James Cooke
@dodgydiscs.bsky.social
Pop crazed youngster, books, TV & film, cooking, hiking guy et al. OK piano player. Bitesized reviews of unheard Smash Hits reviewed albums - Su Pollard to Motörhead. On here more than that ‘Twitter’ with the dodgy landlord.
Entering a competition for the longest cat
December 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Entering a competition for the longest cat
Mental As Anything - Espresso Bongo. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. New wave with a light touch & a swirly fairground organ. Closer to the likes of Split Enz in sound. A fine sound but needing the knockout tunes. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
December 1, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Mental As Anything - Espresso Bongo. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. New wave with a light touch & a swirly fairground organ. Closer to the likes of Split Enz in sound. A fine sound but needing the knockout tunes. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Original Mirrors - Original Mirrors. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. This is a very fine pop/rock/synth album which makes me wonder why they failed to land. Elements of early but poppier Duran/Simple Minds. Needs a reissue on CD! 7.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Original Mirrors - Original Mirrors. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. This is a very fine pop/rock/synth album which makes me wonder why they failed to land. Elements of early but poppier Duran/Simple Minds. Needs a reissue on CD! 7.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Purple Hearts - Beat That! Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. I'm not quite as harsh as David but I do agree about the overall sound. If you enjoyed those 'Sound Of The Suburbs' compilations 30 years ago then you can relate to this. 5.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Purple Hearts - Beat That! Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. I'm not quite as harsh as David but I do agree about the overall sound. If you enjoyed those 'Sound Of The Suburbs' compilations 30 years ago then you can relate to this. 5.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Flippin' 'eck Tucker. I've made a Grange Hill pilgrimage (original location) Just stopped for a quick half of Titanic Porter to rest my toes.
November 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Flippin' 'eck Tucker. I've made a Grange Hill pilgrimage (original location) Just stopped for a quick half of Titanic Porter to rest my toes.
RIP Imran Sherwani. Great player from the 1988 Olympics & played starring role with 2 goals when England beat Germany in the final. A favourite tv sporting moment
November 29, 2025 at 6:37 AM
RIP Imran Sherwani. Great player from the 1988 Olympics & played starring role with 2 goals when England beat Germany in the final. A favourite tv sporting moment
Tony Rallo & The Midnite Band - Burnin' Alive. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. An authentic & technically proficient disco sound complete with Brothers Gibb vocals in places. Fine but a repeat play isn't on the cards for me. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 28, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Tony Rallo & The Midnite Band - Burnin' Alive. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. An authentic & technically proficient disco sound complete with Brothers Gibb vocals in places. Fine but a repeat play isn't on the cards for me. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Reposted by James Cooke
🚨WOW! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 75,000 signatures! 🙏
LET’S KEEP GOING!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
LET’S KEEP GOING!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
🚨WOW! The Petition calling for a public inquiry into Russian influence on UK politics & democracy has now rocketed past 75,000 signatures! 🙏
LET’S KEEP GOING!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
LET’S KEEP GOING!
If a petition is what it’s going to take let’s get this done!
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
The Whispers - The Whispers. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. The one with 'And The Beat Goes On'. A disco funk version of 'My Girl' & the ability not to fall into the trap of formulaic soul for the most part gives this album a lift above the norm. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 27, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The Whispers - The Whispers. Apr 80. No UK Chart Placing. The one with 'And The Beat Goes On'. A disco funk version of 'My Girl' & the ability not to fall into the trap of formulaic soul for the most part gives this album a lift above the norm. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
A fixed glare from John Lydon stares out the readers of Smash Hits dated 3-16 April 1980. I've heard 'Initial Success' but the rest is to be discovered. 3 artists are unknown to me on here. #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 27, 2025 at 7:39 AM
A fixed glare from John Lydon stares out the readers of Smash Hits dated 3-16 April 1980. I've heard 'Initial Success' but the rest is to be discovered. 3 artists are unknown to me on here. #smashhitsalbumreviews
Stiff Little Fingers - Nobody's Heroes. Mar 80. UK Peak: 8. Strong LP with plenty of fire in its belly on Side 1 but equally they know how to slow it down on 'Bloody Dub' & 'Doesn't Make It Alright'. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 26, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Stiff Little Fingers - Nobody's Heroes. Mar 80. UK Peak: 8. Strong LP with plenty of fire in its belly on Side 1 but equally they know how to slow it down on 'Bloody Dub' & 'Doesn't Make It Alright'. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
The Psychedelic Furs - The Psychedelic Furs. Mar 80. UK Peak: 18. I've got admiration for any rock band that can create its own distinctive sound & there's plenty here such as 'The Wedding Song' & 'Sister Europe' to get the goths in a froth. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The Psychedelic Furs - The Psychedelic Furs. Mar 80. UK Peak: 18. I've got admiration for any rock band that can create its own distinctive sound & there's plenty here such as 'The Wedding Song' & 'Sister Europe' to get the goths in a froth. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Cockney Rejects - Greatest Hits Vol. 1. Mar 80. UK Peak: 22. Like being shouted at by 'Gripper' Stebson & his acolytes for 33 minutes from a vocal perspective, this takes the baton from The Sex Pistols musically speaking. It's catchy but is also a racket 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 24, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Cockney Rejects - Greatest Hits Vol. 1. Mar 80. UK Peak: 22. Like being shouted at by 'Gripper' Stebson & his acolytes for 33 minutes from a vocal perspective, this takes the baton from The Sex Pistols musically speaking. It's catchy but is also a racket 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
youtu.be/HAisO5RBpX8?... I missed the time when The Thompson Twins sounded like the early Cure. Quite enjoyed this.
Thompson Twins - Perfect Game (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Thompson Twins
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 11:09 AM
youtu.be/HAisO5RBpX8?... I missed the time when The Thompson Twins sounded like the early Cure. Quite enjoyed this.
Blackbeard - I Wah Dub. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. A perfectly fine example of the dub genre. Something that just kind of floats around like a miasma. Ok. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 23, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Blackbeard - I Wah Dub. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. A perfectly fine example of the dub genre. Something that just kind of floats around like a miasma. Ok. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Bob Seger - Against The Wind. Mar 80. UK Peak: 26. Bob Springsteen anyone? This is a warm bowl of American wholesome rock, & a bit more playful than Bruce tbf. The production actually sounds quite rich rather than tinny. Quite listenable overall. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 22, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Bob Seger - Against The Wind. Mar 80. UK Peak: 26. Bob Springsteen anyone? This is a warm bowl of American wholesome rock, & a bit more playful than Bruce tbf. The production actually sounds quite rich rather than tinny. Quite listenable overall. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
I'm a pop fan broadly speaking & heartily recommend this 3 part documentary in the wake of the previous 'Boybands Forever'. I have to admit that the girls seem to do this type of pop much better than the boys. Sugababes were my favourites. Girls Aloud were a big omission though #girlbandsforever
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I'm a pop fan broadly speaking & heartily recommend this 3 part documentary in the wake of the previous 'Boybands Forever'. I have to admit that the girls seem to do this type of pop much better than the boys. Sugababes were my favourites. Girls Aloud were a big omission though #girlbandsforever
ZZ Top - Deguello. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The soundtrack to cruising down a single lane highway in the blazing heat. 'Cheap Sunglasses', 'I'm Bad I'm Nationwide' & 'Manic Mechanic' capture the vibe. Southern fried boogie with extra chilli sauce. 8/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
ZZ Top - Deguello. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The soundtrack to cruising down a single lane highway in the blazing heat. 'Cheap Sunglasses', 'I'm Bad I'm Nationwide' & 'Manic Mechanic' capture the vibe. Southern fried boogie with extra chilli sauce. 8/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. Seems like a live set polished into a full album with some songs a bit undercooked but saying that, there's plenty of taut & tight energy that keeps it rolling along. Feeling ok. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 20, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. Seems like a live set polished into a full album with some songs a bit undercooked but saying that, there's plenty of taut & tight energy that keeps it rolling along. Feeling ok. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Brothers Johnson - Light Up The Night. Feb 80. UK Peak: 22 I didn't really notice MJ's appearance but this is a competent funk & soul collection with the standout 'Stomp!' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Brothers Johnson - Light Up The Night. Feb 80. UK Peak: 22 I didn't really notice MJ's appearance but this is a competent funk & soul collection with the standout 'Stomp!' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Sugarhill Gang - Sugarhill Gang. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The undoubted highlight is 'Rapper's Delight' & accompanied by some laid back funk & soul with 'Bad News' also noteworthy. Whatever happened to the highly overrated 'talkover' style then? 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 18, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Sugarhill Gang - Sugarhill Gang. Mar 80. No UK Chart Placing. The undoubted highlight is 'Rapper's Delight' & accompanied by some laid back funk & soul with 'Bad News' also noteworthy. Whatever happened to the highly overrated 'talkover' style then? 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
It's The Vapors on the cover of Smash Hits from March 20 - April 2 1980. I've heard 'The Songs The Lord Taught Us' but nothing else. A mixture of musical styles on this page. #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
It's The Vapors on the cover of Smash Hits from March 20 - April 2 1980. I've heard 'The Songs The Lord Taught Us' but nothing else. A mixture of musical styles on this page. #smashhitsalbumreviews
Squeeze - Argy Bargy. Feb 80. UK Peak: 32. The one with 'Pulling Muscles..' & 'Another Nail..' as the review says, it's probably worth another listen & is both melodic & varied. Going on first impressions it's 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
November 17, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Squeeze - Argy Bargy. Feb 80. UK Peak: 32. The one with 'Pulling Muscles..' & 'Another Nail..' as the review says, it's probably worth another listen & is both melodic & varied. Going on first impressions it's 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9... In case anyone wants a listen to another eclectic show featuring the likes of Soundgarden, The Kinks, Sananda Maitreya, The Goodies, Winifred Atwell and more. It be here! Enjoy
DJ Redvers Magpie Island Show 5
Alright? Listen to my hour show featuring Soundgarden, Paul McCartney, Len, The Kinks, Sananda Maitreya, Winifred Atwell, Roxy Music and more!
www.mixcloud.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:53 PM
www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9... In case anyone wants a listen to another eclectic show featuring the likes of Soundgarden, The Kinks, Sananda Maitreya, The Goodies, Winifred Atwell and more. It be here! Enjoy