Swoon by Prefab Sprout

The second Prefab Sprout album is one of my favourites, produced by Thomas Dolby, featuring "Faron Young" and "When Love Breaks Down"... I bought it with this in a double pack - the old trick: convince you you're getting value by selling quantity not quality. I've fallen for it so often.

This features "Don't Sing" which I remember seeing on The Tube. And that's about all I remember.

Sorry Paddy.

Wikinomics by Tapscott and Williams, Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein, Six Days of the Condor by James Grady

A new bulk scam is operating and I am falling victim.

This time it's Amazon who are to blame, by offering free postage above a certain amount, which means I'm often hunting around to spend more and buy more in order to spend less on postage.

I shouldn't imagine there's little to learn in "Wikinomics" which I've been intending to read for a long time. I initially thought that about Clay Shirky's "Here Comes Everybody" and was pleasantly surprised.

I bought "No Logo" from Amazon when it was impossible to find in the shops. As a result, I was regularly recommended every anti-capitalist rant that found print over the next five years. I like Naomi Klein's writing, so I was hoping to read this at some point.

My dad has recently decided that "Three Days Of The Condor" is his favourite film. Before I start deluging him with 70s conspiracy thrillers, I thought I'd get him the book for his birthday, which he was very happy with, proving that it's not the size of the gift that matters.

Me and Mr. Ray by Miracle Legion

This is supposed to be a great album. A lost classic. I may listen to it one day and decide I should never have sold it.

But for now it's another record company freebie sitting on my shelves and taking up space which I have to pay for.

And then? I posted it. And it was gone.

Urban Hymns by The Verve

I remember when this was out - Radiohead, Travis and The Verve were ubiquitous on every radio in a public place.

"Bittersweet Symphony" was regularly played prior to U2's entrance on the Popmart Tour and the opening bars still make friends of mine who saw up to fifty shows feel a surge of adrenaline whenever they hear them.

Sadly, a couple of big hits weren't enough to get this to stick in my CD player. The drugs don't work... and neither does this.

The Joshua Tree by U2 - Remastered Double CD

Okay, so I haven't opened my copy of the two-CD-and-DVD package yet... and I'm sure I would've wanted this version anyway. Nice liner notes, booklet, pictures...

The sound is even better than the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs version from the 90s. That reissue sounded little different to the original, but this is clearer and has less bias noise evident from as soon as you cue the music.

This'll do until I finally find what I'm looking for.

Midnight Club

I love racing games and this seemed about the best when I first bought my PS2. I played it quite a lot, but my system was stolen during a break-in and once it was replaced I never picked it up again.

At least someone gets the chance to own a nice new unwrapped copy.

Against Nature by Fatima Mansions

I saw Fatima Mansions support U2 on the Zoo TV tour in Paris and London.

They were entertaining, fleetingly. And this - a record company freebie - is taking up shelf space.

Only losers take the bus - or hang on to stuff they don't need, want or care about.