/book-r...

BOOK REVIEW – CARGO RECORDING STUDIOS 1977 – 1985 BY CHRIS CONNELLY

For those with an interest in music from the punk era and its varied aftermath, Cargo Studios has legendary status. John Peel confided that he would often play a track, having not previously heard it,...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 5d

"It makes for a richly textured record, its melodies often lending it a sepia quality."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Cubzoa's Unfold In The Sky @bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/10/20/album-...

ALBUM REVIEW – CUBZOA: UNFOLD IN THE SKY

There is a strong sense of place to Cubzoa’s debut album, ‘Unfold In The Sky’. Jack Wolter takes the listener to his current home (Brighton), his previous home (the Isle of Man), Barcelona and even ou...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Reposted by Andrew Neal

Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 6d

"Twenty years on, Field Music’s eponymous debut sounds remarkably fresh and timeless."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the
@fieldmusicmusic.bsky.social reissue:
www.silentradio.co.uk/10/19/album-...

ALBUM REVIEW – FIELD MUSIC: FIELD MUSIC

Reissues are an ideal opportunity to take stock and evaluate a group’s career. It is twenty years since Memphis Industries issued the first, self-titled Field Music album. Over the ensuing period, the...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 14d

Not sure I've ever read a music autobiography in which the author has been so self-critical. Stylistically, an easy read but emotionally tough yet compelling.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 18d

So sorry to hear this. Sounds like the sort of thing that would happen to my mum who seems to be allergic to everything.

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Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 18d

"Its biggest revelation is how well their disparate voices combine... random pieces colliding yet works as an enjoyable mystery tour where it is never clear what might happen next."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Long Fling
www.silentradio.co.uk/10/07/album-review-long-fling-long-fling/

ALBUM REVIEW – LONG FLING: LONG FLING

It takes considerable chutzpah to preview your first, and it is claimed only, album with what proves to be the record’s most awkward and wiry song. That is what Long Fling do with ‘Flung’ which starts...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 19d

Great list but the Thrilled Skinny album didn't come out until 1989.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 20d

My #topfive albums for September 2025:
Patrick Watson: Uh Oh
Emma Pollock: Begging The Night To Take Hold
Cerys Hafana: Angel
Cate Le Bon: Michelangelo Dying
ALA.NI: Sunshine Music

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 20d

Only one of my choices in the top 30 but all five show respectably in the top 50 so I'll settle for that. Thanks as always for the time you take compiling these.

Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 21d

Life Without Buildings. Great choice and another one I should have considered.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 21d

Had forgotten The Polyphonic Spree. Great band.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 21d

I'd mistakenly thought Dogs was 1999, otherwise Nina Nastasia would have been on my list.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 21d

Honourable mentions to Franz Ferdinand, The Go! Team, Futureheads, The Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens, Stephen Malkmus.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 21d

Hi Rich
My #5debutalbums0004 choices are:
1. Fiery Furnaces - Gallowbird's Bark
2. Broadcast - The Noise Made By People
3. Jeffrey Lewis - The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane
4. Laura Cantrell - Not The Tremblin' Kind
5. Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 22d

More Sparks. Fantastic!

Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 22d

"These four songs show that there is plenty left in the well and that Sparks are MADDER than ever."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new EP from Sparks
www.silentradio.co.uk/10/03/ep-rev...

EP REVIEW – SPARKS: MADDER!

The biggest constant throughout over half a century of Sparks has been their willingness to try something new. In the case of ‘MADDER!’, it is one of their least revolutionary acts, merely their first...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 23d

"Shows the value of gently probing, drawing out connections & contradictions... pairing these thoughts with imaginative arrangements and music of minimalist beauty works a treat."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews @theantlers.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/10/02/album-review-the-antlers-blight/

ALBUM REVIEW – THE ANTLERS: BLIGHT

A glance at a record’s list of songtitles often offers an indication of its type of music. The Antlers’ ‘Blight’ is deceptive in that respect. In addition to the title track, there are songs called ‘C...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 25d

Also came away with a pile of books from the library.

Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 25d

Well worth a visit to the Harris Museum, Preston for the Wallace & Gromit exhibition. Lots of models & sketches which made me want to watch all the films/shorts again plus some early works where it is easy to see Nick Park's style develop. It's free as well.

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · 29d

Digital ID cards are such a terrible & unnecessary idea. Please do everything possible to ensure a massive number of people sign this petition.

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · 29d

One of the unexpected things I've learned from my advocacy for trans people is how malignant parts of the State can be, how it can misuse data for positively evil purposes. It's taught me people can't be safe with a digital ID card and so I've signed this. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/73...

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards

We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.

petition.parliament.uk

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Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · 29d

"Le Bon sculps great beauty from its jumble of feelings and it confirms her reputation as one of music’s most distinctive artists."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Michelangelo Dying by Cate Le Bon
www.silentradio.co.uk/09/26/album-review-cate-le-bon-michelangelo-dying/

ALBUM REVIEW – CATE LE BON: MICHELANGELO DYING

The breakup album is virtually a cliché. There are reasons why it can be irresistible to artists and listeners alike. It is a common, almost universal, experience. Very few will have been lucky enough...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · Sep 23

"It weaves its spell and is at its absolute peak when the instrumentalists combine at create a rare magic."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Cerys Hafana's Angel:
www.silentradio.co.uk/09/22/album-review-cerys-hafana-angel/

ALBUM REVIEW – CERYS HAFANA: ANGEL

Sometimes artists kindly try to do journalist’s work by describing their music. On Cerys Hafana’s Instagram page, their music is described as “sad Welsh harp pop”. As a description, this barely scratc...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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Andrew Neal @andrewneal66.bsky.social · Sep 21

10 Favourite TV comedies:
Seinfeld
Frasier
Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?
The Phil Silvers Show
Black Books
The Day Today
Fawlty Towers
Porridge
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Detectorists

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Silent Radio @silentradio.bsky.social · Sep 21

"a mature record that manages to embrace the ancient and modern, which is hypnotic in moods, relaxed yet emotive, a journey into his unique and influential world."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Mulatu Plays Mulatu
www.silentradio.co.uk/09/21/album-review-mulatu-astatke-mulatu-plays-mulatu/

ALBUM REVIEW – MULATU ASTATKE: MULATU PLAYS MULATU

Over the course of a long gig-going life, there will inevitably be regrets about opportunities missed. Festivals in particular offer so many choices that there is bound to be the odd misstep. From the...

www.silentradio.co.uk

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