1984: The Smiths, HATFUL OF HOLLOW

Now it’s time to introduce you to one of the great loves of my life. Maybe not so much these days (I’m preoccupied by other things), and not in 1984 (I was too young), but somewhere maybe just after I hit puberty, the love hit…

1979: XTC, DRUMS AND WIRES

XTC versus Adam Ant Content versus form Fighting for their place in rock and roll There is no right or wrong — They Might Be Giants, “XTC vs. Adam Ant” I see what they were driving at, but I think XTC do content and form…

1978: Kate Bush, THE KICK INSIDE

Fade in on 1988, or thereabouts. I’ve checked out The Whole Story, Kate Bush’s singles compilation from 1986, from the library on LP. I spin it for the first time and get the strangest sense of familiarity. From the very first notes of the first…