It’s almost a quarter of a century since that landmark moment when MARRS told us all to Pump Up The Volume. It’s a moment channelled by Dan Snaith in Caribou’s new single, a homage simply titled Volume – and it’s an addictive slice of summer fun that’s perfect for a sunny day.

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Today I’m feeling a little bit country and a little bit rock’n’roll, just like Donny and Marie once did. So here’s a bit of Buck Owens. This song never fails to put a big fat smile on my face. It just swings, and rocks, and twangs in all the right places.

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This is short and sweet, nostalgic and nothing if not poignant, recalling a bus ride taken half a century ago on a No.16 double-decker.

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Here’s a sweet slice of Sixties psychedelia by a bunch of British teenagers, released in February 1968 to a chorus of indifference. Who would have expected it to launch a multi-million-selling band on a stellar career?

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Heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple return to majestic form more than half a century after they started with Lazy Sod.

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Here’s another summery treat, this time from London girl Nilüfer Yanya. I can’t say her earlier work appealed to me much but this definitely does.

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I’m a little late on this but I wanted to post a song by The Chills after the sad death of their main man Martin Phillipps at the age of only 61.

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It’s no exaggeration to say John Mayall is the most important figure in the development of rock music in Britain. 

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The night The Yellow Monkey made their UK debut in front of a fervent Japanese crowd… supporting future superstars Travis.

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Country superstar Miranda Lambert sings the play-out song over the closing credits of summer blockbuster Twisters.

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