The Album Years
Music is finite, opinions are endless. On The Album Years podcast, long term friends, collaborators and music nerds Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness discuss and bicker about their favourite music released during the golden album years, which they reckon to be from around 1965 to the end of the millennium. Each episode focuses on a single year picked at random. At the end of each episode they pick their personal favourites and the album they think had the most long-term impact on music. Can you guess which albums they will pick?
Latest episodes
Jul 28, 2020 • 52min
#7 (1979 Part 1) Gary Numan, Wire, Jethro Tull, Alex Chilton & more
The guys have so many albums to talk about that they decide it's got to be a double! So welcome to The Album Years: 1979, record one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 5, 2020 • 57min
#6 (1976) Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Lou Reed, Elton John & more
The heyday of punk and disco music is just around the corner, but one of Steven and Tim‘s favourite albums from this year is the very antithesis of both; an obscure solo homage to the English countryside by the bass player of a progressive rock band! Elsewhere 1976 proves to be another golden year for the duo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 12, 2020 • 54min
#5 (1967) The Beach Boys, Leonard Cohen, Donovan, Love & more
The duo make a case for 1967 being the single most significant year in the history of rock and pop, and discuss several genre defining albums, but conclude that Steven being born in this year actually eclipses them all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 7, 2020 • 56min
#4 (1984) David Bowie, Swans, Prince, Marillion & more
David Bowie, Swans, Prince, and Marillion talk about albums and influences in 1984, including 'Purple Rain', 'Who's Afraid of the Art of Noise?', and the impact of Live Aid.
May 29, 2020 • 49min
#3 (1992) Roger Waters, XTC, Nine Inch Nails & more
Roger Waters, XTC, and Nine Inch Nails discuss the lack of albums they unconditionally love from 1992. They explore the influence of CDs on album length and compare underrated vs incredible discoveries. They also examine the influence of David Bowie's 'Tin Machine', Moemus' singer-songwriter style, and the authenticity of XTC. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the evolution of artists and albums from the 80s to the 90s.
May 22, 2020 • 54min
#2 (1973) Roxy Music, 10cc, Todd Rundgren, David Bowie & more
Hosts discuss albums from the underappreciated side of 1973. Focus on music scene transition, unique English singer-songwriters, and a bleak depiction of chaotic relationships. Explore the overlooked Electric Light Orchestra album. Ambitious and experimental styles are praised.
21 snips
May 11, 2020 • 58min
#1 (1980) Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, The Durutti Column & more
Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, and The Durutti Column are among the guests. The hosts discuss the explosion of creative music in 1980, older artists producing their finest work, and try to enthuse each other about solo albums. They explore historical rock albums, the connections between 'Speaking in Tongues', 'Scary Monsters', and 'The Return of the Durutti Column', and the influence and experimentation of McCartney II and A Black Box. They also touch on the new wave of British heavy metal and the emergence of industrial music in 1980.
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