Low-Noise

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1981 album 'KooKoo' by Debbie Harry in (just under) twenty minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. This, Harry's debut solo album was produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic (do listen to our Chic episode from Season One if you have a spare moment). Kookoo enjoyed moderate commercial success in the US, faring better i...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of singer, songwriter and musician Jah Wobble. With a stage name coined by Sid Vicious, when he was drunkenly slurring his real name, Jah Wobble began his musical career as a founder member of Public Image Limited, his heavy, hypnotic bass lines defining their early sound. Wobble parted company with Lydon and Public Image Limited in 1980 to pursue what would become...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the post-punk/new wave band The Monochrome Set in just under fifteen minutes. There haven't been many bands like the Monochrome Set. They emerged in that smoky period just after punk had combusted, they should have been absolutely huge, but instead became lost in the annals of musical history. In this episode I am in conversation with Dr. Andrew Webber. https://...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of singer, songwriter and musician Suzanne Vega. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1985. Having grown up in Spanish Harlem and the Upper West Side of New York City, in 2020 she released An Evening of New York Songs and Stories featuring songs that were inspired by the city. Vega practices Nichiren Buddhism.  In this episode I am in conversation with Dr. A...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1989 album 'The Seeds of Love' by Tears for Fears in (just over) ten minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. The Seeds of Love is the third Tears for Fears album. Although the production was reminiscent of Smile-era Beach Boys with lengthy studio time and abandoned recording sessions costing over £1 million, the album was an inter...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of British Rock band Supertramp in just over fifteen minutes. Supertramp are a British rock group and successfully straddled both progressive rock and pop-rock. Formed in 1970, all members were multi-instrumentalists. Co-founder, composer and lead singer, Roger Hodgson left the band in 1983 to focus on raising his family and a maintaining a more spiritual existence...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1979 album 'Rickie Lee Jones' by Rickie Lee Jones in (just under) fifteen minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. The eponymous debut album was released in 1979 by Warner Bros. Records. Marinated in Jones' folk, rock and jazz influences it became a critical and commercial success. The album cover photo was taken by Norman Seeff. T...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the song A Forest by The Cure in (just under) fifteen minutes. Co-produced by Mike Hedges and Robert Smith, A Forest was featured on The Cure's second album Seventeen Seconds. Released on Fiction Records reached number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. It was re-recorded and remixed on the 1990 Cure album Mixed Up. Blank & Jones included a cover version of the son...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1983 album 'Beauty Stab' by ABC in (just under) fifteen minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. Beauty Stab was a rapid departure from its sumptuous predecessor and although the album divided critics and fans it succeeded in reaching No.12 in the UK album charts. In 2005, a digitally remastered CD of the album was released with th...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the song Sail On by The Commodores in (just under) fifteen minutes. Sail On was the first of three singles from the Commodores' 1979 album Midnight Magic. Written by Lionel Ritchie, the song reached the top ten on both the US and UK charts. In this episode I am in discussion with Bhoke. I hope you enjoy the podcast and please do leave feedback if you like what y...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of British Rock band 10cc in just under fifteen minutes. From 1972 to 1978, 10cc had five consecutive UK top-ten albums: Sheet Music (1974), The Original Soundtrack (1975), How Dare You! (1976), Deceptive Bends (1977) and Bloody Tourists (1978). 10cc also had twelve singles reach the UK Top 40, "Rubber Bullets" (1973), "I'm Not in Love" (1975) and "Dreadlock Holida...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Welsh musician, songwriter and record producer Karl Edmond De Vere Wallinger who was best known for leading the band World Party and for his work with The Waterboys. 'She's the One', written by Wallinger and which featured on World Party's Egyptology album was covered by Robbie Williams and became a hit single. Wallinger also collaborated with Bob Geldof, Peter...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Scottish chamber-pop project The Bathers in just under twenty minutes. Referred to as ' the best-kept secret in Scottish music' The Bathers is the creative vehicle for singer-songwriter Chris Thomson. Initially active between 1985 and 2001 and reformed in 2016. In 2020, Lagoon Blues, Sunpowder and Kelvingrove Baby were reissued by Marina Records on limited editi...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of German synth-pop band Propaganda in just under twenty-five minutes. Formed in Düsseldorf in 1982, the group signed by Paul Morley to ZTT Records in 1983. They released their first single Dr Mabuse in 1984 and their debut album A Secret Wish in 1985. By 1986 Claudia Brücken had left the group amidst some complicated legal wranglings with ZTT. A second album, 1234...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Be My Somebody by Norah Jones in (just under) fifteen minutes. Norah Jones (born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist.  She has won many awards for her music and has sold over 50 million records worldwide. Be My Somebody is featured on her third album Not Too Late, released in 2007. Jones wrote most of the songs on the album...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul in (just under) fifteen minutes. Paul Williams known professionally as Billy Paul, was an American soul singer, known primarily for the song which was written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert. It describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. The two meet in secret "every day at the same cafe...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of 'Let Me Sign' by English actor Robert Pattinson in (just over) ten minutes. In addition to landing the lead role of Edward Cullen in the 2008 American romantic vampire movie Twilight, Pattinson also performed two original songs 'Never Think' and 'Let Me Sign'. Director Catherine Hardwicke described both tracks as "haunting" and beautiful" during an interview wit...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1973 album 'Band on the Run' by Wings in (just under) fifteen minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. A 50th anniversary expanded edition of the album was released in 2024. As the number of reissues over the past fifty years indicates (this is now the fourth), it is one of McCartney's most significant post-Beatles albums. This is...

In their heyday, album covers were veritable canvases, pored over by music lovers across the globe as they devoured the music therein. In this bonus broadcast I pay hommage to the lost art of the album cover with fellow album aesthete Dr. Andrew Webber. I hope you enjoy the podcast and do leave feedback if you like what you have heard. I look forward to seeing you in Season Three... Mathew Woodall...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of American folk band Hiss Golden Messenger. Formed in 2007 and originating from North Carolina, the group is led by singer/songwriter MC Taylor. Hiss Golden Messenger's early recordings were released through Taylor's label, Heaven & Earth Magic Recording Company. The limited edition debut album, Country Hai East Cotton, was released in 2009. Their latest album...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of singer, songwriter and musician Nadia Reid. Hailing from Port Chalmers, New Zealand, the Guardian has called Reid one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets. She is renowned for her warm musical soundscapes and unique voice. Reid has released three albums: Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs (2015), Preservation (2017), and Out of My Province (2020). All three h...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of English singer, songwriter and musician Lloyd Cole. Cole was the lead vocalist of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions from 1984 to 1989 and has since worked as a solo artist. Cole was born in the spa town of Buxton, Derbyshire and studied Philosophy and English at the University of Glasgow. Having always nurtured a passion for American literature and Americana, Cole n...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of American rapper and producer Markese Money Rolle, otherwise known as SpaceGhostPurrp in (just over) twenty five minutes. In this episode I am in conversation with A Du Tre. Born in Miami, Florida, Purrp is the founder of the now-defunct American hip hop group Raider Klan, the co-founder of Black Money Boys and has collaborated with Xavier Wulf, Robb Banks, Denze...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of The Secret of Life by the Nashville-based, New York raised Queen of Country Noir Gretchen Peters in (just over) fifteen minutes. Recorded (and written) by Peters in 1995-96, the song was then recorded by fellow country artist Faith Hill in 1997-98 as the fifth and final single from her album Faith. Peters included the original version of the song on her 1996 deb...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Owner of a Lonely Heart by British progessive rock band Yes in (just over) fifteen minutes. Released in 1983 this is the first track from the album 90125. Written by South African guitarist and singer Trevor Rabin, contributions were made by vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, and producer Trevor Horn. Horn said he was criticised for agreeing to work wi...