Ricky McAllister
@rickymca.bsky.social
Husband to Jenny. dad to Ethan, Holly, Micah, Benji & Annie. Man U fan for 40 years but losing interest rapidly. Music/film/coffee fan. Reader of books but a failed novelist. SEN teacher.
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
5. Leave | REM
The highest placed synth siren song on my list. My favourite song by REM was always going to feature at the business end.
#MusicChallenge
5. Leave | REM
The highest placed synth siren song on my list. My favourite song by REM was always going to feature at the business end.
November 26, 2025 at 6:24 AM
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
5. Leave | REM
The highest placed synth siren song on my list. My favourite song by REM was always going to feature at the business end.
#MusicChallenge
5. Leave | REM
The highest placed synth siren song on my list. My favourite song by REM was always going to feature at the business end.
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
5. Hang on St Christopher
The one where Tom decided to sing through a bullhorn.
It’s a bit bonkers, but wonderfully so.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=-3KJ...
#MusicChallenge
5. Hang on St Christopher
The one where Tom decided to sing through a bullhorn.
It’s a bit bonkers, but wonderfully so.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=-3KJ...
November 26, 2025 at 6:22 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
5. Hang on St Christopher
The one where Tom decided to sing through a bullhorn.
It’s a bit bonkers, but wonderfully so.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=-3KJ...
#MusicChallenge
5. Hang on St Christopher
The one where Tom decided to sing through a bullhorn.
It’s a bit bonkers, but wonderfully so.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=-3KJ...
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Blurring/Guided Imagery
🎤 Mo Dotti
Some post-dinner clean-up noise with this fine pair of EPs by Mo Dotti. After the day at work, a sonic assault on the senses is entirely appropriate.
💿 Blurring/Guided Imagery
🎤 Mo Dotti
Some post-dinner clean-up noise with this fine pair of EPs by Mo Dotti. After the day at work, a sonic assault on the senses is entirely appropriate.
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Blurring/Guided Imagery
🎤 Mo Dotti
Some post-dinner clean-up noise with this fine pair of EPs by Mo Dotti. After the day at work, a sonic assault on the senses is entirely appropriate.
💿 Blurring/Guided Imagery
🎤 Mo Dotti
Some post-dinner clean-up noise with this fine pair of EPs by Mo Dotti. After the day at work, a sonic assault on the senses is entirely appropriate.
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
6. Downtown Train
Second highest ranked song from the superb Rain Dogs, still (just about) my favourite Tom album.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=P6j8...
#MusicChallenge
6. Downtown Train
Second highest ranked song from the superb Rain Dogs, still (just about) my favourite Tom album.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=P6j8...
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
6. Downtown Train
Second highest ranked song from the superb Rain Dogs, still (just about) my favourite Tom album.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=P6j8...
#MusicChallenge
6. Downtown Train
Second highest ranked song from the superb Rain Dogs, still (just about) my favourite Tom album.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=P6j8...
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
6. Goin’ Out West | Tom Waits
Bone Machine is one of my 2 favourite TW’s albums, so a song from it was always going to feature high on my list. The high point of a stunning, chaotic, percussion heavy album.
#MusicChallenge
6. Goin’ Out West | Tom Waits
Bone Machine is one of my 2 favourite TW’s albums, so a song from it was always going to feature high on my list. The high point of a stunning, chaotic, percussion heavy album.
November 25, 2025 at 6:18 AM
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
6. Goin’ Out West | Tom Waits
Bone Machine is one of my 2 favourite TW’s albums, so a song from it was always going to feature high on my list. The high point of a stunning, chaotic, percussion heavy album.
#MusicChallenge
6. Goin’ Out West | Tom Waits
Bone Machine is one of my 2 favourite TW’s albums, so a song from it was always going to feature high on my list. The high point of a stunning, chaotic, percussion heavy album.
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
It’s not a pick but rather just a post about the best acceptance speech I’ve ever heard😁
Worth a watch if you have a few minutes.
“Songs, uh, are really just interesting things to be doing with the air.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLE...
#MusicChallenge
It’s not a pick but rather just a post about the best acceptance speech I’ve ever heard😁
Worth a watch if you have a few minutes.
“Songs, uh, are really just interesting things to be doing with the air.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLE...
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
It’s not a pick but rather just a post about the best acceptance speech I’ve ever heard😁
Worth a watch if you have a few minutes.
“Songs, uh, are really just interesting things to be doing with the air.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLE...
#MusicChallenge
It’s not a pick but rather just a post about the best acceptance speech I’ve ever heard😁
Worth a watch if you have a few minutes.
“Songs, uh, are really just interesting things to be doing with the air.”
m.youtube.com/watch?v=gTLE...
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Dots & Loops
🎤 Stereolab
Their 6th album was the first to land in the charts I believe…it followed Emperor Tomato Ketchup but to my ears it manages to be more accessible than that yet more experimental. They were firing on all cylinders with this.
💿 Dots & Loops
🎤 Stereolab
Their 6th album was the first to land in the charts I believe…it followed Emperor Tomato Ketchup but to my ears it manages to be more accessible than that yet more experimental. They were firing on all cylinders with this.
November 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Dots & Loops
🎤 Stereolab
Their 6th album was the first to land in the charts I believe…it followed Emperor Tomato Ketchup but to my ears it manages to be more accessible than that yet more experimental. They were firing on all cylinders with this.
💿 Dots & Loops
🎤 Stereolab
Their 6th album was the first to land in the charts I believe…it followed Emperor Tomato Ketchup but to my ears it manages to be more accessible than that yet more experimental. They were firing on all cylinders with this.
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 The Best Of…
🎤 Soapkills
Well @plc69.bsky.social and @vgbpw1.bsky.social … I took the liberty of attempting to join your club. Assume you are open to new members?
💿 The Best Of…
🎤 Soapkills
Well @plc69.bsky.social and @vgbpw1.bsky.social … I took the liberty of attempting to join your club. Assume you are open to new members?
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 The Best Of…
🎤 Soapkills
Well @plc69.bsky.social and @vgbpw1.bsky.social … I took the liberty of attempting to join your club. Assume you are open to new members?
💿 The Best Of…
🎤 Soapkills
Well @plc69.bsky.social and @vgbpw1.bsky.social … I took the liberty of attempting to join your club. Assume you are open to new members?
November 24, 2025 at 6:22 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
7. Come On Up To The House
Glorious finale to the quite brilliant Mule Variations. First Tom album I bought, and still a Top 3 TW album now (IMO).
#MusicChallenge
7. Come On Up To The House
Glorious finale to the quite brilliant Mule Variations. First Tom album I bought, and still a Top 3 TW album now (IMO).
November 24, 2025 at 6:20 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
7. Come On Up To The House
Glorious finale to the quite brilliant Mule Variations. First Tom album I bought, and still a Top 3 TW album now (IMO).
#MusicChallenge
7. Come On Up To The House
Glorious finale to the quite brilliant Mule Variations. First Tom album I bought, and still a Top 3 TW album now (IMO).
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 A Bridge To Far
🎤 Midlake
This is getting a serious amount of airplay. Some critics are setting this alongside Van Occupanther (it’ll be 20 years before I’ll know for sure) but either way, it is by some distance their best since that album.
Will be a big hitter in AOTY lists.
💿 A Bridge To Far
🎤 Midlake
This is getting a serious amount of airplay. Some critics are setting this alongside Van Occupanther (it’ll be 20 years before I’ll know for sure) but either way, it is by some distance their best since that album.
Will be a big hitter in AOTY lists.
November 23, 2025 at 9:06 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 A Bridge To Far
🎤 Midlake
This is getting a serious amount of airplay. Some critics are setting this alongside Van Occupanther (it’ll be 20 years before I’ll know for sure) but either way, it is by some distance their best since that album.
Will be a big hitter in AOTY lists.
💿 A Bridge To Far
🎤 Midlake
This is getting a serious amount of airplay. Some critics are setting this alongside Van Occupanther (it’ll be 20 years before I’ll know for sure) but either way, it is by some distance their best since that album.
Will be a big hitter in AOTY lists.
Show us the last four albums you listened to.
#last4albums
Favourite American acts of the 21st century edition.
#musicsky
#last4albums
Favourite American acts of the 21st century edition.
#musicsky
November 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Show us the last four albums you listened to.
#last4albums
Favourite American acts of the 21st century edition.
#musicsky
#last4albums
Favourite American acts of the 21st century edition.
#musicsky
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Shore
🎤 Fleet Foxes
Probably listening to Fleet Foxes more than any other band at the minute (possibly along with Midlake). This is a such a beautiful album…perfect for a sunny, Sunday morning, coffee in hand.
💿 Shore
🎤 Fleet Foxes
Probably listening to Fleet Foxes more than any other band at the minute (possibly along with Midlake). This is a such a beautiful album…perfect for a sunny, Sunday morning, coffee in hand.
November 23, 2025 at 10:42 AM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Shore
🎤 Fleet Foxes
Probably listening to Fleet Foxes more than any other band at the minute (possibly along with Midlake). This is a such a beautiful album…perfect for a sunny, Sunday morning, coffee in hand.
💿 Shore
🎤 Fleet Foxes
Probably listening to Fleet Foxes more than any other band at the minute (possibly along with Midlake). This is a such a beautiful album…perfect for a sunny, Sunday morning, coffee in hand.
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
8. Way Down in The Hole
Lovely to see this make a TV appearance as the theme to the brilliant The Wire.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Su...
#MusicChallenge
8. Way Down in The Hole
Lovely to see this make a TV appearance as the theme to the brilliant The Wire.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Su...
November 23, 2025 at 4:08 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
8. Way Down in The Hole
Lovely to see this make a TV appearance as the theme to the brilliant The Wire.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Su...
#MusicChallenge
8. Way Down in The Hole
Lovely to see this make a TV appearance as the theme to the brilliant The Wire.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Su...
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
8. Ain’t That Enough | Teenage Fanclub
Favourite track on my 2nd favourite TF album. Stunning hooks abound.
#MusicChallenge
8. Ain’t That Enough | Teenage Fanclub
Favourite track on my 2nd favourite TF album. Stunning hooks abound.
November 23, 2025 at 4:04 AM
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
8. Ain’t That Enough | Teenage Fanclub
Favourite track on my 2nd favourite TF album. Stunning hooks abound.
#MusicChallenge
8. Ain’t That Enough | Teenage Fanclub
Favourite track on my 2nd favourite TF album. Stunning hooks abound.
Show us the last four albums you listened to.
#last4albums
Saturday “re-siliconing the en-suite” edition.
#musicsky
#last4albums
Saturday “re-siliconing the en-suite” edition.
#musicsky
November 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Show us the last four albums you listened to.
#last4albums
Saturday “re-siliconing the en-suite” edition.
#musicsky
#last4albums
Saturday “re-siliconing the en-suite” edition.
#musicsky
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Witching Hour
🎤 Ladytron
My better half has the kids out for a bit so this is on & cranked right up to the appropriate volume.
Such a great album…the 2nd half in particular is up a level (Sides C & D on this reissue). Hope the family stays out for just a little while longer…😊
💿 Witching Hour
🎤 Ladytron
My better half has the kids out for a bit so this is on & cranked right up to the appropriate volume.
Such a great album…the 2nd half in particular is up a level (Sides C & D on this reissue). Hope the family stays out for just a little while longer…😊
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Witching Hour
🎤 Ladytron
My better half has the kids out for a bit so this is on & cranked right up to the appropriate volume.
Such a great album…the 2nd half in particular is up a level (Sides C & D on this reissue). Hope the family stays out for just a little while longer…😊
💿 Witching Hour
🎤 Ladytron
My better half has the kids out for a bit so this is on & cranked right up to the appropriate volume.
Such a great album…the 2nd half in particular is up a level (Sides C & D on this reissue). Hope the family stays out for just a little while longer…😊
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
9. 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six
Swordfishtrombones kicked off the more experimental phase of Tom’ career. The great man opted to use a brake drum & a bell plate for percussion on this🤷♂️
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EzAL...
#MusicChallenge
9. 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six
Swordfishtrombones kicked off the more experimental phase of Tom’ career. The great man opted to use a brake drum & a bell plate for percussion on this🤷♂️
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EzAL...
November 22, 2025 at 7:08 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
9. 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six
Swordfishtrombones kicked off the more experimental phase of Tom’ career. The great man opted to use a brake drum & a bell plate for percussion on this🤷♂️
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EzAL...
#MusicChallenge
9. 16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six
Swordfishtrombones kicked off the more experimental phase of Tom’ career. The great man opted to use a brake drum & a bell plate for percussion on this🤷♂️
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EzAL...
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
9. No Surprises | Radiohead
OKC was so monumental to me & my friends as a 17 y/o…listening to it was one of those seminal moments as a music fan. This was my favourite on 1st listen & still is.
#MusicChallenge
9. No Surprises | Radiohead
OKC was so monumental to me & my friends as a 17 y/o…listening to it was one of those seminal moments as a music fan. This was my favourite on 1st listen & still is.
November 22, 2025 at 7:05 AM
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
9. No Surprises | Radiohead
OKC was so monumental to me & my friends as a 17 y/o…listening to it was one of those seminal moments as a music fan. This was my favourite on 1st listen & still is.
#MusicChallenge
9. No Surprises | Radiohead
OKC was so monumental to me & my friends as a 17 y/o…listening to it was one of those seminal moments as a music fan. This was my favourite on 1st listen & still is.
#LiveMusic
Second gig in consecutive nights, this time with daughter no1 to see The Fray.
Definitely not my jam at all, but she loved every minute of our first father-daughter gig together. Surrounded by people singing their hearts out from start to finish…it’s hard not to get swept up.
Second gig in consecutive nights, this time with daughter no1 to see The Fray.
Definitely not my jam at all, but she loved every minute of our first father-daughter gig together. Surrounded by people singing their hearts out from start to finish…it’s hard not to get swept up.
November 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
#LiveMusic
Second gig in consecutive nights, this time with daughter no1 to see The Fray.
Definitely not my jam at all, but she loved every minute of our first father-daughter gig together. Surrounded by people singing their hearts out from start to finish…it’s hard not to get swept up.
Second gig in consecutive nights, this time with daughter no1 to see The Fray.
Definitely not my jam at all, but she loved every minute of our first father-daughter gig together. Surrounded by people singing their hearts out from start to finish…it’s hard not to get swept up.
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Slow Country
🎤 Sunstack Jones
Throughly enjoyable start to the day listening to the new track from the upcoming EP of the same name.
💿 Slow Country
🎤 Sunstack Jones
Throughly enjoyable start to the day listening to the new track from the upcoming EP of the same name.
Slow Country
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:18 AM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Slow Country
🎤 Sunstack Jones
Throughly enjoyable start to the day listening to the new track from the upcoming EP of the same name.
💿 Slow Country
🎤 Sunstack Jones
Throughly enjoyable start to the day listening to the new track from the upcoming EP of the same name.
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
10. When I Wake Tomorrow | East Village
What a wonderful surprise to get a reissue of Drop Out last year. One of the great lost albums & for me, just behind Gene’s Olympian as my favourite 90s album.
#MusicChallenge
10. When I Wake Tomorrow | East Village
What a wonderful surprise to get a reissue of Drop Out last year. One of the great lost albums & for me, just behind Gene’s Olympian as my favourite 90s album.
November 20, 2025 at 11:15 PM
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
10. When I Wake Tomorrow | East Village
What a wonderful surprise to get a reissue of Drop Out last year. One of the great lost albums & for me, just behind Gene’s Olympian as my favourite 90s album.
#MusicChallenge
10. When I Wake Tomorrow | East Village
What a wonderful surprise to get a reissue of Drop Out last year. One of the great lost albums & for me, just behind Gene’s Olympian as my favourite 90s album.
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
10. Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis
Top 10 territory now…
The bittersweet narrative is definitely one of his most beloved songs, and it is easy to understand why. Darkly funny too.
#MusicChallenge
10. Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis
Top 10 territory now…
The bittersweet narrative is definitely one of his most beloved songs, and it is easy to understand why. Darkly funny too.
November 20, 2025 at 11:08 PM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
10. Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis
Top 10 territory now…
The bittersweet narrative is definitely one of his most beloved songs, and it is easy to understand why. Darkly funny too.
#MusicChallenge
10. Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis
Top 10 territory now…
The bittersweet narrative is definitely one of his most beloved songs, and it is easy to understand why. Darkly funny too.
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
11. Jersey Girl
Released in 1980, Tom wrote this for Kathleen Brennan. Bruce Springsteen started to perform it a year later…they actually performed it as a duet only once, in 1981 also.
#MusicChallenge
11. Jersey Girl
Released in 1980, Tom wrote this for Kathleen Brennan. Bruce Springsteen started to perform it a year later…they actually performed it as a duet only once, in 1981 also.
November 20, 2025 at 6:06 AM
#Top30TomWaits
#MusicChallenge
11. Jersey Girl
Released in 1980, Tom wrote this for Kathleen Brennan. Bruce Springsteen started to perform it a year later…they actually performed it as a duet only once, in 1981 also.
#MusicChallenge
11. Jersey Girl
Released in 1980, Tom wrote this for Kathleen Brennan. Bruce Springsteen started to perform it a year later…they actually performed it as a duet only once, in 1981 also.
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
11. Iceblink Luck | Cocteau Twins
Elizabeth performing vocal gymnastics again.
#MusicChallenge
11. Iceblink Luck | Cocteau Twins
Elizabeth performing vocal gymnastics again.
November 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM
#90sTop30
#MusicChallenge
11. Iceblink Luck | Cocteau Twins
Elizabeth performing vocal gymnastics again.
#MusicChallenge
11. Iceblink Luck | Cocteau Twins
Elizabeth performing vocal gymnastics again.