Unsung Podcast

di Unsung Podcast

Episode 43 - Spirit of Eden by Talk Talk

Whether you know them as purveyors of 80s synth pop goodness or pre-post rock (yes, we understand that pre-post rock is a strange way to put it) pioneers, Talk Talk have left an indelible mark on music. Bands from all genres cite their influence. From the likes of No Doubt to Interpol, Sigur Ros to AFI, Talk Talk’s influential status is resolute. Well, it’s resolute to most people. On this episode David gives us a stirring defence of this most obtuse of albums; a jazzy, experimental rock album which spends most of the time being minimal and mellow as opposed to bombastic and loud. We take a deep dive into their discography (which is mercifully small compared to some of the recent episodes), and ponder if this really was the beginning of post rock as we know it. Mark sits on the fence whilst Chris pulls out something of a face turn as he tackles the album from an intellectual point of view. Do you agree? Vote on our Facebook page. Also, if you can spare a second, tell a friend!

Episode 42 - Blacks Sails in the Sunset by AFI

It’s punk-o-rama this week. Well, it’s not actually the punk-o-rama compilation or anything, but it is the first punk record we’ve covered a little while. Mark’s choice is ‘Black Sails in the Sunset’ by AFI, a band whose career has shifted in unexpected ways since their inception in 1991. From snotty skate punk to eyeliner soaked, Misfits aping goth-punk, straight through the mid 00s emo trend right up to their reinvention as a rock band with heavy synth-pop elements, AFI are an outfit who have followed their muse faithfully, never afraid to go in a different direction if the song demands it. Yet with such a fluid approach to genre as comes a mixed bag of success. 'Black Sails’ marks the midway point between their punk and goth vibes, channelling the Misifts but hinting at something more textured that seemed to lie just beyond. Mark attempts to make a case for why this is the best AFI record, before revealing how in depth analysis of it lead to a slight change of heart. Do you agree? Vote on our Facebook page. Also, if you can spare a second, tell a friend!

Episode 41 - City by Strapping Young Lad

We all love this record. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. It stands out in Devin Townsend’s oeuvre as being perhaps the single most focused and heaviest thing he’s ever done. It’s tight, almost organic feeling, and not a single not feels wasted. Townsend’s back catalogue is massive, so in this episode we wrestle with it as best we can, all whilst returning to the drive of the man himself. His discography goes in just about every direction you can imagine, but each new path he treads he seems to do so in the most extreme way possible. Over the top, ambitious and with an immense sense of humour, we felt that this album is what best represents Devin Townsend. Do you agree? Vote on our Facebook page. Also, if you can spare a second, tell a friend!

Episode 40 - W h o k i l l by tUnE-yArDs

One could say that W h o k i l l is, objectively speaking, a musically fascinating record. Whether or not these compositions and style resonate with you is a different matter. On this episode Chris picks this record and says it’s his “purest” musical choice yet. The reasons why are fairly clear - great hooks, weird song structures and composition that don’t feel overbearing, a multitude of different layers and textures, wonderful attention to detail and stunning production. However, on the other side of the fence, both Mark and Weaver find it difficult to grab on to. Both are able to appreciate the things that are happening on this record, and agree that Merrill and Nate are extraordinarily talented musicians, however they both felt there was nothing to latch on to here. We also return to the topic of cultural appropriation again, particularly as this is something which has followed the band around with each album. Is it possible to draw a line between what’s deemed as reverence and appropriation? We’re not sure. Is this the best example of tUnE-yArDs work? Should it be entered into our discography? Vote on our Facebook page!

Episode 39 - Ignoto by Yourcodenameis:milo

Yourcodenameis:milo are one of the most fondly remembered bands which were part of the post hardcore influenced Britrock that made up the popular end of the British alternative music scene at the start of the century. And rightly so, they packed a ton of ideas into their music and were years ahead of most of their contemporaries when it came to the more technical aspects of the craft. This week we talk this album and the band’s history. Questions are asked about how they seemed to spring out of nowhere, releasing their music on major labels and then vanishing. Weaver gives us a history of the band and puts in an impassioned case for why this record needs to go into our discography. You can decide its fate by voting on our Facebook page.

Episode 38 - La Roux by La Roux

Sometimes we talk about popular records on this podcast. By popular we mean “has sold a boatload of copies” and La Roux certainly falls into the category of having sold a boatload of copies. Indeed, the Mercury Award nominated, Grammy Award winning, platinum selling artist could also be comfortably described as popular in just about any capacity you care to think of. Chris, whilst not disagreeing with this (and to be fair we’ve touched on other albums which have sold as many if not more than that this record did), believes this record is overlooked because of its perception as a pop record. He puts in an impassioned shift here, explaining how this album is actually way more than the sum of its parts. Weaver fundamentally disagrees, and what follows is a truly interesting conversation on what popular music is, what our discography should or shouldn’t entail, and where we draw that line. We do also talk about some of the bangers on this album because there’s at least a few on it. Is this Unsung? You can let us know by voting on our Facebook page.

Episode 37 - We are the Romans by Botch

If you like hardcore/metalcore/mathcore/heavy music you know of Botch. You know how good this record is. You don't need us to convince you otherwise. If you haven't heard it, then you should rectify that immediately. Botch set the blueprint for modern metallic hardcore as we know it. Most bands since have taken a lot from this record. Listening to it now, especially if you haven't heard it before like Mark, sort of feels like walking into an old, pristine home and immediately feeling comfortable in your surroundings. For a band that only existed for 8 years, they sure left their mark on music. They've since scattered and went on to create a huge variety of music, some similar, some totally different to Botch. What you need to know here is that we unanimously agree on this record. On the episode we dive into their history before dissecting the record, revelling in its daring, brutal glory. Vote on our Facebook page.

Episode 36 - A Healthy Distrust by Sage Francis

More hip hop is good for the soul. Or something. This week we take on our third hip hop album in the form of Sage Francis' 'A Healthy Distrust'. This album, his second, was his first release on Epitaph records, marking the label's first foray into hip hop. Showcasing a darker sonic palette than his previous release, 'Personal Journalist', this record finds Sage doubling down on the political and personal content, whilst creating a dense, paranoid soundscape that captures the sound of a post 9/11 world very well. Chris remains the whitest guy in the room on this episode as Mark and Weaver do the driving, discussing his back catalogue and how his sound has evolved over the years. We also talk a little about cultural appropriation and wonder if the world really needs another three white guys talking about hip hop. Is this his best album? Only you can decide. Vote on our Facebook page.

Episode 35 - Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden

To borrow a quote from the episode? "Why the fuck are we talking about Iron Maiden?" "Because they're fucking Iron Maiden!" It's a fair point. Can a band as big as Iron Maiden ever be Unsung? Weaver pulls out all the stops as he puts forward the case as to why the first Iron Maiden album is not only their unsung classic, but their best album without question. We really get into it with this episode. Chris hates Maiden and everything they stand for, whilst Mark, an unabashed Maiden fan, revels in the jousting and drops some knowledge of his own. The Foo Fighters' Nexus gets a bit fruity this week, and everyone agrees at how much of a massive arsehole Paul Di'anno is. Is this their best album? Is it even an unsung classic? Vote below.

Episode 34 - Whatever You Love, You Are by Dirty Three

Warren Ellis and co. have contributed quite a lot to the Australian musical landscape. Indeed, many would say that it is Ellis' penchant for Celtic rhythms and Eastern European grooves that gives Dirty Three an identity that stands apart from the weird, seemingly generic landscape or Australian music. His work with Nick Cave on both the Bad Seeds' music and film scores cements him as a kind of of neo-Western figure, a man whose singular drive and vision has expanded beyond the realms of rock music. His compatriots Mick Turner and Jim White stand in similar stead, adding to the mythos of the band, both of them standing alone as visionary musicians whose musical development has been chronicled on tape as part of this illustrious trio. No one can deny this band's talent. As individual players they are wonderful, as unit they are nothing short of sublime. Dirty Three craft music which is heartfelt, melancholic, textured and intelligent without being difficult. Both Chris and David agree that this is their defining moment. Should this be added to our discography? Vote below.

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