James Cooke
@dodgydiscs.bsky.social
Pop crazed youngster, books, TV & film, cooking, hiking guy et al. Bitesized reviews of unheard Smash Hits reviewed albums mainly. On here more than the benighted single consonant place.
My music shows: https://www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9/
My music shows: https://www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9/
Pinned
Back in the new year groove with my new show featuring Madonna, Lennon, Bowie, SAHB, Isley Brothers, Imagination & Devo. Enjoy!
www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9...
www.mixcloud.com/james-cooke9...
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Kaleidoscope. Aug 80. UK Peak: 5. The one with 'Happy House' & 'Christine'. The rest doesn't hold my attention much but when they explore electronica, it's more interesting e.g. 'Red Light' & 'Lunar Camel' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 12, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Kaleidoscope. Aug 80. UK Peak: 5. The one with 'Happy House' & 'Christine'. The rest doesn't hold my attention much but when they explore electronica, it's more interesting e.g. 'Red Light' & 'Lunar Camel' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Lou Reed - Growing Up In Public. Aug 80. No UK Chart Placing. Sometimes I think listening to his albums are like intruding on his private hang ups & therapy but I have to say that the music compensates with its smooth guitar licks & intimate feel. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 11, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Lou Reed - Growing Up In Public. Aug 80. No UK Chart Placing. Sometimes I think listening to his albums are like intruding on his private hang ups & therapy but I have to say that the music compensates with its smooth guitar licks & intimate feel. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
John Otway & Wild Billy Barrett - Way & Bar. Jul 80. UK Peak: 45. An entertaining lo-fi album that spawned The Young Ones featured 'Body Talk'. The review is right, well crafted songs with a cheeky sense of humour 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 10, 2026 at 8:02 AM
John Otway & Wild Billy Barrett - Way & Bar. Jul 80. UK Peak: 45. An entertaining lo-fi album that spawned The Young Ones featured 'Body Talk'. The review is right, well crafted songs with a cheeky sense of humour 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Split Enz - True Colours. Aug 80. UK Peak: 38. The one with 'I Got You'. A mixture of frenetic new wave, the odd ballad & an instrumental synth track early Duran wouldn't have minded adding to their canon 'The Choral Sea'. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 9, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Split Enz - True Colours. Aug 80. UK Peak: 38. The one with 'I Got You'. A mixture of frenetic new wave, the odd ballad & an instrumental synth track early Duran wouldn't have minded adding to their canon 'The Choral Sea'. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Stanley Clarke - Rocks, Pebbles & Sand. Jul 80. UK Peak: 42. Firstly, round of applause for the cover. Secondly, this a fair review. Nothing really like it. 3 thundering rock tracks, a slush ballad, funk then a 9 minute concept closer. Eclectic. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 8, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Stanley Clarke - Rocks, Pebbles & Sand. Jul 80. UK Peak: 42. Firstly, round of applause for the cover. Secondly, this a fair review. Nothing really like it. 3 thundering rock tracks, a slush ballad, funk then a 9 minute concept closer. Eclectic. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
A fascinating episode of a wide variety of the good, the bad and the bland in pop. It's perked up my February for sure
NEW SEASON OF WHICH DECADE! A Belgian triumph turned tragedy, a weeping Pierrot, a Glasto Ledge triple, a jock jam gateway, a seasonal underperformer and a Get Out Of Jail Free pass.
Track listing in ALT text.
shows.acast.com/which-decade...
Track listing in ALT text.
shows.acast.com/which-decade...
February 7, 2026 at 3:18 PM
A fascinating episode of a wide variety of the good, the bad and the bland in pop. It's perked up my February for sure
Linda Clifford & Curtis Mayfield - The Right Combination. Aug 80. No UK Chart Placing. They may be the right combination but tell that to Linda on the front and back cover! Funky 'Rock You To Your Socks' is the highlight but slush ballads spoil it. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 7, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Linda Clifford & Curtis Mayfield - The Right Combination. Aug 80. No UK Chart Placing. They may be the right combination but tell that to Linda on the front and back cover! Funky 'Rock You To Your Socks' is the highlight but slush ballads spoil it. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Good morning & happy Saturday!
It's Bob Marley on the cover of Smash Hits from August 7-20 1980. I believe I've heard the Xanadu Soundtrack via @permrecordpod.bsky.social so it's the usual smorgasbord of rock, alt rock, soul & reggae to try. #smashhitsalbumreviews
It's Bob Marley on the cover of Smash Hits from August 7-20 1980. I believe I've heard the Xanadu Soundtrack via @permrecordpod.bsky.social so it's the usual smorgasbord of rock, alt rock, soul & reggae to try. #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 7, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Good morning & happy Saturday!
It's Bob Marley on the cover of Smash Hits from August 7-20 1980. I believe I've heard the Xanadu Soundtrack via @permrecordpod.bsky.social so it's the usual smorgasbord of rock, alt rock, soul & reggae to try. #smashhitsalbumreviews
It's Bob Marley on the cover of Smash Hits from August 7-20 1980. I believe I've heard the Xanadu Soundtrack via @permrecordpod.bsky.social so it's the usual smorgasbord of rock, alt rock, soul & reggae to try. #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 6, 2026 at 7:26 PM
February 6, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Any Trouble - Where Are All The Nice Girls? Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. Agreed but a lower mark from me. Wear their Costello badges with pride on this one although the hooks & deft touches aren't quite as memorable. Not bad though 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Any Trouble - Where Are All The Nice Girls? Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. Agreed but a lower mark from me. Wear their Costello badges with pride on this one although the hooks & deft touches aren't quite as memorable. Not bad though 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Carlene Carter - Musical Shapes. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. No only an up to date reworking of her stepfather's 'Ring of Fire' but you can hear the influence of Nick Lowe, her husband at the time. This is a warm, country rock, easy listen. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Carlene Carter - Musical Shapes. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. No only an up to date reworking of her stepfather's 'Ring of Fire' but you can hear the influence of Nick Lowe, her husband at the time. This is a warm, country rock, easy listen. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Off The Coast Of Me. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. The pop highlight on here is 'Darrio' & very much as you might expect with the tropical rhythms mixing seamlessly with the Coconut's vocals. Listenable sunshine. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 4, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Off The Coast Of Me. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. The pop highlight on here is 'Darrio' & very much as you might expect with the tropical rhythms mixing seamlessly with the Coconut's vocals. Listenable sunshine. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Clive Langer & The Boxes - Splash. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. This 17 track LP is a bit Madness, a bit Jam & Kinksy amongst other influences. The sounds are tight, the energy doesn't drop & the tunes fit the mould of the time. Not bad. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 3, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Clive Langer & The Boxes - Splash. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. This 17 track LP is a bit Madness, a bit Jam & Kinksy amongst other influences. The sounds are tight, the energy doesn't drop & the tunes fit the mould of the time. Not bad. 6.5/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Detroit Spinners - Love Trippin'. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. The one with 'Working My Way Back To You' & 'Cupid'. A fairly safe disco soul pop sound with the other highlight being 'Streetwise' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 2, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Detroit Spinners - Love Trippin'. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. The one with 'Working My Way Back To You' & 'Cupid'. A fairly safe disco soul pop sound with the other highlight being 'Streetwise' 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Splodgenessabounds holding a hound on the cover of Smash Hits from 24 July - 6 August 1980.
I've got 'Searching For The Young Soul Rebels' & heard 'Closer', 'Real People' & 'Crocodiles' and looking forward to hearing Kid Creole & Carlene Carter. #smashhitsalbumreviews
I've got 'Searching For The Young Soul Rebels' & heard 'Closer', 'Real People' & 'Crocodiles' and looking forward to hearing Kid Creole & Carlene Carter. #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 2, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Splodgenessabounds holding a hound on the cover of Smash Hits from 24 July - 6 August 1980.
I've got 'Searching For The Young Soul Rebels' & heard 'Closer', 'Real People' & 'Crocodiles' and looking forward to hearing Kid Creole & Carlene Carter. #smashhitsalbumreviews
I've got 'Searching For The Young Soul Rebels' & heard 'Closer', 'Real People' & 'Crocodiles' and looking forward to hearing Kid Creole & Carlene Carter. #smashhitsalbumreviews
The Commodores - Heroes. Jun 80. UK Peak: 50. 2 highlights in the form of the funky 'Sorry To Say' & 'Wake Up Children' which starts as a Lionel slushy solo 'we can make the world a better place' type ballad but halfway through turns into a fine rock groover. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
February 1, 2026 at 12:31 PM
The Commodores - Heroes. Jun 80. UK Peak: 50. 2 highlights in the form of the funky 'Sorry To Say' & 'Wake Up Children' which starts as a Lionel slushy solo 'we can make the world a better place' type ballad but halfway through turns into a fine rock groover. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
@charityclassics.bsky.social Morning! Finished my run and now walking home in the drizzle. Mmm February
February 1, 2026 at 11:31 AM
@charityclassics.bsky.social Morning! Finished my run and now walking home in the drizzle. Mmm February
Johnny G - G Beat. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. Agree with David. A singular amiable album with a melange of styles that doesn't fall into a formulaic rut. Every track is different. If I only had 1 album I could get used to it very easily. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
January 31, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Johnny G - G Beat. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. Agree with David. A singular amiable album with a melange of styles that doesn't fall into a formulaic rut. Every track is different. If I only had 1 album I could get used to it very easily. 7/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
The Motels - Careful. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. 'Whose Problem' is the star of the show here. It's by the numbers American new wave otherwise. Hope the schoolmarmish app doesn't take offence at a cartoon breast on the album cover. OK. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
January 30, 2026 at 6:56 PM
The Motels - Careful. Jul 80. No UK Chart Placing. 'Whose Problem' is the star of the show here. It's by the numbers American new wave otherwise. Hope the schoolmarmish app doesn't take offence at a cartoon breast on the album cover. OK. 6/10 #smashhitsalbumreviews
Terry's Chocolate Orange Baileys Coffee is getting to be a right regular Friday treat!
January 30, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Terry's Chocolate Orange Baileys Coffee is getting to be a right regular Friday treat!
'I'm an absolute beginner but I'm absolutely sane'.
30 years of my Grandad's accordion sitting in a wardrobe, I've decided to learn how to play.
I've can do 'Hot Cross Buns'. Everyone has to start somewhere.
30 years of my Grandad's accordion sitting in a wardrobe, I've decided to learn how to play.
I've can do 'Hot Cross Buns'. Everyone has to start somewhere.
January 29, 2026 at 1:53 PM
'I'm an absolute beginner but I'm absolutely sane'.
30 years of my Grandad's accordion sitting in a wardrobe, I've decided to learn how to play.
I've can do 'Hot Cross Buns'. Everyone has to start somewhere.
30 years of my Grandad's accordion sitting in a wardrobe, I've decided to learn how to play.
I've can do 'Hot Cross Buns'. Everyone has to start somewhere.