Andrew Neal
@andrewneal66.bsky.social
Carer. Writer and new releases editor at Silent Radio. Music, books, ephemera.
February 15, 2026 at 6:19 PM
#5DebutAlbums0509
Trembling Bells - Carbeth
An epic but experimental debut & a great introduction to the spiralling vocals of Lavinia Blackwall.
Trembling Bells - Carbeth
An epic but experimental debut & a great introduction to the spiralling vocals of Lavinia Blackwall.
February 13, 2026 at 6:53 PM
#5DebutAlbums0509
Trembling Bells - Carbeth
An epic but experimental debut & a great introduction to the spiralling vocals of Lavinia Blackwall.
Trembling Bells - Carbeth
An epic but experimental debut & a great introduction to the spiralling vocals of Lavinia Blackwall.
#5DebutAlbums0509
My sadness over The Delgados splitting up was eased by this. An entire album with their best vocalist singing. Great lyrics & melodies too. A definite for my top five.
My sadness over The Delgados splitting up was eased by this. An entire album with their best vocalist singing. Great lyrics & melodies too. A definite for my top five.
February 11, 2026 at 6:53 PM
#5DebutAlbums0509
My sadness over The Delgados splitting up was eased by this. An entire album with their best vocalist singing. Great lyrics & melodies too. A definite for my top five.
My sadness over The Delgados splitting up was eased by this. An entire album with their best vocalist singing. Great lyrics & melodies too. A definite for my top five.
Fascinated by the Netflix documentary, Queen of Chess, about Judit Polgar, long-running number one player who even beat Garry Kasparov. Bonus music buff fans for the film's use of music by Girls At Our Best & Delta 5 to accompany sexist comments by male players.
February 10, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Fascinated by the Netflix documentary, Queen of Chess, about Judit Polgar, long-running number one player who even beat Garry Kasparov. Bonus music buff fans for the film's use of music by Girls At Our Best & Delta 5 to accompany sexist comments by male players.
RIP the mighty Ebo Taylor.
Just seen the sad news that Ebo Taylor died on Saturday at the age of 90. Here’s the Ghanaian highlife and afrobeat legend in concert in 2014 #RIP
youtu.be/vBS6UAdFiEc
youtu.be/vBS6UAdFiEc
Ebo Taylor and Afrobeat Academy LIVE at New Morning, Paris 2014
YouTube video by Obroni Outernational
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 12:21 PM
RIP the mighty Ebo Taylor.
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"anyone listening to ‘The Mission’ will come away with a clear idea of John Donaldson’s political views, as well as his cultural heroes and what makes him tick emotionally."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews JD Meatyard's The Mission:
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews JD Meatyard's The Mission:
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – JD MEATYARD: THE MISSION
The touring link between John Donaldson and Half Man Half Biscuit is one of the least likely, long lasting musical connections. It began back in the early 1990s when the recently reformed Biscuits sup...
www.silentradio.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"anyone listening to ‘The Mission’ will come away with a clear idea of John Donaldson’s political views, as well as his cultural heroes and what makes him tick emotionally."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews JD Meatyard's The Mission:
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews JD Meatyard's The Mission:
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"Yamila makes cello and electronics seem natural bedfellows, a combination of light and shade, fire and ice, beauty and terror."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Yamila's Noor.
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Yamila's Noor.
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – YAMILA: NOOR
It is curious how some instruments are considered to be earthy and human whereas others are thought of as mechanical. Yamila’s album, ‘Noor’, juxtaposes two instruments that fall into opposing categor...
www.silentradio.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 5:16 PM
"Yamila makes cello and electronics seem natural bedfellows, a combination of light and shade, fire and ice, beauty and terror."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Yamila's Noor.
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Yamila's Noor.
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/04/album-...
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"it is all deeply contemplative and touching, a piece of understated loveliness."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new single from Pippa Blundell
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/03/single...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new single from Pippa Blundell
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/03/single...
SINGLE REVIEW – PIPPA BLUNDELL: BIG BEAR
The new standalone single from Pippa Blundell is a fine example of how to capture an atmosphere. It was written in a crowded artists’ house on the Isle of Skye during Storm Floris in the midst of a th...
www.silentradio.co.uk
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
"it is all deeply contemplative and touching, a piece of understated loveliness."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new single from Pippa Blundell
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/03/single...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews the new single from Pippa Blundell
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/03/single...
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"an absolute blast, 37 minutes of concentrated energy. It is a colourful record, full of manic creativity."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews congratulations Join Hands
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/02/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews congratulations Join Hands
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/02/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – CONGRATULATIONS: JOIN HANDS
It is unfortunate that congratulations share their name with one of the most irritating songs of all time, Cliff Richard’s 1968 Eurovision entry, the type of lowest common denominator earworm with whi...
www.silentradio.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:38 AM
"an absolute blast, 37 minutes of concentrated energy. It is a colourful record, full of manic creativity."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews congratulations Join Hands
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/02/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews congratulations Join Hands
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/02/02/album-...
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"The music draws on 20th Century black music heritage with great sophistication and versatility, sharing the spirit of mighty predecessors like Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews 1783 by
@aquakultre.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/29/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews 1783 by
@aquakultre.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/29/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – AQUAKULTRE: 1783
1783 marked the end of the American War of Independence. It also saw the exodus of 3,000 so-called Black Loyalists who had fought for the British in exchange for land and freedom but were now sailing ...
www.silentradio.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 6:12 PM
"The music draws on 20th Century black music heritage with great sophistication and versatility, sharing the spirit of mighty predecessors like Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews 1783 by
@aquakultre.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/29/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews 1783 by
@aquakultre.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/29/album-...
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"There is a rare selfless generosity of spirit to the words, a revolutionary kindness that should be an essential part of navigating an increasingly unjust and strife-riven world."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Beverly Glenn-Copeland's Laughter In Summer
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/26/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Beverly Glenn-Copeland's Laughter In Summer
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/26/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND: LAUGHTER IN SUMMER
Anyone looking for a heart-warming documentary would be advised to watch the 2019 film ‘Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story’. It tells a remarkable life story incorporating becoming o...
www.silentradio.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 6:09 PM
"There is a rare selfless generosity of spirit to the words, a revolutionary kindness that should be an essential part of navigating an increasingly unjust and strife-riven world."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Beverly Glenn-Copeland's Laughter In Summer
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/26/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Beverly Glenn-Copeland's Laughter In Summer
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/26/album-...
#5DebutAlbums9094
Lambchop - I Hope You're Sitting Down
Following on from Tindersticks, another introspective record with a wide range of instrumentation which expanded my horizons. Revisited it today for the first time in years & it sounds great.
Lambchop - I Hope You're Sitting Down
Following on from Tindersticks, another introspective record with a wide range of instrumentation which expanded my horizons. Revisited it today for the first time in years & it sounds great.
January 23, 2026 at 7:01 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Lambchop - I Hope You're Sitting Down
Following on from Tindersticks, another introspective record with a wide range of instrumentation which expanded my horizons. Revisited it today for the first time in years & it sounds great.
Lambchop - I Hope You're Sitting Down
Following on from Tindersticks, another introspective record with a wide range of instrumentation which expanded my horizons. Revisited it today for the first time in years & it sounds great.
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"With its cornucopia of tempo shifts, it is a thrilling jolt to the system where it is impossible to predict what will happen next."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Normal Service - Songs For Swinging Lovers:
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/23/ep-rev...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Normal Service - Songs For Swinging Lovers:
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/23/ep-rev...
EP REVIEW – NORMAL SERVICE: SONGS FOR SWINGING LOVERS
For the select few whose musical upbringing was shaped by the obtuse end of the C86 scene, the three track 7” single holds a special place in the imagination. It was associated in particular with bIG ...
www.silentradio.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 6:54 PM
"With its cornucopia of tempo shifts, it is a thrilling jolt to the system where it is impossible to predict what will happen next."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Normal Service - Songs For Swinging Lovers:
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/23/ep-rev...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Normal Service - Songs For Swinging Lovers:
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/23/ep-rev...
#5DebutAlbums9094
Tindersticks - s/t
In an era where my listening was dominated by noisy guitar bands hearing this for the first time with its exquisite arrangements played a significant role in broadening my musical horizons.
Tindersticks - s/t
In an era where my listening was dominated by noisy guitar bands hearing this for the first time with its exquisite arrangements played a significant role in broadening my musical horizons.
January 22, 2026 at 6:49 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Tindersticks - s/t
In an era where my listening was dominated by noisy guitar bands hearing this for the first time with its exquisite arrangements played a significant role in broadening my musical horizons.
Tindersticks - s/t
In an era where my listening was dominated by noisy guitar bands hearing this for the first time with its exquisite arrangements played a significant role in broadening my musical horizons.
#5DebutAlbums9094
That Dog s/t
The harmonies & violin stand out in this excellent collection of fragile, wonky indie pop songs.
That Dog s/t
The harmonies & violin stand out in this excellent collection of fragile, wonky indie pop songs.
January 21, 2026 at 7:01 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
That Dog s/t
The harmonies & violin stand out in this excellent collection of fragile, wonky indie pop songs.
That Dog s/t
The harmonies & violin stand out in this excellent collection of fragile, wonky indie pop songs.
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"The immediate reaction to hearing Tyler Ballgame for the first time must be to marvel at his voice."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Tyler Ballgame - For the First Time, Again
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/21/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Tyler Ballgame - For the First Time, Again
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/21/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – TYLER BALLGAME: FOR THE FIRST TIME, AGAIN
The immediate reaction to hearing Tyler Ballgame for the first time must be to marvel at his voice. There are divine touches that are reminiscent of Roy Orbison, other moments where he recalls John Le...
www.silentradio.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 6:53 PM
"The immediate reaction to hearing Tyler Ballgame for the first time must be to marvel at his voice."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Tyler Ballgame - For the First Time, Again
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/21/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Tyler Ballgame - For the First Time, Again
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/21/album-...
#5DebutAlbums9094
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
Indisputably their finest album & still retains its original sparkle. Will definitely be high up in my top five.
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
Indisputably their finest album & still retains its original sparkle. Will definitely be high up in my top five.
January 20, 2026 at 7:33 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
Indisputably their finest album & still retains its original sparkle. Will definitely be high up in my top five.
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
Indisputably their finest album & still retains its original sparkle. Will definitely be high up in my top five.
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a delight. Melancholic, sometimes excruciating, pun-filled with an impressive, original modern folk soundtrack & bonus points for mentioning the guvnor himself, Gideon Coe.
January 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM
The Ballad of Wallis Island is a delight. Melancholic, sometimes excruciating, pun-filled with an impressive, original modern folk soundtrack & bonus points for mentioning the guvnor himself, Gideon Coe.
#5DebutAlbums9094
Moonshake - Eva Luna
The combination of Dave Callahan's snarly narratives & Margaret Fiedler's oblique, whispered vocals, together with Motorik rhythms, dub bass, samples & abrasive guitars made this a standout debut.
Moonshake - Eva Luna
The combination of Dave Callahan's snarly narratives & Margaret Fiedler's oblique, whispered vocals, together with Motorik rhythms, dub bass, samples & abrasive guitars made this a standout debut.
January 19, 2026 at 7:19 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Moonshake - Eva Luna
The combination of Dave Callahan's snarly narratives & Margaret Fiedler's oblique, whispered vocals, together with Motorik rhythms, dub bass, samples & abrasive guitars made this a standout debut.
Moonshake - Eva Luna
The combination of Dave Callahan's snarly narratives & Margaret Fiedler's oblique, whispered vocals, together with Motorik rhythms, dub bass, samples & abrasive guitars made this a standout debut.
Reposted by Andrew Neal
"While still highly technical, it shows that precision and invention can still be compatible with emotion."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Plantoid - Flare on
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/19/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Plantoid - Flare on
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/19/album-...
ALBUM REVIEW – PLANTOID: FLARE
Anyone looking for an easy listen should avoid Plantoid. Their debut album, ‘Terrapath’, had moments of magic but was so frenetic in its constantly shifting math rock riffs, jazzy perambulations and t...
www.silentradio.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 11:43 AM
"While still highly technical, it shows that precision and invention can still be compatible with emotion."
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Plantoid - Flare on
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/19/album-...
@andrewneal66.bsky.social reviews Plantoid - Flare on
@bellaunion.bsky.social
www.silentradio.co.uk/01/19/album-...
#5DebutAlbums9094
Sidi Bou Said - Broooches
A strong debut, though their 2nd & 3rd albums really developed their sound - betwixt Cardiacs & Throwing Muses with overlapping harmonies.
Sidi Bou Said - Broooches
A strong debut, though their 2nd & 3rd albums really developed their sound - betwixt Cardiacs & Throwing Muses with overlapping harmonies.
January 18, 2026 at 6:54 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Sidi Bou Said - Broooches
A strong debut, though their 2nd & 3rd albums really developed their sound - betwixt Cardiacs & Throwing Muses with overlapping harmonies.
Sidi Bou Said - Broooches
A strong debut, though their 2nd & 3rd albums really developed their sound - betwixt Cardiacs & Throwing Muses with overlapping harmonies.
#5DebutAlbums9094
PJ Harvey - Dry
Probably the most shy person I interviewed (after she'd supported Family Cat at the Duchess of York in Leeds). It was great seeing at close quarters the songs that would form her debut develop. Those early days marked her out as a special talent.
PJ Harvey - Dry
Probably the most shy person I interviewed (after she'd supported Family Cat at the Duchess of York in Leeds). It was great seeing at close quarters the songs that would form her debut develop. Those early days marked her out as a special talent.
January 17, 2026 at 6:55 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
PJ Harvey - Dry
Probably the most shy person I interviewed (after she'd supported Family Cat at the Duchess of York in Leeds). It was great seeing at close quarters the songs that would form her debut develop. Those early days marked her out as a special talent.
PJ Harvey - Dry
Probably the most shy person I interviewed (after she'd supported Family Cat at the Duchess of York in Leeds). It was great seeing at close quarters the songs that would form her debut develop. Those early days marked her out as a special talent.
#5DebutAlbums9094
Self-titled only Spoonfed Hybrid album. A project from Ian Masters (Pale Saints) & Chris Trout (AC Temple) mixing lovely dream pop & post-rock. While it won't make my top five, it was well-worth revisiting.
Self-titled only Spoonfed Hybrid album. A project from Ian Masters (Pale Saints) & Chris Trout (AC Temple) mixing lovely dream pop & post-rock. While it won't make my top five, it was well-worth revisiting.
January 13, 2026 at 7:10 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Self-titled only Spoonfed Hybrid album. A project from Ian Masters (Pale Saints) & Chris Trout (AC Temple) mixing lovely dream pop & post-rock. While it won't make my top five, it was well-worth revisiting.
Self-titled only Spoonfed Hybrid album. A project from Ian Masters (Pale Saints) & Chris Trout (AC Temple) mixing lovely dream pop & post-rock. While it won't make my top five, it was well-worth revisiting.
#5DebutAlbums9094
Levellers 5 - Springtime
At the time, I was disappointed it didn't capture the power of their incredible live shows powered by John Donaldson's spiky vocals & Ian Almond's massive African drum but it has stood up better than I expected with the guitars surprisingly abrasive.
Levellers 5 - Springtime
At the time, I was disappointed it didn't capture the power of their incredible live shows powered by John Donaldson's spiky vocals & Ian Almond's massive African drum but it has stood up better than I expected with the guitars surprisingly abrasive.
January 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Levellers 5 - Springtime
At the time, I was disappointed it didn't capture the power of their incredible live shows powered by John Donaldson's spiky vocals & Ian Almond's massive African drum but it has stood up better than I expected with the guitars surprisingly abrasive.
Levellers 5 - Springtime
At the time, I was disappointed it didn't capture the power of their incredible live shows powered by John Donaldson's spiky vocals & Ian Almond's massive African drum but it has stood up better than I expected with the guitars surprisingly abrasive.
#5DebutAlbums9094
Arson Garden - Under Towers
An overlooked gem. April Combs's Natalie Merchant adjacent voice is the star alongside twisting indie folk rock tunes.
Arson Garden - Under Towers
An overlooked gem. April Combs's Natalie Merchant adjacent voice is the star alongside twisting indie folk rock tunes.
January 11, 2026 at 6:12 PM
#5DebutAlbums9094
Arson Garden - Under Towers
An overlooked gem. April Combs's Natalie Merchant adjacent voice is the star alongside twisting indie folk rock tunes.
Arson Garden - Under Towers
An overlooked gem. April Combs's Natalie Merchant adjacent voice is the star alongside twisting indie folk rock tunes.