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Last week The Dividing Line Broadcast Network - the station though which the inestimable Gr8 Gonzo and I present our shows, and the inspiration for the title of the rather splendid Frost* ditty of that name - came under malicious attack. As a result Shawn Bishop, the Station Manager, had to pull the site down temporarily - and indeed, he may have to do so again in order to fully diagnose what happened, and to fix it.

The biggest immediate problem is that as a result of the attack the station exceeded it's monthly download limit by a staggering amount, incurring very high excess charges.

As you know, DLBN is a free-to-listen service, and Shawn is reliant on the goodwill of listeners and indeed his own pocket to keep things going. On this occasion, however, we're asking all you good folk to help out in whatever way you can by going to the donations page and contributing a bit of cash via PayPal. We estimate that if everyone who listens to the station contributes one dollar the debt would be cleared.

This is a subject that's very close to my own heart. While I was out of work being able to keep on doing The European Perspective was a lifeline, and it was mainly through Shawn's support that I was able to make the show and broadcast.

Please - do what you can. Thanks, everyone.

5 votes!  Only 5 votes?
There's far more than that in my favourite 2010 albums list.

grrr...

That's the fun of it, though

Thanks to those of you who have voted so far - and keep 'em coming! TPE is, as expected, already making strong showing.

My aim is to play selections from all of the albums that receive votes in the Christmas weekend episode of The European Perspective, and if necessary in the one before.

Incidentally, if it's not on the list you can still vote for it - as long as it's a 2010 release, and as long it's by a British or European band/artist. I'd also like it if it was progressive rock, though for a reasonably loosely-defined value of the word.

Voting for The European Perspective album of the year is now open - http://tinyurl.com/38qs2hp

This poll is run in conjunction with the Electric Garden festival. The results of the poll, announcing the top five British and European albums of 2010, will be given in the European Perspective that goes live over the Christmas weekend, which I'll be co-presenting with Ken Foster, the promoter of the festival.

Ken has very kindly donated a ticket for the festival - featuring a great line-up including The Tangent, The Watch and Godsticks - as first prize in a draw that will take place during the show. All you have to do is vote - I'm hoping to include some more prizes too.

Votes need to be in by 12th December - you need to vote for five albums, with a proportional representation style points system deciding the eventual top five.

So get voting!

The truth is, of course, that James is a sweetie, and if I wasn't both rabidly heterosexual and married I'd be suggesting he and I enter into a civil partnership and settle down with two cats with poncy literary names and a selection of Judy Garland albums.

The BBT show was huge fun to do, and I'm chuffed to bits that the chaps offered me the chance to do this with early releases of the songs.

Maybe I should listen to it at some point. And the podcast.

In addition to my Milliontown comment, here's what I said in The Other Place:

What's not to like? It's nicely recorded, there's enough of the in-between chat to create a bit of atmosphere, and the performances are great.

Live albums are funny things - I think that Jem's done it the best way, which is to document a particular event, rather than create something which is an 'album in itself'. You wouldn't want to have just these recordings of Milliontown, Black Light Machine, Dear Dead Days etc., but you get a nice re-working of the songs in a different and very specific context.

God, don't I go on?

The album is outstanding, as is the T-shirt! Brilliant design - even my wife likes it

I know who it is...

I reckon the third J will be this guy.

No, I suppose there are some trannies with big feet.

A few years ago - well, quite a lot of years ago now - I did some system administration for a company who specialize in footwear for the 'special sort of lady'. Let's just say that business was always brisk...

And there was me thinking the 'P' was the Peter Gabriel-on-a-stick!

(I say it only costs a fiver, I forked out £43 for a train ticket there and back...  :roll: )

That's cuz you're hardcore, innit?

Horlicks?

Indeed, Rog - more can be discovered here.

Actually, it's horrible stuff. Gimme a cup of tea anyday - despite the caffeine it still helps me sleep

My friend Chris, one of the peeps I'm going with, said that he thought he should bring some emergency Horlicks if they're going to be playing such a long set.