If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears by The Mamas & The Papas

Fun fact! The original version of this album cover was deemed to be unsuitable for public display because it shows a (gasp!) toilet in a bathroom. Later editions either covered up the offending loo or cropped it out. Sanitary-ware aside, this album has a mix of original songs and covers, all sung with some of the best harmonies of any band in the sixties or since.

The music is mostly laid-back folk-rock with a touch of blues, not quite easy listening but not far off. The highlights for me are the best known hits - Monday, Monday and California Dreamin’.

A perfect album for a lazy Sunday morning.

Quill, Barley

Sharpen your quill, write
Of wind that shakes the barley
Rebels on the march

Twilight, Late Snow

Due to a typo
The Twilight News anchor had
Been booked on the Late Snow

Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain

Ever since John Lennon accidentally leaned his guitar against an amp in 1964 and fell for the sound, feedback and distortion have been a vital part of rock music. That distinctive high-pitched squeal really makes the electric guitar stand out from everything else.

Musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Lou Reed took things even further – Lou Reed’s notorious Metal Machine album is almost entirely made of hypnotic feedback loops, almost (but not quite) to the point of unlistenability.

For me, it arrived at just the right moment in the 80s, sweeping away all of that overproduced, plastic dance music with a brilliant blend of classic 60s tunes hidden in a glorious wall of noise. A friend once said that playing it loud enough felt like standing on a cliff in a storm – buffeted by the wind but coming out feeling wonderfully alive.

I’m a bit more careful with my ears these days, but it still brings back great memories and sounds just as good 40 years on.

Tinnitus-tastic!

Leaky, Full Moon

Drawing down the moon
Raking the radiant ripples
On a leaky pond

Timeless by Goldie

UK people of a certain vintage will associate the name “Goldie” as belonging to one of the iconic Blue Peter kids tv pets of the 1970s, which is why I was slightly surprised to find today that Mr Goldie was the same age as me so would have presumably grown up watching the show as well. Maybe he just likes Golden Retrievers?

Anyhoo, this album is a wildly ambitious debut that mostly lands. Mostly. Drum ‘n’ bass is something of an acquired musical taste, with a lot of similarities with the complex mathematical patterns of Steve Reich or the manic high energy drumming of hard bop jazz. Goldie (with production by Rob Playford) also layers in some lush electronica and vocals from Diane Charlemagne and Lorna Harris.

The overall effect ranges from hypnotic to being overwhelming in places, but always intriguing.

Dappled, First Blossom

Beneath the old oak
Basking in dappled sunlight
Their first love blossoms