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Ed Percival

@edpercival.bsky.social

170 followers 190 following 410 posts

Member of Terry & the Chalkmen. Old git, happy to chat about good things like: XTC; prog rock; Crowded House; music in general; London gigs; Architecture; Comedy; Books; TV; Man Utd Left of centre, pro-European Listening to a new (to me) album, every day

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Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 7h

Day 284. Public Service Broadcasting: Night Flight

A remix release of one of my favourite albums of 2024. What you lose in the emotional impact of Last Flight, you gain in the sort of Berlinification which was the hallmark of the previous album Bright Magic. Different kind stands out.

8 o/o 10

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Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 1d

Day 283. Madison Cunningham: Ace

Released today. A lovely, inventive and satisfying collection of songs delivered with a beautiful vocal style and engaging and varied instrumentation.

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 2d

Day 282. Jacob Collier: In My Room

Hadn’t heard of him until I watched the Yentob interview yesterday. Goodness gracious, but he is a unique phenomenon. The harmonisations are off the scale good. He could very easily be smug, but comes across as very likeable. Technically flawless.

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 4d

Day 281. Ben Folds: So There

The talented Mr Folds together with strings for a short and perfectly charming set of wistful songs. Followed by a whole concerto. Great stuff!

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 4d

Day 280. Sloan: Based on the Bestseller

I’ve never heard of this band and they’ve been going 35 years. This is their 14th album and it’s stuffed with great pop rock songs which compare favourably with Jellyfish or Fountains of Wayne. Everyone writes and sings their own songs. Terrific.

8 o/o 10

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Reposted by Ed Percival

Kath @kathyburke.bsky.social · 4d

Yes, yes I know I keep banging on about my fucking book! However, if you want one repost this and I’ll do a random winner pick thing by the end of the week because I’m great like that. ♥️📚
#amindofmyown

49 1.2K 990

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 5d

Day 279. James Morrison: Fight Another Day

The love child of Terrence Trent and Stevie Wonder releases a ripsnorter of an album. The songs sound like classics and it deserves to be huge. His voice could ring emotion out of a Freeman’s catalog. Little Wings = pure Wonder inc harmonica.

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 6d

Day 278. Future Islands: Singles

Another one recommended to me. An odd mix of 80s sounding synths and hammy accented English semi spoken vocals. A bit like a German Rex Harrison fronting New Order. I don’t see the appeal.

2 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 7d

Day 277. Peter Peter: The Cleansing

Recommended by Mr. T. Assured and interesting collection of post punk songs. The backing tracks keep the attention but his voice is a limiting, if distinctive, factor. I remember seeing them in the 77 supporting Stranglers, but hated the guitarist.

7 out of 10

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Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 9d

Me me me!

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 9d

Retired?

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 9d

Day 276. Taylor Swift: Life of a Showgirl

Polished pop from its First Lady. Will of course be huge, but less appealing to the me who really liked Folklore. Can’t fault it, but hard for me to love.

7 out of 10

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Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 10d

Day 275. Pet Deaths: The Window (part one)

Wistfully intriguing indie songs. Atmospheric, gentle and unconventional.

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 11d

Day 274. Tapir!: The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of My Decrepit Mountain

A curious mix of folk and indie with vocals at times reminiscent of Tiny Tim and others Thom Yorke. Soporific and gentle. Formed of three EPs. Low key. The final part is the musically strongest.

6 out of 10

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Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 11d

Day 273. Crybaby: CRYbaby

Recommended by a friend. A weird record, drenched in reverb, which puts Hawley/Morrisey into the 1950s. Songs are strong but it’s disconcerting to listen to.

6 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 13d

Day 272. His Lordship: Bored Animal

High energy diy punk rock album which sounds like a sloppy version of the Hives. Thumping drums, violent guitars and shouty vocals. Makes you smile.

6 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 13d

Day 271. Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Override

Disk 3 of a triple CD! Laid back, but musically satisfying set of lo-fi songs. Shades of Eels as the discs go on (and on). I began to wonder what criteria he had for song sifting and what might have been achieved with some focus.

5 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 14d

Day 270. Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Override

Disk 2 of a triple CD! Laid back, but musically satisfying set of lo-fi songs. This feels closer to a sort of musical Lou Reed. A huge collection of songs, of similar ilk.

6 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 14d

Day 269. John Cale: Slow Dazzle

My first exposure to Cale. Lots of fairly middling 70s rock, but a splendid reimagining of Heartbreak Hotel and a frankly weird spoken word piece. Not what I expected.

6 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 14d

Day 268. Robert Plant: Saving Grace

Beautifully delivered album of bluegrass/americana songs from Plant and his regular band. Atmospheric and captivating. I’m looking forward to seeing them in Kingston.

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 15d

Day 267. Jeff Tweedy: Twilight Override

Disk 1 of a triple CD! Laid back, but musically satisfying set of lo-fi songs. A times veering into Dylan.

6 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 18d

Day 266. Laura Marling: Once I Was an Eagle

More beautiful Joniesque guitar-based folk songs. It’s a warm and enveloping album delivered in an intimate style. Her voice is gorgeous as is her open-tuned guitar playing.

8 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 18d

Day 265. Flyte: Between You and Me

Recommended by XTC chum, Imogen. What a fantastic, beautiful album! Gentle melodic songs performed with the sparsest of instrumentation. Nods to Radiohead and some Aimee Mann harmonies.

Loved it.

10 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 19d

Day 264. Ocean Alley: Love Balloon

If you put Toploader and the Zutons together, I expect they would sound rather like this new release. Upbeat and summery and easy to listen to.

6 out of 10

Ed Percival @edpercival.bsky.social · 20d

Day 263. Biffy Clyro: Futique

Newly released. A confident, coherent collection of great songs. Big rousing choruses and a huge sound. Love it.

9 out of 10