James Tansley
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tansleyjames.bsky.social
James Tansley
@tansleyjames.bsky.social
Artist. Decorator. Lost in music… always have been, always will be. Ex-serial music challenge host, now part-time (sort of). #MDANT @tansleyjames on Twitter.
#ArtistFaveLP
Attack Of The Grey Lantern | Mansun | 1997

4 | You, Who Do You Hate?

Track four on the album and a change of pace. A semi-acoustic and brooding affair with a quiet / loud dynamic that works brilliantly. The shortest song on the album.

youtu.be/N2Ms55tyz4o
November 25, 2025 at 10:02 PM
#1985AlbumsTop20 12

Boys And Girls | Bryan Ferry

Suave, sophisticated, high production values, classic songs… Boys And Girls has it all. Avalon Part 2? Well maybe, but when a formula works so well and you’re capable of pulling it off again then why not.

The Chosen One
youtu.be/Ap8xH_AD7E8
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 6

Crystal Japan | David Bowie | 1980

A Berlin-esque instrumental track that was originally intended for inclusion on Scary Monsters. It ended up as the b-side of Up The Hill Backwards but I wish they’d found space for it on the album.

youtu.be/h_sNUlrMy30
November 25, 2025 at 7:41 AM
#NewWaveNovember 6

Frederick | Patti Smith Group | 1979

One of the standout tracks from the album Wave. The track is dedicated to Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith of the MC5.

youtu.be/a-befOtn9GQ
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM
#90sTop30 6

Disarm | The Smashing Pumpkins | 1993

Lyrically it’s unsettling but musically it struck a nerve from the very first listen. A darker side of the Pumpkins, the acoustic/orchestral backing adds drama and pathos. It hits home hard, every time.

youtu.be/d1acEVmnVhI
November 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM
#ArtistFaveLP
Attack Of The Grey Lantern | Mansun | 1997

5 | Mansun’s Only Love Song

Track two on the album (UK version). I thought at the time that the album echoed the 80s production values of Chris Hughes (Ants, TFF) and that’s the case here. The flow into Taxloss is 👌

youtu.be/JWh2lCIPT_I
November 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
#1985AlbumsTop20 13

7 Day Weekend | The Comsat Angels

Their second and final album for Jive Records. It’s not a patch on their earlier material but there are some great songs on it. You Move Me and High Tide are standouts but there are others.

High Tide
youtu.be/ThRfyBqZPPk
November 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 7

4 Ever Delayed |
Manic Street Preachers | 2002

It’s only available on the Lipstick Traces compilation but this should have been a single (I mean they named a Best Of after it). I still think it’s one of the best things they’ve ever released.

youtu.be/K6MKCCCWVus
November 24, 2025 at 7:47 AM
#NewWaveNovember 7

Dreaming | Blondie | 1979

Propelled along by Clem Burke’s powerhouse drumming, Dreaming is Blondie at the peak of their powers.

youtu.be/TU3-lS_Gryk
November 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
#90sTop30 7

Frou-Frou Foxes In Midsummer Fires |
Cocteau Twins | 1990

I’m still knocked sideways whenever I hear this track. It somehow manages to be both sad and uplifting at the same time. A truly incredible composition to lose yourself in, it moves me every time I hear it.

youtu.be/qgffvFM1J-Q
November 24, 2025 at 7:24 AM
#ArtistFaveLP
Attack Of The Grey Lantern | Mansun | 1997

6 | Naked Twister

Another track on the album that wasn’t a single but perhaps should have been. One of the more melodic tracks on the album with a great chorus.

youtu.be/XQLTFye3Sc8
November 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 8

The Light Pours Out Of Me (Version) |
Magazine | 1980

One of Magazine’s greatest songs gets the Martin Hannett treatment. Now with glacial synths, it can’t beat the original but sonically it fits in with The Correct Use Of Soap era.

youtu.be/T3mjYzXRSeU
November 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM
#NewWaveNovember 8

Back To Nature | Fad Gadget | 1979

A tale of caravans, sunburn, rain and rubber trees. It’s bleak and uncompromising but utterly marvellous.

youtu.be/lKXMgAWJ9JI
November 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
#1985AlbumsTop20 14

Empire Days | Opposition

An artist I’d never heard of until a couple of months ago (thanks @top10nathan.bsky.social ). Empires Days is their only album not available to stream but I managed to get a mint CD copy a month ago.

If That Wasn’t Love
youtu.be/MQE9T7dDXQE
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
#90sTop30 8

London, Can You Wait? | Gene | 1995

For me it’s the definitive Gene song. A masterpiece from Olympian that builds beautifully but soars at 1m 45s. Martin’s vocals just floor me every single time. Perfection.

youtu.be/GwWeGCQLLYk
November 23, 2025 at 7:54 AM
#ArtistFaveLP
Attack Of The Grey Lantern | Mansun | 1997

7 | Taxloss

The final single released from the album. As ever with Mansun the creative juices were flowing with Taxloss. A song of many parts, twists and turns but always interesting and always magnificent.

youtu.be/Tc_8PGdyvFw
November 22, 2025 at 10:01 PM
#RadioheadTop30 Starts 1st January 2026
November 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Nice delivery for a Saturday. 😊 #SoftCell #SiouxsieAndTheBanshees
November 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM
#1985AlbumsTop20 15

A Secret Wish | Propaganda

Propaganda’s wonderful debut album.

Duel
youtu.be/GwvO97FbmW
November 22, 2025 at 8:54 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 9

London Can Take It |
Public Service Broadcasting | 2012

Track two on 2012’s excellent The War Room EP. Spitfire became the main track with radio play but London Can Take It was equally deserving of exposure.

youtu.be/Cu4Rr07bgVQ
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 AM
#NewWaveNovember 9

Sex Dwarf | Soft Cell | 1981

Isn’t it nice? Sleazy, slinky, saucy, synth pop from Soft Cell. In its own miniature way, it’s huge.

youtu.be/EqGcn2ZmSjM
November 22, 2025 at 8:37 AM
#90sTop30 9

Wide Open Space | Mansun | 1996

The track that changed everything for me regarding all things Mansun. I liked the previous singles but Wide Open Space was a real step up, a gamechanger. Mansun will always be a special band for me and that all started here.

youtu.be/DSkWqd5E03A
November 22, 2025 at 8:29 AM
#ArtistFaveLP
Attack Of The Grey Lantern | Mansun | 1997

8 | Stripper Vicar

Lead track on the 3 Ep. Chronologically this was the first mention of Mavis, central to the album’s semi-concept. Stripper Vicar was replaced by Take It Easy Chicken on the US version of the album.

youtu.be/P7yClJFXb50
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
#1985AlbumsTop20 16

Once Upon A Time | Simple Minds

It’s far from my favourite Simple Minds album but there are some good songs on it, I’ve always had a soft spot for I Wish You Were Here and All The Things She Said is a great single.

All The Things She Said
youtu.be/tytPcvyJASc
November 21, 2025 at 7:42 AM
#B-SidesandBonusTracks 10

Dead Souls | Joy Division | 1980

The limited edition release of the 7” single (Licht und Blindheit) on the Sordide Sentimental label contained not only one of the finest A-Sides ever (Atmosphere) but also one of the finest ever B-Sides, Dead Souls.

youtu.be/mKWHa65cmns
November 21, 2025 at 7:35 AM