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204. Mark Brend Discusses David Ackles, self-titled
Send us a textThis week’s episode features UK-based author, music journalist and musician Mark Brend, who introduces Al to David Ackles and his 1968 self-titled debut album. Mark talks about why he decided to buy the album 40 years ago without having heard any of it, and he revisits what his initial impressions were. He also shares what he learned about the making of the album and about Ackles’ career as a result of researching his latest book, Down River: In Search of David Ackles. Mark discusses his musical project Ghostwriter and how its latest album, Tremulant, was something of a departure.Mark mentioned that you can order Down River: In Search of David Ackles via the Jawbone Press website. You can find out more about the book and order it here: http://jawbonepress.com/down-river/You can follow Mark on Bluesky at @minutebookTo check out Mark’s music with Ghostwriter, head on over to their Bandcamp page…https://ghostwriter3.bandcamp.com/Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first two episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum, and more episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:16 Mark joins the show1:36 Mark recounts his first experience with listening to David Ackles4:55 Mark talks about Ackles’ penchant for telling stories with his songs6:33 Mark initially had a hard time finding information about Ackles10:06 Mark explains why he chose this Ackles album to discuss12:23 Mark highlights a couple of his favorite moments from the album15:54 Mark surmises why Ackles hasn’t received more recognition23:24 Mark talks about the recording of the album29:21 Mark and Al talk about how well the album’s final two tracks work together32:55 Mark acknowledges the contributions of Michael Fonfara and Jerry Penrod35:37 Mark explains why he decided to write Down River36:51 Mark talks about some discoveries that surprised him while researching the book39:44 Ackles has some devoted fans, including some well-known musicians43:24 Mark talks about his musical project GhostwriterOutro music is from “Often Forfeit” by Ghostwriter.Support the show
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203. Mac McCaughan Discusses New Order, Power, Corruption & Lies
Send us a textOn this episode, Superchunk frontman and Merge Records co-founder Mac McCaughan talks to Al about New Order’s 1983 album Power, Corruption & Lies. Mac discusses why he decided to buy Power, Corruption & Lies not long after it was released, even though he was largey unfamiliar with New Order’s music, and why the album has been a favorite of his for more than 40 years. He also talks about what he likes about New Order more generally and how he feels about the band’s discography as a whole. Mac explains how the theme for Superchunk’s new album, Songs in the Key of Yikes, came together, and he also alerts us to some other recent and upcoming releases on Merge Records.There’s a lot to keep up with for Mac, Superchunk and Merge Records, and here’s where you can best find out what’s happening.Mac on Instagram: @macsuperchunkSuperchunk website: https://superchunk.com/Merge Records on Instagram: @mergerecordsMerge website: https://www.mergerecords.com/Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. The first two episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum, and more episodes and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.1:19 Mac joins the show1:30 Mac highlights the aspects of Power, Corruption & Lies that appealed to him when he first listened to it7:23 New Order employs patience in their songwriting and arrangements9:05 Mac appreciates the human elements of Power, Corruption & Lies12:44 Mac explains how New Order created emotion differently from other bands from the ‘80s16:20 Mac mentions a few of the songs on the album that kept him coming back to it18:14 Mac thinks the mid-‘80s were as an especially good period for New Order20:38 Mac admires New Order’s arrangements23:08 Has Superchunk’s guitar sound been influenced by New Order?26:36 What does Mac think about New Order’s discography as a whole?29:49 New Order made great music, even when partying was a big priority for them31:19 Mac is impressed by the success that New Order had despite the lack of a gimmick36:40 Mac explains how Superchunk came up with the title for their new album39:59 Mac talks about the artwork for Songs in the Key of Yikes40:58 Mac talks about the addition of Laura King to Superchunk42:02 Mac mentions some recent and upcoming releases on Merge RecordsOutro music is from “Care Less” by Superchunk.Support the show
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202. Marshall Crenshaw Discusses Rock 'n' Roll Boogie (compilation)
Send us a textPower pop singer-songwriter extraordinaire Marshall Crenshaw joins Al to introduce him to the Rock ’n’ Roll Boogie compilation album, released in 2014 by Rapier Records. The compilation features songs released on the Fortune Records label in Detroit, mostly in the '50s and early '60s. Marshall talks about growing up listening to the label’s artists and how he became increasingly fascinated with Fortune Records over time. Marshall also provides an update on his Tom Wilson documentary, and he discusses his new album From “The Hellhole,” which includes reworked versions of songs he released previously, mostly during the 2010s.Marshall made a couple of mentions of a book about Fortune Records that he recommends—Mind Over Matter by Billy Miller and Michael Hurtt. You can purchase it here: https://www.abebooks.com/9781940157146/MIND-OVER-MATTER-Myths-Mysteries-1940157145/plp.Check out Marshall's website for music, tour info and much more at marshallcrenshaw.com. You can also keep up with Marshall on the following [email protected] on Instagram@marshallcrenshawofficial on Facebook@mcrenshaw on YouTubeThe first two episodes of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—are now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes, posts and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum. Also be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io.1:32 Marshall joins the show2:37 Marshall explains why he became a fan of Fortune Records and its artists4:59 Marshall provides some historical background on the labelSelected tracks from the album and label:11:32 Hi Ho Little Girl by The Terrigan Brothers12:37 Mind Over Matter by Nolan Strong15:45 Village of Love by Nathaniel Mayer16:32 Highland Park Girl by The York Brothers17:17 Elvis tributes/Andre Williams24:52 Marshall talks about the impact that the jukebox business had on popular music in the late ‘40s and ‘50s27:58 Fortune Records’ roster was a reflection of Detroit’s diversity and migration patterns30:58 Marshall pinpoints the moment when he realized the importance of Fortune Records34:03 Marshall explains what separated Fortune Records from other labels, like Chess and Sun37:07 Marshall talks about the status of his Tom Wilson documentary and the loss of director Sacha Jenkins46:41 Marshall explains how From “The Hellhole” came to be an album53:57 Marshall talks about his upcoming tour and reissuesOutro music is from “Driving and Dreaming” by Marshall Crenshaw.Support the show
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201. Cassie Wieland (Vines) Discusses A Winged Victory for the Sullen (self-titled)
Send us a textNew York-based composer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Cassie Wieland joins Al for this episode to introduce him to the 2011 self-titled debut album by A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Cassie talks about discovering this album during her college years and why it was an important album during that part of her life. She discusses how the album is compelling for her even though (or even because) it doesn’t make obvious demands for her attention. Cassie also delves into the process of making her first full-length album as Vines and making the transition from composer to songwriter.Learn more about Cassie’s music at https://www.vines.music/ and on her Bandcamp page at https://vinesmusic.bandcamp.com/.You can also follow Cassie and her Vines project on the following platforms:Instagram: @cassie__vinesTikTok and YouTube: @cassievinesCassie and Al had mentioned her upcoming performance at Basilica SoundScape 2025. Get more information about the festival at https://basilicahudson.org/programs/soundscape/.The first episode of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—is now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes, posts and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.Another way to support YMAAA is to buy the We Can Connect Through Music PDF guide. In just a few quick minutes, you can learn more about what your favorite music and your loved ones’ favorite music have in common. Learn more at https://almelchior.gumroad.com/l/wecanconnect.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.3:16 Cassie joins the show4:02 Cassie explains how her varied musical tastes evolved7:15 Cassie expounds on why she refers to her music as ambient9:55 Cassie talks about how AWVFTS was unlike anything else she had heard when first discovering it12:28 Cassie explains why listening to AWVFTS was helpful during her college years14:47 Listening to the album now brings Cassie back to certain moments in the past15:55 Cassie talks about one of her favorite elements of AWVFTS’ music18:19 Al had trouble getting past his perception of the album as lacking contrast23:48 Cassie likes that AWVFTS isn’t concerned with grabbing her attention24:51 There are “tiny moments” that Cassie looks forward to on the album26:45 Cassie talks about developing one’s own judgment about what good and bad music are34:40 Cassie appreciates the synergy she hears between AWVFTS’ two members36:25 Al was surprised by the hookiness of “Evicted”38:34 Cassie talks about writing instrumentals versus writing songs with lyrics40:52 Cassie discusses creating the shape of I’ll be here as a cohesive album43:54 Cassie recounts the process of writing “Evicted”46:01 Cassie talks about the making of the “Evicted” video50:40 Cassie discusses “being loved isn’t the same as being understood”’s viral moment52:54 Cassie talks about playing at Basilica SoundScape and other upcoming eventsOutro music is from “I’ll be here” by Vines.Support the show
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200. Audrey Golden and Gina Birch Discuss The Raincoats, Odyshape
Send us a textThis episode is all about the seminal punk band The Raincoats. Al is joined by The Raincoats’ co-founder Gina Birch and by author/journalist Audrey Golden, who wrote Shouting Out Loud: Lives of The Raincoats, which was published by Da Capo this July. Audrey and Gina discuss The Raincoats' 1981 sophomore album Odyshape, with Audrey talking about why the album holds a special place for her, and how The Raincoats have inspired generations of artists, from Kurt Cobain to Sleater-Kinney to Big Joanie. Gina discusses how the album marked an important period in her career as a musician, and she delves into her contributions on several of the album's tracks. Audrey also explains how she wound up writing a book about The Raincoats. Gina talks about the two solo albums she has released under her own name, including Trouble, which was released by Third Man Records in July.You can explore Audrey’s work, event schedule and more at audreyjgolden.com.Audrey’s socials…@audreyjgolden on Instagram and BlueskyTo check out Gina’s music, videos, tour info, merch and more, go to ginabirchmusic.com.Gina’s socials…@gina.birch on Instagram@ginabirch on YouTubeThe first episode of Bonus Tracks—YMAAA’s subscriber-only podcast series—is now available at patreon.com/youmealbum. More monthly episodes, posts and other good stuff are soon to come. Please consider subscribing! Your support will make it possible for Al to keep this podcast going.Another way to support YMAAA is to buy the Custom Music Connector PDF guide. In just a few quick minutes, you can learn more about what your favorite music and your loved ones’ favorite music have in common. Learn more at https://almelchior.gumroad.com/musicconnector.To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.2:15 Audrey and Gina join the show2:56 Audrey explains why she chose Odyshape for this episode6:54 Gina talks about The Raincoats’ first trip to New York and the instruments they bought from Manny’s14:17 Audrey recounts how The Kitchen Tapes were her introduction to The Raincoats17:52 Gina sees Odyshape as the album where she "found her wings” as a musician20:57 Gina talks about the three songs from Odyshape on which she sings lead vocals25:00 The Raincoats often sound like they are playing unconventional time signatures, even when they’re not30:41 How much does punk rock have to do with an attitude about musicianship?43:23 Audrey talks about Caroline Scott’s contributions to Odyshape and how they have added to The Raincoats’ legacy48:26 Gina points out the dialogue she and Vicky Aspinall have on “Family Treet”49:49 The title and artwork of Odyshape may have confused some listeners52:26 Audrey explains how she wound up writing and researching a book about The Raincoats57:29 Audrey discusses learning about The Raincoats’ political impact through her book research1:03:09 Gina expresses gratitude for the moments where she has been profoundly impacted by art1:04:17 Gina talks about the important role that The Slits played in her life1:07:12 DAWs made it easier for Gina to do solo work1:10:03 Gina reveals the origins of “I Play My Bass Loud”1:13:04 Gina talks about her live band, Gina Birch and The Unreasonables, and playing songs from Trouble live1:16:18 Audrey and Gina discuss their upcoming eventsOutro music is from “Doom Monger” by Gina Birch.Support the show
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