Album review: DUCKWORTH LEWIS METHOD – Sticky Wickets

Duckworth Lewis Method (Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy and Thomas Walsh of Pugwash) return with their second album following on from their fantastic debut album released back in 2009. This album is one of this year’s most eagerly awaited for me and I am happy to report that it is as good as the debut, although some songs do take a few listens to appreciate them fully.

Two real stand outs are the lead song (not sure if it is a single but it has a YouTube video!) ‘It’s Just No Cricket’ that has an ELO feel to it and features legendary commentator Henry Blofeld adding in some spoken word gems. Wonderful chorus on this one too that is made for sunny days watching cricket. Next up is ‘The Third Man’ , one of those whimsical songs Neil Hannon does so well and another guest voice is that of Daniel ‘Harry Potter’ Radcliffe.

‘Line And Length’ sounds like long lost 80’s electro pop band the Art Of Noise and I defy anyone not to smile after listening to ‘The Laughing Cavaliers’. Music like this deserves to be in every music collection!

Classic pop on ‘Mystery Man’ and again another vocal guest in the guise of Matt Berry, he of ‘The IT Crowd’ fame and the voice overs on Absolute Radio (plus he has his own musical career as a singer/songwriter!).

The album’s closing song ‘Nudging and Nurdling’ you can try and guess the guest speakers who include the aforementioned Matt Berry and Daniel Radcliffe, plus Dermot O’Leary, Chris Addison, Mark Ellen (Q/The Word/OGWT), Phil Jupitus and many more. This song could almost be classed as the DLM go prog!

You don’t have to love cricket to love this album, although you will enjoy the little in jokes more I guess. The leading purveyors of cricket pop are back and I am sure there is more cricket themed music still to be made by this wonderful duo. Until that day strap on your pads, pick up your bat and wander out to the crease with these tunes as your soundtrack…

****1/2

Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)