With the notable exception of the House explosion, the vast bulk of 1988’s musical produce had about as much to recommend it as attempting a pub crawl on a rainy Good Friday. As ever, though, there were sufficient instances of real quality to put at least a superficial gloss on events.

The two singles which found a place closest to my heart were Ofra Haza’s beguiling Yeminite disco hit ‘I’m Nin Alu’ and the cascading ‘Be Still’ by expatriate Dus, The Fat Lady Sings. It was very much a case of round up the usual suspects on the album front with Price, REM, Iggy Pop and Eric B & Rakim all obliging with fine waxings, but the most aired 331/3% of ’88 in chez Corless was ‘The House Sound Of Chicago Vol III (Acid Trax)’ by the world’s biggest selling act, Various Artists.

Livewise Something Happens! and A House never failed to deliver, The Candyshop faltered after a promising start to the year, Rex And Dino took stock and benefited with a new maturity entering their performances, and The Foreman emerged as ones to watch. The Joshua Trio became the first band ever to make a virtue out of following in U2’s footsteps. Band Of The Year, however, without a shadow of a doubt, were Kildare’s Carling/Hot Press winners, Scale The Heights, who combine an incendiary live attack with some of the finest songs ever written in the history of the planet – I kid you not.

And my tips for ’89? Well, never use a mains shaver while in the bath, old milk bottle tops strung together with thread and hung from the ceiling make handy household decorations and the cheapest holiday destinations next summer are likely to be Bulgaria and Yugoslavia.