Ian McHugh

Big Sounds. Historic Venue. Great Nights Out. mailchi.mp/b8e3337694ae/b…

481/500 Belle and Sebastian-If You’re Feeling Sinister. A quiet and seemingly introspective record that features some trademark darkness and humour. Probably worth a repeated listen too. #BestAlbums #500best2020

482/500 The Pharcyde-Bizarre Ride II. I kind of like this hip hop in the way I like De La Soul. It’s self effacing, funny, funky and as far from the look how much money I have and all the women that it can be. Why isn’t it all like this? #BestAlbums #500best2020

483/500 Muddy Waters-The Anthology. Amazing music, the birth of what I love and gathered together with care considering most of these were only singles. It is still a compilation though so I don’t think it should be here… do listen though! #BestAlbums #500best2020

UK Blues Awards Voting Open Now! - mailchi.mp/d9514d04791d/l…

484/500 Lady Gaga-Born This Way. Campy and daft, there are nuggets of pop perfection on here but it's all so overblown and ridiculous it becomes surreal. #BestAlbums #500Best2020 

485/500 Richard & Linda Thompson- I Want to see the Bright Lights Tonight. Glorious. I’m not a fan of English folk music for the most part, but this makes me question that. Evolved, emotional and direct, it’s proof that this is vital & not just a preservationist hell. #bestalbums

485/500 John Mayer-Continuum. This is a good record. A very very good record. Great songs, an attempt to say something, fine musicianship and it’s proof it’s still a good idea to make music like this in the 21st century. #BestAlbums #500best2020

487/500 Black Flag-Damaged. Very angry and vitriolic. It didn’t stick with me why they were angry In particular but you could tell they were on the far side of miffed. #BestAlbums #500best2020

We’re back with a new venue and a @UKBluesFed award nominated band… the Cadillac Kings. Get tickets from wegottickets.com/crawdaddyclub

488/500 Stooges-Stooges. Angry disaffected but intelligent. Surprisingly festive with sleigh bells on I Wanna Be Your Dog. Verges on psych, punk and a whole lot more #BestAlbums #500Best2020

489/500 Phil Spector-Back to Mono. There are some great tracks on here. The production is distinctive even as it tries to assimilate a diverse group of artists into all sounding the same. It’s a compilation seemingly created to serve Phil’s ego above all #BestAlbums #500best2020

490/500 Linda Ronstadt-Heart Like a Wheel. A beautiful voice that is just the right side of country to be authentic, not pastiche, some truly great songs and a great production. It's a great record! #BestAlbums #500best2020

491/500 Harry Styles-Harry’s House. I’d heard a lot of this album through osmosis and I hadn’t been put off. Is actually pretty good, understated and lacking in bombast. It’s very musical and warm. Not quite magic, but not too far off! #BestAlbums #500best2020

🎙️ New Blues is the Truth out now! Join Ian McHugh for blues legends & fresh talent: Albert King, Delaney & Bonnie, Ian Siegal, Muddy Waters, The Altered Five Blues Band, & more! 🎧 Listen here: hearthis.at/ian-mchugh/blu… #Blues #Podcast #NowPlaying

492/500 Bonnie Raitt-Nick of Time. Why is this so far down the list? Great songs, wonderfully performed and produced. It is a wonderful listen. The first impeccable album on the list. #500Best2020 #BestAlbums

493/500 Marvin Gaye-Here My Dear. An ongoing alimony payment in musical form it’s bitter and sad and not Marvin’s best, but because it’s Marvin it’s still great. #BestAlbums #500Best2020

494/500 Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica. Some classic Phil Spector kitchen sink production gets outclassed by a single live track which has vitality in the extreme. This is good pop music full of teenage yearning. #BestAlbums #500best2024

495/500 Boys II Men-II. To imagine an album more 90s than this is impossible. The bass is too prevalent. Everyone thinks ‘why sing 2 notes when 283884747 will do?’ The harmonies are impeccable though and the best of the songs pop perfection. #BestAlbums #500Best2020

496/500 Shakira-Donde Están los Ladrones? I don't speak enough Spanish at all to know what was going on with the lyrics. She's a decent enough singer though, and this sounds exactly like you want a pop album from that period to sound. Decent. #BestAlbums #500Best2020