1001 Album Complaints

We've been hard at work on a brand new show at 1001 Album Complaints - it's a Patreon-only bracket competition called Song Battle, where contestants choose songs to rep, and we all vote to eventually crown the winner. We wanted to give our loyal listeners a little preview of what Song Battle is like with Episode #1 of our recent "March Radness" edition (The Best Song of the 1980s) If you like what...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Chvrches found themselves a surprise internet sensation after releasing their very first song to a music blog before even considering playing live shows. The fellas talk about Glasgow bands, letting arrangements breathe, and the pop music machine. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Bonnie Raitt was at a low point in her career after being a road dog for decades and failing to breakthrough into mainstream success. With her reputation on the line she set her sights on a nostalgic record about middle age. The boyos discuss 80s synth overkill, selflessly helping old blues musicians, and...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Elton John's career was climbing fast when he and his band decided to lay down the 17 tracks for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road . The guys discuss underrated bass players, lyrics that needed a little longer in the oven, and stacking the deck across one hundred and sixteen minutes of double album. Email us your...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Living Colour broke the mold of what it meant to be a rock band in the late 80s, and they managed to break through the noise with a little help from MTV. The fellas discuss proggy solos, lazy lyric writing, and Mick Jagger cameo appearances. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumC...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Beatles were freshly married and without the Let It Be documentary cameras rolling, and head into their favorite London recording studio to lay down an all time classic before calling it quits forever. In our thrilling conclusion, we cover every track on Side 2 and chatter about the most popular Beatl...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Beatles were chaffed from some seriously tense recording sessions whilst making the "white" album, and then again from the well-documented Get Back era, but, even still, after a break they decided to give it one more go together in the summer of 1969. We go through every song on this momentous album o...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Ray Charles refused to be held back by his blindness and his never-ending ambition led him to musical stardom AND full creative freedom from his record company. The boys talk about picking the right cover songs, navigating the music scene in an unfamiliar town, and the insane business savvy of Ray. Email...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Rod Stewart had already weaved in and out of the London music scene for a few years when he got his solo record deal and started recording. The guys get together to discuss unnecessary covers, mixing against lead vocals, and too many guitars (gasp) crowding the track. Email us your complaints (or question...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Manic Street Preachers came roaring out of Cool Cymru movement in late 80s Cardiff (Wales) only to face an uphill battle with mental illness and rock n roll decadence. The boys welcome a special guest and talk about lyric-first songwriting, working class musicians' ethos, and the dark disappearance story...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Slipknot came out of the Des Moines metal scene determined to be the biggest band in the entire world, so they kept adding members until it became a reality. The team welcome a special guest and discuss band marketing strategies, nu metal's contributions to the canon, and the Slipknot mask hierarchy Email...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Leonard Cohen was a respected literary talent when he decided to try his hand at the music business of the late 1960s, The guys talk about rambling melodies, flamenco chord patterns, and artsy Greek islands Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.com Listen to speci...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Gary Numan sought to bring humanity back to synthesizer music and scored a international hit with "Cars". The boys discuss countermelodies, Asperger's, and an artistic statement against guitars. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.com Listen to our episode compa...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Beach Boys had a string of surf-related hits but by 1964 they were oh so ready to grow up and get personal. The guys talk about excessively long tape loops, interfamily sniping, and sharp 11 chords disguised as bubblegum pop melodies. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComp...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Oasis were a triumphant return to British rock and roll music and the UK public was more than ready for them on their debut album Definitely Maybe . The fellows discuss "live band" sound, the wash of multiple electric guitar overdubs, and the importance of easily singable melodies. Email us your complaint...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Cyndi Lauper wanted her debut record to count, so made sure the stamp of her personality came across in every track. The fellas discuss melodica solos, rock and roll hiccups, and how to rearrange your cover songs properly. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.com...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Eagles were already riding high on the success of a greatest hits album and the label was calling for more, more! Enter Hotel California , one of the most successful albums of all time. The guys discuss great harmonies, equality in songwriting, and the challenges of breaking from your country rock roots....

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Buck Owens broke with Nashville and helped define an alternate country sound which eventually led him to be one of the highest paid artists in the game. The boys discuss telecasters, "chicken" picking, and Bakersfield as a tourist destination. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001Albu...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Soft Cell got together in college when a performance artist met a burgeoning synth wizard. Their mega hit Tainted Love ruled the 80s. The team discuss remakes, vocal improvisations, and the challenge of melody writing. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.com Lis...

As a special year end bonus - we compiled the best tweets of 2023, with lots of laughs and plenty of snark. Thank you all for everything! Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.com Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complai...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Band were tight - as a touring unit and as friends. After some ups and downs on the road they decided to hole up in upstate New York and start writing what would become Music from Big Pink. The team discuss ragged harmonies, all American songwriting, and beautiful keyboard parts. Email us your complai...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Megadeth began the day Dave Mustaine got fired from Metallica and vowed revenge in the form of a harder, faster, louder band. The boys talk about technical solos, NEW video game soundtracks, and a lack of low end. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.com Listen t...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Portishead wanted to combine the edgy moods of sampling with the visceral power of soulful singing, and their debut album from 1992 helped set an entire genre in motion. The team discuss converting your bass to fretless, close mic-ing you singer, and unorthodox record scratching, Email us your complaints...

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Fleet Foxes came out the Seattle folk rock scene wanting to reinvent the soaring harmonies of the late 60s on their debut album for Sub Pop. The boys discuss lilting melodies, boomy bass drums, and Marty's fake band The Clap. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail....

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Steely Dan's core members circled each other for a few years before finally assembling the band in LA to make their debut album Can't Buy a Thrill . The fellows discuss the Rat Pro Co guitar tone, Becker bass flubs, and Chevy Chase. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints...