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Inca Trail, Peru
Timeless travelling, personal and universal, from the minor the major way, this topic less about about passing through, going somewhere, even if that destination may end up being an existential nowhere. It’s the romance of the road, the tantalising tread of the trail, the perception of the path
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Children in poverty in Manchester, early 1900s
It comes in many forms, but is often most powerful when it’s a hidden, secret shame. Picking from many great nominations out of last week’s topic, guest of the week DiscoMonster posts a powerful, personal narrative alongside his playlist
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Not a curtain-raiser for 2023, but a hair-raiser …
Not a curtain raiser, but a hair-raiser for 2023. It’s a sign that music is at its optimum effect, but when and why does it happen? From Darwin’s explanation to more recent studies, and some musical examples, it’s time to share your goosebump inducting songs and explain why …
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Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison, 1981-2018
Following hundreds of superb songs suggested by readers from last week’s topic, from the tragic and departed to those who survived, guest playlister George Boyland distils them into two lists of beauty, pain and perspective
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Ernest Hemingway wrote, on his final day: ‘The sun also sets’
It’s an important, topical theme, and has fuelled many songs, but has addressing it also saved lives? This week, from reasons to method, even with some dark humour, through music and more, we examine at this very serious issue
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It’s just a stage I’m going through: Bregenz Music Festival in Austria
Bars, basements, intimate, sweaty or large or legendary, forests, festivals, stratospheric stadia, snug pubs to prisons, caves to operatic amphitheatres, let's musically celebrate venues and spaces mentioned by, or associated with songs
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Kate Tempest – Europe is Lost?
From personal turmoil of the human brain to total tumult of the planet, Temptations to Kate Tempest, this week’s playlist writer ParaMhor turns last week’s whole world of fabulous nominations into a cri de crisis par excellence
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Scott Walker. Wave goodbye to any Manhattan meaning
Not a single song has anything to do with what it says on the tin. But after many wonderful wrongfooting nominations, brilliant guest playlister Olive Butler puts them in an entertaining form of order
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Krafty
Early 20th-century experimentalists to MIDI, industrial, dance, new wave, French musique concrete, Japanese chiptune to German elektronische, let’s explore old-school noise and value those valves worldwide
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Enjoy …
This week it's less about the reality TV competition, instead a much tastier treat into the world of lyrical bagels and brot, cupcakes and buns, breadlines and Bourbons. Take your pick and dig in …
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I'll be your mirror: The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon
It's a musical meta-topic! Hear examples, then suggest more songs that refer to others in lyrics, titles, artists, through musical echoes, or, with nuance, those that variously praise, seek or reject love songs
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Faust in their Wümme studio in 1971
Kraftwerk to Neu! Bowie to The Fall! Leaping into last week's surprise topic, guest writer Flatfrog takes a voyage of discovery to playlist prime originals and others hugely influenced by this German genre
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Dr John Cooper Clarke, the Bard of Salford
Cabbage to Inspiral Carpets, John Cooper Clarke to a visiting Sister Rosetta Tharpe, guest writer treefrogdemon compiles humorous and moving lists from hundreds of songs for last week's tribute topic
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Why worry about being in tune when you have a dose of PiL?
It didn't stop Public Image Limited, Joy Division or Teardrop Explodes from a great performance. Check out guest writer ParaMhor's playlists from last week's topic to find out why going off key will still keep you on song
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