Love That Album podcast episode 105 - The Grays’ “Ro Sham Bo” and Heatwave’s “Too Hot To Handle”

Welcome to episode 105 of Love That Album podcast.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a double header on the podcast, but this time around we’re doing just that. My very special guest is the charismatic and semi-regular co-host of the All Time Top Ten podcast, David Daskal. He pointed out that since it had been a while from him previously joining me on LTA, we needed to talk about TWO albums to make up for that time.

We start off with a conversation about the 1994 album from indie rock band The Grays, “Ro Sham Bo”. The band included two ex-members of Jellyfish, Jason Falkner and Jon Brion. With such a pedigree in melodicism, why was this album not huge? We try to make sense of it.

Then Dave and I put on our leisure suits and strut our collective stuff to the 1976 debut album “Too Hot To Handle” by the band Heatwave. Their songwriter Rod Temperton went on to write songs for one of the biggest selling records in pop history. Is “Too Hot to Handle” actually that? Not only do we give our thoughts, but the gentlemanly Will Smith of the Gentleman’s Guide to Midnite Cinema podcast contributes his thoughts about Heatwave. DIG IT!!!!!

How the hell was Eric Reanimator going to find common ground between Heatwave and The Grays for his Album I Love segment? By talking about Men Without Hats, of course….so obvious.

Huge thanks to the wonderful Dave, Will and Eric for being so giving of their time.

You can download the show by searching for Love That Album in the iTunes store or downloading streaming directly from http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.

Send the show feedback at rrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum.

You can hear previous episodes of All Time Top Ten with David Daskal by going through the archives at https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/

You can hear Will (along with Sammy and Todd) bringing class to the trash (since 1977) at ggtmc.com or by searching for “Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema” in iTunes.

If you enjoy what you hear on the podcast, please tell a friend or ten to tune into the podcast.

Right click to download episode 105 here.

Love That Album episode 68 - Jellyfish "Spilt Milk"

Love That Album episode 68 is here. Any of you who know me know of my love for power pop…and in that regard, we have a gem of an album to discuss.

I’m joined by Melbourne musician, teacher, and fellow power pop nut Rhys Lett to discuss the 1993 album “Spilt Milk” from San Francisco band, Jellyfish. This was a huge step forward from their brilliant debut, “Bellybutton”, but was also unfortunately their final album. Was it due to public or record company apathy, or band friction? In this regard, they share the fate of their stylistic cousins, The Zombies and Big Star (both covered previously on the podcast) who ceased active recording way too early.

They’ve had a lot of comparisons with Queen (for the rawwwwk and drummer Andy Sturmer’s singing) and the Beach Boys’ harmonies. As valid as these comparisons are, there is a lot more going on here. This could be described as a concept album with the songs being parts of a nightmare – not the bogeyman type, but more a domestic nightmare of infidelity, unrequited crushes, depression, death, and evangelism. There’s also a song on Spilt Milk that led Rhys to suggest Ben Eisen needs to pursue its subject matter in an All Time Top Ten podcast. Tune in and find out what it was….

This time around, Eric Reanimator also discusses the Psyclone Ranger’s album from 1993 “Feel Nice”. He describes this as power pop bordering on punk. See what you think.

You can download the podcast at iTunes by searching for “Love That Album”. You can also stream or download it at http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com.

Any feedback would be gratefully appreciated – either written or mp3 voicemail. You can send it torrrkitchen@yahoo.com.au

Don’t forget to send me your end of 2014 lists of best of’s or favourite first time listens.

Join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

If you want to check out Rhys’ work as a musician, go to http://www.dressedtochill.com.au/ to see his Crosby Stills and Nash style Kiss tribute band, Dressed to Chill. If you need music lessons,  check out the website of the music school he runs Eastern Sububrs School of Music at http://www.essm.net.au/

Right click to download and save Episode 68 here