Love That Album episode 58 - Burce Springsteen - High Hopes

Episode 58 of the Love That Album podcast has finally shaken off the curse….yes, Dr Geoff Smith has finally overcome internet dropouts, Skype collapse, my previously poor file editing skills – all collectively known as the Hiatt Curse – to join John Stirrat and myself to discuss some BROOOOOCCCCE. This is Love That Album’s third Bruce-cast. (Check out episodes 1 and 17 for further Springsteen0related chat).

Since the beginning of the 21^st Century, Bruce Springsteen has found new strength and purpose. He’s been touring heavily with the beloved E Street band, and recorded (for a major artist in the current age of rock) at a prolific rate. Early 2014 has seen him release High Hopes, an album some believe should be called Tracks 2. It’s a collection of songs written over the last 10 years that didn’t make the cut on previous recordings, as well as some interesting covers. We grapple the big questions: Does the album work as one artistic statement or is it just a grab bag of songs that have no connection? Is he following similar lines to Wrecking Ball or does he cut a different path? Is the E Street Band the most hip-shaking, love-making, Viagra-taking musical entity on the planet? There is much discussion on the current tour of Australia, the last decade of Bruce-related music, and if Bruce is an overtly political songwriter.

Eric Reanimator’s “Album I Love” segment appropriately for a Bruce show is Alejandro Escovedo’s 2008 album Real Animal.

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 BROOOCCCE moments.

I’d be hugely grateful for any iTunes reviews should you be so kind to submit one.

Right click to download and save Episode 58 here

Love That Album episode 57 - Michael Kiwanuka's "Home Again" and Mac Demarco's "2"

Welcome to episode 57 of the Love That Album podcast, the first for 2014.

I am joined by long time supporter but first time participant Will Smith of the wonderful Gentlemen’s Guite To Midnite Cinema podcast. We discuss albums by two songwriters who are still early into their careers. First up, we discuss, soul stylist Michael Kiwanuka’s “Home Again” (2012), then we chat about Mac Demarco’s album “2” (2013). Both artists definitely display their love of artists that have inspired them, but cleverly meld the music into something all their own. Kiwanuka’s album is a beautiful introspective look into faith and hope without hitting anyone over the head with his beliefs.  On the other hand, Demarco creates a sound that may appeal to fans of Ween. He’s got a healthy sense of humour, but as Will points out, there’s something dark hiding behind the Lynchian picket fences of his songs. Will and I look forward keenly to see what they will do next.

Eric Reanimator returns for 2014 with his terrific Album I Love segment to discuss Janelle Monae’s concept album The Arch Android, based on Metropolis.

NOTE: For the time being, Love That Album will be a monthly podcast. I have joined Tim Merrill and Wendi Freeman for a new monthly podcast about music related films called See Hear. I still get my dumb opinions out twice a month, but once per month for each podcast.

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

You can hear Will and his Gentlemanly cinephile partner, Sam U. Rai at http://www.ggtmc.com or by searching for the Gentlemen's Guide to Midnite Cinema podcast in iTunes (and if you're a fan of film, you should make their show a priority).

If you dig the show, I’d be ever so grateful for an iTunes review.

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 start a conversation on any new songwriters you’re excited about.

Right click to download and save Episode 57 here

Love That Album Episode 56 - Shooting The Shit Conquers The Martians (aka favourite music of 2013)

Bigger than Ben Hur.
Funnier than The Seventh Seal.
More music discussion than Behind The Green Door.

IT’S….Shooting The Shit Conquers The Martians

Yes indeed, Love That Album podcast episode 56 is here starring the Shooting The Shit crew. We discuss our favourite albums either released or that we newly discovered in 2013. The music industry waits with baited breath as the LTA tastemakers decides who is worthy of YOUR attention. My thanks to Eric Peterson (aka Reanimator), Ghetto Tim, and John Stirrat for taking the time to put their lists together and joining me on the show….because if they didn’t, I’d be talking to myself…which would be pretty silly.

I also give thanks to those listeners who submitted feedback for the show – Adi Sappir, Pat Monaghan, Will Smith and the mighty John Ross who sent an outstanding audio segment. Look for John’s own podcast, Feed My Ears in 2014.

You can download both shows from iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download them at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

I thank everyone of you that downloaded an episode sometime this year. I also thank everyone who joined me as a co-host this year. Everyone of you is aces in my book. Discussing music with you folks is an absolute pleasure. I look forward to doing it all again in 2014.

Right click to download and save Episode 56 here

Love That Album bonus episode - Interview with Charles Jenkins of the Ice Cream Hands

Here’s a special bonus companion episode to episode 55 of Love That Album….sort of.

LTA 55 was supposed to include a discussion about Melbourne group the Ice Cream Hands’ third long player, “Sweeter Than The Radio”, but some careless editing practices on my part put paid to that part of the show.

However, this bonus episode features me having a discussion with former lead singer and songwriter for the Ice Cream Hands, Charles Jenkins. The chat was supposed to predominantly be about Sweeter Than The Radio, but branched out to discuss the band’s overall catalogue, Charles’ approach to song writing, and his current work with the Zhivagos.

If you’re a fan of the Hands, of power pop, or great song construction, Charles has some interesting things to say and I’m grateful for his time.

Don’t forget to download LTA 55 featuring Wendi freeman and I discussing another great slice of power pop, Cheap Trick’s “In Color”. 

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

Right click to download and save the interview with Charles Jenkins here

Love That Album Episode 55 - Cheap Trick's "In Color"

For episode 55 of Love That Album, I am enjoyed by the pummeling princess of Power Pop, Ms Wendi Freeman.

We spent time discussing two terrific power pop classics – only one of which has made it to the podcast due to a technical botch on my part, Cheap Trick’s album from 1977, “In Color” (incorrect spelling from my side of the world, but I’m quoting). Two pinup guys, a guitar geek, and a guy who looks like a chain smoking second rate lawyer, somehow managed to combine melodic pop and hard rock to create a first class album. Debate rages on as to the radio-friendly nature of the original album  against the re-recorded version of it many years later produced by Steve Albini. One of us feels the original production took the balls out of the songs, and one of us feels the subsequent production failed to take into account the sweet nature of some of the tunes by turning everything up to 11. Who thought what? Download the episode and find out. 

For his Album I Love segment, Eric Reanimator kicks down the door of public opinion to champion the Goo Goo Dolls album of 1993, Superstar Carwash. He makes a convincing case.

Don’t forget to also download the new bonus episode featuring my chat with the former lead singer and songwriter of the Ice Cream Hands (now of The Zhivagos), Charles Jenkins.

You can download both shows from iTunes by searching for “love that album”. You can stream or download them at “http://lovethatalbum.blogspot.com”.

You should also be downloading Wendi's two brilliant podcasts, Double Page Spread (http://doublepgspread.tumblr.com/) about the comic world, and The Trashy Trio (http://trashytrio.libsyn.com/) discussing sleazy movies. To borrow from the Gents, she really does bring class to the trash. As if that wasn't enough she's also the drummer of Daemon Familiar (http://daemonfamiliar.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 favourite power pop songs.

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 55 here