And Press Play

This special episode will take an in depth look at the Sophisti-pop genre through the lens of Bryan Ferry's Boys and Girls, and whether The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean should be considered a 21st century example of it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A brief history of the career and production techniques of Robert John 'Mutt' Lange, one of the greatest music producers of the last 50 years. This episode covers the period of 1993 - present day. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! For (some) further information: https://www.soundonsound.com/people/recording-shania-twain-up https://www.loudersound.com/features/muse-on-the-ti...

A brief history of the career and production techniques of Robert John 'Mutt' Lange, one of the greatest music producers of the last 50 years. This episode covers the period of 1975 - 1993. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! For (some) further information: https://www.loudersound.com/features/mutt-lange-best-albums https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/interview-phil-collen...

Here's my review of Watch by Maisie Peters, taken from her 2023 album The Good Witch. This is a great pop-punk song featuring some cutting and bitter lyrics, as well as some great instrumentation. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of Magic by The Cars, taken from their 1984 album Heartbeat City. This song is one of the best finds of the year for me, its a fabulous 1980's pop rock song with great vocals, a cool guitar solo and some excellent synths. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of The Blue and the Grey by Magnum, taken from their 2004 album Brand New Morning. This is one of Magnums great anti-war songs, with some great guitar work from Tony Clarkin and powerful yet pained vocals from Bob Catley Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The special episode for this series is a mixtape. I have picked 10 songs which have never featured on And Press Play before and arranged them in order, so you can enjoy a carefully curated playlist from start to finish. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of Room in the City by Kassi Valazza, taken from her 2023 album Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing. This is a truly great folk song with some wistful and insightful lyrics, and some lovely melancholy music. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of Blue Angel by Marillion, taken from their 1985 album Misplaced Childhood. This is a short song, which has some great lyrics and instrumentation, which help tell a compelling and fantastical story. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of Come Back Be Here (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift, taken from her 2021 album Red (Taylor's Version). This is one of my favourite Taylor Swift songs, with some insightful lyrics about the difficulties of being in a long distance relationship set to some great musical backing. PSA: Thanks to all my listeners for all supporting this podcast for the last ten series! I can't beli...

A quick update on the podcast and what to look forward to in the coming weeks! Magnus West Media: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jSzowXBwLrVvB4U5dvhc6?si=6cc7b22045ed4bf0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of The Release by Marillion, taken from their 1989 album Seasons End. This is a very upbeat song musically, benefitting from some great keyboards and guitar while lead singer Steve Hogarth sings about the problems with modern life. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go by Bob Dylan, taken from his critically acclaimed 1975 album Blood on the Tracks. This is a song will the trademark Dylan styles; harmonica solo, acoustic guitars, and some of the best lyrics on the album which chart the narrator falling in and out of love. Also included is a review of Ryan Adam's 2022 cover of the song, and why in some...

Here's my review of In Another Life by The Killers, taken from their 2021 album Pressure Machine. This is a song all about the decisions that people make in their life and ultimately whether they will look back on them with happiness or regret. It's got some insightful lyrics and a great vocal performance from Brandon Flowers. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Aca...

This is a special episode where I take a deeper dive into an unpopular album in a band's discography and decide whether it deserves the hate it gets from the fanbase. This episode I am looking at We Can't Dance by Genesis, their final studio album with Phil Collins on vocals. This is an album that gets huge amounts of flack for substandard songwriting, an over reliance on synths and well... I Can'...

Here's my review of Down South by Tom Petty, taken from his 2006 album Highway Companion. This is one of the stranger additions in Petty's catalogue; a chance to pay homage to the South of America in his twlight years. The vocal performance here is subdued which adds to the songs mood, and Mike Campbell's guitar work keeps the listener powering through to the end. Hope you enjoyed this episode, pl...

Here's my review of An Englishman on Holiday by Thunder, taken from their 1990 album Backstreet Symphony. This is a very fun and upbeat song about Brits drinking abroad, with some amusing lyrics and some great drum work. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of You're the One by Kate Bush, taken from her 1993 album The Red Shoes. This is a very sad song about the death of a relationship, and the doubts that the narrator has about leaving. The song also features a searing guitar solo from the late Jeff Beck, which adds a unique quality to the song. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

Here's my review of Eurydice by Katherine Priddy, taken from her 2021 debut album The Eternal Rocks Beneath. This is a lovely folk song about Orpheus's frustrations as he returns from the underworld, and ultimately his sadness when realising that Eurydice can't return to the world. It has some great vocals from Priddy and some wonderful instrumentation as well. Hope you enjoyed this episode, pleas...

Here's my review of You Do or You Don't by Lindsey Buckingham, taken from his acclaimed 1992 album Out of the Cradle. This is a great pop/rock song with some great lyrics and a pained vocal performance from Buckingham. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of Sentimental Institution by Steve Hackett, taken from his 1980 album Defector. This is a really unusual song, with a sinister and creepy mood created by some quirky singing and organ playing. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of three different European songs, all sung in their native language. We cover a range of genres in this episode, from German pop to Norweigian folk. I have tried my best to make sure everything is pronounced correctly, but please let me know if there are any errors. Hope you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Here is my review of Time Machine by Margo Price, taken from her 2023 album Strays. This is a wonderfully nostalgic song, with the music and lyrics conjuring up a lovely dreamlike atmosphere as the narrator remembers a past relationship and how they long to be back there. Hope you enjoy this, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's my review of Blood Red Skies by Judas Priest, taken from their 1988 album Ram It Down. This is one of Priest's epics; it's got a wonderful vocal performance from Rob Halford and some heavy guitar riffs from Tipton and Downing. Hope you enjoy this episode, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here is my review of Strangers by Nature by Adele, taken from her 2022 album 30. This is a great opening song that does a wonderful job of setting the dour yet optimistic tone for the album, and continues some vivid imagery about love's demise and moving on. Hope you enjoy, please like and subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.