that one of the great pop albums was released, Dare by The Human League, an album that has truly stood the test of time, an album that still makes me smile and feel all is good in the world, an album that still thrills and makes me sing out loud, and an album that still makes me dance round the house like a loon. You can't ask for much more than that.

Whilst watching a recent edition of 'Who do you think you are', with Ms Mint, I started to tell her some of the interesting things i'd learnt about Larry Lamb, from a review of the show in the paper. She, quite reasonably, asked me to not spoil the programme for her, and added 'why do have to know everything about the show before you watch it?'.

It then struck me that I have a strange compulsion to find out everything I can about any TV show I plan to watch, DVD/Movie I fancy or album I have an interest in. I will scour the internet/magazines/papers for reviews or features on a particular film/tv show or album that happens to be incoming.

Watching a film, without knowing what it's about sends me into a bit of a panic, scurrying for the laptop to read up on it.

Is it just me, who has lost the joy of discovering something unexpected and out of the blue, or are there others??

After the thrills and spills of the Tour de France, the UK contingent are proving that their performances in le tour was no fluke.2 UK riders in the top 3, and a stunning win for Chris froom yesterday is incredible news. With only a few days left, a win in a grand tour is a real possibility for a UK rider. Shame there wasn't a time trial as I think the UK would have it sewn up. But whatever happens at the weekend and the forthcoming world championships, its been a stunning year for UK cycling.

Bit of an odd request this one, but can anyone recommend a pair of earplugs for gigs?

Have never thought of wearing them before, but recent gigs have left me with a louder than usual ringing in the ear, which also lasts longer, and i've also, stupidly, previously thought them as a bit soft.

Am going to a festival later in the year where i'm hoping there will be plenty of noise, but wanting to enjoy in relative comfort. Anyone had experience of them? Do they spoil the sound? And how much am i looking at for a decent pair?

Thanks in advance

In a weekend of dreadful news, how great to see Marc Cavendish winning the green jersey at the Tour de France, surely Sports Personality of the Year is his this year?
It's been a terrific tour, with a worthy winner which went all the way to the wire. One can only imagine how more thrilling it would have been if Contador hadn't lost all that time in the first few days?
Quick mention for Thomas and Swift, British riders who surely have a bright future, British cycling has come on a long way in the last few years, it wasn't that long ago when we would have have been lucky to have 1 rider in the tour! The days of Boardman or Millar being our only hope for some kind of glory are becoming a very distant memory.
Viva le Tour.

Whilst having a few pints the other night, my mate happened to say he was going to see ex Cabaret Voltaire member Stephen Mallinder make a rare appearance at this weekend's Tram lines festival in Sheffield.

He told me that he was now a lecturer at Brighton Uni involved in Music apparently and I mentioned that he is probably earning more now, than he did when he was with Cabaret Voltaire, this led us to wondering how much money artists like that, artists that are not massive, but probably be described as cult, earn from music?

I remember a similar debate on this several years ago, and wondered if anyone can remember when it was or even post a link to it, I would like to point my mate in the direction to this as i'm sure he'd love having a read of it, as would i again, seem to recall it was pretty interesting.

Ta in advance

Inspired by Grant's recent thread on opening a record shop,It got me to thinking about one of my own unfilled fantasies, to start a record label.

I think I would start small, limited edition runs of 7" singles, cdrs and cassettes (yes they are back, and quite popular in some circles). Would have to specialize in a certain genre I think, obviously what I like, some doom, dark ambient,electronica maybe a bit neo folk and black metal. Hell I even have a name 'Winter Storm'.

Anyone, had any experience of such a venture? Thinking about it, it wouldn't even have to be too expensive to start up....would it? Wonder what the pitfalls of such a idea would be? It would have to be a labour of love as I couldn't imagine making any money from it.

Got to be a better bet than opening a record shop, surely??

I've had a quick look at the 'Reads' section for inspiration, but also wondered whether the massive could help?

Couple of weeks will see me going on a beach holiday for the first time in a few years, so am after some suggestions for suitable reading, not after anything heavy. Enjoy music bio's etc, thrillers, horror, travel so something along those lines, so any new outstanding examples would be great.

Have been looking at a few books, the new Stuart Maconie and also the latest Marc Radcliffe, which looks good and the latest Simon Reynolds, Retromania which may be a bit too much for a holiday? (as you may see like it light), so any thoughts on them would be gratefully received.

Many Thanks

Shamelessly nicked from another forum. All Tomorrows Parties have got a competition to win some cds, to win you have to post your fantasy 3 albums you would like to see performed.

So here is my 3 albums that could be performed, i've also gone and listed 3 that could never be performed by the original artists.

Could be;
1)The Human League - Reproduction
2)XTC - Skylarking
3)10cc - Original Soundtrack

Couldn't be;
1)Coil - Horse Rotorvator
2)The Beatles - Abbey Road
3)Queen - Sheer Heart Attack

So how about you?

Was sorting out some old magazines to put away, when I came across March 2010 issue of The Word, and realised it has been a year since the magazine had its re-launch.

Was wondering what the readers make of the new style magazine, now it's had plenty of time to settle? Does the illustrated cover still rankle? Do you still enjoy the plethora of editorial? Or do you bemoan the reduction in music reviews?

I've got to say that I find there is consistently more to read, and still of the high standard we've come to expect. Flicking through a few pre make over issues I was struck how little has really changed in terms of content, many of the old features I loved, Word to the Wise, Foreword, Word of Mouth and the legendary Best and Worst still remain.

However aesthetically the magazine is not what it was, the stapled and illustrated covers, which divided opinion at the time, still do nothing for me. I look back at some of the wonderful photography used on previous covers, and they are strong, striking and bold. A grizzly photo of Robert Wyatt or Iggy Pop is more attention grabbing on a magazine shelf, than an illustration of Dylan or Springsteen any day of the week.

As far as reviews go, i've long realised that for my fix of music reviews, Word mag is not where i'll head for. Having said that, the reviews are always well balanced and refreshingly lacking the daft hyperbole of other magazines.

The Footnotes from the beyond section is always a joy, interesting pieces in bitesize chunks. And the revelation of the relaunch was the introduction of the First Person section this has consistently had some of the most enjoyable and stimulating writing of the past year.

I guess in these troubling times we should count ourselves lucky for still having this plucky little independant magazine in our midst. Oh and one other thing the cover cd Now Hear This, is pretty damn good

Wonder if the massive could help me with a small problem?

I have just purchased a very cheap turntable from John Lewis' new year sale, its their own brand and appears to be ok for the price. Looking at the instructions it mentions that the rca cables are 'line level' and to only connect to line level inputs. I have connected the turntable to my elderly Cambridge Audio A1 amp, which has a seperate phono/audio input, and unless I crank the amp to max volume I can't hear anything, when theamp is at full volume the level coming from the speakers is minimal.
This does not appear to be right, so my question is do I need some kind of adaptor? I've seen one that only costs a few pounds that looks as though it might do the job, or will I need to get a phono pre amp, which to be honest I thought was in the Cambridge?. Hope you can help, yours confusingly.
Mint

Rioting on the streets of London and Greece.
Unemployment rising.
Police stabbed on the street in broad daylight.
Cuts in the public sector.
Vat to rise in January.
Petrol prices going through the roof.

Sometimes I think the world is falling into chaos? Any good news out there folks??

I'm about to upgrade my old phone to something a bit more up to date, and i've come across a good deal on the above(don't want to be paying more than 20/25 quid a month and not pay for the phone). I've read reviews for this and others, HTC Wildfire, Samsung Wave, Nokia N8 and am as confused as you could possibly be.

My question is has anyone got this phone and what do they think of it?

Am very taken with the looks etc, but am a bit concerned about the OS being windows and the possibility of it becoming obsolete, also have read that apps for this phone are very poor and expensive.

As ever over to the massive for unbiased views/help, thanks

Was in a bit of a rush in WHS the other day, whilst passing, had a quick glance at the music mag section, and saw what I thought to be a new title, think it was called something like 'viva rock n roll'.

I'm sure it will be of no competition to this wonderful publication, but wondering if anyone has seen it and what it's all about? Or was i imagining it all??

Shall be making an increasingly rare visit to the Manchester Fopp on thursday, Mrs Mint will not be with me, so browsing time is unlimited. Any good buys around at the moment?