Meanwhile back in 2016...

Ryley Walker - The halfwit in me

File under: Chicago post-rock for dummies

Capsule review: Parquet courts - Sunbathing animal (2014)

Like holding on to a cactus. Let's do it again.

Capsule review: Thee oh sees - A weird exits (2016)

Mantric gnome rock. Overloads so many senses it only makes sense as colours. Purple, green, orange, deep space black.

Meanwhile back in 2016...

Cat's eyes - Chameleon queen

File under: That ole care/don't care conundrum, with background opera.

Capsule review: Ezra Furman - Perpetual motion people (2015)

Finally, someone whose life was saved by rock'n'roll (not nu-rave or new minimalism). Heartbreaking and funny. And some great retro Jonathan Richman pop songs. I just gotta love the guy.

Capsule review: Sonic Youth - Spinhead sessions 1986 (2016)

Impressionist guitar soundscape. Might be the lost 40 minute 'Expressway to your skull' interlude. Aural honey for those who like that shimmering, jarring jangle. Home sweet home.

Capsule review: Mott the hoople - The hoople (1974)

The original Goodnight To The Rock 'n' Roll Era statement? Exasperatedly grand rock'n'roll stomp. Sounding out of time already and it was only the early '70s. Ian Hunter was born old. What comes after rock'n'roll, he ponders. 'I'm in love with her / and she's in love with me'.

Capsule review: Mystery trend - So glad I found you (1965-67, 1999 released)

Dubbed a mystery cause they couldn't very well get their pictures printed looking like they did. Obscure San Franciscan nuggets band, but 'we didn't take acid, instead we were all drunks' and 'we were all adults'. They soon spluttered out. 'Johnny was a good boy' the lone legacy. 'We were also completely drunk all the time'. Diverting though.