OK, one of the most momentous elections in US history is nearly upon us. How should the Word Massive mark such a huge event, where a Black man is not only standing for the highest office in America, but (not wishing to jinx him here) stands a pretty good chance of winning?

Surely, a list of US politically themed music is in order?

I'll kick things off with the most obvious;

Is jumping the shark on ITV as I type/

'Guilty Pleasure' - can it include Ferne Cotton getting a debilitating wasting disease?

Andrew Harrison tipped me off to this last week;

http://www.dontlookbackconcerts.com/

Those well known revivalists and threats to Western society Public Enemy are going to perform the whole of their classic 'It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back' album in full at Brixton Academy.

A couple of things spring to mind;

1) Presumably Dave Pearce, who's live intro to a Hammersmith Odeon show opens the album, will be brought on board to recreate his intro? Because there ain't no party like a 'Dangerous' party, even if you long ago jacked in the rap game for chav house on Radio 1.
2) How will the crowd break down (no 'into a backspin followed by a helicopter' gags here, please)? When I first saw P.E. play Brixton, and before that Hammersmith, the crowd was at least 60/40 black/white, but I get the feeling this time around it'll be majorly white with a few black faces.
3) What will the average age be? Given that the hip hop audience of whatever colour are famously uninterested in anything over six weeks old, and that Public Enemy's political stance is about as relevant to current rap music as Debussy, this could be the oldest hip hop crowd of all time...

Despite another well worn thread already existing about why Dylan is the alpha and omega of popular music, i happily admit I just don't get him. Sorry, but it's true.

On that thread, however, there's a mention of 'Blood On The Tracks' as the greatest break up album ever. Which got me thinking. And the thought was 'bollocks'. Just listened to it again, and half way through 'Idiot Wind' I thanked whatever deity it is looking over me that I have never been tempted to provide solace to a breaking heart with this album.

No, the hands down, no contest soundtrack to a busted love has to be, and always will be, Sinatra's 'In The Wee Small Hours'. As well as being the first concept album, it's a perfectly executed on plotted description of the stages of thwarted love, from shock, through daydream, to acceptance. All orchestrated perfectly by Mr Riddle, and sung by Francis Albert like he believed every word. Which, of course he did.

Whole lot classier than Bob's mawkish whinging, to boot.