Tony
@tonylarkin.bsky.social
Ireland by birth, Cork by the grace of God. Engineer by training, nerd by nature. Mainly post about records, gardening and Sci Fi.
Reposted by Tony
happy Partially Muscled Skeleton Stands by the Perimeter Fence and Screams for Thirty Seconds Before Vanishing day
November 14, 2025 at 6:39 AM
happy Partially Muscled Skeleton Stands by the Perimeter Fence and Screams for Thirty Seconds Before Vanishing day
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O. (2002)
The album unfolds in long, deliberate waves of music that build slowly, collapse and reform with a grim, hypnotic intensity. There are no vocals, just the cycle of tension and release, creating an atmosphere of mounting unease.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The album unfolds in long, deliberate waves of music that build slowly, collapse and reform with a grim, hypnotic intensity. There are no vocals, just the cycle of tension and release, creating an atmosphere of mounting unease.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 12, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui U.X.O. (2002)
The album unfolds in long, deliberate waves of music that build slowly, collapse and reform with a grim, hypnotic intensity. There are no vocals, just the cycle of tension and release, creating an atmosphere of mounting unease.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The album unfolds in long, deliberate waves of music that build slowly, collapse and reform with a grim, hypnotic intensity. There are no vocals, just the cycle of tension and release, creating an atmosphere of mounting unease.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Kinks - State of Confusion (1983)
The Kinks meet MTV. The result is uneven, weighed down by sterile early-80s production.
But it’s redeemed by “Come Dancing”, a tender tribute to Ray’s sister and a vanished world of dance halls and innocence.
The last great Kinks track.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Kinks meet MTV. The result is uneven, weighed down by sterile early-80s production.
But it’s redeemed by “Come Dancing”, a tender tribute to Ray’s sister and a vanished world of dance halls and innocence.
The last great Kinks track.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The Kinks - State of Confusion (1983)
The Kinks meet MTV. The result is uneven, weighed down by sterile early-80s production.
But it’s redeemed by “Come Dancing”, a tender tribute to Ray’s sister and a vanished world of dance halls and innocence.
The last great Kinks track.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Kinks meet MTV. The result is uneven, weighed down by sterile early-80s production.
But it’s redeemed by “Come Dancing”, a tender tribute to Ray’s sister and a vanished world of dance halls and innocence.
The last great Kinks track.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks - Striking It Rich! (1972)
How to describe this? Imagine Django Reinhardt wandered into a honky-tonk saloon & joined the band.
The production is superb, silky vocals & clear strings, with a bona-fide masterpiece, “I Scare Myself”, at its center.
#nowspinning #vinyl
How to describe this? Imagine Django Reinhardt wandered into a honky-tonk saloon & joined the band.
The production is superb, silky vocals & clear strings, with a bona-fide masterpiece, “I Scare Myself”, at its center.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks - Striking It Rich! (1972)
How to describe this? Imagine Django Reinhardt wandered into a honky-tonk saloon & joined the band.
The production is superb, silky vocals & clear strings, with a bona-fide masterpiece, “I Scare Myself”, at its center.
#nowspinning #vinyl
How to describe this? Imagine Django Reinhardt wandered into a honky-tonk saloon & joined the band.
The production is superb, silky vocals & clear strings, with a bona-fide masterpiece, “I Scare Myself”, at its center.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Reposted by Tony
Tom Waits - Franks Wild Years (1987)
Not quite a concept album, this reworks songs from the play he wrote with Kathleen Brennan and drifts between drunken cabaret, feverish gospel, and cracked lullaby, as we follow Frank’s surreal fall from small-town dreamer to broken drifter.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Not quite a concept album, this reworks songs from the play he wrote with Kathleen Brennan and drifts between drunken cabaret, feverish gospel, and cracked lullaby, as we follow Frank’s surreal fall from small-town dreamer to broken drifter.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Tom Waits - Franks Wild Years (1987)
Not quite a concept album, this reworks songs from the play he wrote with Kathleen Brennan and drifts between drunken cabaret, feverish gospel, and cracked lullaby, as we follow Frank’s surreal fall from small-town dreamer to broken drifter.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Not quite a concept album, this reworks songs from the play he wrote with Kathleen Brennan and drifts between drunken cabaret, feverish gospel, and cracked lullaby, as we follow Frank’s surreal fall from small-town dreamer to broken drifter.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Paul McCartney - Ram (1971)
It’s McCartney, so there are flashes of melodic genius, but also plenty of art-school experimentation. The production is uneven, and the lyrics drift from whimsy to outright weirdness. Brilliant in places, but messy and self-indulgent overall.
#nowspinning #vinyl
It’s McCartney, so there are flashes of melodic genius, but also plenty of art-school experimentation. The production is uneven, and the lyrics drift from whimsy to outright weirdness. Brilliant in places, but messy and self-indulgent overall.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Paul McCartney - Ram (1971)
It’s McCartney, so there are flashes of melodic genius, but also plenty of art-school experimentation. The production is uneven, and the lyrics drift from whimsy to outright weirdness. Brilliant in places, but messy and self-indulgent overall.
#nowspinning #vinyl
It’s McCartney, so there are flashes of melodic genius, but also plenty of art-school experimentation. The production is uneven, and the lyrics drift from whimsy to outright weirdness. Brilliant in places, but messy and self-indulgent overall.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Power of Dreams - Ausländer”
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Power of Dreams - Ausländer”
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
“Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was about identity, displacement, naïveté & hope - my favourite album of 1990.
Three decades later, “Ausländer” is about exile, alienation, middle age & the persistence of hope.
It’s like they grew up with me.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Reposted by Tony
apologies in advance to my children, whose bedrooms I will reappropriate as Lego display rooms the second they are out of the house
November 6, 2025 at 7:21 PM
apologies in advance to my children, whose bedrooms I will reappropriate as Lego display rooms the second they are out of the house
The Police - Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Police - Ghost in the Machine (1981)
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Very early 80s - gated drums, analog synths, lyrics about information overload. The dystopian themes can feel dated but then “Every Little Thing She Does” bursts through like sunlight as the Police forget the concept and simply connect.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (1975)
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Mike Oldfield - Ommadawn (1975)
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Tubular Bells astonished me when I first heard it, the sheer audacity of one man building a symphony out of overdubs, but Ommadawn may be Oldfield’s real masterpiece.
Less mechanical, more pastoral; each theme unfolding naturally from the last.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Mike Oldfield - Crises (1983)
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 4, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Mike Oldfield - Crises (1983)
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Blatant compromise between artistic genius and a hit-hungry label. On one side, the sprawling 20 minute title suite; on the other, 4 polished pop songs including the sublime “Moonlight Shadow”.
It’s like they stuck two different albums together.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Moody Blues - To Our Children’s Children’s Children (1969)
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 4, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The Moody Blues - To Our Children’s Children’s Children (1969)
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
A concept suite about space exploration, inspired by Apollo 11.
Simulated rocket launch aside, I thought it lacked punch.
On the other hand, Al Worden took a copy to actual space on Apollo 15, so what do I know?
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The Moody Blues - In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
A cornerstone of late-’60s British psychedelia - flutes, sitars, Mellotron and slightly eccentric lyrics.
It all feels a bit quaint but in a way which makes me wonder when unguarded hopefulness stopped being a good thing.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Julian Cope - Saint Julian (1987)
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 3, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Julian Cope - Saint Julian (1987)
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
I bought this album purely for “World Shut Your Mouth”, that three-minute explosion of swagger, melody, and irony. The rest of the album isn’t bad though - blending big hooks with mythic imagery in a sort of glam rock meets pagan revival tent.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
XTC – English Settlement (1986)
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
November 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
XTC – English Settlement (1986)
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
This Japanese reissue is a 10-track distillation.
A concept album on English identity and the tension between modern life and a fading pastoral ideal.
It holds together beautifully: moral alarm on Side A yielding to weary resignation on Side B.
#nowspinniny #vinyl
XTC - Black Sea (1980)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
XTC - Black Sea (1980)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Produced by Steve Lillywhite, this album showcases his signature style - layered guitars, 3D drums, and an almost live feel - all of which amplify the band’s trademark musical irony: pairing bright, infectious tunes with lyrics that slyly undermine them.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Reposted by Tony
Are both pictures taken in the same wavelength?
November 2, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Are both pictures taken in the same wavelength?
Reposted by Tony
It's a funny game. This morning we were 10th in the table and all hope seemed lost.
Now we're suddenly 3rd, and things don't seem so bad. Grav's back, we're controlling a game, team's started to click again. We've tougher games coming up, but this feels like a stop to the rot.
#UTFR ✊ #LFC #YNWA
Now we're suddenly 3rd, and things don't seem so bad. Grav's back, we're controlling a game, team's started to click again. We've tougher games coming up, but this feels like a stop to the rot.
#UTFR ✊ #LFC #YNWA
November 1, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The Cars - Heartbeat City (1984)
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The Cars - Heartbeat City (1984)
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The Cars’ most commercial record. Tracks like “Drive” and “You Might Think” showcased the band’s knack for hooks and Mutt Lange’s glossy production, full of shimmering synths & layered guitars.
Peak 80s, the musical equivalent of a neon suit.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Eyeless in Gaza - Back from the Rains (1986)
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Eyeless in Gaza - Back from the Rains (1986)
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The last of the EIG albums I picked up on a whim in Ikebukuro and the last they released before going on hiatus.
The culmination of the melodic drift away from the experimentation of the first album, from turmoil to tranquility.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Eyeless in Gaza – Rust Red September (1983)
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Eyeless in Gaza – Rust Red September (1983)
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
The band steps out of the shadows and into something warmer, more melodic. There’s a tenderness to this record that sets it apart from “Drumming the Beating Heart”. Not exactly mainstream but more accessible, experimental but pop.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Eyeless in Gaza - Drumming the Beating Heart (1982)
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Eyeless in Gaza - Drumming the Beating Heart (1982)
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
Smash Hits described them as "a more harrowing version of OMD" which rings true.
Less post-punk, more poetry with musical accompaniment. Martyn Bates’s voice keening, Peter Becker’s rhythms closer to sound effects than beats.
#nowspinning #vinyl
New Order - The Peel Sessions (released 1990 but recorded between 1981 and 1982)
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 9:48 AM
New Order - The Peel Sessions (released 1990 but recorded between 1981 and 1982)
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl
With New Order still shaking off the shadow of Joy Division and redefining themselves, this makes for an interesting snapshot of where they had gotten to i.e. halfway between despair & dancefloor.
#nowspinning #vinyl