Accelerated Culture

This week, we move into a new decade & delve into the iconic Depeche Mode album “Violator,” a seminal work released in 1990 that marked a significant evolution in the band's sound. Join us as we dissect the album track by track, uncovering the raw emotions, innovative synth-driven compositions, and introspective lyrics that have solidified its status as a groundbreaking classic. From the pulsa...

In this episode, we explore the influential soundscape of the Pixies’ 1989 album “Doolittle.” We unpack how this album shattered boundaries in the alternative rock scene of the late '80s with its raw energy and thought-provoking lyrics. Join us as we unravel the layers of its distinct sonic palette, dissecting its impact on music then and now. 

This week, we dissect the layers of melancholy introspection and sonic experimentation that define The Cure’s iconic 1989 album “Disintegration.” From the haunting opening notes of “Plainsong” to the brooding depths of the title track, we delve into each song’s emotional resonance and artistic evolution, from the lush atmospheric textures to the innovative use of studio effects. Join us as we unra...

Nick Egan returns to Accelerated Culture this week to discuss his storied career as an award-winning director of music videos. This week, he shares with us behind-the-scenes tales about working with Duran Duran, Alanis Morissette, and Oasis. Want to know what happened when Nick and two A-list rock stars went to Disneyland? Download this episode now to find out! You can view Nick’s incredible portf...

We begin the New Year with the first of a two-part interview with legendary artist & video director Nick Egan! In this first half, Nick discusses the art college scene during the heyday of punk rock in the late 1970s and his creating album covers for The Clash, Dexys Midnight Runners, Bow Wow Wow, Malcolm McLaren, Iggy Pop, and INXS. Nick also shares with us insights from his friendship with t...

Our next episode comes out in one week (Jan. 6). In the meantime, listen to this end-of-year message from Laurie & Rob. And be sure to check out our website at acceleratedculturepodcast.com . Best wishes for a happy & prosperous 2024! "Ethernight Club" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this podcast episode, the spotlight is on Tears For Fears’ iconic album “The Seeds Of Love.” The hosts delve into the making of the album, exploring its unique sound, lyrical themes, and the band’s artistic evolution. They discuss the impact of tracks like “Sowing the Seeds of Love” and “Advice for the Young at Heart,” providing insights into the musical landscape of the late ’80s. Quotes from...

Accelerated Culture continues its trek through 1989 with a deep dive into the debut album by Nine Inch Nails, “Pretty Hate Machine. ” Laurie and Rob start with an examination of Trent Reznor’s past, following the path that led him to create one of the landmark albums of the decade. That's followed by an in-depth inspection of each of the ten tracks, starting with the righteous anger of “Head Like...

Accelerated Culture moves into 1989 in this episode as we do a track-by-track deep dive into New Order’s masterpiece, “Technique.” Listen along as Laurie and Rob, former Mr. Disco 1978 (allegedly!–Laurie), recap the origins of New Order and follow the path that led to the acid house tinge of this album. From the classic sound of “All The Way” to the shining synths of “Vanishing Point”, you’ll have...

We return to 1988 in this episode to plunge into the landmark alt-rock album “Nothing’s Shocking” by Jane’s Addiction. Hosts Laurie and Rob examine the band’s beginnings and internal struggles before evaluating each individual cut, including the driving “Mountain Song,” the lazy beauty of “Summertime Rolls,” and the scathing “Ted, Just Admit It.” Join us as we explore the unforgettable sounds and...

Happy Halloween! In this eerie episode, Laurie and Rob deviate from the usual chronology to do a creepy deep dive into the Oingo Boingo masterpiece, “Dead Man’s Party”! We discuss the band’s origins and evolution and then delve into the mysteries behind each track from the album: the dark isolation of “Just Another Day,” the longing of “Stay,” the ghostly glee of “No One Lives Forever”—all here su...

In this captivating podcast episode, we delve deep into the ethereal soundscape of The Church’s iconic 1988 album, “Starfish.” Join us as we embark on a sonic journey through its lush, dreamy melodies and poetic lyricism, exploring the album’s profound influence on alternative rock and its lasting legacy in the music industry. We unravel the creative process behind this masterpiece, shedding light...

In this episode we delve deep into the iconic Duran Duran album “Big Thing.” Join Laurie along with our new co-host and resident music aficionado Rob as they take you on a track-by-track exploration of this groundbreaking record. From the infectious rhythms of “I Don’t Want Your Love” to the ethereal sounds of “Palomino,” we dissect each song's unique production, lyrical themes, and the band's inn...

In this captivating podcast episode, we take a nostalgic journey back to the musical landscape of 1988, a year that marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of alternative music. From the pulsating synth-pop sounds of Erasure and Information Society, to the irreverent and quirky punk vibes of The Dead Milkmen, and the enigmatic allure of Q. Lazzarus, whose haunting vocals graced the iconic “Goodby...

This week, Laurie & Trey dive into the sonic landscape of U2’s iconic 1987 album “The Joshua Tree.” We uncover the rich layers of each track and take you on a track-by-track journey through the album’s soul-stirring melodies and profound lyrical narratives. From the desert-inspired ambience of “Where the Streets Have No Name” to the introspective depths of “With or Without You,” this episode e...

With the recent passing of Sinéad O’Connor on July 26, 2023, we felt it was only appropriate to pay tribute to this legendary outspoken Irish singer. In this episode, we will explore the life of Sinéad O’Connor through bits of her 2021 memoir Rememberings as well as her songwriting, including a track-by-track exploration of her 1987 debut, The Lion & The Cobra. We’ll examine her complicated li...

In the early 80s, a new band rose from the ashes of Joy Division. This Manchester quartet rebranded themselves as New Order, and they went on to have a string of pop and dance hits. “Substance,” released in 1987, stands as a remarkable compilation of the band’s most influential and innovative work up to that point, combining elements of electronic music with rock to a unique and captivating sound...

In this captivating episode of the Accelerated Culture Podcast, we dive deep into the enigmatic world of British alternative rock pioneers, The Cure, and their iconic 1987 double album, "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me." Join us as we embark on a nostalgic journey through the captivating soundscapes crafted by Robert Smith and his bandmates.

As Fall of 1987 rolled around, audiences were treated to a “New Sensation” in the form of INXS’ album “Kick.” The six lads from Down Under had put together an entire album of singles that showcased their hybrid rock-funk sound. But, did you know that the album almost didn’t see the light of day? Join us as we discuss this iconic 80s album and the history behind it. “Calling All Nations!”

In this episode we delve into the groundbreaking sounds of 1987, including R.E.M., The Sisters of Mercy, Depeche Mode, Midnight Oil, and The Cult. Join us as we unravel the stories behind these influential bands and their impact on the alternative music scene, a musical journey from Seattle to the end of the world.

This week we explore Duran Duran’s 1986 transitional album “Notorious,” which represented a departure from the band’s trademark sound. It also meant a literal departure for drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor. Not to be deterred, the remaining band members proceeded to reinvent themselves as a trio with the assistance of legendary guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers. Join us as we exami...

We could not let our musical tribute to 1986 pass without acknowledging this legendary, groundbreaking album, Peter Gabriel’s “So” (1986). With guest vocalists Kate Bush, Youssou N'Dour, and Laurie Anderson, and guest musicians such as Nile Rodgers and Stewart Copeland, this entire album is a synthpop dream from start to finish. Join us as we explore, track by track, Peter’s musical masterpiece.

This week we do a track-by-track deep dive into the 1986 synth pop classic, “Please.” Join us as we discuss the musical genius of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe on their debut album, which was destined to become an instant classic everywhere from Lake Geneva to the Finland Station.

We continue our exploration of new wave & alternative music in the 1980s with first of four episodes on the music of 1986! Join us as we celebrate the hits, the one-hit wonders, and the under-the-radar tunes from this banner year in music!

1985 was a year of transitions for the Fab Five members of Duran Duran: having just come off their Sing Blue Silver tour, the members found themselves going in different directions. After working together on a new James Bond theme, the Duran boys took a bit of a break to work on separate side projects: The Power Station and Arcadia. We delve into this and more as we examine 1985 from the perspecti...