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All Episodes - You, Me and An Album

On each episode, a guest introduces the host, Al Melchior, to an album they love but that he doesn't know.

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182 Episodes

186. Laurie Berkner Discusses Aimee Mann, I'm with Stupid

05/01/2025 72 min 56 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, kindie rock superstar Laurie Berkner introduces Al to Aimee Mann’s 1995 album I’m with Stupid. Laurie talks about how she listened to this album frequently in the latter half of the ‘90s (along with Beck’s Odelay and Liz Phair’s Whitechocolatespaceegg) and why it appealed to her so much. Laurie also discusses the ways in which I’m with Stupid has influenced her own work, and specifically, how she has tried to create the same type of playful feel that this album has. She and Al talk about her new Greatest Hits album and her upcoming plans.Be sure to keep up with Laurie on her website, laurieberkner.com, and at the following places on social media!Facebook, Instagram and YouTube: @TheLaurieBerknerBandTikTok: @LaurieBerknerAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. You can support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.IMPORTANT UPDATE! You, Me and An Album will soon have additional offerings on Patreon. More information will be coming soon. To sign up, go to patreon.com/youmealbum.1:36 Laurie joins the show2:00 I’m with Stupid was one of three albums that Laurie listened to frequently in the late ‘90s7:37 Laurie talks about her transition from guitar-driven rock to kindie rock13:38 Laurie explains how she listened to music once she started focusing on making children’s music16:50 Laurie found I’m with Stupid to be a transportive listening experience18:56 “Long Shot” grabbed Laurie’s attention right away21:02 A piece of “Long Shot” influenced Laurie when she wrote “Listen to the Sounds”22:52 Laurie and Al both found their own meaning in some of the songs from I’m with Stupid29:08 Juliana Hatfield adds an important element to “You Could Make a Killing”30:43 Laurie talks about some of her favorite moments on the album34:13 Laurie and Al discuss the space “Par For The Course” and “You’re with Stupid Now” occupy thematically and musically on the album40:21 Laurie talks about the interludes between some of the songs43:22 Laurie hears the percussion choices on “Frankenstein” as a reflection of the album’s overall creativity and playfulness46:53 Al is impressed by the variety of Mann’s collaborations49:08 Laurie shares her thoughts about “That’s Just What You Are”50:27 Laurie sees a connection between the feel of I’m with Stupid and her own music55:32 I’m with Stupid received a critique that was similar to one frequently aimed at children’s music59:37 Laurie talks about the challenges of writing children’s music for different audiences1:04:18 Laurie’s music has some grown-up appeal1:05:45 Laurie talks about her upcoming plansOutro music is from “We Are The Dinosaurs” by The Laurie Berkner Band.Support the show

185. Wes Jackson Discusses De La Soul, Buhloone Mindstate

04/24/2025 52 min 39 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, Wes Jackson—the President of BRIC Arts Media in Brooklyn—drops by to introduce Al to De La Soul’s 1993 album Buhloone Mindstate. Wes talks about his long-time De La Soul fandom, how he became acquainted with their music and how he has crossed paths with the group at various points during his professional career. He also discusses the various ways in which Buhloone Mindstate, and De La Soul more generally, has provided him with a hip hop and jazz education. Wes talks about the current offerings at BRIC Arts Media, including the 2025 Celebrate Brooklyn festival.For those who are interested, the recently-published book on De La Soul that Wes had mentioned is High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul by Marcus J. Moore, and it’s available wherever you buy your books.Keep up with BRIC events, such as Celebrate Brooklyn, at bricartsmedia.org!You can find Wes on Instagram and Bluesky at @wesmartinjackson. BRIC Arts Media also has an Instagram account, and it’s @bricbrooklyn.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. You can support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.IMPORTANT UPDATE! You, Me and An Album will soon have additional offerings on Patreon. More information will be coming soon. To sign up, go to patreon.com/youmealbum.1:30 Wes joins the show2:24 Wes talks about the De La Soul single that his label released4:34 Wes explains why he was drawn to De La Soul’s music6:34 Wes encountered De La Soul early on in his career7:44 Wes explains why he chose Buhloone Mindstate for this episode10:19 Wes specifies what he likes about the sound of the album13:08 Wes says he gets an education about music from De La Soul16:51 Wes talks about the important role that Shortie No Mass plays on Buhloone Mindstate19:07 “Breakadawn” was Wes’ introduction to the album25:31 Wes shares his thoughts on two notable tracks, “I Am I Be” and “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)”33:32 Wes took the rift between De La Soul and the Jungle Brothers hard37:02 Wes talks about getting involved with BRIC after college and his ongoing history with the organization42:00 Wes dreamed of someday running the Celebrate Brooklyn festival43:25 Wes talks about the 2025 Celebrate Brooklyn46:22 Wes discusses the four pillars of BRIC’s offerings and its role in the Brooklyn arts communitySupport the show

183. Peter Holsapple Discusses The Flame, self-titled

04/11/2025 78 min 42 sec

Send us a textPeter Holsapple (dB’s, R.E.M., Hootie and the Blowfish, Continental Drifters, The Paranoid Style) pays YMAAA a visit to introduce Al to The Flame’s 1970 self-titled album. Peter talks about discovering the band’s music as an outgrowth of his love of the Beach Boys and why the album has held up for him as a favorite for more than 50 years. He also offers another album recommendation—The Pretty Things’ S.F. Sorrow. Peter winds up his visit with a discussion of his new solo album, The Face of 68 (out April 18), and his upcoming plans.There are lots of places to keep up with Peter and get his music!Instagram: @peter.holsappleFacebook: @Peter-HolsappleBluesky: @halfpearYouTube: @peterholsapple1320Peter’s Does This Band Make Me Look Fat blog: https://halfpearblog.blogspot.com/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:31 Peter joins the show3:11 Peter recalls the moment when he was introduced to The Flame4:14 Peter talks about becoming a Beach Boys fan when he was growing up6:18 Peter explains how his Beach Boys fandom led him to discover The Flame11:11 Peter talks about his first impressions of The Flame14:40 Is the band called The Flame or The Flames?15:45 Peter reveals the existence of a second album by The Flame18:07 Peter explains the meaning behind his song “My Idea #49”18:58 Al identifies the one track on the album he doesn’t like21:35 Peter cites some notable facts about The Flame and “See the Light”24:51 Peter talks about the time he met Blondie Chaplin and Brian Wilson27:53 Peter breaks down the elements that give The Flame its lasting appeal34:06 Peter discusses The Flame’s varied influences40:03 Peter notes that The Flame is heavily Beatles-influenced while still sounding distinctive45;56 Peter’s love of listening to music keeps him going as a recording artist48:06 Peter talks about the reissued dB’s albums49:38 Peter explains why he decided to make The Face of 6859:09 Peter mentions some of the albums that inspired the sound of his new album1:01:14 Peter does not like bonus tracks as much as the next guy1:05:14 “That Kind of Guy” taught Al about Dick Taylor1:08:39 Peter talks about The Pretty Things’ S.F. Sorrow and other song cycles and rock operas1:11:48 Peter shares his upcoming plansOutro music is from “That Kind of Guy” by Peter Holsapple.Support the show

182. Dylan Rodrigue Discusses Grateful Dead, From the Mars Hotel (TW: discussion of lyrics pertaining to suicide)

04/06/2025 62 min 41 sec

Send us a textCONTENT WARNING: There are references to suicide as they relate to the lyrics of the song “China Doll.” (Discussion begins at 28:27 and ends at 31:53.)On this episode, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Dylan Rodrigue joins Al to introduce him to the Grateful Dead’s 1974 album From the Mars Hotel. Dylan talks about why he selected this album to discuss, and why he thought it would be a great gateway for Al to learn more about the Grateful Dead. He talks about the progressive rock and jazz fusion influences that can be heard on the album, and he breaks down some of the album’s lyrics. Dylan also talks about his Grateful Dead cover band, Smile Smile Smile, his latest album Sunshine and his upcoming album The Meaning of a Kiss.Be sure to follow Dylan and Smile Smile Smile on Instagram!@dylanrodriguemusic@smilesmilesmilebandYou can find Dylan's music on Bandcamp at dylanrodrigue.bandcamp.com.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:18 Dylan joins the show1:59 Dylan recalls his earliest memories of listening to the Grateful Dead with his father5:43 Dylan explains why he chose From the Mars Hotel for this episode8:11 Al talks about the baggage he brought to this episode11:14 Dylan cites the various features that make From the Mars Hotel a standout album13:31 Al was surprised by some of the keyboard sounds on the album16:09 Dylan and Al talk about the album’s cover art18:34 Al shares his reaction to the album21:34 Dylan and Al discuss the progginess of “Unbroken Chain”23:51 Al gives his opinion on some of the other tracks24:54 Dylan thinks the prog feel extends to several of the album’s tracks27:04 Dylan focuses on the Dead’s lyricists and their lyrics31:53 Dylan sees some parallels between the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan34:43 Dylan talks about Phil Lesh’s approach to songwriting37:17 Dylan has plenty of experience playing the songs off of From the Mars Hotel40:06 Dylan talks about the ways that the Grateful Dead have–and haven’t—been an influence on his work43:02 Al likes the Grateful Dead’s louder moments45:18 Dylan and Al sum up their thoughts about From the Mars Hotel 47:21 Dylan explains why he went in a different direction with Sunshine52:38 Dylan talks about his upcoming album, The Meaning of a Kiss55:35 Dylan talks about his tour plans57:04 Al looks back on having made episodes over the last four-plus yearsOutro music is from “Ricochet” by Dylan Rodrigue.Support the show

180. Jessica Dobson Discusses Radiohead, Amnesiac

03/23/2025 66 min 44 sec

Send us a textMulti-instrumentalist Jessica Dobson—best-known as the guitarist and vocalist for Deep Sea Diver—joins Al to introduce him to Radiohead’s 2001 album Amnesiac. Jessica talks about the memorable circumstance under which she first heard Amnesiac, which tracks are her favorites and why, and how Radiohead has been an influence on her playing and songwriting. She discusses Deep Sea Diver’s new album, Billboard Heart, and how Radiohead helped to shape some of its sound. Jessica also breaks down one of the album’s singles, “Shovel,” and addresses whether U2 has also been an influence on the band’s sound.You can follow Jessica on Instagram at @thisisjdobson.To keep up with Deep Sea Diver, you can follow them on Bluesky at @thisisdeepseadiver or on Instagram, also at @thisisdeepseadiver. You can also visit their website, https://www.thisisdeepseadiver.com/. For information on tour dates, new music, merch and more, you can sign up for the DSD newsletter via Instagram or their website.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:24 Jessica joins the show1:46 Jessica explains why she opened up to letting her love of Radiohead influence the sound of Billboard Heart3:54 Jessica hears Amnesiac and Kid A as very different albums5:55 Jessica talks about the first time she listened to Amnesiac and how she first became aware of Radiohead9:43 Jessica explains why she chose to discuss Amnesiac11:36 Al and Jessica talk about some mathematical oddities in Radiohead’s music15:24 Jessica and Al note the odd ways that Radiohead creates balance in their music17:15 Jessica discusses the two sides of her songwriting—and Radiohead’s20:05 Jessica talks about her three favorite tracks from Amnesiac26:07 Jessica delves into the art of creating a big dramatic buildup28:14 Jessica cites a few songs from Billboard Heart that are Radiohead-influenced32:55 Jessica sheds light on Al’s favorite moment from Billboard Heart35:44 Jessica gives a reason for why she continues to find Radiohead an inspiration39:41 Jessica and Al talk about some Radiohead B-sides and bonus tracks44:24 Jessica likes interludes like “Hunting Bears”46:37 Jessica talks about how an object writing exercise led to her writing “Shovel”54:45 Has U2 been an influence on Deep Sea Diver?57:36 Jessica explains why a band’s fourth album is the “artist’s record”1:01:27 Jessica talks about Deep Sea Diver’s tour plansOutro music is from “Billboard Heart” by Deep Sea Diver.Support the show

179. Linying Discusses Sufjan Stevens, Carrie & Lowell

03/16/2025 62 min 9 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, L.A.-based singer/songwriter/musician Linying gets Al acquainted with Sufjan Stevens’ 2015 album Carrie & Lowell. Linying talks about how the album has impacted her over the last 10 years and how she relates its themes of mortality and grief to her own life experiences. She also explains the ways in which both the music and lyrics of Carrie & Lowell tell a compelling story. Finally, Linying discusses the making of her new album Swim, Swim (to be released on April 4), and what she has learned from traveling between her native Singapore, Los Angeles and the island of Siargao in the Philippines. As Linying mentioned on the show, her main homes on the internet are Instagram and Substack. Be sure to follow both accounts!Instagram: @linying._Substack: https://linyingmusic.substack.com/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:29 Linying joins the show1:51 Linying hasn’t listened to many podcasts3:51 Linying is not sure whether she considers herself to be a Sufjan Stevens fan5:51 Great storytelling isn’t an essential part of music for Linying8:49 Linying talks about how Carrie & Lowell is “God music” for her11:46 Al and Linying discuss the album’s narrative arc15:49 Linying and Al talk about their own ruminations on mortality22:07 “Fourth of July” and “Blue Bucket of Gold” bring up a complicated combination of emotions27:08 Linying talks about her life circumstances around the time when Carrie & Lowell was released31:23 Not many albums resonate with Linying, but Carrie & Lowell has been a notable exception33:07 Linying talks about the track from the album that has the most tenderness35:52 Neither Linying nor Al have explored Stevens’ albums besides Illinois and Carrie & Lowell38:32 Linying talks about writing “Dial Tone” and the making of the song’s video48:32 Linying explains why she made Swim, Swim partially in Siargao56:35 Linying discusses her plans and goals beyond the release of Swim, SwimOutro music is from “Blondie” by Linying.Support the show

178. Mike Clark Discusses King's X, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

03/09/2025 60 min 52 sec

Send us a textMike Clark, the guitarist for the L.A.-based progressive metal band Final Gravity, joins Al on this episode to introduce him to King’s X’s 1989 album, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. Mike talks about roles that an L.A. radio station and MTV played in getting him into King’s X, and he discusses the elements of the album’s sound that have made it one of his favorite albums. He also notes several bands that have been influenced by King’s X and explains why he thinks they did not get as much attention as some of the bands that they impacted. Mike also talks about Final Gravity and their latest release, Stormchaser, as well as their upcoming plans.As Mike mentioned on the episode, there is a GoFundMe page for Final Gravity’s producer and engineer Rich Mouser, who lost his home and studio in the Eaton Fire in January. Please help Rich and his family if you are able. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-dad-rebuild-his-musical-legacyAlso, be sure to give Final Gravity a follow and check out their music if you haven’t already!Instagram: @final.gravityFacebook: @finalgravitythebandYouTube: @finalgravitybandBandcamp: https://finalgravity.bandcamp.com/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.Have a comment, question or suggestion about the show? Contact Al by clicking on the “Send us a text” link just above.1:08 Mike joins the show1:55 Mike talks about the radio and MTV shows that were instrumental to getting him into King’s X and other heavy rock bands5:23 Buying Gretchen Goes to Nebraska and seeing King’s X live cemented Mike’s fandom of the band7:04 Al and Mike both hear parallels between King’s X and 1980s Yes12:49 Hearing “Over My Head” motivated Mike to check out the whole album15:56 Mike explains why he thinks King’s X hasn’t been more popular19:34 Mike sees “Over My Head” and “Summerland” as representative of what King’s X does well22:19 Mike discusses the story behind why King’s X named the album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska23:29 Mike and Al talk about some of the lyrics that relate to religion and spirituality27:39 King’s X has two strong lead vocalists31:29 Mike cites some of his favorite tracks from the album36:18 Mike explains how King’s X influenced Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy”38:08 Gretchen was not the type of album that Al expected it to be41:01 Mike shares his thoughts on other King’s X albums42:48 This episode could have been about Transatlantic instead43:59 Mike talks about the evolution of Final Gravity47:59 Mike explains why Final Gravity decided to make the Stormchaser EP50:06 Mike tells the story behind Final Gravity’s choice to cover Rush’s “Entre Nous”53:39 Mike talks about the upcoming tour and recording plans for Final GravityOutro is from “Automatic Pilot” by Final Gravity.Support the show

176. Kendall Jane Meade Discusses Joni Mitchell, Court and Spark

02/23/2025 67 min 11 sec

Send us a textSinger-songwriter Kendall Jane Meade (Mascott, Juicy, Anders and Kendall, solo) pays YMAAA a visit to introduce Al to Joni Mitchell’s 1974 album Court and Spark. Kendall talks about her first impressions of the album and explains why its tracks still resonate with her more than 25 years after first hearing them. She and Al also discuss some of the unique features of the album, such as the Cheech and Chong cameo on “Twisted” and how “Help Me” was especially sophisticated for a hit single. Kendall also talks about her new solo album Space, which is the first album she has released under her own name.You can follow Kendall on Instagram at @kendalljanemeade. You can also get Kendall’s music, tour dates and links to all things KJM on her website, https://www.kendalljanemeade.com/.Looking for merch and vinyl? You’ll find them at https://motherwest.storenvy.com/.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.Have a comment, question or suggestion about the show? Contact Al by clicking on the “Send us a text” link just above.1:26 Kendall joins the show2:25 Kendall gets inspiration from a Joni MItchell print in her home5:05 Kendall recalls the experience of hearing Court and Spark for the first time8:14 Kendall talks about the influence singer-songwriters have had on her own songwriting11:55 Kendall pinpoints the features of Court and Spark that grabbed her attention right away14:35 Al talks about what surprised him about Court and SparkDiscussion of specific tracks19:11 Help Me21:00 Free Man in Paris24:00 Help Me (the bridge)27:36 People’s Parties29:44 The Same Situation32:07 Car on a Hill33:13 Down to You38:49 Twisted43:16 Trouble Child44:03 Raised on Robbery48:53 Kendall’s final thoughts on Court and Spark50:49 Kendall details the circumstances that led her to make Space57:27 Kendall talks about writing “How to Do Nothing”1:01:42 Kendall explains why Space is a special album for herOutro music is from “Stereo” by Kendall Jane Meade.Support the show

173. 10 Albums You Need To Listen To with Mike Montgomery

02/02/2025 65 min 54 sec

Send us a textOn nearly every previous episode of You, Me and An Album, Al has invited a guest to introduce him to one album he doesn’t know well (or at all), but this week’s guest talks about seven of his favorite albums. Mike Montgomery, who owns Candyland Recording Studio in Dayton, Kentucky, and is a member of R.Ring and Ampline, suggested 11 possible albums to discuss on this episode, but he and Al weren’t able to narrow the list down. So Mike talks about seven of those albums (noted in the rundown below).Not only were they unable to settle on one album from Mike’s list, but Mike also suggested that Al introduce him to some of his favorite albums. From Al’s short list of eight albums, he decided to discuss three of them on this episode, bringing the total albums featured up to an even 10.Mike explains how his love of skateboarding led him down a musical rabbit hole that ultimately brought him to several of the albums on his list. Al talks about his tendency to immerse himself in a single artist’s discography, and how that led him to discover several of the albums that made his short list.Mike also discusses his Nervous Verbs solo project and the debut Nervous Verbs album Pony Coughing, which will be out on February 28. He explains why he decided to not record his Nervous Verbs songs with his other bands and talks about some of the musicians he collaborated with for this project.There are several places to keep up with Mike and his bands on Instagram, and they’re all worth a follow!@candyland_recording_studio@nervousverbs@r.ringsings@amplinegramAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:27 Al introduces Mike and explains why they will discuss several albums instead of just oneMike’s picks:4:40 Speed Freaks by Santa Cruz Skateboards Soundtrack9:25 Dinosaur Jr., You’re Living All Over Me10:53 fIREHOSE, Fromohio (plus an aside about Steve Martin’s “King Tut”)12:37 Dead Kennedys, Plastic Surgery Disasters16:58 Superchunk, Here’s Where the Strings Come In21:34 Weakerthans, Left and Leaving23:42 Hayden, The Closer I GetAl’s Picks:26:03 Unwound, Leaves Turn Inside You (and a side discussion of Lungfish)38:36 Deep Sea Diver, Impossible Weight 43:07 Toto, Tambu48:06 Mike explains how his Nervous Verbs project came together52:49 Mike talks about why “Chasing the Strings” didn’t wind up as an R.Ring song54:38 Mike created a “Zoom band” during the pandemic59:31 Mike talks about the status of R.Ring and his other plansOutro music is from “Vicious Riffs” by Nervous Verbs.Support the show

172. Ann Powers Discusses The Roches, self-titled

01/26/2025 60 min 1 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, NPR music critic and correspondent Ann Powers gets Al acquainted with The Roches’ 1979 self-titled debut album. Ann explains how she got to know the album and how it became an important part of her life and the lives of her friends. She also talks about the elements that make The Roches unique, including their harmonies, clever songwriting and misfit style. Ann discusses her 2024 biography of Joni Mitchell, Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell, and why she took a different approach to researching the book than other Mitchell biographers have taken.You can follow Ann on Bluesky, Instagram and X, all at @annkpowers.As Ann mentioned on the show, you can read her work for the NPR Music Newsletter by signing up for it on the NPR website. Just go to https://www.npr.org/newsletter/music and enter your e-mail address.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:32 Ann joins the show2:10 Al and Ann discuss her review of The Roches from the ‘90s4:53 Ann explains how The Roches’ music was related to the New York punk scene7:59 Ann and Al talk about Robert Fripp’s contributions as the album’s producer9:37 Ann discusses The Roches’ unique harmonies and musical styles11:48 Ann talks about The Roches’ identity as misfits18:55 Ann sees the album as both accessible and mysterious20:41 Ann discusses the background behind “Hammond Song” and its enduring popularity29:40 Ann recalls where she learned about The Roches and discusses her early fandom37:56 Ann—and the critics she admired—found The Roches’ lyrics relatable44:30 Ann explains what makes the “The Married Men” a special song48:18 Al talks about his one memory of The Roches from his teen years50:09 Ann expands on her approach to writing her Joni Mitchell biography56:15 Ann discusses her current and upcoming workSupport the show

171. Dave Alvin Discusses Underground Blues (compilation)

01/19/2025 92 min 15 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer Dave Alvin (The Blasters, X, The Knitters, The Third Mind, solo) digs deep into the 1969 Underground Blues compilation album. He explains how he became acquainted with the album and why it was such an important part of his introduction to the folk blues tradition. Dave also dissects the work of some of the artists featured on the album, including Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker. Dave talks about how one of his bands, The Third Mind, is connected to the folk blues tradition and how it’s not—and he discusses their upcoming live album (Live Mind) and other possible plans for 2025.You can keep up with Dave and The Third Mind on Instagram!Dave: @davealvinoriginalThe Third Mind: @thethirdmindDave is also on Facebook at @davealvin.You can learn more about Dave’s and The Third Mind’s music on his website, davealvin.net.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:33 Dave joins the show2:18 Dave explains why he decided to buy Underground Blues when he was 138:16 The compilation introduced Dave to the variety of blues styles13:34 Dave talks about the uniqueness of Lightnin' Hopkins’ music17:24 Dave became familiar with blues artists at a young age22:42 Dave learned a lot from being a record collector27:02 Dave explains why he initially focused on flute and sax instead of guitar32:17 Dave’s time as a saxophonist has informed his guitar playing35:52 Dave enjoys the guitar interplay on the Jimmy Reed tracks41:28 Dave recounts how the man who chose the tracks for the compilation wound up becoming a close friend of his49:50 Dave talks about the origins of The Third Mind and how the lineup came together1:07:05 Dave explains the band’s approach and the nature of their setlists1:12:48 The Third Mind’s music is connected to the folk blues music that Dave has typically played1:21:19 Will there be a Third Mind tour in 2025?Outro music is from “Morning Dew” (live) by The Third Mind.Support the show

170. John McCutcheon Discusses Pete Seeger, We Shall Overcome

01/12/2025 53 min 19 sec

Send us a textLegendary folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon kicks off 2025 on You, Me and An Album by introducing Al to Pete Seeger’s 1963 live album We Shall Overcome. John talks about how it was the first album he had ever bought and how it has shaped life and his work as a musician. He also discusses his personal relationship with Seeger and what made Seeger such an important and unique figure in folk music. John and Al wrap up by discussing John’s new album, Field of Stars, his baseball fandom and his upcoming touring and recording plans.You can find out more about John’s music at his website, folkmusic.com. Also be sure to give him a follow on Instagram at @appalseed.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.As Al mentioned on the show, here is a list of organizations that are helping those who need assistance due to the fires in the Los Angeles area. Please consider donating to these organizations or helping in whatever way you may be able to.American Red Cross of the Los Angeles Region: https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/about-us/our-work/california-wildfires-response-january-2025.htmlLos Angeles Fire Department Foundation: https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812Musicares: https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirereliefCA Community Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund: https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/California Fire Foundation: https://www.cafirefoundation.org/Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles: https://www.habitatla.org/World Central Kitchen: https://wck.org/1:31 John joins the show2:41 John’s copy of We Shall Overcome is incredibly well-preserved4:32 John did not buy the album because of Pete Seeger9:10 We Shall Overcome was different from other music that John had heard13:01 John talks about his first Seeger concert19:17 John explains why he thinks a rift developed in the folk community during the ‘60s21:50 Seeger took care in how he orchestrated his setlists25:45 We Shall Overcome was John’s first taste of what a concert experience was like31:36 John talks about Seeger’s courage as an artist34:33 John recounts the first time he met Seeger and his relationship with him over the years39:54 John discusses Field of Stars and being inspired by Henry Aaron45:49 John talks about his upcoming plansOutro music is from "Field of Stars" by John McCutcheon.Support the show

169. Scott Colson (Slaw) Discusses Led Zeppelin II

12/22/2024 54 min 24 sec

Send us a textGeorgia-based singer-songwriter Scott Colson—who performs under the name Slaw—visits YMAAA to discuss the 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. Scott explains how his love of the blues led him to become a Led Zeppelin fan and why he thinks Led Zeppelin II is their best album. Scott breaks down several of his favorite tracks from the album and tells Al about a game he plays with his friends that further cemented the album’s status as his favorite. He also talks about his debut album, Here I Come, which he released as a 55-year-old.Be sure to follow Slaw on social media!@slawmusicofficial on Instagram, Facebook and YouTubeLearn more about Slaw and his music at slawmusic.com.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.As promised on this episode, Al did some research to try to figure out what John Bonham is playing to create the “pitter-patter” sound during the verses of “Ramble On.” He did not find a definitive answer, but came across several theories. Others have surmised that Bonham was drumming on a guitar case, a snare drum case, the seat of a drum throne, the soles of his shoes and a plastic garbage can lid.1:05 Scott joins the show1:39 This is not the typical episode for Al2:34 Scott talks about how his love for the blues led him to Led Zeppelin5:21 Scott explains why ‘Bring It On Home” is a highlight for him7:32 Led Zeppelin II was when the band really put their own spin on blues11:48 Has Scott gotten tired of listening to Led Zeppelin II after all these years?13:56 Scott has a fun album-listening game he plays with his friends17:47 Scott explains why “Ramble On” is one of his favorite tracks23:44 Scott talks about a specific way he borrowed from Led Zeppelin in his own work26:24 Which other Led Zeppelin albums does Scott frequently visit?29:27 How does Scott feel about “Moby Dick” and drum solos in general?32:13 Scott talks about the skillful use of dynamics in “What Is and What Should Never Be”34:37 Scott is surprised that the band rarely played “Living Loving Maid” live36:51 Al regrets that he initially had some resistance to Scott’s album choice37:59 Scott explains why he decided to record his first album in his 50s44:29 What has surprised Scott about being a full-time musician?45:29 Scott talks about some of the choices he made in making Here I Come49:03 Scott discusses his upcoming plansOutro music is from “Here I Come” by Slaw.Support the show

168. Sarah Gargano Discusses Bright Eyes, Fevers and Mirrors

12/08/2024 63 min 59 sec

Send us a textNashville-based singer-songwriter Sarah Gargano visits YMAAA to discuss Bright Eyes’ 2000 album Fevers and Mirrors. Sarah talks about the unusual reason that got her to explore Bright Eyes in her early teens and how she was first introduced to Fevers and Mirrors. She explains why this is one of her favorite albums and why she considers some of the material to be both self-indulgent and helpful to her personally. Sarah also talks about her recently-released single, "Halloweekend," and what she has planned for the coming months.Be sure to keep up with Sarah in the following places!@sarahgargano29 on Instagram@sarahgarganomusic on Facebook@sarahgargano6012 on YouTubesarahgarganomusic.comAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:31 Sarah joins the show2:23 Sarah explains the event that got her to explore Bright Eyes for the first time5:28 Sarah talks about the first time she listened to Fevers and Mirrors6:28 Sarah and Al discuss the “interview” that occurs during “An Attempt to Tip the Scales”11:00 Sarah talks about the unique way that Bright Eyes start their albums13:43 Listening to Bright Eyes' later albums first made Fevers and Mirrors an easier album for Sarah to digest initially17:12 Sarah explains why Fevers and Mirrors resonates with her so strongly20:09 Sarah and Al interpret the lyrics for “Arienette”23:32 What does it mean when we call music “self-indulgent”?Discussion of selected tracks:28:33 “An Attempt to Tip the Scales”32:41 “The Calendar Hung Itself…”34:24 “When the Curious Girl Realizes She Is Under Glass”38:18 “Haligh, Haligh, A Lie, Haligh”42:01 Al had a difficult time getting past Conor Oberst’s vocal delivery44:22 Sarah gets a kick out of a pair of songs that Oberst references45:52 Sarah shares her opinions of Bright Eyes’ more recent albums49:30 Al asks Sarah about her song “Murdered Angels”52:41 Sarah describes the perspective from which she wrote “Halloweekend”58:11 Sarah talks about her upcoming plansOutro music is from “Staring at the Screen” by Sarah Gargano.Support the show

167. Simon Raymonde Discusses Patti Smith Group, Radio Ethiopia

11/24/2024 68 min 19 sec

Send us a textSimon Raymonde—bassist for Cocteau Twins and head/co-founder of the Bella Union record label—joins Al to introduce him to the Patti Smith Group’s 1976 album, Radio Ethiopia. Simon talks about his initial reaction to hearing the album when he was 15 and how that differed from his impressions of Smith’s debut Horses. He also talks about why he started listening to the album again in the last few years and how it hits him differently now. Simon discusses his work with artists—including Smith—as the head of Bella Union, and his recently published memoir, In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor Raymonde and Me.If you love music or great writing, you’re going to love In One Ear! Get your copy here: https://geni.us/InOneEarBe sure to follow Simon on social media…he is at @mrsimonraymonde on Instagram, Threads and Bluesky.Bella Union website: bellaunion.comCocteau Twins official website: https://cocteautwins.com/Cocteau Twins official merch site (as mentioned by Simon on the show): https://cocteautwins.tmstor.es/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:30 Simon joins the show2:08 Simon explains why he chose Radio Ethiopia despite being underwhelmed by it initially6:46 Simon talks about how he became interested in Patti Smith and other American punk artists9:21 Al didn’t understand why Radio Ethiopia got a negative critical reception13:48 Simon identifies the parts of the album that he liked right away17:27 The title track tested Simon’s boundaries of what he was willing to explore at age 1519:33 Did Simon’s famous father influence his musical tastes when he was growing up?21:37 Simon explains why he didn’t start to appreciate Radio Ethiopia more until the last few years24:22 Simon and Al ponder the meaning of the album’s title29:20 Simon and Al talk about their reactions to “Poppies”31:59 Simon recalls the time he met Patti Smith at Roskilde35:01 Simon names the one song from Radio Ethiopia that he doesn’t like that much36:19 Simon likes “Pumping” more now than he used to40:14 Simon explains why Radio Ethiopia is his favorite Patti Smith album, for now43:34 Simon explores the “second album syndrome”47:47 Simon explains how he handles “second album syndrome” with the bands on Bella Union53:42 Simon talks about why he decided to write a memoir1:00:07 Simon discusses his current and upcoming plansOutro music is from “Every Beat That Passed” by Lost Horizons.Support the show

166. Ginny Luke Discusses Devil at My Heels

11/17/2024 32 min 21 sec

Send us a textElectric violinist Ginny Luke, who has played on sessions for numerous artists including Foo Fighters, Hozier, Britney Spears and Meat Loaf, drops by YMAAA to talk about her first solo album Devil at My Heels, which was released on Nov. 1. Ginny talks about her previous solo work, the process behind recording her first full-length solo album—including collaborations with guitarists Nili Brosh and Orianthi—and how recording her own album differed from her experiences as a session musician. She also discusses her advocacy work on behalf of victims of sexual assault in the music industry. To wind up, Ginny talks about her last-second invitation to gig with Nuno Bettencourt and recommends a favorite album of hers for us to check out.CORRECTION: When discussing Ginny’s cover of Deep Purple’s “Burn,” Al incorrectly implied that the original was recorded by Rainbow.Ginny mentioned the following organizations that offer assistance to victims of sexual assault and abuse and/or promote equality for women in the music industry. Please visit their websites for more information.MusiCares: https://www.musicares.org/Peace Over Violence: https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/RAINN: https://rainn.org/She Is The Music: https://sheisthemusic.org/Be sure to keep up with Ginny on social media...@ginnyluke on IG@ginnylukemusic on TikTokYou can find Ginny’s music and much more on her website, ginny-luke.com.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:16 Ginny joins the show1:48 Does Ginny prefer listening to albums rather than tracks or playlists?3:33 Ginny had done solo work long before making Devil at My Heels6:57 Ginny talks about her collaborations with Nili Brosh and Orianthi12:20 Ginny explains how she was able to make her album both eclectic and cohesive17:04 Ginny surprised herself by how nervous she got recording her own album18:57 Ginny explains why she doesn’t get nervous doing sessions for other artists21:14 Ginny discusses her advocacy work for victims of sexual assault in the music industry25:22 Ginny talks about her gig with Nuno Bettencourt27:06 Ginny mentions some of her recent and upcoming events29:34 Ginny recommends an album by another artist for us to check outOutro music is from “Devil at My Heels” by Ginny Luke.Support the show

165. Jason Bemis Lawrence Discusses Radiohead, Kid A

11/10/2024 77 min 32 sec

Send us a textLouisville-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jason Bemis Lawrence drops by YMAAA to talk about Radiohead’s 2000 album Kid A. Jason talks about why Kid A is one of his favorite albums and how his appreciation for Radiohead developed over time. He also discusses Radiohead’s influence on his own music and the difficulty of spending a lot of time with a particular album as one gets older. Jason also talks about the process of making his latest album, The Grand Routine, and his plans for his podcast Before the Stream.Be sure to check out Jason’s music on Bandcamp! https://jasonbemislawrence.bandcamp.com/You can also keep up with his Before the Stream podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-stream/id1510647714Jason is on Instagram and Facebook at @jasonbemislawrence. He also has an Instagram account for Before the Stream at @beforethestream.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:13 Jason joins the show1:42 Al revisits an earlier time when he tried to get into Radiohead3:18 It wasn’t hard for Jason to pick Kid A for this episode5:35 Jason didn’t shy away from letting Radiohead influence the music on his latest album9:09 Jason walks through how his Radiohead fandom developed14:27 Jason was not thrown by the change in styles that Radiohead introduced on Kid A19:56 What makes Kid A stand out in the Radiohead discography?24:52 Al talks about his reaction to Kid A27:38 Jason doesn’t find Radiohead’s music “hopeless” at all32:58 The Radiohead-R.E.M. connection38:34 “Optimist” is something of an outlier on Kid A41:18 Jason highlights a couple of his favorite tracks from the album43:35 Jason might not be as attached to Kid A if it had come out during a different part of his life47:22 There was one particular stretch of songs that Al liked best50:23 Jason’s final thoughts about Kid A58:51 Jason finds it harder to dedicate himself to listening to particular albums now1:01:15 Jason talks about the making of The Grand Routine1:07:58 Jason discusses his Before the Stream podcastOutro music is from “In The Quiet Golden Hour” by Jason Bemis Lawrence.Support the show

164. Laura Arias Discusses Cocteau Twins, Blue Bell Knoll

10/27/2024 68 min 14 sec

Send us a text3 Pairs of Boots vocalist Laura Arias joins this episode of YMAAA to discuss Cocteau Twins’ 1988 album Blue Bell Knoll. Laura talks about how she was introduced to Cocteau Twins during their early “goth” period and why she is particularly fond of Blue Bell Knoll. She specifies the elements of the band’s music that make it magical for her. Laura also discusses the latest 3 Pairs of Boots album, Boot Scootin’, and how she and her husband/bandmate Andrew Stern manage to blend multiple genres in their music. (Andrew was a guest on YMAAA for Ep 81, when he discussed Rosanne Cash’s album The River & The Thread.)Al had asked Laura for any live clips of Cocteau Twins that she would recommend, and she came back with these. Enjoy!“Blue Bell Knoll” livehttps://youtu.be/m1QJjfjxnsMHeaven or Las Vegas live:https://youtu.be/w0yjLjm_7f8Be sure to keep up with 3 Pairs of Boots! You can follow them at @3pairsofboots on Instagram and subscribe to them on YouTube, also at @3pairsofboots. Also, you can check out their website at 3pairsofboots.com.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.IMPORTANT NOTE: At the beginning of the episode, Al mentioned a GoFundMe page for Kira Neal (a two-time guest on YMAAA). Please donate if you are able and/or share the page with others who may be able to help Kira, who is undergoing two brain surgeries: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brain-surgery-at-39-musicians-the-waymores-need-your-help1:48 Laura joins the show2:43 Al talks about his reaction to Blue Bell Knoll3:22 Laura revisits how she was introduced to Cocteau Twins8:01 Laura talks about her reaction to the changes in Cocteau Twins’ sound10:47 Laura discusses Elizabeth Fraser’s vocal and lyrical styles15:39 Laura thinks Cocteau Twins will continue to have a following for years to come19:07 Laura identifies some of things that Cocteau Twins do that create magic22:58 Laura is impressed that Cocteau Twins could create such great music while under duress25:09 Al and Laura ponder the meanings of the song titles27:10 Laura notes that Cocteau Twins were unconventional from the start28:52 Do Cocteau Twins have things in common with Van Halen?34:18 Laura likes how the title track sets the tone37:42 Laura experiences each song from Blue Bell Knoll as a reset40:36 Laura and Al make note of Simon Raymonde’s bass parts42:57 Laura break downs some of the other elements of Cocteau Twins’ sound44:49 What can The Police teach us about Cocteau Twins’ lyrics?47:50 Laura’s advice to people who aren’t familiar with Blue Bell Knoll50:14 Laura talks about making four 3 Pairs of Boots album in five years56:41 Laura addresses the way that 3 Pairs of Boots mixes genresOutro music is from “Tempt My Fate” by 3 Pairs of Boots.Support the show

163. Iain Matthews Discusses Crowded House, Woodface

10/13/2024 63 min 52 sec

Send us a textVeteran English singer-songwriter Iain Matthews (Fairport Convention, Matthews Southern Comfort, Plainsong, solo) stopped by YMAAA during his recent U.S. East Coast tour to talk about Crowded House’s 1991 album, Woodface. Iain delves into his admiration for Neil Finn as a songwriter and performer, and breaks down several of the tracks on the album. He also discusses the album’s sequencing and why it stands out in Crowded House’s discography. Iain talks about why he decided to make his latest solo album, How Much Is Enough, and whether he is likely to make another one.As Iain mentions on the show, you can keep up with his releases and tour dates on his website. Check it out! http://iainmatthews.nl/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:41 Iain joins the show2:20 Iain explains why he was so motivated to discuss Woodface4:22 Iain talks about why he loves Neil Finn’s songwriting8:32 Iain picks out some of the aspects of Neil Finn’s songwriting that have improved over time11:18 Iain’s favorite song from Woodface is constantly changing12:52 Iain and Al discuss their reactions to “Four Seasons in One Day”17:17 Iain and Al talk about how Woodface is sequenced and how Iain sequences his albums21:45 Iain shares his experience of seeing Crowded House live for the first time24:51 How much did Tim Finn influence the sound of Woodface?29:05 Iain talks about Mitchell Froom’s contributions as a producer32:10 Iain and Al discuss some of the songs on the latter half of the album38:28 Iain focuses on “How Will You Go” as a standout track40:57 Crowded House has mastered the sing-along chorus43:05 Iain discusses a couple of Crowded House albums that came out after Woodface45:20 Iain pinpoints when he became a true Neil Finn fan46:37 Iain identifies the other album he repeatedly goes back to48:58 Is Iain done with making solo albums?54:16 Iain talks about how he approached his new album58:35 Iain shares his tour scheduleOutro music is from “Where Is The Love” by Iain Matthews.Support the show

162. Joe Adragna Discusses Sloan, Pretty Together

09/29/2024 71 min 28 sec

Send us a textMulti-instrumentalist/songwriter Joe Adragna of The Junior League makes a return visit to YMAAA to talk about Sloan’s 2001 album Pretty Together. (Joe was also the guest on Ep 49, on which he discussed The Monkees’ Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.) Joe explains how he first got into Sloan and why the Canadian band is one of his favorites. He also talks about Sloan’s approach to songwriting and collaboration, and he breaks down what he enjoys about several of the album’s tracks. Joe explains why he released his recent Junior League EP Nattering Nabobs and new album Our Broadcast Day separately and discusses the vibe he was aiming for in these latest recordings.Want to listen to or buy Joe’s music? Head on over to the Junior League Bandcamp page, https://thejuniorleague.bandcamp.com/, the Kool Kat Music website, koolkatmusik.com, or any of the usual streaming places.Also, be sure to follow Joe on social media!Instagram and Threads: @thejuniorleagueFacebook: @thejrleagueAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:15 Joe joins the show2:04 Joe talks about the Sloan song that was his entry point into the band's music4:28 Joe has helped a lot of people become fans of Sloan5:48 Joe talks about the division of songwriting among Sloan’s four members10:53 It’s not easy to pick a favorite song or album from your favorite band12:36 The members of Sloan will sometimes contribute to songs in unexpected ways15:54 Joe talks about the experience of seeing Sloan liveDiscussion of individual tracks:19:24 The Other Man24:16 I Love a Long Goodbye25:11 Life of a Working Girl28:42 Are You Giving Me Back My Love?32:12 Your Dreams Have Come True35:36 It’s In Your Eyes36:54 If It Feels Good Do It39:07 Who You Talkin’ To?40:35 Joe talks about the process of writing melodic, accessible songs48:59 “In the Movies” is an example of how Sloan successfully integrates different musical elements54:40 Joe’s concluding thoughts about Pretty Together56:16 Why is Joe releasing Nattering Nabobs and Our Broadcast Day separately?58:57 Which came first: the Our Broadcast Day cover art or the title track?1:00:45 Our Broadcast Day reminds Al of a specific year1:03:36 Joe talks about the collaborators who worked with him on Our Broadcast Day1:06:01 Joe mentions some upcoming live datesOutro music is from “This Concludes Our Broadcast Day” by the Junior League.Support the show

161. Tasmin Archer Discusses Daniel Lanois, Shine

09/15/2024 68 min 32 sec

Send us a textBritish pop/rock vocalist and songwriter Tasmin Archer joins Al to discuss Daniel Lanois’ 2003 album Shine. Tasmin talks about how she became a fan of Lanois’ music, and she breaks down the elements of Shine that make it one of her favorite albums, highlighting some of her favorite tracks along the way. She also revisits the making of her 1992 signature hit “Sleeping Satellite” and reveals which band indirectly influenced its sound. The conversation concludes with Tasmin talking about her upcoming album A Cauldron of Random Notes, which will be released in late 2024 or early 2025.To keep up with news on Tasmin’s album release, sign up for her newsletter and much more, check out tasminarcher.com. You can also follow Tasmin on X at @tasminarcher and on Facebook at tasmin.archer.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.1:15 Tasmin joins the show1:45 Tasmin talks about the Lanois track that hooked her on his music2:52 Tasmin recalls the moment she knew “Sleeping Satellite” was going to be special5:13 Tasmin explains how she initially got exposed to Lanois’ music7:52 Tasmin and Al talk about how they responded to the album’s sequencing11:55 Tasmin explains how Shine gets better with repeated listens14:03 Tasmin talks about the timeless quality of Lanois’ music18:58 Tasmin identifies what she likes about Lanois’ vocals24:59 “Shine” is one of Tasmin’s favorite tracks on the album26:54 Tasmin and Al discuss “I Love You” and “Falling at Your Feet” (with a brief Genesis detour)31:53 Tasmin and Al talk about Lanois’ take on reggae34:56 Tasmin shares her reaction to some of Lanois’ lyrics38:49 Tasmin expects that Lanois will continue to make great music41:57 Tasmin explains how Lanois may have influenced some tracks on her new album44:17 Tasmin talks about some of the other influences on “Madame Joy”48:41 One of Tasmin’s new songs reminds her of U250:36 Tasmin discusses the process of making A Cauldron of Random Notes58:57 Tasmin explains where the title for A Cauldron of Random Notes came from1:00:57 Tasmin talks about her initial reaction to “Sleeping Satellite” as it was being written1:03:55 Tasmin discusses the possibility of upcoming live performances Outro music is from “Sleeping Satellite” by Tasmin Archer.Support the show

160. Will Rigby Discusses Cheri Knight, The Northeast Kingdom

09/01/2024 58 min 59 sec

Send us a textFor this episode, Will Rigby—drummer for the seminal indie rock band the dB’s—introduces Al to Cheri Knight’s 1998 album, The Northeast Kingdom. Will talks about his experience of playing on the album, breaks down aspects of the recording process and discusses why he loves the album and is proud to have played on it. He also talks about the 2024 reissued versions of the dB’s first two albums, Stands for Decibels and Repercussion, and the band’s upcoming tour.Keep track of all things dB’s at https://thedbs.com/!You can also follow the band on Instagram at @wearethedbs.As Will mentions on the show, you can find his solo music on Bandcamp at willrigby.bandcamp.com.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:17 Will joins the show2:36 Will talks about the trajectory of Cheri Knight’s musical career and his place in it5:12 Will explains why he wanted to talk about The Northeast Kingdom8:49 Will talks about the band Knight toured with12:14 Knight’s experience with farming is a key theme of the album15:32 Will and Al discuss one of Knight’s sequencing choices19:48 Will talks about Steve Earle’s contributions to the album26:16 Will and Al talk about the heavier sound of “Sweetheart”27:14 Will delves into the guitar sounds on the albumGoing into detail on specific tracks:29:28 The Northeast Kingdom38:12 The Hatfield Side41:47 Dead Man’s Curve43:19 Will thinks the band rehearsed just the right amount before recording the album44:18 Will is also a fan of the cover art45:47 Will talks about the reissues of the dB’s first two albums49:33 Will discusses the upcoming dB’s tour53:22 Will the dB’s ever record new music again?Outro music is from “Ask for Jill” by the dB’s.Support the show

159. Matt Johnson Discusses The The, Ensoulment

08/25/2024 32 min 31 sec

Send us a textMatt Johnson, the singer, songwriter and musician behind the post-punk band The The, visits YMAAA to talk about the first The The album in 24 years, Ensoulment. Matt talks about why he decided to write and record a The The album after spending the better part of two decades away from the project. He talks about what distinguished the process of making Ensoulment, which will be available on Sept. 6, and delves into the songwriting process for the album’s first two singles, “Cognitive Dissident” and “Linoleum Smooth to the Stockinged Foot.” Matt also talks about the album that he has probably listened to more often than any other, and what makes it a special album for him.Looking for The The tour information? Want to sign up for their official newsletter? You can find this and much more at thethe.comYou can also keep up with The The on social media…IG: @officialthe_theX: @thetheFacebook: officialthetheAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:17 Matt joins the show1:29 Matt talks about what it was like to record a The The album for the first time in more than 20 years4:35 Matt explains why he decided to make a full album7:22 Matt discusses how a surgery he underwent inspired one of his new songs13:24 Matt talks about what he did to give Ensoulment a cohesive feel17:25 The themes of Ensoulment pertain to both the timely and the timeless21:48 Matt explains the process for writing “Cognitive Dissident”24:42 Matt talks about the album he has probably listened to more than any otherOutro music is from “Cognitive Dissident” by The The.Support the show

158. Amy Rigby Discusses Fountains of Wayne, self-titled

08/18/2024 74 min 20 sec

Send us a textSinger-songwriter Amy Rigby (solo, The Shams, The Last Roundup) has had a longstanding admiration for the power-pop band Fountains of Wayne, and she joins Al to chat about the band’s self-titled debut album from 1996. Amy talks about how she got into Fountains of Wayne and what it is about their first album that makes it especially notable. She highlights some of her favorite songs from the album and discusses how well Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger integrated humor into their songwriting. Amy also delves into the making of her new album Hang In There With Me.If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Diary of Amy Rigby blog and podcast!Blog: https://amyrigby.substack.com/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diary-of-amy-rigby/id15610945052Amy also mentioned the Looking for the Magic podcast she did with Elizabeth Nelson. You can find that here: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/looking-for-the-magic-elizabeth-nelson-amy-7RaT_Iy-DiS/Amy and Al are both planning to check out the Fountains of ‘Splain podcast…if you want to join them, here it is! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fountains-of-splain/id1547151768You can keep up with Amy on Instagram at @amymrigby.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:28 Amy joins the show1:58 Did Amy and Fountains of Wayne run in the same circles in New York in the ‘90s?7:16 Amy talks about the sports themes in Fountains of Wayne’s songs9:07 Amy and Al discuss “Sick Day” and its thematic similarity to a song that Amy wrote15:51 Amy hears “Radiation Vibe” as a great example of a “happy sad song”17:52 Amy likes Fountains of Wayne’s selfless approach20:54 Amy wants there to be a Fountains of Wayne documentary22:35 Amy talks about her two podcasts and her blog27:34 Amy explains why Fountains of Wayne was an affirming album for her32:27 There aren’t many rock songwriters who successfully integrate humor into their songs41:00 Amy highlights a few of her favorite songs from Fountains of Wayne44:06 Amy thinks Fountains of Wayne set themselves apart from other ‘90s bands47:24 Amy notes how Fountains of Wayne’s songwriting progressed after the debut album49:58 Al explains exactly how little he knew about Fountains of Wayne52:31 Amy talks about the process of making Hang In There With Me1:05:11 Amy thinks good sequencing is still worth the trouble1:07:43 Al noticed a similarity between Amy’s songs and those of a previous guest1:09:04 Amy talks about her upcoming live datesOutro music is from “Dylan in Dubuque” by Amy Rigby.Support the show

157. Sean Nelson Discusses Leonard Cohen, Songs of Love and Hate (TW: discussion of lyrics pertaining to suicide)

08/04/2024 60 min 16 sec

Send us a textCONTENT WARNING: There is discussion of suicide as it relates to the lyrics of the song “Dress Rehearsal Rag.” (Discussion begins at 46:44 and ends at 51:58.)Sean Nelson, formerly the frontman for the Seattle-based band Harvey Danger, joins Al to talk about Leonard Cohen’s 1971 album Songs of Love and Hate. Sean talks about how he first heard the album and why he was instantly enamored of it, and why Cohen is one of his favorite vocalists. He also talks about the personal nature of the lyrics for many of the songs on the album. In addition to discussing this album, Sean and Al discuss their experiences with listening to Jennifer Warnes’ covers of Cohen’s songs.Be sure to check out Sean’s new podcast, The Wonder of It All (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31843073/), wherever you get your podcasts. You can keep up with Sean on Instagram at @actualseannelson.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:25 Sean joins the show2:11 Sean explains why he wanted to discuss this particular Cohen album5:03 Sean talks about Cohen as a seeker of truth6:43 Sean identifies the moment when Cohen really grabbed his attention12:52 The album made Al confront something about his musical preferences15:25 Sean explains why he is drawn to dark albums like Songs of Love and Hate16:53 Sean contrast’s Cohen’s approach to Trent Reznor’s21:21Sean describes the setting in which he prefers to listen to Songs of Love and Hate24:07 Sean and Al make note of Cohen’s dialogues with himself on the album27:22 Sean talks about the successes Cohen had early in his music career, and how it inspired “Avalanche”34:52 Were “Famous Blue Raincoat” and “Joan of Arc” about actual people in Cohen’s life?39:43 Sean and Al discuss their reactions to Jennifer Warnes’ covers of Cohen’s songs46:44 (TW) Sean delves into “Dress Rehearsal Rag”51:58 Sean talks about his new podcast and the vinyl release of Harvey Danger’s King James Version Outro music is from “(This Is) The Thrilling Conversation You’ve Been Waiting For” by Harvey Danger.Support the show

156. Bruce Sudano Discusses Donna Summer, Bad Girls

07/21/2024 61 min 14 sec

Send us a textIn celebration of the album’s 45th anniversary, musician and songwriter Bruce Sudano (Brooklyn Dreams, Alive N Kickin’, solo) visits YMAAA to talk about Donna Summer’s Bad Girls. He talks about the role he played in the making of the album, his relationship with Summer, to whom he was married for 32 years, and how Bad Girls represents the “peak era” of Summer’s musical career. Bruce also discusses Summer’s versatility as a vocalist and songwriter and how those gifts helped to make Bad Girls one of the most important albums of its era. Bruce concludes by talking about his latest solo album, Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies, and working with esteemed producer Ken Lewis.Keep up with Bruce’s music, tour dates and more at brucesudano.com! Also be sure to give him a follow on Facebook and at @brucesudano on Instagram.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:29 Bruce joins the show1:49 How did Bruce wind up on the cover of Bad Girls?3:51 Bruce had not known Summer long when they started working on Bad Girls4:45 Bruce talks about the general creative approach Summer took on the album12:04 Bruce addresses the diversity of songs on Bad Girls18:32 Bruce talks about the writing and recording of “Bad Girls”22:50 Bruce explains how “Lucky” came together24:32 Bruce discusses the futuristic quality of Side 426:17 The Bad Girls period was an extremely busy one for Bruce and Donna30:57 “Hot Stuff” is a “very L.A.” recording35:28 Bruce explains why Summer started writing songs on the piano38:03 Bruce reveals which rock star Summer wrote “Dim All the Lights” for40:09 Bruce talks about how Summer took on different personas for different songs43:51 Bruce discusses how music—and their lives—changed after Bad Girls48:01 Summer was the complete entertainer49:48 Bruce talks about making Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies57:36 Bruce alerts us to his upcoming live datesOutro music is from “Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies” by Bruce Sudano.Support the show

155. Stephanie Sammons Discusses Triumph, The Sport of Kings

07/07/2024 54 min 33 sec

Send us a textDallas-based singer/songwriter Stephanie Sammons joins Al to introduce him to Triumph’s 1986 album, The Sport of Kings. Stephanie talks about what she loves about this album and what made it an ideal album to blast on her car stereo. She and Al also talk about the interesting circumstances under which Triumph made The Sport of Kings. Stephanie discusses her evolution as a musician and songwriter and how mentors like Mary Gauthier and Emily Saliers have helped her. Al asks Stephanie about her process for writing some of the highly personal songs on her new album Time and Evolution.You can keep up with Stephanie on her website stephaniesammons.com. Also, be sure to give her a follow on Instagram. She’s at @stephaniesammons.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:14 Stephanie joins the show2:01 Much of Stephanie’s early enjoyment of The Sport of Kings took place in her car6;26 Does Stephanie lump Triumph together with Rush?8:42 Stephanie doesn’t remember Triumph getting much radio airplay10:13 Stephanie pinpoints the specific things she likes about The Sport of Kings12:39 Al recognized a couple of the album’s tracks right away14:34 There is one thing Stephanie doesn’t like about The Sport of Kings15:40 Did Triumph rip off Boston on “Don’t Love Anybody Else But Me”?18:01 Seeing Triumph live was a memorable experience for Stephanie19:22 Al hears connections between Triumph and some other bands21:09 Triumph themselves were not fans of The Sport of Kings24:13 Do the musicians Stephanie knows think that bands like Triumph and Boston are cool?28:41 Which artists did Stephanie listen to when she was in college?31:02 Stephanie got to see Rik Emmett live long after The Sport of Kings came out32:49 Stephanie talks about her progression from playing music as a hobby to “going pro”38:31 Stephanie discusses having Emily Saliers as a mentor41:50 Stephanie talks about writing songs about her relationship with her parents48:54 Stephanie shares her upcoming plansOutro music is from “Holding on to Jesus” by Stephanie Sammons.Support the show

154. Tim Easton Discusses Joni Mitchell, Blue

06/23/2024 67 min 53 sec

Send us a textNashville-based singer/songwriter Tim Easton joins Al to discuss an album that has nearly been the subject of several previous episodes (but never quite made the cut), Joni Mitchell’s album Blue from 1971. Tim talks about the unusual circumstance under which he first heard Blue as a teenager, why it is an important album for him and for many songwriters and how it has influenced his own work. He also talks about the time he met Mitchell in Los Angeles, as well as the time he briefly shared a living space and busked with Beck in Paris. Tim talks about making his new album Find Your Way and about his current and upcoming plans.Al mentioned an interview that Tim did with Otis Gibbs. You can access that video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtmuIfC-nZMTim talked about the video he made for “Everything You’re Afraid Of.” Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxeMR2MNCnkBe sure to follow Tim on Instagram and YouTube at @TimEastonSongwriter, and visit his Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/TimEaston. You can find Tim’s music on his website, https://www.timeaston.com/, and his Bandcamp page, https://timeaston1.bandcamp.com/.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:15 Tim joins the show1:52 Tim can’t believe Blue hadn’t already been covered on YMAAA3:03 Tim explains the unusual circumstance under which he first listened to Blue3:53 Tim talks about the personal quality of Blue7:48 Does one need to be into poetry to “get” Joni Mitchell?10:52 Tim was impressed by how Mitchell’s voice blends with the instruments15:23 Tim talks about the subtle sensuality of her lyrics16:51 Tim shares his story about how Mitchell influenced the making of his album Break Your Mother’s Heart20:38 Tim talks about the emotional quality that Blue has for him26:03 Tim hopes to pass on his appreciation of Mitchell to his daughter26:56 Tim notes the roster of esteemed musicians who accompanied Mitchell on Blue29:02 Tim explains how Mitchell has influenced his music33:21 Tim cites what he thinks are the most notable tracks from Blue39:43 Tim made Find Your Way as a cohesive whole46:30 Tim walks through the process of recording Find You Way in Canada49:49 Tim talks about busking with Beck in Paris56:13 Tim reveals what he might have picked if he didn’t pick Blue58:59 Tim explains the meaning behind his song “Everything You’re Afraid Of”1:01:32 Tim talks about his current and upcoming projectsOutro music is from “Everything You’re Afraid Of” by Tim Easton.Support the show

153. John JR Robinson Discusses Steve Winwood, Back in the High Life

06/09/2024 66 min 18 sec

Send us a textLegendary drummer John JR Robinson visits YMAAA to talk about a favorite album of his—and it happens to be one he also played on. JR talks about why he is so fond of Steve Winwood’s 1986 smash Back in the High Life, and why he thinks the album represented the end of an era. He breaks down several of his performances, including those on the No. 1 hit “Higher Love” and the adult contemporary chart-toppers “The Finer Things” and “Back in the High Life Again.”There wasn’t time to discuss JR’s experience with performing on USA for Africa’s “We Are The World,” but he recently shared some thoughts about the recent documentary, The Greatest Night in Pop, on his Instagram account. Check it out here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3BUqAjR85b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==As JR mentioned on the show, he has a lot of projects in the works, and you can keep up with all of them at his website, https://www.johnjrrobinson.com/.Also, be sure to follow JR on Instagram at @johnjrrobinson1.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:20 JR joins the show2:05 Al summarizes a small part of JR’s discography2:55 JR explains how he got involved with the recording of Back in the High Life6:26 JR talks about putting the drum part together for “Higher Love”7:13 JR showed up to the studio not knowing he was going to be asked to play on the album9:00 JR explains how he got the sound of the opening pattern for “Higher Love”15:39 Back in the High Life was unusual for a pop album16:54 JR and Al compare Back in the High Life with Roll With It19:59 JR talks about what’s different about today’s pop music21:58 JR comment on the cinematic quality of “The Finer Things”24:37 JR explains why he didn’t play on every track on the album26:07 JR talks about Tom Lord-Alge’s work on Back in the High Life27:17 JR discusses his playing on “Split Decision”30:36 Should “Wake Me Up on Judgment Day” have been a radio hit?32:24 JR talks about his approach to playing on “Back in the High Life Again”35:45 Al asks JR about an earlier version of “Back in the High Life Again”38:08 JR calls Back in the High Life an end of an era46:00 JR recalls his impressions of “Wake Me Up on Judgment Day”49:28 A great combination of musicians made “Higher Love”50:43 JR comments on the tracks he didn’t play on52:49 On what media did Al listen to the album?55:02 JR explains why he thinks “Back in the High Life Again” was made the title track58:55 JR’s final thoughts about the album1:02:01 JR talks about his current plans, including his upcoming autobiography, King of the Groove: The John ‘JR’ Robinson StoryOutro is from “Back in the High Life Again” by Steve Winwood.Support the show

152. Will Turpin Discusses Silverchair, Diorama

05/19/2024 53 min 19 sec

Send us a textBassist Will Turpin of Collective Soul joins Al to talk about one of his favorite albums, Diorama (2002) by the Australian band Silverchair. Will explains what makes the orchestral arrangements on this album special, and he and Al contrast the orchestral tracks with the ones that are more typical of Silverchair’s earlier grunge sound. Will also talks about Collective Soul’s new album, Here to Eternity, and how he and the band will go about determining setlists for their upcoming tour with Hootie and the Blowfish and Edwin McCain.Be sure to give Will a follow on Instagram at @willturpin!You can also keep up Will and Collective Soul at @collectivesoul on Instagram, @collectivesoultv on YouTube, and on the band’s website collectivesoul.com.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/A video about the making of Diorama is, as Will predicted, available on YouTube. You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZsl387ka48&t=89s.1:27 Will joins the show1:55 Will explains how he became familiar with Silverchair4:17 The songs’ orchestrations are a large part of the album’s appeal for Will6:47 Will and Al talk about the early 2000s transition to digital music8:08 Will explains what makes the orchestral arrangements on Diorama superb11:54 Al describes his initial impression of Diorama15:14 It didn’t take Will long to warm up to the album16:01 Will cites the reasons for why “Tuna in the Brine” is one of his favorite tracks18:04 Does Will focus more on music or lyrics?19:31 Will wants to teach a master class on a trio of Sting albums22:33 Will and Al talk about Diorama’s mix of orchestral and grungy songs28:16 Will and Al discuss the highlights from the latter half of the album32:20 Will talks about the experience of making the 1995 self-titled Collective Soul album38:30 Will shares the experience of recording Here to Eternity at the Elvis Presley estate in Palm Springs41:24 Al asked about a potential influence on Ed Roland’s vocal performance43:30 Will explains how Collective Soul will form their setlists for their upcoming tour48:17 Will discusses upcoming projects for himself and Collective SoulOutro music is from “Let It Flow” by Collective Soul.Support the show

151. Julia Massey Discusses The Black Tones, Cobain & Cornbread

05/05/2024 51 min 38 sec

Send us a textJulia Massey—the vocalist and keyboardist for the Seattle-based band Warren Dunes—comes to YMAAA to discuss The Black Tones’ 2019 album Cobain & Cornbread. Julia talks about how Cobain & Cornbread is one of a small number of albums that are a part of her “musical DNA,” and why the album resonates with her so strongly. She also discusses her friendship with The Black Tones’ Eva Walker and how Eva has influenced her own music. Julia and Al try to categorize Warren Dunes’ sound and delve into their new album Aquamarine.To keep up with Julia and Warren Dunes, be sure to follow them on Instagram at @warrendunesband. They are also on Facebook (@welcometowarrendunes) and X (@warrendunesband).To keep up with Julia’s parrot, follow Bacon the Bird on TikTok.Warren Dunes has a website, too! warrendunesband.comFor more information on Warren Dunes’ Pool Party Patreon, as discussed on this episode, go to patreon.com/warrendunes.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:05 Julia joins the show1:27 There are just a few albums that Julia goes back to again and again4:18 Julia talks about her reaction after hearing Cobain & Cornbread for the first time5:48 The album is a reflection of Eva’s personality7:56 The songs on Cobain & Cornbread are deceptively long10:31“Rivers of Jordan” and “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)” really grabbed Julia’s attention14:46 Al and Julia were also impressed by “Striped Walls”16:18 Julia explains how Cedric Walker became the Black Tones’ drummer18:43 Julia points out the part of “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)” that hits her the hardest21:05 Julia says Eva and Cedric capture the live sound of “Welcome Mr. Pink”23:26 “Mama! There’s a Spider in my Room” has a quality that is also present in Julia’s music26:24 Julia’s favorite part of “Plaid Pants” doesn’t have to do with the lyrics28:17 Julia talks about how Eva has influenced her music32:10 Julia is impressed by how The Black Tones combine whimsy with power33:21 Al talks about his reaction to hearing Aquamarine for the first time35:34 Does Warren Dunes play beach music or “PBS metal”?41:27 Julia explains why she won’t listen to Aquamarine again for a while42:18 Julia discusses the Aquamarine launch party and the Warren Dunes “Pool Party”45:50 Julia talks about upcoming projects for her and for Warren DunesOutro music is from “Take the Train” by Warren Dunes.Support the show

150. Adrian Sutherland Discusses The Killers, Pressure Machine

04/21/2024 60 min 49 sec

Send us a text(TW: brief mention of lyrics referencing suicide) Canadian singer/songwriter/guitarist Adrian Sutherland joins Al to introduce him to The Killers’ 2021 album Pressure Machine. Adrian talks about how The Killers have influenced his own music and what he loves about this specific album by the Las Vegas-based band. He focuses on how his upbringing in Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario helps him to personally relate to several of the album’s themes. Adrian also talks about his recently-released solo album Precious Diamonds and about his work away from the band Midnight Shine in general. He discusses his upcoming book as well as other recent and ongoing projects.There’s a lot to keep up with in terms of Adrian’s work, but visiting his website is a good place to get started! https://adriansutherlandmusic.com/Also, It’s easy to find Adrain on social media…just look for him at @attaboyadrian on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube and TikTok.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:26 Adrian joins the show3:14 Pressure Machine is not a typical Killers album7:40 Adrian explains why he wanted to discuss Pressure Machine—and Nevermind13:19 The interviews included between songs help paint the picture of Nephi16:31 Adrian related to the aspects of religious life depicted in Pressure Machine18:34 Adrian talks about the musical elements of the album he likes24:41 Al was impressed by Brandon Flowers’ vocal versatility26:20 Adrian notes a couple of his favorite tracks from the album29:09 Adrian and Al discuss their responses to songs that cover difficult topics35:12 Adrian relates to the process The Killers went through making an album during the early part of the pandemic40:00 Adrian compares the processes in making each of his first two solo albums46:21 Adrian talks about working with Colin Linden as a producer50:15 Adrian discusses the making of his video for “Precious”52:29 Adrian explains why he is writing a book about growing up in Attawapiskat55:53 Adrian talks about some other current and upcoming projectsOutro music is from “Precious” by Adrian Sutherland.Support the show

149. Mark Egan Discusses John Coltrane, A Love Supreme

03/17/2024 74 min 8 sec

Send us a textJazz bassist Mark Egan (Pat Metheny Group, Gil Evans Orchestra, Elements) introduces Al to John Coltrane’s 1965 classic A Love Supreme. Mark talks about how he first got acquainted with the album and why it’s a significant album for him personally. He discusses playing with devotional musician Krishna Das and how that connects with his affinity for A Love Supreme. Mark also talks about his experience of playing on Arcadia’s So Red the Rose, as well as the process of writing and recording his new album Cross Currents.Keep up with Mark’s music releases and tours at markegan.com...…Or check out Mark’s music on Bandcamp: https://markegan.bandcamp.com/.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:35 Mark joins the show2:02 Mark talks about the music he listened to in his teen years5:31 Mark discusses the period where he first immersed himself in jazz7:25 Mark explains how A Love Supreme changed his life11:14 Mark highlights some unique aspects of the album17:47 Mark explains how A Love Supreme influenced his musical development24:01 Mark recommends Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue as a prerequisite to listening to A Love Supreme27:06 Mark explains why he revisits jazz records over and over30:55 How does Mark hear A Love Supreme when he listens to ti now?33:14 Mark talks about the process of writing songs for Cross Currents with Shawn Pelton and Shane Theriot40:51 Once the songs were written, Cross Currents came together quickly43:29 Cross Currents also benefits from multiple listens45:51 Mark talks about working on Arcadia’s So Red the Rose58:04 Mark talks about his work with Krishna Das, and how it connects with A Love Supreme1:05:17 An eclectic Boston radio station laid the foundation for Mark’s love of A Love SupremeOutro music is from “Cross Currents” by Mark Egan.Support the show

148. Jim Wilbur Discusses The Triffids, Born Sandy Devotional

03/03/2024 60 min 9 sec

Send us a textSuperchunk guitarist Jim Wilbur joins Al and introduces him to The Triffids’ 1986 album Born Sandy Devotional. Jim talks about how he first heard the album when he was a college DJ, which tracks he gravitated towards and why he still listens to the album now. He and Al compare their impressions regarding both the album’s music and lyrics. Jim also discusses what’s in store for Superchunk in the coming months, including the Merge 35 Festival.Keep up with Superchunk on Merge Records' website! https://www.mergerecords.com/artist/superchunkAlso be sure to check out their music on Bandcamp: https://superchunk.bandcamp.com/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:16 Jim joins the show2:01 Jim talks about discovering Born Sandy Devotional as a college DJ4:31 The album almost defies description7:40 Jim hears all of the album’s songs as relating to a single character10:00 Jim talks about the connection between the Triffids and Nick Cave11:49 Jim and Al make note of the lighter and darker sides of Born Sandy Devotional14:57 Jim explains how the album reminds of him where he grew up16:58 Jim talks about what it was like to DJ at a small college radio station19:54 Jim recalls some other bands he played as a DJ21:26 Jim extols the merits of listening to the album straight throughDiscussion of specific tracks23:19 The Seabirds27:14 Tarrilup Bridge30:00 Lonely Stretch33:44 Life of Crime35:10 Stolen Property37:27 Jim shares his perspective on the role of David McComb’s lyrics39:32 Jim talks about what gives Born Sandy Devotional a timeless quality41:57 Jim’s relationship with rock music has changed over time43:47 Jim explains why he likes to listen to classical music45:36 Jim talks about David McComb’s difficult life48:19 Jim recommends some other Triffids albums to check out50:14 Al was surprised to see that Born Sandy Devotional was produced by Gil Norton51:43 Jim provides an update on Superchunk’s upcoming recording and tour plansOutro music is from “Everybody Dies” by Superchunk.Support the show

147. Mary Timony Discusses Untame the Tiger

02/18/2024 29 min 53 sec

Send us a textThis is the second of a two-part conversation with Washington, DC-based singer, guitarist and songwriter Mary Timony (Autoclave, Helium, Wild Flag, Ex Hex, solo). Mary talks about the difficult circumstances under which she made her new album, Untame the Tiger, and how her parents’ illnesses and deaths gave her a new perspective. She also discusses the experience of recording parts of the album on the legendary Sound City mixing board and working with drummer Dave Mattacks. Mary explains how writing songs as a member of Wild Flag has played a critical role in Ex Hex’s sound. (Her discussion of Ex Hex first appeared on Ep. 131.)Give Mary a follow on Instagram (if you don’t already)! @marytimonyAlso be sure to visit Mary’s website: marytimonymusic.comAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/0:52 Al’s introduction to Part 2 of the conversation with Mary2:08 Mary explains how difficult circumstances led her to make Untame the Tiger7:11 Mary talks about the people she worked with on the new album12:35 Mary discusses making the album while dealing with her parents’ illnesses and deaths16:54 Mary explains how that period helped her to put life into a different perspective18:05 Mary talks about writing and playing with Ex Hex20:40 The experience of writing songs for Wild Flag changed her songwriting process24:58 Mary compares the two Ex Hex albumsOutro music is from “Dominoes” by Mary Timony.Support the show

146. Mary Timony Discusses Andy Pratt, self-titled

02/11/2024 66 min 9 sec

Send us a textThis is the first of a two-part conversation with indie rock singer, guitarist and songwriter Mary Timony (Autoclave, Helium, Wild Flag, Ex Hex, solo). In this episode, Mary introduces Al to Andy Pratt’s self-titled 1973 album. (In Part 2, Mary will discuss her soon-to-be-released solo album Untame the Tiger.) Mary discusses how she came to learn about Andy Pratt, which songs on the album are her favorites and why she thinks more people need to know about his music.Give Mary a follow on Instagram (if you don’t already)! @marytimonyAlso be sure to visit Mary’s website: marytimonymusic.comAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:13 Mary joins the show1:44 Mary became fascinated with Andy Pratt’s story5:39 The first seconds of Andy Pratt grabbed Mary and Al’s attention7:45 Even before starting the conversation, Mary and Al knew they had some shared musical tastes9:54 Mary has clear favorite tracks from the album11:55 Mary doesn’t understand why Pratt’s music didn’t become more popular13:44 Mary explains why she loves “Sittin’ Down in the Twilight”15:12 Mary was impressed by the musicianship on the album20:29 Mary and Al were both mesmerized by “Inside Me Wants Out”23:16 Mary provides some background on Pratt’s careerDiscussion of the album’s tracks26:23 Avenging Annie30:54 It’s All Behind You37:26 Call Up That Old Friend40:13 Give It All to Music47:08 Who Am I Talking To48:08 Is there such a thing as a perfect album?51:46 All the King’s Weight57:34 So Fine59:09 Deer Song1:00:31 It’s hard to pick the last song that goes on an albumOutro music is from “The Guest” by Mary Timony.Support the show

145. Wanz Discusses "Thrift Shop," Taylor Swift and More

02/04/2024 42 min 10 sec

Send us a textAl continues his conversation with Seattle-based singer/rapper/musician/songwriter Wanz, which began on Ep. 144. Wanz talks about recording his world-famous hook for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop,” and his experience with performing in the song’s video. He also talks about the elements of great songwriting, with specific references to Taylor Swift and the Beatles. Wanz winds up by discussing #TheBookOfWanz, his Wanzology podcast and some of the lessons he wants to impart through these and other outlets.Be sure to follow Wanz! @teewanz on Instagram and ThreadsAs Wanz mentioned in this episode, you can find his music and lots else on his website, thewanz.com.The easiest way to find #TheBookOfWanz is to type #TheBookOfWanz into the search field on Amazon. Just be sure to remember the pound sign.Also, check out the Wanzology podcast! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wanzology/id1719005835Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:48 Wanz talks about recording “Thrift Shop”3:57 Wanz faced an obstacle when filming the “Thrift Shop” video4:46 Touring with Macklemore was the realization of a dream7:44 Macklemore created a new blueprint for independent artists11:32 Wanz explains how Taylor Swift became a phenomenon15:49 Wanz outlines the keys to good songwriting17:46 Wanz talks about how each wave of great artists influences the next19:44 Wanz explains how his TEDx talk led him to #TheBookOfWanz and Wanzology27:01 Wanz talks about his ongoing musical work28:57 Wanz explains why he wants to do more public speaking32:12 Lessons from Yoda, Spock, The Matrix and Ferris BuellerOutro music is from “Wander” by Wanz.Support the show

144. Wanz Discusses Earth, Wind & Fire, I Am

01/28/2024 68 min 52 sec

Send us a textSeattle-based musician, singer, rapper and songwriter Michael Wansley (aka Wanz) drops in on YMAAA for the first of two episodes to talk about Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1979 album, I Am. Wanz talks about his lifelong EWF fandom, what he loves about I Am, and how it compares to other EWF albums. He also explains how the album is a reflection of the changes in the music industry that were occurring in the late ‘70s. Wanz and Al also discuss other bands that were popular around the same time, including Toto, The Police and Rush.Wanz’ TEDx Talk, "You, Too, Can Be a Unicorn," is outstanding. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGPy-bbpRfMAl mentioned that he had interviewed Steve Lukather, David Paich and Joseph Williams of Toto. The interviews were for a couple a pieces for American Songwriter, which are linked below.https://americansongwriter.com/toto-talks-toto-to-celebrate-their-debut-albums-45th-anniversary/https://americansongwriter.com/6-toto-songs-that-are-miles-away-from-yacht-rock/Wanz is on Instagram and Threads at @teewanz!Also be sure to check out Want’s music and more at thewanz.comAl is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:36 Wanz joins the show2:26 Wanz has worked many different jobs to support his music3:52 Wanz has a collection of EWF t-shirts6:17 An EWF promo poster connected Wanz with an early bandmate7:58 Wanz paid close attention to EWF over a span of 10 albums8:51 Wanz talks about EWF’s progression through the albums leading up to I Am15:20 EWF was the first concert Wanz ever went to19:10 Wanz and Al talk about the Police and Sting’s Bring on the Night documentary21:35 Wanz blames one album for changing radio23:16 Wanz singles out the decision EWF made that led to their commercial demise26:24 Maurice White’s death gave Wanz a reason to deep-dive into the EWF catalog again27:21 Wanz talks more about how radio changed in the late ‘70s31:10 Wanz remembers how he was introduced to Rush32:51 Wanz explains what makes “Boogie Wonderland” a perfect song36:09 Wanz loves the whole second side of I Am39:15 Wanz explains why I Am is a different-sounding EWF album43:01 Did the right tracks get released as singles?46:34 Transcribing “Rock That!” in the pre-digital era was not an easy task48:12 Al and Wanz talk about the Toto connections to I Am49:57 Wanz explains how Phil Collins got connected with EWF53:57 Steve Lukather’s memoir changed the way Wanz understands how the recording industry used to work57:34 The interludes are one of Wanz’s favorite parts of I Am1:01:10 Wanz finds some interesting names in the album creditsOutro music is from Wanz, “Go Where the Love Is.”Support the show

143. Danny O'Keefe Discusses Miles Davis, Kind of Blue

01/14/2024 53 min 50 sec

Send us a textSinger-songwriter Danny O’Keefe, whose songs (including his Top 10 hit, “Goodtime Charlie’s Got the Blues”) have been covered by Jackson Browne, Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Judy Collins, Willie Nelson, Allison Krauss and many others, joins Al to get him better acquainted with Miles Davis’ 1959 classic, Kind of Blue. Danny talks about how he was introduced to the album, why it has been the album he has listened to the most in his life and which parts he particularly enjoys. Danny and Al also get into a Steely Dan discussion, as a result of Al comparing some sax solos. Danny recounts his relationship with Ahmet Ertegun and discusses his recently-released album, Circular Turns.Be sure to follow Danny on Facebook and visit his website, dannyokeefe.com!Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:20 Danny joins the show1:50 Danny talks about his introduction to Kind of Blue5:26 How important is it to know music theory as a musician and as a listener?10:01 How does Kind of Blue transport Danny?11:39 Danny identifies a couple of features of the album that he looks forward to14:08 Al is accustomed to the structure of rock music15:40 Danny talks about some of the solos from the album17:27 How has Kind of Blue influenced Danny’s work?19:13 Danny walks through his songwriting process22:23 Danny explains the significance of Kind of Blue25:05 Danny talks about the allure of the folk revolution26:35 Do you have to connect with an album right away to enjoy it?30:00 Al did an experiment to try to figure out why he didn’t connect more with Kind of Blue35:27 Danny talks about his relationship with Ahmet Ertegun and Atlantic Records43:15 Danny explains how his new album, Circular Turns, came about45:02 Danny identifies some covers of his songs that he particularly enjoys48:27 Danny talks about his upcoming plansOutro music is from “The Road” by Danny O’Keefe.Support the show

142. Henning Ohlenbusch Discusses XTC, Skylarking

12/31/2023 61 min 40 sec

Send us a textSinger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Henning Ohlenbusch (Gentle Hen, the Fawns, solo) makes a return appearance to You, Me and an Album to discuss XTC’s 1986 album, Skylarking. Henning talks about why he loves Skylarking and why XTC is one of his favorite bands. He gets into the aspects of XTC’s songwriting that are especially appealing and how the album reminds him of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Kinks. Henning also talks about the new Gentle Hen album, The Whole Point of the Trip, and why it took four years to make.Henning was previously on YMAAA on Ep. 72, discussing Ha! Ha! Ha! by Ulltravox.Be sure to follow Henning on Instagram and Threads at @henningo!To learn more about Gentle Hen, visit their website at gentlehen.com or find their music at https://gentlehen.bandcamp.com/.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:10 Henning joins the show1:37 Henning explains why he chose Skylarking—and not English Settlement—for this episode4:28 Henning and Al talk about the impact Todd Rundgren had on the album7:08 Henning and Al discuss “Dear God”’s eventual placement on Skylarking11:23 Al summarizes his reaction to the album12:10 Henning identifies what makes Skylarking a special album for him15:10 Why did Al have a different reaction to Skylarking than he did to The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society?17:23 XTC changed the way that Henning listens to albums22:22 Henning talks about what he likes about XTC’s songwriting26:00 Al reveals a pet peeve he has about a certain style of songwriting29:10 All appreciates that Andy Partridge’s songwriting has a subtle side31:33 Henning thinks of the album as being divided into chunks33:20 Henning highlights some of his favorite parts of the album40:01 Henning points out a couple of interesting rhythms from Skylarking44:12 Henning and Al talk about the “Dear God” controversy46:08 Henning discusses the vocal similarities of Partridge and Colin Moulding50:02 Al compares the new Gentle Hen album with XTC and Peter Gabriel53:02 Henning talks about how The Whole Point of the Trip developed54:43 When does Henning know it’s time for a Gentle Hen album?56:30 Henning talks about his near-term plansOutro is from “Birds of Massachusetts” by Gentle Hen.Support the show

141. Dan Epstein Discusses The Isley Brothers, 3 + 3

12/19/2023 69 min 38 sec

Send us a textMusic journalist and sports author Dan Epstein joins Al to talk about the Isley Brothers’ 1973 album, 3 + 3. Dan shares his memories of buying the album and listening to it for the first time, and he breaks down each of the album’s nine tracks. He also discusses the Isleys’ longevity, their lack of acclaim compared to contemporaries, such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, and their penchant for recording covers.Dan talked about his excellent Substack newsletter, Jagged Time Lapse.  Be sure to check it out and subscribe! It’s at danepstein.substack.com.Follow Dan on Instagram at @dockfidrych!Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:12 Dan joins the show1:59 “That Lady” was Dan’s introduction to the Isley Brothers4:58 Dan eventually learned the Isleys had been around since the ‘50s5:50 Dan recounts the day he bought 3 + 3 in 198914:44 Dan and Al talk about the progression in the Isleys’ discography leading up to 3 + 317:07 Al was astounded when he first heard “Contagious”18:28 Dan got Ernie Isley to tell him how he got his guitar sound on “That Lady”20:16 Ernie Isley and Brian May are special guitarists for Dan for a particular reason21:30 Dan walks through what he likes about each track on the albumObservations about each track23:56 That Lady24:09 Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight25:21 If You Were There26:01 You Walk Your Way28:17 Listen to the Music29:26 What It Comes Down To31:40 Sunshine (Go Away Today)32:53 Summer Breeze38:02 The Highways of My Life40:17 Dan asserts that 3 + 3  is one of the great albums of the early ‘70s42:56 Dan has an explanation for why 3 + 3 hasn’t received more acclaim47:34 Why did the Isleys include so many covers on their albums?52:41 Dan and Al talk about associations they have formed around certain songs56:08 Dan discusses his Substack, Jagged Time Lapse57:35 Al sums up how his response to 3 + 3 developed1:00:31 Dan’s got some holiday content on his Substack1:06:01 Dan updates us on his upcoming book on Redd KrossSupport the show

140. Joe Steinhardt Discusses Iris DeMent, The Way I Should

12/03/2023 66 min 9 sec

Send us a textJoe Steinhardt, the co-founder and owner of the Philadelphia-based record label Don Giovanni Records and guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the band Modern Hut, drops by YMAAA to introduce Al to Iris DeMent’s The Way I Should. Joe talks about why this is an important album for him and how it changed the way he thinks about music. He delves into several of his favorite tracks from the album and updates us on what’s new at his record label.Joe mentioned a live performance of “Wasteland of the Free” that he watches frequently (and recommends that we do too). You can find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhgb9hYjX3g.He also discussed DeMent’s performance of “Surely, I Will, Lord”. It’s not the performance he saw, but you can see DeMent play the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USUvLDhcrgY.Follow Don Giovanni Records on Instagram: @dongiovannirecords…and check out the label's website at https://www.dongiovannirecords.com/.Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:14 Joe joins the show1:44 Joe talks about his progression for exploring Iris DeMent’s music9:22 Joe explains why he choose The Way I Should for this episode11:22 Al understands why Joe went with The Way I Should after initially picking a different album16:18 Joe mentions the tracks he might skip on The Way I Should19:24 “Wasteland of the Free” has been a perspective-shifting song for Joe28:44 Joe relates to DeMent’s songs in a different way as he gets older32:13 Joe and Al discuss “Letter to Mom”35:55 Joe talks about some of DeMent’s more recent work37:48 Joe appreciates how DeMent takes risks with her songs41:11 Joe has some personal connections to DeMent’s music51:13 Joe explains what makes the title track a highlight of the album55:26 “Quality Time” is also a song that resonated with Joe and Al56:54 The Way I Should helped to clarify for Joe the importance of truth-telling in music1:00:29 Joe talks about some of the new things happening at Don Giovanni RecordsOutro is from “I Don’t Want to Get Adjusted to This World” by Modern Hut.Support the show

139. Jeff Palfini Discusses The Last Days of Disco (soundtrack)

11/19/2023 68 min 24 sec

Send us a textJeff Palfini, the co-founder of the Connecticut-based Boondocks Film Society, joins Al to talk about the soundtrack to the 1998 film, The Last Days of Disco. Jeff talks about the intersection of film and music, why movie soundtracks have been important to him and why this particular soundtrack is a favorite of his. He also highlights some of his favorite songs on the album and discusses the upcoming plans for Boondocks Film Society.Jeff made a reference to a podcast called Hit Parade, and you can check it out here: https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-paradeAs Jeff suggests in this episode, you should follow Boondocks Film Society to keep up with their events! @boondocksfilmsociety on Instagram and https://boondocksfilmsociety.org/Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:10 Jeff joins the show2:18 Jeff talks about his work with Boondocks Film Society6:02 Jeff discusses the premise of The Last Days of Disco9:10 Jeff explains why he chose the soundtrack for this episode14:59 Al wonders how people who aren’t into movies keep up with new music16:33 Jeff talks about passive influences on musical tastes19:33 Jeff discusses the mix of songs on the soundtrack20:50 Jeff recently learned about how members of Chic produced much of his favorite music28:35 Jeff and Al talk about disco’s long-overdue reevaluation34:34 More love for Chic!35:55 Jeff focuses on the diversity of artists represented on the soundtrack41:39 Al heard “Knock on Wood” differently than when it first came out46;11 Jeff and Al discuss “I Love the Nightlife”50:00 Jeff highlights a couple of his favorite vocal performances on the album52:16 Jeff discusses the song that might be his favorite on the soundtrack54:47 Great songs are often saved for the closing credits1:02:24 Jeff talks about the upcoming plans for Boondocks Film SocietySupport the show

138. Casper Iskov Discusses Ride, Going Blank Again

11/05/2023 55 min 53 sec

Send us a textMusician and songwriter Casper Iskov joins Al to talk about Ride’s second album, Going Blank Again. He explains how he got acquainted with Ride’s music and why they have become a favorite band of his despite a negative first impression. Casper also talks about how he recently remade My Bloody Valentine’s Isn’t Anything in the style of a Green Day album and how an episode of You, Me and An Album with producer Tim Friese-Greene helped to inspire him to do so.The episode with Tim Friese-Greene just referred to above to was Ep. 79. You can listen to that one here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/79-tim-friese-greene-discusses-my-bloody-valentine/id1545282273?i=1000571013242.You should absolutely check out Casper’s cover of the entire Isn’t Anything album. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyriOMmEtyw&t=256sFind Casper and his music at @casperiskov on Instagram and YouTube, or search for him on Spotify!Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:15 Casper joins the show1:34 Al explains how he became aware of Casper’s music2:17 Casper talks about his introduction to Ride’s music6:37 What does Casper like—and dislike—about shoegaze?10:54 Casper and Al hear an interesting blend of different influences on Going Blank Again12:20 Al has opinions about Ride’s drummer, Loz Colbert16:31 Casper marvels at the album’s depth of good songs19:02 Are the critiques of Ride’s lyrics fair?25:18 Casper helps Al hear what’s happening in “Chrome Waves”28:21 Casper likes the album’s combination of pop and experimental writing29:58 Casper finds the album inspires him to do things that make him feel alive31:59 Casper explains why he makes covers36:59 Concluding thoughts on Going Blank Again38:00 Casper explains why he decided to cover the entirety of Isn’t Anything in the style of Green Day41:54 Al shares his reaction to Casper’s version of Isn’t Anything43:29 Casper walks through the process of making his MBV covers49:14 Casper talks about his new single and video and his future plansThe music featured in the outro is from “Soft as Snow (But Warm Inside)” by Casper Iskov.Support the show

137. Laura Harris Discusses Bruce Haack, The Electric Lucifer

10/22/2023 79 min 27 sec

Send us a textEx Hex drummer Laura Harris makes her return to YMAAA to talk about Canadian electronic music pioneer Bruce Haack and his album, The Electric Lucifer.  Laura shares why this album holds a special place for her, discusses her favorite tracks from the album and explores how it relates to her general fascination with synthesizers. She also talks about the recent Ex Hex tour and what’s happening with her other bands, Ecstatic International and The Owners.Note: This episode was recorded at the lesson and rehearsal space where Laura works, and about an hour in, you can hear drumming in the background (presumably from someone’s lesson).Take lessons with Laura! You can book sessions through the 7 Drum City website (https://www.7drumcity.com/laura-harris-bio.html) or by contacting her directly by email at laurajeanharris12@gmail.com.Also, be sure to follow each of Laura’s bands on Instagram!Ex Hex: @exhexbandEcstatic International: @ecstatic_internationalThe Owners: @the.owners.band1:24 Laura joins the show2:40 Was Bruce Haack the Father of Techno?4:17 The Electric Lucifer marks Haack’s transition away from music for children7:10 Haack made some interesting appearances on TV8:28 Laura provides some background information on Haack15:30 Some music and TV shows made for kids are pretty scary19:57 Children play a key role in the story told in The Electric Lucifer23:11 How did The Electric Lucifer get released on a major label?26:55 Laura finds the disjointedness of the album’s music appealing30:12 It’s a strange album, but it has some jams31:09 Laura explains why she chose The Electric Lucifer36:33 Laura identifies one of her favorite tracks from the album41:12 Laura addresses the psychedelic aspects of the album46:40 Laura and Al break down the song “War”51:42 Laura discusses “Song Of The Death Machine” and her rescue parrots58:34 Laura and Al get into a Genesis discussion…and relate it back to Laura’s fascination with Bruce Haack and synthesizers1:04:03 Laura summarizes what’s great about the album1:07:10 Laura talks about the recent Ex Hex shows1:10:45 Laura updates us on what’s next for Ecstatic International and The OwnersOutro is from “Corridor” by Ecstatic International.Support the show

136. Rachel Lichtman Discusses The Anita Kerr Singers, Grow to Know Me

10/08/2023 77 min 41 sec

Send us a textVisual artist, writer, producer, director and filmmaker — and creator of Programme 4 and Easy AM 66 — Rachel Lichtman introduces Al to The Anita Kerr Singers’ 1971 album, Grow to Know Me. Rachel talks about the special role this album has played for her over the last few years, why she is a fan of vocal groups and easy listening and why we should appreciate Anita Kerr’s contributions to popular music more. She also talks about why she created Programme 4 and Easy AM 66 and what inspired their creation.As Rachel mentioned, it’s best to follow her on Instagram:@rachellichtman and @programmefour……but she’s also on Bluesky at @rachellichtman.bsky.social and on Twitter/X at @rachelichtman.Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/Note: Tammy Faye Starlite did the Nico voiceover for the public service announcement.1:16 Rachel joins the show1:54 Rachel explains her affinity for vocal groups5:35 Rachel explains why she chose to talk about Anita Kerr8:25 The cover for Grow to Know Me primed Rachel to get excited about the album11:58 Grow to Know Me strikes Rachel as a transitional album15:07 Rachel talks about the different versions of the album18:19 Is Grow to Know Me a concept album?19:50 Rachel talks about why Grow to Know Me is special to her22:23 Rachel discusses some of the songwriters and vocalists Kerr worked with25:48 Why does easy listening get labeled as “uncool”?35:42 The culture of easy listening was more accepting than rock culture37:58 Rachel found easy listening comforting early on during the pandemic39:40 A short break40:57 Easy listening is already getting reevaluated45:56 Al talks about a couple of tracks that defied his expectations47:23 Rachel wants to hear a Flat Five version of “Blame It On a Monday”49:44 The songwriters and vocalists represented on the album were versatile54:02 Rachel has a remedy for overcoming a concern for “coolness”58:46 Kerr may have suffered from getting pigeonholed1:01:01 The songs on Grow to Know Me highlight the full range of Kerr’s talents1:04:27 Rachel summarizes what Programme 4 is about and why she created itSupport the show

135. Steve Hackett Discusses Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights (Live In Brighton)

10/02/2023 32 min 42 sec

Send us a textFormer Genesis lead guitarist, prolific solo artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Hackett joins Al — an ardent Genesis fan — to discuss his just-released live album, Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights (Live In Brighton). Steve talks about his setlist choices for this album, how the songs differ from their original studio versions, which period of Genesis he thinks was the best and his upcoming studio album and tour plans.Just about everything Steve Hackett-related can be found on his website, hackettsongs.com.Also, be sure to follow Steve on Twitter/X and Instagram!Twitter/X: @HackettOfficialIG: @stevehackettofficialAl is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:12 Steve joins the show2:14 Steve talks about next year’s Lamb Highlights tour and upcoming studio album6:43 Steve explains the setlist choices for his new live album9:34 Steve remembers back to Genesis’ Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour10:53 Steve discusses the importance of playing live versions that are different from the studio originals14:40 Steve reveals how new versions of his songs typically get created16:29 Steve talks about his band’s rhythm section18:30 Steve discusses his band’s English-American-Swedish connection21:06 Steve explains why Genesis gave up on playing “Can-Utility and the Coastliners” live23:18 Steve thinks Genesis’ best work was still to come after Foxtrot26:23 Which part of Foxtrot has Steve’s band improved upon the most?28:23 Steve recommends an album that he lovesOutro is from Steve Hackett, “Watcher of the Skies (live).”Support the show

134. Juliana Hatfield Discusses Xanadu (soundtrack)

09/24/2023 60 min 1 sec

Send us a textIndie rock icon Juliana Hatfield pays YMAAA a visit to talk about the soundtrack album for the 1980 musical motion picture, Xanadu, which features Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra. Juliana talks about being a fan of both artists growing up, her Olivia Newton-John covers album and her upcoming ELO covers album and the difficulties involved in covering other artists’ songs in general.Juliana made a reference to the How Did This Get Made? podcast. If you want to check it out, you can find it here: https://www.earwolf.com/show/how-did-this-get-made/Al mentioned an interview with Fee Waybill that he had read in which he discusses The Tubes’ involvement in Xanadu. Here’s the link: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/the-tubes-fee-waybill-recalls-bonkers-xanadu-scene-214128554.html?fr=sycsrp_catchallHere are links to the videos for “Dancin’” that Al mentioned.Clip of the scene from Xanadu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts9GdyGD5e4Olivia Newton-John and Tubes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WckwVPVnLyMJuliana is on Instagram at @julianahatfield.Also, check out her website, https://www.julianahatfield.com/……and her Substack: https://julianahatfield.substack.com/.Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:19 Juliana joins the show1:36 Juliana’s album choice is the perfect one for her2:34 Juliana chose the Xanadu soundtrack for a variety of reasons6:02 John Farrar’s songwriting was important to this album8:29 Juliana faced some challenges when trying to cover “Suddenly”14:57 Why didn’t Juliana include a cover of “I’m Alive” on her new ELO covers album?17:59 Juliana didn’t become familiar with ELO’s deeper cuts until recently23:18 Al was fascinated by “Dancin’”30:10 Gene Kelly makes an appearance on the soundtrack31:16 Juliana didn’t care about Xanadu being perceived as uncool33:31 Al talks about what he likes about Juliana’s cover of “Magic”35:50 Juliana and Al get into a discussion of Weezer’s covers38:22 Juliana explains why she wanted to make an ELO covers album41:25 Artists borrowing from other artists doesn’t bother Juliana46:41 Juliana learned a lesson from covering “Don’t Bring Me Down”50:27 Covering ELO had its own specific challenges54:26 Did Juliana intend to record a series of covers albums?Outro is from “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” by Juliana Hatfield.Support the show

133. Maura Weaver Discusses Elliott Smith, self-titled

09/17/2023 74 min 26 sec

Send us a textVocalist and guitarist Maura Weaver (Mixtapes, Ogikubo Station) joins Al to introduce him to Elliott Smith’s self-titled album. Maura talks about how she got introduced to Elliott Smith’s music, why this album holds a special place for her and how it has helped to shape her own work. She also talks specifically about the throughlines between this Elliott Smith album and her just-released solo debut, I Was Due For A Heartbreak.Be sure to keep up with Maura and her work!@mauraweaver on Instagram and Threads@everreadyy on Twitter/XAl is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:12 Maura joins the show2:08 Al explains why he was glad that Maura chose this album3:18 Maura talks about the first songs that got her into Elliott Smith6:38 Maura gives one reason for why this album is special to her8:08 Al starts to talk about his first reaction to Elliott Smith9:18 Did it take time for Maura to get used to the sound of Smith’s music?13:50 Maura discusses the elements of Elliott Smith that are poppy19:12 Al expands on his experience with the album23:03 Covers are the gateway to Elliott Smith’s music for some people26:21 Maura explains what she loves about Smith’s guitar-playing style28:49 Maura mentions some of Smith’s songs that she sometimes plays30:51 Maura put her love of indie folk to the side with Mixtapes33:53 Maura is an Elliott Smith power listener36:25 Drug addiction is a major theme on Elliott Smith…or is it?39:38 Al pinpoints what made Elliott Smith hard to access at first43:24 Maura talks about some ways in which she relates to Smith’s music48:45 Maura and Al discuss some of the album’s lyrics52:37 Maura elaborates on how Smith influenced I Was Due For A Heartbreak55:45 Could Maura draw inspiration from a bee sting?57:06 Maura cites another example of Smith’s influence on her lyrics59:53 Good lyrics are important to Maura1:01:43 Which band is a guilty pleasure for Maura?1:03:46 Maura talks about the changes in her singing style1:09:20 Maura discusses her upcoming performancesOutro is from “As If Your Love” by Maura Weaver.Support the show

132. Megan Mayhew Bergman Discusses The Audacity of Kenny Loggins

09/10/2023 62 min 3 sec

Send us a textThis week’s episode isn’t about an album, but rather about a particular artist’s legacy. Author and professor Megan Mayhew Bergman makes her return to YMAAA (she had been the show’s guest on Ep 93) to make the case for reexamining the career of Kenny Loggins. Megan also argues that Loggins’ musical career has been marked by audacious decisions, including choices made regarding his arrangements, lyrics, collaborations and music videos. She and Al explore the theme of audacity through a discussion of several of Loggins’ better-known songs that span the various eras of his career.Al made note of Megan’s recent piece in The Atlantic on this summer’s flooding in Vermont. You can read it here (subscription required): https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/07/climate-change-safe-states-vermont-floods/674780/1:14 Megan joins the show1:24 Why are Megan and Al talking about Kenny Loggins?2:27 Megan and Al put their Kenny Loggins game faces on for this episode3:47 Megan recounts the moment when she realized Loggins needed a deeper examinationSong-by-song analysis6:31 Danny’s Song9:38 Whenever I Call You “Friend”13:15 Was Loggins a trend-setter or trend-follower?17:16 Celebrate Me Home22:34 This Is It/What A Fool Believes, and a discussion of “yacht rock” and “blue-eyed soul”31:06 I’m Alright34:26 Don’t Fight It35:47 Heart to Heart38:16 Megan reveals another aspect of Kenny Loggins’ audacity40:54 Footloose/I’m Free42:41 Danger Zone49:07 Meet Me Half Way52:17 Conviction of the Heart54:16 We’ve lost track of how much of pop music’s foundation Loggins is responsible for59:04 Megan updates us on her latest projectsSupport the show

131. You, Me and A Band: Ex Hex Discusses Ex Hex

09/03/2023 55 min 51 sec

Send us a textThis episode marks a YMAAA first, as it focuses on a band rather than an album. Al talks to each member of the Washington, DC-based alternative rock band Ex Hex — Mary Timony, Betsy Wright and Laura Harris — about the  group's two albums and upcoming live dates. The interview with Timony is an excerpt from an upcoming episode, while the interview with Wright is an excerpt from Ep. 44. Al’s discussion with Harris is a standalone interview (though she will also be on a new episode soon).Get information on Ex Hex’s live shows and more on Instagram at @exhexband and on their website, https://exhexband.com/shows!More social media for Ex Hex and its members…Ex Hex:@exhexband on Twitter/XMary Timony:@MaryT_Money on Twitter/X@marytimony on InstagramBetsy Wright@betsybooots on InstagramLaura Harris@heylisaharris on InstagramAl is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:18 Al explains why he’s doing a You, Me and a Band episode2:51 Introducing the members of Ex HexMary Timony interview excerpt4:11 Mary explains why Ex Hex is playing shows again6:51 When did Mary first get the idea to form Ex Hex?9:10 Mary challenged herself to craft catchy pop songs11:09 Does Mary prefer one Ex Hex album over the other?Laura Harris interview13:16 Ex Hex recently played a “warmup” show17:45 Laura talks about how she joined Ex Hex21:53 Laura compares the two Ex Hex albums28:16 Which bands have influenced Ex Hex’s sound?35:42 Laura’s playing style has varied with different bands she’s been in39:59 Which Ex Hex songs are Laura’s favorites to play?Betsy Wright interview excerpt44:57 Betsy talks about how Ex Hex’s songwriting process evolved48:02 Betsy compares Rips with It’s Real50:50 Betsy clears up a misheard lyric for Al52:52 Al wraps things upOutro is from “Want It To Be True” by Ex Hex.Support the show

130. Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise of The Waymores Discuss Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger (see show notes for TW)

08/27/2023 70 min 42 sec

Send us a textThe Atlanta-based country music duo The Waymores makes a return appearance on YMAAA, and this time, Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise introduce Al to Willie Nelson’s 1975 breakthrough album, Red Headed Stranger. Willie and Kira talk about the album’s importance to them musically and personally, the concept behind the album and the aspects of the performance and production that they particularly enjoy. They also discuss their just-released album, Greener Pastures, which was produced by the legendary Shel Talmy (The Who, The Kinks).Be sure to give The Waymores a follow!@thewaymores on Instagram and Threads@TWaymores on Twitter/XWebsite: thewaymores.comAl is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:21 Kira and Willie join the show2:45 Kira has had to overcome some health challenges recently9:31 Willie and Kira talk about the things that make Red Headed Stranger special13:57 This album was the first one for which Willie Nelson had complete artistic control16:56 Al learned a lot about Willie Nelson’s life and career in preparing for the episode19:20 Willie cites a Willie Nelson cover he actually doesn’t like21:12 Why was Red Headed Stranger such a big hit?27:03 Willie, Kira and Al discuss how reprises enhance the storytelling31:22 Does the story’s action move fast or slow?33:25 Red Headed Stranger opened Willie up to concept albums (TW // reference to suicide)39:00 Kira and Willie appreciate Willie Nelson’s choice of covers for the album42:44 Al found the album surprisingly relaxing44:49 Kira and Willie talk about working with Shel Talmy on their new album53:00 Kira and Willie highlight some of the things they did differently for Greener Pastures1:02:51 One track was particularly tough for Willie to record1:05:50 Kira and Willie discuss their tour plansOutro is from “But I Don’t” by The Waymores.Support the show

129. Laura King Discusses The Bangles, All Over the Place

08/20/2023 58 min 15 sec

Send us a textDrummer Laura King (Superchunk, Bat Fangs, R. Ring, Speed Stick) talks about her love for the album that kickstarted The Bangles’ run of ‘80s hits, All Over The Place. Laura recounts the event that started her childhood obsession with The Bangles, breaks down what makes the album special and shares her thoughts on the band’s more successful albums. She also provides updates on the many bands she plays with.As Laura and Al mentioned, R. Ring released a new video for “Cartoon Heart/Build Me a Question” just hours before their conversation. It’s great! Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG1RGmkPdBoThey also discussed the really cool video for R. Ring’s "Def Sup." Watch it here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFJidJAO14It’s also worth your time to check out the video of Speed Stick performing at the North Carolina Museum of Art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_gpKgwyzfcFind Laura and her music online!@lkbroiler on Instagramspeedstickband.comSuperchunk tour dates: https://www.mergerecords.com/tourAl is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:07 Laura joins the show1:11 Laura talks about discovering The Bangles during her childhood3:44 Laura remembers back to the first instruments she had6:51 Laura’s Bangles obsession actually started with Different Light8:40 Laura explains why she wanted to discuss All Over the Place9:30 Al forgot a lot of things he previously knew about this album12:19 Laura talks about the elements of the album that make it special15:24 Laura highlights some of her favorite parts of the album, including the cover art18:42 Laura and Al talk about the cover songs on the album25:09 Did commercial success spell the end of The Bangles?26:48 Al rants against rants about new music28:51 Laura talks about some of the music she plays while working at a bar31:53 Al developed an opinion about the attention Susanna Hoffs received35:12 Laura defends the Bangles’ post-All Over The Place direction38:19 Laura summarizes her feelings about the album39:04 Laura talks about the upcoming Superchunk tour41:06 Updates on Bat Fangs, R. Ring43:19 Laura talks about collaborating with Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery on “Def Sup”47:02 Laura is in a band where she plays bass48:00 Laura discusses the last Speed Stick album and possibly the next one51:28 Al asks Laura about her sharing a kick drum in Speed StickOutro is from “Online Tangle = HiSSS” by Speed Stick.Support the show

128. Meghan Minior Discusses Naomi Punk, Television Man

08/13/2023 50 min 23 sec

Send us a textVocalist, bassist, artist and graphic designer Meghan Minior (Longings, Corrode) introduces Al to Naomi Punk’s 2014 album, Television Man. Meghan talks about what makes this an album she returns to over and over again and what makes it a rewarding listen from start to finish, while Al likens Naomi Punk to another band that came out of Olympia, Washington. Meghan also talks about the new Longings album, Dreams In Red, and her upcoming plans musically and otherwise.Meghan recommended several music venues to check out for anyone who lives in or is visiting Western Massachusetts. These are the ones she mentioned.Flywheel Arts Collective: puts on shows at various venues10 Forward in Greenfield: https://www.10forwardartsvenue.org/Marigold in Easthampton: https://marigoldtheater.com/The Drake in Amherst: https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/Tree House Brewing Company in Deerfield: https://treehousebrew.com/visiting-deerfieldHutghi’s in Westfield: https://hutghis.square.site/Find/Follow Meghan on the internet!@mminior and @static_frame_ on Instagrammeghanminior.comhttps://longings.bandcamp.comhttps://corrodehc.bandcamp.com/Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:19 Meghan joins the show2:22 Television Man has been a frequent topic of conversation for Meghan4:12 Meghan discusses her process for picking an album for this episode5:40 Al talks about his initial reaction to Television Man8:08 Meghan explains why the album has stuck with her over the years9:06 Meghan and Al talk about “Firehose Face” as the album’s opening statement12:03 Meghan describes Naomi Punk’s sound13:53 Al was surprised by a Naomi Punk live performance video he watched15:39 Meghan appreciates the uniqueness of Naomi Punk’s sound17:30 Television Man is a very visual album for Meghan24:32 Meghan likes the album’s flow and sequencing30:30 Is this a punk album?33:53 Meghan is not sure how much her work has been influenced by Naomi Punk35:07 Television Man moved Naomi Punk towards a more experimental approach37:20 Al sees parallels between Naomi Punk and Unwound40:10 The new Longings album was years in the making42:03 Meghan talks about her future plans, including with Longings and Corrode44:10 Meghan gives Al some recommendations for music venues to visit in Western MassachusettsOutro is from “Expensive Graves” by Longings.Support the show

127. Tiff Hannay Discusses Mitski, Be The Cowboy

08/06/2023 69 min 13 sec

Send us a textTiff Hannay, vocalist and guitarist for the Lansing-based band Rodeo Boys, introduces Al to Mitski’s fifth album, Be the Cowboy. Tiff talks about what they love about this album and how they think of it in relation to the other albums in Mitski’s discography. Tiff and Al also share their impressions of various lyrics from the album. Tiff  discusses Rodeo Boys’ latest album, Home Movies, and the band’s upcoming tour.Tiff recommended watching Mitski’s 2015 NPR Tiny Desk performance. You can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lNFHD0lUAQ.Also, as promised in this episode, here is the link to Miley Cyrus’ performance of “Heart of Glass”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbdRLyixJpc.Follow Tiff and Rodeo Boys!@rodeoboysofficial on Instagram and YouTubehttps://www.rodeoboysofficial.com/https://rodeoboys.bandcamp.com/Al is on Twitter/X at @almelchiorBB and on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:15 Tiff joins the show1:25 Tiff talks about the album title, Be the Cowboy3:37 Tiff explains why they chose to discuss Be the Cowboy7:36 Tiff puts Be the Cowboy in the larger context of Mitski’s discography12:53 What does Tiff pay the most attention to when listening to this album?17:01 Tiff talks about some of their favorite songs on the album20:44 Al thinks some of Be the Cowboy goes over his head24:37 Tiff loves the beefy Stratocaster sound26:20 Kissing is a repeated theme on Be the Cowboy28:56 Tiff recommends Crying in H Mart to Al33:00 Tiff and Al discuss the songs where Mitski is telling a story from an older perspective41:12 Al is impressed by the economy of Mitski’s songwriting44:51 Tiff highlights a few other tracks that are among their favorites on the album48:26 Al makes note of some of his favorite lyrics on Be the Cowboy51:31 Al tries to explain his reaction to the album52:56 Mitski had a huge breakout on Tiktok55:55 Rodeo Boys once played the Masonic Temple in Detroit57:15 Al asks Tiff about covering Blondie’s “One Way or Another”1:02:39 Rodeo Boys are opening for Fishbone…and no one told them about itOutro is from “Sugar” by Rodeo Boys.Support the show

126. Beth Bombara Discusses Hiss Golden Messenger, Terms of Surrender

07/30/2023 54 min 23 sec

Send us a textSinger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Beth Bombara joins Al to introduce him to Hiss Golden Messenger’s 2019 album, Terms of Surrender. Beth talks about her first impressions of the album, what makes it a great album for her and how it has helped to inform her own writing and playing. She also talks about the process of making her new album, It All Goes Up, and her upcoming tour plans.A couple of notes about some music clips that were included…Al included an excerpt from Talk Talk’s “Ascension Day.” He used it in the context of making some comparisons between Terms of Surrender and Spirit of Eden, but he actually found that this track from Laughing Stock illustrated his point better than any track from the album he was referencing.Al also included a clip from “My Wing” at 19:44, just after Beth had referenced a part of the album that featured some interplay between two acoustic guitars. The guitars in the clips are electric, so Al’s apologies to Beth if she had another clip in mind!Follow Beth online! Find her music!@BethBombara on Twitter/X, Threads and Instagramhttps://bethbombara.com/https://bethbombara.bandcamp.com/And you can support Beth’s work here:https://www.patreon.com/bethbombara1:15 Beth joins the show3:06 Is Terms of Surrender a good album for the car?8:50 Beth talks about what she likes about MC Taylor’s vocals10:31 Beth and Al talk about lyrics on the album that made an impact on them13:07 Was MC Taylor influenced by Talk Talk?17:55 Beth identifies the musical features of the album that are so appealing to her26:01 Beth has enjoyed listening to some of HGM’s live versions of older songs28:21 Going to see HGM live is on Beth’s bucket list30:24 Beth and Al find “I Need A Teacher” to be different from the rest of the album32:33 Beth likes listening to non-traditional vocalists38:33 Beth talks about how her writing has been influenced by listening to Terms of Surrender40:13 Beth discusses some of the obstacles she faced with recording parts of It All Goes Up remotely43:02 Beth acknowledges the importance of receiving outside support for her work46:58 Beth talks about her album release party and upcoming tour49:27 Beth is looking forward to making some new videosOutro is from “Moment” by Beth Bombara.Support the show

125. Earl Cureton Discusses Earth, Wind and Fire, Gratitude

07/23/2023 62 min 35 sec

Send us a textEarl Cureton, veteran of 12 NBA seasons and author of Earl the Twirl: My Life in Basketball (with Jake Uitti), joins Al to discuss Earth, Wind and Fire’s 1975 double album, Gratitude. Earl talks about what he loves about EWF and about this part-live, part-studio album in particular. He also discusses how music and basketball has been intertwined in his life and in the lives of others he has known, including Julius Erving. Earl also delves into his book and his work as the Detroit Pistons’ Community Ambassador.As Earl and Al mentioned on the episode, you can pre-order Earl’s book now. Here’s the link! https://www.amazon.com/Earl-Twirl-My-Life-Basketball/dp/1476693838/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QJI8P93F3V0T&keywords=earl+the+twirl&qid=1684467193&sprefix=earl+the+twirl%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1Also, be sure to keep up with Earl on Twitter: @EarlTheTwirlAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:18 Earl joins the show2:50 Earth, Wind and Fire was a popular band when Earl was in college4:54 Gratitude introduced Al to sides of EWF he didn’t know about7:39 Earl remembers back to listening to Gratitude and other albums in the dorm11:06 Earl talks about music that evokes memories for him14:27 Certain tracks from Gratitude bring back memories for Earl18:31 The early ‘80s were a great time for Philadelphia sports21:26 Earl explains why he decided to write his book24:24 Earl talks about his current work with the Detroit Pistons25:40 Were The Temptations the first group to rap?28:00 Does Earl focus more on EWF’s lyrics or their music?29:56 Earl saw Maurice White frequently in the Sixers’ locker room33:42 Earl has listened to EWF throughout the yearsDiscussion of specific tracks:35:03 Reasons37:30 Shining Star38:20 Sun Goddess/New World Symphony40:38 Al thinks he hadn’t appreciated EWF enough after the ‘70s ended42:28 Earl talks about an Alicia Keys concert he had just attended44:19 Earl lets readers know what they can expect from his book54:16 Earl talks about Marvin Gaye and Dave Bing growing up together in Detroit56:48 Earl recently performed in a lip synch competitionSupport the show

124. Maia Sharp Discusses Lucy Dacus, Historian

07/16/2023 67 min 16 sec

Send us a textSinger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Maia Sharp introduces Al to Lucy Dacus’ second album, Historian. Maia talks about how she wound up getting obsessed with the album and how it has influenced her songwriting and production approach. She also discusses her soon-to-be-released album, Reckless Thoughts, and her upcoming tour and production work.There’s lots of places to keep up with Maia and to find her work online!@maiasharpmusic on Instagrammaiasharpofficial on Facebook@maiasharp4091 on YouTubeMaia’s Patreon is cool! https://www.patreon.com/maiasharpBe sure to visit Maia’s website, too: maiasharp.comAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:15 Maia joins the show1:26 Why Maia chose Historian over Rickie Lee Jones’ debut album7:43 Maia talks about the ways she keeps up with new music12:12 Maia recalls how she introduced herself to Lucy Dacus’ music14:42 Maia explains how Dacus has influenced her own music18:33 Dacus is masterful at building up the intensity of her songs20:23 Hearing Dacus’ vocals gave Maia a different perspective on her own25:15 Al grappled with understanding Dacus’ music when he listened to Home Movies28:18 Maia surmises what might make Dacus so popular with so many people31:43 Maia discusses the elements of Historian that made a particularly big impression on her36:32 Different parts of “The Shell” made a big impact on Al and Maia40:04 Maia explains why the lyrics of “Pillar of Truth” are so powerful44:16 Maia likes the lower, darker tones of the album48:14 Has Maia completed the Lucy List?49:53 Maia asks Al which album he is obsessed with now51:13 Maia has also gone through obsessions with Bon Iver albums54:21 Maia discusses her soon-to-be released album, Reckless Thoughts, and upcoming tour59:58 Maia also has some production work in her near futureOutro is from “Kind” by Maia SharpSupport the show

123. Phill Brown Discusses Murray Head, Nigel Lived

07/09/2023 59 min 59 sec

Send us a textLegendary audio engineer and author Phill Brown, who has worked with The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Talk Talk and countless other prominent artists over the last 50-plus years, comes to YMAAA to talk about one of the more underappreciated albums he has contributed to. He and Al discuss Murray Head’s 1973 debut solo album, Nigel Lived, and Phill talks about what he learned from making the album, why it’s special to him and what made it such an ambitious project for the time in which it was recorded. He also talks about his subsequent work with Talk Talk and Mark Hollis and the recent recordings by Held By Trees, which he has worked on.Al made reference to a few previous episodes that are related to this one. Be sure to check them out, if you haven’t already!Ep 92 with Mary Beth Melchior on the Jesus Christ Superstar concept album (featuring Murray Head): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/92-mary-beth-melchior-discusses-jesus-christ-superstar/id1545282273?i=1000586877486Ep 113 with David Joseph on Mark Hollis' self-titled solo album: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/113-david-joseph-discusses-mark-hollis-self-titled/id1545282273?i=1000611196557Ep 79 with Tim Friese-Greene on My Bloody Valentine’s Isn’t Anything: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/79-tim-friese-greene-discusses-my-bloody-valentine/id1545282273?i=1000571013242As mentioned on this episode, Phill has a website where you can order his book, keep up with his ever-growing list of artists he’s worked with and more. It’s tapedemon.net.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter, Threads and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:24 Phill joins the show1:43 Phill explains why he wrote “Are We Still Rolling?”3:48 Al was thrilled with Phill’s album choice4:38 Phill found working on Nigel Lived to be inspirational6:24 The album’s story allowed Murray Head to showcase his versatility8:16 Making Nigel Lived changed the way Phill worked on albums10:33 Phill talks about how they used mobile recording on certain tracks16:38 Phill got some great sounds with hidden mics20:55 Phill talks about using the mobile studio to record a church organ and choir24:17 Phill singles out a few of his favorite tracks from Nigel Lived28:19 Murray thought the timing of the album’s release worked against it31:15 Having the physical album makes it easier to follow Nigel’s story32:54 Nigel Lived sounds different from most rock albums of its era34:53 Was there a larger message in Nigel Lived?36:51 Phill summarizes what makes the album special to him37:56 Al finds “Junk” difficult to listen to41:05 One of the craziest things Phill has ever recorded was on “The Party”42:20 Phill explains how he got involved with Held By Trees45:51 Phill revisits the process of making Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock49:12 Phill talks about a track from Laughing Stock that he couldn’t listen to54:17 Phill and Al talk about the quietness of Mark Hollis55:18 Phill mentions an album he’ll be working onOutro is from “Grow Dark” by Held By Trees from their upcoming EP, Eventide.Support the show

122. Mind Blown! YMAAA Conversations That Could Change How You Hear Music

07/02/2023 57 min 50 sec

Send us a textThis week, Al takes a break from the usual format to revisit nine previous episodes where the guest changed the way that he thinks about or listens to music. Al groups the excerpted discussions into the two groups: guests who helped him to give artists he had neglected a more careful listen and guests who taught him to think about music in new ways.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.0:17 Al explains why he is revisiting some past episodes on this episodeInsights into Artists Al Didn’t Get3:58 Peter Case on Bob Dylan’s self-titled album (Ep. 114)7:04 Rain Perry on Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska (Ep. 65)11:33 Sam Coomes on Velvet Underground’s White Light/White Heat (Ep. 98)18:35 Anita Lee Elliott on Ace Frehley’s self-titled album (Ep. 71)24:14 Michael Peter Olson on Van Halen’s 1984 (Ep. 111)The Different Ways We Listen To Music28:48 Greg Saunier on Atrium Musicae de Madrid’s Music of Ancient Greece (Ep. 103)38:07 Glen Phillips on Dirty Projectors, Lamp Lit Prose (Ep. 64)44:31 Kristin Hanggi on India.Arie, SongVersation: Medicine (Ep. 87)49:05 Kelley Deal on Julian Cope, Droolian (Ep. 100)Support the show

121. Isaac Slusarenko Discusses Bubble Puppy, A Gathering of Promises

06/25/2023 48 min 13 sec

Send us a textYMAAA has never been visited by the head of a record label or proprietor of a record store, but this week’s guest, Isaac Slusarenko, is both! Isaac runs the Jackpot Records label and store, and on this week’s episode, he introduces Al to Texas-based psychedelic rock band Bubble Puppy and their lone album, 1969’s A Gathering of Promises. Isaac talks about how he learned about this band and this album and how it changed the way that he sought out new music to listen to. Isaac also explains how he wound up opening the Jackpot Records store more than 25 years ago and which new releases we can expect from the label,.Follow Isaac and Jackpot Records on Twitter and Instagram at @jackpotrecords!Also be sure to visit the store’s website at jackpotrecords.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:09 Isaac joins the show1:52 Isaac talks about why he opened Jackpot Records3:32 Al remembers learning about Djangos5:38 Isaac explains why A Gathering of Promises is a special album for him12:17 Isaac talks about other small label discoveries he made, emboldened by his discovery of Bubble Puppy15:59 Isaac discusses Bubble Puppy’s second iteration called Demian17:08 Bubble Puppy inspired Isaac to make a pilgrimage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame18:03 There is a Bubble Puppy-Funkadelic connection19:44 How was “Hot Smoke and Sassafras” a top 20 hit??21:41 Bubble Puppy reminded Al of a lot of other bands24:30 Bubble Puppy apparently had a following in England26:13 Mike Mills is a fan of the album26:52 Al doesn’t know if this is an album he’ll go back to often28:19 Isaac talks about the importance of an album’s artwork30:17 Isaac doesn’t find it easy to single out favorite tracks33:33 Isaac reveals some of his other finds37:51 Isaac discusses the origins of the Jackpot Records label40:00 Isaac talks about how he determines what gets published on his label44:21 Isaac reports on Jackpot Records’ upcoming releasesSupport the show

120. Scott McCaughey Discusses Neil Young, Tonight's the Night

06/18/2023 77 min 37 sec

Send us a textScott McCaughey (The Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows, Filthy Friends, The Baseball Project, The No Ones, R.E.M.) returns to the show (he first appeared on episode 9) to discuss Neil Young’s Tonight’s the Night. Scott talks about what the album means to him, how Neil Young conveyed a sense of fun on the album despite its tragic themes, and his own experience with hearing the songs performed live. Scott also talks about the new No Ones and Minus 5 albums and the upcoming Baseball Project album, Grand Salami Time.Scott made a reference to the Neil Young Archives, and they’re definitely worth checking out: https://neilyoungarchives.com/.Here are just some of the places you can find Scott on social media:@ScottMcMinus5 on Twitter@the_minus_5 on Instagram@BaseballProject on Twitter and  InstagramThe Minus 5 on FacebookAnd a couple of places to find Scott’s music:https://scottthehoople.bandcamp.com/https://www.yeproc.com/artists/the-minus-5/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:18 Scott joins the show1:28 It’s hard to keep track of all of Scott’s bands2:59 Scott has three releases coming out within a few weeks of each other4:59 Why Scott hasn’t recorded any covers from Tonight’s the Night6:58 Scott talks about Mike McCready’s contributions to his first Neil Young covers album11:12 Al has never quite “gotten” Neil Young13:16 Scott thinks Al’s Genesis fandom explains a lot about his ambivalence about Neil Young20:00 Scott says Tonight’s the Night is Neil Young’s most emotionally intense album22:19 Scott can listen to Tonight’s the Night anytime25:44 Neil Young made a huge impression on Scott when he was a teen27:27 Scott talks about the career trajectory that led Neil Young to make Tonight’s the Night31:45 Why are there two versions of the title track on the album?35:15 Scott talks about the inclusion of the tracks not recorded at SIRDiscussion of other tracks from the album:41:07 Tired Eyes46:34 Albuquerque48:51 Roll Another Number53:03 Neil Young’s live album from The Roxy exemplifies the fun that he and his band had playing songs from Tonight’s the Night55:11 Scott and Al note the variety of musical styles on Tonight’s the Night57:31 Scott references a track with Joni Mitchell posted to Neil Young Archives58:49 Scott sees the album as ultimately about the importance of friends and music1:00:44 This episode could have been about Jenny Lewis instead1:03:26 Scott talks about his upcoming No Ones tour1:05:03 The new Baseball Project album was several years in the making1:09:12 Will there be a new Filthy Friends album? (Plus some Sleater-Kinney news)Outro is from “Hitchhiker” by The Minus 5.Support the show

119. Nili Brosh Discusses Steve Stevens, Flamenco A Go-Go

06/11/2023 42 min 26 sec

Send us a textGuitarist Nili Brosh takes a quick time out from her many gigs (e.g., Danny Elfman, Dethklok, Cirque du Soleil, solo) to introduce Al to Steve Stevens’ 1999 album, Flamenco A Go-Go. Nili talks about her first impressions of the album, why she thinks a lot more people need to know about it and how it has influenced her own work. She also discusses her love of the band Extreme, her experience of playing with Alphonso Johnson and Chester Thompson and her new songs and upcoming tour dates.There’s a whole bunch of places where you can keep up with Nili!Instagram: @nilibroshYouTube: @nilibroshFacebook: NiliBroshMusicsoundcloud.com/nilibroshnilibrosh.comAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:07 Nili joins the show1:57 Nili talks about her Extreme fandom5:48 Nili doesn’t really associate Steve Stevens with Billy Idol7:33 Nili explains why she wanted to discuss Flamenco A Go-Go8:09 Nili and Al talk about the album’s eclecticism10:21 Does Flamenco A Go-Go sound like a turn-of-the-millenium album? 11:59 Nili and Al talk about the vibes they get from the album13:53 Nili recalls how she first heard about the album16:28 Nili discusses her first impressions of Flamenco A Go-Go17:53 Flamenco A Go-Go influenced Nili’s own writing and playing20:16 How did Steve Stevens pull off blending so many different types of genres?23:03 Nili identifies the most magical parts of the album25:51 Al wonders if there is a live track on the album…27:58 …and if Steve Stevens might have contributed vocals29:06 Al makes his obligatory Genesis reference31:46 Al asks Nili about her experience of performing with Chester Thompson and Alphonso Johnson34:15 Nili talks about her two newly-released songs37:53 Nili discusses her upcoming live datesOutro is from “Lavender Mountains” by Nili Brosh.Support the show

118. Brian Dunne Discusses Vampire Weekend, Father of the Bride

06/04/2023 59 min 39 sec

Send us a textSinger, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian Dunne joins Al for this episode to introduce him to Vampire Weekend’s Father of the Bride. Brian talks about why he loves the album’s frequent shifting of genres, what he admires about Ezra Koenig as a songwriter and the specific time period that the album references. Brian also discusses his new album, Loser On The Ropes, and playing the songs from the album live for the first time.Al has a previous guest to thank for his being aware of Brian’s music, and ultimately, for Brian joining him for this episode. Joan Holiday, who was Al's guest on ep. 66, played “Rockaway” on her drive time show on WRSI The River.At 51:46, Al and Mary Beth’s horse Fynn makes his first podcast appearance!Be sure to follow Brian on Twitter and Instagram at @briandunnemusic!Brian also has a website, https://www.briandunnemusic.net/……and a Bandcamp page: https://briandunne.bandcamp.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:15 Brian joins the show1:36 Brian explains why he chose to discuss Father of the Bride3:03 The album’s frequent changes in styles and genres made an immediate impression on Brian5:47 Brian cites an example of great songwriting on the album9:30 Father of the Bride has been a polarizing album for Vampire Weekend fans11:23 Al wonders why he has such a hard time “getting” Vampire Weekend14:05 Brian places Vampire Weekend in the context of indie rock17:30 There is a purpose to all of the switching between genres21:56 Brian talks about growing up with classic rock24:11 Brian digs into his favorite songs on the album27:57 Al asks Brian for his interpretation of “Jerusalem, New York, Berlin”31:49 Brian understands that Father of the Bride is not for everybody33:04 Al talks about one of his favorite moments on the album34:50 Brian sees Modern Vampires of the City as a pivotal album37:07 Father of the Bride takes Brian back to 199440:45 Brian makes an analogy between Father of the Bride and Bruce Springsteen’s The River46:46 Brain explains what he was conveying with the song “Rockaway”51:58 Brian talks about playing the songs from Loser On The Ropes liveOutro is from “Rockaway” by Brian Dunne.Support the show

117. Joe Casey Discusses Tyvek, Fast Metabolism

05/28/2023 50 min 18 sec

Send us a textVocalist and songwriter Joe Casey of Protomartyr pays YMAAA a visit and introduces Al to a band with which he is completely unfamiliar. Joe talks about Detroit-based punk band Tyvek and their 2007 album, Fast Metabolism, which is a compilation of some of their earliest singles and EPs. Joe explains why he chose this album for the show and discusses his personal connections to Tyvek and why they have been an inspiration to him. Joe also talks about Protomartyr’s upcoming sixth album, Formal Growth in the Desert, and answers some questions about the tour for the album.Al referred to a video that Joe did for Amoeba Music’s What’s In My Bag series. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIYyJD24Ppg&t=4sJoe and Al talked extensively about Protomartyr’s video for “Elimination Dances.” You should definitely check it out. It’s really cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uf98p7DsdkJoe talked about the difficulties that Protomartyr had in scheduling an album release event date in Detroit. Update: They scheduled it, and it happened on May 27…before the Tigers-White Sox game at Comerica Park!Be sure to follow Protomartyr on Twitter and Instagram: @protomartyrbandThey also have a very nice website, http://protomartyrband.com/, and a Bandcamp page: https://protomartyr.bandcamp.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:13 Joe joins the show2:05 Joe explains how Tyvek inspired him and helped him get Protomartyr started6:31 Kevin Boyer influenced Joe’s musical tastes and lyric writing10:34 Joe explains why he picked Fast Metabolism for this episode11:48 Tyvek received some flak over the cover for their first album16:39 Joe talks about the specifics of why he loves listening to Fast Metabolism17:55 Joe discusses his favorite tracks from the album21:43 What makes “Honda” a blueprint for other punk songs?25:39 Al talks about some lyrics he enjoyed28:46 Joe talks about the art of writing about a specific place31:00 Al sees “Air Conditioner” as being different from the other songs on the compilation33:20 It’s important to Joe to remind people to listen to overlooked bands like Tyvek34:39 Joe shares some updates on Tyvek35:48 Making artwork is a reason why Joe wanted to be in a band37:10 Joe talks about the development of the concept for Protomartyr’s “Elimination Dances” video41:45 We have another new Protomartyr video to look forward to 42:56 Joe explains why Protomartyr recorded Formal Growth in the Desert in West Texas44:27 Joe answers Al’s questions about Protomartyr’s upcoming tourOutro is from “Elimination Dances” by Protomartyr.Support the show

116. Louise Post Discusses Kate Bush, Hounds of Love

05/21/2023 71 min 4 sec

Send us a textLouise Post of Veruca Salt pays YMAAA a visit to talk about Kate Bush’s 1985 album, Hounds of Love. Louise explains why Hounds of Love is one of her favorite albums, how Kate Bush was something of an acquired taste for her and which tracks on the album are the most special to her. The conversation also frequently turns to The Beatles and Post Malone, and Louise talks about how she wound up teaching music in the L.A. public schools. She also discusses the writing and recording process for her upcoming solo album, Sleepwalker, and the band she has assembled for her tour.Al referenced an interview that Louise and Nina Gordon did for the Women in Rock Oral History Project. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju8QAzTGC-8.Al’s memory of Kate Bush’s appearance on Saturday Night Live was inaccurate, even though he said he was “99 percent sure” he remembered it correctly. She performed “The Man With the Child In His Eyes” and “Them Heavy People,” and not “Wuthering Heights” and “Babooshka,” as he had remembered. Also, the broadcast was in 1978, and not in 1979 or 1980.Follow Louise on social media! Instagram and Tiktok: @louiselightnerpostYouTube: @louisepostFacebook: louisepostmusicianYou can find Louise’s music, tour information, VIP package information and merch on louisepost.com.Keep up with Veruca Salt, too!Twitter: @verucasaltInstagram: @verucasaltbandAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:16 Louise joins the show1:26 Louise talks about one of the first albums she ever listened to5:25 Louise explains why she chose Hounds of Love for this episode10:28 It took time for Louise to get into Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones15:04 Louise talks about her experience with listening to the album’s two suites18:43 Louise gives her interpretation of the album’s meaning23:36 How important are lyrics to Louise when she listens to music?26:42 Louise taught music in the L.A. public schools31:03 Al and Louise dig into the lyrics for “Cloudbusting”37:57 Louise identifies her favorite parts of the album41:33 Louise singles out “Hello Earth” as an important song44:58 Al was impressed by Kate Bush’s videos47:24 Louise relates to the themes and images evoked on Hounds of Love50:43 Louise talks about how she got started as a songwriter55:04 Louise explains her songwriting and arranging process for some of her new songs1:01:37 Louise provides an update on Veruca Salt1:03:51 Louise talks about the band she has assembled for her solo album and tour1:05:38 It took Al a while to realize he was reading Louise’s posts on InstagramOutro is from “Guilty” by Louise Post.Support the show

115. Mike Robbins Discusses A Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory

05/14/2023 58 min 24 sec

Send us a textAuthor, speaker and former professional baseball player Mike Robbins introduces Al to A Tribe Called Quest’s 1991 album, The Low End Theory. Mike talks about how he was first introduced to ATCQ in high school, the culture shock he experienced hearing unfamiliar music when he went to college and why The Low End Theory has stood the test of time more than 30 years after its release.Keep up with Mike’s podcast, blog and publications at his site: mike-robbins.com.You can also get Mike’s podcast, We’re All In This Together, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-all-in-this-together/id1134737783.Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter and Instagram! @mikedrobbinsAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter and participate in weekly chats about this podcast’s featured albums! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:16 Mike joins the show3:31 Mike talks about what initially appealed to him about A Tribe Called Quest9:07 Mike alludes to Q-Tip’s affinity for jazz11:06 Mike talks about the rap community in Oakland12:36 No one listened to rap when Mike went to Stanford15:21 Not all rap from the ‘90s holds up for Mike19:02 Mike distinguishes between the different styles of Q-Tip and Phife Dawg20:58 Rapping is hard23:35 Mike talks about the Native Tongues collective26:00 Hip-hop and basketball were important to Mike growing up, and they were connected26:43 Al likes how the first two tracks set up the album29:41 Al and Mike review some of the sports references made on the album34:21 Mike discusses the different approaches ATCQ took on various tracks37:31 Mike finds “The Infamous Date Rape” both problematic and nuanced44:22 Mike thinks The Low End Theory holds up really well47:17 Al had heard Q-Tip on a guest appearance he made on another band’s album48:29 Mike enjoys artists with eclectic musical backgrounds50:45 Al asks Mike to recommend his next ATCQ album to listen to53:08 Mike’s daughters help keep him current on music54:05 Mike talks about his current and upcoming workSupport the show

114. Peter Case Discusses Bob Dylan, self-titled

05/07/2023 72 min 15 sec

Send us a textSinger, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Peter Case (The Nerves, The Plimsouls, solo) drops by YMAAA to give Al a long-overdue introduction to Bob Dylan’s self-titled debut album. Peter talks about how he got introduced to Dylan’s music during his childhood, his life as a busker in San Francisco prior to his time with The Nerves and what is particularly special about Dylan’s first album. He also talks about his new album, Doctor Moan, and his recent experiences with playing live shows.Keep up with Peter! @ThePeterCase on Twitter, @petercase111 on InstagramPeter’s music, tour info, blog and more are on his site, petercase.com. Be sure to pay it a visit!Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:03 Peter joins the show2:23 Peter played songs from Bob Dylan’s debut album when he was a busker3:50 Peter talks about his introduction to Dylan’s music5:10 Peter explains what makes the debut album different from other Dylan albums8:17 “You’re No Good” exemplifies several things that Peter loves about the album13:10 Peter notes a similarity between Dylan and early Elvis Presley15:02 Could a young Dylan sing about death and relationships with authenticity?22:43 “Talkin’ New York” was not as much about Dylan’s experience as Al thought25:51 Peter likes the symphonic quality of “In My Time of Dyin’”27:55 Peter talks about The Animals’ covers of Dylan’s songs30:17 Peter breaks down the arrangement of “Man of Constant Sorrow”33:00 Al asks Peter what it was like to hear early Dylan when it was new and fresh38:25 Peter talks about the mystery of how people decide to let unfamiliar music into their lives40:44 Al decided to listen to “Murder Most Foul”44:53 Peter reveals which Dylan album he listens to the most47:07 Dylan is an inspiration for Peter51:00 “Baby, Let Me Follow You Down” is another one of Peter’s favorite tracks from the album54:23 Peter talks about the community that helped shape Dylan’s music57:28 Peter cites the song that got his kids into Dylan59:42 Peter recounts his journey over the years as a Dylan fan1:03:54 Peter talks about his new album and just-completed tourOutro is from “Have You Ever Been In Trouble?” by Peter CaseSupport the show

113. David Joseph Discusses Mark Hollis, self-titled

04/30/2023 74 min 47 sec

Send us a textMulti-instrumentalist and composer David Joseph of Held By Trees has played with several of the musicians who performed on the final two Talk Talk albums, so there is no one better to introduce Al to Mark Hollis’ solo album, which featured many of the same people. In addition to talking about what makes Mark Hollis a special album, David discusses how he became a fan of Talk Talk and how the band has inspired his own work. He also chats with Al about his latest recordings with Held By Trees, which were made at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios.Al mentioned and recommended a video of Talk Talk performing at the 1986 Montreux Jazz Festival. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTOYdH6tdSQAl also noted some previous interviews David did that go into more detail about how Held By Trees came about. This one from Classic Pop is pretty comprehensive: https://www.classicpopmag.com/2022/07/held-by-trees-interview/.Follow David and Held by Trees! @heldbytrees on both Twitter and InstagramAnd, of course, stream/buy David’s music on Bandcamp: https://heldbytrees.bandcamp.com/You can pre-order Held By Trees’ upcoming twin EPs here: https://www.innersleeve.com/collections/held-by-treesAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.0:00 A couple of announcements2:39 David joins the show3:23 Why the Mark Hollis album was not a Talk Talk album4:59 Al makes note of the connection between Talk Talk and Held By Trees5:34 A Chris Martin interview led David to explore the later period of Talk Talk/Mark Hollis9:09 Al talks about how he got into Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock11:10 David explains what distinguishes Mark Hollis from Talk Talk albums16:51 David and Al talk about Mark’s approach to vocals and lyrics on this album20:40 David feels that Mark Hollis asks something different of him as a listener24:43 The songs on Mark Hollis don’t have many hooks29:14 Al finds a couple of examples of hooks on Mark Hollis31:31 David talks about the difficulty Mark had in making this album34:37 David explains how Mark was able to achieve the album’s pure sound36:24 Al and David comment on the album’s sequencing40:02 David notes that Mark had co-writers on nearly all of the tracks44:01 David gives Lee Harris and Paul Webb their due52:06 David offers suggestions for how to get the most out of listening to Mark Hollis55:38 David discusses how Held By Trees’ Solace was recorded1:05:55 David appreciates the reception that Solace has received1:07:47 David talks about Held By Trees’ upcoming twin EPs1:09:44 David discusses the experience of meeting Peter GabrielOutro is from “In The Trees” (live) by Held By Trees.Support the show

112. Jake Uitti Discusses Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Heist

04/23/2023 60 min 53 sec

Send us a textMusic and sports writer Jake Uitti visits YMAAA to introduce Al to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ The Heist. Jake talks about why he chose the album for this episode, how it became a breakthrough album and what he loves about it. He also discusses his recent and upcoming projects, including a book he co-authored with former NBA veteran Earl Cureton.On this episode, Jake talked about his recent cover story for American Songwriter on Macklemore and his new solo album, Ben. Be sure to check it out; you can read it here: https://americansongwriter.com/macklemore-finding-his-purpose/Jake also mentioned Macklemore’s video for “Maniac,” which features Eva Walker and Narduwar. Great song, great video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkrKSgwtVk0Jake's on Twitter! Follow him at @jakeuitti.Find Jake's writing at jakeuitti.comAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:04 Jake joins the show2:27 Jake is married to a previous guest of YMAAA3:53 Jake talks about his New Jersey roots6:15 Jake explains why he chose to discuss The Heist10:20 Jake and Al appreciate how well The Heist was crafted13:14 Jake talks about how The Heist was well positioned22:34 Making the album Seattle-centric was part of the positioning24:07 Jake summarizes his experience of listening to The Heist28:41 Jake shares his interpretation of “Jimmy Iovine”33:36 Jake’s appreciation for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ songcraft has grown over time36:43 Macklemore’s lyrics can be corny41:21 Jake and Al take a different approach to hearing lyrics42:57 Al cites an example of great sequencing on the album46:11 The Heist can be viewed as a gateway to learning more about the Seattle music scene47:18 Jake and Al both like “Cowboy Boots” as an album closer51:30 How well does Jake know Macklemore?53:17 Jake talks about Macklemore’s new solo album56:35 Jake discusses his upcoming book with Earl CuretonSupport the show

111. Michael Peter Olsen Discusses Van Halen, 1984

04/16/2023 69 min 41 sec

Send us a textCellist Michael Peter Olsen joins Al to familiarize him with an album he thought he mostly knew: Van Halen’s 1984. Michael makes the case that a careful listening of the album reveals an experimental side of Van Halen. He also talks about why Van Halen, and this album is particular, is an inspiration to him, his recent experience of meeting Greg Saunier of Deerhoof (who was a recent guest on this show) and what Post-Cello is all about.1:10 Michael joins the show1:47 Michael explains why he started playing the cello2:55 Michael made a strong case for breaking one of Al’s rules4:31 Hearing 1984 was an ear-opening experience for Michael when he first heard it10:13 Michael talks about how 1984 is an outlier in the Van Halen discography11:57 Michael break downs the elements that make 1984 special14:54 Michael describes the process behind the recording of 198419:37 1984 epitomizes Van Halen’s combination of virtuosity and silliness22:45 “Panama” is a more straightforward Van Halen song24:05 There’s a lot going on in “Jump”29:29 Michael gives Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth their props30:29 Van Halen were always a different type of metal band32:31 Michael has a theory about the album cover36:05 Al has questions about “I’ll Wait”40:06 Michael talks about the lack of overdubs…41:55 …except for one notable exception44:11 Michael discusses some of the innovations Eddie Van Halen used on this album46:33 Al is more interested in exploring the Van Halen discography now50:41 Michael talks about how he recently got to meet Greg Saunier57:00 Michael explains what Post-Cello is1:05:07 Michael talks about his upcoming albumOutro is from “Falling Forward” by Michael Peter OlsenSupport the show

110. Elizabeth Nelson Takes Over and Al Melchior Discusses Genesis, self-titled

04/09/2023 54 min 4 sec

Send us a textElizabeth Nelson of The Paranoid Style turns the tables on Al for this episode, serving as host and asking Al about why he loves Genesis and their 1983 self-titled album (also known as the “Shapes” album). Al talks about how he became a Genesis superfan, what his first impressions were of the “Shapes” album and  how those impressions have changed over the decades.You can find Elizabeth and her must-follow Twitter account at @paranoiacs. You can also follow her on Instagram at @paranoid_style (also a must-follow account).Check out the music of The Paranoid Style! https://theparanoidstyle.bandcamp.com/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:16 Elizabeth takes over!2:14 Al joins the show2:39 Al revisits how this episode came about4:11 Al explains how he got into Genesis as a teenager7:39 Al walks Elizabeth through the history of Genesis11:53 Al identifies a Genesis album that is the best gateway to their proggy side15:35 Al talks about his initial experience with listening to the “Shapes” album19:35 Elizabeth shares Al’s opinion of “That’s All”20:53 Al compares the versions of Genesis with three, four and five membersDiscussion of specific tracks24:06 Mama29:00 Elizabeth asks Al what he thinks about the drum sounds on the album32:44 Taking It All Too Hard34:49 It’s Gonna Get Better38:48 That’s All39:20 Just A Job To Do42:37 Illegal Alien45:24 Silver Rainbow47:38 Al recommends three songs from the album and three songs from the entire catalog to listen to as an introduction to eachOutro is from “The Thrill Is Back” by The Paranoid Style.Support the show

109. Neil Gust Discusses Nigeria 70, Vol. 1 (Funky Lagos)

04/02/2023 60 min 36 sec

Send us a textNeil Gust, guitarist, songwriter and vocalist for Portland rock trio No. 2 (and previously of Heatmiser) becomes the first YMAAA guest to discuss a compilation. He introduces Al to Nigeria 70, Vol. 1 (Funky Lagos), and in the process, sparks a discussion about several key Afrobeat artists. Neil also talks about No. 2’s recent touring behind their 2022 album, First Love — his first live performances in more than 20 years.There are three, three, three! places to follow Neil on Instagram: @neilgust, @___numberdeux___, @heatmiser_archvCheck out No. 2’s Bandcamp page…https://no2music.bandcamp.com/…and YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@No-oe3yq1:09 Neil joins the show2:12 Neil explains why he chose to discuss this compilation6:24 Al has yet to learn about the featured artists in depth7:35 Neil’s listening experience for this album was different from his usual album-listening experience10:33 Neil talks about the importance of Fela Kuti and Tony Allen to AfrobeatDiscussion of other Afrobeat artists11:55 Blo13:45 The Funkees/Osibisa15:16 William Onyeabor16:03 Neil talks about the Nigerian Civil War and the Lagos music scene that emerged in its aftermath19:25 Al and Neil talk about the artists who introduced Western audiences to Afrobeat20:54 The compilation spans a variety of genres22:02 Neil and Al talk about the brutal misogyny reflected in “Woman Made The Devil”24:56 Al talks about artists on the album he wants to learn more about28:30 Segun Bucknor & His Revolution’s “La La La” is a highlight for Neil31:01“Jeun Ko Ku” was a springboard into Fela Kuti’s music for Neil33:25 Neil talks about some of Tony Allen’s various projects37:22 There are a couple of tracks that Neil doesn’t like as much as the others39:45 It took Al some time to more fully appreciate the compilation42:39 Neil expects Al will make more connections between Afrobeat and Western rock over time44:44 Neil talks about the albums he considered discussing but didn’t46:44 Neil talks about playing live with No. 2 for the first time in more than 20 years51:52 Will Neil tour again?53:55 What was Neil’s favorite part of playing live again?Outro is from “Model of the Universe” by No. 2.Support the show

108. Neal Barnard Discusses Cream, Wheels of Fire

03/26/2023 62 min 39 sec

Send us a textDr. Neal Barnard is a clinical researcher who is the founding president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and he is also a multi-instrumentalist who founded the band CarbonWorks. Neal joins Al on this episode to discuss Cream’s third album, Wheels of Fire, and along the way, he talks about Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, the good and the bad of Cream’s collaboration and CarbonWorks’ upcoming album, Vanishing Act.You can find Neal on Twitter and Instagram! @DrNealBarnardThere are also accounts for CarbonWorks on both platforms: @carbonworksband on Twitter, @carbonworksmusic on Instagram.Neil also mentioned the CarbonWorks YouTube channel, where you can find their videos, including some for their new songs: https://www.youtube.com/@carbonworks1770Also be sure to visit CarbonWorks’ website: www.carbonworksmusic.comAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:22 Neal joins the show2:18 Neal shares his thoughts on Jimi Hendrix’s discography6:44 Neal explains why he wanted to discuss Wheels of Fire11:54 Neal expands on some of his thoughts about The Beatles14:23 Did Al misinterpret “Politician”?16:27 Neal and Al continue a discussion of lyrics with “Pressed Rat and Warthog”19:05 Cream took their time making this album21:28 The various elements of Cream's music work well together26:17 Neal talks about how he related to Cream’s music when he first listened to them28:24 Neal and Al discuss their efforts to separate the artists from the art that Cream made30:24 Neal finds a flaw in Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” solo32:56 Neal offers his perspective on criticisms of Clapton’s playing36:16 Al’s first impression of “Traintime” didn’t last long37:34 Is a 16-minute drum solo too much drum solo?40:44 Neal delves into Cream’s dysfunctions43:21 Can Neal and Al separate Clapton’s actions from his music?47:15 Neal discusses the origins of his CarbonWorks project50:17 Neal talks about how CarbonWorks’ music comes together51:31 Neal’s experience as an exchange student in Belgium changed how he listened to music53:19 Neal brings up a couple of songs on Vanishing Act that exemplify his approach to musicOutro is from “Tout Ira Bien” by CarbonWorks.Support the show

107. Chris Slusarenko Discusses The Fall, Perverted by Language

03/19/2023 69 min 53 sec

Send us a textChris Slusarenko of the Portland-based band Eyelids joins Al to talk about The Fall’s 1983 album, Perverted by Language, and their “Kicker Conspiracy” single, which was released in the same year. Chris explains how he wound up getting up obsessed with The Fall, why he chose to focus on these particular records for this episode and how The Fall has influenced his own creative process. He also talks about Eyelids’ recently-released fourth album, A Colossal Waste of Light, and the experience of being produced by and touring with Peter Buck.Chris made repeated reference to The Annotated Fall, which lists and, yes, annotates the lyrics to The Fall’s songs. If you’re new to The Fall like Al is (or probably even if you’re not), it’s an indispensable resource. http://annotatedfall.doomby.com/pages/the-annotated-lyrics/Where’s the cursor?? Where’s the eraser?? Here’s where to find Eyelids on your computer…Be sure to follow Eyelids on Twitter and Instagram! @musicofeyelidsTo follow/visit Eyelids on Bandcamp, go here: https://musicofeyelids.bandcamp.com/You can get Eyelids merch, tour info and much more at https://musicofeyelids.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:19 Chris joins the show1:26 Chris talks about the importance of music in his family3:21 Chris explains the origins of the title of Eyelids’ new album6:23 Chris discusses how he got obsessed with The Fall9:29 Chris walks through the various stages of The Fall’s discography12:29 “Eat Y’self Fitter” exemplifies many of the things Chris loves about Perverted by Language18:38 There’s a lot one can read about The Fall20:17 Why was Mark E. Smith singing about computers in 1983?22:22 The Fall isn’t for everybody23:17 Chris addresses the similarities between The Fall and Pavement24:43 Al talks about his initial impressions of Perverted by Language26:55 Chris sees Perverted by Language as a transitional album28:51 Chris and Al disagree as to how cohesive the album is31:36 Chris talks about The Fall’s frequent changes in personnel34:05 Chris is impressed by the confidence of The Fall on Perverted by Language37:48 Chris has trouble picking a favorite track40:49 Al and Chris admire Steve Hanley’s bass playing43:58 Chris talks about the “Kicker Conspiracy/Wings” single48:24 Chris doesn’t think The Fall sold out after Perverted by Language49:56 Chris suggests some other albums by The Fall for Al to explore52:56 Chris appreciates Mark E. Smith’s lyrics54:14 Chris clarifies a misheard lyric for Al57:03 Eyelids took a different approach to songwriting for A Colossal Waste of Light1:00:55 Chris talks about Peter Buck’s involvement on A Colossal Waste of Light1:05:41 Chris discusses Eyelids’ current tourOutro is from “That’s Not Real At All (B. Midweek Pg. 207)” by Eyelids.Support the show

106. Highlights from #MWE

03/12/2023 32 min 16 sec

Send us a textThis year, for the first time, Al took part in #MWE — aka Music Writer’s Exercise — listening to and writing about a new album every day throughout the month of February. Al discusses 10 of his favorite albums out of the total of 28, explaining why he chose them for the project and what he liked about them.Al mentioned the Sara Lund interview on the Tour Stories podcast, where she discussed Alice Coltrane’s Journey in Satchidananda. You can listen to that episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-check-in-with-sara-lund-unwound/id1482193534?i=1000575099615.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.0:48 A #MWE primer2:06 How Al picked his 28 albumsHighlight albums4:06 Television, Marquee Moon6:54 Tacocat, Lost Time9:17 Tool, Lateralus11:42 Alice Coltrane, Journey in Satchidananda13:19  Horsegirl, Versions of Modern Performance15:31 Obey Robots, One In A Thousand18:38 Quasi, Breaking the Balls of History20:10 Caroline Polachek, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You23:21 The Black Tones, Cobain & Cornbread25:02 Bruce Springsteen, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.28:06 Al sums up his #MWE experienceSupport the show

105. Allie Goertz Discusses Nine Inch Nails, The Downward Spiral

03/05/2023 68 min 44 sec

Send us a textTV writer, editor and musician Allie Goertz introduces Al to an album that’s been central to her life for the past year — The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails. Allie talks about how she first heard the album, why it’s been important to her and how she covered several of the tracks on her upcoming album, NIN, Peeled Back. She also talks about the Nerf Herder song that bears her name.Correction: Al incorrectly stated that "Closer" was the album's first single. “March of the Pigs” was actually the lead single, though “Closer” was the first track Al had heard on the radio.It’s ridiculously easy to find and follow Allie online (and you should)!Twitter, Instagram and YouTube: @alliegoertzBandcamp: https://alliegoertz.bandcamp.com/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:10 Allie joins the show1:35 Allie achieves a first for You, Me and An Album2:03 Allie talks about why The Downward Spiral is an important album for her4:56 Has Allie gotten obsessive about other bands?9:30 How does The Downward Spiral make Allie feel?12:08 Al was not prepared for the experience of listening to The Downward Spiral15:45 Al was more familiar with the NIN version of “Hurt” than he realized17:16 “Closer” has always given Al the creeps20:50 Al explains what it is about NIN that makes listening difficult27:24 Allie sees humor in NIN’s music30:04 The Downward Spiral reminds Al of another album33:02 Allie talks about her initial experiences with listening to NIN35:32 There was only one track on The Downward Spiral that was hard for Allie to hear at firstDiscussion of other tracks:36:50 March of the Pigs40:27 Hurt (again)43:07 Does Allie have albums that she appreciates but can’t listen to?44:13 Piggy/Heresy47:47 Reptile51:27 Ruiner53:13 Big Man with a Gun55:20 Allie talks about her upcoming NIN covers album1:00:01 Allie talks about the Nerf Herder songOutro is from “Nerf Herder Girl” by Allie GoertzSupport the show

104. Elizabeth Nelson Discusses Pavement, Slanted and Enchanted

02/26/2023 83 min 47 sec

Send us a textElizabeth Nelson does it all…singer/songwriter for The Paranoid Style, journalist, copywriter, educational consultant…and she took some time out to join Al for this episode of YMAAA. Elizabeth discusses Pavement’s debut album, Slanted and Enchanted, and details what she loves about the record and all of the various influences that went into it. She also talks about the upcoming Paranoid Style album, the story behind a Paranoid Style video and her @paranoiacs Twitter account.The video for The Paranoid Style's "The Thrill Is Back!" is a whole lotta fun. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgyfywASWoEElizabeth wrote a great piece for the New York Times Magazine on some recent TV series reboots. It’s just one click away…https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/08/magazine/night-court-velma-that-90s-show-reboots.htmlAs noted above, Elizabeth is on Twitter at @paranoiacs, and she is a must-follow for any music fan. You can also follow her on Instagram at @paranoid_style.Treat yourself to the music of The Paranoid Style! https://theparanoidstyle.bandcamp.com/To read the bio/essay on The Paranoid Style’s namesake, head on over to the Bar None Records website. http://www.bar-none.com/the-paranoid-styleAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:13 Elizabeth joins the show1:34 Elizabeth provides a timetable for the new Paranoid Style album2:40 Al asks Elizabeth about her Twitter ambivalence6:29 Al explains why he is especially embarrassed about his lack of Pavement knowledge9:13 Al and Elizabeth talk about their experiences with watching Pavement live11:15 Elizabeth identifies a band she became a fan of after seeing them in concert14:52 Elizabeth explains why she chose Slanted and Enchanted for this episode20:10 Al is exploring Stephen Malkmus backwards21:26 Elizabeth talks about Pavement’s influences23:22 Elizabeth pieces together the details of how she first heard Slanted and Enchanted25:57 Elizabeth details what she has liked about Pavement from the first time she listened to them27:17 Is Pavement a slacker band?28:59 Al finds Pavement confusing30:53 Elizabeth enjoys Pavement’s variety of influencesDiscussion of specific tracks33:51 Summer Babe39:35 In the Mouth a Desert46:19 Fame Throwa48:30 Our Singer50:42 Jackals, False Grails: The Lonesome Era51:19 Two States53:35 Conduit for Sale!1:02:00 Zürich Is Stained1:03:47 Here1:08:48 Al feels like he didn’t pay sufficient attention to the lyrics1:11:22 Elizabeth talks about the making of the video for “The Thrill is Back!”1:16:24 Elizabeth alerts us to her current projects1:17:18 Elizabeth suggests a topic for a future episodeOutro is from “The Worst of My Love” by The Paranoid Style,Support the show

103. Greg Saunier Discusses Atrium Musicae de Madrid, Music of Ancient Greece

02/19/2023 84 min 26 sec

Send us a textGreg Saunier, drummer and founding member of Deerhoof, joins You, Me and An Album for much more than just a discussion of a favorite album. He does talk about one of his favorite albums — Ancient Music of Greece by Atrium Musicae de Madrid — but he also considers what this album can teach us about contemporary music, classical music and Western culture in general. Greg also talks about Deerhoof’s soon-to-be-released album, Miracle-Level, and the band’s 2021 cover of Sleater-Kinney’s “Don’t Talk Like.”Follow Greg and Deerhoof on Twitter and Instagram at @deerhoof!You can get information on Miracle-Level and Deerhoof tour dates at https://deerhoof.website/ or https://deerhoof.bandcamp.com/.Also, Greg mentioned Deerhoof’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GregFromDeerhoof.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:06 Greg joins the show1:44 Greg and Al talk about their research on the album’s backstory3:18 Greg recounts how he first learned about the album4:18 Greg explains what the premise of Music of Ancient Greece is6:27 Greg identifies modern Western musical conventions that can be linked to ancient Greece13:55 Greg explains why he wanted to explore music from such a distant time21:46 Why does some of the album sound modern?24:30 Greg outlines several of the ways the musicians chose to interpret an incomplete score31:50 Greg thinks the musicians made a conscious decision to make the music ugly38:00 Are recent technology trends in music democratizing?49:19 Do the features of Music of Ancient Greece work their way into Deerhoof’s music?51:50 Al sees a connection between Music of Ancient Greece and a Deerhoof cover of a Sleater-Kinney song56:40 Greg argues that today’s music technology codifies elite values1:00:19 Greg finds Music of Ancient Greece’s mix of scholarship and amateurism charming1:05:57 Deerhoof made a point of bringing their upcoming tour to Western Massachusetts1:08:43 Greg talks about Miracle-Level being Deerhoof’s first album with all Japanese lyrics1:12:23 Greg discusses the fragmentary nature of Deerhoof’s songwriting1:17:44 Greg argues that artists don’t know what their art meansSupport the show

102. Eva Walker Discusses Funkadelic, Maggot Brain

02/12/2023 69 min 46 sec

Send us a textGuitarist, vocalist and songwriter Eva Walker of The Black Tones — who is also a DJ for Seattle’s KEXP — joins Al to talk about Funkadelic’s 1971 album, Maggot Brain. Eva delves into how she first discovered Maggot Brain, the elements of the album that make it a great listen and other albums she also considered discussing on this episode. She also talks about the status of The Black Tones’ second album and the band’s video game, They Want Us Dead!Be sure to follow Eva and The Black Tones!Twitter: @The_Black_TonesInstagram: @theblacktonesAnd visit The Black Tones’ website!https://theblacktones.bandcamp.com/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.0:59 Eva joins the show1:43 Eva had a difficult time choosing an album to discuss3:49 Eva first listened to Maggot Brain because of the album artwork6:28 Al never understood why Parliament-Funkadlelic was hyphenated7:44 Eva talks about listening to her mother’s records growing up10:12 Seattle didn’t always embrace Jimi Hendrix13:18 Maggot Brain completely defied Al’s expectations18:29 Is there funk on Maggot Brain?Observations about specific tracks20:18 Hit It And Quit It24:31 Wars of Armageddon (and a discussion of upbeat sad songs)31:12 Maggot Brain33:03 Can You Get To That (and a discussion of misheard lyrics)36:37 You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks41:45 The link between You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks and The Black Tones’ Blue Matrimony44:39 Super Stupid47:29 Back In Our Minds50:42 Eva talks about her musical influences53:39 Eva discusses The Black Tones’ current plans56:24 One of the early reviews of Cobain and Cornbread had an issue with song structure57:17 Eva explains the lyrics to “Plaid Pants” and “Welcome Mr. Pink”1:01:32 Eva talks about The Black Tones’ video gameOutro is from “Welcome Mr. Pink” by The Black TonesSupport the show

101. Rat Discusses Pale Blue Eyes, Souvenirs

02/05/2023 55 min 36 sec

Send us a textRat — the guitarist for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Obey Robots — makes a return visit to YMAAA, and with a connection to his first visit. On Ep 29, he introduced Al to Public Service Broadcasting’s The Race for Space. Recently, Rat saw PSB live, and he was impressed by the support band, Pale Blue Eyes. He immediately went out and bought PBE’s debut album, Souvenirs, and now he is here to let us know why we should know this album, too. In addition to discussing Souvenirs, Rat talks about Obey Robots’ soon-to-be-released debut album, One In A Thousand, and upcoming plans for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.Rat and Al talked about Obey Robots’ video for “Let It Snow,” and if you haven’t seen it yet, you should! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb734Q9HuK4Be sure to follow Rat for all Ned’s and Obey Robots developments...Twitter: @Rat_NedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rat.ned/And check out his weekly playlist, as discussed on this episode: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/ratned?si=b9000f6ea2944018And while you’re at it, keep up with Rat’s OR bandmate, Laura Kidd, too!Twitter and Instagram: @penfriendrocksFacebook: search for Laura Kidd or PenfriendWebsite: https://penfriend.rocks/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is now free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s new Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:07 Rat joins the show1:45 Rat talks about how he first learned about Pale Blue Eyes4:34 Rat explains what makes Pale Blue Eyes a great live act7:52 Rat encourages us to support the support bands9:44 Souvenirs’ sequencing adds to the listening experience for RatObservations about specific tracks12:41 Chelsea16:53 Honeybear20:59 Little Gem24:29 Champagne (and a discussion of ‘80s music)30:36 TV Flicker31:52 Globe33:04 Dr Pong35:29 Neither Rat nor Al bothered much with listening to the lyrics37:19 Sing It Like We Used To38:52 Under Northern Sky41:21 Rat and Al talk about the new Obey Robots album and videos45:25 What’s next for Obey Robots?47:25 What’s coming up for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin?50:44 Rat talks about his new weekly playlistsSupport the show

100. Kelley Deal Discusses Julian Cope, Droolian

01/29/2023 65 min 25 sec

Send us a textYMAAA winds up its first 100 episodes with a great last splash! Kelley Deal of The Breeders and R. Ring joins Al to discuss Julian Cope’s 1990 lo-fi album, Droolian. Kelley talks about the unusual circumstance in which she first listened to Droolian, the narratives she has created around the album and what she loves about it. She also talks about her involvement with The Amps’ Pacer album and what a busy 2023 has in store for her and The Breeders.R. Ring’s brand-new album, War Poems, We Rested, is out, and it’s great! https://rring.bandcamp.com/album/war-poems-we-restedKelley had mentioned a cover of a Guided By Voices song, “Scalding Creek,” that she recorded with Buffalo Killers. It’s worth your time to check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vZAOwdXhYcAl made a couple of error in his discussion with Kelley:He said Kelley was listed on the Pacer Wikipedia page, but what he was thinking of was her inclusion on The Amps’ Wikipedia page.He mentioned a piano melody on R.E.M.’s “Why Not Smile,” but it’s actually played on a marimba (he thinks).Be sure to follow Kelley on Twitter and Instagram! @kelleydeal……and check out her online store: store.kelleydeal.comAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is now free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s new Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:10 Kelley joins the show1:51 Al singles out a great Kelley Deal lyric4:06 Kelley talks about her involvement with The Amps’ Pacer album7:28 Al’s previous exposure to Julian Cope was almost exclusively through The Teardrop Explodes8:03 Kelley was first exposed to Droolian in an unusual way14:13 Kelley and Al consider how the nature of fandom has changed15:57 Kelley talks about her deep dive into Cope’s catalog17:32 Kelley compares Droolian with its predecessor, Skellington20:30 Kelley also listened to some of Cope’s more polished albums21:28 Droolian was love at first listen for KelleyDiscussion of specific tracks23:49 Look After Your Leathers28:30 Commin Down31:00 Yeah Yeah Yeah32:15 Jellypop Perky Jean/Louis 14th34:34 …Atonement of Wasp36:00 Gentleman Dude37:45 Kelly41:12 Kelley wants to borrow a harmony from a Teardrop Explodes song42:33 Church of England 1991/Sqwubbsy46:46 Kelley explains why her favorite Droolian lyrics are her favorites50:16 Al wants to try listening to an album the way Kelley first listened to Droolian51:02 Kelley talks about some of her other CD discoveries53:13 Kelley discusses R. Ring’s origins57:18 Kelley previews her 2023 plans with R. Ring, The Breeders and Protomartyr1:00:09 Is Kelley a competitive knitter?Outro is from "Def Sup" by R. Ring.Support the show

99. Caleb Nichols Discusses Blur, self-titled

01/22/2023 68 min 40 sec

Send us a textSinger/songwriter/poet Caleb Nichols (Port O’Brien, Soft People) gets Al acquainted with Blur’s 1997 self-titled album, and they also discuss the album’s significance in Blur’s discography as well as to them personally. Caleb talks about how Blur has influenced their own music and the important role that The Beatles have played in their life. Caleb also delves into their Beatles-inspired solo debut album, Ramon, and a couple of current projects.Be sure to follow Caleb on Twitter and Instagram at @seanickels!Caleb is also on TikTok: @theecalebnicholsAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show also has an account on Mastodon: @youmealbum@mas.to.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is now free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s new Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:02 Caleb joins the show1:28 Caleb recalls when they first got into The Beatles3:15 Caleb talks about other artists they listened to growing up7:22 The Blur album was a launchpad into indie rock for Caleb9:36 Caleb and Al talk about the Blur-Oasis rivalry15:16 Caleb explains why they chose to discuss Blur on this episode17:10 Caleb zeroes in on Graham Coxon’s contributions to the album23:55 Al was surprised by his initial reaction to the album24:51 Caleb and Al talk about the benefits of listening to an album multiple times30:02 Caleb likes the blending of random noises with pop elements34:53 Caleb identifies their favorite parts of the album37:42 Caleb appreciates how Blur put themselves into a conversation with David Bowie38:45 How is Blur a dangerous album?44:41 Al talks about his favorite parts of the album47:20 Caleb notes Blur’s use of older synth sounds50:16 Something in “Essex Dogs/Interlude” shocked Al54:41 Caleb mentions an athletic feat from Graham Coxon that they witnessed56:02 Caleb comments on a few more tracks58:44 Some confusion over Supertramp59:58 Caleb talks about their upcoming album and book of poemsOutro is from “Run Rabbit Run” by Caleb Nichols.Support the show

98. Sam Coomes Discusses Velvet Underground, White Light/White Heat

01/15/2023 50 min 32 sec

Send us a textPortland-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Sam Coomes (Quasi, Jon Spencer and the HITmakers, Heatmiser, The Donner Party) takes a break from a busy 2023 to get Al up to speed on the Velvet Underground. Specifically, he introduces our host to VU’s second album, White Light/White Heat. Sam goes in depth on the album’s 17-minute closer, “Sister Ray,” and also talks about the tracks that were his favorites when he first starting listening to the album. He also talks about Quasi’s soon-to-be-released (Feb. 10) album, Breaking the Balls of History, and their upcoming tour.On this episode, Al made reference to an appearance Sam made on Joe Wong’s podcast, The Trap Set. You can listen to that episode here: http://www.thetrapset.net/290-sam-coomes-quasi/.Sam mentioned that Quasi would be releasing a third single from Breaking the Balls of History shortly after the recording of this episode. In fact, that single — “Nowheresville” — is out now, and there’s a great video for it, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODVN6LoNL5g&list=RDODVN6LoNL5g&start_radio=1Be sure to follow Sam on Instagram! @theecoomesQuasi are worth a follow, too! @thee.quasi on Instagram and @TheeQuasi on TwitterFor the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show also has an account on Mastodon: @youmealbum@mas.to.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is now free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s new Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:21 Sam joins the show2:09 The Velvet Underground’s first album was Sam’s introduction to the band4:29 Sam talks about the group that inspired him to play in a band8:03 Sam and Al wax nostalgic about record stores9:10 Sam explains why he chose White Light/White Heat10:17 Is “Sister Ray” prog?13:27 Sam hears “Sister Ray” as a discussion16:29 “Sister Ray” was the last song on the album that Sam got into18:19 The Velvet Underground add unconventional elements to conventional rock songs21:23 Sam identifies the elements of White Light/White Heat that made him love the album initially26:33 Al had trouble with some of the more grisly lyrics27:23 Sam used to focus more on the music than the lyrics in “The Gift”29:16 Sam talks about the paradox of Lou Reed’s lyrics31:59 The Velvet Underground got tighter as a band on White Light/White Heat33:47 Al asks Sam if he models his own sounds on those of Velvet Underground35:48 Al asks Sam about his hypothetical prog rock podcast43:08 Sam talks about the soon-to-be-released Quasi album46:33 Sam discusses his near-term touring plansOutro is from "Doomscrollers" by Quasi.Support the show

97. Natalie Weiner Discusses Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley

01/08/2023 59 min 37 sec

Send us a textMusic journalist and sportswriter Natalie Weiner kicks off the 2023 episodes of YMAAA on a jazzy note, as she introduces Al to the 1962 album, Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley. Natalie talks about how she got into jazz when she was in high school, why she selected this album for this episode and what she loves about both Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley. She also delves into what’s been different about music in the 2020s and the projects she will be working on in the coming year.Natalie mentioned an essay by Nicholas Payton about why jazz “died” in 1959. You can read it here: https://nicholaspayton.com/on-why-jazz-isnt-cool-anymore/Be sure to follow Natalie on TwItter (@natalieweiner) and Instagram (@natalieweinerwrites)......and check out her website: natalieweiner.com!For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show also has an account on Mastodon: @youmealbum@mas.to.You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter is now free to all subscribers! https://youmealbum.substack.com/If you are interested in supporting this podcast, please check out the show’s new Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and keep this show going.1:20 Natalie joins the show1:57 Playing bass was Natalie’s gateway to getting deeper into music5:24 Natalie’s jazz band teacher was instrumental to expanding her jazz knowledge9:06 Natalie talks about the first piece of music writing she got paid to do11:02 Learning to play “So What” was a turning point for Natalie12:37 Natalie explains why she chose this album for this episode15:49 Al found listening to the album relaxing17:16 Al looks to Natalie to help him hear Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley in a different context21:51 Al really enjoyed Nancy Wilson’s vocals22:40 Natalie highlights some of the aspects that make the album special26:51 Natalie talks about what she loves about Cannonball Adderley’s style of playing28:49 Natalie appreciates the relative simplicity of the sound on this album30:29 Natalie and Al talk about the album’s dynamics32:30 Natalie gets into the particulars of Nancy Wilson’s performance34:35 Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley came out in the aftermath of what many consider to be jazz’s peak37:31 Nalalie credits the producers with the album’s high-quality sound39:33 Al asks Natalie about the sequencing on the different versions of the album40:30 The song arrangements are part of the album’s appeal for Natalie46:53 Natalie recommends the album as an introduction to other work by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley50:45 Natalie’s music listening habits have changed in the 2020s54:17 Natalie talks about her current and upcoming projectsSupport the show

96. D.K. Lyons Discusses Charli XCX, Crash

12/18/2022 56 min 43 sec

Send us a textMusician, songwriter and producer D.K. Lyons makes his second appearance on YMAAA, and just as with The 1975's I Like It When You Sleep..., he chooses an album that's a real challenge for Al. For the first time ever on this show, Al and his guest discuss an album from the current year, as D.K. picked Charli XCX’s Crash for this episode. D.K. talks about how he first got acquainted with Charli XCX’s music, why he chose Crash for this episode, what he likes musically and lyrically about the album and what releases we can expect from him in 2023.Keep up with D.K. on Instagram at @d.k.lyonsmusic.Also be sure to check out the D.K. Lyons YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@user-sk4wz2tf1d, and his website, https://dklyonsmusic.com/.For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show now has an account on Mastodon: @youmealbum@mas.to.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year and has brought it back after a hiatus. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:05 D.K. (re)joins the show2:03 D.K. talks about his reaction to The 1975’s Being Funny in a Foreign Language5:01 D.K. explains how he started listening to Charli XCX and why he chose to discuss Crash7:24 Al heard Crash differently after doing some research on the album9:18 D.K. and Al talk about Charli XCX’s experimental side11:56 Al found a particular spot to listen to Crash that helped him to appreciate it more14:32 D.K. and Al identify aspects of the album’s production that they don’t like17:54 Crash doesn’t lack for memorable hooks21:44 D.K. and Al talk about Charli XCX’s collaborators on “New Shapes”23:41 D.K. talks about the connection between a song from The Goofy Movie and “New Shapes”24:53 The title track is a standout song for D.K.26:25 D.K. and Al hear some similarities between Charli XCX and The 197527:50 “Good Ones” and “Constant Repeat” are earworms for both D.K. and Al33:09 Al has a hard time thinking of songs from Crash where he really likes the lyrics34:50 D.K. noted a few songs where he appreciates the lyrics37:18 D.K. has a theory about why Charli XCX processes her vocals as much as she does39:55 D.K. talks about the album’s four bonus tracks44:56 D.K. sums up what he enjoys about Crash46:50 D.K. gives Al a recommendation for where to continue his Charli XCX exploration49:56 D.K. talks about his recent and upcoming releasesOutro is from “The Sadness” by D.K. LyonsSupport the show

95. Steve Luongo Discusses Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick

12/11/2022 60 min 0 sec

Send us a textDrummer, producer, visual artist and designer Steve Luongo (Rat Race Choir, TorQue) takes the guest seat on this week’s You, Me and An Album to discuss Jethro Tull’s Thick as a Brick. Steve talks about why this album is special to him, which parts are his favorites and whether he considers Jethro Tull to be a prog band. He also delves into the John Entiwistle Oxhumed rarities albums he has been working on.Al talked about some other prog rock suites that were released around the same time as Thick as a Brick, and in doing so, he incorrectly stated that “Supper’s Ready” comprises the second side of Foxtrot by Genesis. Al is mortified at this error, as he is a fan of Steve Hackett’s instrumental, “Horizons,” which kicks off Side 2 before “Supper’s Ready” embarks on its 23-minute run.Steve mentioned a video of West Side Story’s “America” that includes performances from both the 1961 and 2021 versions. Here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0jVQT0BrzwKeep up with Steve and his many projects!Twitter: @drumcrusherInstagram: @steveluongo4realWebsite: steveluongo.comFor more information on John Entwistle Rarities Oxhumed, go to johnentwistle.com.For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show is also now on Mastodon. @youmealbum@mas.to.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year and has brought it back after a hiatus. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:24 Steve joins the show2:35 Is Jethro Tull a prog band?4:02 Steve recalls how he got introduced to Jethro Tull’s music6:19 Steve explains why Jethro Tull resonated for him more than some other bands7:19 Steve details why he chose Thick as a Brick for this episode8:50 Al compares Thick as a Brick with other early ‘70s prog suites10:51 Steve gives an example of how Jethro Tull is “orchestral”14:41 Is Thick as a Brick a parody of prog rock?16:06 Steve and Al agree on their favorite part of the album17:40 Why aren’t rock flautists more of a thing?19:49 Steve learned a lot of lessons about drumming from Thick as a Brick23:34 Steve would still love the album even if he weren’t a drummer26:22 Steve wonders how the various parts all came together28:36 The drum solo…too much or just right?31:29 Steve singles out the key difference between Thick as a Brick and Aqualung35:05 Steve talks about some music that he appreciates as a listener (as opposed to as a drummer)43:11 Steve discusses a couple more standout sections of the album47:24 Would Steve rather listen to a remixed version of this album?49:34 Steve talks about current projects, including the John Entwistle rarities albumsSupport the show

94. Heidi Moore Discusses Joe Pug, Messenger

12/04/2022 73 min 29 sec

Send us a textEconomics and finance writer/editor Heidi Moore introduces Al to singer-songwriter Joe Pug and his 2010 album, Messenger. Heidi talks about other artists who are a part of Pug’s “cinematic universe,” why the songs of Messenger resonate with her and why she didn’t choose to discuss a Bastille album instead.Heidi mentioned Pug’s weekly Sunday livestreams and his podcast, Working Songwriter. Find them via the following links…Livestream: https://joepugmusic.com/livestreamPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-working-songwriter/id1079001185Al talked about how an essay he wrote for Bandcamp Daily earlier this year relates to some of themes covered on Messenger. You can read that essay here: https://daily.bandcamp.com/resonance/quasi-seal-the-deal-essay.As Heidi mentioned, she has accounts on multiple social media platforms, but you are most likely to find her on Twitter. She is at @moorehn.For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show is also now on Mastodon. @youmealbum@mas.to.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year and has brought it back after a hiatus. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:00 Heidi joins the show1:38 Why didn’t Heidi choose a Bastille album?4:24 Al and Heidi talk about shows they’ve attended during the pandemic6:23 Heidi explains why she chose Messenger for this episode8:33 Heidi names some other artists she considered discussing11:36 Heidi talks about the song that started her Joe Pug fandom16:17 Pug was prescient about how society would change with social media18:22 The lyrics of Messenger made a huge impression on Al21:05 Al related to “How Good You Are” in particular23:16 Heidi compares Pug to Joni Mitchell29:01 Themes that Pug raises provide lessons that were relevant for the Trump era39:56 “Disguised as Someone Else” is a meaningful track for both Heidi and Al44:26 Al sees the opening and closing tracks as outliers on the album47:01 Heidi explains why she can’t listen to “Unsophisticated Heart” often52:54 Is songwriting magic?54:08 Heidi and Al see contrasts between Messenger and Fiona Apple’s Tidal57:53 Heidi and Al revisit a line from “Unsophisticated Heart” they like1:00:06 Heidi talks about Pug’s training as a playwright1:01:50 “The First Time I Saw You” is another of Heidi’s favorite tracks from the album1:05:44 Heidi talks about a couple of albums she’s been listening to latelySupport the show

93. Megan Mayhew Bergman Discusses Fiona Apple, Tidal

11/27/2022 54 min 56 sec

Send us a textAuthor and Middlebury College English and American Literatures professor Megan Mayhew Bergman pays a visit to YMAAA to talk about Fiona Apple’s debut album, Tidal. She revisits the time in her life when she first heard the album, why it was important then and continues to be important to her now, and which songs are her favorites (and which ones she is liable to skip).Megan and Al got into a little bit of a discussion about Genesis as well, and Al stated that he thought Tony Banks wrote “In Too Deep.” Phil Collins is credited with the lyrics, so he was at least partly wrong about this.Al also alluded to a series of Genesis interviews conducted in 2014. You can find them on YouTube in four installments. The first one is here — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeGVDk0mSY8 — and links to the others are in the notes for that video.One last Genesis-related note: Megan mentioned a baby Jesus statue in Mexico that resembles Phil Collins. Here is one of many stories regarding said statue. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/jesus-statue-phil-collins-trnd/index.htmlFollow Megan on Twitter and Instagram at @mayhewbergman! Also be sure to keep up with her many, many projects at http://www.mayhewbergman.com/.For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.The show is also now on Mastodon. @youmealbum@mas.to.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year and has brought it back after a hiatus. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:14 Megan joins the show2:18 Megan has an awesome Genesis t-shirt3:07 Megan first heard Tidal during a difficult and lonely period of her life4:38 Megan and Al are impressed by the maturity and sophistication Apple showed on this album6:47 Megan discusses the specific ways that Tidal helped her get through a difficult time10:03 Megan breaks down how the drums and percussion amplify the emotional impact of “Sleep to Dream”11:28 “Criminal” and “Never Is a Promise” also evoke strong emotions13:54 Megan has a different relationship with Tidal now than when she was in her teens…18:46 …but some of the messages carry just as much weight now as then20:30 Megan and Al marvel at how Apple was able to create such an influential album in her teens25:06 Megan highlights her favorite musical moments on Tidal28:23 There are songs on the album that Megan will skip32:28 Megan and Al discuss Tidal’s sequencing34:32 Megan reveals which song from the album is her favorite now36:28 Megan likes the “big character energy” of “Criminal”38:36 Megan appreciates the videos Apple made for this album41:19 A bonus Genesis discussion!50:14 Megan talks about her upcoming book on the International Sweethearts of RhythmSupport the show

92. Mary Beth Melchior Discusses Jesus Christ Superstar (original concept album)

11/20/2022 68 min 13 sec

Send us a textMary Beth Melchior returns to You, Me and An Album to discuss the first full-length album she ever listened to -- and just in advance of her and Al's 33-1/3 year wedding anniversary! The original Jesus Christ Superstar concept album has been an important album to Mary Beth for nearly her entire life, and Al finally gets better acquainted with it so they can discuss it for this episode. Mary Beth talks about the circumstances of her first listening to the album, why it's been an important part of her life and why she likes it much better than the other versions that have been released.Follow Mary Beth on Twitter at @mbmelchior!For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.As Al mentioned, he also just joined Mastodon, though he slightly botched his handle there. It's @youmealbum@mas.to.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year and has brought it back after a hiatus. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:18 Mary Beth joins the show2:24 Mary Beth distinguishes between the Jesus Christ Superstar concept album and other versions7:35 Mary Beth explains why she wanted to talk about this album on this episode9:31 Mary Beth talks about how she first heard the JCS album at the age of 5 or 613:54 JCS appeared in Mary Beth’s migraine auras15:00 Do Al and Mary Beth find JCS emotionally draining?21:14 Was Al justified in thinking that JCS was a “freaky” album?25:02 JCS allowed Mary Beth to relate to religion without her parents’ filter27:27 One song from the album still grates on Al30:12 Mary Beth gives Al a different perspective on how JCS treats Pilate37:17 Al talks about his favorite track from JCS41;14 Mary Beth asks Al if he likes her favorite song on the album44:41 Does JCS have any bangers?49:41 Al heard “Superstar” in a totally different way than before52:43 Al considers tracks he would listen to as one-offs55:23 Mary Beth does have a song from JCS she listens to as a one-off58:40 Mary Beth talks about her changing relationship with the album1:02:50 Al sums up his feelings about the albumSupport the show

91. Jeff Melnick Discusses Terry Melcher, self-titled

11/06/2022 76 min 8 sec

Send us a textAmerican Studies professor Jeff Melnick normally teaches at University of Massachusetts Boston, but on this episode, he gives Al an education on Terry Melcher and his 1974 self-titled debut album. Jeff talks about Melcher's connections with Charles Manson (which Jeff also details in his book, Creepy Crawling: Charles Manson and the Many Lives of America’s Most Infamous Family), how they inform the themes of this album and Melcher's role in the '60s L.A. music scene. Jeff also discusses the book he is currently working on, which deals with the Boston music scene in the '70s, '80s and '90s.Follow Jeff on Twitter! @melnickjeffrey1Al (for the time being) is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:07 Jeff joins the show2:06 How Al and Jeff met on Twitter4:11 Jeff explains how his interest in Charles Manson developed7:19 Jeff suggests that learning about the Manson Family can tell us a lot about L.A. culture in the late ‘60s8:56 Jeff’s interest in Terry Melcher preceded his work on Creepy Crawling10:30 Al’s wife, Mary Beth, had an interest in studying the Manson Family when she was in high school11:36 Jeff explains how Melcher was connected to Manson20:14 Jeff ponders why Melcher waited until 1974 to release a solo album22:15 Jeff conceives of Melcher’s solo debut as a loose concept album27:31 Al and Jeff find some of Melcher’s vocals hard to listen to31:10 Jeff appreciates how Melcher captures the miserable side of LA. In the ‘70s36:33 Self-pity is another major theme of the album41:08 “Dr. Horowitz” doesn’t necessarily convey the message Melcher intended42:55 Jeff sees the “Halls of Justice” medley as serving two purposes57:35 Jeff thinks “covers” is not always the right word to describe the previously-recorded songs Melcher performed on this album1:02:20 Does Jeff actually love this album?1:06:50 Jeff talks about the book on the Boston music scene he’s been working onSupport the show

90. Gilly Ann Hanner Discusses X, More Fun in the New World

10/30/2022 69 min 37 sec

Send us a textPortland indie rock legend Gilly Ann Hanner (Calamity Jane, Starpower, Braille Stars, No. 2, Desír) drops by the show to introduce Al to X's 1983 album, More Fun in the New World. Gilly talks about how she first learned about X, why this album is one of her favorites and how it has influenced her music. She also talks about the recently-released albums by Desír and No. 2, and the time that Calamity Jane opened for Nirvana in Argentina.Al mentioned in this episode that he wrote a piece for Bandcamp Daily about No. 2 and their new album, First Love.  You can read it here: https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/no-2-first-love-interviewKeep up with Gilly and her bands on Instagram!Gilly: @gillyannDesír: @desirmusiqueNo. 2: @___numberdeux___...and also be sure to check out her website, gillyannhanner.com.As Gilly mentions, you can buy or stream her music on Bandcamp.Desír: https://desirmusique.bandcamp.com/No. 2: https://no2music.bandcamp.com/album/first-loveBraille Stars: https://braillestars.bandcamp.com/album/golden-dream1:26 Gilly joins the show3:14 Al found a connection between Gilly and Liz Phair6:07 Al explains why he had never listened to X before8:37 Gilly learned about X from People magazine11:00 Gilly and Al marvel at completists13:15 Gilly loves X’s lyrics14:16 Is More Fun in the New World a punk album?20:37 “Devil Doll” destroyed many of Al’s preconceptions about punk21:52 Gilly says X is still a great band live and on record23:48 Gilly and Al compare X with the B-52s28:10 Gilly talks about X’s and B-52s’ influence on her own music31:07 Gilly and Al admire John Doe’s vocals31:54 Al was surprised by all of the references to older music on More Fun in the New World37:30 Gilly gives an example of how X supports their lyrics with their music40:10 Gilly appreciates X’s vocal harmonies41:39 “True Love Pt. 2” reminds Al and Gilly of a particular classic rock song43:46 Gilly makes some recommendations for some X-related films to watch45:20 Gilly talks about the making of Desír’s first album50:47 Gilly discusses some past projects52:11 Gilly talks about getting back into making music after a long hiatus57:08 Gilly recounts Calamity Jane’s infamous show in Argentina, when they opened for Nirvana1:04:22 Gilly talks about when she first knew Kurt Cobain in OlympiaOutro is from “Pugilist” by Desír.Support the show

89. Doug "Cosmo" Clifford Discusses Doug Sahm, Groover's Paradise

10/16/2022 52 min 17 sec

Send us a textDoug "Cosmo" Clifford -- yes, that Cosmo Clifford -- drummer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, joins Al for a discussion of Doug Sahm's 1974 album, Groover's Paradise.  Cosmo talks about why he thinks Groover's Paradise is a special album and why more people should know about Sahm and his music. Cosmo also discusses his role on the album, which he produced and played drums on. He also talks about the recent release of his album with Bobby Whitlock, California Gold, which was recorded in 1978.Follow Doug on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/DougCosmoCliffordAlso, you can find links to stream or buy Doug's albums at https://dougcosmoclifford.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:13 Cosmo joins the show1:19 Cosmo reacts to the new CCR documentary4:19 Doug Sahm liked pot7:03 Cosmo reveals his favorite track from Groover’s Paradise9:37 Cosmo talks about the variety of musical styles on the album15:28 Cosmo held out a “green carrot” for Sahm16:12 Cosmo discusses the process for creating the sound for the album20:54 Cosmo wants music fans to know how talented Sahm was22:49 Sahm liked to give his songs a sense of place24:49 Sahm had a couple of hits in the ‘60s with the Sir Douglas Quintet26:17 Cosmo talks about how he first got to know Sahm29:08 Cosmo discusses one of the recording choices made on “Just Groove Me”32:33 Cosmo talks about Augie Meyers’ contribution on “Beautiful Texas Sunshine”34:40 It may not be easy to get a copy of Groover’s Paradise now36:07 Cosmo explains why he released California Gold 44 years after it was recorded42:43 Cosmo explains why California Gold sounds like it could have been recorded more recently than 197844:23 Cosmo talks about his current plansOutro is from “Rollin’ On” by Doug Clifford featuring Bobby WhitlockSupport the show

88. Dennis Diken Discusses The Lovin' Spoonful, Daydream

10/09/2022 65 min 9 sec

Send us a textSmithereens drummer and music historian Dennis Diken joins Al for this episode to talk about The Lovin' Spoonful's second album, Daydream. Dennis shares why he thinks this is an album worth knowing and why he has been a Lovin' Spoonful fan ever since their first album came out. He also discusses The Smithereens' newly-released LP, The Lost Album, and what the band has in store for the future.As Dennis mentioned, you can stream his weekly radio show. Check it out here! https://www.wfmu.org/playlists/DIBe sure to keep up with Dennis and The Smithereens!Twitter: @SmithereensHQInstagram: @the_smithereens_officialAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:03 Dennis joins the show3:03 Dennis talks about “The Empty Set” and his connection to Scott McCaughey9:15 Al explains why he picked Daydream from Dennis’ short list10:42 Dennis discusses a couple of personal connections he has with The Lovin’ Spoonful15:38 Dennis remembers exactly when he first heard The Spoonful18:22 Dennis explains why he chose Daydream for his short list19:25 “Summer in the City” was one of the most memorable songs from Al’s childhood22:15 There is a reason why The Spoonful's singles sounded so different from each other24:19 The Spoonful's music was a strong influence on Dennis28:36 Dennis clears up Al’s confusion about who is singing lead vocals31:45 Dennis and Al dig into “Butchie’s Tune”36:16 They talk about the album’s two hit singles40:34 Dennis walks through what he likes about the remaining tracks44:42 Dennis had a dilemma when he bought Daydream47:29 Dennis likes the fun vibe of The Spoonful’s albums50:01 Dennis talks about The Smithereens’ Lost Album56:04 Dennis talks about his show on WFMU.org59:38 Dennis has some news about The SmithereensOutro music is from “A World Apart” by The Smithereens.Support the show

87. Kristin Hanggi Discusses India.Arie, SongVersation: Medicine

10/02/2022 63 min 58 sec

Send us a textThis week's guest is director/writer/poet Kristin Hanggi, who received a Tony Award nomination for Best Director of a Musical for Rock of Ages. Kristin is also the author  of God, Sex and Musical Theatre (which is in the process of being adapted for a musical) and the co-host (with Natalie Roy) of Let’s Play: The C.R.E.A.T.E. Podcast. She chose the 2017 India.Arie EP, SongVersation: Medicine for this episode. Kristin talks about why this collection of songs is special to her, which lyrics from the EP resonate most strongly with her and how her approach to listening to music informs her work as a director and storyteller.Kristin talked briefly about  the heroine’s journey as a conceptual framework for storytelling. If you want to hear her talk about this extensively, be sure to listen to her most recent appearance on Rob Bell’s Robcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heroines-journey/id956742638?i=1000569043767To learn more about Kristin's various projects, workshops and other resources for storytellers, visit her website, kristinhanggi.com.Also be sure to follow Kristin at @hanggilove on Twitter and Instagram.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:13 Kristin joins the show1:25 Al is intrigued by Kristin’s use of the heroine’s journey as a storytelling framework3:39 Kristin discusses why she chose SongVersation: Medicine for this episode5:25 Kristin identifies what it is she loves about India Arie’s music6:18 Kristin talks about the Arie track that motivated her to check out more of her songs8:00 There are certain types of moments when Kristin especially enjoys listening to the EP9:34 Kristin gives an example of a song from the EP that teaches the listener how to process emotional pain10:30 Al talks about his initial reactions to the EP12:37 SongVersation: Medicine is different from the type of music that many people associate Kristin with15:29 The EP helps Kristin when the world feels especially crazy16:49 Kristin thinks the authenticity of Arie’s writing is key to the album’s ability to move her18:27 Al was surprised by the album’s dynamics20:07 Kristin really relates to “Chicken Soup in a Song”21:30 Kristin likes how the EP helps her to slow down25:37 Kristin talks about the importance of being emotionally attuned in her work28:00 Kristin identifies the healing elements of Arie’s music30:49 Kristin’s approach to listening to music is influenced by her work as a director32:17 Al points out some of the features of the EP that he enjoys33:41 Kristin talks about how she would listen to albums growing up — and how that impacts her listening now37:23 Kristin and Al share some of their favorite lyrics from the EP49:58 Al came across an Arie song that was a true earworm51:34 Kristin talks about working with other writers as a “story doctor”57:10 Kristin discusses her current and upcoming projectsSupport the show

86. Elle Archer Discusses Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville

09/25/2022 68 min 4 sec

Send us a textThis week’s guest is Elle Archer, a Portland-based multi-instrumentalist who records as Shaylee, and she gets Al acquainted with Liz Phair’s debut album, Exile in Guyville. Elle talks about how she first wound up listening to the album, and she identifies the features of the album that make it special. She also talks about her first album with Kill Rock Stars, Short-Sighted Security, and her upcoming plans for Shaylee.Follow Elle/Shaylee!Instagram @shayleebandTikTok @shayleethebandAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:13 Elle joins the show2:03 Elle explains why she first sought out Exile in Guyville4:34 Elle talks about why she chose this album for this episode6:47 Elle discusses how she sees the relationship between Exile in Guyville and Exile on Main St.11:09 Al hears some musical similarities between Liz Phair and The Rolling Stones12:33 Elle refers to Phair’s own comments about the album’s relationship with Exile on Main St.Observations about specific tracks14:30 6’1”19:59 Dance of the Seven Veils21:56 Never Said/Soap Star Joe23:04 F*ck and Run30:10 Explain It to Me34:25 Elle surmises why Exile in Guyville wasn’t more popular when it was released39:57 Elle and Al talk about the subsequent critical backlash against Phair46:08 Elle thinks the production is part of what makes Exile in Guyville so effective50:49 Elle talks about the difficulty in making a sonically diverse album55:05 Elle explains how she wound up recording covers of Elliott Smith, Unwound, Jeff Hanson and Deerhoof songs1:00:08 Elle talks about recording the new Shaylee single, “Clearwater”1:00:43 Elle eludes to the planned changes for future Shaylee recordings1:01:30 Elle discusses what’s coming up next for ShayleeThe outro music is from “Clearwater” by ShayleeSupport the show

85. Stephanie Phillips Discusses The Amps, Pacer

09/18/2022 51 min 11 sec

Send us a textMusician and author Stephanie Phillips is this week’s guest, and she introduces Al to The Amps’ one-and-only album, Pacer. Steph talks about why she picked Pacer for this episode, the differences and similarities between this album and Kim Deal’s other work with Pixies and The Breeders and which tracks on the album stand out to her. She also talks about her band Big Joanie’s upcoming album and tour and her book, Why Solange Matters.Follow Steph!@Stephanopolus on Twitter@steffimusics on InstagramAnd follow Big Joanie, too!@Big_Joanie on Twitter@bigjoanieband on InstagramAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:11 Steph joins the show1:45 Is Pacer a “lost Breeders album”?2:55 Al’s preparation for this episode was a little different3:42 Steph explains why she picked Pacer for this episode5:15 Steph details what’s special about Kim Deal’s songwriting and vocals8:11 Deal’s approach to playing has influenced Steph’s songwriting10:30 Steph and Al have trouble categorizing The Breeders and The Amps12:06 Al found the title track to be an odd pick for an opener15:19 Steph enjoys the entire album as a journey, rather than focusing on individual tracks17:28 Steph views some Pacer tracks as a harbinger of future Breeders albums18:27 Steph and Al both like “Breaking the Split Screen Barrier”22:31 Steph points out that Deal repurposed a couple of the tracks on PacerObservations about additional tracks:24:15 Bragging Party27:59 Mom’s Drunk/First Revival30:06 Hoverin’31:55 Tipp City33:43 Empty Glasses34:32 Al missed some of the album’s subtleties on his initial listens36:07 There are a couple of tracks that Steph will listen to on their own37:57 Al talks about his favorite track from Pacer39:23 Steph thinks Pacer is a good album for getting a feel for Deal as a songwriter40:56 Steph recommends watching videos of The Amps’ live performances42:25 Steph talks about the music she listened to around the same time she was initially listening to Pacer43:50 Steph explains how she decided to write Why Solange Matters47:09 Steph discusses Big Joanie’s upcoming tour plansThe outro is from “In My Arms” by Big Joanie.Support the show

84. Levi Weaver Discusses David Bazan, Curse Your Branches

09/11/2022 61 min 38 sec

Send us a textLevi Weaver, who covers the Texas Rangers for The Athletic, joins Al on this episode to introduce him to the David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion) solo album, Curse Your Branches.  Levi discusses how this album has helped him to navigate the uncertainty that has come with questioning his religious faith, as well as what he loves about the album musically. He also talks about his career as a recording and touring musician, including a period when he was touring as a member of Imogen Heap's band, and how he transitioned into a sportswriting career.Al mentioned a video in which Imogen Heap talks about gloves she invented that help her to perform live music. It's part of an NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance and very much worth watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QtklTXbKUQLevi is on Twitter at @ThreeTwoEephus.Follow Levi’s great Rangers coverage on The Athletic here: https://theathletic.com/author/levi-weaver/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:11 Levi joins the show3:19 Levi talks about playing in Imogen Heap’s band9:06 Levi explains what about Curse Your Branches appeals to him12:35 Al and Levi were both impressed by the intro to “Hard to Be”15:09 Levi recounts the first time he listened to Curse Your Branches19:13 Levi talks about the role the album has played in his “wrestling match” with his faith25:21 Levi explains how Bazan is making an analogy between addiction and religious faith27:26 Levi talks about some lyrics that were especially resonant31:19 Levi helps Al to clarify the meaning of “In Stitches”37:06 Al and Levi appreciate how well Bazan can perform music at a slow tempo40:13 Levi picks out some of the musical moments from the album he loves the most42:01 Levi points out a few more notable moments from the album47:12 Levi explains why he left music and how he began his sportswriting career48:56 Levis talks about his life as a touring musicianThe outro is from "Apostate" by Levi Weaver.Support the show

83. Lenny DiNardo Discusses The Lemonheads, It's a Shame About Ray

08/28/2022 66 min 12 sec

Send us a textFormer Red Sox pitcher and current Red Sox television analyst Lenny DiNardo drops by for You, Me and An Album’s latest music/baseball crossover. Lenny gets Al better acquainted with The Lemonheads’ fifth album, It’s a Shame About Ray. They talk about why Lenny chose this album for the show, how he got to know The Lemonheads’ Evan Dando personally, what Lenny likes about each of the album's tracks and his own journey as a guitarist.As Lenny had mentioned, his Hot Stove Cool Music performance of “The Outdoor Type” with Evan Dando is on YouTube. Watch/listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbDtcu257CcLenny had shared with Al this video on the making of The Dropkick Murphys’ “Tessie,” and now he's sharing it with you. If you love music, baseball or both, it’s a worthwhile watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKymxOS44Pw&t=5sBe sure to give Lenny a follow on Twitter at @DinardoLenny and on Instagram at @dinardolhp.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:14 Lenny joins the show3:02 Lenny talks about the eclectic mix of music he grew up with5:46 Lenny explains what hooked him on It’s a Shame About Ray6:44 Nic Dalton did a cool thing in the YouTube comments9:40 Lenny talks about how he met Evan Dando…12:00 …and how he wound up playing a gig with Evan13:25 Lenny names a couple of other albums he considered discussing on this episode instead14:56 Lenny explains why he chose It’s a Shame About RayDiscussion of specific tracks16:16 Hannah & Gabi20:28 My Drug Buddy22:58 Lenny has to listen to the album all the way through24:35 Rockin Stroll26:45 It’s a Shame About Ray29:03 Confetti, Rudderless and the importance of lyrics and vocals35:56 Mrs. Robinson39:28 Frank Mills40:40 The Turnpike Down42:24 Bit Part/“Shorty Shea”44:30 Allison’s Starting to Happen47:08 Lenny talks about how The Lemonheads have evolved over time50:26 Lenny helped The Baseball Project out with one of their songs55:46 Lenny recounts some of his experiences with recording music1:00:48 The one thing Lenny would change in his life if he couldSupport the show

82. Sherry Thomas Discusses INXS, The Swing

08/21/2022 57 min 14 sec

Send us a textThis episode is dedicated to the memory of Lelya Turcihin, a great friend and a wonderful soul who loved INXS and left us far too early and far too long ago.Sherry Thomas, host of the Analog Smile podcast and contributing writer for The Aquarian, is this episode’s guest, as she gets Al better acquainted with INXS’ fourth album, The Swing. They discuss what Sherry loves about this album and about INXS in general, how she got into music journalism and what made her start her latest podcast.Be sure to follow Sherry on Twitter at @sherryt1970 and on Instagram at @readcoffeerepeat. Also find Sherry on Facebook at Analog Smile Podcast.And listen to Analog Smile! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/analog-smile/id1611061065?mt=2&ls=1Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:08 Sherry joins the show2:39 Sherry identifies her favorite musical decade5:00 Sherry sees The Swing as a pivotal album in INXS’ catalog9:40 Sherry and Al talk about Original Sin as a centerpiece of the album17:02 Sherry explains why she thinks Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence were a great songwriting teamDiscussion of other tracks18:34 Dancing on the Jetty22:15 Johnson’s Aeroplane27:02 Original Sin (remake)28:37 Sherry talks about Michael Hutchence’s tragic passing31:40 I Send a Message33:12 Burn for You34:02 Melting in the Sun35:28 Face the Change/Love Is (What I Say)38:18 Al explains why he was glad Sherry picked this album42:00 Sherry names her favorite INXS album(s)45:02 Sherry talks about how she got into music journalism48:54 Sherry explains why she started Analog Smile53:06 Al asks Sherry about the origins of her podcast’s nameSupport the show

81. Andrew Stern Discusses Rosanne Cash, The River & The Thread

08/14/2022 73 min 14 sec

Send us a textAndrew Stern, one-half of the Americana duo 3 Pairs of Boots (along with his wife, Laura Arias), joins Al to discuss Rosanne Cash’s 2014 album, The River & The Thread. Andrew talks about why he considers this album a “desert island” pick and how this album has influenced his own work as a producer and a musician. He also talks about 3 Pairs of Boots’ upcoming release, Mighty Love.Where to keep up with Andrew and Laura…@3pairsofboots on Twitter and InstagramWebsite: 3pairsofboots.comAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:08 Andrew joins the show1:23 Andrew explains why he picked The River & The Thread for this episode7:37 Andrew talks about the ways that John Leventhal has influenced his own work10:47 Andrew discusses his process for producing an album18:25 Andrew picks out some examples of great production and arrangement from The River & The Thread26:28 Al likes how the music complements the lyrics on “Night School”27:25 Andrew explains to Al how the songs for The River & The Thread were written29:53 Lyrics are the hardest part of songwriting for Andrew33:40 Andrew finds the trajectory of Rosanne Cash’s life interesting36:50 Al and Andrew talk about the theme of homecoming on The River & The Thread39:06 Al and Andrew have a difference of opinion about the album closer43:10 Al cites “The Sunken Lands” as another example of great lyrics43:55 Andrew discusses his favorite tracks on the album53:47 The River & The Thread reminds Andrew of Bob Dylan’s Rough and Rowdy Ways55:59 Andrew talks about how he got used to listening to “relaxed” music1:02:08 Andrew and Laura are already working on another album1:07:00 Andrew discusses the origins of the 3 Pairs of Boots nameOutro is from “Evensong” by 3 Pairs of Boots.Support the show

80. David Moss Discusses Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight

08/07/2022 44 min 17 sec

Send us a textThis episode's guest is David Moss, who performs with his twin brother, Adam, as The Brother Brothers. David introduces Al to Richard and Linda Thompson's first album, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight.  David shares how he first became acquainted with the album and what is special about it, and he also talks about The Brother Brothers' new album, Cover to Cover, and the duo's upcoming plans.You can follow the Brother Brothers on Twitter at @thebrobros and on Instagram at @thebrotherbrothers. As David mentioned, he and Adam also have a website, where you can get tour information, videos and more...http://www.thebrotherbrothersmusic.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:11 David joins the show1:26 David explains why he chose I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight1:55 David remembers the exact moment that the album took on special meaning for him4:30 David talks about the elements of the album that set it apartDiscussion of specific tracks:6:13 Calvary Cross14:57 The End of the Rainbow18:52 The Little Beggar Girl20:44 What makes this a seminal folk rock album?24:49 David and Al appreciate Linda Thompson’s vocal versatility26:03 I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight31:46 The Great Valerio35:41 David explains why the Brother Brothers made a covers album37:57 David tells us about what’s coming up for the Brother Brothers38:46 David recommends an additional album for us to listen toThe outro music is from the Brother Brothers' cover of Richard Thompson's "Waltzing's for Dreamers."Support the show

79. Tim Friese-Greene Discusses My Bloody Valentine, Isn't Anything

07/24/2022 65 min 4 sec

Send us a textMusician/songwriter/producer Tim Friese-Greene (solo, Short-Haired Domestic, Heligoland, Talk Talk) joins Al to talk about My Bloody Valentine's 1988 debut, Isn't Anything. Tim talks about why this is an important album and which tracks stand out for him. He also discusses his new album, Melodic Apoptosis, and upcoming projects.Tim briefly alluded to the novel process used to write and record the last two Talk Talk albums. Al looked for some documentation of that process to share here in the notes, but was not able to find many sources, but this piece provides a start:  https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/sep/13/talk-talk-mark-hollis.Tim also mentioned that he kept and published a Twitter blog that documented his experience of creating Melodic Apoptosis. You can find it at https://twitter.com/fatpet3.Be sure to check out Tim's website, https://www.timfriesegreene.co.uk/,  and his Bandcamp page, https://calciumchloride.bandcamp.com/!You can also follow Tim on Twitter at @curonianspit2.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:42 Tim joins the show2:29 Al’s normal routine for preparing for the show did not serve him well this time4:06 Tim describes how he and his family listen to music at home5:47 Tim explains why Isn’t Anything is an important album for him10:18 Was Talk Talk affected by 1980s music trends that Tim wasn’t fond of?13:31 Tim explains why he chose Isn’t Anything instead of Loveless19:06 Tim recounts the one time he met Kevin Shields21:20 Tim gives an example of the messiness of Isn’t Anything23:00 Tim appreciates the sound of Isn’t Anything24:27 Tim is reluctant to call Isn’t Anything a rock album29:02 Tim imagines what Isn’t Anything would sound like if recorded by an American rock band31:55 Tim talks about how he typically listens to Isn’t Anything33:29 Tim gives the songs on Isn’t Anything a passing grade on the “busker’s test”36:01 Tim identifies a pair of standout tracks44:02 Tim is curious about My Bloody Valentine’s process for recording acoustic tracks46:01 Sometimes Tim reflexively analyzes music47:35 Tim talks about how he connects with Isn’t Anything50:56 Tim offers Al a suggestion on how he might get more out of the album54:48 Tim discusses the circumstances around the recording of Melodic Apoptosis1:01:07 Tim is happy with the way the Short-Haired Domestic album came out1:01:47 Tim talks about his upcoming albumsSupport the show

78. Orono Discusses The Unicorns, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?

07/17/2022 59 min 48 sec

Send us a textSuperorganism's lead vocalist and artist Orono joins Al and picks this week's album, which is Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?  by The Unicorns. Orono explains why she chose this album and what makes it one of her favorites. She also delves into the process Superorganism used to record their new album, World Wide Pop, and the videos they released along with it, and she also talks about her friendship with "cool dad" Stephen Malkmus. Superorganisim YouTube channel (featuring videos discussed on this episode): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDWISefDYGwbspN9w6kyLSwSuperorganisim's website (with tour dates!): https://www.wearesuperorganism.com/Superorganism on Twitter and Instagram: @sprorgnsmAs Orono noted, you can follow her on Twitter (@oronooo) and Instagram (@oronooooo). Just make sure you type the right number of "o"s depending on the platform.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:12 Orono joins the show2:05 Orono explains how Superorganism wound up appearing on Legion4:29 Orono’s friend suggested that she choose Who Will Cut Our Hair6:20 Al tells Orono what his impression of the album is9:26 Orono loved The Unicorns right at her first listen12:22 Orono talks about the similarities between The Unicorns and Superorganism15:54 Orono doesn’t have a favorite trackObservations about specific tracks17:18 I Don’t Wanna Die20:10 Child Star25:00 Emasculate the Masculine27:05 Is this a pop album?30:18 Inoculate the Innocuous31:34 Jellybones32:11 Tuff Luff/Sea Ghost34:59 Tuff Ghost36:59 Les Os39:42 Let’s Get Known41:36 Orono wishes The Unicorns had stayed together longer43:28 Orono explains how she got to be friends with Stephen Malkmus47:13 Orono outlines Superorganism’s process for writing songs for World Wide Pop50:50 Is Orono an Arizona Diamondbacks fan?52:27 Orono talks about how Superorganism’s videos get made54:52 Orono discusses her other current projectsSupport the show

77. Carla Olson Discusses The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Axis: Bold as Love

07/10/2022 80 min 19 sec

Send us a textGuitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer Carla Olson is this week's guest, and she introduces Al to The Jimi Hendrix Experience's second album, Axis: Bold as Love. Carla co-founded The Textones (with Kathy Valentine), collaborated with Mick Taylor, Bob Dylan, Gene Clark and countless others, and co-produced and performed on the new compilation album, Americana Railroad. Carla talks about her favorite things about Axis, as well as her own encounter with Hendrix, her work with Taylor, the story behind Americana Railroad and much more.Al referred to an interview that Carla did with Harold Lapidis, where she discussed performing in Bob Dylan's video for "Sweetheart Like You," among many other topics. You can check out the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG0QzQ_8Ejk&t=1838sAlso, you can see Carla's performance on the "Sweetheart Like You" video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRKstHl7Y0As Carla mentioned, you can stream/purchase Americana Railroad everywhere now. Here is one place to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nH73kV_CiBB9ooznmJi3W-BLiz6YdcOLgThere are lots of places to keep current with Carla's work!@CarlaOlsonMusic on Twitter and Instagram@CarlaBOlson on Instagram@haveharmonywilltravel on InstagramTextones Facebook pageAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:24 Carla joins the show2:08 Carla talks about the time she met Jimi Hendrix14:27 Carla talks about playing guitar growing up21:15 Carla recalls how she got introduced to Kathy Valentine25:46 Carla pinpoints what it is about Jimi Hendrix that made him great28:00 Carla discusses what was new for Hendrix on Axis31:36 Carla tells us what Don Henley’s pet peeve with Hendrix was32:38 Carla and Al talk about how Axis is meant to be listened to in its entirety33:31 Carla says that the era in which Axis was recorded and toured was one of rapid growth for Hendrix as a musician34:53 Carla and Al discuss Noel Redding and his pop sensibility38:14 Carla and Al talk about Hendrix as a vocalist and lyricist42:07 Listening to Axis has helped Al to better appreciate Hendrix’s impact49:07 Al wonders why tracks from Axis didn’t get more radio airplay55:33 Carla recounts the crisis that could have prevented Axis from getting released59:13 Carla explains how she started working with Mick Taylor1:05:15 The Americana Railroad compilation album was decades in the makingSupport the show

76. Livestream #1: Our Musical Obsessions

07/03/2022 64 min 57 sec

Send us a textThis episode is an audio-only version of the livestream event that occurred on Monday, June 20. The participants discussed musical artists they have listened to the most in their lives, the benefits of digging deeply into their favorite artists' work and whether they feel FOMO when focusing their listening attention narrowly. The participants and host also picked albums that they wanted the other participants to hear.The participants were:Ellen Adair (actor, baseball analyst, podcast host)Rebecca Clay Cole (keyboardist, Pavement)Eric Gilde (actor, writer, podcast host)Mariana Timony (senior editor, Bandcamp Daily)Host:Al Melchior2:18 Introductions3:55 The artists we have listened to the most15:55 What are we looking for when we get immersed in certain artists' music?32:33 Do we get musical FOMO?43:42 Albums we want to share with othersIf you want to actually see (as well as hear) this conversation, head on over to the You, Me and An Album channel on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVv9NLptU7QSupport the show

75. Matt Norlander Discusses Pearl Jam, Yield

06/26/2022 60 min 41 sec

Send us a textMatt Norlander, basketball writer and analyst for CBS Sports and host of the Records & Riffs podcast, is this episode's guest, and he introduces Al to Pearl Jam's fifth album, Yield.  Matt talks about his fandom for Pearl Jam in general and his love for this particular album, commenting in detail on nearly every track. He also delves into his viral moment involving a Guster sticker and what's coming up for him, both at CBS Sports and on Records & Riffs.This was not a great episode for Al in terms of correctly citing song titles. He referred to "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town" from Vs., as "Elderly Lady," and "Red Dot" from Yield as "Red Bar."Be sure to follow Matt on Twitter and Instagram at @mattnorlander, and to check out his website, mattnorlander.com. Also find the archive of episodes for Records and Riffs at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/records-riffs/id1038311526?mt=2.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter earlier this year. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/Finally, You, Me and An Album now has a YouTube channel! If you missed the recent livestream episode with Rebecca Clay Cole, Mariana Timony, Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde, you can replay it there...https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbABgYqn4lMrG4NE3dqniIw.1:24 Matt joins the show2:22 Matt talks about interviewing Steve Lillywhite for his music podcast5:46 Matt explains why he picked Yield8:37 1998 was a great music year for Matt10:39 Why is Yield Matt’s favorite Pearl Jam album?19:00 Al references albums that were the first ones he loved from certain bands19:32 Al appreciates the elements that make Yield different from previous Pearl Jam albums22:31 Matt thinks the band’s collaborative approach on Yield produced great results25:38 Matt singles out his favorite songwriter in Pearl JamDiscussion of specific tracks27:52 No Way/Faithful31:50 Wishlist and an appreciation of Jack Irons34:22 Given to Fly36:28 Brain of J./Do the Evolution38:33 Red Dot/Push Me, Pull Me42:15 Matt surmises which other albums Yield’s tracks could have been placed on43:45 MFC45:57 Low Light47:42 Matt admires Brendan O’Brien’s production on Yield48:44 Matt’s closing thoughts on the album52:04 Matt talks about his current work at CBS Sports and with Records & Riffs56:29 Matt talks about the viral moment he had with his Guster laptop stickerSupport the show

74. You, Me and An Album Comes to YouTube!

06/19/2022 21 min 4 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, Al unveils the new You, Me and An Album YouTube channel.  He announces the first offerings on the channel -- namely, a new playlist and a livestream event. In discussing the livestream, Al revisits excerpts from some previous episodes that featured the livestream guests: Eric Gilde, Rebecca Clay Cole, Ellen Adair and Mariana Timony.YMAAA Livestream/Q&AMonday, June 20 at 2pm ET/11am PThttps://youtu.be/SVv9NLptU7QSpecial guests:REBECCA CLAY COLE (Pavement, Wild Flag, The Minders), MARIANA TIMONY (Bandcamp Daily), ELLEN ADAIR (The Sinner, Homeland, MLB Network), ERIC GILDE (Cryptid, Narrator Syndrome)Topic: our experiences of being deeply immersed in our favorite musicPlaylist: Cuts from 30 Rockin' Albums (but not all rock)One track from each of the last 30 albums featured on YMAAAhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDQFLu8I78OMLEgFNsaL0vDsRSni7eKijSupport the show

73. Jeff Erickson Discusses Uncle Tupelo, No Depression

06/12/2022 57 min 15 sec

Send us a textLIVESTEAM INFO!!As Al mentioned towards the end of this episode, he will be bringing You, Me and An Album to YouTube! Be sure to set your reminder for viewing the first YMAAA livestream on Monday, June 20 at 2pm ET/11am PT by going directly to the livestream page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVv9NLptU7QAl’s guests will be:Rebecca Clay Cole (Pavement, Wild Flag, The Minders)Mariana Timony (Bandcamp Daily, The Weird Girls Post)Ellen Adair (Homeland, The Sinner, Take Me In To the Ballgame podcast)Eric Gilde (Cryptid, Narrator Syndrome, Take Me In To the Ballgame podcast)There will be Q&A…submit your questions in the live chat or DM them to Al ahead of time at @youmealbum on Twitter or Instagram!_________________________Uncle Tupelo…yet another band that Al had heard about and read about, but never actually listened to. Jeff Erickson of RotoWire remedies that on this episode, as he introduces Al to the band via their 1990 debut album, No Depression. Jeff and Al talk about several of the album’s tracks, the importance of Uncle Tupelo to the alt-country subgenre, Jeff’s experiences with listening to Wilco and Son Volt, and the nature of being a fan of a band that becomes more popular over time.As he promised, Jeff provided a link to a video of Uncle Tupelo playing live in 1994. Watch and enjoy…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWiUkQMs5zMLet Jeff know how much you love Uncle Tupelo on Facebook and at @Jeff_Erickson on Twitter.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:02 Jeff joins the show2:23 Jeff explains how he discovered No Depression4:42 Al discusses his experience of seeing Wilco live6:31 Jeff identifies the reasons why he chose this album8:12 Jeff connected with No Depression’s earnest tone9:42 Al appreciates Uncle Tupelo, even if they didn’t totally click for him13:15 Jeff talks about Uncle Tupelo’s early years, and Al recalls hearing about the band in that era16:05 Al and Jeff find parallels between Uncle Tupelo and R.E.M.17:51 Al has a hard time imagining Uncle Tupelo as a punk band19:08 Al and Jeff compare Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy22:12 Jeff names some of his favorite songs from the album24:12 Uncle Tupelo doesn’t take credit for creating alt-country, even though others do25:54 Al talks about a couple of his favorite tracks28:12 Jeff and Al discuss their struggles with enjoying their favorite bands after they became popular33:39 No Depression hits Jeff the same way now as it did when he first heard it34:59 Jeff and Al pick out some of their favorite lyrics from No Depression42:09 Jeff compares and contrasts Uncle Tupelo with Wilco and Son Volt48:46 Al asks Jeff where to continue his Farrar/Tweedy exploration52:00 Jeff talks about his work with RotoWireSupport the show

72. Henning Ohlenbusch Discusses Ultravox!, Ha!-Ha!-Ha!

06/05/2022 68 min 19 sec

Send us a textNot only does Massachusetts-based musician, songwriter and producer Henning Ohlenbusch introduce Al to an album he didn’t know on this week’s episode, but with Ha!-Ha!-Ha!, he opens Al up to a whole era of Ultravox! that he didn’t even know existed. Henning talks about why this album is special to him, shares his observations on each of the album’s eight tracks and discusses the making of his new solo album, The Dream is to Dream.Henning’s label, Rubwrongways Records, publishes a playlist called 25 Songs for This Week every Monday. Check it out here! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fyuMn8ZZh8N3FoJnaP7joYou can find Henning’s work on the Rubwrongways website (rubwrongways.com), as well as on his Bandcamp page (https://henningohlenbusch.bandcamp.com/).Be sure to give Henning a follow! @ItsMeHenning on Twitter and @henningo on InstagramYou can also find all things Henning on his website, henningo.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/LIVESTEAM INFO!!Also, as mentioned at the outset of this episode, Al will be bringing You, Me and An Album to YouTube! Be sure to set your reminder for viewing the first YMAAA livestream on Monday, June 20 at 2pm ET/11am PT by going directly to the livestream page. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVv9NLptU7QAnd don’t forget to send your questions for Rebecca Clay Cole, Mariana Timony, Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde by Twitter DM to @youmealbum or in the YouTube chat during the live show.0:00 A special announcement2:16 Henning joins the show3:15 Henning talks about what he likes about the Northampton music scene4:36 Al’s first experience of listening to Ha!-Ha!-Ha! was a bit of a shock6:23 Henning has a strong preference for one version of Ultravox over the other10:05 Henning names some other bands he could have chosen for this episode11:28 Al had to reset his expectations for the albumDiscussion of specific tracks:12:20 Distant Smile18:35 ROckWrok19:07 The Frozen Ones22:58 Fear in the Western World25:56 Comparing Side 1 vs. Side 227:50 The Man Who Dies Every Day32:24 Artificial Life36:56 While I’m Still Alive41:50 Hiroshima Mon Amour47:56 Henning is impressed by the loudness of this album49:50 Henning has had a hard time getting others to explore Ha!-Ha!-Ha!51:14 Henning has an interesting idea about how the album-listening habit gets formed53:20 Henning talks about his approach to recording his new album1:01:44 Henning discusses what’s next for himSupport the show

71. Anita Lee Elliott Discusses Ace Frehley, self-titled

05/29/2022 59 min 38 sec

Send us a textDays before the release of Slang’s debut album, Cockroach in a Ghost Town, guitarist Anita Lee Elliott dropped by to talk about Ace Frehley’s self-titled solo album. Anita discussed how she first learned about this album, why she loves it and how she imagines it was received by Ace’s Kiss bandmates. She also talked about how she joined Slang and what some of her favorite tracks are from the band’s new album.Slang's Cockroach in a Ghost Town is out! Stream/buy it here: https://theeslang.bandcamp.com/releasesAl highly recommends the video for Viva Voce's "Alive with Pleasure," as he and Anita discussed on this episode. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_X7m7xFVJwAs discussed on the show, Anita Lee and The Handsome Three have a Facebook page. Check it out...https://www.facebook.com/anitaleeandhandsome3/You can follow Slang on Twitter at @realslang and on Instagram at @theeslang.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:07 Anita joins the show1:44 Anita explains how she wound up getting Ace Frehley’s debut album4:38 Anita discusses the extent of her Kiss fandom6:47 This album fit right in with other popular rock music of its time9:48 Anita is a music-first, lyrics-second type of music listener11:48 Anita’s parents helped her forge a strong connection with albums15:20 Growing up near Muscle Shoals influenced Anita’s love of electric guitarDiscussion of specific tracks17:35 Speedin’ Back to My Baby20:10 I’m in Need of Love/Ozone24:55 New York Groove29:29 Anita likes how Ace proved his doubters wrong32:24 Rip It Out35:01 Wiped-Out37:16 Fractured Mirror39:11 What’s on Your Mind?39:57 This album has been a part of Anita’s life since childhood40:49 Al asks Anita about a video she made when she was in Viva Voce44:42 Anita talks about joining Slang46:46 Anita discussed the recording process for Cockroach in a Ghost Town48:44 Anita reveals Slang’s tour plans51:11 Anita identifies some of her favorite moments from Cockroach in a Ghost Town55:28 Anita talks about her other band, Anita Lee and The Handsome ThreeSupport the show

70. Maggie Serota Discusses The Teardrop Explodes, Kilimanjaro

05/22/2022 66 min 48 sec

Send us a textMusic journalist Maggie Serota (formerly of SPIN) pays Al a visit to get him acquainted with the 1980 debut album from The Teardrop Explodes, Kilimanjaro. Maggie delves into what she loves about this band and this album, breaks down some of her favorite tracks and discusses the many dramas that surrounded this short-lived band and its frontman, Julian Cope.Be sure to give Maggie a follow on Twitter at @maggieserota!Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:05 Maggie joins the show2:01 Kilimanjaro takes Al right back to 19805:21 Maggie explains how she wound up getting into The Teardrop Explodes9:10 Maggie and Al talk about The Teardrop Explodes’ tumultuous history12:07 Al identifies a song he might skip14:41 Maggie is fascinated by Julian Cope’s contradictions18:38 Maggie discovers the meaning behind a cryptic Cope lyrical reference21:25 Maggie likes some of the tracks on the deluxe version of the album25:20 Maggie and Al talk about the album’s closer, “When I Dream”28:06 Al stuns Maggie by admitting he has never done karaoke31:05 Al likes the keyboard sound on “Thief of Baghdad”32:54 Maggie likes how seamless the album’s sequencing is34:57 Maggie talks about the Julian Cope-Ian McCulloch rivalry37:31 Maggie explains why she chose Kilimanjaro for this episode42:09 Maggie and Al take a detour to talk about U247:42 Maggie brings up another Julian Cope rivalry 48:33 Maggie and Al each have a track where they have trouble focusing49:32 “Poppies in the Field” reminds Al of The Police52:18 Maggie recommends that Al explore more of Cope’s solo work55:02 Maggie revisits a piece she wrote about So I Married an Axe Murderer59:21 Maggie talks about recent changes in her work situationSupport the show

69. Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise of The Waymores Discuss Waylon Jennings, Honky Tonk Heroes

05/15/2022 76 min 15 sec

Send us a textCountry musicians Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise, who perform as The Waymores, introduce Al to an album by their band’s namesake, Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon Jennings. Willie and Kira talk about why this album is so special to them, and they also tell Al about their farm in central Georgia and discuss their new album, Stone Sessions.Be sure to follow Willie and Kira on Twitter at @TWaymores and on Instagram at @thewaymores!As they mentioned, they also have a YouTube channel. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWGJRTKouBz7IO3YkUJD4Q.You can also find out more about the band’s music and tour dates on their website, thewaymores.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:22 Willie and Kira join the show1:49 Willie and Kira cite the other albums they considered for this episode3:05 Willie and Kira talk about the origins of The Waymores8:23 Kira and Willie revisit Kira’s introduction to Honky Tonk Heroes13:03 Willie thinks about Honky Tonk Heroes as a concept album13:33 Willie recounts his first experience of closely listening to Honky Tonk Heroes16:00 Kira and Willie explain why they think the album is brilliant17:58 Al had trouble focusing on the music on the album19:25 Waylon Jennings’ message and vocal delivery made the album meaningful for Kira21:09 Shoddy production is part of the album’s charm for Willie23:06 Willie and Kira delve into the particulars of Waylon’s vocal delivery26:28 Willie talks about his long-standing fixation with Honky Tonk Heroes29:00 Kira tells the story behind the partnership of Waylon and Billy Joe Shaver34:31 Kira and Willie laud the quality and uniqueness of Waylon’s voice37:37 Willie repeats a story told to him by Billy Joe ShaverDiscussion of selected tracks:39:35 We Had It All42:00 Ain’t No God in Mexico42:44 Low Down Freedom/Omaha46:59 Kira and Willie talk about a particular lesson they take from Waylon’s songwriting49:21 Honky Tonk Heroes was an aberration for a country album in the early ‘70s50:56 Kira and Willie talk extensively about “outlaw” vs. “outcast” country55:29 Willie likes how spacious Honky Tonk Heroes is57:19 Kira and Willie appreciate the way Waylon paints a picture with his songs1:00:56 Kira and Willie talk about their farm and their love of animals1:08:06 Kira and Willie talk about their new album, Stone SessionsSupport the show

68. Adam Aizer Discusses Aerosmith, Get a Grip

05/01/2022 60 min 57 sec

Send us a textThe man who taught Al everything he knows about podcasting — podcast and video host Adam Aizer of CBSSports.com — pays a visit to the show, and he introduces Al to Aerosmith’s 1993 album, Get a Grip. In addition to discussing the album and nearly all of its tracks in detail, Adam and Al reminisce about their time podcasting together for CBSSports.com and explore the lack of overlap in their musical tastes.Al made a reference to a Misheard Lyrics video for Pearl Jam’s Yellow Ledbetter. He and Adam highly recommend it. Give it a watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLd22ha_-VU1:07 Adam joins the show1:48 Al acknowledges his debt to Adam2:27 Adam recalls a tense podcast that he and Al did4:56 Adam and Al are continuing previous conversations about Get a Grip6:18 Adam explains how he got into Aerosmith and Get a Grip10:07 Adam and Al talk about the videos Aerosmith made for tracks on Get a Grip12:12 Al discovers why he hasn’t liked Aerosmith more14:48 Adam describes how he sees the evolution of Aerosmith’s personality19:03 Adam addresses one criticism of Get a Grip19:38 Al has lumped Aerosmith in with several ‘70s artists who changed their style in the ‘80s21:46 Adam and Al disagree on who is the best American rock band23:30 Adam reveals something about his music-listening habits24:52 Al — and not Adam — picked this episode’s album25:23 Adam also liked the albums Aerosmith released after Get a Grip27:33 Adam talks about why Get a Grip is his favorite Aerosmith albumObservations about specific tracks:29:09 Amazing31:34 Crazy33:13 Livin’ on the Edge35:55 Adam ranks his six favorite tracks from the album37:04 Eat the Rich41:46 Adam brings up the most unfortunate part of the album43:33 Shut Up and Dance45:00 Line Up47:05 Gotta Love It48:31 Al compares Eat the Rich with Livin’ on the Edge50:16 Adam thinks the sequencing of Get a Grip is interesting52:29 Al takes another crack at comparing Eat the Rich and Livin’ on the Edge54:46 Al sums up his opinion of Get a Grip55:20 Adam recommends another album for Al to listen to56:38 Adam discusses his work with CBSSports.comSupport the show

67. Marissa R. Moss Discusses Margo Price, Midwest Farmer's Daughter

04/17/2022 66 min 29 sec

Send us a textMusic journalist Marissa R. Moss, author of the soon-to-be-released Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be, stops by to get me acquainted with Margo Price’s 2016 debut album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter. Marissa talks about the circumstances that brought her to Nashville, how she became acquainted with Price’s music, and what makes Midwest Farmer’s Daughter a special album.Give Marissa a follow on Twitter and Instagram at @marissarmoss!You can also learn more about Marissa and her work at her website, https://www.marissarmoss.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:12 Marissa joins the show2:22 Marissa explains why she moved to Nashville7:14 Marissa first saw Margo Price with Buffalo Clover10:43 Margo Price’s music isn’t necessarily easy to categorize12:42 Marissa knew Midwest Farmer’s Daughter was special almost instantlyObservations about (nearly all of) the album’s tracks:14:16 Hands of Time19:57 Marissa helps Al understand the distinction between Americana and country music24:05 Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)25:19 This Town Gets Around26:15 Since You Put Me Down30:27 Tennessee Song32:46 Four Years of Chances38:26 Hurtin’ (On the Bottle), again41:55 How the Mighty Have Fallen48:35 Weekender/World’s GreatestLoser/Desperate and Depressed55:38 Marissa talks about why she wanted to tell the story she tells in Her Country1:00:58 Marissa discusses her upcoming plansSupport the show

66. Joan Holliday Discusses Al Stewart, Modern Times

04/03/2022 53 min 36 sec

Send us a textYou, Me and An Album takes the show on the road for this episode, recording at WRSI The River studios in Northampton, Mass. The station’s program director, production director and afternoon host, Joan Holliday, was not only gracious enough to join me on this episode and introduce me to Al Stewart’s Modern Times, but also to provide a wonderful venue for our conversation. In addition to talking about the tracks from this 1975 album, as well as some others from Stewart’s discography, Joan discussed her friendship with Stewart, her career in radio and The River’s unique approach to programming.As Joan mentioned on the show, you can reach her via mail: joan@wrsi.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:01 Joan joins the show2:25 Joan explains how she chose Modern Times for this episode3:37 Joan recounts how she became an Al Stewart fan4:52 Joan talks about her friendship with Al Stewart9:49 Joan contrasts Modern Times with Year of the Cat12:35 Joan appreciates how Al Stewart can embody different characters in a song13:22 Joan and Al discuss how albums like Modern Times don’t become pop albums anymore15:03 Joan highlights the aspects of Al Stewart’s music that she loves17:46 Joan has seen Al Stewart perform too many times to countReaction to (nearly all of) the album’s tracks:19:05 Apple Cider Re-Constitution21:29 Not the One24:25 Sirens of Titan25:46 Carol28:12 What’s Going On?30:37 The Dark and the Rolling Sea34:54 Next Time38:10 Joan implores us to explore more of Al Stewart’s catalog42:10 Joan talks about how Al Stewart’s sound changed after the success of Year of the Cat44:04 Does Tony Banks sound like Al Stewart?45:24 Joan talks about how she started at The River46:43 Joan describes The River’s approach to programmingSupport the show

65: Rain Perry Discusses Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska

03/20/2022 66 min 12 sec

Send us a textAl has had issues with Bruce Springsteen’s music for more than 40 years, and singer/songwriter Rain Perry is here to help him work through them. She introduces Al to Springsteen’s first solo album, Nebraska, and analyzes his particular approach to songcraft. Rain also talks about how she became a Springsteen fan, as well as what she doesn’t like about his music. She also delves into her soon-to-be-released A White Album.Correction: Al cites April 15 as the release date for Rain’s new album and the tax filing deadline in the U.S. While this is the correct date for Rain’s album release, Tax Day is actually April 18 this year.Buy Rain’s music! https://rainperry.bandcamp.comWhile you’re at it, sign up for her mailing list at rainperry.com.Also, you can follow Rain on Twitter and Instagram at @rainperry.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/0:59 Rain joins the show1:37 Al feels like the only person in the world who doesn’t like Bruce Springsteen’s music3:24 Rain talks about her formative musical experiences6:51 Springsteen’s music resonates with Rain because of the way he tells personal stories8:22 Rain identifies which Springsteen album she first got into9:26 Rain explains why she chose Nebraska instead of another Springsteen album11:53 The track “Johnny 99” highlighted Al’s sense of disconnect with Springsteen’s songs14:53 Rain talks about her initial impressions of Nebraska17:01 The six major themes of Springsteen’s songsReactions to selected tracks:18:16 Johnny 9922:11 Highway Patrolman27:46 Nebraska30:13 Reason to Believe33:45 Atlantic City/Used Cars37:21 Open All Night38:42 Springsteen on Broadway left an impression on Rain42:11 Springsteen inspires Rain to write from other people’s perspectives47:27 Rain talks about what she likes and dislikes about Springsteen’s songs musically54:56 Rain and Al discuss her new record, A White AlbumSupport the show

64. Glen Phillips Discusses Dirty Projectors, Lamp Lit Prose

03/13/2022 76 min 7 sec

Send us a textGlen Phillips from Toad the Wet Sprocket pays Al a visit to talk about Dirty Projectors’ ninth and most recent album, Lamp Lit Prose. Glen explains why he loves this album, what lessons he takes from it for his own work and what’s in store for him in the studio and on the road. He also talks about other artists he admires, other albums he thought about discussing here and a past project of his that Al just discovered.Al’s notes:As I mentioned on this episode, Glen was Brian Koppelman’s guest on his podcast, The Moment, several years ago. It’s a great conversation, and they get deeper into Glen’s career than he and I did on this podcast. Check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/glen-phillips-9-6-16/id814550071?i=1000519286763Glen made reference to “the Bob Schneider songwriting game.” I admit I had to look this up after recording the episode. Glen described it well here, but if you want to know more about it, this article is a good place to start. https://www.npr.org/2013/11/24/246755925/for-a-few-musicians-beating-songwriters-block-is-all-in-the-gameWebsites:http://www.glenphillips.com/https://toadthewetsprocket.com/.https://toadthewetsprocket.bandcamp.com/Though Glen said he doesn’t use social media much, you can still give him a follow on Twitter at @glenphillips. You can access his weekly livestream concerts there or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/glenphillipsofficial.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:03 Glen joins the show1:32 Glen talks about how he has been influenced by Talk Talk and Peter Gabriel3:03 Glen discusses his EP, Secrets of the New Explorers5:21 Glen has known Brian Koppelman since his late teens6:16 Glen and Al talk about how much they love Talk Talk9:52 Glen lists other albums he thought about picking for this episode12:11 Glen talks about how he got into Dirty Projectors14:51 Al shares his reaction to Lamp Lit ProseReactions to selected tracks:15:43 That’s a Lifestyle20:53 I Feel Energy23:54 I Found It In U24:46 Zombie Conqueror (and a discussion of drummers who play out of the pocket)31:01 Right Now38:03 Al talks about exploring other Dirty Projectors albums40:56 Right Now (cont., and a discussion of hocketing)44:23 Break-Thru48:13 Glen talks about how different his songwriting approach is compared to David Longstreth’s51:24 Glen considers whether Dirty Projectors has influenced his music56:59 Glen also admires the work of Bjork and tUnE-yArDs58:45 One of Glen’s favorite musicians almost never performs1:01:14 Glen enjoys leading a community choir1:05:18 Al explains why he dug further into this album than others discussed on this podcast1:06:33 Glen talks about the solo project he’s been working on and the upcoming Toad the Wet Sprocket tourOutro musiSupport the show

63. Sam Wirsching Discusses Tonio K., Life in the Foodchain

03/06/2022 65 min 46 sec

Send us a textThere have been few episodes to date where Al has never heard of the artist or the album being discussed, but fantasy baseball analyst and pet supply store proprietor Sam Wirsching chose an album that fits that category. Sam selected Tonio K.s Life in the Foodchain for this episode, and it’s an album that played an important and memorable role in his childhood. In addition to analyzing several of the album’s tracks, Sam talks about how well the album has held up for him, other artists he listened to growing up and his new podcast, Peace Love Baseball.Sam mentioned a clip he had seen of Janis Joplin performing “What’s New Pussycat” with Tom Jones, but I was unable to find it. I did find this performance of “Raise Your Hand,” and it’s definitely worth checking out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZmiefQ5y4U.I was also able to locate the clip of CSNY and Tom Jones  performing “Long Time Gone” that I had mentioned (though I incorrectly said it was CSN). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIDzA0YDso8Find and follow Sam on Twitter! @SamFBB1Sam’s Peace Love Baseball podcast has a Twitter account. Follow his show at @plbpodcast.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:11 Sam joins the show2:29 Sam explains why he chose Life in the Foodchain as his album3:03 Sam and Al try to find ways to describe Tonio K’s music5:21 Sam likes the album’s irreverent tone7:31 Al shares his initial reaction to the albumReactions to (nearly all of) the album tracks:8:53 The Funky Western Civilization12:40 Life in the Food Chain14:51 Al and Sam wax nostalgic about music from the late 70s17:47 Sam and Al highlight what makes Tonio K. unique20:44 Sam and Al wind up taking a detour to talk about Tom Jones23:29 Life in the Food Chain (cont.)28:55 Willie and the Pigman/The Ballad of the Night the Clocks All Quit (And the Government Failed)36:55 H-A-T-R-E-D43:03 A Lover’s Plea47:40 How Come I Can’t See You In My Mirror?50:53 Better Late Than Never53:15 Sam talks about some other artists he listened to growing up58:26 Sam discusses his new baseball podcastSupport the show

62. Mike Lord and Tom Roche Discuss Phil Collins, Testify

02/27/2022 86 min 22 sec

Send us a textMike Lord and Tom Roche — co-hosts of Tabletop Genesis — take a busman’s holiday from their own podcast to have a Genesis-adjacent conversation on this podcast. Mike, Tom and Al discuss Phil Collins’ seventh solo album, Testify — an album that Al had never explored despite being an ardent Genesis and Phil Collins fan. Mike explains why he recommended this album to Al, despite its less-than-glowing reviews, and Tom discusses his own journey with the album. The whole crew reveals where they would rank Testify among Phil’s albums.Some assorted notes:I criticized Phil for having a lyrical theme that was too close to that of a big hit by The Police. Then I referred to “Every Breath You Take” as “Every Step You Take,” which was a far greater offense than the thing I was criticizing.I could not find a link to the Toyota Avalon commercial with "Can’t Stop Loving You." In my searches I did, however, learn that Taylor Swift did her own cover version in 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6FXmdoGut8I recommended a couple of YouTube channels, so here are the links!Tim Pierce: https://www.youtube.com/c/timpierceguitarLeland Sklar: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs5yDeiOgkyRZGZGphlSbIwAnd here is the episode where Lee tells the story about playing on Leo Sayer’s version of “Can’t Stop Loving You.” It starts at 16:26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I74es0kSFlw&t=1062sFollow Tom and Mike on Twitter!Tom Roche is @burningfirebushMike Lord is @zorknappTheir Tabletop Genesis podcast is on Twitter, too! Follow them at @GenesisTabletopThe show also has a Facebook page (Tabletop Genesis) and a website, http://tabletopgenesis.com/, where you can get the podcast, take their polls and learn more about the program.(To the tune of Follow You, Follow Me) You can follow them, will you follow me…Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com1:16 Mike and Tom join the show3:01 Al and Mike explain how this episode came to be6:47 Tom hadn’t listened to Testify much before preparing for this episode8:53 Al didn’t even know Testify existed until several years after its release9:49 Al wonders if he can evaluate Testify fairly and enlists Tom and MIke’s help16:40 Mike and Al consider whether they would have liked Testify 20 years ago17:54 Phil Collins’ albums often reflect his mood at the time he records them18:47 Testify has a different sound than Phil’s other albumsReactions to the album’s tracks (slightly out of order)20:14 Wake Up Call26:37 Testify30:38 Come with Me35:47 Don’t Get Me Started40:34 Swing Low44:28 It’s Not Too Late50:46 This Love This Heart53:08 Driving Me Crazy57:55 The Least You Can Do1:00:27 Can’t Stop Loving You1:06:58 Thru My Eyes1:09:31 You Touch My Heart1:11:36 Tom, Mike and Al consider how to re-sequence the album1:13:48 Tom, Mike and Al determine where they’d rank Testify among Phil’s albums1:22:24 Mike was pleaSupport the show

61. (NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT) Sean Inderbitzen Discusses Sufjan Stevens, Illinois

02/20/2022 55 min 56 sec

Send us a textNOTES: This episode includes some discussion of graphic and disturbing lyrics during the section on the track, “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.,” beginning at the 9:47 mark.Also, there were some issues with audio quality on this episode. I apologize for the quality in some spots and hope you can bear with them (I think you’ll find it’s worth it!).Behavioral health therapist Sean Inderbitzen joins Al for this episode, as he introduces him to Sufjan Stevens’ critically-acclaimed 2005 album, Illinois. Sean discusses why he chose this album and how he came to love it. Sean also delves into how he sees the album’s songs as a reflection of the times they were created in and the more timeless meaning that they hold for him.1:32 Sean joins the show1:44 Al explains how he and Sean know each other3:28 Al consciously avoided listening to Sufjan Stevens’ work4:21 It took Sean several years to appreciate Sufjan’s work6:12 “Chicago” was the gateway for Sean “getting” this album9:47 Sean is fascinated by “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” (WARNING: Includes discussion of graphic and disturbing lyrics)14:50 Sean and Al have a hard time finding something to compare Illinois to18:59 The intensity of Illinois reflects the time in which it was made22:09 Sean reflects more on the message of “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.”Reactions to additional tracks24:00 Casimir Pulaski Day26:21 Concerning the UFO Sighting near Highland, Illinois30:22 A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, but for Very Good Reasons32:34 Prairie Fire That Wanders About33:52 Casimir Pulaski Day (again)34:55 The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!35:31 Chicago (again)39:48 Come On! Feel the Illinoise!46:32 Why didn’t Sean choose a Machine Gun Kelly album?48:26 Digging further into the album will require more than the usual effort for Al50:11 Sean talks about a project he’s excited aboutSupport the show

60. Mara Davis Discusses The Chicks, Taking the Long Way

02/13/2022 62 min 51 sec

Send us a textRadio/TV/podcast host and talent booker Mara Davis introduces Al to the The Chicks’ (formerly The Dixie Chicks) Taking the Long Way, released in 2006. Several of the tracks address the backlash to lead singer Natalie Maines' comments about President George W. Bush made three years earlier, and Mara talked about how The Chicks’ response to the incident helped to make her a fan of the group. She also highlighted her favorite tracks on the album, discussed the Spotify-Joe Rogan-Neil Young controversy and talked about the VOTEHER podcast that she co-hosts with Georgia state senator Jen Jordan.You can find all of the episodes of Mara and Jen’s VOTEHER podcast right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voteher-podcast-with-jen-jordan-and-mara-davis/id1529098225While you’ve got your podcast app open, you owe it to yourself to check out The Jump with Shirley Manson (Mara books the guests for this show!): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jump-with-shirley-manson/id1469077859Follow Mara on Twitter! @maradavisAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.comAl wrote a piece for Bandcamp Daily! It's about a Quasi song that has made Al rethink his ideas about the importance of achievement. You can give it a read here: https://daily.bandcamp.com/resonance/quasi-seal-the-deal-essay0:50 Mara joins the show1:48 Mara talks about The Chicks’ crossover into more pop-oriented music3:52 Mara appreciates how The Chicks dealt with the George W. Bush controversy6:43 Mara was only slightly familiar with The Chicks prior to the controversy7:45 The Chicks' albums were not representative of the type of music that Mara previously listened to9:14 Mara had no doubt about which album to discuss10:55 Mara and Al don’t respond to "The Long Way Around" the same way13:49 Mara discusses some of her other favorite tracks from the album17:40 Mara also admires Kacey Musgraves19:42 The Chicks have not been welcomed back the way that Morgan Wallen has been22:48 Mara is also impressed by The Chicks as a live act25:00 Mara gets back to some of her other favorite tracks27:48 Al has some opinions about the album’s track sequence29:41 Mara contrasts the current Spotify controversy with the treatment of The Chicks37:44 One more track that Mara loves: “So Hard”39:34 The tracks that stood out to Al44:00 Mara talks about why she connects with the female artists she loves45:33 The one track that Mara skips sometimes47:00 Mara and Al talk about the album’s writing collaborations48:52 Mara now listens to a lot more country music52:43 Mara explains how she started the VOTEHER podcast with Jen Jordan58:55 Mara talks about booking talent for Shirley Manson’s podcast, The JumpSupport the show

59. Kevin Brown Discusses Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour

02/06/2022 64 min 51 sec

Send us a textESPN and Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown makes his return to You, Me and An Album, after first appearing on episode 15 (with Lindsey Adler) to discuss Oasis’ Definitely Maybe, This time, Kevin chose Kacey Musgraves’ 2018 album, Golden Hour. Kevin talked about how he got into this album, which tracks are his favorites and what makes this album one that he still goes back to listen to regularly.Corrections and clarifications:Kevin asked me how many other repeat guests have been on the show, and I wasn’t sure of the exact number. I can now confirm that he is the fourth guest to have appeared on two episodes of this podcast.I referred to there being auto-tune at the beginning and end of “Oh. What a World.” Kevin noted that those sections featured vocoder, and in retrospect, I realized that I mistook vocoder for an auto-tuned vocal. I will be writing more on this in the upcoming edition of YMAAA: The Newsletter.I misspoke in my analysis of “Happy & Sad” I said it was “simplistic but not simple,” but I actually meant to say it the other way around. In any event, I was just trying to say it’s a great song.Be sure to follow Kevin on Twitter at @kevinnbrown and to read his posts at https://www.kevinreviewsthings.com/!Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com1:14 Kevin joins the show4:34 Listening to Kacey Musgraves — and country music generally — is a bit of a departure for Kevin8:17 Al and Kevin had similar experiences with their first listens to Golden Hour11:19 Kevin explains why he decided to give Golden Hour a try13:55 Al wouldn’t mind doing a whole episode just on “Slow Burn”15:48 Kevin loves the production on Golden HourReactions to the album’s tracks17:20 Slow Burn21:19 Lonely Weekend24:41 Butterflies26:34 Oh, What a World31:59 Mother34:15 Love Is a Wild Thing37:26 Space Cowboy40:44 Happy & Sad44:01 Velvet Elvis/Wonder Woman46:43 High Horse48:28 Golden Hour/Rainbow52:08 Kevin recaps Golden Hour’s great moments53:04 Kevin recommends another Kacey Musgraves album54:46 Kevin talks about writing about his memories of listening to Meat Loaf and emotional connections to music57:07 Al tells his own Meat Loaf-related story58:55 Kevin is staying busy even in the absence of baseball activitySupport the show

58. Annie Zaleski Discusses Arcadia, So Red the Rose

01/30/2022 70 min 26 sec

Send us a textMusic writer — and author of the 33 1/3 book on Duran Duran’s Rio — Annie Zaleski joins Al for a discussion of Arcadia’s So Red the Rose. In addition to diving into the album itself, Annie makes the inevitable comparisons with Duran Duran, from which Arcadia temporarily split off, and provides insight as to how the experience of making So Red the Rose may have impacted future Duran Duran recordings. Annie also talks about how she became a music writer and a Duran Duran fan, and the path leading to the publication of her Rio book.Annie writes a lot of cool stuff! To keep up with it, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @anniezaleski.Also, be sure to check out Annie’s website, anniez.com...…and her 33 1/3 book on Rio! https://anniez.com/order-rio-book/While you’re at it, there’s a whole bunch of books in Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series worth checking out: https://333sound.com/33-13-series/Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/2:01 Annie joins the show2:46 Annie started writing about music in high school4:56 Annie could (and may) literally create a website with just the pieces she has written about Duran Duran6:27 MTV and alternative rock radio were instrumental to Annie’s Duran Duran fandom10:27 Annie was persistent in her quest to publish her book on Rio12:51 The story of Rio’s success was a complicated one17:04 Annie talks about some non-Duran Duran-related bands she could have discussed on this episode18:10 Al got hung up on trying to understand Arcadia’s musical identity22:10 Annie thinks So Red The Rose stands up well against Duran Duran’s albums24:09 Annie breaks down the specific things she likes about So Red the Rose26:22 So Red the Rose is basically a time capsule of everything musical from 198532:30 Producer Alex Sadkin was key to Arcadia’s sound35:14 Annie and Al discuss Roger Taylor and Steve Jordan’s drum work on the album38:03 The guest musicians played an important role in shaping Arcadia’s sound40:26 Al explains why he had never given Duran Duran a fair chance as a listener41:24 Annie thinks Arcadia may have been trying to address Duran Duran’s critics42:34 The album can be viewed as a showcase for Nick Rhodes46:47 Al has opinions about how the sequencing could better reflect Arcadia’s mission53:00 Annie is pretty fond of "Election Day"55:32 If you’re looking for So Red the Rose to be distinct, there is plenty to focus on56:51 So Red the Rose hints at changes you can hear in Simon Le Bon later on1:01:39 "Ordinary World" has reshaped Duran Duran’s legacy1:04:31 Annie talks about the Duran Duran-Japan connection1:07:37 Annie discusses her upcoming projectsSupport the show

57. Jamie Campbell Discusses Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One

01/23/2022 71 min 42 sec

Send us a textI have had many exchanges with Jamie Campbell about music, and I have always found his observations interesting and informative, so I wanted to get him to share them on the show. He obliged for this week’s episode, in which we discussed one of his favorite albums — I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One by Yo La Tengo. In addition to discussing this album, Jamie talked about the role that radio played in shaping his musical tastes, and the formative role that ‘90s music played for him in general.You can find Jamie and his musical commentary on Twitter at @spacegauche.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:20 Jamie joins the show1:59 Jamie explains the baseball-related origins of Yo La Tengo’s name4:11 Jamie really started digging into bands he liked in the early ‘90s7:11 Both Jamie and Al listened to WHFS during formative music-listening periods10:48 Jamie tells Al of WHFS’s demise12:42 Al wonders why he doesn’t remember hearing YLT on the radio13:42 Jamie became less reliant on radio as the ‘90s progressed15:57 Little Honda was Jamie’s entry point into YLT17:05 Becoming a YLT fan was a long-term project for Jamie20:12 Al wonders if he would have heard Beating as One differently with more knowledge of YLT’s catalog23:27 Jamie explains why he chose Beating as One for this episode25:00 Al and Jamie find Beating as One to be both eclectic and consistent25:59 Stockholm Syndrome as an outlier on the album32:01 Jamie likes how YLT vocals are more like just another instrument36:01 The songs Jamie liked in his initial listens to Beating as One38:24 The Georgia Hubley songs40:07 The songs that were growers for Jamie44:44 The one track that Jamie is still ambivalent about51:06 What changes would Jamie make to shorten the album?55:09 My Little Corner of the World57:14 We’re An American Band1:00:17 Al highlights his favorite tracks so far1:04:19 Deeper Into MoviesSupport the show

56. Meredith Tarr Discusses Rachael Sage, Character

01/16/2022 77 min 48 sec

Send us a textMeredith Tarr of MPress Records (A&R, Label Promotions) joins Al for a discussion of Rachael Sage’s 2020 album, Character, but this episode is about a lot more than just digging into a beloved album. Meredith talks about the role she played in sequencing Character and, more generally about her professional relationship with Rachael, who is the president and founder of MPress Records. She also discusses the path that led her to the music business, as well as her journey as a music fan.I made a reference to listening to Meredith’s interview with Gable Music Ventures. You can check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wba1V2JlEUo&t=696sMeredith alerted us to Rachael’s YouTube page, but here's the URL for easy reference! https://www.youtube.com/c/rachaelsageShe also mentioned the video that captured the recording of Rachael's version of "Both Hands." You can find that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJC3-yLw2YIAnd here is the lyric video for "Catch the Light" that Meredith worked on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b40AnXqEDS4Follow Meredith on Twitter! She’s at @mpressmeredith.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/1:10 Meredith joins the show1:30 Meredith brings a unique perspective to this episode3:10 Meredith’s tweet about Adele catalyzed a conversation between her and Al4:20 A couple of childhood friends played a big role in shaping Meredith’s musical tastes8:58 Kate Bush’s music literally changed Meredith’s life10:52 How Meredith went from music fan to working with musicians16:16 How Feist wound up playing in Meredith’s living room20:29 Meredith hears similarities between Rachael Sage and Kate Bush23:01 Meredith explains how she first heard Rachael’s music24:41 Rachael made Meredith an offer that brought her into music full-time28:16 Meredith explains how she got involved in Rachael’s recordings30:57 Meredith talks about her approach to sequencing33:22 Meredith explains what she loves about CharacterReactions to and sequencing observations for selected tracks35:44 Blue Sky Days/Bravery’s On Fire43:23 Character/Ohio47:19 Meredith discusses Rachael’s forays into covers50:21 Character (again)51:30 Be The Same/Atmosphere/Catch The Light54:04 Meredith talks about how the sequencing accentuates the album’s dynamics57:43 Both Hands1:00:17 The segue from Ohio into Cave1:02:08 Open The Door1:03:50 Catch The Light (again)1:05:56 Al and Meredith talk about the importance of giving albums a second chance1:11:36 Meredith alerts us to upcoming releases from MPress RecordsSupport the show

55. Nando Di Fino Discusses Judgment Night: Music from the Motion Picture

01/09/2022 65 min 32 sec

Send us a textFantasy sports writer and editor Nando Di Fino (currently The Athletic, previously CBS Sports, ESPN and others) joins Al for what is possibly their first-ever discussion about music, even though they’ve been friends and colleagues for more than decade. Nando chose the soundtrack from the movie, Judgment Night, as the topic for their conversation. Along the way, Nando discusses his mother’s record collection, his love of Christmas music and the extremely cool set of experiences he had when he was a student at Boston College.I mistakenly said that the album features 22 different artists across 11 tracks, but Cypress Hill appears on two different tracks, so the total number of artists is 21.Nando talked about a Christmas village in Washington state, and I guessed the location was George, but I think he was referring to Leavenworth.The R.E.M. song I was trying to think of but inexplicably blanked out on was Radio Song, which featured KRS-One.Nando made a reference to "Mistadobalina" by Del the Funky Homosapien. I did not realize until researching it that the titular line that is repeated throughout the song was originally recorded by The Monkees for their song, “Zilch.”It's not too late (or early) to read the latest piece that Nando and Brandon Funston did on Christmas songs for The Athletic. Check it out here: https://theathletic.com/3001436/2021/12/16/top-100-christmas-songs-ranked-sias-instant-classics-ray-charles-at-no-1-plus-holiday-themed-playlists-and-more/You can find Nando at Twitter at @nandodifino.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:16 Nando joins the show2:11 Nando and Al never talked about music…until now3:31 Nando knows Christmas music6:49 Nando found a lot of great music in his mom’s old records9:37 Nando also discovered some great songs by researching samples10:54 If Nando hears a song he likes, he tries to learn as much as he can about the artist12:51 Al almost vetoed Nando’s album choice16:25 Guster gets a shoutout for a second straight episode17:26 Nando recalls the hype that preceded the release of the Judgment Night soundtrack18:35 Nando explains why he chose this album for the episode20:02 Nando’s love of this album is a reflection of his varied musical tastesReactions to specific tracks24:44 Real Thing27:52 Fallin’28:33 Just Another Victim30:21 Fallin’ (again)31:14 Judgment Night31:33 Another Body Murdered/Me, Myself & My Microphone35:03 Al has an idea for the 30th anniversary edition of this soundtrack36:59 Disorder42:25 Come and Die46:27 Freak Momma48:09 Missing Link49:44 Al wonders if Real Thing was made the final track for a purpose52:28 Nando had a backup album (or maybe more)54:06 Nando talks about his experiences with booking shows in college1:00:38 Nando talks about his plans for 2022Support the show

54. Josh Gondelman Discusses Method Man and Redman, Blackout!

01/02/2022 76 min 2 sec

Send us a textStand-up comedian and writer Josh Gondelman drops by to get Al caught up on Method Man and Redman’s 1999 album, Blackout!. In addition to discussing what he loves about this album, Josh talks about being a co-creator of a viral Twitter account, how his musical tastes got shaped growing up in the Boston suburbs and what he has in store for us in the coming months.You can follow Josh on both Twitter and Instagram at @joshgondelman.You should also give the defunct-but-still-hilarious account he co-created, Modern Seinfeld, a follow at @SeinfeldToday.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:14 Josh joins the show3:07 Josh was a co-creator of one of the greatest Twitter accounts ever6:02 Josh talks about working on Last Week Tonight7:30 Josh’s friends from summer camp and MTV influenced his childhood musical tastes12:19 Later on, Josh got familiar with underground hip-hop13:42 Josh explored some other musical off-ramps, including the “Sons of Springsteen”16:57 Josh and Al share their appreciation for They Might Be Giants18:36 Josh explains how he got bullied into his comedy career22:23 Josh outlines his reasons for choosing to discuss Blackout!26:28 Discussing Blackout! represents a major shift from the last couple of episodes28:42 Josh connects Method Man and Redman with Cheech and Chong and Adam Sandler32:50 Josh talks about the first times he listened to Blackout!34:58 Josh helps Al with finding credits for samples36:50 Al shares his reaction to the album39:34 Josh and Al enjoyed the pop culture references on the album42:20 The density of lyrics created a challenge for AlReactions to selected tracks44:29 Cereal Killer50:16 Blackout/Well All Rite Cha51:35 The album’s middle portion53:25 4 Seasons55:00 Tear It Off vs. DMX’s Party Up58:42 Josh talks about the casual misogyny on the album and how it affects his listening experience1:02:05 22 years later, Blackout! doesn’t come with a lot of baggage1:05:58 Josh thinks Blackout! would have fit the cultural zeitgeist better if it came out a few years earlier1:09:44 Al revisits the part of his life where he mostly listened to hip-hop1:12:59 Josh tells us what we can expect from him in 2022Support the show

53. Celeste Headlee Discusses The Gospel At Colonus (OCR)

12/19/2021 58 min 15 sec

Send us a textJournalist, author and musician Celeste Headlee pays You, Me and An Album a visit to introduce me to the 1988 original cast recording of The Gospel At Colonus. In addition to discussing an album that she has listened to hundreds of times over more than three decades, Celeste talks about the experience of seeing the show live as well as her career in journalism, the musical influence of her maternal grandparents and her new book, Speaking of Race: Why Everyone Needs to Talk About Racism -- and How To Do It.If you haven't seen Celeste's viral video about how to have better conversations, join the 12 million of those who have and view it here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1vskiVDwl4I'd mentioned that I watched a video of a live performance of The Gospel At Colonus. It really is outstanding. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZyQP_zrD2U&t=878sCeleste mentioned that she hosts the National Gallery of Art's Sound Thoughts on Art podcast. You can find the episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-thoughts-on-art/id1552618916You can keep up with Celeste and her many projects on her Twitter and Instagram accounts. She's at @CelesteHeadlee  on both platforms.Also be sure to visit Celeste's website, celesteheadlee.com, which includes a calendar of her upcoming events.1:17 Celeste joins the show2:02 Celeste explains how she got her start in radio journalism3:12 Celeste’s skill set as a musician has helped her as a journalist7:05 Celeste talks about the musical influence of her famous grandparents9:39 How Celeste came up with the idea for her TEDx talk13:26 Celeste explains why she thinks it’s important to have difficult discussions about race16:58 Why did Celeste pick the OCR for The Gospel At Colonus for this episode?19:44 Celeste expounds on what the stage performance gains from the musical score24:12 Is Oedipus at Colonus a tragedy?27:27 Celeste sees a relatable message in Oedipus at ColonusBreakdown of selected tracks29:57 Live Where You Can35:45 Never Drive You Away36:24 Sunlight of No Light37:56 Lift Him Up39:10 Now Let the Weeping Cease42:33 Lift Me Up43:30 Numberless Are the World’s Wonders45:38 How Shall I See You Through My Tears47:33 Eternal Sleep/Stop Do Not Go On50:41 Celeste’s advice for those who have not yet listened to the album52:39 Celeste reveals which album she thought about choosing instead of The Gospel At Colonus54:24 Celeste’s current and upcoming projectsSupport the show

52. Nat Cassidy Goes On The Hero's Journey with Genesis, Green Day and Titus Andronicus

12/12/2021 96 min 4 sec

Send us a textAfter discussing Green Day’s American Idiot on a previous episode (Ep. 48), Al became fixated on a couple of questions. Did Green Day send Jesus of Suburbia on a Hero’s Journey? And were they telling essentially the same story that Titus Andronicus told in The Monitor (Ep. 34) and that Genesis told in The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway?Here to help Al grapple with these questions is playwright/novelist/actor/musician Nat Cassidy, who makes his return after appearing on Ep. 27. Nat breaks down the aspects of each album that fit the pattern of a Hero’s Journey and those that don’t, as well as discuss what he loves about each album and the many projects that he has been working on of late.You can follow Nat on Twitter at @natcassidy and on Instagram at @catnassidy. You can find out even more about Nat’s work at natcassidy.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:17 Nat joins the show2:35 Al explains why he wanted to do an episode on these three albums4:35 Nat summarizes the plots of all three albums13:04 Are these plots examples of the Hero’s Journey?19:35 Nat talks about how these albums allude to other pieces of pop culture21:04 Each protagonist shares the experiences of being lost and being “punk”23:01 Al and Nat discuss their relationship with punk rock28:14 None of the protagonists want to fit in29:56 Does the Civil War theme obscure the message of The Monitor?33:49 The protagonists from American Idiot and The Monitor both revel in other people thinking they’re losers35:19 Al highlights some of the similarities and differences between the protagonists39:06 Jesus imagery plays a key role in each of these stories40:48 Nat and Al ponder the role of nihilism in these stories46:28 Nat argues that Jesus of Suburbia did change by the end of American Idiot49:34 Nat thinks doing a rock opera helped take Green Day’s sonic journey to a more varied, interesting place52:10 Nat sees Genesis embracing chaos throughout The Lamb54:00 Nat thinks The Monitor’s protagonist may go on a Hero’s Journey after all57:10 To what degree are these protagonists’ journeys a reflection of their times?1:10:59 Nat wonders if The Monitor is asking whether a Hero’s Journey is even possible now1:12:23 Al asserts that Patrick Stickles’ New Jersey is not the stereotypical New Jersey1:16:36 Does Nat have a favorite among these three albums?1:27:04 Nat discusses his current and upcoming projectsSupport the show

51. Michael Elliott Discusses John Hiatt, Bring the Family

12/05/2021 74 min 55 sec

Send us a textEver since hearing the title track of Slow Turning back around 1990, I’ve been curious about John Hiatt and his career, but never did much actual exploring. I am fortunate to have Michael Elliott, author of Have a Little Faith: The Story of John Hiatt, join me for this episode to walk me through one of Hiatt’s most important and critically-acclaimed albums, Bring the Family. Michael talks about his roughly 30 years of work in the radio industry, the process behind writing his Hiatt biography and his thoughts about the featured album.You can follow Mike on Twitter and Instagram at @mikejelliott.As Mike mentioned, if you visit his site, michael-elliott.com, you’ll get to see what he has been up to, with links to his blog and latest pieces in No Depression, Pop Matters and several other publications.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:22 Michael joins the show3:37 Michael talks about his career in radio9:19 Al and Michael geek out over King Crimson10:09 One of Michael’s sons introduced him to mashups12:35 Michael and Al bemoan radio’s diminishing role in helping people discover music15:04 Al learned about John Hiatt at a time when many others did, too17:28 Michael explains how his book on Hiatt came to be23:30 Michael’s book gave Al an appreciation for Hiatt’s contributions to music25:40 Michael illustrates why Bring the Family holds a key place in Hiatt’s discography29:50 The themes of Bring the Family reflect a new level of maturity, introspection and vulnerability for HiattBreakdown of the album’s tracks35:29 Stood Up39:58 Your Dad Did40:59 Michael explains how Hiatt got the band he had for Bring the Family47:23 Have a Little Faith in Me48:22 Learning How to Love You50:58 Memphis in the Meantime53:51 Your Dad Did (again)54:57 Thing Called Love59:09 Alone in the Dark1:01:06 Lipstick Sunset1:03:58 Thank You Girl1:05:29 Tip of My Tongue1:08:18 Michael talks about playing in cover bands1:11:10 Michael discusses his current projects and future plansSupport the show

50. Mary Beth Melchior Discusses Opetaia Foa'i and Lin-Manuel Miranda, We Know the Way (You, Me and a Song)

11/28/2021 25 min 31 sec

Send us a textYou, Me and a Song makes its return to the podcast, as political scientist/teacher/contact tracing manager Mary Beth Melchior (and, yes, also my wife of 32 years) breaks down her favorite song from one of her favorite movies. We discuss "We Know the Way" from Moana, as performed by Opetaia Foa’i and Lin-Manuel Miranda. She talks about her reasons for loving this song and what she learned by digging deeper into the movie’s soundtrack.Follow Mary Beth on Twitter at @mbmelchior!Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:07 Mary Beth joins the show2:07 Mary Beth takes Al far out of his comfort zone for this episode3:38 Not every song from Moana resonated with Mary Beth4:56 Mary Beth explains why "We Know the Way" is one of her favorite songs7:53 Mary Beth and Al learned some things about Opetaia Foa’i and Te Vaka11:18 Mary Beth sees "We Know the Way" as a breakthrough song15:02 Mary Beth gives Al some musical features of the song to pay attention to19:37 Does Lin-Manuel Miranda’s presence on the track make it a better song for Mary Beth?21:59 "We Know the Way" is a “heart song” for Mary BethSupport the show

49. Joe Adragna Discusses The Monkees, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

11/21/2021 79 min 17 sec

Send us a textAre The Monkees a real band? Does any one of their vocalists stand out above the others? These are just a couple of the questions that Joe Adragna of The Junior League and Sadabouts addresses on this episode of You, Me and An Album, which is centered on The Monkees’ 1967 album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. Joe also talks about working with Jay Ferguson, Scott McCaughey and Casey Neill, why he decided to write about New York for his latest Junior League album, the Monkees tribute band he plays in and what’s next for him musically.You can keep up with Joe and his musical projects on Twitter and Instagram at @thejuniorleague (on both platforms).You can find The Junior League discography on Bandcamp at https://thejuniorleague.bandcamp.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:06 Joe joins the show1:18 Joe said something that reminded Al of a gift he got from his grandparents 50 years ago4:57 Joe never planned on moving to New Orleans, but it’s become his home6:49 Joe discusses meeting and collaborating with Jay Ferguson of Sloan9:15 Scott McCaughey has played a key role in Joe’s career13:28 Joe explains how he wound up writing an album full of songs about New York17:03 Joe and Casey Neill went for a different sound on their Sadabouts EPs19:49 Joe talks about his songwriting process21:45 Hearing the Beatles was a formative experience for Joe23:31 Did Joe ever not think of The Monkees as a “real band”?26:00 Watching their show deepened Joe’s appreciation for The Monkees30:26 Joe plays in a Monkees tribute band31:48 Unlike Al, Joe likes the production on Pisces36:31 Joe and Al break down Salesman’s appeal as an album opener42:28 Joe likes the “mixed mode” of the Monkees featured on Pisces45:28 Joe is impressed by Mike and Mickey’s vocals49:29 The album’s sequencing and song selection makes Pisces a great album for Joe53:20 Did the Monkees influence Todd Rundgren?55:17 Joe and Al admire Mickey’s drumming59:33 Pisces was one of the first recordings to feature a Moog synthesizer1:01:47 Joe likes Daily Nightly for more than just the Moog1:03:33 What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round is a standout track for Joe and Al1:06:18 Social media has helped to bring Monkees fans together1:07:36 Joe appreciates how Pisces gives each band member a spotlight1:11:06 Cuddly Toy helped to raise Harry Nilsson’s profile1:12:30 The Monkees did not get respect in the American Rock Mock1:14:35 Joe has updates on The Junior League and SadaboutsOutro music is from Hart Island by The Junior League.Support the show

48. Ray Castronovo Discusses Green Day, American Idiot

11/14/2021 58 min 31 sec

Send us a textThis week’s guest, Ray Castronovo — frontman and guitarist for Streetwise and the founder of DayQuest Records — joins me to dig into Green Day’s 2004 rock opera, American Idiot. We talk about what appeals to Ray about Green Day and this album in particular, as well as his recent return to a music career and the musical roots he developed growing up in Brooklyn.I had mentioned that I had seen an interview of Steve Vai where he talked about auditioning for Frank Zappa. I couldn’t find the video that I saw, but I did find this one where he essentially tells the same story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx1RguHA4XEI did recall correctly that Rick Beato made a What Makes This Song Great video on Boulevard of Broken Dreams. It’s definitely worth 19 minutes of your time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSy8JbvNYCMFollow Ray and Streetwise on Instagram at @streetwisenyc!You can also keep up with Streetwise at their website, streetwiseny.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.0:59 Ray joins the show1:17 Ray talks about his decision to put his music career on hold for 30 years6:59 Ray names the musicians who influenced Streetwise’s “music stew”9:09 Ray talks about his connection with Warren Cuccurullo and Frank Zappa13:02 Al’s ignorance of 2000s rock led him to overlook the impact of American Idiot14:38 Ray explains why Green Day, and American Idiot in particular, have impressed him17:11 Should the shorter bits on American Idiot have been expanded into longer songs?Track-by-track breakdown22:35 American Idiot24:00 Jesus of Suburbia28:07 Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams32:17 Are We the Waiting33:43 St. Jimmy/Give Me Novacaine37:29 She’s a Rebel/Extraordinary Girl/Letterbomb41:49 Wake Me Up When September Ends44:18 Homecoming45:57 Whatsername50:41 Ray admires how “in the pocket” Green Day is55:48 What’s next for Streetwise?Outro music is Live For the Moment by Streetwise.Support the show

47. Scott Pianowski Discusses Pretenders (self-titled)

11/07/2021 78 min 59 sec

Send us a text Scott Pianowski of Yahoo Sports joins me on this episode to discuss the Pretenders’ 1979 debut album. In addition to breaking down this classic album in depth, Scott talks about how he got started playing fantasy sports, how he embraces variety in both sports and music and how sees the Pretenders’ musical legacy beyond their first album.Random notes:I’d commented that the band is listed as “Pretenders” on all of their albums, but on some, they are listed as “The Pretenders,” including on Learning to Crawl — an album I actually owned.I have few pet peeves greater than hearing someone say “Chrissie Hyndes,” so I was mortified to hear myself pronounce her name that way at 36:30.Kudos to our dog, Branny, for providing sound effects at 41:36, when I was talking about “being floored” by Talk of the Town. That’s the sound of her trying to open the door to my podcasting room.Scott mentioned that there is an oral history of MTV. I’m assuming that he was referring to I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780452298569Scott mentioned the Breakfast Table podcast he does with Michael Salfino. You can find episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-breakfast-table-fantasy-sports-podcast/id1027990226You can access Scott’s work — both columns and podcasts — right here: https://sports.yahoo.com/author/scott-pianowski/Follow Scott on Twitter! @scott_pianowskiAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:10 Scott joins the show1:47 Scott enjoys covering a variety of sports3:20 Scott’s obsession with baseball stats set the stage for playing and writing about fantasy sports6:58 Scott absorbed a lot of musical knowledge in high school and college11:24 The Pretenders were part of a great cohort of new bands in the late 70s13:35 Scott sees the Pretenders’ debut as fitting in with a pattern of debut albums being a band’s best album14:08 Scott sees Chrissie Hynde’s versatility as a key part of what makes Pretenders a great band16:27 Scott cites some albums he also considered discussing on this episode19:16 Scott explains why he did choose the Pretenders’ debut23:06 Scott and Al shared the formative experience of listening to music on vinyl24:06 Scott talks about the ‘80s movie that references the Pretenders’ debut27:10 Pretenders or The Pretenders?Track-by-track breakdown27:55 Precious33:00 The Phone Call37:36 Up the Neck39:23 Tattooed Love Boys41:14 A brief discussion of Talk of the Town44:24 The Tattooed Love Boys video and the early years of MTV46:18 Space Invader49:43 The Wait52:27 Stop Your Sobbing56:12 Kid58:12 Private Life1:02:05 Lovers of Today1:04:33 Mystery Achievement1:07:13 Scott and Al take an R.E.M. detour1:09:19 Brass In Pocket1:10:09 How does Scott view the rest of Pretenders’ discography?Support the show

46. Steve Wynn Discusses Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cosmo's Factory

10/29/2021 76 min 19 sec

Send us a textWhat better time than the World Series to sit down and have a chat with Steve Wynn of The Baseball Project and The Dream Syndicate? Steve chose Cosmo’s Factory as his album to discuss on this episode. In addition to breaking down the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic, he talked about wanting to be a sportswriter growing up (and how he is essentially living out that dream), his chance encounter with Astros manager Dusty Baker and what’s in store for The Baseball Project, the Dream Syndicate and his solo work.I’d mentioned a Los Angeles Times video on the 40th anniversary of Fernando Valenzuela’s rookie season with the Dodgers, and the phenomenon of Fernandomania that accompanied it. A segment featuring Steve begins at 2:20. Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/IdoLjJpuYnsThere are lots of places where we can keep up with Steve’s many projects. He is on Twitter at @stevewynn and on Instagram at @cultartist.As he noted on this episode, Steve maintains a Facebook page for his solo work, and there are Facebook pages for Dream Syndicate and The Baseball Project.Finally, check out stevewynn.net for more information on all of his projects.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:19 Steve joins the show1:45 Al attended a Dream Syndicate concert that was an important show for the band3:25 Fernandomania was key to Steve becoming a Dodger fan7:07 Neither Steve nor Al is excited about the 2021 World Series8:47 Steve had an encounter with Dusty Baker when he was with the Dodgers10:17 The Baseball Project’s favorite teams were well represented in the MLB postseason11:16 Steve and Al remember the first World Series they watched12:55 Punk rock ended Steve’s aspirations of pursuing a career in sportswriting14:41 The Baseball Project approach songwriting like sportswriting16:53 A Baseball Project update!17:44 Steve’s first indoor shows since the start of the COVID pandemic were in Italy22:45 Steve provides an update on the upcoming Dream Syndicate album and tour24:12 Cosmo’s Factory impacted Steve right when it came out27:18 Ramble Tamble influenced Steve’s writing for The Days of Wine and Roses29:38 Ramble Tamble may have been the first anti-Reagan song30:16 Ramble Tamble was a pleasant surprise for Al33:40 It’s not always easy to figure out what music influenced John Fogerty35:48 Steve appreciates when an album opens with a long song36:46 The covers on Cosmo's Factory helped Steve to learn about other music39:20 Cosmo’s Factory has a lot of emotional resonance and mystery for Steve41:38 Some of the segues feel choppy to Al44:09 Steve found the cover to Cosmo’s Factory compelling45:24 Steve found inspiration in CCR’s version of Heard It Through the Grapevine48:49 Steve ponders why CCR chose to do an 11-minute version of Grapevine53:35 Steve cites his favorite tracks on Cosmo’s Factory58:45 CCR did not frontload Cosmo’s Factory with the hits1:01:32 Steve and Al are stumped by the source of a percussive sound1:05:16 Was CCR a commercial band?1:10:04 Would it have been better if CCR hadn’t disbanded so quickly?Outro is from Halloween by The Dream Syndicate.Support the show

45. Stephen Deusner Discusses Drive-By Truckers, Decoration Day

10/24/2021 93 min 16 sec

Send us a textStephen Deusner, author of Where the Devil Don't Stay: Traveling the South with the Drive-By Truckers, drops by the show to talk about — who else? — the Drive-By Truckers and their acclaimed 2003 album, Decoration Day. In addition to breaking down each of the album’s 15 tracks, Stephen reflects on how he became a music journalist, how being a music journalist shapes his music-listening habits and when he first had the idea to write a book about DBT.You can keep up with Stephen on Twitter at @stephenmdeusner and on Instagram at @stephendeusner, as well as on his website, https://www.stephendeusner.com/.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:19 Stephen joins the show2:48 Moving around a lot has informed Stephen’s understanding of how place can impact music4:55 When Stephen reviews an album, he tries to listen to it in several different places7:03 Stephen prefers listening to older music when not listening for work10:32 Stephen didn’t set out to become a music journalist13:43 Stephen has had the idea to write a book about Drive-By Truckers for a long time17:13 Stephen and Al were both initially put off by DBT’s name22:39 The songs from Decoration Day became familiar to both Stephen and Al very quickly24:40 Stephen thinks the way DBT tells stories makes the songs easier to remember27:20 Stephen recounts how Jason Isbell joined DBTTrack-by-track breakdown (clustered by songwriter)30:48 Outfit36:09 Decoration Day40:49 Marry Me45:53 Sounds Better in the Song48:17 Loaded Gun in the Closet52:17 When the Pin Hits the Shell54:43 Do It Yourself56:30 Careless58:31 Your Daddy Hates Me1:02:34 Heathens1:07:08 The Deeper In1:11:53 Heathens (again)1:13:45 My Sweet Annette1:17:38 Sinkhole1:23:59 Hell No, I Ain’t Happy/(Something’s Got To) Give Pretty Soon1:26:27 Listening to DBT gives Stephen a sense of mission1:29:40 Stephen has already started to think about his next projectsSupport the show

44. Betsy Wright Discusses Bob Dylan, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (soundtrack)

10/17/2021 60 min 22 sec

Send us a textBetsy Wright of Bat Fangs and Ex Hex takes You, Me and An Album to another dimension on this episode, marking the first time a guest has brought a soundtrack album to the show. Betsy and I dig into Bob Dylan’s 1973 soundtrack for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and along the way, we discuss Betsy’s progression from folk guitar and jazz piano to the D.C. and Charlottesville rock scenes, the soon-to-be-released album and upcoming tour dates for Bat Fangs, the songwriting process for Ex Hex and the extra material available on the outtakes for the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack.As promised, here is the link to the complete outtakes from the Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz58FT6WsbEYou can and definitely should follow Betsy on Instagram at @betsybooots.If you also give the @batfangs IG account a follow, you can find information on their tour dates, or you can go to the Don Giovanni Records website at https://www.dongiovannirecords.com/tour.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:12 Betsy joins the show1:30 Betsy sets the record straight on Bat Fangs’ upcoming album release date2:05 The release of Queen of My World is fortuitously timed3:08 Betsy was into folk guitar and classical piano growing up5:45 Betsy played her first rock show with The Childballads in her early 20s8:45 Betsy prefers teaching guitar to voice coaching10:16 Ex Hex’s songwriting process shifted between the first and second albums12:53 Betsy and Al talk about which Ex Hex album they like better15:00 Al asks Betsy if there will be a third Ex Hex album15:40 Betsy clears up an Ex Hex lyric that Al misheard18:01 Betsy explains how Bat Fangs formed21:29 Betsy discusses her reasons for choosing Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid for this episode25:31 Betsy thinks the soundtrack has a magical sound28:03 The four Billys31:36 Betsy doesn’t recommend that we watch the movie32:57 Betsy listens to the album for relaxation34:55 Back to the Billys40:41 Betsy is a big fan of Bob Dylan’s — not just this album43:28 The instrumentals49:29 Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door55:21 Wagon Wheel was derived from a song on the outtakesSupport the show

43. Sweet Megg and Ricky Alexander Discuss Billie Holiday and Lester Young, A Musical Romance

10/03/2021 58 min 19 sec

Send us a textSweet Megg and Ricky Alexander take this episode further back than this podcast has gone before, as they introduce me to the Billie Holiday and Lester Young compilation, A Musical Romance. Most of the songs on this compilation were recorded in the late ‘30s and early ‘40s, and Megg and Ricky talked about how they came to love jazz and swing decades after its heyday, as well as their love of the music that Holiday and Young made throughout their careers. They highlighted their favorite songs from the compilation and discussed what made Holiday and Young's music special and important.Megg referred to a video of Billie Holiday and Lester Young performing Fine and Mellow, and you can click here to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaZiijPbnP8.Ricky is on Instagram at @rickyajazz, and you can get more information about his music on his site, https://www.rickyalexanderjazz.com/.Megg is on Instagram at @sweet.megg, and to watch and hear her perform, just go to her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/SweetMegg.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:39 Megg and Ricky join the show2:09 Megg and Ricky talk about how they came to work together3:53 Megg and Ricky explain why they picked A Musical Romance for this episode4:49 Ricky’s love for jazz grew throughout his childhood8:40 Megg’s father encouraged her to perform as a blues singer12:02 Megg has become a die-hard country fan13:18 Megg explains anti-folk to Al15:11 Ricky and Megg explain why they chose this particular compilation (as compared to others) for the show17:23 The recording of Fine and Mellow on the compilation was important and unique21:25 Megg and Ricky talk about the friendship between Billie Holiday and Lester Young23:08 Megg hears complexity in all of Billie Holiday’s performances27:38 Ricky highlights some favorite songs and some qualities of the music that he enjoys on this compilation34:10 Megg appreciates the interplay between Billie Holiday and the bands she played with36:07 Megg discusses how Foolin’ Myself wound up on her and Ricky’s album39:22 Megg cites some of her other favorite Billie Holiday songs41:32 Ricky admires the contributions that Teddy Wilson and Buck Clayton made to the songs on the compilation44:55 Ricky explains why vocalists started getting more attention during World War II47:18 Emulating Billie Holiday’s timing is not easy to do49:33 Megg recommends that new jazz listeners focus on the musicians other than the vocalist51:55 There is no substitute for listening to live jazz54:02 Ricky talks about how Lester Young provided the foundation for the groove we hear in music todayOutro is from Foolin' Myself by Sweet Megg and Ricky Alexander.Support the show

42. Antony Johnston Discusses Paradise Lost, Draconian Times

09/26/2021 99 min 46 sec

Send us a textNovelist, video game writer and musician Antony Johnston (The Coldest City, Resident Evil Village) not only introduced me to a band and album I’d never heard of, but also educated me on the subgenre of doom metal. Antony chose Paradise Lost’s Draconian Times as this week’s featured album. He also discussed his soon-to-be-published book and upcoming album, the similarities between the prog bands and metal bands he loves and the unusual circumstances by which he first listened to Draconian Times.Antony mentioned his heavy metal podcast, Thrash It Out. You can find the episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thrash-it-out/id1008480723He also made reference to his own musical project, Silencaeon. Take a moment and check out his Bandcamp page! https://silencaeon.bandcamp.com/You can find Antony on both Twitter and Instagram at @AntonyJohnston. It’s a great way to find out about Antony’s various projects, but you can also learn more from his website, antonyjohnston.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:17 Antony joins the show1:45 Antony explains what distinguishes doom metal from other metal subgenres3:28 This is the second time Antony and Al have had a conversation about an album on a podcast4:42 Antony talks about the projects he has been working on, including his soon-to-be-released book9:40 Antony explains why he enjoys writing mysteries and thrillers12:46 Antony likes how prog bands like Genesis and Marillion create a sense of drama14:07 Hearing Black Sabbath was life-changing for Antony16:17 A big part of Genesis’ appeal for Antony is how they tell stories in their songs18:02 In his first exposure to Paradise Lost, Al was reminded of three other bands20:02 Antony explains why he chose Draconian Times for this episode — and where it fits in the progression of Paradise Lost’s releases25:32 Antony notes the influence that Draconian Times has had on other bands26:30 Antony got to experience Draconian Times for his first listening in a unique setting31:40 Antony explains what was novel about Paradise Lost among metal bandsTrack-by-track breakdown34:09 Enchantment39:58 Hallowed Land46:18 The Last Time50:26 Forever Failure56:19 Once Solemn59:45 Shadowkings1:06:18 Elusive Cure1:12:04 Yearn for Change1:15:32 Shades of God1:19:05 Hands of Reason1:21:02 I See Your Face1:24:24 Jaded1:29:51 Antony recommends some Paradise Lost albums to explore after this one1:35:33 Paradise Lost has had several different drummersOutro is from Place by Silencaeon.Support the show

41. Jordan Stepp Discusses U2, Pop

09/19/2021 104 min 37 sec

Send us a textIt's rare that I get to talk about a band I know as well as U2 on this podcast, but I got a real education on the band and on their Pop album from Jordan Stepp of Athens Music Junkie. In addition to walking me through the dozen tracks of Pop, Jordan talked about working for an academic press, writing as a freelance music journalist and the important place that Pop holds in U2's discography.Jordan recommended that I watch the video for Discothèque, and I'm glad that I followed that advice. If you haven't seen it, take five minutes and enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpvF7Qq9svkYou can (and should) follow Jordan on Twitter at @AthMusicJunkie.Also, check out Jordan's fantastic site, Athens Music Junkie, especially if you want to know what's going on in the Athens music scene. It's at athensmusicjunkie.com.1:26 Jordan joins the show2:04 Jordan talks about some of the music books that were pitched to UGA Press4:56 Jordan recounts writing about music on MySpace and for Flagpole7:33 We pondered whether it’s best to not revisit one’s own past writing9:51 For better and worse, U2’s albums have been marked by perfectionism13:58 Jordan urges Al to listen to the Passengers album16:38 Jordan talks about being introduced to U2’s music19:41 Al views ATYCLB differently now that he’s heard Pop22:55 Seeing U2 on the War tour made Al a fan24:35 Al checked out on all of his favorite bands around the time that Pop was released26:59 Jordan likes Pop as U2’s “misfit” album28:55 U2 tends to shy away from playing tracks from Pop live30:13 Pop was a unique album for U2 because of its “meanness”Track-by-track breakdown33:08 Discothèque39:42 Do You Feel Loved46:27 Mofo53:50 If God Will Send His Angels57:01 Staring at the Sun1:03:03 Last Night on Earth1:09:04 Gone1:15:45 Miami/The Playboy Mansion1:20:14 If You Wear That Velvet DressA brief departure from the album…1:22:35 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me1:26:10 Please1:30:38 Wake Up Dead ManSupport the show

40. Mike Skill Discusses The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main St.

09/12/2021 87 min 37 sec

Send us a textA classic artist from the ‘80s (and beyond) joins Al to discuss a classic album from the 70s. Mike Skill of The Romantics provides insight into what makes The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St. such an important album in their catalog. In a wide-ranging conversation, Mike also explores his Detroit rock ’n roll roots, the great music that has come out of his adopted home of the Pacific Northwest, how two of The Romantics’ greatest hits came to be written and much more.I referred to an appearance Mike made on the T-Bone’s Prime Cuts podcast. If you want a more in-depth discussion on his work with The Romantics and his solo work, check it out here: https://www.tbpcpodcast.com/episode-3-mike-skill-of-the-romantics/You can follow Mike on both Twitter and Instagram at @mikejskill.You can get more information on Mike’s releases on his website, https://www.mikeskill.com/home.Get Mike’s music on Bandcamp! https://mikeskill.bandcamp.com/musicAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:23 Mike joins the show1:30 Al explains how Exile on Main St. was one of the inspirations for this podcast2:58 Mike explains why Exile is an important album for him5:36 Mike talks about the circumstances under which Exile was recorded6:52 Mike has tried to approximate the type of non-linear feel that Exile has in his own work8:54 Mike has a solo album coming out in October10:37 Mike describes how What I Like About You was written12:28 Mike details how Talking In Your Sleep got written20:16 Mike tells us what is special to him about The Stones23:25 Mike talks about the Detroit musicians who inspired himWhat Mike likes about Exile on Main St.27:34 Leaving the frayed edges in29:36 How Mick Jagger came around to Keith Richards’ more spontaneous style31:10 The blues influence36:20 How The Stones gave a voice to the estranged of society41:54 The dirty guitar sound44:31 Mike talks about how rock ’n roll culture isn’t as prominent as it was46:57 Mike talks about Detroit and Portland as rock ’n roll towns53:03 Mike explains how Keith Richards created the guitar magic in the intro to Happy57:29 The origin of the Ventilator Blues59:07 Mike and Al like the spooky sound of I Just Want To See His Face1:02:00 When the album came out, FM stations played a broad range of songs from Exile1:04:37 Are albums really on the way out?1:06:28 Final thoughts on Exile and on The Stones in general1:14:28 Mike gives props to the producer and engineers on Exile1:18:24 Al has been listening to The Stones differently since Charlie Watts’ death1:20:41 What is Mike listening to these days?Outro music is from ’67 Riot by Mike Skill feat. Wayne KramerSupport the show

39. Michael Lazar Discusses Britney Spears, Blackout

09/05/2021 89 min 54 sec

Send us a textThis week, Miami-based recording artist, producer and visual artist Michael Lazar joins me to chat about Britney Spears’ 2007 album, Blackout. Michael talks about his experience of learning to play music using the Suzuki method, why he decided to move on from musical theatre, how he came to be a self-produced recording artist and why Blackout is one of his favorite albums.You can find the singles Michael has released from his upcoming album, 51/49, on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/michaellazarmusic.You can also find out more about Michael and his work on Twitter and Instagram at @artbylazar.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and on both Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.1:04 Michael joins the show1:42 Michael and Al bemoan the commute between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale4:20 Michael’s path as a musician started with childhood piano lessons in Massachusetts9:53 Michael started writing songs while in high school13:01 Michael's difficulty with getting Broadway roles led to him making his first album, 51/4914:28 51/49 is about love, loss and time15:34 An explosion in Michael’s childhood home changed his life17:39 Michael’s musical training, the influence of his favorite artists and his knowledge of his production software combine to create his sound20:26 If Michael had picked an album to discuss other than Blackout, what would he have picked?25:02 Dave Matthews gets mentioned on the podcast yet again25:52 Michael loves Blackout because of its “accidental genius”30:36 Britney Spears helped to start a revival in music videos31:47 Michael finds the music, including the vocals, on Blackout to be beautiful34:09 Michael’s favorite Britney Spears songs are not on BlackoutBreakdown of (nearly) all tracks38:11 Gimme More44:52 Piece of Me49:50 Radar55:12 Break the Ice1:01:21 Heaven on Earth1:08:30 Get Naked (I Got a Plan)1:10:21 Freakshow1:12:03 Toy Soldier/Hot as Ice1:12:57 Ooh Ooh Baby/Why Should I Be Sad1:18:36 Michael finds Britney Spears’ story compelling — especially as she tells it on Blackout1:21:39 Michael finds inspiration in great artists who make it onto the Top 401:24:21 Michael talks about the singles from 51/49Outro music is from Few Breaths Away by Michael Lazar.Support the show

38. D.K. Lyons Discusses The 1975, I Like It When You Sleep...

08/29/2021 73 min 6 sec

Send us a textMy awakening from sleepwalking through the 2010s musically continues on this episode, as singer/songwriter D.K. Lyons introduces me to The 1975’s I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It. D.K. talked about his eclectic yet immersive music-listening habits, his connection to Tom Petty’s music, his love for watching and making music videos and what he loves (and doesn’t love so much) about the featured album.Got questions or comments for D.K.? Check out (and follow!) @DKLyonsMusic on Twitter and @D.K.LyonsMusic on Instagram.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and on both Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. If you follow either @youmealbum account, you will find out which guests and albums are coming up on the show.1:08 D.K. joins the show2:28 D.K. went through a lot of musical phases before starting to listen to more recent music5:00 Headphone-sharing was key to D.K. learning about different kinds of music in high school and college6:21 D.K.’s dad introduced him to Tom Petty’s music at a young age9:02 D.K. had a hard time choosing which songs to put on his album12:33 D.K. announces his upcoming releases13:50 D.K.’s sister introduced him to The 1975 just after he graduated college16:11 We took a different approach to selecting tracks for discussion on this episode16:50 D.K. cites three tracks that fit the album’s theme especially well19:09 Al notices how I Like It When You Sleep sounds like a quintessential ’80s albumBreakdown of selected tracks20:01 Somebody Else23:08 She’s American25:58 The Sound32:13 Ugh!36:01 The 1975/Love Me38:58 This Must Be My Dream/Loving Someone41:45 She Lays Down/Nana42:42 Lostmyhead47:39 Paris/She Lays Down (again)55:21 If I Believe You59:50 The Ballad of Me and My Brain1:02:53 Al asks D.K. which would be the next album from The 1975 to explore1:05:39 Al considers whether he should structure this podcast differentlySupport the show

37. Casey Neill Discusses Marianne Faithfull, Before the Poison

08/22/2021 92 min 39 sec

Send us a textPortland-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Casey Neill (Casey Neill and The Norway Rats, The Minus 5, Big Bridges) joins the show to talk about Marianne Faithfull’s 2004 album, Before the Poison, which includes major contributions from P.J. Harvey, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. In addition to delving into each of the albums 10 tracks, we talked Casey’s current studio work, his return to playing live music, why Before the Poison is a special album for him and why he has been doing a lot of reading about Marianne Faithfull.Note: I mistakenly called Damon Albarn “Damien.” Realized it as soon as it came out of my mouth, but I couldn't undo it.Got a question or comment for Casey or just want to give him a follow? He is on Twitter at @caseyneill and on Instagram at @casey_neill.Find Casey’s music on his Bandcamp page: https://caseyneill.bandcamp.com/To sign up for Casey’s newsletter, go to http://www.caseyneill.org/index.htmlAl is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and on both Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter account for updates on the show, including announcements of upcoming guests and featured albums.1:04 Casey joins the show2:11 Casey has been enjoying playing live again7:00 Casey explains where his band’s name, The Norway Rats, comes from9:39 Casey has had several friends expose him to music that he still loves today13:50 Casey saw Nirvana play in some unusual spaces while attending Evergreen State17:12 Casey’s loved Before The Poison from the first listen20:51 P.J. Harvey, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have been involved in Marianne Faithfull’s work for many years23:26 The themes of Before The Poison can be interpreted as both personal and politicalTrack-by-track breakdown25:49 The Mystery of Love30:50 My Friends Have35:52 Crazy Love40:41 Last Song50:14 No Child Of Mine59:16 Before the Poison1:04:29 There Is A Ghost1:09:16 In The Factory1:14:47 Desperanto1:20:11 City of Quartz1:26:04 Casey loves Marianne Faithfull’s music because of how she inhabits it1:27:48 An update on the upcoming Casey Neill and The Norway Rats albumOutro music is from Savages by Casey Neill and The Norway Rats.Support the show

36. Ryan Shupe Discusses The Best of New Grass Revival

08/15/2021 73 min 2 sec

Send us a textCountry rock and bluegrass musician Ryan Shupe introduces me to the world of progressive bluegrass by way of The Best of New Grass Revival on this episode. We discussed some of Ryan’s favorite songwriters, the influence that New Grass Revival has had on Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband and several of his favorite tracks on this 1994 greatest hits compilation.Note: On this episode, we had discussed the timing of the covers of Angel Eyes by New Grass Revival and Jeff Healy Band but weren’t sure which came first. It was the Jeff Healy version that came out first, as a track on the See The Light album, which was released in September 1988. New Grass Revival’s version was on their Friday Night in America album, which came out in 1989.You can find Ryan on Twitter at @ryanshupe and on Instagram at @theryanshupe. As he noted on this episode, you can also contact him by submitting a message on the contact form at https://ryanshupe.com/contact.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and he is also on both Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Those latter accounts are where he announces upcoming guests and featured albums, so give those accounts a follow if you want to be in the know!1:02 Ryan joins the show1:33 Ryan talks about his son’s ordeal with COVID-19 and MIS-C3:24 Ryan has been playing music since the age of 54:37 Ryan formed Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband in college6:01 Ryan and Al could have talked about Bruce Springsteen instead9:13 Some may think calling New Grass Revival a bluegrass band is blasphemous12:46 Ryan’s goal with the Rubberband is to take the New Grass Revival concept a little further13:40 Ryan admires New Grass Revival for their songwriting and arranging16:56 Al asked Ryan about genres that are hard for him to warm up to, and his answer surprised him19:05 It could be easy to miss some of the nuances of bluegrass20:32 Finding unique musicians and bands in any genre requires some work26:51 Ryan’s skater friends from Germany didn’t just stick to skater music28:20 Ryan felt like picking a greatest hits compilation might have been a cop-outBreakdown of selected tracks29:42 Callin’ Baton Rouge36:39 Revival43:49 Hold to a Dream45:11 In the Middle of the Night50:07 Love Someone Like Me52:50 Metric Lips58:05 You Plant Your Fields1:01:41 I’m Down1:04:22 Angel Eyes1:08:22 Ryan has kept his band’s tour close to homeSupport the show

35. Kate Schutt Discusses Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book

08/08/2021 90 min 46 sec

Send us a textSongwriter/guitarist/vocalist/producer/arranger Kate Schutt nudges me out of my comfort zone for this episode of You, Me and An Album, as we discuss Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (1956), the first pre-1960s album featured on this podcast. We talked about Kate’s latest album (Bright Nowhere), how she absorbed Ella Fitzgerald’s music by osmosis during her childhood, Cole Porter’s unique place among songwriters and her thoughts about selected tracks from the featured double album.I mentioned Kate’s TEDx talk on helping friends and family who are grieving. It’s a must-watch, and you can find it here: https://youtu.be/IfDV103duCMKate recommended that we all check out Ella Fitzgerald’s famous performance of Mack the Knife — the one where she forgot the lyrics. I put a brief clip in the show, but you can hear the whole thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OkasoG1gtcKate is easy to find on Twitter and Instagram at @kateschutt. You can find out more about her and her music, art and book on her website, kateschutt.com.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and on both Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter accounts for announcements of upcoming guests and albums.1:22 Kate joins the show2:33 Al breaks one of his rules with this album3:28 Kate worked with Rob Mounsey on her latest album, Bright Nowhere5:59 Kate wrote the songs for Bright Nowhere while her mother was in remission from ovarian cancer9:37 Kate hopes to be able to play her songs live again soon11:42 Kate heard Ella Fitzgerald a lot growing up15:30 Kate’s musical taste is eclectic; she just likes great songs16:29 Herbie Hancock’s The River is a great example of songs that are just as great with different vocalists singing them17:22 This Ella Fitzgerald double album went a long way towards making Cole Porter’s songs a part of the Great American Song Book18:48 The Red, Hot and Blue compilation brought Cole Porter’s songs to a new generation20:27 Cole Porter’s style of writing lyrics and his economy with words remains distinctive23:28 How did Kate wind up writing a book about songwriting?28:52 Which Ella Fitzgerald song is Kate’s favorite?31:11 We’re not discussing the entire double albumBreakdown of selected tracks32:17 Anything Goes38:05 Miss Otis Regrets45:27 Too Darn Hot49:41 I Get a Kick Out of You52:07 How do Cole Porter and Ella Fitzgerald help Kate with her songwriting?59:19 Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love1:01:43 One of Those Things1:04:51 Begin the Beguine1:08:56 You Do Something To Me1:13:19 Ridin’ High1:15:47 Love For Sale1:21:45 It’s De-LovelyOutro music is from Roll the Stone Back by Kate Schutt.Support the show

34. Scott Thomas Discusses Titus Andronicus, The Monitor

08/01/2021 98 min 37 sec

Send us a textActor (I Know This Much Is True, Red Dead Redemption II) and Infinity Podcast co-host Scott Thomas introduces me to an album that is epic in nearly every possible way. We discussed Titus Andronicus’ second album, The Monitor, a Civil War-themed treatment of grappling with life as a young white man in an “uptight” North Jersey suburb. We talked about Scott’s current projects, the experience he had listening to The Monitor for the first time and what (nearly) each of the album’s 10 tracks means.I had a first-of-its-kind fail on this episode. I unintentionally skipped the track, Theme From “Cheers,” so my apologies to those looking forward to a discussion of that song. For those who don’t know this album, it isn’t actually the theme from “Cheers.”In No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future, Patrick Stickles sings a line “senior year in Mahwah,” which I had interpreted as his (or his character’s) senior year at Mahwah High School. I later realized that, given that Stickles attended Ramapo College in Mahwah, he was probably referring to his senior year of college.In discussing the reference in A More Perfect Union to the Newark Bears baseball team, I had said they were or may still be an independent league team. The Bears folded in 2013.Scott had recommended the series that the Dissect podcast did earlier this year on on Kanye West’s YEEZUS. You can stream those episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/show/2b025hq3gJ17tQdxS3aV43?si=uacvnmMDQqmG768nvvPKBg&nd=11:18 Scott joins the show2:19 Scott has been working on several projects, including a short film6:44 Scott cites some other albums he could have discussed on this episode10:31 Titus Andronicus did not make a great first impression on Scott12:56 Scott chose listening to The Monitor for the first time over a family dinner16:19 Al’s first impression of The Monitor was nearly identical to Scott’s18:04 Patrick Stickles gets his points across through a wide variety of cultural references20:20 Delineations between songs on The Monitor are almost arbitrary21:41 The Monitor requires a lot more listens than what Al gave it24:13 Is Titus Andronicus a punk band?31:23 The album touched a nerve for Al, who grew up near where Patrick grew up33:05 Scott grew up with the members of Fall Out Boy35:06 The Bergen County-specific references on The Monitor made the listening experience different for Al38:24 The themes of The Monitor touch on ideas associated with white male privilege41:41 The parallels between the inner conflict within white American men and within the larger American society begin at the very start of the albumTrack by track breakdown44:09 A More Perfect Union47:46 Titus Andronicus Forever49:55 No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future55:28 Richard II or Extraordinary Popular Dimensions and the Madness of Crowds (Responsible Hate Anthem)1:03:00 A Pot in Which to Piss1:10:57 Four Score and Seven1:16:07 To Old Friends and New1:18:32 …And Ever1:20:18 The Battle of Hampton Roads1:32:09 Scott recommends a way to listen to The Monitor that makes it easier to digest1:34:18 Will Scott see Titus Andronicus play The Monitor in its entirety on their upcoming tour?You can find Scott on Twitter and Instagram at @OGScottieTAs he mentioned on the show, you can also reach Scott by email: scottthomas101@gmail.comYou can hear Scott on The Infinity Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-infinity-podcast/id1438989347Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB. You can also find him on both Twitter and InstagraSupport the show

33. Danielle Salinger Discusses Prince, 1999

07/25/2021 88 min 35 sec

Send us a textI know Danielle Salinger from her writing and tweeting on mental health and as a member of the fantasy sports community, and on this episode, we all get to know her for her love of music and of Prince. Danielle chose the first double album to be covered on a You, Me and An Album episode, as we discussed Prince’s 1999. In addition to discussing all four sides of this decade-shaping album, we talked about the progression of Prince’s music throughout his career, how Danielle was introduced to his music and the important role that music can play in mental health.As she mentioned on this episode, Danielle has a blog, and you can find it here: https://beingrealwithdanielle.com/.Danielle talked about the mental health meetup that she has created. If you are interested in learning more about this group or joining, please DM her on Twitter at @MrsDSalinger. Danielle is also a great follow, so give that Follow button a click!You can follow me (Al) on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum, and I’m also on Instagram at @youmealbum. The @youmealbum accounts are where I announce upcoming guests and albums, so if you want to do some homework before the episodes, be sure to follow me there.1:32 Danielle joins the show2:10 Danielle is enjoying her first season of playing fantasy baseball5:29 Danielle is getting ready to blog about mental health again7:37 Danielle created an online mental health meetup9:21 Music’s ability to create connection is important to mental health12:33 Danielle was introduced to Prince’s music at an inappropriately young age18:44 Al didn’t know much of 1999 beyond the radio hits19:48 Danielle’s favorite Prince music is generally from the era of his commercial peak21:40 Danielle took part in a Prince song draft23:05 Danielle is also a fan of several Prince songs that were performed by other artistsTrack by track breakdown24:44 199932:55 Little Red Corvette40:14 Delirious42:43 Let’s Pretend We’re Married48:09 D.M.S.R.53:48 Automatic58:52 Something In the Water (Does Not Compute)1:03:03 Free1:06:16 Lady Cab Driver1:12:07 All the Critics Love U in New York1:18:00 International Lover1:21:30 Al remembers Prince’s music getting maligned after the success of 1999 and Purple Rain1:24:40 Prince was able to challenge his listeners while entertaining themSupport the show

32. David Greenman Discusses The New Pornographers, Electric Version

07/18/2021 68 min 25 sec

Send us a textActor/writer David Greenman (Gilmore Girls, Bones, About Last Night) introduces me to the Canadian supergroup, The New Pornographers, and their second album, Electric Version. In addition to discussing this album, we talked about The New Pornographers’ upcoming tour, David’s love of 80s music and the projects he has been working on recently.Correction: I had talked about how a couple of extra beats were added during the track, From Blown Speakers. I had said they came at the beginning of the pre-chorus, but they are actually right before the chorus.Be sure to follow David on both Twitter and Instagram at @greenestman.David also recommends that you follow his wife, Julianna Strickland, on Instagram at @julianna_strickland.You can follow Al on Twitter, both at @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. If you follow the latter account, you will get announcements of upcoming guests and albums. Also, check out the show on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:18 David joins the show2:07 David has been working on a pair of interesting projects4:19 David’s favorite music growing up was a cross-section of everything that was big in the ‘80s6:33 Every song on Electric Version is an earworm for David7:21 David discovered New Pornographers through a community that traded live recordings9:51 Why David chose Electric Version for this episode12:37 David considered discussing other albums for this show13:30 Al’s shameful admission about his record collection14:26 Al considers a change of format for the show15:36 Al reveals whether he liked Electric Version17:04 Al and David don’t always understand the meaning of the lyrics on Electric VersionTrack by track breakdown18:42 The Electric Version25:27 From Blown Speakers28:12 Which of the upcoming New Pornographers’ live shows does David recommend Al to go to?30:04 The Laws Have Changed33:02 The End of Medicine37:28 Loose Translation39:51 Chump Change44:33 All For Swinging You Around47:08 The New Face of Zero and One51:59 Testament to Youth in Verse54:17 It’s Only Divine Right56:31 Ballad of a Comeback Kid58:27 July Jones59:42 Miss Teen Wordpower1:04:17 David thinks Electric Version is the best album for starting an exploration of The New Pornographers’ catalogSupport the show

31. The Follow-Up Episode

07/11/2021 46 min 50 sec

Send us a textOver the course of doing 30 episodes of You, Me and An Album, there have been parts of each conversation that have stuck with me long after the episode got published. There have been a few of those that I continue to think about frequently, because I have been puzzled as to why I had such a different reaction to a song than my guest did. I went back to seven of those songs and gave them several more listens, and on this episode, I talk about what changed in my impression of those songs after giving each of them another chance. Also, given that Ep. 30 was nearly about Hum’s You’d Prefer An Astronaut, it felt appropriate to give that episode’s guest, Michael Govier, a chance to express his feelings about the life and recent death of Hum drummer Bryan St. Pere.Corrections: I made a couple of Sleater-Kinney-related errors on this show. I referred to their new album, Path of Wellness as “Path To Wellness.” Given that I’ve had the album on heavy rotation since its release, I’m not sure how I managed to mess that up. Also, I referred to the verse of The Remainder that begins “There is an absolute zero” as the second verse, but it’s the third verse.0:18 The premise of this episode1:32 How Rebecca Clay Cole’s encounter with Jeff Mangum has helped to inform my music listening Revisiting previously-discussed tracks (including excerpts from guests on previous episodes)4:26 Kinks, Waterlook Sunset (Ed Masley)8:54 Sleater-Kinney, The Remainder (Mariana Timony)13:24 Frank Ocean, Nikes (Andrew Brown)17:16 Neutral Milk Hotel, Holland, 1945 (Eric Gilde)22:02 John Cale, Darling I Need You (Mike Lord)26:33 Oasis, Slide Away (Kevin Brown)30:32 Built to Spill, Time Trap (Michael Govier) 34:16 Some music requires even more patience than I thought, but it’s worth it35:40 What are your experiences with not “getting” certain albums?37:08 Michael Govier’s tribute to Bryan St. Pere Find Al on Twitter at: @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter account for updates on the show, including announcements of upcoming albums and guests.Support the show

30. Michael Govier Discusses Built to Spill, Keep It Like a Secret

07/04/2021 94 min 25 sec

Send us a textFantasy baseball analyst and podcaster Michael Govier comes aboard this week to share his love for Built to Spill’s 1999 album, Keep It Like a Secret. Michael and Al talked about Michael’s various podcasts, how his love for listening to and playing music has grown and waned and grown again over the years, and how he came to be a fan of this Boise-based band and this particular album.Note: Michael and Al discussed the lyrics to Broken Chairs but did not mention that they were not written by Doug Martsch, but by the poet Uhuru Black. According Genius.com, Black was a friend of members of Built to Spill, and had no relation to the reggae band, Black Uhuru.Another note: Al mentioned that he has been taking drum lessons via Zoom from Sara Lund, who was the drummer for Unwound and several other bands. If you are considering learning drums, Sara is an outstanding teacher. Check out her website here! http://www.saralundrum.com/Here’s where you can find all of Michael’s various projects…RotoFanatic: https://rotofanatic.com/Hey It’s Enrico Pallazzo Fantasy Baseball (@pallazzopodcast on Twitter): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-its-enrico-pallazzo-fantasy-baseball/id1479953993First Day (@FirstDayPod): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzXlTCikAUUYpeI1yovjmPQ/featuredCinema 9 Pod (@Cinema9Pod): https://linktr.ee/Cinema9Is It Safe? Podcast: https://www.audible.com/pd/Is-It-Safe-Podcast/B08K55ZL7LMichael is a great follow on Twitter. If you’re not following him at @mjgovier, you’re missing out!Al is merely ok on Twitter, and you can find him there at @almelchiorBB. You should definitely follow him at @youmealbum, because that’s where he announces upcoming guests and albums ahead of time. 1:06 Michael joins the show2:53 Michael could be adding voiceover work to his résumé5:36 How did Michael start each of his four podcasts?10:04 Michael has been playing drums since the eighth grade12:42 Michael comes from a musical family13:34 Yancy Eaton (a friend of the show!) rekindled Michael’s passion for music14:36 Michael talks about the bands he’s played in16:30 Michael names a couple of his favorite drummers18:21 Which tracks on Keep It Like a Secret are Michael’s favorites to drum along with?20:40 Michael fell in love with Keep It Like a Secret while listening to it on the way to band practice24:36 Al has gotten sucked into a Portland music vortex26:58 Keep It Like a Secret didn’t fit Al’s expectations29:22 Keep It Like a Secret reminded Al of Aeroplane Over the Sea in some ways34:10 Michael and Al share some misheard lyrics36:42 Keep It Like a Secret is a guitar-heavy album Track-by-track breakdown:38:59 The Plan42:57 Center of the Universe45:21 Carry The Zero50:40 Sidewalk52:50 Bad Light56:14 Time Trap1:02:01 Else1:06:37 You Were Right1:10:39 Temporarily Blind1:12:14 Broken Chairs 1:17:37 Al is really enjoying catching up on late ‘90s/early ‘00s indie rock1:19:58 Nostalgia can be important to building a connection with an album1:24:58 Michael alerts us to a new music podcast1:26:34 Michael’s thoughts on Built to Spill’s legacy1:33:03 An addendum to the showSupport the show

29. Rat Discusses Public Service Broadcasting, The Race for Space

06/27/2021 70 min 23 sec

Send us a textYou, Me and An Album travels across the Atlantic for this episode, and then our guest takes us to the moon! This week’s guest is Rat, the guitarist for Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Obey Robots, and he delves into Public Service Broadcasting’s The Race for Space. In addition to discussing each track on the album, Rat explains how he became a fan of PSB, which guitarists have influenced his playing, when we can expect Ned’s Atomic Dustbin to play live shows and when we might get to hear the first Obey Robots album.Find Rat on Facebook: ratjnedsRat is also on Twitter: I incorrectly left out the underscore on Rat’s handle when providing it on the show. He is @rat_ned.Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter account for updates on the show, including announcements of upcoming guests and albums. Rat made a couple of references to PSB’s track, Spitfire. Check out the video for it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u4Md_aXVJEI made a reference to PSB’s new video for People, Let’s Dance. It’s worth taking four minutes to listen to and watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0MTqhf9xPoAnd here is the link to PSB’s performance on the KEXP YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZNQppYngA&t=1115sI have since found that they have made an even more recent appearance on KEXP, which includes a performance of Go! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mScesON6Kx4 0:59 Rat joins the show1:16 Rat has one degree of separation from Public Service Broadcasting2:22 Public Service Broadcasting is not a typical band3:25 When will there be an Obey Robots album?6:55 Ned’s Atomic Dustbin’s tour plans10:34 Which guitarists were inspirations to Rat when he was growing up?12:02 Which music has Rat been enjoying more recently?13:40 Rat is a big fan of The Wonder Stuff14:54 How Rat got into PSB17:31 The specific aspect of PSB’s music that really appeals to Rat18:55 PSB: prog or not prog?19:36 Some of PSB’s venues were as unique as their music Track-by-track breakdown22:49 The Race for Space27:10 Sputnik29:02 Gagarin31:53 Fire in the Cockpit35:00 E.V.A.40:49 The Other Side43:52 Valentina46:23 Go!52:37 Tomorrow 59:51 Why Rat thinks the album needs to be listened to as a whole1:01:23 Rat anticipates that PSB will continue to create great work1:06:33 What does Rat carry over from music he loves into his own music?Outro music is Cut Up by Ned’s Atomic DustbinSupport the show

28. Rudy Gamble Discusses Old 97's, Too Far To Care

06/20/2021 89 min 17 sec

Send us a textRudy Gamble, co-founder of Razzball, pays the show a visit to introduce Al to Old 97's and the world of alt-country. His selection to discuss is 1997's Too Far to Care, the Dallas quartet's third album. He and Al not only talk about the album and dig into specific tracks, but Rudy also recounts his experiences with screenwriting and songwriting and his journey from classic rock fan to devotee of all types of alternative music.Check out Razzball (and Rudy's statistical tools and headlines) at razzball.com.Follow Rudy on Twitter! @rudygambleFollow Al on Twitter! @almelchiorBBIf you want to know about upcoming guests and albums on this show, be sure to also follow Al on Twitter at @youmealbum.1:14 Rudy joins the show3:34 The origins of Razzball are intertwined with Rudy and Grey’s screenwriting10:18 Rudy wrote songs steadily for several years15:30 Rudy’s appreciation for good lyrics is a big reason for why he loves Too Far To Care17:59 Rudy’s Pyramid of Song Realization20:31 How Rudy’s musical journey from college forward led him to Old 97’s36:01 What are the specifics of Old 97’s music that appeal to Rudy the most?44:30 Rudy relates to Rhett Miller’s perspective as a lyricist49:12 The album’s theme is perfectly exemplified by Streets of Where I’m From53:19 Alt-country is a good entry point for Al to listen to more country58:17 Al's complaint about Too Far To Care1:01:22 Big Brown Eyes is a unique song on the album in a couple of ways1:07:10 Four Leaf Clover is an appropriate closing track1:09:54 In Timebomb, the drums help to tell the story Rudy reviews a few of the album’s tracks1:14:22 Barrier Reef1:16:17 Melt Show1:17:48 Streets of Where I’m From1:18:42 Niteclub1:19:38 House That Used To Be 1:20:50 Rudy thinks a lot of the best music is from bands in their 20sSupport the show

27. Nat Cassidy Discusses The Daddies, Rapid City Muscle Car

06/13/2021 80 min 20 sec

Send us a textActor/writer/musician/songwriter Nat Cassidy took Al somewhere on this episode that he thought he'd never go back to – the 90’s swing revival. He chose Rapid City Muscle Car by the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (aka The Daddies), which to Al's surprise was more than just a swing album. They talked about the variety of genres represented on the album, what Nat loves about various tracks, what Nat looks for in music he listens to and the many projects he is currently working on.To learn more about Nat and his work, be sure to visit natcassidy.com.You can reach Nat on Twitter at @natcassidy and on Instagram at @catnassidy.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter account for information on upcoming guests and albums. He is also on Instagram at @youmealbum. 1:15 Nat joins the show…and with a purpose2:01 The various projects that Nat has been working on4:04 The difficulties involved in acting on a podcast6:51 Without live shows to play, Nat has learned some new musical techniques10:10 All of Nat’s favorite music meets two criteria14:55 How Nat wound up listening to The Daddies despite growing up in a “classic rock” home23:25 Nat wasn’t sure which Daddies album to choose, because they are all so different26:11 The three complaints that people tend to have about The Daddies29:10 Al dreaded listening to this album for a really bad reason31:35 Nat acknowledges that the album does not get off to a great start Breakdown of selected tracks34:47 The Search38:05 The Ding-Dong Daddy of the D-Car Line42:29 Chrysalis45:10 Skyline Drive47:18 Impossible Dream/Come Back to Me52:30 Inertia Rhapsody57:06 Equus58:54 Johanna of the Spirits59:40 Bobby Kennedy1:04:03 Lovers Understand 1:11:28 Does Nat have a favorite Daddies album?1:15:38 The last two episodes have taught Al an important life lessonSupport the show

26. Rebecca Clay Cole Discusses Jimmy Buffett, A-1-A

06/06/2021 88 min 47 sec

Send us a textRebecca Clay Cole (The Minders, Wild Flag) returns to You, Me and An Album, picking up where she left off...discussing Jimmy Buffett! This time, we're chatting about his 1974 album, A-1-A. In addition to breaking down the album's tracks, we talk about how the Elephant 6 collective came together, Rebecca's mom's cool musical tastes and how Jimmy Buffett helps both of us to reflect on time we've spent in Florida and the tropics.1:06 Rebecca joins the show1:30 How Rebecca got her start in music3:49 How Rebecca wound up in Denver and with The Minders4:48 Jimmy Buffet and the Caribbean were a part of Rebecca’s childhood6:52 Debussy and FM radio were also important to Rebecca when she was growing up8:35 Rebecca felt at home with the musicians in the Elephant 6 collective10:00 How Rebecca came to play drums with The Minders – with very little experience11:01 Rebecca’s bias against drum fills13:09 Rebecca is glad she didn’t rebel against her mom’s musical tastes14:50 Rebecca didn’t realize Jimmy Buffett’s music was considered uncool16:46 If Rebecca didn’t pick a Jimmy Buffett album for this show, she would pick… Track-by-track breakdown18:15 Makin’ Music for Money24:03 Door Number Three30:14 Dallas36:05 Presents to Send You39:34 Stories We Could Tell45:12 Life Is Just a Tire Swing51:31 A Pirate Looks At Forty1:03:49 Migration1:08:49 Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season1:13:00 Nautical Wheelers/Tin Cup Chalice 1:17:19 Jimmy Buffett conveys a sense of timelessness and being in the momentThe outro music is from Red Bus by The Minders.Support the show

25. Nick Pollack Discusses The Devin Townsend Band, Accelerated Evolution

05/30/2021 79 min 1 sec

Send us a textNick Pollack, the founder and president of Pitcher List (https://www.pitcherlist.com/), threw me a curve on this episode, sending me into the genre of progressive metal --  a world I had barely explored. He chose The Devin Townsend Band’s Accelerated Evolution as our album to discuss. We talked about Nick’s own history as a guitarist, how one bridges the gap between progressive rock and progressive metal, Townsend’s career as a solo artist and as a member of Strapping Young Lad and how we responded to each track on this album.In my haste to get to the discussion of this album, I completely forgot to mention the Pitcher List YouTube channel. You can find Nick’s videos right here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pitcher+list. I was also extremely remiss to not mention Nick’s outstanding podcast, Nick Pollack & Friends, especially since he was gracious enough to have me on as a guest recently. Check out all of the episodes here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nick-pollack-friends-podcast/id1553698497.Also, my apologies to Strapping Young Lad and their fans for referring to them as “Strapping Young Lads.”Nick had recommended that we all check out Devin Townsend’s EMGtv performance of Kingdom, so here’s the link! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nubJjB95VdY 0:58 Nick joins the show2:59 Nick’s journey as a guitarist6:47 The Five-Percent Rule8:10 Nick loves riffs9:22 Which guitarists are Nick’s favorites?13:39 What does Nick love about progressive metal?18:01 How Nick got into Devin Townsend19:23 Al has tried – and failed – to get into progressive metal Track-by-track breakdown24:33 Depth Charge31:48 Storm34:42 Random Analysis39:24 Deadhead42:57 Suicide47:52 Traveller53:05 Away55:59 Sunday Afternoon1:00:00 Slow Me Down 1:01:49 Nick recounts some of the experience of seeing Devin Townsend live1:03:59 How Al came to like Accelerated Evolution a lot more after repeated listensSupport the show

24. JB Brubaker Discusses Weezer, The Blue Album

05/23/2021 71 min 45 sec

Send us a textJB Brubaker, lead guitarist for the Grammy-nominated metalcore group August Burns Red joins me for this episode of You, Me and An Album. He introduces me to Weezer’s 1994 debut album, aka The Blue Album. More accurately, JB introduces me to 70 percent of the album – that is, the portion of the album that didn’t get played on the radio. We discussed his musical evolution as a guitarist, which really began with listening to The Blue Album, August Burns Red’s possible return to touring and each track from Weezer’s debut.JB recommended that I watch the video for Undone -- The Sweater Song. He did not mention that it includes some very good dogs. You can (and should) watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHQqqM5sr7g.I’d mentioned that Rivers Cuomo had grown up in an ashram. In explaining what an ashram is, I referred to it as a Buddhist place of refuge. It is actually not exclusive to Buddhism, but rather applies to Indian religions in general.You can find JB on Twitter at @jbbrubaker and on Instagram at @jbburnsred.Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorbb and at @youmealbum. He is also now on Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the @youmealbum accounts to get the latest updates on the show, including upcoming guests and albums. 1:03 JB joins the show2:09 How JB’s fantasy teams are doing so far3:11 August Burns Red has made the most of no touring and no record label…5;53 …but touring may resume this fall6:59 JB discovered music he liked by hearing the albums his sister played8:40 Weezer is (sort of) responsible for Al’s two-year Toto binge10:56 JB’s evolution from listening to Weezer to listening to punk14:02 Learning from Between the Buried and Me16:07 Why JB chose The Blue Album for this episode17:10 The Blue Album is an incredibly confident-sounding debut album Track-by-track breakdown18:55 My Name Is Jonas25:45 No One Else29:23 The World Has Turned and Left Me Here33:18 Buddy Holly37:56 Undone – The Sweater Song42:52 Surf Wax America44:54 Say It Ain’t So49:43 In The Garage52:15 Holiday55:55 Only In Dreams 1:05:22 JB’s favorite tracks on The Blue Album Outro music is from Empire by August Burns Red. Support the show

23. Patrick Grant Discusses Devo, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

05/16/2021 78 min 53 sec

Send us a textPatrick Grant, creator of Tilted Axes: Music for Mobile Electric Guitars,  introduces me to an album that I long avoided because I thought it might be “scary,” but his quest is to show us that it's just scary good. The album in question is Devo’s “Q. Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!”, and Patrick breaks down the album’s many innovations. We also talked about Switched On Bach, Patrick’s interactions with Devo and Robert Fripp and his project, Tilted Axes.Patrick referred to alternate versions of some of the tracks on Are We Not Men. You can listen to those B Stiff EP versions here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhwCQdBK2XY.Here is a link to the Devo performance on SNL that was the starting point for Patrick’s fandom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04pbtf5t_LU.Places online to find Patrick: patrickgrant.com, strangemusic.com and tiltedaxes.comYou can find me on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. I have just joined Instagram and have created an account for the show there: @youmealbum. Come give me a follow...there will be content soon! 1:10 Patrick joins the show2:16 Patrick and Al’s mutual connections4:02 Songcrafting and creating Tilted Axes as a “musician’s revenge”7:37 The path that took Patrick from A Clockwork Orange to Bach to King Crimson to Devo15:55 How Patrick wound up working with Robert Fripp25:50 Patrick had something to talk about with the members of Devo26:06 Devo’s message had hippie roots28:30 Devo initially put art in the foreground and music in the background30:25 Patrick notes Devo’s liberal use of “found art”33:40 Devo’s sound involved both distant and human elements37:50 Patrick’s tortured introduction to Are We Not Men? Track-by-track breakdown43:25 Uncontrollable Urge47:15 (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction48:02 Praying Hands50:11 Space Junk52:16 Mongoloid54:13 Jocko Homo57:32 Too Much Paranoias59:47 Gut Feeling/(Slap Your Mammy)1:00:43 Come Back Jonee1:03:44 Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin’)1:05:44 Shrivel-Up 1:07:51 Whip It got misunderstood1:11:59 Devo did a number of cover songsSupport the show

22. Rebecca Clay Cole Discusses Jimmy Buffett, The Great Filling Station Holdup (You, Me and a Song)

05/09/2021 42 min 43 sec

Send us a textOn this episode, You, Me and An Album becomes You, Me and a Song. Back in late March, Rebecca Clay Cole (The Minders, Wild Flag, Telekinesis) posted a tweet in which she bemoaned that Jimmy Buffett’s The Great Filling Station Holdup didn’t hold a more beloved place in the country music canon. On this episode, Rebecca makes her case for that song’s deservingness in a longer, more detailed format. She also discusses her close connection to Neutral Milk Hotel and her time with the indie rock supergroup, Wild Flag.Here’s Rebecca’s tweet about The Great Filling Station Holdup: https://twitter.com/RebeccaClayCole/status/1376298393459249153If you haven’t seen Wild Flag’s Electric Band video – which we discussed in this episode – stop what you’re doing and click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ge32E0xLg0Rebecca and her piano renditions of Jimmy Buffett songs are on Instagram at @rebeccaclaycole.You can also find Rebecca on Twitter at @RebeccaClayCole Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter account to find out who the upcoming guests and featured albums are. 1:00 Rebecca joins the show1:11 Why I’m doing You, Me and a Song3:13 Rebecca’s long-standing connection with Neutral Milk Hotel10:03 What Rebecca has done musically in the absence of touring13:27 Rebecca is emphatic about her Jimmy Buffett fandom14:06 The Great Filling Station Holdup represents a critical turning point in Jimmy Buffett’s career16:09 Rebecca likes how TGFSH takes her back in time17:35 Rebecca explains why the harmonica part is so important to the song18:16 Why Al hasn’t liked Jimmy Buffett’s music21:24 Al did appreciate both the musicianship and storytelling of TGFSH23:15 Jimmy Buffett sang about a different type of outlaw – the South Florida outlaw24:14 Rebecca breaks down the brilliance of the “Krystal” verse27:10 Rebecca explains how the music is a part of the storytelling29:49 A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean might be viewed differently if not for the work Jimmy Buffet did afterwards31:22 Rebecca explains the idea behind the Wild Flag video for Electric Band34:45 Al makes a comparison between Wild Flag and GTR38:18 Al reveals whether he likes TGFSH Support the show

21. Jason La Canfora Discusses Fishbone, Truth and Soul

05/02/2021 73 min 24 sec

Send us a textFootball writer, radio host and podcaster Jason La Canfora has had eclectic taste in music going back to his teen years, so it’s only appropriate that he chose a band with a range of eclectic sounds to discuss on this episode of You, Me and An Album. Jason introduced me to Fishbone’s Truth and Soul, which features ska, soul, funk, metal and punk across its dozen tracks. In addition to this 1988 album, we talked about Jason’s work with CBSSports.com, the musical influences he encountered at Baltimore’s skate parks, the D.C. punk scene and too many other topics to mention.You can find Jason on Twitter at @JasonLaCanfora (though, as we discussed on the show, I will pass along any messages that you send me regarding this episode).Jason’s archive of columns for CBSSports.com are here: https://www.cbssports.com/writers/jason-la-canfora/.Check out Jason’s podcast about bad baseball teams! He, along with Heather Linington-Noble and Matt Mikolas, hosts Positive Spin Rate. Episodes are here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positive-spin-rate/id1561013028.You can reach me on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and @youmealbum. Be sure to follow me on the latter account if you want to know which albums are going to be discussed ahead of time! 1:10 Jason joins the show1:42 Other albums Jason considered discussing on the show7:26 What Jason is up to on TV, the internet and radio in his work for CBS and Odyssey8:27 Jason talks about his Orioles-inspired baseball podcast11:05 How Jason learned about music growing up in Baltimore (without the benefit of MTV)17:28 Jason was into the not-too-distant D.C. punk scene19:45 How Jason was introduced to Truth and Soul23:23 Radio didn’t know what to do with Fishbone, even during their heyday26:42 Truth and Soul sounds like it could be from different eras27:53 Jason has a hard time picking his favorite tracks Track-by-track breakdown29:43 Freddie’s Dead36:24 Ma and Pa39:30 Question of Life42:54 Pouring Rain45:29 Deep Inside47:24 Mighty Long Way49:18 Bonin’ In The Boneyard53:56 One Day55:23 Subliminal Fascism58:35 Slow Bus Movin’1:01:02 Ghetto Soundwave1:05:49 Change Support the show

20. Mariana Timony Returns to Rank Sleater-Kinney's Albums

04/25/2021 54 min 34 sec

Send us a textBack when I was recording Episode 16 (Quasi, Field Studies) with Mariana Timony of Bandcamp Daily, I had promised that there would be a second part of our discussion forthcoming. This is that second part! Mariana and I spent nearly an hour discussing Quasi drummer/vocalist Janet Weiss’ other band (though, sadly, one she is no longer a part of), Sleater-Kinney. We each offer our rankings of the band’s studio albums and discuss some of our favorite (and least favorite) tracks from each along the way.Note: I made a comment about Sleater Kinney’s The Hot Rock reminding me of “mid-period R.E.M.,” and then went on to cite Fables of the Reconstruction and Life’s Rich Pageant as specific albums it reminded me of. As soon as I said this, I realized that, by any reasonable definition, those albums were a part of R.E.M.’s early period. I do think of Murmur and Reckoning as constituting a separate era in the band’s discography but failed to come up with a better term for the era I was trying to describe (late-early?).Mariana is on Twitter, and you can follow her at @marianatimony. You can find her writing for Bandcamp Daily here, https://daily.bandcamp.com/contributors/mariana-timony, and her newsletter, The Weird Girls Post, here, https://weirdgirlspost.substack.com/. You can find me (Al) on Twitter at @almelchiorBB or at the account I created for this show, @youmealbum. Would love to hear any comments or questions you have about this episode or the show in general. Since I brought it up several times on this episode, let me know if you’d be interested in hearing Mariana and me talk about Sleater-Kinney’s One Beat for a separate episode.1:20 Mariana (re)joins the show2:02 Mariana ranks the Sleater-Kinney albums26:14 Al counts them down Support the show

19. Eric Gilde Discusses Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

04/18/2021 94 min 22 sec

Send us a textActor/writer/director Eric Gilde stops by to discuss Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, an album he had on repeat for an entire summer and one that still intrigues him nearly two decades later. We discuss Eric’s latest projects, some of his favorite underrated albums and this particular Neutral Milk Hotel album in great detail.You can find Eric on Twitter and Instagram at @ericgilde.Be sure to listen to Eric and Ellen Adair’s baseball movie podcast, Take Me In To The Ballgame! The archive is here, but you can also find episodes where you get your podcasts…https://underdogpodcasts.com/category/tv-film/take-me-in-to-the-ballgameThis podcast has a Twitter account! Would greatly appreciate a follow at @youmealbum. Every week, I announce the next guest and album several days ahead of time. 1:19 Eric joins the show4:29 What projects has Eric been working on?7:10 Three albums that Eric thinks are underrated13:35 What is it about In the Aeroplane Over the Sea that Eric finds most appealing?19:02 Is Neutral Milk Hotel a band?22:44 Jeff Mangum’s inspiration for In the Aeroplane Over the Sea24:03 Al’s initial impressions of the album26:26 Jeff Mangum’s voice is a big reason why Eric loves this album30:22 Parallels between Neutral Milk Hotel and R.E.M.35:31 Eric’s favorite tracks Track-by-track breakdown36:51 King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 143:34 King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 349:20 In the Aeroplane Over the Sea51:53 Two-Headed Boy, Pt. 156:10 The Fool58:25 Holland, 19451:04:12 Communist Daughter1:05:58 Oh Comely1:11:16 Ghost1:17:11 Untitled1:18:53 Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2 1:23:33 The mystique around In the Aeroplane Over the Sea  Support the show

18. Derek VanRiper Discusses Houndmouth, Little Neon Limelight

04/11/2021 76 min 41 sec

Send us a textThis week’s guest is no stranger to me on podcasts…it’s Derek VanRiper, my co-host (along with Michael Beller) on The Athletic’s Fantasy Baseball in 15. (It’s just a small part of all the writing, podcasting and producing that DVR does at The Athletic.) DVR chose Houndmouth’s Little Neon Limelight as our album to discuss. We talked about the people and technologies that have influenced DVR’s musical tastes, his experiences with seeing Houndmouth live and our impressions of each of the album’s 11 tracks.Correction: I made a reference to a track on Toto’s 1999 album Mindfields, but I incorrectly referred to it as Since You’re Gone. The title I was searching for (but did not retrieve) was After You’ve Gone. (Check it out – it’s a great song!)You can find DVR on Twitter at @DerekVanRiper. Follow him for great fantasy baseball info and for the upcoming Yacht Rock Brackets.I am on Twitter at @almelchiorBB.This show also has a Twitter account! @youmealbum … In addition to tweeting out links to the episodes and to random cool music things I see on Twitter, I also announce the upcoming guests and featured albums several days in advance. 1:12 DVR joins the show1:41 The many things that DVR does at The Athletic3:19 DVR’s monumental contribution to the music world5:54 How DVR formed his music listening habits10:45 How DVR got introduced to Little Neon Limelight12:48 The two different versions of Houndmouth that DVR has seen live17:06 Houndmouth sounds like they’re playing live on Little Neon Limelight18:49 Al liked the album much better with headphones19:56 Sometimes it’s better to hear a band live first21:52 DVR’s favorite tracks on Little Neon Limelight24:50 Houndmouth’s sound is both unique and familiar Track-by-track breakdown28:10 Sedona35:43 Otis40:38 15 Years42:04 For No One45:27 Black Gold49:36 Honey Slider52:53 My Cousin Greg57:28 Gasoline1:01:22 By God1:03:47 Say It1:06:38 Darlin’ 1:10:42 DVR has doubts that Houndmouth can be as good without Katie Toupin1:12:26 What will live shows be like when they return? Support the show

17. Andrew Brown Discusses Frank Ocean, Blonde

04/04/2021 63 min 39 sec

Send us a textAndrew Brown pays You, Me and An Album a visit, bringing a copy of Frank Ocean’s Blonde along with him. Andrew is a business analyst for Buzzfeed and a former analyst for the Texas Rangers, and incidentally, he is also my nephew. Andrew and I chat about how he listens to music, how Blonde wound up becoming one of his favorite albums and what makes several of the album’s tracks worth listening to and digging into.You can find Andrew on social media in a couple of places:-          Twitter @ambrown25-          Instagram @andrwbrownAndrew had mentioned that he heard alternate versions of some of the tracks from Blonde, without the pitch-shifted vocals. As best as I can tell, these were scattered throughout Season 3 of the Dissect podcast. To hear an approximation of what Ocean’s vocals would have sounded like without pitch-shifting on Nikes, go here to find Ep. 8 and start at 9:20: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lLWfsZXDEqb28CZyCHxca 1:13 Andrew joins the show (and greets my entire family)2:07 What Andrew does in his work with Buzzfeed3:49 How and when does Andrew listen to music?5:57 Is there music from the 20th century that Andrew enjoys?10:00 How did Andrew wind up listening to Blonde frequently?14:04 What is it about the sound of Blonde that Andrew likes?17:48 Al did not enjoy Blonde on the first listen21:16 Andrew hears a lot of nostalgia in Blonde23:13 Andrew’s favorite tracks from Blonde Breakdown of selected tracks:25:16 Interviews28:09 Futura Free30:44 White Ferrari33:37 Siegfried36:15 Self Control40:41 Pretty Sweet42:33 Facebook Story/Be Yourself45:35 Close To You46:36 Pink + White49:06 Nikes54:09 Ivy Support the show

16. Mariana Timony Discusses Quasi, Field Studies

03/28/2021 73 min 11 sec

Send us a textThis week, Mariana Timony of Bandcamp Daily introduces me to Field Studies, a 1999 album by Quasi – a band I have only discovered during the past year. We discuss how Mariana got into music journalism, her path to Quasi fandom, what makes Quasi such a special group and, of course, what makes Field Studies one of her favorite albums.You can find Mariana on Twitter here: @marianatimony.My weekly apology for mispronunciation: I did manage to pronounce former Quasi bassist Joanna Bolme’s last name correctly, but unfortunately, I referred to her as Joanne on this episode. Sorry for the error.For those looking ahead to Part 2 of this episode, it will be published in late April. 1:02 Mariana joins the show1:44 Mariana has to let readers know that she is not related to Mary Timony2:46 Al is reliving Mariana’s teenage years3:32 When did Mariana realize that music was critically important to her?4:21 How did Mariana become a music journalist?7:30 How did Mariana get into the Pacific Northwest music scene?9:19 When did Mariana become a Quasi fan?13:17 Mariana’s hot take on the Black Keys13:49 Why did Mariana choose to discuss Field Studies for this episode?17:41 Which tracks are Mariana’s favorites?Track by track breakdown19:30 All The Same23:16 The Golden Egg28:52 The Skeleton30:33 The Star You Left Behind34:12 Empty Words37:37 Birds41:46 A Fable With No Moral45:14 Under a Cloud50:12 Me & My Head52:27 Two By Two54:42 It Don’t Mean Nothing56:35 Bon Voyage1:01:45 Smile1:06:08 Let’s Just Go 1:08:16 Mariana’s final thoughts on Field Studies1:10:30 Mariana recommends the next Quasi album for Al to listen to1:12:33 A note about a future episode Support the show

15. Lindsey Adler and Kevin Brown Discuss Oasis, Definitely Maybe

03/21/2021 94 min 50 sec

Send us a textWelcome to the first-ever three-person episode of You, Me and An Album! Yankees beat writer Lindsey Adler of The Athletic and play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown (ESPN, Baltimore Orioles) join me to discuss Oasis’ 1994 debut, Definitely Maybe. We talk about what makes Oasis a band that one can get immersed in, which tracks were Lindsey’s and Kevin’s favorites, and lots of talk about the Gallagher brothers.Where to find this episode’s guests…Lindsey on Twitter: @lindseyadlerKevin on Twitter: @kevinnbrownKevin Reviews Things: https://www.kevinreviewsthings.com/Here are links to the Maine Road concerts that Kevin and Lindsey referred to.First night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psK6ok5efHESecond night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icGxwZiPAbIYou can find the Brian Koppelman interview with Todd Rundgren that I referenced here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/todd-rundgren-02-23-21/id814550071?i=1000510290270 1:18 Lindsey and Kevin join the show2:13 The Oasis Hive in sports media4:02 The first three-person YMAAA5:30 Does the seasonality of a beat writer’s work affect your music listening habits?8:26 Kevin has a lot of power over the musical selections at Oriole Park at Camden Yards11:16 Being a fan of a band without knowing much about the band themselves14:54 Why Kevin and Lindsey are immersive in their Oasis fandom18:56 Why Lindsey and Kevin chose Definitely Maybe for this episode21:56 Kevin's and Lindsey’s favorite songs on Definitely Maybe (and in Oasis’ catalog)24:41 The making of Definitely Maybe is an amazing story29:12 The differences between Liam and Noel Gallagher are central to what Oasis is Breaking down (almost all of) the tracks:36:30 Live Forever42:40 Slide Away46:17 Rock ‘n’ Roll Star50:39 Shakermaker53:08 Cigarettes & Alcohol56:53 Up in The Sky/Columbia (and what Todd Rundgren made Al wonder about Oasis’ lyrics)1:11:40 Supersonic1:13:59 Did Filter rip off Columbia?1:15:42 Bring It On Down1:17:28 Digsy’s Dinner1:20:02 Lindsey recommends Familiar to Millions1:22:30 No one sings Noel’s songs like Liam1:25:08 Kevin calls (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? a letdown1:26:58 How Al feels about Definitely Maybe now Support the show

14. Doc Crotzer Discusses Tom Petty, Wildflowers

03/14/2021 64 min 59 sec

Send us a textDoc Crotzer joins me as my guest for this episode of You, Me and An Album to discuss Tom Petty’s second solo album, Wildflowers. Doc is a director, producer and editor who has worked on movies and on numerous TV series, including Glee, Sons of Anarchy and Good Behavior. In addition to discussing Tom Petty, we talked about Doc’s latest movie project, his role in writing and performing a theme song for a fantasy baseball podcast and his “appearance” in Rookie of the Year.A couple of corrections: My apologies to Steve Ferrone for mispronouncing his name. Also, I made a comparison between Only a Broken Heart and R.E.M.’s Diminished, but the song I meant to compare it to was actually Parakeet, also from R.E.M.’s Up album.Thanks to Doc for digging up these Tom Petty clips that were referenced on the show!Tom Petty on SNL (featuring Dave Grohl): https://www.facebook.com/nashvilleguitarstore/videos/throwback-to-1994-snl-tom-petty-featuring-dave-grohl-on-drums-you-dont-know-how-/10155876812454382/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYhYOdsqK5Y&feature=youtu.beFoo Fighters’ version of Honey Bee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hixoRjxKIQsSocial Distance Sessions (Good Vibrations): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWCkCSO8h9I0:59 Doc joins the show1:19 Doc’s connection to Rookie of the Year3:13 The movie that Doc is working on now4:40 Why Doc wrote a theme song for a fantasy baseball podcast7:26 Which three underrated albums does Doc recommend?9:41 Why did Doc choose Wildflowers for this episode?11:01 Al had issues with Tom Petty’s music when Wildflowers came out16:39 Are Tom Petty solo albums really all that different from his albums with the Heartbreakers?18:42 Wildflowers is a whole different album when the title track doesn’t come first Track by track breakdown (not in order)19:45 Wildflowers22:11 You Don’t Know How It Feels26:38 Find a Friend29:10 House In The Woods/Cabin Down Below31:30 Honey Bee37:00 Time to Move On39:27 You Wreck Me42:09 It’s Good to Be King47:19 Only a Broken Heart51:07 Don’t Fade on Me52:06 Hard on Me53:08 A Higher Place54:21 Crawling Back to You56:56 Wake Up Time  Support the show

13. Ed Masley Discusses The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society

03/07/2021 79 min 35 sec

Send us a textEd Masley, a music critic for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, joins You, Me and An Album to introduce me to The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. In addition to explaining what makes this his favorite album, Ed discusses his love for the Kinks more generally and how he became a music critic. He also mentions that he co-wrote a song with someone who has previously appeared on this podcast.You can find Ed on Twitter at @EdMasley, and you can find the music from his band, The Breakup Society, on Bandcamp at https://thebreakupsociety.bandcamp.com/.Ed mentioned that the song, Picture Book was featured on a Hewlett Packard ad. You can view the ad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOnif6BC0kc. 1:19 Ed joins the show1:37 How Ed became a music critic4:07 Does it help to be a musician when being a music critic?5:24 What has Ed been covering during the pandemic?8:54 Which three underrated albums does Ed recommend?14:57 What is it about the Kinks that appeals to Ed so much?21:30 Why Al was lukewarm about Village Green23:15 Al doesn’t like 60s rock?!?26:47 Is Tim Booth of James influenced by Ray Davies?29:19 Village Green was a grower, even for Ed Breaking down the tracks (not in order)32:28 We Are The Village Green Preservation Society37:44 Do You Remember Walter?40:30 Picture Book46:14 Big Sky 48:12 The Kinks were not afraid to experiment with different styles50:31 The common theme between Village Green and Waterloo Sunset 54:33 Phenomenal Cat57:23 Wicked Annabella 58:40 Ed asked Ringo Starr about Mick Avory 1:04:06 Animal Farm1:06:31 Village Green1:08:42 People Take Pictures of Each Other1:11:53 Starstruck1:14:34 All My Friends Were There The outro music is Strength Was Always Your Weakness by The Breakup Society. Support the show

12. Kasha Patel Discusses Janelle Monáe, The Electric Lady

03/01/2021 87 min 23 sec

Send us a textThis week’s guest brings sci-fi to You, Me and An Album! Kasha Patel -- a science writer for NASA Earth and stand-up comedian – chose Janelle Monáe’s The Electric Lady as our album to discuss. Kasha talked about her work with NASA, the role her oldest brother played in shaping her musical tastes and, of course, all of the things that make The Electric Lady one of her favorite albums.You can reach Kasha on Twitter at @KashaPatel, and also by email at comedy@kashapatel.com. You can also find her science comedy and stand-up routine videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/kashablanca.Kasha’s TEDx talk on the science of science comedy is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu7yQIlJLUw.Note: Between 1:06:00 and 1:08:00 and then again after 1:16:00, you will hear a scratching sound in the background. That is one of our cats, George, asking to be let in to the “podcast studio.” Sorry for the distracting noise, but he is super cute. 1:07 Kasha joins the show1:42 Writing for NASA means learning some cool things and some depressing things4:26 How did Kasha become a science comedian?6:24 What Kasha likes to listen to9:04 Why Kasha chose The Electric Lady for this episode12:53 Al and Kasha try to figure out if they should leave certain tracks out of their discussion14:13 The link between Isaac Asimov and Janelle Monáe17:11 Does The Electric Lady have a linear narrative?22:17 Which tracks from The Electric Lady are her favorites?28:21 Suite V requires multiple listens Track-by-track breakdown (selected tracks):30:19 Suite IV Electric Overture31:43 Givin Em What They Love41:15 Q.U.E.E.N.43:29 The Interludes48:00 Electric Lady49:19 PrimeTime51:05 We Were Rock n’ Roll52:20 Dance Apocalyptic55:52 Look Into My Eyes58:23 Suite V: Electric Overture58:47 It’s Code1:01:59 Ghetto Woman1:07:40 Sally Ride1:12:54 Dorothy Dandridge Eyes1:15:16 What An Experience 1:18:13 Are Janelle Monáe’s other albums worth checking out?1:19:34 How Janelle Monáe came up with the artwork concept for The Electric Lady Support the show

11. Elliott Blaufuss Discusses Crash Test Dummies, God Shuffled His Feet

02/22/2021 92 min 46 sec

Send us a textMy guest for this episode is Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Elliott Blaufuss (solo material, Eric Hutchinson). Elliott picked Crash Test Dummies’ second album, God Shuffled His Feet, as our album to discuss. While we delved deeply into this album, we also discussed his work as a musical director and the unusual circumstance under which we met.We discussed a video of Ellen Reid performing as a solo act, and it features a version of Swimming In Your Ocean. Here’s a link to the video, and the song starts at 5:50: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyPSnkXux2A&t=378s.1:12 Elliott joins the show1:51 Coming soon…You, Me and A Cow3:13 A tenuous connection around fantasy sports5:37 Elliott’s current musical projects8:49 Elliott’s beginnings as a musician12:02 Elliott explains what a musical director does17:13 Has Elliott ever bought an album that he later forgot that he owned?19:07 Al forgot that he bought God Shuffled His Feet20:44 Why did Elliott choose God Shuffled His Feet for this episode?26:13 Jerry Harrison owned the 90s29:40 Elliott’s favorite tracks from God Shuffled His FeetTrack-by-track breakdown:32:09 God Shuffled His Feet47:34 Afternoons & Coffeespoons50:53 Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm1:00:20 In The Days of the Caveman1:06:46 Swimming In Your Ocean1:09:40 Here I Stand Before Me1:13:42 I Think I’ll Disappear Now1:16:34 How Does A Duck Know?1:19:50 When I Go Out With Artists1:23:54 The Psychic/Two Knights & Maidens/Untitled The outro music is I Can’t Wait by Elliott Blaufuss.Support the show

10. Michael Beller Discusses The Band (self-titled or The Brown Album)

02/15/2021 59 min 48 sec

Send us a textMichael Beller is a podcast producer, host and writer for The Athletic, and along with Derek VanRiper and me, he is the co-host of The Athletic’s Fantasy Baseball in 15 podcast. Off air, Michael has talked to me a lot about The Band, so it was high time for us to have a longer conversation about one of his favorite musical acts. This episode focuses on the Band’s self-titled second album, also known as The Brown Album.The first few minutes of this episode features birds. It’s not a tribute to the great album by Quasi; it’s just that there were a lot of really loud birds outside my window when I was recording. In this episode, I made a reference to a cover of The Band’s The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by Early James and The Marcus King Band, in which James changed the lyrics in order to clearly reflect a rejection of the Confederacy. I put a brief clip from a performance of this version in the episode. Here is the full performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpGJR9TyYww.1:16 Michael joins the show2:32 Michael’s path towards becoming a sports podcaster and writer5:58 Which other albums did Michael consider choosing for this episode?7:51 Al ponders why he wasn’t more familiar with The Band9:00 How Michael became a fan of The Band12:27 The Band had a great four-album run13:00 Michael’s favorite tracks from The Brown Album16:31 Why Michael thinks The Band is a unique band18:57 Al had to lose his baggage to properly appreciate The Band Track-by-track breakdown:20:53 Across the Great Divide23:24 Rag Mama Rag26:29 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down28:39 When You Awake32:52 Up on Cripple Creek 36:48 Does Michael have any Band-related fantasy team names? 38:34 Whispering Pines41:20 Jemima Surrender43:51 Rockin’ Chair46:01 Look Out Cleveland48:50 Jawbone50:52 Unfaithful Servant52:55 King Harvest (Has Surely Come) Support the show

9. Scott McCaughey Discusses The Modern Lovers (self-titled)

02/09/2021 72 min 15 sec

Send us a textIndie rock multi-instrumentalist Scott McCaughey (The Baseball Project, R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows, Filthy Friends) joins me for a bonus episode of You, Me and An Album. For his album to discuss, Scott chose The Modern Lovers’ eponymous 1976 release. This is a band and an album that I have heard about since my teenage years, but I had never actually heard anything by the band before – not even the frequently-covered Roadrunner.Scott’s a great follow on Twitter. You can find him at @ScottMcMinus5.Over the past year, Scott has been busy with solo work (and other projects, too), recording as Scott the Hoople. You can find these recordings on Bandcamp, including his most recent album, NEIL Vol. 1, consisting of 13 Neil Young covers. They are all available at https://scottthehoople.bandcamp.com/.1:22 Scott joins the show3:29 Scott catches us up on his latest projects7:14 Some news on Filthy Friends10:10 Who influenced Scott’s musical tastes the most?14:44 Why does Scott think The Modern Lovers is one of the greatest albums ever?23:04 Scott’s favorite tracks from The Modern Lovers24:55 Did The Modern Lovers influence Scott as a musician and songwriter?27:16 Scott has gotten to know Jonathan Richman29:45 Al’s initial impression of The Modern LoversTrack-by-track breakdown:33:08 Roadrunner37:20 Astral Plane40:05 Old World44:21 Pablo Picasso48:14 She Cracked50:55 Hospital55:28 Someone I Care About59:50 Girl Friend1:03:09 Modern World1:07:55 The Modern Lovers save the day for The Minus 51:08:46 Someone I Care About is a magical song for Scott The outro music is Young Fresh Fellows covering Someone I Care About.Support the show

8. Chris Cwik Discusses Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City

02/07/2021 73 min 59 sec

Send us a textChris Cwik, a writer for Yahoo Sports, drops the needle on Vampire Weekend's third album, Modern Vampires of the City. We try to figure out which words are best for describing the group's sound and this album in particular, and as always, we break it down track-by-track.I made a reference to misheardlyricsguy’s video for Yellow Ledbetter, which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLd22ha_-VUAlso, here's the Johnny Marr sketch from Portlandia that I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOyXZtN21Gg 1:02 Chris joins the show2:19 Chris and Al are cautiously optimistic about the baseball season3:29 Is McCartney’s Temporary Secretary so bad that it’s actually good?6:06 Vampire Weekend doesn’t sound like a band named Vampire Weekend6:47 Did Chris like Vampire Weekend right away?8:34 Why does Modern Vampires of the City have special meaning for Chris?13:08 What adjectives would Chris use to describe this album?16:06 Which tracks are Chris’ favorites?17:03 Al’s initial impression of Modern Vampires of the City Track-by-track breakdown:22:19 Obvious Bicycle25:00 Unbelievers29:34 Step36:14 Diane Young38:54 Don’t Lie41:29 Hannah Hunt44:41 Everlasting Arms48:39 Finger Back 51:26 Guitarists Chris likes to play and emulate when he practices Track-by-track analysis resumes…55:11 Worship You57:23 Ya Hey1:00:55 Hudson1:04:12 Young Lion Support the show

7. Chris Towers Discusses Carly Rae Jepsen, E*MO*TION

01/31/2021 70 min 34 sec

Send us a textCBSSports.com fantasy sports analyst Chris Towers joins the show to dig deep into an album I first heard him talk about with great enthusiasm nearly six years ago. The album is Carly Rae Jepsen's critically-acclaimed but commercially disappointing E*MO*TION.During the podcast, Chris made reference to the Switched on Pop podcast. You can listen to that at https://switchedonpop.com/.Chris also referred to an essay written by Hanif Abdurraqib about the experience of seeing Carly Rae Jepsen live. It’s entitled "Carly Rae Jepsen’s Public Displays of Affection", and you can find it here: http://www.mtv.com/news/2858019/carly-rae-jepsen-live-public-display-of-affection/.We talked about Quarterflash and The Cardigans as one-hit wonders, but they did in fact have other hits. This discussion reminded me of a great Cardigans song, My Favorite Game. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Wwbl8F-2s.Also, I erroneously stated that Quarterflash's Harden My Heart was released in 1980, but it was actually in 1981. 1:12 Chris joins the show2:27 Chris discusses his new/old role with CBSSports.com2:46 Fantasy sports player rankings are like album rankings5:38 How did Chris develop his eclectic taste in music?9:53 How did Chris get into Carly Rae Jepsen’s music?13:57 It’s not always bad if music is derivative15:59 Chris’ favorite tracks on E*MO*TION18:45 Why is this one of Chris’ favorite albums to listen to?20:50 Al expected to be underwhelmed by E*MO*TION23:45 Al’s first impressions25:04 Carly Rae Jepsen is a prolific songwriter26:54 Does it matter if music is targeted for teens or adults? Track-by-track breakdown:29:53 Run Away With Me32:54 Emotion37:30 I Really Like You40:17 Gimmie Love43:14 All That46:53 Boy Problems52:02 Making The Most of the Night54:07 Your Type56:27 Let’s Get Lost57:16 LA Hallucinations1:00:50 Warm Blood1:04:07 When I Needed You Support the show

6. John Ferrari Discusses David Sylvian, Brilliant Trees

01/25/2021 59 min 56 sec

Send us a textGrowing up in Allendale, New Jersey, I spent countless hours listening to and talking about music with my friend, John Ferrari. On this episode, John – who is a drummer and percussionist with Tilted Axes, Meridian Arts Ensemble and New Millennium Ensemble – joins me for yet another discussion. This time around, we’re talking about one of his favorite albums, David Sylvian’s Brilliant Trees.At the end of this episode, I mentioned that John will be performing in a show entitled Centennial Vibes: Celebrating the Vibraphone, Invented in 1921. You can find information on how to view this performance via live stream at https://composersconcordance.wixsite.com/2020-21-season/concerts. You will need to scroll down to event no. 11.Check out John’s music!Tilted Axes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiltedaxesTilted Axes website: http://tiltedaxes.com/tiltedaxes.htmlMeridian Arts Ensemble on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/meridian-arts-ensemble/66272989New Millennium Ensemble on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/new-millennium-ensemble/145616329At the 34:00 mark, I made a reference to the Houston-based group Khruangbin. I asked “what’s the difference between David Sylvian and Khruangbin?”, but never followed up on the thought. The very short answer is that both have created music that is smooth and relaxing, but they have done it different ways. What I may not have made clear is that I LOVE Khruangbin. If you have not yet listened to them, here’s a great video to start with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4xKvHANqjk&t=383s.1:29 John joins the show2:00 John’s house was a formative place for my musical tastes5:08 John meets his biggest musical hero7:09 John meets Frank Zappa10:14 Why John picked Brilliant Trees for this podcast18:13 John’s favorite tracks from Brilliant Trees20:58 Al’s initial impressions Track by track breakdown28:09 Pulling Punches32:56 The Ink In The Well38:27 Nostalgia41:19 Red Guitar45:33 Weathered Wall48:00 Backwaters50:55 Brilliant Trees Support the show

5. Ellen Adair Discusses Chance the Rapper, Coloring Book

01/18/2021 71 min 25 sec

Send us a textActor, author, baseball analyst and podcaster Ellen Adair (Billions, The Sinner, Homeland) is here to share her enthusiasm for Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book. She discusses why this mixtape is special for both the musical performances and lyrical themes.Ellen Adair on Twitter: @ellen_adairTake Me In To The Ballgame (Ellen Adair and Eric Gilde’s baseball movie podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-me-in-to-the-ballgame/id1523233237I made a reference to (and recommended) the YouTube music reaction series, Lost In Vegas. You can find the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJPOmOZzDxZZxPWFgeE50hQ1:10 Ellen joins the show2:29 What Ellen’s been up to during the pandemic5:50 Why Ellen chose Coloring Book for this episode10:20 What’s more important to Ellen: Coloring Book’s lyrical themes or the music?12:30 I ask Ellen about religion15:27 Is Coloring Book a mixtape or an album?17:55 Does Ellen have an album she loves in spite of a potentially disqualifying track?19:56 Ellen’s favorite tracks from Coloring Book24:44 Do we like certain albums because of their similarities to other music we like?28:44 Al’s first impressions of Coloring Book Track-by-track breakdown:35:00 All We Got37:26 No Problem39:16 Summer Friends40:55 DRAM Sings Special42:20 Blessings44:41 Same Drugs50:56 Mixtape51:17 Angels53:24 Juke Jam54:47 All Night56:24 How Great1:00:32 Smoke Break1:02:33 Finish Line/Drown1:05:07 Blessings (reprise) Support the show

4. Rich Kimball Discusses Nilsson, Nilsson Schmilsson

01/11/2021 57 min 36 sec

Send us a textRich Kimball, host of Downtown on Zoom Radio, brought his extensive knowledge of Harry Nilsson and of music in general to this episode of You, Me and An Album. We discussed Nilsson’s best-known and most successful album, Nilsson Schmilsson, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart subsequent to its late 1971 release.Find Rich on Twitter: @DowntownRichKDowntown with Rich Kimball website: http://www.downtownwithrichkimball.com/Here’s a link to the song that Alice Cooper performed for Zak Nilsson on Coffee Talk with ADIKA Live (discussed at 9:18): https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/alice-cooper-harry-nilsson-son-zak-song-21507/CORRECTION: I stated that Jump Into The Fire ends with a fadeout of the drum solo, but I should have said it ends with a fadeout of a two-minute instrumental section that follows the drum solo.IRONY ALERT: I am aware that I went out of my way to not mention IBM by name in reference to their ad that used Jump Into The Fire, but then later in this episode, I dropped a reference to Google Calendar.1:00 Rich joins the show2:21 How Rich got into radio and TV4:49 Why Rich chose Nilsson Schmilsson as his album to discuss9:18 Alice Cooper’s song for Zak Nilsson10:30 Rich’s favorite Nilsson Schmilsson tracks15:00 What Rich likes about the album as a whole16:59 Al’s beef with the track sequencing18:15 The similarities between Nilsson Schmilsson and Pretzel Logic21:10 Al’s initial observations Track-by-track breakdown:25:05 Gotta Get Up26:32 Driving Along28:17 Early In The Morning30:52 The Moonbeam Song33:06 Down35:19 Without You41:31 Coconut42:55 Al’s post-recording thoughts about Coconut43:41 Let The Good Times Roll45:16 Jump Into The Fire48:51 I’ll Never Leave You 50:31 Is Nilsson Schmilsson Rich’s favorite Nilsson album?Support the show

3. Nick Dika Discusses Nirvana, Nevermind

01/04/2021 63 min 52 sec

Send us a textNick Dika of Arkells takes us through a deep dive into Nirvana’s Nevermind – an album that, incredibly, Al had never listened to all the way through. He also discussed how Arkells came to record Campfire Chords, which they released last August.You can reach Nick Dika on Twitter at @NickDika. Arkells is also on Twitter at @arkellsmusic.You can also purchase Campfire Chords and other Arkells-related items from their website: http://www.arkellsmusic.com/band/.At the 22:21 mark, I talked about a story I had read regarding the time Weird Al Yankovic asked Kurt Cobain for permission to parody Smells Like Teen Spirit. An account of that encounter can be found here: http://www.alternativenation.net/kurt-cobains-hilarious-reaction-weird-al-asking-parody-nirvana/.WARNING: During the course of this podcast, we discuss some disturbing lyrical content that may not be appropriate for all listeners.1:08 Nick Dika joins the show1:46 How Arkells’ Campfire Chords came about4:41 What’s next for Arkells? 5:20 Why did Nick choose to discuss Nevermind?10:26 Why Nevermind has had such staying power13:44 Is Nevermind a great bass album?16:04 Nick’s favorite tracks17:23 How to overcome Smells Like Teen Spirit burnout18:47 Al sings Nirvana at the dog park19:34 Al’s initial impressions Track-by-track breakdown27:35 Smells Like Teen Spirit27:47 In Bloom31:55 Come As You Are35:52 Breed37:51 Lithium39:39 Polly41:14 Territorial Pissings46:20 Drain You47:59 Lounge Act51:55 Stay Away54:40 On a Plain55:13 Something In The Way57:26 Endless, Nameless 59:56 Better album: Nevermind or In Utero? Outro is from Leather Jacket by ArkellsSupport the show

2. Mike Lord Discusses John Cale, Fragments of a Rainy Season

12/28/2020 56 min 32 sec

Send us a textMike Lord from Tabletop Genesis drops in to discuss one of his favorite albums, John Cale’s Fragments of a Rainy Season. He talks about his podcast, how he got into John Cale, and why he really loves this album in particular.You can find out more about Tabletop Genesis, including links to their podcast, at http://tabletopgenesis.com/. You can find Mike on Twitter and Instagram at @zorknapp.At 2:56 of this episode, I made a reference to Steve Hackett of Genesis smashing a wine glass in his hand (I recall reading that he did this because of frustration over the perception that Genesis was “Peter Gabriel’s band.”). He referred to the incident in this interview: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6744189/UNDER-MICROSCOPE-Former-Genesis-star-Steve-Hackett-69-answers-health-quiz.html.BELATED NOTE REGARDING EPISODE 1: Going back to last episode, I talked about how musician Laura Kidd (Penfriend, She Makes War) inspired this podcast, but I was remiss to not put links to her website and podcast in the notes, so here they are! Website: https://penfriend.rocks/, Attention Engineer podcast: https://penfriend.rocks/podcast/. Also, you can find Laura on Twitter at @penfriendrocks. 1:56 Mike Lord, Host of Tabletop Genesis (or is he?)3:35 Mike selects John Cale’s Fragments of a Rainy Season as our album to discuss4:41 The genesis of Tabletop Genesis9:47 Growing up with opera and Neil Sedaka13:28 Fragments of a Rainy Season as a gateway to Cale’s discography15:04 Why Mike chose this album18:15 Mike’s favorite tracks from the album22:26 The best Hallelujah version?24:06 Cale’s piano-playing style26:20 This album has a cool ambiance27:31 Al’s initial impressions Breakdown of selected tracks32:45 Buffalo Ballet33:01 Ship of Fools33:21 Paris 191933:42 Leaving It Up to You35:32 Heartbreak Hotel37:54 Dylan Thomas songs39:57 Darling I Need You43:22 Revisiting Ship of Fools and Paris 191944:50 Guts/Dying on the Vine46:14 Fear (Is a Man’s Best Friend)47:24 Thoughtless Kind 48:25 Mike reacts to Al’s reactionSupport the show

1. Alex Fast Discusses Sigur Ros, ()

12/21/2020 56 min 27 sec

Send us a textBaseball analyst, actor and bassist Alex Fast joins the show to discuss why Sigur Ros' () is one of his favorite albums, as well as his own career as a musician.0:20 The idea behind You, Me and An Album1:10 Alex Fast joins the show2:59 Alex’s music career9:27 How Alex developed his eclectic musical tastes13:37 Introducing Sigur Ros, ()19:03 Which tracks from the album were Alex’s favorites?22:30 Al’s initial impressions of ()28:13 Alex makes a shocking discoveryTrack-by-track breakdown:33:11 Track 135:00 Track 235:40 Track 339:24 Track 441:23 Track 543:39 Track 647:32 Track 749:04 Track 850:53 Albums that require an emotional investment53:21 Alex’s final thoughts Support the show

Introducing...You, Me and An Album!

12/17/2020 2 min 45 sec

Send us a textTrailer for a new podcast, You, Me and An Album, hosted by Al Melchior.Support the show