Born in the nexus point of Britain (well, the Midlands anyway), the author has swapped the concrete paradise of Stafford for …the concrete paradise of Ormskirk/Skelmersdale. Along the way he got a music GCSE and A level (including a national award for his composing work) and music theory grades 3-5 (his compositions can be heard online through the link at www.alanasalbumarchives.blogspot.co.uk if any of The Beach Boys want to get their own back and review them!) He was also awarded an English and History degree from St Martin’s College in Carlisle for his ability to make 3000-word essays quadruple in length overnight (which makes sense given the size of this book!; Carlisle remains his spiritual home, whenever it isn’t raining – which is, sadly, most of the time). His artistic crest is the following description of a record: ‘two parts melodious funk to one part Theolonious Monk’! He started Alan's Album Archives to give him something to get up for after getting poorly from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, originally intending to stop after six months and at 101 short reviews: he didn't quite succeed, or you wouldn't be reading this now!

You can read more at www.alansalbumarchives.blogspot.co.uk, see the collection of Alan's Album Archives Youtube Videos starring our mascot Max The Singing Dog at www.youtube.com/user/AlansArchives, comment on the author's 'Best Ever Albums' top 100 chart at http://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=3692, follow the author on Twitter under the username @alansarchives, visit his facebook page @alansalbumarchives and listen to his music at https://soundcloud.com/alan-pattinson - though probably not all at the same time, you might get a headache!