Album review: THE WONDER STUFF – 30 Goes Around The Sun

IRL records [Release date 19.03.16]

This is the Wonder Stuff’s eighth studio album and the album’s title refers to the bands thirtieth year. Vocalist/guitarist Miles Hunt is the sole original member (and his uncle Bill was a member of both ELO and Wizzard!), although bassist Mick McArthy has been in the band since 2003. The most recent additions to the band, guitarist Dan Donnelly and drummer Tony Arthy, joined in 2014 with violinist Erica Nockalls completing the line-up.

‘In Clover’ would be a hit single in a parallel universe where charts are not dominated by pop pap like Justin Bieber. It has driving beat, memorable chorus and heartfelt vocals from Miles Hunt. Erica Nockalls playing swirls in and out of the guitar parts to great effect, and at times you do think it could be the Levellers.

There is a sense of looking back and reflection in the lyrics – ‘The Kids From The Green’ recalls his childhood and how childhood friends spread far and wide in the adult years. The title track Miles looks back at the band’s formation and how he has no regrets over any of it, nor should he as the Wonder Stuff are a fine band now and back then.

This album will delight their many fans and it is for them as a thank you for supporting the band through thirty years. The Wonder Stuff are unlikely to have any hits again, but they can still produce fine songs as this album proves. ****

Review by 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)