Richard Watterson
@richardwatterson.bsky.social
On here, music mainly and a bit of sport. In real life I have a lovely wife and two great children to fit in too.
#5debutalbums1014
A superb recommendation by Earl. Undeniable Smiths influence but draws from a broader jangle pop palette too, which gives it its own sound. New to me this week but already played it a few times. In the mix for my top 5.
A superb recommendation by Earl. Undeniable Smiths influence but draws from a broader jangle pop palette too, which gives it its own sound. New to me this week but already played it a few times. In the mix for my top 5.
#5debutalbums1014
Northern Portrait 🇩🇰 Criminal Art Lovers (2010).
A great first effort. It’s easy to hear that they were heavily influenced by The Smiths. Worth a listen, especially if you like The Smiths. Here is a live version of New Favourite Moment from @YouTube youtu.be/Cp59AuUOF8E?...
Northern Portrait 🇩🇰 Criminal Art Lovers (2010).
A great first effort. It’s easy to hear that they were heavily influenced by The Smiths. Worth a listen, especially if you like The Smiths. Here is a live version of New Favourite Moment from @YouTube youtu.be/Cp59AuUOF8E?...
November 11, 2025 at 10:42 PM
#5debutalbums1014
A superb recommendation by Earl. Undeniable Smiths influence but draws from a broader jangle pop palette too, which gives it its own sound. New to me this week but already played it a few times. In the mix for my top 5.
A superb recommendation by Earl. Undeniable Smiths influence but draws from a broader jangle pop palette too, which gives it its own sound. New to me this week but already played it a few times. In the mix for my top 5.
#5debutalbums1014
Obviously not the first album by either artist but their first as a duet so I guess this qualifies. Probably won't make my top 5 but the brass arrangements make it interesting and well worth a listen.
open.spotify.com/album/4Pu1Qe...
Obviously not the first album by either artist but their first as a duet so I guess this qualifies. Probably won't make my top 5 but the brass arrangements make it interesting and well worth a listen.
open.spotify.com/album/4Pu1Qe...
Love This Giant
open.spotify.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:16 PM
#5debutalbums1014
Obviously not the first album by either artist but their first as a duet so I guess this qualifies. Probably won't make my top 5 but the brass arrangements make it interesting and well worth a listen.
open.spotify.com/album/4Pu1Qe...
Obviously not the first album by either artist but their first as a duet so I guess this qualifies. Probably won't make my top 5 but the brass arrangements make it interesting and well worth a listen.
open.spotify.com/album/4Pu1Qe...
#5debutalbums1014
Absolutely loved this at the time and played it loads but then really went off it. Maybe too cloying in some places and too precious in others. Playing it after a long absence though it sounds fantastic. A surprise strong contender for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/4odAbJ...
Absolutely loved this at the time and played it loads but then really went off it. Maybe too cloying in some places and too precious in others. Playing it after a long absence though it sounds fantastic. A surprise strong contender for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/4odAbJ...
Queen of Denmark
open.spotify.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:51 PM
#5debutalbums1014
Absolutely loved this at the time and played it loads but then really went off it. Maybe too cloying in some places and too precious in others. Playing it after a long absence though it sounds fantastic. A surprise strong contender for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/4odAbJ...
Absolutely loved this at the time and played it loads but then really went off it. Maybe too cloying in some places and too precious in others. Playing it after a long absence though it sounds fantastic. A surprise strong contender for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/4odAbJ...
#5debutalbums1014
I'd forgotten just how great this is. Incredibly inventive and unique mix of styles. An absolute certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6HbJlA...
I'd forgotten just how great this is. Incredibly inventive and unique mix of styles. An absolute certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6HbJlA...
An Awesome Wave
open.spotify.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
#5debutalbums1014
I'd forgotten just how great this is. Incredibly inventive and unique mix of styles. An absolute certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6HbJlA...
I'd forgotten just how great this is. Incredibly inventive and unique mix of styles. An absolute certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6HbJlA...
#5debutalbums1014
Huge at the time, I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned more. Their next album even bettered it but after that they sullied my relationship with them. Even so, still in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/1DNSmm...
Huge at the time, I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned more. Their next album even bettered it but after that they sullied my relationship with them. Even so, still in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/1DNSmm...
InnerSpeaker
open.spotify.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:54 PM
#5debutalbums1014
Huge at the time, I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned more. Their next album even bettered it but after that they sullied my relationship with them. Even so, still in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/1DNSmm...
Huge at the time, I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned more. Their next album even bettered it but after that they sullied my relationship with them. Even so, still in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/1DNSmm...
#5debutalbums1014
First ever play of this. Much more pure folk than her later albums. Good but probably not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0iO91Q...
First ever play of this. Much more pure folk than her later albums. Good but probably not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0iO91Q...
Jessica Pratt
open.spotify.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:39 PM
#5debutalbums1014
First ever play of this. Much more pure folk than her later albums. Good but probably not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0iO91Q...
First ever play of this. Much more pure folk than her later albums. Good but probably not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0iO91Q...
#5debutalbums1014
Tuneful indie-pop with breathy vocals. Reminds me a bit of Alvvays but more lo-fi. In the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/38NEzy...
Tuneful indie-pop with breathy vocals. Reminds me a bit of Alvvays but more lo-fi. In the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/38NEzy...
Crazy for You
open.spotify.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
#5debutalbums1014
Tuneful indie-pop with breathy vocals. Reminds me a bit of Alvvays but more lo-fi. In the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/38NEzy...
Tuneful indie-pop with breathy vocals. Reminds me a bit of Alvvays but more lo-fi. In the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/38NEzy...
#5debutalbums1014
Could easily have been dismissed as a novelty album but so well conceived and played they totally pull it off. More albums in play than I'd initially realised but this is definitely in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0Ic8K8...
Could easily have been dismissed as a novelty album but so well conceived and played they totally pull it off. More albums in play than I'd initially realised but this is definitely in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0Ic8K8...
Inform - Educate - Entertain
open.spotify.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
#5debutalbums1014
Could easily have been dismissed as a novelty album but so well conceived and played they totally pull it off. More albums in play than I'd initially realised but this is definitely in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0Ic8K8...
Could easily have been dismissed as a novelty album but so well conceived and played they totally pull it off. More albums in play than I'd initially realised but this is definitely in the mix for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/0Ic8K8...
#5debutalbums1014
An album that was highly rated at the time, including by me, but seems to have been forgotten since. In the mix for my top 5 but, based on albums I know, it's very slim pickings compared to 8084.
open.spotify.com/album/1in9Ol...
An album that was highly rated at the time, including by me, but seems to have been forgotten since. In the mix for my top 5 but, based on albums I know, it's very slim pickings compared to 8084.
open.spotify.com/album/1in9Ol...
Django Django
open.spotify.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:17 PM
#5debutalbums1014
An album that was highly rated at the time, including by me, but seems to have been forgotten since. In the mix for my top 5 but, based on albums I know, it's very slim pickings compared to 8084.
open.spotify.com/album/1in9Ol...
An album that was highly rated at the time, including by me, but seems to have been forgotten since. In the mix for my top 5 but, based on albums I know, it's very slim pickings compared to 8084.
open.spotify.com/album/1in9Ol...
#5debutalbums8084
My two favourite Australian bands going head to head in this heat. Whilst I prefer The Go-Betweens overall when it comes to their debuts The Triffids take it.
open.spotify.com/album/0oV4Vv...
My two favourite Australian bands going head to head in this heat. Whilst I prefer The Go-Betweens overall when it comes to their debuts The Triffids take it.
open.spotify.com/album/0oV4Vv...
Treeless Plain
open.spotify.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
#5debutalbums8084
My two favourite Australian bands going head to head in this heat. Whilst I prefer The Go-Betweens overall when it comes to their debuts The Triffids take it.
open.spotify.com/album/0oV4Vv...
My two favourite Australian bands going head to head in this heat. Whilst I prefer The Go-Betweens overall when it comes to their debuts The Triffids take it.
open.spotify.com/album/0oV4Vv...
#5debutalbums8084
First heard this when it was released on CD with great reviews in iirc the late 90s. Mildly blown away at the time but revisited it now expecting to be underwhelmed. Totally wrong, still sounds fantastic.
open.spotify.com/album/3a6CND...
First heard this when it was released on CD with great reviews in iirc the late 90s. Mildly blown away at the time but revisited it now expecting to be underwhelmed. Totally wrong, still sounds fantastic.
open.spotify.com/album/3a6CND...
Colossal Youth (40th Anniversary Edition)
open.spotify.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:19 PM
#5debutalbums8084
First heard this when it was released on CD with great reviews in iirc the late 90s. Mildly blown away at the time but revisited it now expecting to be underwhelmed. Totally wrong, still sounds fantastic.
open.spotify.com/album/3a6CND...
First heard this when it was released on CD with great reviews in iirc the late 90s. Mildly blown away at the time but revisited it now expecting to be underwhelmed. Totally wrong, still sounds fantastic.
open.spotify.com/album/3a6CND...
#5debutalbums8084
Unbelievably accomplished for a debut album both in terms of songwriting and production. Such a brutal heat though this may well miss out on my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/3sIFpE...
Unbelievably accomplished for a debut album both in terms of songwriting and production. Such a brutal heat though this may well miss out on my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/3sIFpE...
The Hurting
open.spotify.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:34 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Unbelievably accomplished for a debut album both in terms of songwriting and production. Such a brutal heat though this may well miss out on my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/3sIFpE...
Unbelievably accomplished for a debut album both in terms of songwriting and production. Such a brutal heat though this may well miss out on my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/3sIFpE...
#5debutalbums8084
A truly incredible album, pushing the band's limits to breaking point but because of their love for the music and the absolute joyfulness of it they somehow carry it off. A certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6yZwWe...
A truly incredible album, pushing the band's limits to breaking point but because of their love for the music and the absolute joyfulness of it they somehow carry it off. A certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6yZwWe...
You Can't Hide Your Love Forever
open.spotify.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
#5debutalbums8084
A truly incredible album, pushing the band's limits to breaking point but because of their love for the music and the absolute joyfulness of it they somehow carry it off. A certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6yZwWe...
A truly incredible album, pushing the band's limits to breaking point but because of their love for the music and the absolute joyfulness of it they somehow carry it off. A certainty for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6yZwWe...
#5debutalbums8084
Sounded like nothing else at the time and arguably their best album too. Despite my contrarian tendencies I can't see this not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6cI1Xo...
Sounded like nothing else at the time and arguably their best album too. Despite my contrarian tendencies I can't see this not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6cI1Xo...
The Smiths
open.spotify.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Sounded like nothing else at the time and arguably their best album too. Despite my contrarian tendencies I can't see this not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6cI1Xo...
Sounded like nothing else at the time and arguably their best album too. Despite my contrarian tendencies I can't see this not making my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/6cI1Xo...
#5debutalbums8084
Incredibly inventive and accomplished debut. Such is the quality of this heat though that's no guarantee of a place in my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/17vXS5...
Incredibly inventive and accomplished debut. Such is the quality of this heat though that's no guarantee of a place in my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/17vXS5...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Incredibly inventive and accomplished debut. Such is the quality of this heat though that's no guarantee of a place in my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/17vXS5...
Incredibly inventive and accomplished debut. Such is the quality of this heat though that's no guarantee of a place in my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/17vXS5...
#5debutalbums8084
Edges it as my pick of the Vince Clarke albums. Both superb but neither will quite make my top 5. As opening tracks on debut albums go though, New Life takes some beating.
open.spotify.com/album/1XLkKN...
Edges it as my pick of the Vince Clarke albums. Both superb but neither will quite make my top 5. As opening tracks on debut albums go though, New Life takes some beating.
open.spotify.com/album/1XLkKN...
Speak & Spell
open.spotify.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Edges it as my pick of the Vince Clarke albums. Both superb but neither will quite make my top 5. As opening tracks on debut albums go though, New Life takes some beating.
open.spotify.com/album/1XLkKN...
Edges it as my pick of the Vince Clarke albums. Both superb but neither will quite make my top 5. As opening tracks on debut albums go though, New Life takes some beating.
open.spotify.com/album/1XLkKN...
#5debutalbums8084
I've already got too many contenders but this superb slice of powerpop definitely deserved a spin.
open.spotify.com/album/0eZNXt...
I've already got too many contenders but this superb slice of powerpop definitely deserved a spin.
open.spotify.com/album/0eZNXt...
Stands For Decibels
open.spotify.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:08 PM
#5debutalbums8084
I've already got too many contenders but this superb slice of powerpop definitely deserved a spin.
open.spotify.com/album/0eZNXt...
I've already got too many contenders but this superb slice of powerpop definitely deserved a spin.
open.spotify.com/album/0eZNXt...
#5debutalbums8084
Won't make my top 5 but I can't pass up the opportunity to give Robyn Hitchcock a spin. As a general rule I'll be setting a higher bar for solo debuts by established artists compared to true debuts.
open.spotify.com/album/5vsPv9...
Won't make my top 5 but I can't pass up the opportunity to give Robyn Hitchcock a spin. As a general rule I'll be setting a higher bar for solo debuts by established artists compared to true debuts.
open.spotify.com/album/5vsPv9...
Black Snake Diamond Röle
open.spotify.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:42 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Won't make my top 5 but I can't pass up the opportunity to give Robyn Hitchcock a spin. As a general rule I'll be setting a higher bar for solo debuts by established artists compared to true debuts.
open.spotify.com/album/5vsPv9...
Won't make my top 5 but I can't pass up the opportunity to give Robyn Hitchcock a spin. As a general rule I'll be setting a higher bar for solo debuts by established artists compared to true debuts.
open.spotify.com/album/5vsPv9...
#5debutalbums8084
Not a contender for my top 5 but the 4 tracks that make up side one are fantastic, with the superb cover of my favourite Prince song being the absolute standout.
open.spotify.com/album/1FvdZ1...
Not a contender for my top 5 but the 4 tracks that make up side one are fantastic, with the superb cover of my favourite Prince song being the absolute standout.
open.spotify.com/album/1FvdZ1...
She's So Unusual
open.spotify.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:54 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Not a contender for my top 5 but the 4 tracks that make up side one are fantastic, with the superb cover of my favourite Prince song being the absolute standout.
open.spotify.com/album/1FvdZ1...
Not a contender for my top 5 but the 4 tracks that make up side one are fantastic, with the superb cover of my favourite Prince song being the absolute standout.
open.spotify.com/album/1FvdZ1...
#5debutalbums8084
Everything you want from a debut album, accomplished yet still with the naivety that adds to the charm. Strangely it reminds me of Orange Juice's debut but in a much more muted style.
open.spotify.com/album/37FJhy...
Everything you want from a debut album, accomplished yet still with the naivety that adds to the charm. Strangely it reminds me of Orange Juice's debut but in a much more muted style.
open.spotify.com/album/37FJhy...
Everybody Is Fantastic
open.spotify.com
October 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Everything you want from a debut album, accomplished yet still with the naivety that adds to the charm. Strangely it reminds me of Orange Juice's debut but in a much more muted style.
open.spotify.com/album/37FJhy...
Everything you want from a debut album, accomplished yet still with the naivety that adds to the charm. Strangely it reminds me of Orange Juice's debut but in a much more muted style.
open.spotify.com/album/37FJhy...
#5debutalbums8084
Not sure it will make my top 5 but it's an album that never fails to impress. The singles are infectiously fantastic but beyond that it's also a landmark world music album. Hard to believe this is 3 years before Graceland.
open.spotify.com/album/6S4f7y...
Not sure it will make my top 5 but it's an album that never fails to impress. The singles are infectiously fantastic but beyond that it's also a landmark world music album. Hard to believe this is 3 years before Graceland.
open.spotify.com/album/6S4f7y...
Duck Rock
open.spotify.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
#5debutalbums8084
Not sure it will make my top 5 but it's an album that never fails to impress. The singles are infectiously fantastic but beyond that it's also a landmark world music album. Hard to believe this is 3 years before Graceland.
open.spotify.com/album/6S4f7y...
Not sure it will make my top 5 but it's an album that never fails to impress. The singles are infectiously fantastic but beyond that it's also a landmark world music album. Hard to believe this is 3 years before Graceland.
open.spotify.com/album/6S4f7y...
#5debutalbums8084
You maybe had to be a certain age at the time but I still love this. The rare beast of a double album debut, so excusably a bit patchy, but the highs more than compensate anyway. I still prefer their version of Born To Run over the original.
open.spotify.com/album/0FU4Eo...
You maybe had to be a certain age at the time but I still love this. The rare beast of a double album debut, so excusably a bit patchy, but the highs more than compensate anyway. I still prefer their version of Born To Run over the original.
open.spotify.com/album/0FU4Eo...
Welcome To The Pleasuredome
open.spotify.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
#5debutalbums8084
You maybe had to be a certain age at the time but I still love this. The rare beast of a double album debut, so excusably a bit patchy, but the highs more than compensate anyway. I still prefer their version of Born To Run over the original.
open.spotify.com/album/0FU4Eo...
You maybe had to be a certain age at the time but I still love this. The rare beast of a double album debut, so excusably a bit patchy, but the highs more than compensate anyway. I still prefer their version of Born To Run over the original.
open.spotify.com/album/0FU4Eo...
#5debutalbums8084
The pinnacle of the paisley underground and an absolute certainty for my top 5. Incredibly assured for a debut album.
open.spotify.com/album/3aIbPq...
The pinnacle of the paisley underground and an absolute certainty for my top 5. Incredibly assured for a debut album.
open.spotify.com/album/3aIbPq...
Emergency Third Rail Power Trip
open.spotify.com
October 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
#5debutalbums8084
The pinnacle of the paisley underground and an absolute certainty for my top 5. Incredibly assured for a debut album.
open.spotify.com/album/3aIbPq...
The pinnacle of the paisley underground and an absolute certainty for my top 5. Incredibly assured for a debut album.
open.spotify.com/album/3aIbPq...
Starting #5debutalbums8084 with this. The Television Personalities are a hugely underappreciated band who came out of the gate with their best album. A unique blend of post-punk and 60s psych. Strong contender for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/14mAXC...
open.spotify.com/album/14mAXC...
And Don't the Kids Just Love It
open.spotify.com
October 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Starting #5debutalbums8084 with this. The Television Personalities are a hugely underappreciated band who came out of the gate with their best album. A unique blend of post-punk and 60s psych. Strong contender for my top 5.
open.spotify.com/album/14mAXC...
open.spotify.com/album/14mAXC...
#5debutalbums0004
Not the debut album by Scott 4 or Magic Car but their first collaboration so I guess it qualifies. I've loved this since release so a strong contender for my top 5. Magical stuff.
open.spotify.com/album/3w5LRt...
Not the debut album by Scott 4 or Magic Car but their first collaboration so I guess it qualifies. I've loved this since release so a strong contender for my top 5. Magical stuff.
open.spotify.com/album/3w5LRt...
European Punks LP
open.spotify.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:39 PM
#5debutalbums0004
Not the debut album by Scott 4 or Magic Car but their first collaboration so I guess it qualifies. I've loved this since release so a strong contender for my top 5. Magical stuff.
open.spotify.com/album/3w5LRt...
Not the debut album by Scott 4 or Magic Car but their first collaboration so I guess it qualifies. I've loved this since release so a strong contender for my top 5. Magical stuff.
open.spotify.com/album/3w5LRt...