Ordered a back issue of this off eBay from 1979 (Talking Heads front cover) and was flicking through it on the train and by comparison to what they churn out now, it was amazing.

It used to be SO well written and full of information on so much. In this issue, there's a brilliant and detailed interview with The Pretenders and obviously the Talking Heads article which is a very clever piece. Lots of informative, interesting and opinionated work, using proper vocabulary, with a bit of edge to it. Great interviews with Chrissie Hynde and David Byrne et al that really give you the feeling that you're involved.

Compare that to the NME these days when, devoid of any irony or humour, the Christmas issue featured Bob the Builder, Katy Perry and Heather Mills reviewing the year's singles.

What a fucking pathetic shame.