Last Updated on January 16, 2026
Who says taste can’t evolve? This week, Andrew and Dr Sam go on a full-blown U-turn, confessing their love for bands they once treated with the kind of disdain normally reserved for traffic wardens and warm lager.
Expect shocking revelations: Bonnie Tyler’s absurdly overproduced 80s epic is now basically gospel. Cradle of Filth? Once unlistenable black metal, now “charmingly chaotic”. The Beastie Boys go from party-clown pariahs to filth-toned bass gods. Deep Purple gets a love letter. And Split Enz? The band nobody asked for suddenly gets a sparkly redemption arc.
Also:
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Finnish shopping centre linguistics
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How a Mercedes almost caused an international incident
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Traffic wardens, German police, and the time an entire road of cars vanished
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Folk music’s stealthy mission to win your heart through Pete Seeger-related Stockholm syndrome
Basically, it’s the usual chaos with a theme loosely stuck on like a peeling gig poster on a damp venue wall. Stick around for ludicrous Hard-Ons album titles and an exploration of music that makes your genitals not catch fire (unlike Bonnie Tyler’s).
Riffs of the week
Dr Sam’s Riff:
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Gorilla Toss – Panglossian Mannequin
Andrew’s Riff:
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The Stone Roses – One Love
Dr Sam’s track choices:
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Bonnie Tyler – Holding Out for a Hero
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Cradle of Filth – Desire in Violent Overture (Remixed)
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Japan – The Art of Parties
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Hamish Imlach – Johnny O’Breadislee
Andrew’s track choices:
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Split Enz – I See Red
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Hard-Ons – Carrot Top
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Deep Purple – Speed King
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Beastie Boys – Gratitude
💌 Email us your confessions of musical flip-floppery: beatmotel@lawsie.com
