This is the thread where we discuss Tom's birthday CD

I listened up to the start of the one after 'Send In The Clowns', then had to stop.

I don't like much of the earlier part of the CD. I find the sound of the rappers grating and ugly. There seemed to be loads of them. I couldn't really see why.

There were one or two slightly interesting sounds - track 7?

One or two tracks with an Indian flavour were slightly more interesting to me than I might have expected. Perhaps this was due to the contrast with the ugly rapping. One rock track seemed to be trite and lame.

It was very good to hear that marvellous song 'Send In The Clowns'. I realized I didn't own it. The contrast with the rest of the CD up to that point made it sound even better than usual.

While listening to that track, I realized that the CD seemed to have reassured, rather than challenged, my 'taste'. People have often told me that I would change my mind about new genres of music if I heard them. If this was what they sound like, they did not do much for me.

On the contrary, I found myself thinking about things that I like - Ride, for instance - and unable to imagine how this CD could be more enjoyable than them.

Many people round here have often treated my taste as something of a joke. And laughter is a good, healthy thing. But today I could not feel much substance in the joke. It is hard to believe that all the critical eloquence, blood and thunder of the last few years has been in the name of this stuff. It is hard to imagine why Tom E prefers it to Belinda Carlisle.

I may have another listen to it. As I say, it was kind of Tom E to give away the free CD.

I think you've misspoke yourself here: there was loads of them because Tom likes them.

A great CD, apart from the last track, which I've been sick of for ten years now.

A great CD, apart from the last track, which I've been sick of for ten years now.''

I haven't listened yet but he did tell me and a couple of other ppl that the last track was his favourite single.

I'm sure that will figure in the wedding dance-wotsit playlist (w/some masada, of course).

- Conway - favourite single of last year. Big party fun.
- Dizzy Rascal - favourite record I heard too late to go in my big list of favourite records last year. Deserves wider non-dance-listening audience.
- L'Trimm - because it's the electro Shangri-La's. Massive favourite of Isabel's.
- Khia - L'Trimm grown up all skanky and 'orrible.
- Lady Stush - cos of the vocals.
- Mad Anju = cos of the subject matter.
- Flowchart - "it's pretty"
- BON - odd little Europop obscurity I put in on impulse, I love the pop sounds plus German language combo.
- Denim - the childrens choir and the absurd key-changes near the end. It took me a long time to like Denim.
- Fox - because of my current fascination with 70s pop.
- Kelly Osbourne - the acceptable face of the new rock revolution.
- Andrew WK - there's no good reason for this except I love it.
- Asha and Kishore - the happiest song in the world, plus I'd written about it and wanted people to hear it.
- Alison Hinds - great chorus! should be a summer hit, but won't be, but now in your houses it can be.
- Jackie Doll - black topical humour
- Bam Bam - because I have a nasty side and wanted to frighten people.
- Judy Collins - because it's a beautiful song.
- Dexy's - my favourite record of all time yay!

I don't like Denim or Fox at all, but then again I don't like Come On Eileen either. I think I have made my views on BON perfectly clear elsewhere.

Avoid 10cc, they are wank.

Oh and the Chapel of Love is really good too. Clearly it is time for a dodgy box-set reissue spree for me.

isn't it? wasn't it?

Tomorrow sees Tico Tico turning 40.

maybe the price is too high
why the minutes that people don't buy?
i cyan textplain i don't know why

etcetc

i still ahve half this cd on my personal music listening device...