Nick Portnell
@nportnell.bsky.social
England seemed to him to be nothing but horrors and misery now. The very shapes of the trees were like frozen screams.
There is an excellent moon boob hovering over Reading right now.
December 3, 2025 at 9:19 PM
There is an excellent moon boob hovering over Reading right now.
#new2me25
15. Advance Base - Nephew in the Wild (2015)
Another @andrewmale.bsky.social tip-off, Advance Base is basically a man named Owen Ashworth who specialises in writing darkly humorous songs mostly about the everyday happenings of middle America. Lyrically up there with Berman & Jeff Lewis.
15. Advance Base - Nephew in the Wild (2015)
Another @andrewmale.bsky.social tip-off, Advance Base is basically a man named Owen Ashworth who specialises in writing darkly humorous songs mostly about the everyday happenings of middle America. Lyrically up there with Berman & Jeff Lewis.
December 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
#new2me25
15. Advance Base - Nephew in the Wild (2015)
Another @andrewmale.bsky.social tip-off, Advance Base is basically a man named Owen Ashworth who specialises in writing darkly humorous songs mostly about the everyday happenings of middle America. Lyrically up there with Berman & Jeff Lewis.
15. Advance Base - Nephew in the Wild (2015)
Another @andrewmale.bsky.social tip-off, Advance Base is basically a man named Owen Ashworth who specialises in writing darkly humorous songs mostly about the everyday happenings of middle America. Lyrically up there with Berman & Jeff Lewis.
Colour me shocked.
December 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Colour me shocked.
#new2me25
16. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974)
The first time I played this, I wrongly assumed that it was a greatest hits album, it's that good. I'm guessing most of you know the title track, but there isn't a duff song on the whole album. This is peak mid-70s pre-disco/soul music.
16. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974)
The first time I played this, I wrongly assumed that it was a greatest hits album, it's that good. I'm guessing most of you know the title track, but there isn't a duff song on the whole album. This is peak mid-70s pre-disco/soul music.
December 2, 2025 at 9:10 PM
#new2me25
16. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974)
The first time I played this, I wrongly assumed that it was a greatest hits album, it's that good. I'm guessing most of you know the title track, but there isn't a duff song on the whole album. This is peak mid-70s pre-disco/soul music.
16. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand The Rain (1974)
The first time I played this, I wrongly assumed that it was a greatest hits album, it's that good. I'm guessing most of you know the title track, but there isn't a duff song on the whole album. This is peak mid-70s pre-disco/soul music.
#new2me25
17. Veronique Chalot - A L'Entrée Du Temps Clair (1979)
Achingly beautiful Breton folk music that sounds as though it was teleported from 300 years before. Her voice is that of an angel and the combination of medieval instruments is utterly hypnotic.
17. Veronique Chalot - A L'Entrée Du Temps Clair (1979)
Achingly beautiful Breton folk music that sounds as though it was teleported from 300 years before. Her voice is that of an angel and the combination of medieval instruments is utterly hypnotic.
December 1, 2025 at 7:49 PM
#new2me25
17. Veronique Chalot - A L'Entrée Du Temps Clair (1979)
Achingly beautiful Breton folk music that sounds as though it was teleported from 300 years before. Her voice is that of an angel and the combination of medieval instruments is utterly hypnotic.
17. Veronique Chalot - A L'Entrée Du Temps Clair (1979)
Achingly beautiful Breton folk music that sounds as though it was teleported from 300 years before. Her voice is that of an angel and the combination of medieval instruments is utterly hypnotic.
We bought a posh set of knives in the Black Friday sale. I am attempting to cook an Indian feast from scratch and things aren't going well.
November 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
We bought a posh set of knives in the Black Friday sale. I am attempting to cook an Indian feast from scratch and things aren't going well.
#NowPlaying
#5debutalbums7074
This is a corker of an album. Featuring three members of the brilliant psych band Blossom Toes along with special guests including Julie Driscoll (that's her behind the bar on the cover) & Mick Taylor, it's funky guitar driven rock with a splash of jazz colouring.
#5debutalbums7074
This is a corker of an album. Featuring three members of the brilliant psych band Blossom Toes along with special guests including Julie Driscoll (that's her behind the bar on the cover) & Mick Taylor, it's funky guitar driven rock with a splash of jazz colouring.
November 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
#NowPlaying
#5debutalbums7074
This is a corker of an album. Featuring three members of the brilliant psych band Blossom Toes along with special guests including Julie Driscoll (that's her behind the bar on the cover) & Mick Taylor, it's funky guitar driven rock with a splash of jazz colouring.
#5debutalbums7074
This is a corker of an album. Featuring three members of the brilliant psych band Blossom Toes along with special guests including Julie Driscoll (that's her behind the bar on the cover) & Mick Taylor, it's funky guitar driven rock with a splash of jazz colouring.
Really weird seeing a T.Rex album on Casablanca Records. The label was home to Kiss, Cher, Donna Summer & The Village People. This was a 1974 US only album that completely flopped.
November 30, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Really weird seeing a T.Rex album on Casablanca Records. The label was home to Kiss, Cher, Donna Summer & The Village People. This was a 1974 US only album that completely flopped.
I normally wait until December (or completely fail to locate them), but it's Sufjan Christmas boxset time.
November 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
I normally wait until December (or completely fail to locate them), but it's Sufjan Christmas boxset time.
#new2me25
18. Pharaoh Sanders - Karma (1969)
I've bought a fair amount of jazz albums this year with varying degrees of success, but this one clicked for me immediately. Only two tracks, but the groove instantly feels familiar, possibly a nod to A Love Supreme? Hypnotic, dreamlike & beautiful.
18. Pharaoh Sanders - Karma (1969)
I've bought a fair amount of jazz albums this year with varying degrees of success, but this one clicked for me immediately. Only two tracks, but the groove instantly feels familiar, possibly a nod to A Love Supreme? Hypnotic, dreamlike & beautiful.
November 29, 2025 at 8:23 PM
#new2me25
18. Pharaoh Sanders - Karma (1969)
I've bought a fair amount of jazz albums this year with varying degrees of success, but this one clicked for me immediately. Only two tracks, but the groove instantly feels familiar, possibly a nod to A Love Supreme? Hypnotic, dreamlike & beautiful.
18. Pharaoh Sanders - Karma (1969)
I've bought a fair amount of jazz albums this year with varying degrees of success, but this one clicked for me immediately. Only two tracks, but the groove instantly feels familiar, possibly a nod to A Love Supreme? Hypnotic, dreamlike & beautiful.
George Harrison, 24 years gone.
November 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
George Harrison, 24 years gone.
#5debutalbums7074 If you only know this band because of their rather annoying All Around My Hat hit, this is will surprise you. It's a stunning debut that is well worth checking out. You can find lots of nice original copies for under £20.
November 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
#5debutalbums7074 If you only know this band because of their rather annoying All Around My Hat hit, this is will surprise you. It's a stunning debut that is well worth checking out. You can find lots of nice original copies for under £20.
#new2me25
17. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Again (1971)
I didn't know this album even existed until this year. Titled Did You Ever? in Europe with a different running order, this is every bit as great as their 1968 collaboration. It's gentle, funny & warm and contains some amazing tracks.
17. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Again (1971)
I didn't know this album even existed until this year. Titled Did You Ever? in Europe with a different running order, this is every bit as great as their 1968 collaboration. It's gentle, funny & warm and contains some amazing tracks.
November 28, 2025 at 7:14 PM
#new2me25
17. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Again (1971)
I didn't know this album even existed until this year. Titled Did You Ever? in Europe with a different running order, this is every bit as great as their 1968 collaboration. It's gentle, funny & warm and contains some amazing tracks.
17. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood - Again (1971)
I didn't know this album even existed until this year. Titled Did You Ever? in Europe with a different running order, this is every bit as great as their 1968 collaboration. It's gentle, funny & warm and contains some amazing tracks.
Spotted on my way to work.
November 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Spotted on my way to work.
Post something random or you'll have an awful December.
November 28, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Post something random or you'll have an awful December.
#NowPlaying It's too late for this to join my #new2me25 list, but this is such a great album. The production is a sparkling thing of wonder. However, the song titled Inside My Love is utter filth. Careful now.
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 PM
#NowPlaying It's too late for this to join my #new2me25 list, but this is such a great album. The production is a sparkling thing of wonder. However, the song titled Inside My Love is utter filth. Careful now.
#new2me25
18. Jean Claude Vannier - L'enfant Assassin des Monches (1972)
Legendary producer & arranger Vannier (he produced Melody Nelson for Gainsbourg) released this incredibly odd concept album in 72. It covers a lot of musical ground in a short space of time & is a deeply rewarding listen.
18. Jean Claude Vannier - L'enfant Assassin des Monches (1972)
Legendary producer & arranger Vannier (he produced Melody Nelson for Gainsbourg) released this incredibly odd concept album in 72. It covers a lot of musical ground in a short space of time & is a deeply rewarding listen.
November 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
#new2me25
18. Jean Claude Vannier - L'enfant Assassin des Monches (1972)
Legendary producer & arranger Vannier (he produced Melody Nelson for Gainsbourg) released this incredibly odd concept album in 72. It covers a lot of musical ground in a short space of time & is a deeply rewarding listen.
18. Jean Claude Vannier - L'enfant Assassin des Monches (1972)
Legendary producer & arranger Vannier (he produced Melody Nelson for Gainsbourg) released this incredibly odd concept album in 72. It covers a lot of musical ground in a short space of time & is a deeply rewarding listen.
It's finally getting reissued! This album has eluded me for years.
November 27, 2025 at 7:18 PM
It's finally getting reissued! This album has eluded me for years.
Cromarty and Cassie fully endorse this message.
November 27, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Cromarty and Cassie fully endorse this message.
I accidentally visited @popclassics.bsky.social yesterday and then accidentally bought some records. Just when you think that you're leaving the shop empty-handed, Damian runs out the back & says 'oh, you might like these'. Best record shop in the UK in my humble opinion.
November 27, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I accidentally visited @popclassics.bsky.social yesterday and then accidentally bought some records. Just when you think that you're leaving the shop empty-handed, Damian runs out the back & says 'oh, you might like these'. Best record shop in the UK in my humble opinion.
This is the same picture that he signed for me at Longleat in 1982!
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
This is the same picture that he signed for me at Longleat in 1982!
It's a year ago last Monday that my mum died. My Dad met up with some old friends of hers in Cardiff and came back with these pictures of her from late 1965. Never seen these before. So lovely and so fucking cool.
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
It's a year ago last Monday that my mum died. My Dad met up with some old friends of hers in Cardiff and came back with these pictures of her from late 1965. Never seen these before. So lovely and so fucking cool.
#new2me25
19. Keith Cross & Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1972)
Progressive with a small p, this LP has a West Coast feel, but the guys were both English. It reminds me of mid-period Traffic with even a touch of Steely Dan here & there. This should've been a huge album, but Decca fucked it.
19. Keith Cross & Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1972)
Progressive with a small p, this LP has a West Coast feel, but the guys were both English. It reminds me of mid-period Traffic with even a touch of Steely Dan here & there. This should've been a huge album, but Decca fucked it.
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
#new2me25
19. Keith Cross & Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1972)
Progressive with a small p, this LP has a West Coast feel, but the guys were both English. It reminds me of mid-period Traffic with even a touch of Steely Dan here & there. This should've been a huge album, but Decca fucked it.
19. Keith Cross & Peter Ross - Bored Civilians (1972)
Progressive with a small p, this LP has a West Coast feel, but the guys were both English. It reminds me of mid-period Traffic with even a touch of Steely Dan here & there. This should've been a huge album, but Decca fucked it.
Has anybody ever seen Louis Theroux and Steve Malkmus in the same room?
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Has anybody ever seen Louis Theroux and Steve Malkmus in the same room?