Review of the Year

Review of the the Year – The Best of 2021

Yet another bumper year for new releases by new artists, classic re-issues and comebacks from some old favourites.

Despite what the salivating broadcasters and media will have you believe, there was so much more to the year than a new album by A****e, the banality of which didn’t even register on the gingerquiff seismograph such was its insignificance in the shadow of so much in the way of superb and exciting music that moved me. (Yes, I know she has a great voice, but oh so dull).

Anyway, no more focussing on negatives, There were so many remarkable albums this year that, once again, I can’t narrow them down to my ten favourites, so before I run down my Top 10 albums of the year, here are those…

In 11th Place (in no particular order)…

It was so hard to leave anyone out this year, I have loved records by so many wonderful and diverse bands and artists.… Read the rest

Jesus and Mary Chain Live

The Jesus & Mary Chain & Gaye Bykers on Acid – Live in Glasgow

After a week that, if I was being polite, could have been described as both difficult and challenging, one name was a common denominator in easing my troubled mind. That name was Mary, and they took me from Darklands to Everything’s Groovy across the space of two outstanding gigs over the weekend.

The Jesus & Mary Chain in Stereo

Jesus and Mary Chain live

Having rocked my world with their return to perform the classic debut album Psychocandy in Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom several years ago, East Kilbride’s favourite sons Jim and William Reid were due to return to the self same venue to give the same treatment to their follow up Darklands in March last year.… Read the rest