(Un)Heard

In this episode, Alex looks down the sofa for his punk membership card but can’t find it (perhaps he left it at the Green Day gig back in ‘05?); Tom gets hip to the hop and, as it transpires, can’t stop. We discuss problems surrounding capitalism, identity, and culture, ultimately fixing all of them. Albums discussedTom gave Alex No Dream and Ska Dream, both by Jeff Rosenstock.Alex gave Tom Illmatic by Nas and To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Alex and Tom both listen to the same album: Gorillaz’s The Mountain. We discuss serious philosophical matters of life and death. Goodness. I hope they’ve thrown in some dick jokes.Next week is a double album special: expect Jeff Rosenstock x2, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Alex’s favourite album of the year Greeps up on him and never lets him go; Tom plays Spot the Albarn on a plastic beach drawn by Jamie Hewlett. We discuss singular artistic vision and the power of musical collaboration. And prostitutes. There’s lots about prostitutes. Albums discussedTom gave Alex The New Sound by Geordie Greep. Alex gave Tom Plastic Beach by Gorillaz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, which was recorded a long time ago 3cm from the surface of the sun, Alex plays marriage counsellor; Tom gets kisses and hugs. We muse about America, broken people, and the fragility of something-or-other. Who knows. It was bloody hot, you know. Albums discussedTom gave Alex Tallahassee by The Mountain Goats.Alex gave Tom XO by Elliott Smith. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom parties like it’s 2008 (he had a lot less hair back then); Alex gets himself on a CIA watchlist. Jazz is criticised in jazz-like discourse. That’s postmodernism for you.Albums discussedAlex gave Tom Superabundance by Young Knives.Tom gave Alex Frank’s Wild Years by Tom Waits. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom is lulled by lush soundscapes; Alex is knifed by post-Brexit nastiness. We muse about out the album form, Englishness and jazz. Told you we’d be back.Albums discussedAlex gave Tom Sing to the Moon by Laura Mvula.Tom gave Alex Pastoral by Gazelle Twin. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom is punched and bitten by a Boxer and an Alligator respectively, but don’t worry: he enjoyed every second. Alex wonders why so many women are being murdered in Appalachia, but he can’t help but groove to the danse macabre. There’s going to be a hiatus while Tom gets married, but we’ll be back. Promise.Albums discussedAlex gave Tom Alligator and Boxer by The National.Tom gave Alex Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin and Outside by O’Death.Next timeWe’ve given each other three albums each. You’ll have to wait to find out which we pick for the next episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Alex decides that poetry is not, after all, for the birds, but is very satisfying when sung by a Bird; Tom wishes some Arizonans would turn the bloody noise up, please, and rather loves it when they do. Alex wrecks the intro; Tom saves it. Sorry we’ve been away so long.Albums discussedTom gave Alex Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of... by Andrew Bird (2014)Alex gave Tom Clarity by Jimmy Eat World (1999)Next timeA double album special, featuring o’death and The National. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom enjoys a second trip to whimsical, witty Canada; Alex realises he knows nothing about Ukraine. The accent should have been cut. Sorry, Ukrainians. But we’re not saying sorry to Bob Geldof. Albums discussed:Alex gave Tom O My Heart by Mother MotherTom gave Alex Super Taranta! by Gogol BordelloNext time:Clarity by Jimmy Eat WorldThings Are Really Great Here, Sort Of by Andrew Bird This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Alex ponders the 70s and the nature of the album form; Tom falls in love with some Canadians. Alex’s two urination breaks have been skilfully excised from the final edit.Albums discussed:Tom gave Alex The Dance of Death by The Scaramanga Six. Alex gave Tom Reconstruction Site by The Weakerthans. Next time:* O My Heart by Mother Mother* Super Taranta! by Gogol Bordello This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom gives Alex yet more folk whose opening track’s farty trumpet causes trepidation; Alex gives Tom Jimmy Fallon’s house band before they were Jimmy Fallon’s house band. Tom is ill (not because of the music).Albums discussed:* Peasant by Richard Dawson* Things Fall Apart by The Roots This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom gives Alex an album that makes him question the very nature of liking things; Alex gives Tom an album that sends Tom down the metal subgenres rabbithole. The introduction is botched. Albums discussed:* False Lankum by Lankum* The Fear of Fear (EP) by SpiritboxNext week’s albums: * Peasant by Richard Dawson* Things Fall Apart by The RootsHere is the metal website whose name Alex couldn’t remember This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, Tom finds beauty in the horror (and horror in the beauty) much to his delight; Alex realises that whatever he is feeling will be weaponised.Tom gave Alex This Could Be Texas by English Teacher (2024)Alex gave Tom The Holy Bible by Manic Street Preachers (1994) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

In our second episode, Tom is surprised by a sweet suite of Mancunian space-rock; Alex is irritated by post-punk edgelords. There is much flailing. Tom gave Alex: Songs for Our Mothers by Fat White FamilyAlex gave Tom: Self-Preserved While the Bodies Float Up by Oceansize (2009) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com

Alex gets Tom to confront his hatred of Britpop; Tom gets Alex to listen to a punk band let loose in the school music cupboard. This makes both of them lie back and think of England.Albums featured:- Modern Life is Rubbish by Blur- Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit unheardpodcast.substack.com