James Tansley
@tansleyjames.bsky.social
Artist. Decorator. Lost in music… always have been, always will be. Ex-serial music challenge host, now part-time (sort of). #MDANT @tansleyjames on Twitter.
Just the three #NewMusicChallenges set for February then. These will all be Top 28 challenges due to the shorter month.
#OrchestralManoeuvres 1st February
#StandaloneSingles 1st February
#Reverberations 1st February
#OrchestralManoeuvres 1st February
#StandaloneSingles 1st February
#Reverberations 1st February
November 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Just the three #NewMusicChallenges set for February then. These will all be Top 28 challenges due to the shorter month.
#OrchestralManoeuvres 1st February
#StandaloneSingles 1st February
#Reverberations 1st February
#OrchestralManoeuvres 1st February
#StandaloneSingles 1st February
#Reverberations 1st February
#1985AlbumsTop20 20
Island Life | Grace Jones | 1985
Kicking off with the 10 track compilation of Grace Jones’ Island Records career. From Disco Diva to Style Icon, her musical evolution is documented over ten songs.
Slave To The Rhythm
youtu.be/1rAmAPLiIQo
Island Life | Grace Jones | 1985
Kicking off with the 10 track compilation of Grace Jones’ Island Records career. From Disco Diva to Style Icon, her musical evolution is documented over ten songs.
Slave To The Rhythm
youtu.be/1rAmAPLiIQo
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 AM
#1985AlbumsTop20 20
Island Life | Grace Jones | 1985
Kicking off with the 10 track compilation of Grace Jones’ Island Records career. From Disco Diva to Style Icon, her musical evolution is documented over ten songs.
Slave To The Rhythm
youtu.be/1rAmAPLiIQo
Island Life | Grace Jones | 1985
Kicking off with the 10 track compilation of Grace Jones’ Island Records career. From Disco Diva to Style Icon, her musical evolution is documented over ten songs.
Slave To The Rhythm
youtu.be/1rAmAPLiIQo
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 14
Rubber Ring/Asleep | The Smiths | 1985
Two for one today with the b-sides of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. Two individual tracks but on the 12” single they segued into each other. The fact that these two songs are b-sides still blows my mind.
youtu.be/KgFmIdsTErE
Rubber Ring/Asleep | The Smiths | 1985
Two for one today with the b-sides of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. Two individual tracks but on the 12” single they segued into each other. The fact that these two songs are b-sides still blows my mind.
youtu.be/KgFmIdsTErE
November 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 14
Rubber Ring/Asleep | The Smiths | 1985
Two for one today with the b-sides of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. Two individual tracks but on the 12” single they segued into each other. The fact that these two songs are b-sides still blows my mind.
youtu.be/KgFmIdsTErE
Rubber Ring/Asleep | The Smiths | 1985
Two for one today with the b-sides of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. Two individual tracks but on the 12” single they segued into each other. The fact that these two songs are b-sides still blows my mind.
youtu.be/KgFmIdsTErE
#NewWaveNovember 14
Seconds | The Human League | 1981
One of The Human League’s greatest songs. Dare was a massive album with countless hit singles and electronic anthems but arguably Seconds was the album’s crowning glory.
youtu.be/CY_eoAWIklk
Seconds | The Human League | 1981
One of The Human League’s greatest songs. Dare was a massive album with countless hit singles and electronic anthems but arguably Seconds was the album’s crowning glory.
youtu.be/CY_eoAWIklk
November 17, 2025 at 7:30 AM
#NewWaveNovember 14
Seconds | The Human League | 1981
One of The Human League’s greatest songs. Dare was a massive album with countless hit singles and electronic anthems but arguably Seconds was the album’s crowning glory.
youtu.be/CY_eoAWIklk
Seconds | The Human League | 1981
One of The Human League’s greatest songs. Dare was a massive album with countless hit singles and electronic anthems but arguably Seconds was the album’s crowning glory.
youtu.be/CY_eoAWIklk
#90sTop30 14
Some Distant Memory | Electronic | 1991
There was no way they were going to top Getting Away With It was there? Actually there was and they did it with Some Distant Memory. It’s all about that final minute, that beautiful ending. It should have closed the album.
youtu.be/g-tiCXIkGLA
Some Distant Memory | Electronic | 1991
There was no way they were going to top Getting Away With It was there? Actually there was and they did it with Some Distant Memory. It’s all about that final minute, that beautiful ending. It should have closed the album.
youtu.be/g-tiCXIkGLA
November 17, 2025 at 7:23 AM
#90sTop30 14
Some Distant Memory | Electronic | 1991
There was no way they were going to top Getting Away With It was there? Actually there was and they did it with Some Distant Memory. It’s all about that final minute, that beautiful ending. It should have closed the album.
youtu.be/g-tiCXIkGLA
Some Distant Memory | Electronic | 1991
There was no way they were going to top Getting Away With It was there? Actually there was and they did it with Some Distant Memory. It’s all about that final minute, that beautiful ending. It should have closed the album.
youtu.be/g-tiCXIkGLA
November 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
#Reverberations Start date tbc…
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze, Grunge and beyond, right up to the present day. If you’re thinking My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana etc then this challenge could be for you…
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze, Grunge and beyond, right up to the present day. If you’re thinking My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana etc then this challenge could be for you…
November 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
#Reverberations Start date tbc…
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze, Grunge and beyond, right up to the present day. If you’re thinking My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana etc then this challenge could be for you…
A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze, Grunge and beyond, right up to the present day. If you’re thinking My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana etc then this challenge could be for you…
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 15
Darker | Doves | 1999
Originally released on 1999’s Sea EP. Darker found a home on the b-sides collection Lost Sides but I’m delighted to see it’s also featured on their new best of compilation So, Here We Are.
youtu.be/2PCkL2WuwWM
Darker | Doves | 1999
Originally released on 1999’s Sea EP. Darker found a home on the b-sides collection Lost Sides but I’m delighted to see it’s also featured on their new best of compilation So, Here We Are.
youtu.be/2PCkL2WuwWM
November 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 15
Darker | Doves | 1999
Originally released on 1999’s Sea EP. Darker found a home on the b-sides collection Lost Sides but I’m delighted to see it’s also featured on their new best of compilation So, Here We Are.
youtu.be/2PCkL2WuwWM
Darker | Doves | 1999
Originally released on 1999’s Sea EP. Darker found a home on the b-sides collection Lost Sides but I’m delighted to see it’s also featured on their new best of compilation So, Here We Are.
youtu.be/2PCkL2WuwWM
#NewWaveNovember 15
Private Idaho | The B-52’s | 1980
I had a choice of two for The B-52’s songs for this challenge. Both from the same album and although Give Me Back My Man was close, Private Idaho gets my vote.
youtu.be/yXmnmvDl-ao
Private Idaho | The B-52’s | 1980
I had a choice of two for The B-52’s songs for this challenge. Both from the same album and although Give Me Back My Man was close, Private Idaho gets my vote.
youtu.be/yXmnmvDl-ao
November 16, 2025 at 8:22 AM
#NewWaveNovember 15
Private Idaho | The B-52’s | 1980
I had a choice of two for The B-52’s songs for this challenge. Both from the same album and although Give Me Back My Man was close, Private Idaho gets my vote.
youtu.be/yXmnmvDl-ao
Private Idaho | The B-52’s | 1980
I had a choice of two for The B-52’s songs for this challenge. Both from the same album and although Give Me Back My Man was close, Private Idaho gets my vote.
youtu.be/yXmnmvDl-ao
#90sTop30 15
Burn | The Cure | 1993
Burn is just so good. It took them a while to play it live but it’s a mainstay of their live shows now and quite rightly so. My favourite Cure song of the 90s which nestles snugly inside my all time Top 5 Cure songs.
youtu.be/Aj-9-3f0kr8
Burn | The Cure | 1993
Burn is just so good. It took them a while to play it live but it’s a mainstay of their live shows now and quite rightly so. My favourite Cure song of the 90s which nestles snugly inside my all time Top 5 Cure songs.
youtu.be/Aj-9-3f0kr8
November 16, 2025 at 8:13 AM
#90sTop30 15
Burn | The Cure | 1993
Burn is just so good. It took them a while to play it live but it’s a mainstay of their live shows now and quite rightly so. My favourite Cure song of the 90s which nestles snugly inside my all time Top 5 Cure songs.
youtu.be/Aj-9-3f0kr8
Burn | The Cure | 1993
Burn is just so good. It took them a while to play it live but it’s a mainstay of their live shows now and quite rightly so. My favourite Cure song of the 90s which nestles snugly inside my all time Top 5 Cure songs.
youtu.be/Aj-9-3f0kr8
#NewMusicChallenges
#SimpleMindsTop30 Starts 1st December
#RadioheadTop30 Starts 1st January
#SuedeTop30 Starts 1st March
#JamesTop30 Starts 1st April
#SimpleMindsTop30 Starts 1st December
#RadioheadTop30 Starts 1st January
#SuedeTop30 Starts 1st March
#JamesTop30 Starts 1st April
November 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
#NewMusicChallenges
#SimpleMindsTop30 Starts 1st December
#RadioheadTop30 Starts 1st January
#SuedeTop30 Starts 1st March
#JamesTop30 Starts 1st April
#SimpleMindsTop30 Starts 1st December
#RadioheadTop30 Starts 1st January
#SuedeTop30 Starts 1st March
#JamesTop30 Starts 1st April
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 16
Play | The Cure | 1992
One of two magnificent b-sides of the single High. This Twilight Garden was the other track but the mournful and melodic Play is my choice. Both of these tracks could easily have been on Wish.
youtu.be/DfXQ9YB2e9g
Play | The Cure | 1992
One of two magnificent b-sides of the single High. This Twilight Garden was the other track but the mournful and melodic Play is my choice. Both of these tracks could easily have been on Wish.
youtu.be/DfXQ9YB2e9g
November 15, 2025 at 8:08 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 16
Play | The Cure | 1992
One of two magnificent b-sides of the single High. This Twilight Garden was the other track but the mournful and melodic Play is my choice. Both of these tracks could easily have been on Wish.
youtu.be/DfXQ9YB2e9g
Play | The Cure | 1992
One of two magnificent b-sides of the single High. This Twilight Garden was the other track but the mournful and melodic Play is my choice. Both of these tracks could easily have been on Wish.
youtu.be/DfXQ9YB2e9g
#90sTop30 16
Faster | Manic Street Preachers | 1994
Possibly their greatest moment. Ferocious, uncompromising and essential. They hit a sweet spot with The Holy Bible that few (if any) can match and Faster remains that album’s leading light.
youtu.be/rl2Jv4dzFqg
Faster | Manic Street Preachers | 1994
Possibly their greatest moment. Ferocious, uncompromising and essential. They hit a sweet spot with The Holy Bible that few (if any) can match and Faster remains that album’s leading light.
youtu.be/rl2Jv4dzFqg
November 15, 2025 at 8:02 AM
#90sTop30 16
Faster | Manic Street Preachers | 1994
Possibly their greatest moment. Ferocious, uncompromising and essential. They hit a sweet spot with The Holy Bible that few (if any) can match and Faster remains that album’s leading light.
youtu.be/rl2Jv4dzFqg
Faster | Manic Street Preachers | 1994
Possibly their greatest moment. Ferocious, uncompromising and essential. They hit a sweet spot with The Holy Bible that few (if any) can match and Faster remains that album’s leading light.
youtu.be/rl2Jv4dzFqg
#NewWaveNovember 16
I’m In Love With A German Film Star |
The Passions | 1981
One of the first tracks I thought of for this challenge. It just sounds so evocative of the time.
youtu.be/GqZ68-_hA4E
I’m In Love With A German Film Star |
The Passions | 1981
One of the first tracks I thought of for this challenge. It just sounds so evocative of the time.
youtu.be/GqZ68-_hA4E
November 15, 2025 at 7:59 AM
#NewWaveNovember 16
I’m In Love With A German Film Star |
The Passions | 1981
One of the first tracks I thought of for this challenge. It just sounds so evocative of the time.
youtu.be/GqZ68-_hA4E
I’m In Love With A German Film Star |
The Passions | 1981
One of the first tracks I thought of for this challenge. It just sounds so evocative of the time.
youtu.be/GqZ68-_hA4E
#NewWaveNovember 17
Fall In Love With Me | Japan | 1980
Possibly the most New Wave Japan ever sounded. The accompanying album Quiet Life was a real step up in quality but it wouldn’t get the attention it deserved until a little later on. The cover art is totally New Wave.
youtu.be/6mtDe0V5pc0
Fall In Love With Me | Japan | 1980
Possibly the most New Wave Japan ever sounded. The accompanying album Quiet Life was a real step up in quality but it wouldn’t get the attention it deserved until a little later on. The cover art is totally New Wave.
youtu.be/6mtDe0V5pc0
November 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
#NewWaveNovember 17
Fall In Love With Me | Japan | 1980
Possibly the most New Wave Japan ever sounded. The accompanying album Quiet Life was a real step up in quality but it wouldn’t get the attention it deserved until a little later on. The cover art is totally New Wave.
youtu.be/6mtDe0V5pc0
Fall In Love With Me | Japan | 1980
Possibly the most New Wave Japan ever sounded. The accompanying album Quiet Life was a real step up in quality but it wouldn’t get the attention it deserved until a little later on. The cover art is totally New Wave.
youtu.be/6mtDe0V5pc0
#90sTop30
As we approach the halfway stage, I’d just like to say a big thank you for all of the contributions so far. As expected BlueSky users have impeccable taste. Here’s a sneak peak of some of the artists that will feature in the final 90 track playlist. It’s shaping up to be a good one.
As we approach the halfway stage, I’d just like to say a big thank you for all of the contributions so far. As expected BlueSky users have impeccable taste. Here’s a sneak peak of some of the artists that will feature in the final 90 track playlist. It’s shaping up to be a good one.
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
#90sTop30
As we approach the halfway stage, I’d just like to say a big thank you for all of the contributions so far. As expected BlueSky users have impeccable taste. Here’s a sneak peak of some of the artists that will feature in the final 90 track playlist. It’s shaping up to be a good one.
As we approach the halfway stage, I’d just like to say a big thank you for all of the contributions so far. As expected BlueSky users have impeccable taste. Here’s a sneak peak of some of the artists that will feature in the final 90 track playlist. It’s shaping up to be a good one.
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 17
Something’s Got To Give |
The Comsat Angels | 1987
This incredible song was the b-side of The Cutting Edge single from 1987. Their earlier albums are their finest work but this track is right up there with their best.
youtu.be/F6NtOwMtIFs
Something’s Got To Give |
The Comsat Angels | 1987
This incredible song was the b-side of The Cutting Edge single from 1987. Their earlier albums are their finest work but this track is right up there with their best.
youtu.be/F6NtOwMtIFs
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 17
Something’s Got To Give |
The Comsat Angels | 1987
This incredible song was the b-side of The Cutting Edge single from 1987. Their earlier albums are their finest work but this track is right up there with their best.
youtu.be/F6NtOwMtIFs
Something’s Got To Give |
The Comsat Angels | 1987
This incredible song was the b-side of The Cutting Edge single from 1987. Their earlier albums are their finest work but this track is right up there with their best.
youtu.be/F6NtOwMtIFs
#90sTop30 17
Weeping Willow | The Verve | 1997
They had a number one single and numerous top ten hits in 1997 but it’s track number eight on Urban Hymns that makes my list. As always, the star is guitarist extraordinaire Nick McCabe and especially so on Weeping Willow.
youtu.be/QiTc2I-F2co
Weeping Willow | The Verve | 1997
They had a number one single and numerous top ten hits in 1997 but it’s track number eight on Urban Hymns that makes my list. As always, the star is guitarist extraordinaire Nick McCabe and especially so on Weeping Willow.
youtu.be/QiTc2I-F2co
November 14, 2025 at 7:31 AM
#90sTop30 17
Weeping Willow | The Verve | 1997
They had a number one single and numerous top ten hits in 1997 but it’s track number eight on Urban Hymns that makes my list. As always, the star is guitarist extraordinaire Nick McCabe and especially so on Weeping Willow.
youtu.be/QiTc2I-F2co
Weeping Willow | The Verve | 1997
They had a number one single and numerous top ten hits in 1997 but it’s track number eight on Urban Hymns that makes my list. As always, the star is guitarist extraordinaire Nick McCabe and especially so on Weeping Willow.
youtu.be/QiTc2I-F2co
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 18
Gods & Monsters | Lana Del Rey | 2012
One of nine bonus tracks on The Paradise Edition of Born To Die. My favourite Lana Del Rey song.
youtu.be/ORw5Sv0Ch-0
Gods & Monsters | Lana Del Rey | 2012
One of nine bonus tracks on The Paradise Edition of Born To Die. My favourite Lana Del Rey song.
youtu.be/ORw5Sv0Ch-0
November 13, 2025 at 7:40 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 18
Gods & Monsters | Lana Del Rey | 2012
One of nine bonus tracks on The Paradise Edition of Born To Die. My favourite Lana Del Rey song.
youtu.be/ORw5Sv0Ch-0
Gods & Monsters | Lana Del Rey | 2012
One of nine bonus tracks on The Paradise Edition of Born To Die. My favourite Lana Del Rey song.
youtu.be/ORw5Sv0Ch-0
#NewWaveNovember 18
Love Song | Simple Minds | 1981
A change of label and producer and things finally started to happen for Simple Minds. Admittedly it should have happened a lot sooner but they got there in the end.
youtu.be/W_H7QykJ53g
Love Song | Simple Minds | 1981
A change of label and producer and things finally started to happen for Simple Minds. Admittedly it should have happened a lot sooner but they got there in the end.
youtu.be/W_H7QykJ53g
November 13, 2025 at 7:33 AM
#NewWaveNovember 18
Love Song | Simple Minds | 1981
A change of label and producer and things finally started to happen for Simple Minds. Admittedly it should have happened a lot sooner but they got there in the end.
youtu.be/W_H7QykJ53g
Love Song | Simple Minds | 1981
A change of label and producer and things finally started to happen for Simple Minds. Admittedly it should have happened a lot sooner but they got there in the end.
youtu.be/W_H7QykJ53g
#90sTop30 18
The Girl With The Loneliest Eyes |
The House Of Love | 1991
The first single released from their excellent third album Babe Rainbow. The archetypal underachievers (chart-wise), this band should be revered in the same way as The Smiths, The Bunnymen etc.
youtu.be/ozkQgf99mgQ
The Girl With The Loneliest Eyes |
The House Of Love | 1991
The first single released from their excellent third album Babe Rainbow. The archetypal underachievers (chart-wise), this band should be revered in the same way as The Smiths, The Bunnymen etc.
youtu.be/ozkQgf99mgQ
November 13, 2025 at 7:22 AM
#90sTop30 18
The Girl With The Loneliest Eyes |
The House Of Love | 1991
The first single released from their excellent third album Babe Rainbow. The archetypal underachievers (chart-wise), this band should be revered in the same way as The Smiths, The Bunnymen etc.
youtu.be/ozkQgf99mgQ
The Girl With The Loneliest Eyes |
The House Of Love | 1991
The first single released from their excellent third album Babe Rainbow. The archetypal underachievers (chart-wise), this band should be revered in the same way as The Smiths, The Bunnymen etc.
youtu.be/ozkQgf99mgQ
👀 An essential purchase from the looks of it. Being spoiled with PSB content at the moment. Long may it continue… 😁
Pet Shop Boys today announce the forthcoming publication of “Volume”, a 592-page hardback book published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the release of their 1986 debut album, “Please”.
lnkfi.re/ObscurePSBVo...
lnkfi.re/ObscurePSBVo...
November 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
👀 An essential purchase from the looks of it. Being spoiled with PSB content at the moment. Long may it continue… 😁
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 19
Saccharine | Catherine Wheel | 1991
Shoegaze meets Talk Talk and the results are tremendous. It wasn’t a one-off as Fripp from 1993’s Chrome album will testify but this b-side of Black Metallic set the blueprint.
youtu.be/hLEufNbLu1M
Saccharine | Catherine Wheel | 1991
Shoegaze meets Talk Talk and the results are tremendous. It wasn’t a one-off as Fripp from 1993’s Chrome album will testify but this b-side of Black Metallic set the blueprint.
youtu.be/hLEufNbLu1M
November 12, 2025 at 7:55 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 19
Saccharine | Catherine Wheel | 1991
Shoegaze meets Talk Talk and the results are tremendous. It wasn’t a one-off as Fripp from 1993’s Chrome album will testify but this b-side of Black Metallic set the blueprint.
youtu.be/hLEufNbLu1M
Saccharine | Catherine Wheel | 1991
Shoegaze meets Talk Talk and the results are tremendous. It wasn’t a one-off as Fripp from 1993’s Chrome album will testify but this b-side of Black Metallic set the blueprint.
youtu.be/hLEufNbLu1M
#NewWaveNovember 19
Careless Memories | Duran Duran | 1981
The first Duran Duran single I bought (I didn’t buy another until Skin Trade). Although it wasn’t a big hit for them at the time it still remains my favourite DD song.
youtu.be/aEgseXuLUZ0
Careless Memories | Duran Duran | 1981
The first Duran Duran single I bought (I didn’t buy another until Skin Trade). Although it wasn’t a big hit for them at the time it still remains my favourite DD song.
youtu.be/aEgseXuLUZ0
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 AM
#NewWaveNovember 19
Careless Memories | Duran Duran | 1981
The first Duran Duran single I bought (I didn’t buy another until Skin Trade). Although it wasn’t a big hit for them at the time it still remains my favourite DD song.
youtu.be/aEgseXuLUZ0
Careless Memories | Duran Duran | 1981
The first Duran Duran single I bought (I didn’t buy another until Skin Trade). Although it wasn’t a big hit for them at the time it still remains my favourite DD song.
youtu.be/aEgseXuLUZ0