The Classic Albums Podcast

#21 Emperor Tomato Ketchup & Daisies of the Galaxy

Sun, 6 Jul 2008 16:37:00 GMT

We're back, devoted listeners, after a brief sabbatical, bringing you our partisan musings on Stereolab's motorik masterpiece Emperor Tomato ketchup and the Eels' string-washed sobfest Daisies of the Galaxy. That, and all the quality and charm you have come to expect from The Classic Albums Podcast. Often imitated - never bettered.

# 20 Regard the End & Armed Forces

Sun, 8 Jun 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Power pop and Americana are discussed this week when we consider Armed Forces by Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Regard the End by Willard Grant Conspiracy.

Sweep is a guest on the show and his squeaks of joy are a testament to the quality of the Classic Albums experience. We look at swearing in songs, listeners' failed excursions into the world of rock and pop and rules for gigs.

What more could you possibly want?

# 19 What's the Story Morning Glory & Astral Weeks

Mon, 26 May 2008 17:24:00 GMT

Stephen returns, so let the ranting begin. This week we discuss a Britpop giant, Oasis's 'What's the Story Morning Glory'. Pitted against it is a stream of consciousness â folk â jazz masterpiece in the form of Van Morrisonâs âAstral Weeksâ.

More views from the blog. More talking points. More top fives.

We really are the show that gives you more.

#18 Vs & Carnival of Light

Sat, 10 May 2008 10:25:00 GMT

We are back. Sorry if you thought we had disappeared. In order to swell listener numbers Stephen has taken it upon himself to reproduce. Still busy with dad duties Dan is drafted in to replace Stephen for one show only (Stephen was very specific).

This week we look at Pearl Jam's 'Versus' and Ride's 'Carnival of Light'. Dan and Gary muse over a whole range of artforms in order to make a musical point and discuss food's relationship with the musical form.

See whatya think.

#17 Five Leaves Left & Since I Left You

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 21:19:00 GMT

Two very different albums this week. We have the Aussie 'mash fest' that is The Avalanches' 'Since I Left You' and Nick Drake's pastoral masterpiece 'Five Leaves Left'.

Also within this weeks cultural smorgasbord we have top five dance tracks and pop's top to toe; charting the body from the head to the soles of the feet.

#16 Leftism & Blood

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:15:00 GMT

Stephen tells the kids to 'keep it real' and Gary reveals some of his fantasies, but what has provoked this reaction? Well it is the opportunity to review two albums never before heard in the Classic Albums studio.

Two albums from the 90's suggested by listeners of the podcast: This Mortal Coil's 'Blood' and Leftfield's 'Leftism'. Also on offer, 'a year in the life of rock' and opinions about rock, pop, indie and life in general.

#15 Dummy & Blonde On Blonde

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 22:55:00 GMT

Never too concerned about brevity, our intrepid podcasting partnership ramble on at great length about all things musical. This week it is the turn of Bob Dylan with his critically acclaimed double album âBlonde On Blondeâ, together with a nineties classic âDummyâ by Portishead.

Top five this week is âbest last trackâ. There is lots of action on the blog, recent listening favourites and the outcome of our competition to select an album from the 1990âs that Gary and Stephen havenât heard, but would like to review.

Lots going on then.

#14 Cast of Thousands & Honey's Dead

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:28:00 GMT

Add a couple of bottles of cheap Lidl beer to the equation and it just gets silly. A tired and emotional Gary and Stephen discuss Elbow's slowburning smoothfest Cast of Thousands and The JAMC's late flowering of crunchy sleaze-rock Honey's Dead, plus the top 5 songs about bad weather, and an un-called-for Dylan rant. Now by whom could that be...?

#13 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band & Blue

Mon, 4 Feb 2008 16:03:00 GMT

Well, we're back after a slight hiatus with our usual chewing of the fat of rock's great and varied hilights. This issue Stephen asks Gary to get his ears around The Beatles' seminal psychedelic concept album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Gary serves up Stephen a steaming slice of Joni Mitchell's heartfelt confessional Blue. Also - the top 5 songs about the Demon Drink, Stephen in New Music Shock and a challenge for regular listeners to get themselves heard on the podcast!

FYI the email address given in the programme is slightly wrong. It should be classicalbumspodcast@hotmail.co.uk not .com. Looking forward to hearing from you.

# 12 The Flying Club Cup & Saltbreakers

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:28:00 GMT

Back on fine form after our festive hiatus, the podcast bursts back onto the airwaves with Beirut's 'The Flying Club Cup' and Laura Veirs' 'Saltbreakers' identified as the two must-hear albums of 2007.

Also discusssed: top songs and finest musical events.

Have a listen, see if you agree and let us know.

Christmas Special - Fallen, Enya &Misplaced Childhood

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:25:00 GMT

Merry Christmas from the Classic Albums studio. A real treat this week; a special guest demonstrates that even geeks have friends. The topic is guilty pleasures with 'Enya' by Enya, 'Misplaced Childhood' by Marillion and 'Fallen' by Evanescence.

Will the chuntering continue, or will a third person ensure Stephen and Gary are on their best behaviour.

Listen in and find out.

# 11 Fuzzy Logic & Rum Sodomy and the Lash

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 21:38:00 GMT

Two corkers this week. Surely there won't be any disagreement about either of these thoroughbreds. The Pogues outstanding second 'Rum Sodomy and the Lash' vying for praise with Super Fury Animals first outing 'Fuzzy Logic'.

Also under discussion 'Winter Warmers', songs to help you while away those long winter evenings. Contributions from the blog and details of Stephen's first gang.

Listen, laugh, learn?

# 10 Songs of Leonard Cohen & Elastica

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:31:00 GMT

Two more different albums could not have found their way into the Classic Albums studio. 'Songs of Leonard Cohen' by the legendary poet and song smith, pitted against a Britpop landmark 'Elastica' by the band of the same name. Listen in and find out whether there is agreement or discord when Gary and Stephen discuss the merits of these two albums.

Bloggers suggest super groups and the top five looks at tunes best listened to in the car. All in all, a top notch slice of geeky opinionated whinging.

# 9 Grace and The Stone Roses

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:05:00 GMT

A debut album special with the eponymous Stone Roses offering, 'Stone Roses' up against Jeff Buckley's 'Grace'. There is laughter and tears in the Classic Albums studio, with one of the discs getting a universal thumbs up whilst the other causes pulses to race and blood pressure to rise.

All the usual features are here: Top Five this week is album artwork featuring the artist and this rubs shoulders with current listening favourites and the singles and albums that kicked off our music buying obsession.

Download. Listen. Enjoy.

# 8 Powerage and The Boatman's Call

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:05:00 GMT

Life affirming rock takes on the ultimate break up album when Stephen and Gary discuss classic albums by AC/DC and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Will there be more ranting or will the podcast studio be a picture of calm agreement?

Another countdown is suggested by podcast devotees 'Rock the Week' looks for song titles about days of the week. Can we make it from Monday to Sunday without Stephen mentioning either The Wedding Present or Belle & Sebastian?

Tune in and find out.

# 7 George Best & Debut

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:52:00 GMT

Two very different albums this week. Guitar driven kitchen sink drama from the Wedding Present's 'George Best' pitted against Bjork's dance beat driven pop on 'Debut'. One receives praise, the other a drubbing. But which is which?

We have 'A day in the life of rock', with a timeline stretching from dawn til dusk and beyond. The top five this week features songs about death and neither Stephen or Gary can keep their list within the specified number. This is probably an indication of their morbid musical proclivities.

# 6 Trompe Le Monde & Houses of the Holy

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:41:00 GMT

A "rawk" special this issue as Gary and Stephen consider the old skool merits of Led Zeppelin's 1973 offering Houses of the Holy and the new-skool barking-mad-a-thon of The Pixies' poppy swansong Trompe le Monde. We also get to hear the Top 5 songs with girl's names in the title and as much partisan and jaundiced opinion in half an hour as anybody should ever need.

# 5 Kind of Blue & Ok Computer

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:44:00 GMT

What was Stephen thinking? He knows that Gary comes out in a rash at the merest mention of jazz. Does his choice of Kind of Blue by Miles Davis elicit a rant, or was Gary won over? Ok Computer by Radiohead should be a safe bet, but a decade on does the Indie masterpiece stand the test of time?

The quiz continues to flummox, top five this week puts the boot into bands who hung around beyond their sell by date and the talking point looks for suggestions for bands with more fashion sense than musical ability.

#4 Skylarking & Never Mind the Bllcks

Sun, 2 Sep 2007 14:05:00 GMT

It's daggers drawn this episode as the heat rises in the Classic Albums studio. Gary and Stephen almost fall out over the Sex Pistols' punk blueprint Never Mind the B*ll*cks and XTC's pysyc/pastoral/power-pop concept album Skylarking. Also featuring the Top 5 songs from films and the answer to last week's sleeve note teaser.

#3 Peace at Last & Loveless

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:56:00 GMT

The third installment of the Classic Albums Podcast gives the lowdown on My Bloody Valentine's seminal shoegazing epic Loveless and The Blue Nile's acclaimed follow-up to Hats, Peace at Last. Also featuring the top 5 covers of all time, (well, the top 17-ish) and another fiendish music teaser.

#2 Sea Change & Boys For Pele

Tue, 7 Aug 2007 18:04:00 GMT

Episode 2 of The Classic Albums Podcast gets to grips with Beck's dour and dusty break-up album Sea Change and tackles Tori Amos' epic third offering Boys For Pele. We also find out the greatest Album opening tracks of all time and get the answers to last week's fiendish teaser.

#1 "Heartbreaker" & "The 69 Love Songs"

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:29:00 GMT

Gary and Stephen debate the rival merits of Ryan Adam's groundbreaking debut "Heartbreaker" and Vol.1 of the Magnetic Fields' gigantic opus "The 69 Love Songs". They also debeate the definitive Top 5 debut albums and set the first of many music indie music teasers.