Music is finite, opinions are endless. On The Album Years podcast, long term friends, collaborators and music nerds Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss and bicker about their favourite music released during the golden album years, which they reckon to be from around 1965 to the end of the millennium. Each episode focuses on a single year picked at random. At the end of each episode they pick their personal favourites and the album they think had the most long-term impact on music. Can you guess which albums they will pick?
The The Album Years podcast is a delightful and informative journey through the world of music, as Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss and analyze albums from various genres and time periods. Their passion for music shines through in each episode, making it both entertaining and educational for listeners. Whether you're a seasoned music aficionado or just getting started on your musical exploration, this podcast offers a wealth of knowledge and recommendations to discover new artists and albums.
One of the best aspects of The The Album Years is the deep insight provided by Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness. They have an extensive knowledge of music history and bring a unique perspective to each album they discuss. Their discussions are thought-provoking, offering nuanced interpretations and analysis that can enhance one's appreciation for the albums being discussed. Additionally, their genuine enthusiasm for the music they love is infectious, making it enjoyable to listen to their conversations.
Another great aspect of this podcast is its ability to introduce listeners to lesser-known albums and artists. Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness often highlight albums that may have been overlooked or forgotten over time, allowing listeners to discover hidden gems. They cover a wide range of genres, from progressive rock to electronic to pop, ensuring that there's something for everyone to explore.
However, one potential downside of The The Album Years is that it may not appeal to those who are not already passionate about music or familiar with the albums being discussed. Some episodes delve into specific genres or artists that may not resonate with all listeners. Additionally, while Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness provide great insights, their personal preferences can occasionally overshadow other perspectives.
In conclusion, The The Album Years podcast is a must-listen for any music lover looking for insightful discussions about albums from various time periods and genres. With their extensive knowledge and passion for music, Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness offer an engaging listening experience that will inspire you to explore new artists and expand your musical horizons.
Back in September we made an appearance at the Haarlem Vinyl Festival for a special live podcast on the year 1994! Here's the second part of an abridged version of the show (we've had to cut out the sections we played music on the turntable due to copyright issues). For 1994, we were both astounded at how many great records we found, both established favourites and underrated classics. On this second part, we cover albums by Portishead, Massive Attack, Soundgarden, Blur, Yes, Oasis and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Back in September we made an appearance at the Haarlem Vinyl Festival for a special live podcast on the year 1994! Here's the first part of an abridged version of the show (we've had to cut out the sections we played music on the turntable due to copyright issues). For 1994, we both found a treasure trove of great records. On this first part, we cover albums by Jeff Buckley, Nine Inch Nails, Oasis, Aphex Twin and many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's the last episode of our series on 1982 and naturally we've saved the best until last. On this extended episode we cover metal, progressive rock, minimal jazz and of course our picks for our favourite and most influential albums from the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's podcast, we explore which artists in 1982 adapted to the changing musical climate and which stayed true to their own style—with results ranging from mixed on King Crimson's Beat to the absolutely exceptional All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes by Pete Townshend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the podcast this week: an album that might just be the most bleak and depressing album ever made (and it's not one by Steven, believe it or not!), plus post-punk releases by Cocteau Twins, Felt, XTC & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Up for discussion on this week's podcast: mainstream hit records from 1982, with absolutely huge albums by Queen, Michael Jackson, Prince and many more! Coming up next week, albums by The Cure, XTC, Cocteau Twins and more! Buy Tim Bowness' eighth studio album Powder Dry (out now!) here: https://burningshed.com/store/timbowness Get tickets for Steven Wilson's The Overview Tour in 2025: https://stevenwilsonhq.com/tour-dates For more info about The Album Years, visit https://thealbumyears.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Continuing our series on the year 1982, up for discussion this week are synth-pop albums, featuring Duran Duran's smash hit Rio, Thomas Dolby's debut masterwork The Golden Age of Wireless, Associates' Sulk, Gary Numan's I Assassin and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's the first episode of our series on the year 1982 and we begin by talking about innovative pop records that not only defined the era but also embraced emerging production technologies at the time. This is none more evident than on records such as The Dreaming by Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel 4 (Security), ABC's The Lexicon of Love, Roxy Music's Avalon - all albums that pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We've reached the sixth and final part of our odyssey into 1972! On this week's episode we discuss great jazz records by Miles Davis and Frank Zappa and progressive albums from outside the UK, including the undoubted masterpiece that is Aphrodite's Child 666. Plus, our roundup of 1972 with our favourite and most influential albums from the year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's episode of The Album Years, we continue exploring deep into 1972, with great releases from soul legends Gil Scott-Heron & Terry Callier, and ever indefinable works from Todd Rundgren, Scott Walker, Osibisa and more! Pre-order Tim Bowness' eighth studio album Powder Dry here: https://burningshed.com/store/timbowness Get tickets for Steven Wilson's The Overview Tour in 2025: https://stevenwilsonhq.com/tour-dates For more info about The Album Years, visit https://thealbumyears.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the fourth part of our deep dive into the legendary year of 1972, we focus on some of the biggest rock classics that defined the era! Featured on this episode: Deep Purple's Machine Head and their iconic live recording Made in Japan, Black Sabbath Vol.4, Alice Cooper's Schools Out and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We dive into the atmospheric worlds of ambient, krautrock, and folk music released in 1972, including the introspective sounds of Nick Drake, the experimental sonic landscapes of Tangerine Dream and Neu!, along with what might be the first ever folk concept album? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second episode of our trip through the musical world of 1972, we discover one of the greatest years in progressive rock history! We talk classic albums by Yes, Jethro Tull, Genesis, ELP and lots of hidden gems from an astonishing year for prog! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're back in a brand new studio with another exciting dive into music history: 1972! In this episode, we explore genre-defining glam albums by David Bowie & T-Rex, chart-topping hits by Elton John, The Rolling Stones & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this week's episode we discuss our "Quintessential Album Years Albums", underrated records that we believe need to be critically re-evaluated and given a second chance! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we have more from our live podcast debut in London last month, which is focused on our list of the artists we talk about the most on the podcast! Can you guess which ones? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is comprised of highlights from our recent live podcast debut, filmed at West Hampstead Arts Club in London on 7th June 2024. We discuss how the podcast started, the current 'post rock era' of music we are living in, our changing listening habits with streaming and how we both meet up occasionally and 'blind swap' records! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our epic journey into the music of 1985 comes to a close with this week's episode, which includes albums by Marillion, IQ, Neil Young, Supertramp and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We are back again with more albums from 1985 as we explore iconic "goth" records by Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins and Sisters of Mercy, along with critically acclaimed gems by Suzanne Vega, The Smiths, Jesus and the Mary Chain & more. You can watch the video version of this podcast on our new YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week's episode of The Album Years continues our journey into the groundbreaking year of 1985, where we discuss seminal art pop masterpieces by Kate Bush, Tears for Fears and Prefab Sprout, plus more experimental and under the radar releases from the year. Watch the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the second part of our deep dive into 1985, we discuss which established artists stayed relevant and which ones struggled to adapt to the new musical landscapes of the 1980s. Amongst those discussed are podcast favourites Joni Mitchell, Roy Harper and Miles Davis, while the zeitgeist conscious guises adopted by Rush and Robert Plant also go under the microscope. Meanwhile, Brian Eno continued to innovate by creating the very first album made specifically for the shiny new compact disc format. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1985 was another sensational year for music. On this first part of our foray into the mid-eighties, we discuss the first album in history to sell over one million copies on CD (Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms fact fans), Phil Collins' smash hit album No Jacket Required, Prince's underrated follow up to 'Purple Rain' and much more (David Sylvian and Van Morrison? Check!). You can watch the video version of this podcast over on our YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week's episode is part 4 of 1968 – and with so much left to discuss we're doing two episodes in one! Includes Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks," Nico's "The Marble Index," The Velvet Underground's "White Light," and many others. And would you believe it, Tim Bowness and I share the same favourite album? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week's Album Years - 1968 Part 3 - finds the boys covering singer-songwriters and emerging progressive artists. Pink Floyd, The Nice, Soft Machine, Caravan, Family, Moody Blues and many more are discussed. And, yes, they do manage to shoehorn mentions of Bowie, Fripp and Talk Talk into the conversation! Well done them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's all about 1968 psychedelia on this week's The Album Years podcast episode! Steven and Tim break down albums by The Doors, The Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly, The Incredible String Band and more, plus a mysterious inclusion on The Notorious Byrd Brothers' album cover... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Album Years' time machine lands in 1968! Steven and Tim discuss the "big hitters" from the year alongside UK psychedelic and underground rock, with notable albums by The Pretty Things, The Zombies, Small Faces and more all discussed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the final The Album Years podcast episode for the year 2000, Steven and Tim pick their personal favourite albums of the year and the most influential. There's also discussions on notable progressive rock releases from the year, including albums by King Crimson, Air, Kevin Gilbert and more! You can also watch Steven and Tim's ramblings over on the brand new The Album Years YouTube channel! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Up for discussion on this week's The Album Years podcast: albums by Linkin Park, Eminem, Iron Maiden, Peter Gabriel & more! And for once, Steven and Tim actually agree on something... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's agenda: albums released in 2000 by D'Angelo, The Avalanches, At The Drive-In and how Tim somehow believes AC/DC are underrated... Listen to our friendly arguments here or watch us in HD on our new The Album Years YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@thealbumyearspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Album Years podcast continues, and this time also in video form (check out our brand new YouTube channel!) The year is 2000: that means albums by Radiohead, Coldplay, U2 and more are up for discussion, along with Tim's questionable editing techniques... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're wrapping up 1987 on The Album Years Podcast! In Episode 2B, Tim and Steven delve into the murky world of metal, rock, the origins of grunge and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week's The Album Years episode features a death match between Pink Floyd's 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason', and Roger Waters' 'Radio K.A.O.S'! Who do you think wins this one? Listen now to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's episode of The Album Years Podcast, we return to 1987 and 'mavericks off their rocker'... we discuss the boundary-pushing creativity of singer-songwriter Tom Waits and his 1987 studio album 'Franks Wild Years' and much more! We think it's one of his maddest records, do you agree? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's time to move into a new year of The Album Years podcast... introducing 1987! On Episode 1A, we share our thoughts on classics by Prince, George Michael, U2, Depeche Mode, Dead Can Dance and much more... our question of the week is, what's your favourite Prince record? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Finally, we've reached the last episode of the marathon year of 1977 in The Album Years Podcast! On today's instalment, we commit the cardinal sin of talking about an album we've never even heard… tune in to find out what that might be! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In one of the most eclectic episodes of The Album Years podcast yet, Steven and Tim delve into records by Queen, Throbbing Gristle and Fela Kuti. Now for our question of the week...do you have a favourite album that your best mate absolutely hates? Or as in Tim's case, is indifferent to... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's episode of The Album Years, we dive into American
On this week's episode of The Album Years podcast, find out why Tim calls 'The Beach Boys Love You' an album that is 'mad as a hatter'. Have you got an album which fits that description? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steven & Tim dive into more iconic albums that defined 1977, with releases by ABBA, Peter Gabriel, 10cc, Jethro Tull & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steven & Tim dive into the progressive rock albums that defined 1977, with releases by Rush, Yes, Kansas & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Because it's Christmas we thought we'd do something a bit different - we are answering all your questions!
Because it's Christmas we thought we'd do something a bit different - we are answering all your questions!
The Album Years returns with Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discussing the music of 1977 across 8 full-length episodes! 1977 was a pivotal year in music, with the rise of punk and disco shaking up the industry. Artists who were aware of the changing musical landscape were able to connect with the zeitgeist, while others remained oblivious and continued to create in their own style. Episodes covering artists & releases from 1977 will be released weekly, so be sure to follow the podcast on your platform of choice every time a new episode drops!
The Album Years returns with Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss the music of 1977 across 8 full-length episodes! 1977 was a pivotal year in music, with the rise of punk and disco shaking up the industry. Artists who were aware of the changing musical landscape were able to connect with the zeitgeist, while others remained oblivious and continued to create in their own style. Episodes covering artists & releases from 1977 will be released weekly, so be sure to follow the podcast on your platform of choice every time a new episode drops!
A CD length excursion into a great 'CD age' year as the boys discuss Tricky, Goldie, Radiohead, David Bowie, Scott Walker, Babybird, Momus, Red House Painters, Tears For Fears and much more. Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
Another epic two-parter as the no-man duo take on 1983, a year where bright young things and old curmudgeons alike are on creative fire, even if there's still a lot of space for honourable eccentrics. Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
Another epic two-parter as the no-man duo take on 1983, a year where bright young things and old curmudgeons alike are on creative fire, even if there's still a lot of space for honourable eccentrics. Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
Six months after they left it dangling, the boys return to 1978. Part Three features deep dives into Chic, Marvin Gaye, Kate Bush, Peter Hammill, Scott Walker, Kevin Coyne, Be Bop Deluxe, Ange, Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Popol Vuh, Steve Reich and much, much more in a truly epic edition! Elsewhere, SW finds a Genesis album he unconditionally likes, chickens are referenced (quite a lot) and, bless the lords of commerce, there's an Album Years t-shirt available… Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Graphite) Buy The Album Years T-shirt (Classic Olive) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
Steven and Tim return with 1978, a year so rich with significant albums ripe for discussion it looks like it's going to require 4 episodes to get through them all! Part 2 of The Album Years' investigation into 1978 continues with some of the more established guard, including The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, 10cc, Warren Zevon, Elton John, Neil Young, Queen and more. Parts 3 and 4 to follow! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
Steven and Tim return with 1978, a year so rich with significant albums ripe for discussion it looks like it's going to require 4 episodes to get through them all! Part 1 takes on board Tim's suggestions for 'guilty pleasures' (a notion which Steven strongly objects to), and the non-stop rise of the New Wave goes interstellar. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
As Noddy Holder keeps on reminding everybody, "It's Christmas!!!". So to celebrate instead of the usual format this episode finds us looking back, and discussing the general state of the physical album based music industry. To help us in this endeavour we are joined by special guest Paul Sinclair, the founder of influential music website SuperDeluxeEdition.com. We also hang our heads in shame at numerous schoolboy errors, answer a few listener's questions, and Tim once more tries to make a case for McCartney II as a masterpiece, but this time with Paul on his side. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-album-years/message
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