Saturday, November 30, 2013

Love That Album episode 54 - Bill Fay's "Life Is People" and Mark Eitzel's "60 Watt Silver Lining"





Episode 54 of LTA is a world away from episode 53. Whereas in episode 53, Eric Reanimator and I discussed two dangerous front men in rock, this time around, I am joined by the greatest film and music expert Bath has ever known, Mr Bernard Stickwell (Sticky to his friends) to discuss two sensitive singer songwriter types.

2012 saw the first release of new, non-demo material in 40 odd years from British songwriter Bill Fay. His new album “Life Is People” is a warm sounding album rich in its song arrangements. Fay writes songs about what he has discovered about life - both the disappointing and hopeful – through actually living it. He has worked in a multitude of jobs since originally giving up the industry (not giving up music) to keep himself afloat. It’s these experiences that dictate his subject matter, and it all rings true, as Sticky and I discuss.

We also cover the 1994 album by former American Music Club frontman, Mark Eitzel, “60 Watt Silver Lining”. Sticky introduced me to this record, and it’s become a favourite. Imagine Tom Waits, Burt Bacharach and Roy Orbison getting together at a late night bar, and you get a vague idea of what’s going on here. Eitzel’s obviously had his heart broken and stomped on. From misery comes great art, but it’s been suggested that he’s often taking the piss.  This is part of our discussion (and we cover blaxploitation films too). We had fun, and I hope you dig it.

Speaking of Eric, he returns with his Album I Love segment to discuss a couple of long players by Kevin Kinney, Macdougal Blues from 1990 and Down Out Law 1994. Kevin was the lead singer of a band Eric has long championed, Drivin’ and Cryin’. Eric’s reflections on Kinney’s solo work makes for interesting listening.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and let us know your thoughts on your favourite singer songwriters, whether you prefer the attempt at a slightly new show format, or just anything music related that you’d like to chat about.

If you’re enjoying the show, please spread the word. Let friends know that there’s a podcast where albums are discussed passionately. If you want to write an iTunes review in support of the show, I’d be hugely grateful for that too.



Right click to download and save Episode 54 here
 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Love That Album episode 53 - Alice Cooper's "Killer" and Iggy & The Stooges' "Raw Power"




The bad news is that Eric Reanimator did not submit his regular Album I Love segment for Episode 53 of Love That Album. The good news is he joins me for the whole show. After enjoying Eric’s regular segments on the podcast and his contributions to the Shooting The Shit segments, his debut as co presenter on LTA 53 is long overdue.

The theme of this show is dangerous frontmen. We discuss Alice Cooper’s “Killer” and Iggy and the Stooges’ “Raw Power”. Both Vincent Furnier and Jim Osterburg were playing characters, and we discuss not only their albums, but also their respective approaches to shocking their audiences. Alice Cooper (both the band and the man) created a very theatrical show with snakes, guillotines, and hangings, whereas Iggy would rile up his audience and scrape broken shards of glass across his body. Alice gave the illusion of danger, but Iggy really put himself in danger. We discuss how the music works irrespective of the visuals, the similarities and differences between the characters and personas, and the seeming contradiction between the performers’ androgyny and machismo. Sounds heavy? It ain’t. Eric and I had a great conversation about the performers and their work that I hope you find stimulating. 

If you’re enjoying the music discussions that we present on the show, please let your music loving friends know that the podcast exists. Spread the word that music discussion exists in podcast land. If you feel you’d like to be part of the show or even suggest an album for future focus, please send me an email. I’d also be grateful for an iTunes review.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download it at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

The podcast can also be listened to via Stitcher Radio. Download the app from stitcher.com, and listen to any episode streaming over your Android or Apple device after searching for “love that album”.

Send me any feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group a thttp://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum and let us know your thoughts on shock rock, whether you prefer the attempt at a slightly new format, or just anything music related that you’d like to chat about.



Right click to download and save Episode 53 here