1001 Album Club

Latest Episodes:

558 The Smiths - Meat Is Murder Jun 08, 2023

Show notes

The Smiths’ second album, Meat Is Murder, was released in 1985 and quickly became one of the most controversial albums of the decade. The album’s title track, a staunchly anti-meat anthem, was banned by the BBC, and the album itself was met with mixed reviews. However, over the years, Meat Is Murder has come to be seen as one of the Smiths’ best albums alongside The Queen is Dead.

Let’s talk The Smiths – Meat Is Murder

557 Kate Bush - Hounds of Love Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

We recorded this episode in the fall of 2021 without a clue that In 2022, “Running Up That Hill” would received renewed attention when it was featured in the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things released May 27, 2022. Its appearance led to the song’s resurgence on charts around the world, topping the charts in eight countries, including the United Kingdom for three consecutive weeks, Ireland for seven consecutive weeks and Australia for nine non-consecutive weeks The song also reached a new peak of number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

An amazing record.

556 The Pogues - Rum Sodomy and the Lash Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

In August of 1985 The Pogues released their sophomore album.

It was produced by Elvis Costello and recorded at Elephant Studios in Wapping, London. Of the recording process itself, Costello had this to say:

“I saw my task was to capture them in their dilapidated glory before some more professional producer fucked them up.”

Let’s talk The Pogues, Rum Sodomy and the Lash!

555 Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega May 29, 2023

Show notes

In May of 1985 Suzanne Vega released her debut album.

Gary Kenton:
“Vega can get a bit pretentious, but what singer-songwriter worth a damn doesn’t? Its the price you pay for taking risks. Suzanne Vega is a flattering and very substantial introduction.”

Let’s talk Suzanne Vega, Suzanne Vega!

554 Big Black - Atomizer May 25, 2023

Show notes

In January of 1986 Big Black released their debut album.

A shot across the bow for what was considered extreme music at the time, the record is an all out aural assault.

Chicago industrial has arrived.

Let’s talk Big Black, Atomizer!

553 The Mekons - Fear and Whiskey May 22, 2023

Show notes

In 1985 The Mekons released their 4th studio album.

Robert Christgau:
“Just when I never wanted to hear a roots-rock record again, along come these British anarchists with a sort of concept album sort of about life during wartime. The Americans are clearing a sector down south, but that doesn’t stop the good guys from playing their anarchic country-rock and doing their anarchic Morris stomp and fucking up their anarchic love lives and drinking to keep from shitting their pants and rolling down a highway that may finally be lost for real. Yes, amateurism is still a sentimental fallacy, and if you want to know why it’s such a powerful one, listen up.”

Lets talk The Mekons, Fear and Whiskey!

552 Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen May 18, 2023

Show notes

In June of 1985 Prefab Sprout released their second studio album.

Produced by Thomas Dolby (Booker T. Boffin for those in the know), the album has been praised by critics as a “shimmering jazz-pop masterpiece” that is “buttressed by a phenomenal rhythm section and fairy-dusted with Wendy Smith’s breathy harmonies”.

Let’s talk Prefab Sprout, Steve McQueen!

Editor’s note: This is the last of episode of the batch with audio issues, recommended playback at 1.5x, apologies.

551 Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms May 15, 2023

Show notes

*quick editor’s note: we’ve still got mixer gremlin issues for these next two episodes, recommend playing at 1.5x speed, sorry for the inconvenience.

In May of 1985 Dire Straits released their 5th studio album.

Though initially spanned by critics upon its release, album would go on to be their biggest selling, spawning five singles, spending ten consecutive weeks at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, Nine weeks at #1 on the US Billboard 200, thirty four weeks on top of the Australian Albums Chart, and would go on to be certified a staggering 9x Platinum selling status in the USA alone, making it one of the top selling records of all time; but is it any good?

Let’s talk Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms!

550 Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair May 11, 2023

Show notes

In February of 1985 Tears for Fears released their second studio album.

The record is a pop masterpiece that spawned six singles, and would go on to achieve multiple times platinum sales on both sides of the Atlantic.

Let’s talk Tears for Fears, Songs From the Big Chair!

549 A-Ha - Hunting High and Low May 08, 2023

Show notes

In October of 1985 A-Ha released their debut studio album.

The album launched the band into superstardom, spawned five singles, won accolades for their innovative music video for Take On Me.

Let’s talk A-Ha, Hunting High and Low!