Trimming The Musical Fat

It’s been a while!  Life gets in the way. Travel, work & launching a new podcast (Sheer Pod Attack: A Queen Song-By-Song Podcast), have made me ‘time poor’ these last few months.  But we’re back, with another episode of our Prince side-series, this time focussing on the singles from Prince’s most famous, biggest selling album - PURPLE RAIN.  Home to its iconic title track, When Doves Cry, Let’...

The Beatles’ White Album is a sprawling masterpiece — 30 tracks of brilliance, indulgence, experimentation, and occasional chaos. But what if it had been a single LP? In this episode, we take on the ultimate trimming challenge: cutting the White Album down to a tight, cohesive 14-track record. Join us as we debate what stays, what goes, and what defines the essence of this iconic release. Expect p...

Episode Description Hop aboard the MDNA express as we uncover one of Madonna’s most overlooked gems — “I’m a Sinner.” In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat: Hidden Prime Cuts, we dive deep into the psychedelic swirl of spiritual rebellion, gospel grooves, and retro synths that make this track a standout moment on her 2012 album. Is it a cheeky sequel to “Like a Prayer”? A sonic pilgrimage th...

Join host Stephen Nicholson and his special guest Marv Quibell, as they explore Prince's fourth studio album, Controversy, which marked a pivotal moment in his career with innovative sounds, social commentary, and bold artistic choices. From the introverted genius behind the scenes to the cultural icon, we unpack what makes this record a fascinating transition in his discography. ​- The backgr...

Join host Stephen Nicholson as he dives into one of the most quietly iconic albums of the late ’90s—Dido’s debut album, No Angel. Released in 1999, this folktronica-infused gem blended ethereal vocals with trip-hop textures, launching Dido into global stardom. Learn about Dido & No Angel as Stephen picks his favourite 3 tracks from the album. Whether you’re rediscovering No Angel or hearing it...

Summary In this episode of 'Trimming the Musical Fat,' host Stephen Nicholson and guests Davie Melon and Renee James delve into Bruce Springsteen's 1982 album 'Nebraska.' The conversation explores the album's stark acoustic style, its storytelling depth, and the contrasting opinions of the guests. The discussion also covers the expanded edition of 'Nebraska,' featur...

Join host Stephen Nicholson and his guest Davie Melon on "Trimming the Musical Fat" as they dive into the hidden gems of the music world. In this episode, they explore one of the lesser-known tracks from Athens' finest, R.E.M., and their great 1991 track - 'Fretless'. Tune in for a nostalgic journey through the 90s music scene, filled with insightful commentary and passionate discussion. Like the...

Join host Stephen Nicholson and his guest Davie Melon on "Trimming the Musical Fat" as they dive into the hidden gems of the music world. In this episode, they explore one of the lesser-known tracks from Athens' finest, R.E.M., and their great 1991 track - 'Fretless'. Tune in for a nostalgic journey through the 90s music scene, filled with insightful commentary and passionate...

🎙️ Episode Description It’s Christmas at Trimming The Musical Fat, and Stephen is joined by a festive trio of guests — Ross Braidwood, Davie Melon, and Paul Nicholson — for a sleigh ride through the very best (and very worst) Christmas songs of the last six decades. From the timeless classics of the 1960s to the glossy pop of the 2020s, each of us picks our favourite Christmas track from every dec...

Join host Stephen Nicholson on "Trimming the Musical Fat" as he dives into Prince's seventh album, "Around the World in a Day." Released in 1985, this album marked a departure from the (hugely successful) style of "Purple Rain," embracing psychedelic styles and opulent textures. Discover the stories behind singles like "Raspberry Beret" and "Paisley...

Welcome back as we pick our favourite 90 albums from the 1990s. We’ve recently picked albums by US bands Pearl Jam & Eagles. Here’s another! The #1 US album by Stone Temple Pilots - ‘Purple’ (1994). ‘Purple’ is home to classic tunes like Vasoline & Interstate Love Song. It’s my favourite release by the band and I heartily recommend you check it out. So, learn a little about the band, the a...

In this episode of "Trimming the Musical Fat," we dive into the Eagles' iconic 1994 album, "Hell Freezes Over." Join us as we explore the band's legendary reunion after a 14-year hiatus, featuring a mix of new studio tracks and captivating live performances. Discover the magic behind timeless hits like "Hotel California" and "Desperado," and hear per...

In this episode of "Trimming The Musical Fat," host Stephen Nicholson and guest Davie Melon dive into a hidden gem of a track by Blur - "St. Louis." They explore the band's history, the song's place in the Britpop era, and its unique sound that bridges Blur's iconic albums. Join them as they reminisce about the 90s music scene and share their personal insights on Bl...

It’s been over a year since we’ve done a deep dive into the music of Prince via our best singles from 1978 - 1989 side-series. So, it’s back! And we go back to 1988 to listen to the late, great Purple One’s Lovesexy album, and it’s 3 singles - Alphabet Street, Glam Slam, and I Wish U Heaven. Which of these will ranked top tier Prince? Is Lovesexy up there with Prince’s other eighties albums? Fact:...

Previously a YouTube exclusive, here’s the first 90 from the 90s episode in some time. In these, we pick our favourite 90 albums from the 1990s. 23 have been picked thus far. Here’s number 24 - Pearl Jam’s debut album ‘Ten’. ‘Ten’ is home to classic tunes like Even Flow, Alive & Jeremy. And it’s one of my favourite albums of all time. So, learn a little about the band, the album, why I love it...

It’s been quite a while since we’ve done a Hidden Prime Cuts show for you. So here’s a brand new one for your listening pleasure! The track? A 1991 B-side from Swedish pop-rock duo Roxette - Come Back (Before You Leave). I bought their Joyride CD single and this track was on it. I always thought it deserved a place on the band’s Joyride album. It’s got a killer middle eight! Anyway, you decide. Wi...

"I think Pump's a better album." Summary In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, host Stephen Nicholson and guest Bryan Borthwick dive into Aerosmith's 1993 album, Get a Grip, to create the under 50-minute cut of it. They discuss the album's background, its commercial success, and the impact of its singles. The conversation flows through a detailed analysis of each track...

Summary In this episode, host Stephen and his guests Ross Braidwood & Bryan Borthwick, delve into U2's album 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,' exploring its themes, song analyses, and the impact it had on the music scene. They discuss their favourite tracks, the critical reception of the album, and the significance of its singles. The conversation highlights the evolution of U2&#3...

"I hated and still hate the singles." Summary In this episode of Trimming the Musical Fat, host Stephen Nicholson and his brother Paul dive into Paul McCartney's 2018 album, Egypt Station. They discuss the album's production, initial reception, and their personal reflections on the tracks. The conversation flows through an analysis of the album's artwork, favourite songs, and the process of curati...

"I think it's unfairly aligned." Summary In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, host Stephen Nicholson and guests Bryan, Jamie, and Paul rank Oasis' seven studio albums. They discuss each album's impact, personal memories, and musical qualities, providing insights into the band's evolution over the years. The conversation highlights the significance of albums like &...

"It's time to start picking the songs for Side B." Summary In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, host Stephen Nicholson and guest Davie Melon conclude their exploration of Coldplay's 2005 album X and Y. They select and discuss the tracks for Side B of the TTMF Supercut, reflect on the songs that didn't make the cut, and share their final thoughts on the album's place in music history. The c...

"Coldplay's masterpiece?" Summary In this episode of 'Trimming The Musical Fat', host Stephen Nicholson and guest Davie Melon delve into Coldplay's 2005 album 'X and Y' to create the under 50-minute TTMF Supercut of it. They discuss the album's background, its commercial success, and the band's evolving perception of their work. The conversation transitions into a personal reflection on Coldplay's...

Summary In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, host Stephen, and his guests Ross & Davie return to conclude their look at The Verve's 1997 album 'Urban Hymns', ultimately creating Side B of their under 50-minute cut of it. They discuss tracks like ‘Lucky Man’, ‘Weeping Willow’ & ‘Space & Time’, the four songs that didn’t make the cut, rate the Supercut, and Stephen places the alb...

"The lyrics always stuck in my mind." Summary In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, host Stephen, and his guests Ross & Davie delve into The Verve's iconic 1997 album 'Urban Hymns', to create Side A of their under 50-minute cut of it. They discuss the album's impact, personal connections to the music, and their ratings of the tracks. The conversation highlights standout songs like 'Bitt...

Summary In this episode of Trimming The Musical Fat, host Stephen and guests Bryan Borthwick, Paul Young, and Jamie Kerr delve into the lesser-known, weaker noughties tracks of Oasis to continue creating their compilation album, The Disasterplan. The discussion covers various songs, critiquing their lyrical content, musical composition, and overall impact. Each track is examined in detail, with th...