Low-Noise

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of British guitarist and singer-songwriter John Martyn in just under twenty minutes. Over a 40-year career, he released 23 albums, and was revered by his peers. The Times described him as "an electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between folk, jazz, rock and blues". Before his late-career decline, Martyn was one of the most innovative...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of The Police in just under 20 minutes. Their 1978 debut album, Outlandos d'Amour, reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart on the strength of the singles "Roxanne" and "Can't Stand Losing You". Their second album, Reggatta de Blanc (1979), became the first of four consecutive No. 1 albums in the UK; its first two singles, "Message in a Bottle" and "Walking on the Moon...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of American singer, songwriter, and musician Kacey Musgraves in just under fifteen minutes. Musgraves is a seven-time Grammy Award winner who released her fifth studio album Deeper Well in March 2024. Born in Golden, Texas, Musgraves has been making music since she was eight. As a child, she was a champion yodeller and sang the national anthem at the 2002 Winter Ol...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of The Waterboys in just under 20 minutes. The Waterboys were formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. Although over seventy musicians have performed live as part of the group, some have spent only a short time with the band, contributing to a single tour or album, while others have been long-term members with significant contribution. Mike Scott has remained the only constan...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the song Wand'rin' Star by Lee Marvin (in just under 20 minutes). The song was originally written for the stage musical Paint Your Wagon in 1951 and was recorded by Lee Marvin when the musical was translated in a movie in 1969. Released as a single in 1970, Wan'drin' Star became a number one hit in the UK. A sound-alike cover version appeared on the 1970 Top of...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of German musician, composer, and record producer Nils Frahm (in just under 20 minutes). Redefining the space between classical and electronic music, Frahm’s unconventional approach to the piano, played contemplatively and intimately, and his use of ambient textures and atmospheric electronica, has won him many fans across the globe. Frahm launched his own label LE...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1977 album 'Low' by David Bowie in (just under) fifteen minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. Bowie's eleventh album is an art/experimental record influenced by German bands such as Tangerine Dream, Neu!, Harmonia and Kraftwerk, Low features Bowie's first explorations in electronic and ambient styles. Side one consists primarily...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of The Bible in just under fifteen minutes. The band released two critically acclaimed albums in the mid-1980s and are best known for the hits 'Graceland' and 'Mahalia'. Since The Bible's first split in 1990, lead singer Boo Hewerdine has maintained a solo career while the band itself has been intermittently active, performing a 30th Anniversary concert (originally...

Manassas is a double album by the group Manassas, a blues-rock band led by Stephen Stills. Recorded towards the end of 1971 the album explored several musical styles including rock, latin, country and bluegrass. Released in 1972, it was a critical comeback for Stills, being certified Gold a month after being released and peaking at number 4 on the US album charts. Stills, a Civil War enthusiast, f...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the 1979 album Tusk by Fleetwood Mac in (just under) fifteen minutes. In this episode I am in discussion with Dr. Andrew Webber. When contemplating their 12th album, Lindsey Buckingham was adamant about creating an album that sounded nothing like Rumours. Eager to embrace the modern sounds of New Wave and insprired by bands such as Talking Heads, Buckingham was...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of House of Love in just under fifteen minutes. The group rose to prominence in 1987 with their first single Shine On, released on the Creation label. In the US, I Don't Know Why I Love You, Marble and You Don't Understand were also popular on alternative rock radio stations. They disbanded in 1993 and after a hiatus of ten years, reformed in 2003. They have been c...

A (relatively) in-depth analysis of singer, songwriter and musician Mark Knopfler (in just under 15 minutes). As the front man of Dire Straits and later a composer of film soundtracks and solo artist, Knopfler is exceptionally skilled on the guitar, celebrated for his trademark fingerstyle technique and distinctive sound. As a songwriter, he is known for his unique blend of folk, roots, pub rock a...

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...