iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A new feature on the @brand_x_official_ album 'Unorthodox Behaviour'. Read it now! ianpaulsharp.substack.com #brandx #progrock #jazzrock #musicwriter

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Wondering about 'The Who By Numbers' now the Super Deluxe Edition has been confirmed? Read the essay on @officialthewho's album in my Long Play Project. iansharp.substack.com/p/who-numbers #thewho #thewhobynumbers #classicrock

Cover of 'The Who By Numbers' SDE by The Who

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Thank you Shindig Magazine for your 4 star review of 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' in the new issue. "Lifehouse from just about every angle imaginable." Link in bio or see ianpaulsharp.uk #classicrock #petetownshend #thewho #lifehouse #whosnext #musicwriter

Cover of 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' book by Ian Paul Sharp

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

LP Select 076 features and hour of new music inc. Snow Patrol, Echo & the Bunnymen, Flea, Big Big Train, Scritti Politti, and more. Stream and read the Listening Guide: iansharp.substack.com/p/076 #playlist #rock #newmusic

Cover of LP Select 076 - curated playlist by Ian Paul Sharp.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

New essay in the Long Play Project: 'As Once We Were', the new album by @theanchoressofficial Read at https;//iansharp.substack.com/p/anchoress-asoncewewere #musicwriter #progressivemusic #theanchoress

Cover of album by The Anchoress 'As Once We Were'

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

The Long Play Project: iansharp.substack.com

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

What happens when you take a selection of 70s Tony Banks/Genesis sounds and include them in new music? That's what Ian Neal has done on his new album, the topic of my latest essay for The Long Play Project on Substack. Link follows.

Cover of 'This Gemlike Flame' by Ian Neal - The Long Play Project by Ian Paul Sharp.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Some unexpected tracks connected with Peter Gabriel’s So feature in my new curated playlist, LP Select #073. Listen via Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Paid subscribers to The Long Play Project also receive my critic’s notes. Links below.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

My book 'Pete Townshend’s Lifehouse' is reviewed in the current issue of Classic Rock magazine. "Brick-by-brick excavation of Who Maestro's megaproject … makes the case that Lifehouse advanced rock's limited boundaries." 7/10. #petetownshend #thewho #lifehouse #classicrock #musicbooks

Cover of 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' by Ian Paul Sharp

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

A section of my new book 'Pete Townshend’s Lifehouse' is about legacy (UWL), and how @theanchoress.bsky.social used vintage synths on her new album 'As Once We Were' “... an epic 14-track widescreen exploration of the nature of time &transformation.” The Lifehouse legacy in action. Link below.

Image: Cover of 'As Once We Were' by The Anchoress.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

"Gabriel’s key learning from his work post-Genesis was how possible - and yet how difficult - it was to be true to yourself as an artist and still play by the rules of the industry." From my latest Long Play Project Essay - iansharp.substack.com/p/gabriel-so #progrock #classicrock #petergabriel

Image: Cover of album 'So' by Peter Gabriel

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

The Long Play Project was inspired by an answer Steve Hackett gave when I interviewed him recently for our book A Tale of the Trick. “... everyone was learning to write. This learning thing goes on even today. It doesn't stop here.” It’s why I write The Long Play Project. Links in comments.

Image: The Long Play Project by Ian Paul Sharp header

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Underpinning my new Long Play Project is the Zen concept of ‘shoshin’, often known as ‘beginner’s mind’. What assumptions did Peter Gabriel have to move beyond to make So? Join the Long Play Project by subscribing now - link in bio and comments. #rock #music #shoshin #petergabriel

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Thanks to www.phoneboxmagazine.com, in Olney, UK, for the below about my new book - link in bio to buy a copy. "In my humble opinion, this is a must-read for any serious fan of The Who and Pete Townshend." - Greg Roensch, serious Who fan. #olney #thewho #petetownshend #lifehouse #musicwriter

Image: Cover of 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' book by Ian Paul Sharp, with overlaid copy from Phonebox magazine

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

From the listening guide to LP Select #072: "... opens with a remix that sets all my alarms ringing. The Who’s epic Quadrophenia closing track, ‘Love Reign O’er Me’. Don’t doodle on a masterpiece. And yet here it is." (And it's terrific). Link in bio. #classicrock #playlist #musicwriter

Image: LP Select playlist 072 curated by Ian Paul Sharp.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I've just posted my review of the new book by Philipp Rottgers - 'Genesis Song by Song', in LP. LP publishes essays and curated listening built around albums that reward sustained attention. Link in bio. #genesis #prog #musicwriting

Image: Cover of book 'Genesis Song By Song' - Philipp Rottgers

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

New in LP: 'Pete Townshends Lifehouse' extract #3. The legacy of the project. Free to read. Link in bio. #classicrock #petetownshend #thewho #whosnext #lifehouse #musicwriting

Image: Cover of book 'Pete Townshend's Lifehouse' by Ian Paul Sharp

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

My new curated playlist is now on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. An hour of tracks including @itspetergabriel, @paulmccartney & @ringostarrmusic, and @officialthewho. #classicrock #playlists #prog Link in bio.

Image: Cover of LP Select 071, the curated playlist by Music Essayist Ian Paul Sharp.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

LP Select 070 is a curated playlist featuring, this time, The Canterbury Scene. Music includes Gong, Soft Machine, Steve Hillage, Caravan, and Robert Wyatt. Link in bio.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

The latest piece in my Album's Tale series for LP: Inside the Album is on 10cc 'The Original Soundtrack'. iansharp.substack.com/p/10cc-sound... #classicrock #10cc #musicwriting

Image: Cover of 10cc album 'The Original Soundtrack'

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

LP>Playlist #066 is live. Van Morrison → Tony Banks → Rush plus Beck, Al Green, Peter Gabriel. An hour of deep listening. 🎧 iansharp.substack.com/p/066

Cover of LP Play 066, an hour of deep listening with Van Morrison, Tony Banks, Rush and more.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Phil Collins celebrated his 75th birthday on 30 January. @bbcradio2 are running an 'Eras' series hosted by @zoetheball. My contribution is a revised post for Substack, where you can also read my series on his solo albums. iansharp.substack.com

Cover of Phil Collins 'Face Value' with extra text about his 75th birthday.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

This week in LP, a review of @davidbowie - 'Station to Station' as the Thin White Duke reaches 50. Link in bio.

Cover of David Bowie - 'Station to Station' linked to iansharp.substack.com

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

'Christmas Eve and Other Stories' (LP>Playlist #063) is out. Listen now. Link in bio.

Cover of 'Christmas Eve and Other Stories' - LP>Playlist #063

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

A piece about Marillion's 'An Extended Collection of Recycled Gifts' and Les Penning's and Rob Reed's 'Christmas Collection'. linktr.ee/ianpaulsharp

Text over a still image: "Two Christmas albums: Marillion plus Les Penning & Robert Reed".

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Now live on LP - some thoughts about the latest boxed set from The Who: 'Who Are You'. Link in bio.

Cover of The Who - Who Are You with link to iansharp.substack.com

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Every couple of weeks, a new playlist, using the algorithm in my brain. This one includes Camel, Spock's Beard, The Who, and more. Listen and read my guide at iansharp.substack.com/p/060

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

My review of the new Spriggan Mist progressive folk album 'The Glare', written for The Progressive Aspect, is now live. Spoiler: It's excellent. #progrock #progressivefolk #paganrock #reviews #musicwriter www.ianpaulsharp.uk/reviews/

Cover of the LP 'The Glare' by Spriggan Mist

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

A piece about @robreed_official, his homage to Mike Oldfield, by way of tribute bands. Read it on Substack now - link in bio and comments.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Listen to my guest review during The Prog Mill - Shaun Geraghty's show on Progzilla Radio. I'm reviewing 'Sanctuary IV' by Robert Reed, an unmissable album if you like Mike Oldfield. progzilla.com/the-prog-mil...

Man scratching head and asking "how proggy are you?" - Progzilla Radio

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

As well as writing about music, I compile a couple of playlists each month. The one includes EBB, Stick Men, Kate Bush, Ray Davies, Paul Weller, Neko Case, Phil Collins, Dave Kerzner, Sarah McLachlan, and more. Link for my listening guide is in the comments.

Cover of LP>Play #058 with overlaid text

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Time for a new 60 min playlist, this one featuring Genesis, Big Big Train, Nick D'Virgilio, Van der Graaf Generator, Lunatic Soul, Tanita Tikaram, The Pogues, Weather Systems, and Jon Tyler & His Virginia Choir. Link for my listening guide: iansharp.substack.com

Cover of LP>Play #057 with thumbnail images featuring Van Der Graaf Generator, Big Big Train, Nick D'Virgilio and Genesis. URL: iansharp.substack.com

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

My review of 'The Orphan Epoch' by @cosmografhq is up. Excellent, timeless, prog. Link in bio. #cosmograf #prog #musicwriter

Cover of 'The Orphan Epoch' by Cosmograf

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

My series of reviews of Phil Collins solo albums continues with '... But Seriously', including thoughts about his credibility in the hip hop/R&B world. iansharp.substack.com #philcollins #Genesis #classicrock #musicwriter

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

LP>Play #050 feat Ghost of the Machine, Solstice, Garbage, Matt Deighton, Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate, Justin Cole, Hawkwind, The Flower Kings, Steeleye Span and Alan Royes (AR Project) Link: listening notes in bio and comments #playlistspotify #playlist #progrock #classicrock #musicwriter

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

The Phil Collins series continues with album number three - 'No Jacket Required'. How does this record from the 80s fare 40 years later? iansharp.substack.com #philcollins #classicrock #musicwriter #rockcritic #80s

Cover of 'No Jacket Required' by Phil Collins.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

LP>Play #048 with listening notes is out now iansharp.substack.com/p/048 #playlist #musicwriting #rock

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

This week in 'LP' - my thoughts on 'Hello. I Must Be Going' by @officialphilcollins. What's your opinion of his second solo album? Link in bio. #classicrock #philcollins #genesis #musicwriter

Cover of the album 'Hello, I Must Be Going' by Phil Collins.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Time for another playlist, featuring Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, Alice Cooper and eight other new or reissued tracks. Listen (and subscribe for listening notes) here: iansharp.substack.com #playlist #classicrock #musicwriter

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

My new playlist is live, featuring Pete Townshend, Bruce Springsteen, Wings, and more. Visit linktr.ee/ianpaulsharp for the full mix #musicwriter #playlists #rock #classicrock

Cover of LP>Play list #045 with overlaid text.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

My review of 'The Overview' by Steven Wilson is now on Substack. Is prog rock ... progressing?https://iansharp.substack.com/p/wilson-overview #musicwriter #progrock #classicrock

Cover of 'The Overview' by Steven Wilson with overlaid text.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

My latest playlist features @@psbhq.bsky.social, @thecure.com, @stevenwilsonhq.bsky.social, Suzanne Vega, XTC, and Solstice among others. Subscribe now - link in bio. #musicwriter #classicrock #playlists

Cover of LP>Play list #044 with link to Substack: https://iansharp.substack.com

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Some thoughts on 'Ovo' by Peter Gabriel on it's 25th anniversary #musicwriters #classicrock #petergabriel

Cover of the LP 'Ovo' by Peter Gabriel with overlaid text: 'Peter Gabriel's Ovo' at 25. Originally released 12th June, 2000, and reissued on vinyl for Record Store Day. Has the music used in the original experience help up as well as the Millennium Dome itself?

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

A review is of The Uncertainty Principle by Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate, weaved with some questions I asked Malcolm Galloway and Mark Gatland. linktr.ee/sharpian #prog #musicwriting

Cover of 'The Uncertainty Principle by Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate, with overlaid text.

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Ian Paul Sharp @ianpaulsharp.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

My new, regular, playlist - this time featuring Pete Townshend, Phil Collins, Neil Young and Dim Gray and much more. Link in bio - listening notes for subscribers. #playlists

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