W/e 29/08/25 - Jim Bob, Wolf Alice and Michael Jackson

Our short post-fest week has Jim Bob and Wolf Alice into our top 40 for the year, and Michael Jackson just outside our top 50 classics. TOTW was Wolf Alice – White Horses.

Sam stays on his rollercoaster, this time it’s the 😀. Phil has the ☹️.

Andy

Jim Bob - Jim remains a modern Pepys, chronicling the ins and outs of modern Britain from the lowest level. Wonder what he’d make of the current flag obsession? Lovely stuff and Automatic is even better, but we’re not doing that 8.5

Wolf Alive - This was fine but felt a bit weak compared to their other stuff 6.5

TotW - Every Day’s a Dischotecque by Jim Bob

Phil

Jim Bob 7.5

When Carter USM were tearing up South London I was mostly listening to American bands like Pavement, Pixies, Throwing Muses and Scrawl so I’m pretty new to Jim Bob. Clearly I've been missing out because I really enjoyed this. I’m always in favour of scruffy, unpolished productions and if you add some well-observed lyrics then for me you’re onto a winner. Like a crustier version of Squeeze and that’s a compliment!

Wolf Alice 5.5

I was under the impression that Wolf Alice was a band. They certainly were when I saw them at Great Escape five or six years ago. Most of this album sounds like a female singer with a bunch of studio musicians. And if they were ever indie they certainly aren’t now. This is pop and not particularly enjoyable pop. If I had to choose between this and Chappell Roan, I’d pick the Chapster every time.

TOTW – Jim Bob – Lovers rock.

Classic

Michael Jackson 7.8

I’ve never thought of myself as a Michael Jackson fan, unlike my wife, but some things cannot be gainsaid. Billie Jean is a banger, Beat it achieves the rare feat of succesfully mixing hard rock and soul and if you want deep cuts there’s Human Nature (although SWV’s brilliant Right here samples it and makes it better). Quincy Jones’ arrangements have influenced most pop that has followed it and it’s got Vincent Price. What more could you want?

Guy

Jim Bob – He certainly writes a good observational lyric. And some of the tunes do step up to match the words like Lovers Rock and Last Night of the Tour. But sadly not all, which scores it down for me. - 7

Wolf Alice – This felt like an evolution from what we normally expect. Much slower and softer. That said this was a pleasant listen after a hectic weekend at the Fest. Just a shame it didn’t have more grist to it. – 7.2

TOTW – White Horses by Wolf Alice

Michael Jackson – No doubt this is a classic. Never my cup of tea when it came out, you have to admire the number of high quality compositions on the album and it’s easy to find yourself belting out the tunes in a high-pitched voice. - 8

Sam

Jim Bob : I absolutely loved Carter and this a brilliant return to form . Some of his previous solo stuff has been a tad maudlin and slow but this is full of bangers : 8.8

Wolf Alice : Jesus they’ve ditched the guitars ! She has a lovely voice and it’s all quite nice but needs some lead in its pencil . 7

Thriller : I’m conflicted as this is the best selling album of all time and full of many of the most recognisable songs ever made . But he was a freak… so I’ll go 7.5

TOTW ; Lovers Rock by JimBob

Mark

Jim Bob - fabulous stuff, lots of it sounds like it was literally made up there on the spot but sometimes simple is best. Was a big fan of early Carter USM but only heard a bit of his solo stuff, and like HMHB this is a terrific antidote to some of the over lengthy indulgent albums - 8

Wolf Alice - bit of a change in sound, more expansive and commercial in a lot of ways, maybe with a view to taking that step up to festival headliners, and it does come across as a bit of an Ellie Rowsell solo vehicle. Seems she's engaged to the vocalist from Soft Play I just found out, unlikely couple. Have long thought this lot would be in line to be 'next big things' but not sure how this album would go over live, could almost be The Carpenters in places, White Horses is about the only track that sounds like their old selves - 6.5

TOTW - I Will Still Be Here, by Jim Bob

Simon

Jim Bob: rough and ramshackle, presumably by design, with some acerbic social commentary lyrics - didn't do a huge amount for me but I can see why it might appeal. 6.5

Wolf Alice: a bit underwhelmed, if I'm honest - the songs are decent and Ellie sings them beautifully, but it hardly gets the pulses racing. Seems that signing to a major label has smothered their edge, as others have commented it comes across more as an Ellie Rowsell solo project. 7

Michael Jackson: certainly no fan of MJ but hard to quibble that this is not a bone fide pop classic - Wanna Be Startin' Something and Beat It are both belters although I'd forgotten how naff MJ and Macca's chat in the Girl Is Mine is. 7

TotW: Wolf Alice - White Horses

Erol

Jim Bob - some decent social commentary but it all sounds a bit too much like pub music. It improves towards the end but this didn’t really flick my switch. 6

Wolf Alice - lovely vocals and I really didn’t mind that the whole album is softer and toned down from their previous work. It shows their versatility. 7.5

TOTW - the Sofa, Wolf Alice

Michael Jackson - yes he was a weirdo and his fall from grace was awful but when he was in his pomp in the late 70s / early 80s he was at the top of his game. This album was an utter cultural trailblazer, not only in terms of the iconic music but everything else that followed, including the Thriller video and the MJ moonwalk. Quincy Jones’ production is sublime. There are a couple of less effective tunes here but tracks like Wanna Be Startin’ Something, Beat It and Billie Jean are all 10s or thereabouts in their own right. 9.5

Justin

Jim Bob - This type DIY sound with clever lyrics makes for a great live pub band but not really day for day listening. 6.9

Wolf Alice - seems to me a new sound and move away from indie rock. I like her voice and overall I thought quite an engaging and listenable album. 7

TOTW Wolf Alice - Safe in the world

Michael Jackson - listened to this loads when it came out. Perfect pop with a funky edge. Crystal clear production. Quincy Jones and MJ at their peak 9

Adam

Jim Bob

Quite an electric mix of stuff here. Indie pub/dad rock? He’s got the shades to get in on Reading weekender too. 6

Wolf Alice

On first listen it felt like she’d gone dentist waiting room jazz, but on a second turn around think there are some nice melodies. Has she both erased the band both sonically(?) and visually (certainly via album cover). 7

TOTW - white horses

Classic - ignoring the noncery, this is full of big pop hits. Hard not to boogie to. 7

Jim

Jim Bob 7

Don’t know much of his solo work but this was fun, nicely random, seemed off the cuff. Clever social commentary without ramming it down your throat or seeming like a smart arse

Wolf Alice 7.5

For 2 listens I couldn’t get past “this is not what I wanted” from probably my fav UK act of the last decade. But then I got over that, just about, and started to appreciated the quality, her class, and a few gems started to appear - Bread Butter Tea Sugar, Passenger Seat and White Horses in particular There is a feel of solo album, amplified by the cover but for now I still have them in my Ace category. And it’s certainly better than when AM’s went off-piste with Tranquility Base…

Imagine in a few months and a few more listens this could easily be up to an 8 😂😳

TOTW: Wolf Alice - White Horses

Micky J 9

The bangers still sound massive, and Beat It is one of my GOATs. The weaker ones don’t age quite so well.

Erol - I was at the 1988 tour with Hunser, and yes, it was amazing. Such a shame he had so many demons and sick behaviours (still never quite sure how confirmed it all was tbh)

Paul

Jim Bob - Stick (7)

Quite enjoyed it for something a bit different, good story telling song writing. Not sure it’s something I’d keep coming back to but would be fun to hear in a small venue.

Wolf Alice - The Clearing (7)

Decent but didn’t really blow me away beyond the singles. Very nice listen though.

Micheal Jackson - Thriller (8.5)

Classic album a number of iconic banging tracks. Standard very high throughout, but a couple of the later ones haven’t that aged well and sound a bit dated.

Matt

Jim Bob - 7.8

Wolf Alice - 7.7

Annette

Jim Bob: 7.5

Wolf Alice: 7.5

TOTW: Bloom baby bloom by Wolf Alice

Classic: Michael Jackson- 8