James Tansley
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tansleyjames.bsky.social
James Tansley
@tansleyjames.bsky.social
Artist. Decorator. Lost in music… always have been, always will be. Soon to be ex-serial music challenge host. #MDANT @tansleyjames on Twitter.
Not my greatest idea to run three music challenges in one month but here goes…

#OrchestralManoeuvres Starts 1st Feb.
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st Feb.
#Reverberations Starts 1st Feb.
January 22, 2026 at 9:44 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 9

A Walk Across The Rooftops | The Blue Nile
A Walk Across The Rooftops | 1984

Just beautiful. Pristine in sound and perfect in it’s execution, just like all things Blue Nile.

youtu.be/qxK7AZEdVbU
January 22, 2026 at 7:35 AM
#70sTop30 9

Trans-Europe Express/Metal On Metal/Abzug
Kraftwerk | 1977

Truly groundbreaking. Kraftwerk didn’t sell that many albums (or singles) in the 1970s but their influence is undeniable. TEE (both album and single) is Kraftwerk at the peak of their powers.

youtu.be/W1Fy-NE7vfI
January 22, 2026 at 7:27 AM
#RadioheadTop30 9

Climbing Up The Walls | 1997

Claustrophobic and unsettling but astonishingly good. It’s not one of OK Computer’s most accessible tracks but for this listener, it’s one of the best.

youtu.be/XX4EpkR-Sp4
January 22, 2026 at 7:20 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 10

Untitled | Interpol
Turn On The Bright Lights | 2002

A suitably dark and moody opener on Interpol’s debut album. Untitled sets the tone for the album perfectly.

youtu.be/xqYFU1_SiBo
January 21, 2026 at 7:34 AM
#70sTop30 10

Echoes | Pink Floyd | 1971

Running at 23m and 35s long Echoes is the longest (and joint oldest) song in my list. Peak Pink Floyd, a masterpiece of a composition that ebbs and flows seamlessly.

youtu.be/OcDiOUQBFd4
January 21, 2026 at 7:23 AM
#RadioheadTop30 10

Ful Stop | 2016

Back to A Moon Shaped Pool and the menacing Ful Stop. Along with my final choice from the album this was initially one of my standout tracks from the album. It still is.

youtu.be/NHDOk7lA53w
January 21, 2026 at 7:15 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 11

Alsatian Cousin | Morrissey
Viva Hate | 1988

Stephen Street produced and Vini Reilly starring stomper that opens Moz’s excellent debut solo album.

youtu.be/SyIyzmz2x94x
January 20, 2026 at 7:47 AM
#70sTop30 11

In Every Dream Home A Heartache |
Roxy Music | 1973

Just your every day love story about an inflatable doll. Peak Roxy, artistic, creative, unique and the music and lyrics… totally mind-blowing. There’s no one else like Roxy. There wasn’t then, there isn’t now.

youtu.be/l4uzAADWe00
January 20, 2026 at 7:33 AM
#RadioheadTop30 11

Lucky | 1997

There are so many outstanding songs on Ok Computer and I have four of them in my final eleven. First up is Lucky, I was blown away by it the first time I heard it. That feeling hasn’t dissipated at all over the passing 29 years.

youtu.be/FsyqsnY7dRA
January 20, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Yes it’s an old one but I’m still dining out on it. Apparently it’s Blue Monday today so here’s a tune from #NewOrder to celebrate. 😁🎧

youtu.be/Odjl13--Lyk
January 19, 2026 at 8:49 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 12

Disorder | Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures | 1979

I chose New Order yesterday so it seems right to select Joy Division today.

youtu.be/5BIElTtN6Fs
January 19, 2026 at 7:56 AM
#70sTop30 12

Frederick | Patti Smith Group | 1979

Dedicated to Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith of the MC5. Because The Night was her big hit (and very close to selection) but this beauty from the Wave album is hard to beat.

youtu.be/a-befOtn9GQ
January 19, 2026 at 7:54 AM
#RadioheadTop30 12

There, There | 2003

The lead track from Hail To The Thief. An immediate favourite and it’s remained that way ever since.

youtu.be/7AQSLozK7aA
January 19, 2026 at 7:51 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 13

Dreams Never End | New Order
Movement | 1981

Peter Hook on lead vocal duty on the brilliant opening track on New Order’s debut album.

youtu.be/WS1X0EBlQ3Y
January 18, 2026 at 9:36 AM
#70sTop30 13

Picture This | Blondie | 1978

Imperial Phase Blondie and then some. Dreaming ran it close but it has to be Picture This for my choice. The melodies, the hooks, the soaring chorus, it has it all and all in under three minutes. Perfect.

youtu.be/QbdCpi4qTNY
January 18, 2026 at 9:17 AM
#RadioheadTop30 13

Pyramid Song | 2001

Hauntingly beautiful. I wasn’t taken by this track immediately but over the years it’s worked it’s way in to become a favourite.

youtu.be/3M_Gg1xAHE4
January 18, 2026 at 9:10 AM
#ExitMusic Starts 1st March.

Choose your thirty favourite song endings, the part where the end begins. Obviously the greatest ending belongs to The Perfect Kiss but there are plenty of others. A sweeping orchestral arrangement, an elongated workout or a towering crescendo. The choice is yours…👋
January 17, 2026 at 9:55 AM
#Reverberations Starts 1st February.

A month-long celebration of all things guitar. From 80s Indie and Alt-Rock, to Shoegaze and Grunge and beyond, up to the present day. Think My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pixies, Cocteau Twins, Hüsker Du, Nirvana, DIIV, Just Mustard…
January 17, 2026 at 9:54 AM
#OrchestralManoeuvres
Starts 1st February.

Select your 28 favourite string arrangements in songs. Solo, full orchestra, electric, synthetic or sampled. Singles, b-sides, album tracks, live versions and remixes can all be included.

Post one song per day throughout February, ranked or unranked.
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 AM
#StandaloneSingles Starts 1st February.

Throughout February choose 28 of your favourite standalone singles. Post one per day, ranked or unranked. Lead tracks on EPs and singles tagged on to Best Of compilations can be selected, the main criteria is that they aren’t on an artist’s studio album.
January 17, 2026 at 9:27 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 14

Reel Around The Fountain | The Smiths
The Smiths | 1983

Unfortunately the Troy Tate version of this doesn’t count (I prefer that one) but this isn’t a bad substitute anyway. The Smiths kick off the stellar debut album in style.

youtu.be/V04bUY5Kl8w
January 17, 2026 at 8:32 AM
#70sTop30 14

The Light Pours Out Of Me |
Magazine | 1978

I’ve said it before but Magazine were one hell of a band. A unit made up of some of the most talented and original musicians of their generation. It’s not surprising then that they produced songs such as this.

youtu.be/OFGA2HbCa0A
January 17, 2026 at 8:15 AM
#RadioheadTop30 14

Planet Telex | 1995

The Bends album opener and a double a-sided release with High And Dry. And as much as I love H&D, Planet Telex would have been my choice for the lead track.

youtu.be/09EsZXrKEP4
January 17, 2026 at 8:05 AM
#Top30FirstAlbumFirstTrack 15

Almost Medieval | The Human League
Reproduction | 1979

A terrific stomper to open The Human League’s first album. Sure Dare was a massive commercial success but there’s something about the Mk1 line-up that just hits differently. Marvellous stuff.

youtu.be/M9U0l1GA37g
January 16, 2026 at 7:36 AM