Well not quite. But as this news item explains: http://news.stv.tv/scotland/north/163021-is-there-life-on-mars/ ... it is now reasonable to assume that it is possible.

Actually, It's just an excuse to air this crusty nugget with you:

For me this album compares with Kate Bush's Aerial and Joni's Blue as a wonderful female confessional. It is 9 years this year since it was released and I was reminded today of just how wonderful it is.

10 years ago I would not have believed that I would find beauty in such music but it sounds even better now than it did then and I just think the whole thing is magical.

Tonight Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie reminded me that Brian Eno's favourite song is 'State of Independence' - the Donna Summer version, rather than that of Jon and Vangelis.

Great song but perhaps a tad surprising from the man who can drawn upon an untold wealth of musical experiences.

Any other suggestions of favourite songs of other favourite artists of the Word Massive?

The Dan stir up strong feelings among the massive. I, for one, have been a fan longer than I care to remember - my old vinyl albums attest to that. Despite an oft quoted criticism of slick overproduction, the Dan's albums are very different from one another.

So if you had to choose just one Steely Dan song, one that crystallised the very essence of what you saw in them in the first place, what would it be?

My choice after 30 odd years of listening is 'Brooklyn Owes The Charmer Under Me' from the debut. Fagen does not sing on it and it has slide guitar - hardly my favourite instrument - but it is superb!

If you have the answer, please provide another separation question.

Frank has just been on the news, reporting from Afghanistan. Every time I see him I am reminded of how expert, professional and unflappable he is. He avoids the hyperbole and grandstanding of so many journalists and is one of the last bastions standing against the slide to the cult of the 'personality' presenter.

When one considers the personal trauma he survived when left for dead by militants in Saudi Arabia his continuing presence on our screens is to be treasured.

I've been listening to the rather excellent new Midlake album, 'The Courage of Others'. Whilst Tim Smith claims to have been listening to British Folk Rock and to Jethro Tull, a more contemporary comparison might be made with recordings from Espers. There is certainly parallels with the British canon though - most notably, to these untrained ears, in the sound of the drums.

It is with the drums that I can hear the influence of Tull - circa 'Stand Up' and 'Benefit'. I'm not sure why though.

Are there any drummers amongst the Massive who can explain what's going on with Midlake's drums?

I couldn't help but notice that with the TV awards last night and the new series of Mock the Week tonight, our favourite game show hosts seemed to have regained the pounds lost prior to last season.

There's hope for us all.

... But I Won't Do That'.

I always wondered what 'That' was. Tonight on Radio 4's Front Row, Meatloaf explained (none too patiently) that 'That' was simply what he said in the previous verse eg 'I'll Never Lie To You And That's a Fact'.

Seems obvious now. Meatloaf mentioned he has a mug bearing the slogan "I See Dumb People'.

I consider myself told.

You know ... the one he sports in 'No Country For Old Men' ... well I'm getting the barnet done on Friday. I've been growing it 'cos I'm 48 and entitled to a mid-life crisis. I was thinking of going for a Javier.

Now I know that every single film critic has commented on the tonsorial elegance of Javier's character ... and not in a good way ... but let's put it to the massive ... Is a Javier haircut cool - in a post ironic way ... or simply too ridiculous for words?

The legend was 80 on Christmas Day. I met him several years ago when he was guest presenter at a function I attended. He was great company - and eccentric, certainly.

Only Stuart could come up with the following evaluation for a goalless draw between Everton and Spurs:

'Helas, helas, mes amis, toujours l'egalite, oh quelle horreur. I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding cowslip grow. My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings, gaze on my work, ye mighty, and despair. Nothing besides remains. Round the decay of this colossal wreck, boundless and bare, the lone and level sands stretch far away.'

As doubtless mentioned elsewhere on this site, a new Eels album 'End Times is released on January 19th. There is a video and free download of one of the new songs 'Little Bird' on the official site:

http://eelstheband.com/eels_endtimes.php

After what to me was a slightly disappointing 'Hombre Lobo', I have high hopes that the new one (so quickly turned around) will banish the January blues.

I saw Fleetwood Mac in concert. Those brief few hours are still a highlight of my life. Though blurry from the passage of time, I can still remember Christine McVie playing and singing Songbird illuminated by a spotlight. It was beautiful then and still is now, when I play Rumours. In spite of the familiarity, the album holds up as an absolute classic for me - a true example of an insanely popular, middle of the road record which is also worthy of classic status.

I am sure some older than me will point to earlier incarnations of the band as more worthy of esteem - and I can relate to that, but for the young lad I was then, Fleetwood Mac on stage in 1977 were like Gods - they were beautiful and otherworldly - a vision that for me, time has only made more mythical.

ELO Live at Wembley on Sky Arts now. You know you want to.

Executed on this day 1618.

'Stupid Get!'