James Freeman

#ManicsAnthology 14: Futurology It feels nice to be in agreeance with the Manics fan base at large for once; this is a great record. Futurology Walk Me To The Bridge Let’s Go To War Sex, Power, Love and Money

#1999Top20 7: Destiny’s Child - Bills, Bills, Bills The first repeat offender on my list, everything about this single and video is so fantastically ridiculous and brings me great joy; the audacity of “automobills” alone earns it a spot here. youtu.be/NiF6-0UTqtc

#PetShopBoysTop30 17: Before (1996) Wonderfully unlike much else in their catalog, the smooth soul sound fits them well; the joke of the promo sleeve is naughtier than usual for them but fits their sense of humor perfectly. youtu.be/D0skdPRuPsk

@NightEthereal ‘Dirty Mind’ is arguably his best album overall, so the clear winner here.

Okay, help me settle something between my Whatsapp group of Prince Nerds 😆 Best pre-1999 (Album) Album?

#lookandplay (309) This Mortal Coil - I Come and Stand at Every Door youtu.be/3kpHbuZm2nw

#1999Top20 8: Suede - Electricity The song that changed my mind about Suede, it’s still as thrilling today as the first time I heard it. youtu.be/ygHrqRx7Abg

#PetShopBoysTop30 18: I didn’t get where I am today (2003) No stranger to a well-placed sample, the Boys make excellent use of the late-60’s pop gem “Father’s Name is Dad” as the base for this one. (2/2) youtu.be/3helJXwGBSI

#PetShopBoysTop30 18: I didn’t get where I am today (2003) Another excellent hold out from ‘Release’, this one captures a sixties pop vibe very well and wouldn’t have been out of place in the ‘Very’-era. (1/2) youtu.be/uGjX5Gj3MHk

@bingomaster09 I do love this one but shockingly it didn’t make my list!

#PetShopBoysTop30 18 The Truck Driver And His Mate | 1996 In the Format booklet they said that for this B side they were inspired both by oasis and a chocolate bar ad from the 70s. And it shows! Addictive euphoria, like oasis and chocolate. youtu.be/TBkXV2h96ts?si…

The only answer for the top choice in #5Albums80s5 … the world still isn’t ready for this one.

@Top10Nathan “Adored”, “Resurrection” and especially “She Bangs The Drums” (and “Fool’s Gold”) are incredible; the rest is fine at best. One of my best friends is one of those obsessed with this record but I’ve never understood why it’s still so revered to this day.

#NowPlaying The Stone Roses Scratching a long held off itch with my first listen to this 90s classic. I suspected this wouldn't be up my street, and I was largely right. The bookends of Adored and Fools Gold are obviously incredible, but there wasn't much in between for me.

@tansleyjames ‘Computer World’ is still the future, we’ll get there one day. 💛

@Bogartofbolly There’s an argument to be made that Kraftwerk are still the future, that we haven’t caught up yet.

#mydecade 1975 - 3 Kraftwerk - Autobahn Back in 75, they seemed to be the future now youtu.be/BmtLezJIhxc?si…

@Hannahlocks I had to go with “Fred Astaire” for this challenge but I absolutely adore this one as well, just pure joy.

#1999Top20 No.9 James - I Know What I'm Here For Wonderful 😊 youtu.be/htbQ_FY8EeQ?si…

@gigsintoon @robdickinson911 @catherinewh33l I love the songs on this record but the production was a little too slick for me; the acoustic versions he did on tour were wonderful. I’d love a proper release of a full show from around this time.

On this day in 2005, @robdickinson911 released his debut and only studio album, Fresh Wine For The Horses. The former @catherinewh33l frontman released his solo album with the lead single Oceans! I remember the video for it being recorded completely on a mobile phone!

#ManicsAnthology 12: Postcards From A Young Man They fully embrace making a big dumb stadium rock record and it suits them well. (It’s Not War) Just the End of Love Postcards From A Young Man Hazleton Avenue A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun

Bonus #1999Top20 track with the electro nightmare remix of “Look At Me” by Terminalhead; incredible. youtu.be/JMcbh0K0J0w

#1999Top20 9: Geri Halliwell - Look At Me Ginger Spice answered the doubts if she could make it on her own with a MASSIVE yes. Everything about this single is pop genius. youtu.be/31mlEEs9_Vk

#PetShopBoysTop30 19: Positive role model (2002) The best-of single that never was, it was part of the musical before getting a proper *ahem* release as the b-side to “London” (in Germany, very PSB) then finally settling on the excellent ‘Disco 3’. youtu.be/tAcC9Qg2mFE

@bingomaster09 Coming up later for me, the level of perfection this hits on all levels is astounding.

#PetShopBoysTop30 19 Shameless | 1993 One of their most biting lyrics yet utterly camp and uplifting. Hi-NRG bliss. We have entered now a 10/10 area. youtu.be/uH6R_Noz74o?si…