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PODCAST · music

The Album Years

by Steven Wilson & Tim Bowness

Music is finite, opinions are endless. On The Album Years podcast, long term friends, collaborators and music nerds Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss and bicker about their favourite music released during the golden album years, which they reckon to be from around 1965 to the end of the millennium. Each episode focuses on a single year picked at random. At the end of each episode they pick their personal favourites and the album they think had the most long-term impact on music. Can you guess which albums they will pick?

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Episodes

  1. #64 1994: Soundgarden, Blur, Oasis, Massive Attack & more

    Back in September we made an appearance at the Haarlem Vinyl Festival for a special live podcast on the year 1994! Here's the second part of an abridged version of the show (we've had to cut out the sections we played music on the turntable due to copyright issues). For 1994, we were both…

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  2. #63 1994: Jeff Buckley, Nine Inch Nails, Aphex Twin & more

    Back in September we made an appearance at the Haarlem Vinyl Festival for a special live podcast on the year 1994! Here's the first part of an abridged version of the show (we've had to cut out the sections we played music on the turntable due to copyright issues). For 1994, we both found a...

  3. #62 1982: The Grand Finale! Rush, Alan Parsons Project, Marillion & more!

    It's the last episode of our series on 1982 and naturally we've saved the best until last. On this extended episode we cover metal, progressive rock, minimal jazz and of course our picks for our favourite and most influential albums from the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  4. #61 (1982 Part 5) Who Changed With The Times? King Crimson, Pete Townshend, Squeeze & more!

    On this week's podcast, we explore which artists in 1982 adapted to the changing musical climate and which stayed true to their own style—with results ranging from mixed on King Crimson’s Beat to the absolutely exceptional All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes by Pete Townshend. Learn more about...

  5. #60 (1982 Part 4) Post-Punk: The Cure, XTC, Cocteau Twins & more!

    On the podcast this week: an album that might just be the most bleak and depressing album ever made (and it's not one by Steven, believe it or not!), plus post-punk releases by Cocteau Twins, Felt, XTC & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. #59 (1982 Part 3) Big Hitters: Queen, Prince, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney & more

    Up for discussion on this week's podcast: mainstream hit records from 1982, with absolutely huge albums by Queen, Michael Jackson, Prince and many more! Coming up next week, albums by The Cure, XTC, Cocteau Twins and more! Buy Tim Bowness' eighth studio album Powder Dry (out now!) here:...

  7. #58 1982 (Part 2) Synth-Pop: Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Associates, Thomas Dolby & more

    Continuing our series on the year 1982, up for discussion this week are synth-pop albums, featuring Duran Duran's smash hit Rio, Thomas Dolby's debut masterwork The Golden Age of Wireless, Associates' Sulk, Gary Numan's I Assassin and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  8. #57 1982 (Part 1) Innovative Pop: Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, ABC, Simple Minds & more!

    It's the first episode of our series on the year 1982 and we begin by talking about innovative pop records that not only defined the era but also embraced emerging production technologies at the time. This is none more evident than on records such as The Dreaming by Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel 4...

  9. #56 1972 Jazz & Prog Rock: Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Aphrodite's Child & more

    We've reached the sixth and final part of our odyssey into 1972! On this week's episode we discuss great jazz records by Miles Davis and Frank Zappa and progressive albums from outside the UK, including the undoubted masterpiece that is Aphrodite's Child 666. Plus, our roundup of 1972 with our...

  10. #55 1972 Soul Destroyers & The Indefinable: Gil Scott-Heron, Terry Callier, Scott Walker, Osibisa & more

    On this week's episode of The Album Years, we continue exploring deep into 1972, with great releases from soul legends Gil Scott-Heron & Terry Callier, and ever indefinable works from Todd Rundgren, Scott Walker, Osibisa and more! Pre-order Tim Bowness' eighth studio album Powder Dry here:...

  11. #54 1972 Rock Classics: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper & more

    In the fourth part of our deep dive into the legendary year of 1972, we focus on some of the biggest rock classics that defined the era! Featured on this episode: Deep Purple's Machine Head and their iconic live recording Made in Japan, Black Sabbath Vol.4, Alice Cooper's Schools Out and more!...

  12. #53 1972 Folk, Ambient & Krautrock: Nick Drake, Tangerine Dream, Neu! & more

    We dive into the atmospheric worlds of ambient, krautrock, and folk music released in 1972, including the introspective sounds of Nick Drake, the experimental sonic landscapes of Tangerine Dream and Neu!, along with what might be the first ever folk concept album? Learn more about your ad…

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  13. #52 1972 Prog Rock Extravaganza! Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull & more!

    In the second episode of our trip through the musical world of 1972, we discover one of the greatest years in progressive rock history! We talk classic albums by Yes, Jethro Tull, Genesis, ELP and lots of hidden gems from an astonishing year for prog! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  14. #51 1972 Glam & Mainstream: The Rolling Stones, T.Rex, Stevie Wonder, Elton John & more

    We're back in a brand new studio with another exciting dive into music history: 1972! In this episode, we explore genre-defining glam albums by David Bowie & T-Rex, chart-topping hits by Elton John, The Rolling Stones & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  15. Prince, Yes, Mike Oldfield, Marvin Gaye, Nico & more! | The Album Years Podcast Live

    In this week's episode we discuss our "Quintessential Album Years Albums", underrated records that we believe need to be critically re-evaluated and given a second chance! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  16. Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Talk Talk, Nick Drake, Van Morrison & more! | The Album Years Podcast Live

    This week we have more from our live podcast debut in London last month, which is focused on our list of the artists we talk about the most on the podcast! Can you guess which ones? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  17. The Post Rock Era, Changing Listening Habits, Taylor Swift & more! | The Album Years Podcast Live

    This episode is comprised of highlights from our recent live podcast debut, filmed at West Hampstead Arts Club in London on 7th June 2024. We discuss how the podcast started, the current 'post rock era' of music we are living in, our changing listening habits with streaming and how we both meet…

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  18. #50 (1985 Part 5) Marillion, IQ, Supertramp, Neil Young & more!

    Our epic journey into the music of 1985 comes to a close with this week's episode, which includes albums by Marillion, IQ, Neil Young, Supertramp and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  19. #49 (1985 Part 4) The Smiths, Suzanne Vega, Killing Joke, Sting & more!

    We are back again with more albums from 1985 as we explore iconic "goth" records by Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins and Sisters of Mercy, along with critically acclaimed gems by Suzanne Vega, The Smiths, Jesus and the Mary Chain & more. You can watch the video version of this podcast on our new...

  20. #48 (1985 Part 3) Kate Bush, Tears for Fears, A-ha, Grace Jones & more

    This week's episode of The Album Years continues our journey into the groundbreaking year of 1985, where we discuss seminal art pop masterpieces by Kate Bush, Tears for Fears and Prefab Sprout, plus more experimental and under the radar releases from the year. Watch the video version of this...

  21. #47 (1985 Part 2) Rush, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Robert Plant & more

    In the second part of our deep dive into 1985, we discuss which established artists stayed relevant and which ones struggled to adapt to the new musical landscapes of the 1980s. Amongst those discussed are podcast favourites Joni Mitchell, Roy Harper and Miles Davis, while the zeitgeist conscious...

  22. #46 (1985 Part 1) Phil Collins, Dire Straits, Prince & more!

    1985 was another sensational year for music. On this first part of our foray into the mid-eighties, we discuss the first album in history to sell over one million copies on CD (Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms fact fans), Phil Collins' smash hit album No Jacket Required, Prince's underrated follow…

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  23. #45 (1968 Part 4) Van Morrison, Nico, The Velvet Underground & More!

    This week’s episode is part 4 of 1968 – and with so much left to discuss we’re doing two episodes in one! Includes Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks," Nico's "The Marble Index," The Velvet Underground's "White Light," and many others. And would you believe it, Tim Bowness and I share the same…

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  24. #44 (1968 Part 3) Pink Floyd, Soft Machine, The Moody Blues & more!

    This week’s Album Years - 1968 Part 3 - finds the boys covering singer-songwriters and emerging progressive artists. Pink Floyd, The Nice, Soft Machine, Caravan, Family, Moody Blues and many more are discussed. And, yes, they do manage to shoehorn mentions of Bowie, Fripp and Talk Talk into the...

  25. #43 (1968 Part 2) The Doors, The Grateful Dead, The Byrds & more

    It's all about 1968 psychedelia on this week's The Album Years podcast episode! Steven and Tim break down albums by The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, The Incredible String Band and more, plus a mysterious inclusion on The Notorious Byrd Brothers' album cover... Learn more about your…

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  26. #42 (1968 Part 1) The Beach Boys, The Pretty Things, The Zombies, Small Faces & more

    The Album Years' time machine lands in 1968! Steven and Tim discuss the "big hitters" from the year alongside UK psychedelic and underground rock, with notable albums by The Pretty Things, The Zombies, Small Faces and more all discussed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  27. #41 (2000 Part 4) King Crimson, Air, XTC, The Cure & more!

    In the final The Album Years podcast episode for the year 2000, Steven and Tim pick their personal favourite albums of the year and the most influential. There's also discussions on notable progressive rock releases from the year, including albums by King Crimson, Air, Kevin Gilbert and more! You...

  28. #40 (2000 Part 3) Linkin Park, Eminem, Iron Maiden, Peter Gabriel & more

    Up for discussion on this week's The Album Years podcast: albums by Linkin Park, Eminem, Iron Maiden, Peter Gabriel & more! And for once, Steven and Tim actually agree on something... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  29. #39 (2000 Part 2) D'Angelo, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, The Avalanches & more

    On this week's agenda: albums released in 2000 by D'Angelo, The Avalanches, At The Drive-In and how Tim somehow believes AC/DC are underrated... Listen to our friendly arguments here or watch us in HD on our new The Album Years YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@thealbumyearspodcast Learn...

  30. #38 (2000 Part 1) Radiohead, Coldplay, U2 & more

    The Album Years podcast continues, and this time also in video form (check out our brand new YouTube channel!) The year is 2000: that means albums by Radiohead, Coldplay, U2 and more are up for discussion, along with Tim's questionable editing techniques... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  31. #37 (1987 Part 2B) Guns N' Roses, The Smiths, Pixies & more

    We're wrapping up 1987 on The Album Years Podcast! In Episode 2B, Tim and Steven delve into the murky world of metal, rock, the origins of grunge and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  32. #36 (1987 Part 2A) Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, David Bowie, Yes & more

    This week's The Album Years episode features a death match between Pink Floyd's 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason', and Roger Waters' 'Radio K.A.O.S'! Who do you think wins this one? Listen now to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  33. #35 (1987 Part 1B) Tom Waits, David Sylvian, Wire & more!

    On this week's episode of The Album Years Podcast, we return to 1987 and 'mavericks off their rocker'... we discuss the boundary-pushing creativity of singer-songwriter Tom Waits and his 1987 studio album 'Franks Wild Years' and much more! We think it's one of his maddest records, do you agree?...

  34. #34 (1987 Part 1A) Prince, George Michael, U2, Depeche Mode & more!

    It's time to move into a new year of The Album Years podcast... introducing 1987! On Episode 1A, we share our thoughts on classics by Prince, George Michael, U2, Depeche Mode, Dead Can Dance and much more... our question of the week is, what's your favourite Prince record? Learn more about your…

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  35. #33 (1977 Part 4B) Brian Eno, Van Morrison, Weather Report, Brand X & more!

    Finally, we've reached the last episode of the marathon year of 1977 in The Album Years Podcast! On today's instalment, we commit the cardinal sin of talking about an album we've never even heard… tune in to find out what that might be! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  36. #32 (1977 Part 4A) Queen, Fela Kuti, Throbbing Gristle & more!

    In one of the most eclectic episodes of The Album Years podcast yet, Steven and Tim delve into records by Queen, Throbbing Gristle and Fela Kuti. Now for our question of the week...do you have a favourite album that your best mate absolutely hates? Or as in Tim's case, is indifferent to... Learn...

  37. #31 (1977 Part 3B) Fleetwood Mac, John Martyn, The Eagles, Billy Joel & more!

    On this week's episode of The Album Years, we dive into American 🇺🇸 soft-rock albums from 1977, including Fleetwood Mac's ‘Rumours'. Plus, we also discuss one of our desert island discs, John Martyn's 'One World’. Our question of the week to you: what is your favourite American album from 1977?...

  38. #30 (1977 Part 3A) The Beach Boys, Saturday Night Fever, Roy Harper & more!

    On this week's episode of The Album Years podcast, find out why Tim calls 'The Beach Boys Love You' an album that is 'mad as a hatter'. Have you got an album which fits that description? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  39. #29 (1977 Part 2B) ABBA, Peter Gabriel, Godley & Creme, Jethro Tull & more!

    Steven & Tim dive into more iconic albums that defined 1977, with releases by ABBA, Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Jethro Tull & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  40. #28 (1977 Part 2A) Rush, Yes, Kansas, Utopia & more

    Steven & Tim dive into the progressive rock albums that defined 1977, with releases by Rush, Yes, Kansas & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  41. #27 The Album Years Christmas Special 2023 (Part 2)

    Because it's Christmas we thought we'd do something a bit different - we are answering all your questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  42. #26 The Album Years Christmas Special 2023 (Part 1)

    Because it's Christmas we thought we'd do something a bit different - we are answering all your questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  43. #25 (1977 Part 1B) Peter Hammill, Television, Suicide & more

    The Album Years returns with Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discussing the music of 1977 across 8 full-length episodes! 1977 was a pivotal year in music, with the rise of punk and disco shaking up the industry. Artists who were aware of the changing musical landscape were able to connect with the...

  44. #24 (1977 Part 1A) Pink Floyd, The Clash, The Stranglers & more

    The Album Years returns with Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discussing the music of 1977 across 8 full-length episodes! 1977 was a pivotal year in music, with the rise of punk and disco shaking up the industry. Artists who were aware of the changing musical landscape were able to connect with the...

  45. #23 (1995) Tricky, Goldie, Radiohead, David Bowie, Red House Painters, Tears For Fears & more

    A CD length excursion into a great 'CD age' year as the boys discuss Tricky, Goldie, Radiohead, David Bowie, Scott Walker, Babybird, Momus, Red House Painters, Tears For Fears and much more. Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) Learn more about your…

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  46. #22 (1983 Part 2) Ben Watt, Tears for Fears, Genesis, The Smiths & more

    Another epic two-parter as the no-man duo take on 1983, a year where bright young things and old curmudgeons alike are on creative fire, even if there’s still a lot of space for honourable eccentrics. Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) --- Send in a...

  47. #21 (1983 Part 1) Pink Floyd, Yes, New Order, Tom Waits & more

    Another epic two-parter as the no-man duo take on 1983, a year where bright young things and old curmudgeons alike are on creative fire, even if there’s still a lot of space for honourable eccentrics. Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) Learn more...

  48. #20 (1978 Part 3) Kate Bush, Chic, Marvin Gaye, Black Sabbath, Brian Eno & more

    Six months after they left it dangling, the boys return to 1978. Part Three features deep dives into Chic, Marvin Gaye, Kate Bush, Peter Hammill, Scott Walker, Kevin Coyne, Be Bop Deluxe, Ange, Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Popol Vuh, Steve Reich and much, much more in a truly epic...

  49. #19 (1978 Part 2) Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, The Who & more

    Steven and Tim return with 1978, a year so rich with significant albums ripe for discussion it looks like it’s going to require 4 episodes to get through them all! Part 2 of The Album Years' investigation into 1978 continues with some of the more established guard, including The Who, Bruce...

  50. #18 (1978 Part 1) Blondie, The Police, Jeff Wayne, The Stranglers & more

    Steven and Tim return with 1978, a year so rich with significant albums ripe for discussion it looks like it’s going to require 4 episodes to get through them all! Part 1 takes on board Tim's suggestions for 'guilty pleasures’ (a notion which Steven strongly objects to), and the non-stop rise of...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Music is finite, opinions are endless. On The Album Years podcast, long term friends, collaborators and music nerds Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss and bicker about their favourite music released during the golden album years, which they reckon to be from around 1965 to the end of the millennium. Each episode focuses on a single year picked at random. At the end of each episode they pick their personal favourites and the album they think had the most long-term impact on music. Can you guess which albums they will pick?

HOSTED BY

Steven Wilson & Tim Bowness

Produced by W!ZARD Studios

CATEGORIES

music

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Album Years have?

The Album Years currently has 67 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Album Years about?

Music is finite, opinions are endless. On The Album Years podcast, long term friends, collaborators and music nerds Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss and bicker about their favourite music released during the golden album years, which they reckon to be from around 1965 to the end of the...

How often does The Album Years release new episodes?

The Album Years has 67 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Album Years?

You can listen to The Album Years on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Album Years?

The Album Years is created and hosted by Steven Wilson & Tim Bowness.
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