You, Me and An Album

Send us a textGuitarist Barrie Cadogan (Little Barrie, Primal Scream, The The) joins Al for this episode to dig into The Jimi Hendrix Experience's 1968 album Electric Ladyland. Barrie talks about getting introduced to the album by his father and getting much of his guitar education from listening to it (and Hendrix's other albums). He also goes in depth in discussing some of his favorite tracks from the album. Barrie also talks about working with Matt Johnson on The The's Ensoulment, and on the making of the second Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto album, Electric War.Barrie mentioned that he recorded an early version of his riff for The The's “Cognitive Dissident' on his Instagram account. Check it out here! https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaAXLbTAmRM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Speaking of Instagram, you can find Barrie and Little Barrie there at @littlebarrie. He and the band are also on Facebook at @littlebarrie. You can also find Little Barrie's music on YouTube at @littlebarrieofficial and on their website, littlebarrie.com.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.1:34 Barrie joins the show1:57 Barrie describes the nature of his connection to Jimi Hendrix's music5:12 Barrie's love of Hendrix's music was handed down from his father7:48 Listening to Hendrix's albums were an important part of Barrie's guitar education9:03 Al contrasts his childhood experience of hearing Hendrix to Barrie's10:22 Barrie talks about seeking out older music in the pre-internet age11:50 Barrie recalls how Little Barrie wound up supporting one of his teen-years musical heroes12:54 Barrie talks about the differences and similarities between Electric Ladyland and the band's previous albums18:05 Barrie and Al discuss the impact Chas Chandler's departure as producer had on Electric Ladyland21:45 Barrie singles out some of his favorite tracks from the album28:36 Barrie talks about the challenges inherent in learning from playing along with Hendrix29:29 Barrie discusses the many musicians that Hendrix collaborated with34:28 Barrie talks about the jazzy feel that Mitch Mitchell brought to the songs37:25 Barrie explains why Electric Ladyland is his favorite Hendrix album41:06 Barrie makes note of Electric Ladyland's staying power and younger listeners discovering ‘60s rock44:59 Barrie theorizes why Electric Ladyland was recorded in both London and New York46:22 Barrie talks about how Little Barrie's collaborations with Malcolm Catto came about50:39 Barrie notes how Electric War sounds different from previous Little Barrie albums53:52 Barrie talks about Electric War coming in the midst of a busy schedule55:05 Barrie explains how one of his riffs became the basis for The The's “Cognitive Dissident”58:45 Barrie recounts his first meeting with Matt Johnson1:03:51 Barrie talks about his upcoming tour plans with Little Barrie, The The and the Black KeysOutro music is from “My Now” by Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto.Support the show

Send us a textMulti-instrumentalist, songwriter and visual artist Andrew Dost (fun., Anathallo) joins Al for this episode and introduces him to The Rentals' 1995 debut album Return of the Rentals. Andrew explains why he chose this album and why he consistently revisits it over the years. He also talks about the uniqueness of The Rentals' sound and how frontman Matt Sharp has made it distinctive from the sound of Weezer (of which he is a former member). Andrew also discusses why he started his latest musical project, the bossa nova-influenced Metal Bubble Trio, and talks about a couple of tracks from the debut album Cucumber, which was released in January 2025. He also talks about how he ended up writing music for dogs on DOGTV.To keep up with Andrew's work with Metal Bubble Trio, visit their website at metalbubbletrio.com. You can also follow the project on Instagram at @metalbubbletrio.Andrew is also on Instagram at @andrewdost.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.1:33 Andrew joins the show2:03 Andrew explains why he chose Return of the Rentals from the albums he had on his short list3:52 Andrew talks about how the experience of listening to the album has changed over the years6:45 Andrew and Al talk about the punk influence that is part of the album's sound8:23 Andrew and Al highlight the aspects of The Rentals' music that differentiate it from Weezer15:00 What brings Andrew back to Return of the Rentals all these years later?17:22 Andrew talks about why “Please Let That Be You” may be his favorite track on the album19:20 Andrew and Al discuss the album's two singles, “Friends of P.” and “Waiting”21:35 Al was intrigued by the collection of musicians who played with The Rentals23:58 Do The Rentals have a unique sound?26:17 Andrew's appreciation for The Rentals and Matt Sharp has only grown over the years28:19 One of Al's sources for researching The Rentals was Politico29:36 Andrew found a Rentals concert t-shirt30:57 Andrew discusses two of his favorite deeper cuts from the album34:31 Al picks out his favorite tracks from Return of the Rentals38:08 Andrew and Al identify albums that start with four great tracks in a row39:52 Andrew describes a specific kind of connection he feels when he listens to The Rentals42:20 Andrew explains why he blended diverse genres on Cucumber47:00 Andrew talks about the origins of Metal Bubble Trio52:17 Did The Rentals influence the sound of “99”?55:49 Andrew recalls the time fun. tried to get Matt Sharp to play on one of their songs57:11 Andrew explains how he wound up writing and recording music for DOGTV59:55 Andrew talks about his recent and current projectsOutro music is from “Cucumber” by Metal Bubble Trio.Support the show

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

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

Send us a textNottingham-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, YouTuber and podcaster Laura Kidd (Penfriend, Obey Robots, She Makes War) joins Al to get him acquainted with Belly's 1993 debut album Star. Laura talks about how she was first introduced to Star and how its uniqueness inspired her to follow her own musical path. She also revisits the time she performed Belly's “Slow Dog” with Tanya Donelly as well as Donelly's subsequent performance on “Paper Thin” from Laura's Direction of Travel album (as She Makes War). Laura and Al wrap up with a discussion of Laura's new Penfriend album, House of Stories (out April 18), and her upcoming tour plans.As Laura mentioned on this episode, you can get a free album and zine when you visit her website, so check it out! https://penfriend.rocks/You can also join Laura's Patreon community, The Correspondent's Club, at patreon.com/penfriendrocks.Follow Laura on Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube, all at @penfriendrocks.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.1:27 Laura joins the show3:41 If not for Laura, this podcast would probably not exist5:29 Laura describes the circumstances under which she first listened to Star9:21 Laura explains how hearing Tanya Donelly inspired her to pursue a musical career13:02 Laura and Al talk about the qualities they have noticed in Donelly's vocals15:44 Laura and Al share what they get out of Donelly's lyrics19:46 Laura and Al take different approaches to listening to music23:03 Were the songs on Star too sad for Al?28:48 Laura and Al talk about the value of giving an album several chances31:48 Laura explains how she wound up performing “Slow Dog” with Donelly36:47 Laura talks about her father's reaction to her performing with Donelly38:46 Laura discusses working with Donelly on “Paper Thin” and its music video43:48 Laura talks about the importance of fan communities to the artists they support51:03 Al loves the big sound of “House of Stories”53:01 Laura explains how she developed the theme that connects the songs on House of Stories57:34 Laura talks about what her intentions were with the album's opening and closing tracks1:01:57 Laura discusses her return to touring1:05;35 Laura and Al recall shows that were played in front of small audiencesOutro music is from “Emotional Tourist” by Penfriend.Support the show

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

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

Send us a textOn this episode, Al has not one or two, but three guests to introduce him to an album he has never heard before. Miki Berenyi (Lush, Piroshka), KJ “Moose” McKillop (Moose, Piroshka) and Oliver Cherer (Aircooled, Dollboy, Gilroy Mere, Australian Testing Labs Inc.) of the Miki Berenyi Trio share their thoughts and memories about The Associates' 1982 album Sulk. Miki, Moose and Ollie talk about the unconventional aspects of this album, its popularity in the UK and how pop music went through a “weird” phase in the early ‘80s. They also discuss their debut album as a trio, Tripla, which will be released on April 4. In particular, Miki, Moose and Ollie talk about their process for writing the songs for the album, as well as their upcoming plans.Be sure to follow Miki on Instagram (@berenyi_miki) and Bluesky (@mikiberenyi)! Also, you can get more information on the Miki Berenyi Trio and Miki's other work (including her superb memoir Fingers Crossed) at mikistuff.com. You can also sign up for her newsletter on her website.You can keep up with Ollie's work on his YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@OliverCherer, and on his website, www.olivercherer.co.uk.As he noted on this episode, Moose is blissfully absent from all social media.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.NOTE: At 54:31, Al incorrectly referred to the Miki Berenyi Trio song “8th Deadly Sin” as “Deadly Sin No. 8.”1:56 Miki, Moose and Oliver join the show2:13 How did the three of them agree on an album to discuss?3:02 Miki talks about her early memories of Sulk4:34 Ollie discusses the weirdness of ‘80s pop music in the UK5:51 Moose explains why he chose Sulk for this episode9:20 Ollie talks about how the drums add to the album's weirdness12:28 Moose explains why the album's messiness doesn't bother him15:11 Moose and Miki surmise why The Associates chose not to have vocals on the first five minutes of the album19:06 Ollie notes the oddness of the hook in “Party Fears Two”22:27 Moose talks about Billy MacKenzie's vocal prowess24:24 Miki and Ollie discuss how experimentation was built into a lot of early post-punk music28:18 Moose, Ollie and Al talk about Sulk being an expensive album to make31:19 Moose cites his favorite tracks from the album34:28 Miki delves into her favorite track from Sulk39:22 Ollie talks about his favorite tracks from the album41:43 Sulk has more staying power for Moose than many other albums from the ‘80s44:20 Ollie explains how Sulk influenced some of his recent work46:56 Miki notes how The Associates' confidence makes Sulk work49:37 Moose recommends a deeper exploration of The Associates' discography52:12 Moose sees Sulk's cover art as a reflection of the album's music53:26 Moose talks about a clever lyric from “8th Deadly Sin”56:29 Miki and Ollie explain how the trio's songwriting process has worked1:03:50 Miki discusses the trio's touring and songwriting plansOutro music is from “Vertigo” by the Miki Berenyi Trio.Support the show

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

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

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

Send us a textSophie Payten, aka Gordi, joins Al from Melbourne, Australia to discuss the phenomenon that is Carole King's 1971 album Tapestry. Sophie talks about how this album has been an important part of her life since childhood, and how it has influenced her songwriting. She breaks down nearly all of Tapestry's tracks, focusing on how King's vocals, piano playing and songwriting helped to create a pop masterpiece. Sophie also explains why she decided to pursue both a medical career and a musical career, and how the former informed her songwriting when she was creating her new album Like Plasticine (out May 30).You can follow Sophie on Instagram at @gordimusic and stream her music on YouTube at @gordimusic_psa. Check out gordimusic.com, where you can buy Sophie's music and Gordi merch. As Sophie mentioned on the show, this is also where you can go to sign up for her newsletter.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.1:19 Sophie joins the show2:35 Sophie talks about why she decided to pursue a career in medicine5:12 Sophie identifies the event that put her on the trajectory towards a music career8:17 Sophie explains why Tapestry has been an important album throughout her life12:00 Sophie notes what made an impression on her during latest listening of Tapestry14:19 Sophie marvels at Carole King's powerful vocals18:00 Sophie and Al talk about how the studio musicians who played on Tapestry complemented King's performance20:50 Sophie remembers learning to play “You've Got a Friend” on piano24:09 Al is more familiar with other artists' interpretations of some of the songs from Tapestry26:11 Sophie talks about a few artists she explored after getting into Tapestry31:19 Sophie explains how King has influenced her own songwriting35:20 Sophie and Al talk about the uplifting nature of King's melodies37:35 Sophie and Al explore “Beautiful” and “Smackwater Jack” as outliers on the album42:17 Sophie and Al discuss King's discography aside from Tapestry46:05 Sophie talks about how the album opens and closes with its most powerful tracks50:47 Sophie and Al note the consistency of the album's tracks52:44 Al was surprised by the outro of “So Far Away”54:54 Sophie talks about her lengthy songwriting process for “Peripheral Lover”1:01:03 Sophie recounts how her collaboration with Anaïs Mitchell on “PVC Divide” came about1:04:55 Sophie talks about her upcoming album release and touring plansOutro music is from “Broke Scene” by Gordi.Support the show

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

Send us a textSinger, songwriter and guitarist Jess Sylvester (Marinero) joins Al and introduces him to Blonde Redhead's 2004 album Misery Is a Butterfly. Jess talks about why he chose this album for the episode and how he was first exposed to it. Among many aspects of the album he focuses on, Jess observes how Blonde Redhead integrates their classical influences with different musical styles and how they convey the album's lyrical themes across its 11 tracks. Jess also talks about his brand-new Marinero album, La La La, and the process of recording it in Los Angeles.As Jess mentioned on the show, the best place to keep up with him and his work is on Instagram. He is @marin_guero.You can find Jess' music on his Marinero Bandcamp page: https://maringuero.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.1:27 Jess joins the show1:50 Jess explains why he chose Misery Is a Butterfly—and not The Beach Boys' Smile Sessions4:13 Al was especially happy to do a Blonde Redhead episode5:28 Jess talks about the mixtape that introduced him to Blonde Redhead7:39 Jess recalls his first impressions of Misery Is a Butterfly11:55 Jess has nostalgic feelings about the album14:41 Al had a memorable experience when listening to Misery Is a Butterfly for the first time15:46 Jess talks about Blonde Redhead's influences17:51 Jess provides some specific examples of how Blonde Redhead integrate their different influences20:52 Jess and Al talk about the tracks that act as palate cleansers for them24:25 Al was impressed by the album's sequencing and how its themes were developed27:33 The album takes a surprising turn with “Equus”31:10 Jess explains what makes Misery Is a Butterfly a standout in Blonde Redhead's discography33:29 Misery Is a Butterfly launched Jess into a new level of Blonde Redhead fandom35:16 Jess observes how the album hits him now after he hadn't listened to it much in recent years38:00 Jess talks about what he enjoys from other Blonde Redhead albums41:08 Jess picks out his favorite moment from Misery Is a Butterfly43:13 Blonde Redhead ties opposing themes together throughout the album45:51 Jess hears “Magic Mountain” as a unique song on the album47:29 Jess appreciates Simone Pace's drumming49:53 Jess hears Misery Is a Butterfly as a reflection of Blonde Redhead being composers, not jammers52:27 Jess talks about recording his new Marinero album La La La54:50 Jess consciously pushed himself to incorporate many different styles on La La La58:43 Jess reveals his plans for the coming monthsOutro music is from “The Mystery of Miss Mari Jane” by Marinero.Support the show

Send us a textGuitarist, improviser and research diver Henry Kaiser visits YMAAA and introduces Al to Captain Beefheart's 1972 album The Spotlight Kid. Henry talks about his personal connections to Captain Beefheart's backing ensemble, The Magic Band, and particularly his connection to Elliot Ingber, who passed away just days before this episode was recorded. Henry recalls how seeing a live performance of one of the tracks from The Spotlight Kid led to him taking up the guitar, and how he developed as both a fan and a colleague of Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band. Henry also talks about his deployments as a research diver in Antarctica, as well as some of his recent musical projects, including his work on Two Views of Steve Lacy's The Wire.Henry had mentioned that he found a video of the Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band performance at Tufts University that inspired him to become a guitarist. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzDaFDhkv9A. The specific moment that Henry mentioned begins at 5:19.You can find Henry's music on his website, http://www.henrykaiserguitar.com/, as well as on the Cuneiform Records YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@CuneiformRecords). Among many other videos, that's where you can find Henry's recent Elliot Ingber tribute video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpoVA6qkEX0).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.1:24 Henry joins the show1:45 Henry talks about the important role that Elliot Ingber played in his life8:58 Henry explains why The Spotlight Kid was not loved by The Magic Band10:49 Henry recounts the first time he met Ingber and other members of The Magic Band12:52 Henry talks about his first experience with listening to The Spotlight Kid16:15 Henry discusses his YouTube videos, including his tribute performances18:48 Henry talks about how The Spotlight Kid was a different kind of album for Captain Beefheart20:00 Henry explains why he chose The Spotlight Kid for this episode and what it's like for him to listen to it now22:15 Al picks his favorite tracks from the album and explains what he gets out of them29:10 The Spotlight Kid gets overshadowed by several other Captain Beefheart albums29:54 Henry cites his favorite tracks from the album31:36 The Spotlight Kid had some commercial success32:41 Henry's Captain Beefheart fandom was shaped by his inside knowledge of the band's workings36:01 Henry identifies what makes The Spotlight Kid unique among blues rock albums38:05 Henry talks about becoming a diver and his path to becoming a scientific diver in Antarctica43:00 Henry discusses his recent Steve Lacy cover album collaboration46:33 Henry enjoys reworking some of his favorite music48:13 Henry talks about his recent projectsOutro music is from “Esteem” by Ackley-Chen-Centazzo-DeGruttola-Kaiser-Manning.Support the show

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

British 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

For 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.

Matt 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.

Singer-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.

CONTENT 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.

In 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.

Dallas-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.

Nashville-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.

Legendary 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.

Bassist 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.

Julia 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.

(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

Jazz 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

Superchunk 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

This 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

This 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

Al 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

Seattle-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

Singer-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

Singer, 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

Music 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

Joe 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

Jeff 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

Musician 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