Tony
@tonylarkin.bsky.social
Ireland by birth, Cork by the grace of God. Engineer by training, nerd by nature. Mainly post about records, gardening and Sci Fi.
Power of Dreams - Ausländer”
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Power of Dreams - Ausländer”
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Reposted by Tony
apologies in advance to my children, whose bedrooms I will reappropriate as Lego display rooms the second they are out of the house
November 6, 2025 at 7:21 PM
apologies in advance to my children, whose bedrooms I will reappropriate as Lego display rooms the second they are out of the house
The Police - Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Police - Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (1975)
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (1975)
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Mike Oldfield - Crises (1983)
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Mike Oldfield - Crises (1983)
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Moody Blues - To Our Children’s Children’s Children (1969)
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The Moody Blues - To Our Children’s Children’s Children (1969)
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Julian Cope - Saint Julian (1987)
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Julian Cope - Saint Julian (1987)
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
XTC – English Settlement (1986)
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
November 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
XTC – English Settlement (1986)
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
XTC - Black Sea (1980)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
XTC - Black Sea (1980)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Reposted by Tony
Are both pictures taken in the same wavelength?
November 2, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Are both pictures taken in the same wavelength?
Reposted by Tony
It's a funny game. This morning we were 10th in the table and all hope seemed lost.
Now we're suddenly 3rd, and things don't seem so bad. Grav's back, we're controlling a game, team's started to click again. We've tougher games coming up, but this feels like a stop to the rot.
#UTFR ✊ #LFC #YNWA
Now we're suddenly 3rd, and things don't seem so bad. Grav's back, we're controlling a game, team's started to click again. We've tougher games coming up, but this feels like a stop to the rot.
#UTFR ✊ #LFC #YNWA
November 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The Cars - Heartbeat City (1984)
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The Cars - Heartbeat City (1984)
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Eyeless in Gaza - Back from the Rains (1986)
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Eyeless in Gaza - Back from the Rains (1986)
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Eyeless in Gaza – Rust Red September (1983)
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Eyeless in Gaza – Rust Red September (1983)
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Eyeless in Gaza - Drumming the Beating Heart (1982)
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Eyeless in Gaza - Drumming the Beating Heart (1982)
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
New Order - The Peel Sessions (released 1990 but recorded between 1981 and 1982)
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
New Order - The Peel Sessions (released 1990 but recorded between 1981 and 1982)
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See (1993)
This is a record to play late at night when the world is asleep.
There’s not a lot of variety here, just shimmering guitar and Hope Sandoval’s murmured vocals lulling me into a half-dreaming state between sadness and serenity.
#nowspinning #vinyl
This is a record to play late at night when the world is asleep.
There’s not a lot of variety here, just shimmering guitar and Hope Sandoval’s murmured vocals lulling me into a half-dreaming state between sadness and serenity.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 31, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See (1993)
This is a record to play late at night when the world is asleep.
There’s not a lot of variety here, just shimmering guitar and Hope Sandoval’s murmured vocals lulling me into a half-dreaming state between sadness and serenity.
#nowspinning #vinyl
This is a record to play late at night when the world is asleep.
There’s not a lot of variety here, just shimmering guitar and Hope Sandoval’s murmured vocals lulling me into a half-dreaming state between sadness and serenity.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Harry Nilsson - Aerial Ballet (1968)
Opening track sounds like the Beatles until I remember that, when John Lennon was asked to name his favourite American group, he responded “Harry Nilsson” and I wonder if the Beatles sound like Harry Nilsson.
A masterpiece of melodic pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Opening track sounds like the Beatles until I remember that, when John Lennon was asked to name his favourite American group, he responded “Harry Nilsson” and I wonder if the Beatles sound like Harry Nilsson.
A masterpiece of melodic pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 31, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Harry Nilsson - Aerial Ballet (1968)
Opening track sounds like the Beatles until I remember that, when John Lennon was asked to name his favourite American group, he responded “Harry Nilsson” and I wonder if the Beatles sound like Harry Nilsson.
A masterpiece of melodic pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Opening track sounds like the Beatles until I remember that, when John Lennon was asked to name his favourite American group, he responded “Harry Nilsson” and I wonder if the Beatles sound like Harry Nilsson.
A masterpiece of melodic pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Radiators - Under Clery’s Clock (1988)
The meeting spot under Clery’s clock on O’Connell Street, was a universal symbol of youthful romance in Dublin. Or almost. Phil Chevron looks at it through the eyes of a gay man and captures the bravery and fear in being different.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The meeting spot under Clery’s clock on O’Connell Street, was a universal symbol of youthful romance in Dublin. Or almost. Phil Chevron looks at it through the eyes of a gay man and captures the bravery and fear in being different.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 31, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Radiators - Under Clery’s Clock (1988)
The meeting spot under Clery’s clock on O’Connell Street, was a universal symbol of youthful romance in Dublin. Or almost. Phil Chevron looks at it through the eyes of a gay man and captures the bravery and fear in being different.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The meeting spot under Clery’s clock on O’Connell Street, was a universal symbol of youthful romance in Dublin. Or almost. Phil Chevron looks at it through the eyes of a gay man and captures the bravery and fear in being different.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Cure - Seventeen Seconds (1980)
The first true Cure album.
Moody and hypnotic, “A Forest” is the centrepiece. The other tracks are less hooky and a few seem underwhelming in isolation but, taken as a complete mood piece, they all create an immersive, haunting sound world.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The first true Cure album.
Moody and hypnotic, “A Forest” is the centrepiece. The other tracks are less hooky and a few seem underwhelming in isolation but, taken as a complete mood piece, they all create an immersive, haunting sound world.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The Cure - Seventeen Seconds (1980)
The first true Cure album.
Moody and hypnotic, “A Forest” is the centrepiece. The other tracks are less hooky and a few seem underwhelming in isolation but, taken as a complete mood piece, they all create an immersive, haunting sound world.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The first true Cure album.
Moody and hypnotic, “A Forest” is the centrepiece. The other tracks are less hooky and a few seem underwhelming in isolation but, taken as a complete mood piece, they all create an immersive, haunting sound world.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom (1982)
Produced by Geoff Emerick (Revolver, Sgt. Pepper & Abbey Road), this album sounds lush - strings, accordion, flugelhorn, harpsichord (!) feature on different tracks giving a different personality to each.
Contender for his best record.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Produced by Geoff Emerick (Revolver, Sgt. Pepper & Abbey Road), this album sounds lush - strings, accordion, flugelhorn, harpsichord (!) feature on different tracks giving a different personality to each.
Contender for his best record.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 29, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom (1982)
Produced by Geoff Emerick (Revolver, Sgt. Pepper & Abbey Road), this album sounds lush - strings, accordion, flugelhorn, harpsichord (!) feature on different tracks giving a different personality to each.
Contender for his best record.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Produced by Geoff Emerick (Revolver, Sgt. Pepper & Abbey Road), this album sounds lush - strings, accordion, flugelhorn, harpsichord (!) feature on different tracks giving a different personality to each.
Contender for his best record.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How’s Your Fathers (1980)
This is a UK-only compilation of B-sides, outtakes and other throwaway songs from the early years but it feels more like a coherent album than, say, the White album.
#nowspinning #vinyl
This is a UK-only compilation of B-sides, outtakes and other throwaway songs from the early years but it feels more like a coherent album than, say, the White album.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 28, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Elvis Costello and the Attractions - Ten Bloody Marys & Ten How’s Your Fathers (1980)
This is a UK-only compilation of B-sides, outtakes and other throwaway songs from the early years but it feels more like a coherent album than, say, the White album.
#nowspinning #vinyl
This is a UK-only compilation of B-sides, outtakes and other throwaway songs from the early years but it feels more like a coherent album than, say, the White album.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The B-52’s - Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986)
This is different. Musically, it’s still playful, with their signature harmonies and twitchy dance rhythms. But where earlier albums are wild house parties, this doesn’t have the same exuberance. It’s dialled back somehow.
#nowspinning #vinyl
This is different. Musically, it’s still playful, with their signature harmonies and twitchy dance rhythms. But where earlier albums are wild house parties, this doesn’t have the same exuberance. It’s dialled back somehow.
#nowspinning #vinyl
October 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The B-52’s - Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986)
This is different. Musically, it’s still playful, with their signature harmonies and twitchy dance rhythms. But where earlier albums are wild house parties, this doesn’t have the same exuberance. It’s dialled back somehow.
#nowspinning #vinyl
This is different. Musically, it’s still playful, with their signature harmonies and twitchy dance rhythms. But where earlier albums are wild house parties, this doesn’t have the same exuberance. It’s dialled back somehow.
#nowspinning #vinyl