Ricky McAllister
@rickymca.bsky.social
Husband to Jenny - dad to Ethan, Holly, Micah, Benji & Annie - Man U fan for 40 years - Music & film - coffee - Reader of books but a failed novelist - SEN teacher - lover of a fine stout/porter.
#NowPlaying
💿 Lights
🎤 The Fauns
Their debut is getting a lot of attention - rightly so - with the debut album poll. Only 3 albums since they formed in 2007 but what a trio.
Lights remains my pick of a fine trilogy…it is glorious from start to finish. A top 5 shoegaze album to these ears👌👌👌
💿 Lights
🎤 The Fauns
Their debut is getting a lot of attention - rightly so - with the debut album poll. Only 3 albums since they formed in 2007 but what a trio.
Lights remains my pick of a fine trilogy…it is glorious from start to finish. A top 5 shoegaze album to these ears👌👌👌
February 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
#NowPlaying
💿 Lights
🎤 The Fauns
Their debut is getting a lot of attention - rightly so - with the debut album poll. Only 3 albums since they formed in 2007 but what a trio.
Lights remains my pick of a fine trilogy…it is glorious from start to finish. A top 5 shoegaze album to these ears👌👌👌
💿 Lights
🎤 The Fauns
Their debut is getting a lot of attention - rightly so - with the debut album poll. Only 3 albums since they formed in 2007 but what a trio.
Lights remains my pick of a fine trilogy…it is glorious from start to finish. A top 5 shoegaze album to these ears👌👌👌
#NowPlaying
#5debutalbums0509
💿 Reservoir
🎤 Fanfarlo
Another I have forgotten about. Fanfarlo find their purchase somewhere between Arcade Fire & Beirut. It’s a kitchen sink album…every instrument known to man makes an appearance here, but it’s very well crafted. They never bettered it.
#5debutalbums0509
💿 Reservoir
🎤 Fanfarlo
Another I have forgotten about. Fanfarlo find their purchase somewhere between Arcade Fire & Beirut. It’s a kitchen sink album…every instrument known to man makes an appearance here, but it’s very well crafted. They never bettered it.
February 16, 2026 at 9:32 AM
#NowPlaying
#5debutalbums0509
💿 Reservoir
🎤 Fanfarlo
Another I have forgotten about. Fanfarlo find their purchase somewhere between Arcade Fire & Beirut. It’s a kitchen sink album…every instrument known to man makes an appearance here, but it’s very well crafted. They never bettered it.
#5debutalbums0509
💿 Reservoir
🎤 Fanfarlo
Another I have forgotten about. Fanfarlo find their purchase somewhere between Arcade Fire & Beirut. It’s a kitchen sink album…every instrument known to man makes an appearance here, but it’s very well crafted. They never bettered it.
February 15, 2026 at 4:07 PM
#NowPlaying
💿 In The Silence
🎤 Ásgeir
This was translated into English by John Grant, from Asgeir’s original Icelandic release. Apparently the original is owned by 1/10 people in Iceland, which is an astonishing stat.
It is melancholy folk, sung in a Bon Iver-like falsetto. New album out now.
💿 In The Silence
🎤 Ásgeir
This was translated into English by John Grant, from Asgeir’s original Icelandic release. Apparently the original is owned by 1/10 people in Iceland, which is an astonishing stat.
It is melancholy folk, sung in a Bon Iver-like falsetto. New album out now.
February 15, 2026 at 11:13 AM
#NowPlaying
💿 In The Silence
🎤 Ásgeir
This was translated into English by John Grant, from Asgeir’s original Icelandic release. Apparently the original is owned by 1/10 people in Iceland, which is an astonishing stat.
It is melancholy folk, sung in a Bon Iver-like falsetto. New album out now.
💿 In The Silence
🎤 Ásgeir
This was translated into English by John Grant, from Asgeir’s original Icelandic release. Apparently the original is owned by 1/10 people in Iceland, which is an astonishing stat.
It is melancholy folk, sung in a Bon Iver-like falsetto. New album out now.
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
1. River
A roaring furnace of a song…listening to it is like watching a volcano erupt. It’s genuinely sensational…exhausting, exhilarating, cathartic. A song where the band play/sing every note like their lives depend on it.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
1. River
A roaring furnace of a song…listening to it is like watching a volcano erupt. It’s genuinely sensational…exhausting, exhilarating, cathartic. A song where the band play/sing every note like their lives depend on it.
February 15, 2026 at 6:53 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
1. River
A roaring furnace of a song…listening to it is like watching a volcano erupt. It’s genuinely sensational…exhausting, exhilarating, cathartic. A song where the band play/sing every note like their lives depend on it.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
1. River
A roaring furnace of a song…listening to it is like watching a volcano erupt. It’s genuinely sensational…exhausting, exhilarating, cathartic. A song where the band play/sing every note like their lives depend on it.
Drop an album that was important to you when you were nineteen.
February 14, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Drop an album that was important to you when you were nineteen.
#NowPlaying
Dagger | IST IST
Loving this now. The stark album art is reminiscent of the debut, the music is too. IST IST are now one of my favourite bands these days…a few of the tracks - The Echo being one - are up among their best. Can’t wait to see them in April.
Dagger | IST IST
Loving this now. The stark album art is reminiscent of the debut, the music is too. IST IST are now one of my favourite bands these days…a few of the tracks - The Echo being one - are up among their best. Can’t wait to see them in April.
February 14, 2026 at 4:01 PM
#NowPlaying
Dagger | IST IST
Loving this now. The stark album art is reminiscent of the debut, the music is too. IST IST are now one of my favourite bands these days…a few of the tracks - The Echo being one - are up among their best. Can’t wait to see them in April.
Dagger | IST IST
Loving this now. The stark album art is reminiscent of the debut, the music is too. IST IST are now one of my favourite bands these days…a few of the tracks - The Echo being one - are up among their best. Can’t wait to see them in April.
Show us the last four albums you listened to
#last4albums
A very (un)romantic Valentine’s Day edition.
#last4albums
A very (un)romantic Valentine’s Day edition.
February 14, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Show us the last four albums you listened to
#last4albums
A very (un)romantic Valentine’s Day edition.
#last4albums
A very (un)romantic Valentine’s Day edition.
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
2. Bloody Mary
No 2 is the closer from Summer Moon. The album ends in the most delicate fashion…as tender as my highest ranked song is on fire.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
2. Bloody Mary
No 2 is the closer from Summer Moon. The album ends in the most delicate fashion…as tender as my highest ranked song is on fire.
February 14, 2026 at 11:01 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
2. Bloody Mary
No 2 is the closer from Summer Moon. The album ends in the most delicate fashion…as tender as my highest ranked song is on fire.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
2. Bloody Mary
No 2 is the closer from Summer Moon. The album ends in the most delicate fashion…as tender as my highest ranked song is on fire.
Show us the last four albums you listened to
#last4albums
Not a bad quartet. Family all out so turned up nice and loud. Pure bliss😍
#last4albums
Not a bad quartet. Family all out so turned up nice and loud. Pure bliss😍
February 13, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Show us the last four albums you listened to
#last4albums
Not a bad quartet. Family all out so turned up nice and loud. Pure bliss😍
#last4albums
Not a bad quartet. Family all out so turned up nice and loud. Pure bliss😍
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
3. Holding Back The Dark
Exhilarating second track from Summer Moon.
Smoke Machines followed by this is a fairly spectacular way to begin a stunning album.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
3. Holding Back The Dark
Exhilarating second track from Summer Moon.
Smoke Machines followed by this is a fairly spectacular way to begin a stunning album.
February 13, 2026 at 9:16 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
3. Holding Back The Dark
Exhilarating second track from Summer Moon.
Smoke Machines followed by this is a fairly spectacular way to begin a stunning album.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
3. Holding Back The Dark
Exhilarating second track from Summer Moon.
Smoke Machines followed by this is a fairly spectacular way to begin a stunning album.
#5DebutAlbums0509
#NowPlaying
💿 S/t
🎤 Burial
It might just miss out on my top 5, but this is still an immersive, atmospheric, edgy listen. Eschews the joyous elements of dubstep, the clattering beats have a nervous energy throughout.
Sounds like nothing else, except other Burial records 😊
#NowPlaying
💿 S/t
🎤 Burial
It might just miss out on my top 5, but this is still an immersive, atmospheric, edgy listen. Eschews the joyous elements of dubstep, the clattering beats have a nervous energy throughout.
Sounds like nothing else, except other Burial records 😊
February 12, 2026 at 9:47 AM
#5DebutAlbums0509
#NowPlaying
💿 S/t
🎤 Burial
It might just miss out on my top 5, but this is still an immersive, atmospheric, edgy listen. Eschews the joyous elements of dubstep, the clattering beats have a nervous energy throughout.
Sounds like nothing else, except other Burial records 😊
#NowPlaying
💿 S/t
🎤 Burial
It might just miss out on my top 5, but this is still an immersive, atmospheric, edgy listen. Eschews the joyous elements of dubstep, the clattering beats have a nervous energy throughout.
Sounds like nothing else, except other Burial records 😊
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
4. Youngblood
So close to being my favourite song on Dark, Dark Bright. It’s a stunner.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
4. Youngblood
So close to being my favourite song on Dark, Dark Bright. It’s a stunner.
February 12, 2026 at 8:18 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
4. Youngblood
So close to being my favourite song on Dark, Dark Bright. It’s a stunner.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
4. Youngblood
So close to being my favourite song on Dark, Dark Bright. It’s a stunner.
#5DebutAlbums0509
Initial gut reaction is my 5 will be from this 8, with 3 absolute certainties given they are probably on my top 20 of all time.
I’m sure there are plenty that I’ve forgotten about.
Burial, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, TPOBPAT, Boxer Rebellion, Editors.
Initial gut reaction is my 5 will be from this 8, with 3 absolute certainties given they are probably on my top 20 of all time.
I’m sure there are plenty that I’ve forgotten about.
Burial, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, TPOBPAT, Boxer Rebellion, Editors.
February 11, 2026 at 11:59 AM
#5DebutAlbums0509
Initial gut reaction is my 5 will be from this 8, with 3 absolute certainties given they are probably on my top 20 of all time.
I’m sure there are plenty that I’ve forgotten about.
Burial, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, TPOBPAT, Boxer Rebellion, Editors.
Initial gut reaction is my 5 will be from this 8, with 3 absolute certainties given they are probably on my top 20 of all time.
I’m sure there are plenty that I’ve forgotten about.
Burial, Laura Marling, Bon Iver, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, TPOBPAT, Boxer Rebellion, Editors.
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
5. Second City, Setting Sun
Penultimate song on Summer Moon…the one-two punch of this with Bloody Mary is such a stunning way to close out the album.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
5. Second City, Setting Sun
Penultimate song on Summer Moon…the one-two punch of this with Bloody Mary is such a stunning way to close out the album.
February 11, 2026 at 9:34 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
5. Second City, Setting Sun
Penultimate song on Summer Moon…the one-two punch of this with Bloody Mary is such a stunning way to close out the album.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
5. Second City, Setting Sun
Penultimate song on Summer Moon…the one-two punch of this with Bloody Mary is such a stunning way to close out the album.
#nowreading #BookSky
The Devils | Joe Abercrombie
Well, that was a riot. The just shy of
600 pages rattled by at a fair rate. My first foray into adult fantasy may well be my only, but this was an absolute blast.
James Cameron has snapped up the film rights apparently.
The Devils | Joe Abercrombie
Well, that was a riot. The just shy of
600 pages rattled by at a fair rate. My first foray into adult fantasy may well be my only, but this was an absolute blast.
James Cameron has snapped up the film rights apparently.
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 AM
#nowreading #BookSky
The Devils | Joe Abercrombie
Well, that was a riot. The just shy of
600 pages rattled by at a fair rate. My first foray into adult fantasy may well be my only, but this was an absolute blast.
James Cameron has snapped up the film rights apparently.
The Devils | Joe Abercrombie
Well, that was a riot. The just shy of
600 pages rattled by at a fair rate. My first foray into adult fantasy may well be my only, but this was an absolute blast.
James Cameron has snapped up the film rights apparently.
February 10, 2026 at 7:14 PM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
6. We Sleep Through The Bombs
Highest pick from the debut album. Magisterial.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
6. We Sleep Through The Bombs
Highest pick from the debut album. Magisterial.
February 10, 2026 at 7:05 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
6. We Sleep Through The Bombs
Highest pick from the debut album. Magisterial.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
6. We Sleep Through The Bombs
Highest pick from the debut album. Magisterial.
February 9, 2026 at 10:15 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Dagger
🎤 IST IST
The new album landed at HQ today so giving it the 1st run through. It harkens back to the debut more than Light A Bigger Fire. It’s been an enjoyable listen to far. As expected 😊👍
Can’t wait to catch these guys in April.
💿 Dagger
🎤 IST IST
The new album landed at HQ today so giving it the 1st run through. It harkens back to the debut more than Light A Bigger Fire. It’s been an enjoyable listen to far. As expected 😊👍
Can’t wait to catch these guys in April.
February 9, 2026 at 8:33 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Dagger
🎤 IST IST
The new album landed at HQ today so giving it the 1st run through. It harkens back to the debut more than Light A Bigger Fire. It’s been an enjoyable listen to far. As expected 😊👍
Can’t wait to catch these guys in April.
💿 Dagger
🎤 IST IST
The new album landed at HQ today so giving it the 1st run through. It harkens back to the debut more than Light A Bigger Fire. It’s been an enjoyable listen to far. As expected 😊👍
Can’t wait to catch these guys in April.
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Around the Well
🎤 Iron & Wine
Sometimes all you need is Sam Beam & his acoustic guitar.
This compilation remains my favourite I & W album. An excellent blend of previously unreleased tracks & great cover versions (including Stereolab, New Order & The Postal Service).
Superb.
💿 Around the Well
🎤 Iron & Wine
Sometimes all you need is Sam Beam & his acoustic guitar.
This compilation remains my favourite I & W album. An excellent blend of previously unreleased tracks & great cover versions (including Stereolab, New Order & The Postal Service).
Superb.
February 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
#NowPlaying #NP
💿 Around the Well
🎤 Iron & Wine
Sometimes all you need is Sam Beam & his acoustic guitar.
This compilation remains my favourite I & W album. An excellent blend of previously unreleased tracks & great cover versions (including Stereolab, New Order & The Postal Service).
Superb.
💿 Around the Well
🎤 Iron & Wine
Sometimes all you need is Sam Beam & his acoustic guitar.
This compilation remains my favourite I & W album. An excellent blend of previously unreleased tracks & great cover versions (including Stereolab, New Order & The Postal Service).
Superb.
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
7. Dream Song
Second from my 2023 AOTY. Pure bliss.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
7. Dream Song
Second from my 2023 AOTY. Pure bliss.
February 9, 2026 at 6:57 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
7. Dream Song
Second from my 2023 AOTY. Pure bliss.
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
7. Dream Song
Second from my 2023 AOTY. Pure bliss.
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
8. Midfield Maestro
Penultimate pick from the excellent debut album. One of their most loved songs I believe.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GnK3...
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
8. Midfield Maestro
Penultimate pick from the excellent debut album. One of their most loved songs I believe.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GnK3...
February 8, 2026 at 6:24 AM
#ArtistFave15
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
8. Midfield Maestro
Penultimate pick from the excellent debut album. One of their most loved songs I believe.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GnK3...
#MusicChallenge
#MusicSky
There Will Be Fireworks
8. Midfield Maestro
Penultimate pick from the excellent debut album. One of their most loved songs I believe.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GnK3...
#NowPlaying #NP #MusicSky
💿 Song for Our Daughter
🎤 Laura Marling
For an artist with such a consistent catalogue, this still stands out. A really warm album, her beautiful voice suits the stripped back melodies like a glove.
Laura’s guitar playing is typically exemplary, as are her harmonies.
💿 Song for Our Daughter
🎤 Laura Marling
For an artist with such a consistent catalogue, this still stands out. A really warm album, her beautiful voice suits the stripped back melodies like a glove.
Laura’s guitar playing is typically exemplary, as are her harmonies.
February 7, 2026 at 7:23 PM
#NowPlaying #NP #MusicSky
💿 Song for Our Daughter
🎤 Laura Marling
For an artist with such a consistent catalogue, this still stands out. A really warm album, her beautiful voice suits the stripped back melodies like a glove.
Laura’s guitar playing is typically exemplary, as are her harmonies.
💿 Song for Our Daughter
🎤 Laura Marling
For an artist with such a consistent catalogue, this still stands out. A really warm album, her beautiful voice suits the stripped back melodies like a glove.
Laura’s guitar playing is typically exemplary, as are her harmonies.
Show us the last four albums you listened to ⬇️
#last4albums
I love being busy and love my job, so having to rest & recover (ie doing very, very little) is taking some getting used to. Thank heavens for The Sopranos, a few good books and a few records.
#last4albums
I love being busy and love my job, so having to rest & recover (ie doing very, very little) is taking some getting used to. Thank heavens for The Sopranos, a few good books and a few records.
February 7, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Show us the last four albums you listened to ⬇️
#last4albums
I love being busy and love my job, so having to rest & recover (ie doing very, very little) is taking some getting used to. Thank heavens for The Sopranos, a few good books and a few records.
#last4albums
I love being busy and love my job, so having to rest & recover (ie doing very, very little) is taking some getting used to. Thank heavens for The Sopranos, a few good books and a few records.