My Favourite Albums Of 2021

16. Marina Allen - Candlepower 

15. Margo Cilker - Pohorylle

14. Ashley Monroe - Rosegold

13. Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club

12. Pearl Charles - Magic Mirror

11. Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed

10. Dinosaur Jr. - Sweep It Into Space

9. St. Vincent - Daddy's Home

8. Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days

7. Juliana Hatfield - Blood 

6. Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming

5. Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita

4. Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters

3. Snail Mail - Valentine 

2. Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham 

1. Marina - Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land

Best Gigs Of 2019

I didn't go to as many shows this year but it was definitely quality over quantity as there were still so many memorable moments. 

The Juliana Hatfield Three at Islington Academy

The Juliana Hatfield Three
She Makes War
Islington Academy, 21 May 2019

A Juliana Hatfield sighting on these shores is amazingly rare so to actually see her promoting her latest album, Weird, here in London with a band, and not just any band, the Juliana Hatfield Three no less, is a must-see experience. And she certainly did not disappoint, in fact it was a show filled with old and new favorites that proved just what an underrated treasure she is.

My Favorite Albums Of 2018

There have been some years while I've been writing this blog where I have struggled to come up with even 10 albums I've loved released in the previous 12 months. This year though has had so many I've loved instead it's been hugely difficult to whittle it down to just 10. There were two EPs in particular that wowed me that didn't make the list simply because they weren't long players: Alison Sudol, formerly A Fine Frenzy, making her debut as a solo artist with the dreamily atmospheric Moon EP and the brilliant "super-group" Boy Genius, combining the talents of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. I hope we'll get proper albums from both of them.

Juliana Sings Olivia Newton-John

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that Juliana Hatfield is 50 years old. Somehow it just doesn't seem right. Not that she looks or, more importantly, sounds it, she still has that cool, youthful spark I've always loved in her. Even her new album is a tribute to her favourite singer growing up, Olivia Newton-John, with Juliana giving Olivia's sugar-sweet sound the Hatfield feel by rocking them up a bit (judging by the first two songs released anyway). I wonder if, in years to come, someone will pay similar tribute to Juliana. I hope so. I think a lot of people assumed she would become a 90s relic but she still endures today, much like her idol Olivia. This video for her version of Physical couldn't be cooler either. I remain hopelessly devoted to Ms Hatfield still.

My Favourite Albums Of 2017

This year has definitely been an interesting one musically, with women in particular releasing many of the best albums of any genre. That wasn't reflected well enough in the end of year polls, in my opinion, but it certainly is in my list. I actually included a couple more men in my first draft before realising that in my heart these were the albums that won me over more than anything else this year regardless of gender.

My Favourite Albums Of 2016

Some of the greatest albums this year were some of the saddest and certainly inspired by death: David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, all very different but heartbreaking records. I didn't include Cave on my list because I actually found his album Skeleton Tree, recorded in the aftermath of his son's death, the most difficult to listen to, proving I suppose that death is hardest for those left behind. A lot of my favourite albums this year were definitely dark, because I guess that was my mood in 2016, but I think some were hopeful too. These days I'm finding less solace in music but I am hoping that 2017 will be different.

The Juliana Hatfield Three reunited

It's old news now that last year The Juliana Hatfield Three reunited and have been working on their first new album since the early 90s called Whatever, My Love (out in February). Like Juliana's last three albums, it was crowdsourced through the PledgeMusic and as usual I contributed and have been following all the updates as it promisingly progressed through recording to completion. But on Sunday the band, also made up of Todd Phillips and Dean Fisher, played their first gig in 20 years at the Hot Stove/Cool Music benefit in Boston and, thanks to some lovely YouTube clips recorded by fans, it's good to hear they sound exactly the same as I remembered them all these years on. Time to break out my old JH3 gig t-shirt! Really looking forward to the new album and hopefully some UK tour dates would be nice too.

Minor Alps at The Islington

Minor Alps 
The Islington, 27 April 2014 

I went to see Minor Alps, Juliana Hatfield and Matthew Caws' new band, again tonight. Not only was the show completely free but the venue, The Islington, was even smaller and nicer too (and in a much safer neighbourhood thank god). The set list was pretty much the same as Juliana herself had warned but as she promised they were indeed wearing different (very stylish) outfits.

Minor Alps at The Shacklewell Arms

Minor Alps
LiliPut
The Shacklewell Arms, 25 April 2014

It's funny but to me Juliana Hatfield is almost mythological. For so many years she's been so huge and such an important part of my life, particularly during my teenage years, yet the world at large has rarely reflected how great she is in my mind. To me she is an iconic giant like Joni Mitchell or a pop superstar like Beyonce, yet to the mainstream she's generally unknown or considered an alternative pop leftover from the 90s. Add to that how infrequently she graces these shores and how she barely seems to age even though she's now into her late 40s, and you can see how she might seem unreal to me: some indie goddess singing just for me. That's why seeing her in the flesh (the last time for me was back in 2008), is always a surreal experience especially when it's such a tiny, tiny venue as it is tonight. How can someone as big to me as Juliana be playing the back room to some small pub on a tiny stage and close enough for me to reach out and touch her?

My favourite albums of 2010