The Petal Falls - The Ginger Quiff

Singles Round Up 2024 – Part 3 – March

April 10, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

Another month, another singles round up, and a bumper selection it is too, 61 songs in this month’s list, This month’s selection comes from a range of bands and singers from newer talent such as Dancer, Soapbox and recent BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year Bottle Rockets through to established legends such as Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, as well as home grown legends Arab Strap and the continued welcome return of James King and the Lonewolves ahead of their new album The Mortality Arcade.

The Top 25

Single of the Month

Soapbox – Fascist Bob

Several reasons for this being single of the month for March, first and foremost it’s a fucking great song cementing Soapbox as one of the best of the current crop of Scottish bands displaying a punk attitude in the true spirit of the first wave of punk, kicking against the pricks and railing against the right wing.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2024 – Part 1 – January

February 28, 2024 By neilho27@sky.com

A new year for music and (eventually) the first round up of 2024, and what a bumper crop already for January. A massive 62 songs (OK, so some might be from the end of 2023 as I posted end of year posts early…). Anyway, we’re certainly out of the traps and off running at speed, with this list containing some well-kent names, some new kids on the block, as well as the return of some legends. All told providing a wheen of top quality tunes which succeeded in lifting the January blues. If that was January, this is set to be another cracking year for music…

The hazard of deciding to do a monthly singles round up means also trying to find the time to write up the blog… I seem to be caught in a vicious circle of promising myself I’ll spend more time on writing, then disappearing in a world of work, or spending hours overthinking things and getting fuck all done…

I’ve therefore had to make an executive decision.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 9 – November/December

December 27, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The last singles round up was bereft of any comments from me, damn having to work to pay the bills. I’m not going to make any New Years Resolution to be any more organised for 2024… I already know my schedule for January/February.

Anyway, here’s a smorgasbord of tunes for your delight and delectation.

Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls – Little Dead Lovin’

With another catchy spooky calypso melody from their latest album, I’ll Put My Voodoo on You, Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls continue to plough their gloriously unique furrow. Just try not to be taken by these captivating rhythms, you’ll be recreating the dinner table scene in Beetlejuice before you know it…

Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls

The Elegant Chasers – Running Around the Sun

Running Around the Sun, from the band who brought us Clowns and Car Salesman Smile, previously featured in single round ups, comes this huge riff laden behemoth of tune, a spirited uplifting melody but with a hint of melancholy suggested in the vocal and lyrics.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 8 – September & October

November 15, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

The months are fairly flying by, into the Winter months already, September and October were responsible for another batch of top quality tunes from across a variety of genres as per usual. Maybe you’ll find your new favourite band in amongst this Singles Round Up! I’ve had to admit defeat, due to broken laptops, tech issues, work, gigs, life…. you know…. realistically I am never in a million years going to be able to do an individual write up for each song, so… its just the songs, and some links to the bands socials or otherwise. Apologies, these songs deserve a write up, but just listen and find your new favourite bands….… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Pt 7 – July & August

September 6, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

Doubling up for this massive round-up, the last couple of months have disappeared in a flash… Loads of great new music from these summer months. As usual, where available, I’ve added the songs to an evil Spotify playlist for you to sample before you buy… support the artists by buying their music, and merchandise, if you like what you hear.

In no particular order, but kicking off here with the new single from the duo who have given me one of my most unique and unusual gig memories of the year, well, to be fair, probably my life…

The Courettes – Tough Like That

Returning to these shores for the second time this year, The Courettes are currently taking a break from recording their new album with a tour of England, and released a video for their Back in Mono B-Sides and Outtakes track, Tough Like That.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 6 – June

July 1, 2023 By neilho27@sky.com

June singles round up featuring some of the best new music around including joint “Singles of the Month” by the mighty Water Machine, Brenda, Bin Juice and KEELEY

I’m afraid time is not currently my friend, so like the May round up…. only just published in July…. There are no write ups of the songs featured.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t listened to all of them. After all, none of them would be here if I didn’t love them all …

Hopefully my time management will improve and normal service will be resumed in July

Water Machine – Water Machine Pt.

… Read the rest