MIK SABIERS revels in a band that ploughs an idiosyncratic furrow of expletive laden, guitar-driven alt rock
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Gecko’s songs are easy to relate to, brimming over with intelligence, kindness and simple... humanity
ANDY HEDGECOCK, MARIA DUARTE and ANGUS REID review Synthetic Sincerity, Our Hero, Balthazar, Heartstopper Forever, and A Year In London
The bard invites readers to a gig, raps for Clacton, and lays out the Burnham-Hurzeler conundrum
RON JACOBS recommends an important book that enhances the oppositional theories put forth by Fanon and, in doing so, remakes psychology itself
JAN WOOLF relishes an extensive history of our long relationship to trees in Britain that underlines the current emergency
DIANE WATT argues that while evidence of sex is not there, a 16th‑century lesbian poet could be Scotland’s answer to Gentleman Jack
KEITH RICHMOND relishes a superbly conceived modern version of Aeschylus’ drama of murderous family succession
The nights are drawing in, the plague stats get ever worse, the Tories’ cynical mismanagement of everything constantly plumbs newly unbelievable depths. We organise food banks, we do our best to sustain those in our communities who need help, we reach up, we hunker down. We need a sound track. One with humanity, warmth, depth, intelligence, perceptiveness, optimism. Oh, and supremely catchy tunes.
Here it is. Climbing Frame by Gecko. Album of the year. Again.
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The bard invites readers to a gig, raps for Clacton, and lays out the Burnham-Hurzeler conundrum
STEVE JOHNSON speaks to London singer/songwriter MADDY CARTY
In verse and polemic, the bard points out that he is a poet and musician, not a political party
Two inspring books — that’s your New Year’s musing from me on January 2 2026