Jimi Shandrix

Was that at the Apollo? The Birmingham Odeon in 1975.

Great to have the MLS back. Not getting involved in a discussion regarding the technical attributes of the league or otherwise but what is not in doubt is that it is usually a hugely exciting watch. Caught a couple of matches at the weekend, the best of which was Portland's 2-2 draw at home to New England. Looking forward to seeing how Lewis Morgan gets on playing for a decent team after his move from Miami to NYRB.

One of Scotland's great lost bands Butcher Boy release a best of on 22nd April. "You Had A Kind Face" features tracks from their 3 albums released between 2007 and 2011. The first two "Profit In Your Poetry" and "React Or Die" are absolutely essential listening for anyone with a passing interest in The Smiths, Felt or Belle & Sebastian.

Now for the controversy. After being near damn obsessed with the first album, I have to say it's a no from me for the new Black Country New Road album. For me, only "Bread Song" and "Basketball Shoes" would make the first record. Looking forward to new ones by Keeley Forsyth and Huerco S.

The return of The Soundcarriers with their fifth album "Wilds" is something to celebrate as well. Very very good indeed.

So, what else is new? The one good thing about being terminally ill is that you have loads of time to listen to new music. Anyone who knows me knows that I love Animal Collective. The 10's was a very hit and miss decade with plusses for "Tangerine Reef" and "Ballet Slippers" but raspberries for "Painting With" and "Centipede HZ". The new decade seems to have injected a new lease of life into them though with first, the "Crestone" soundtrack and now "Time Skiffs" which really is a thing of beauty. Welcome back oddballs.

I just couldn't stay away from y'all. Here is a great single coming out at the start of April on Speedy Wunderground

Ah, f**k it. How many comebacks have the Stones had? Thank you for all your kind thoughts. Things not looking great but I'm ready for a scrap. I've beaten it once so I'll give it a right good go again. The doc said a few months but I'm hoping to see the World Cup at the end of the year. I'm on a shitload of pills. They give you the weirdest fucking dreams. The other day I dreamt we'd hired Mark McGhee. Mental.

Sadly, I've had to have a good think about this lately. My cancer is terminal and at 48 my race is almost run. Just a few months left according to the docs. I could keep the mourners hanging around listening to My Bloody Valentine b-sides and early Parquet Courts singles all day but I don't think they'd appreciate it. Some punter once said it's better to burn out than fade away, so that's what I'm going to do. Thanks P&B, it's been a lot of fun, but it's time to sign out and bid you all goodnight. Get every lump and bump checked out before it's too late and don't wait to do all the things you want to do in life. Lots of love and peace out.

From 1985. Here's to the next 36 years of YLT.

Four pages in and no sign of the King. I'll sort that.

Good to see Soots wearing an Arbroath badge on his lapel this afternoon. Giving the fitba team a run for their money in the most unexpected story of the year stakes.

Thoroughly enjoyed 2021 musically. While almost everything else about it was fucking awful, there were loads of great albums to enjoy. Here are my favourites. 1 - Black Midi - Cavalcade 2 - Jon Hopkins - Music For Psychedelic Therapy 3 - Black Country, New Road - For The First Time 4 - Luke Requena - Mirror Stage 5 - University Challenged - Oh Temple! 6 - Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan - Interim Report, March 1979 7 - Dummy - Mandatory Enjoyment 8 - Low - Hey What 9 - Animal Collective - Crestone 10 - David Christian - For Those We Met On The Way 11 - D. Rothon - Memories Of Earth 12 - Parquet Courts - Sympathy For Life 13 - Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan - People & Industry 14 - Roedelius & Dallas Acid - Mind Cinema 15 - Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - Promises 16 - Alex Albrecht - Campfire Stories 17 - Sara Davachi - Antiphonals 18 - Lucinda Chua - Antidotes 19 - Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg 20 - Space Afrika - Honest Labour Top 5 singles 1 - Time Cow - Elephant Man 2 - Horsegirl - Ballroom Dance Scene 3 - Dry Cleaning - Scratchcard Lanyard 4 - Black Midi - John L 5 - Animal Collective - Bridge To Quiet EP A mention for my two favourite reissues of the year 1 - Tangled Shoelaces - Turn My Dial 2 - Black Channels - Two Knocks For Yes

We could have played all night and not scored. The same could be said of Hibs. A winning goal befitting a dreadful game. Still though, unbelievably, halfway through the season, we sit 10th. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that our mid-table Championship level jobbers would be 10th at this stage. We can still do this. If our disinterested American owner can be arsed, McPake out, Ross in.

Sadly, for you guys, I've heard you're playing a slightly better team than us.

Did he really just say Lewis Stevenson is a "Hibs legend?" Over to you, Hibs fans.

Take a drink every time the Tom English sound-alike says some ordinary 10 yard pass is "wonderful". Under the table by half time.

Portland were the better team over the course of the season but NYC the better team on the night. Pleased for Ronny. He always seemed too nice for old firm nonsense. Sad for Portland though. They, along with Nashville and SKC, were amongst the most entertaining sides this year.

Decent start. Nothing cagey about this.

Aw Mikey, say it ain't so. Another great off beyond the blue horizon. RIP.