Ocean

Haul out the Vespa! Jimmy the Mod rides again on two and five CD reissues of Townshend’s 1973 opera. Plus demos, photos, posters, studio diaries…

The clock was ticking yesterday afternoon as we approached the final deadlines for the next issue of Uncut. But we were finished early enough for me to rush hot-foot across London to The May Fair hotel, near Hyde Park, where Leonard Cohen was due to present a playback of his new album, Old Ideas, to a specially invited audience.

Just been opening this morning’s post, and there are at least a couple of new albums in there that I’ll be playing imminently, from Grimes and the Carolina Chocolate Drops (not two artists who are immediately obvious bedfellows, for sure).

A fine morning thus far, thanks to Julia Holter, Leonard Cohen and, as I type, the new album by Lee Ranaldo, “Between The Times & The Tides”.

Just before Christmas, you may remember, I asked for your 2011 Top Tens, in response to my lengthy end-of-year effort.

Singer has his eye on penning tunes for the theatre

Singer also says his band will never do a classic album tour

Frontman also talks about his 'suicidal' phase during the album's recording

Bigger not necessarily better for Florence...

First two album re-releases come packed with tons of extras