

1001 Album Complaints
The Chop Unlimited
Musicians give irreverent takes on "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", delivered every Monday morning.
We do all the research, help you better understand why you love the things you love, plus introduce you to new music and musical ideas you should care about. Want to sound informed, intelligent, and funny when talking about music, even the records you don't like? Want to laugh while you learn more about music production and music history? Then welcome to your new favorite weekly podcast.
We do all the research, help you better understand why you love the things you love, plus introduce you to new music and musical ideas you should care about. Want to sound informed, intelligent, and funny when talking about music, even the records you don't like? Want to laugh while you learn more about music production and music history? Then welcome to your new favorite weekly podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2023 • 1h 20min
The Story Behind: Talking Heads - 77, Ep 114
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Talking Heads met at art school and took the 70s New York scene by storm. They honed their sound as a trio before adding a 4th member and heading into the studio to record their debut album 77. The team discuss Spotify easter eggs, the melodic role of the bass guitar, and Lou Reed's sage advice to David Byrne.Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1dlP6KH0UCPaylOlbV0nhn?si=40db7b9e3f444b76Listen to Talking Heads: 77 here:https://open.spotify.com/album/0r7o2FeARRr23EZ0TJ0a8S?si=L_FlHItDSMqzHGYyU7nq9QIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Missy Elliott - Under Construction

Jul 10, 2023 • 1h 30min
The Story Behind: The Stooges - Funhouse, Ep 113
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Stooges were communists at home and anarchists on stage. The group that gave the world Iggy Pop flamed hot going into the recording of 1970's Funhouse, then crashed and burned in the years that followed. The boys welcome Rocker Conan Neutron as a special guest and discuss studio tracking strategies, stage presence, and scoliosis.Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 45+ bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsEmail us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aD7D6e7HvbLd2SdSWfxAW?si=a159ace853f94ebaListen to Funhouse here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5qhXaVIC5BdE4a5Kq1FMZG?si=qr_U6fv7QX23DdyrZslVfAIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Talking Heads - '77

Jul 3, 2023 • 1h 16min
The Story Behind: The Grateful Dead - American Beauty, Ep 112
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Grateful Dead had built a massive live following through incessant touring and long improvisations, but the early 1970s saw them begin to use the recording studio a bit differently. The boys come together for America's birthday week to discuss vocal harmony stacks, dueling lead singers, and 1970s song craft.Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 45+ bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsEmail us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1smkUXhkzB7WEeO7qGB14c?si=987a8e3d487b4905Listen to American Beauty here:https://open.spotify.com/album/7rqgm1BnAZ8I4d6hukpkdg?si=YCXmj40OSjO0diZDc0X5AwIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: The Stooges - Fun House

Jun 26, 2023 • 1h 12min
The Story Behind: T Rex - Electric Warrior, Ep 111
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. T Rex was already topping the charts in the UK when Marc Bolan set out to conquer America with Electric Warrior. The team discuss rhythm guitar tones, vocal take asides, and boot stomping.Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 45+ bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsEmail us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/34W9qEMSrNMLhAsnbiAalb?si=213483f4854543f8Listen to Electric Warrior here:https://open.spotify.com/album/4Yw5uS8at8GkWmH2gZmLY0?si=5l9YzLWLQB65ZhhvwbeahgIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: The Grateful Dead - American Beauty

Jun 19, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Story Behind: Thundercat - Drunk, Ep 110
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Thundercat is an undeniable virtuoso on his chosen instrument (bass) - this week we listen to his most successful solo outing and venture deeper into the man's strange psyche. The boys discuss 6 string bass, falsetto harmonies, and yacht rock pioneers. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28xxU7EzuXidxMJujdYHF7?si=5852b3d87d8f4602Listen to Drunk here:https://open.spotify.com/album/7vHBQDqwzB7uDvoE5bncMM?si=cGNN96U7SxaNmi7iVTVM-wIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: T Rex - Electric Warrior

Jun 12, 2023 • 1h 22min
The Story Behind: KISS - Destroyer, Ep 109
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. KISS was building a live following but still searching around for a hit record when they paired up with a new producer and headed into the studio for Destroyer. The boys talk about face paint options, bass tone in the mix, and the Bachman-Turner Overdrive effect. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4DNE2haWFZSgFFZwlAtPzA?si=64f59c27822942d6Listen to Destroyer here:https://open.spotify.com/album/59plsPcJYFlSA5ImekNQJ0?si=k0qlbIaHS9Wjf9DufJj4QAIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Thundercat - Drunk

Jun 5, 2023 • 1h 11min
The Story Behind: Van Morrison - Astral Weeks, Ep 108
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Van Morrison had a major hit record but almost zero name recognition when he assembled the songs for his cult hit Astral Weeks in 1968. The team discuss vibraphone, loose arrangements, and tasty jazz bass. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4KqeSMoFzp7uQR1EcBsGX1?si=0d42d84a0b1549e6Listen to Astral Weeks here:https://open.spotify.com/album/4pG3bKkbmReDt5QTDn3JDz?si=v10VtbSsTQq0lEhebwt_iAIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: KISS - Destroyer

May 29, 2023 • 1h 17min
The Story Behind: Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours, Ep 107
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Frank Sinatra shot to fame in the 1940s but his star was waning as the 1950s started off. Add a need to reinvent oneself artistically to a very public failing marriage and you get what might be the very first album as we now know it. The boys talk Celesta tones, 1930s songwriting, and singing at night. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3G8iVK05aMtuVdfBQL1sb0?si=61b6673c305442deListen to In the Wee Small Hours here:https://open.spotify.com/album/3GmwKB1tgPZgXeRJZSm9WX?si=fsfjQmpUTimYK-xER8f3qQIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

May 22, 2023 • 1h 15min
The Story Behind: Siouxsie and the Banshees - Juju, Ep 106
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Siouxsie and the Banshees were early post-punk darlings who simultaneously invented and eschewed a new genre called goth rock. The boys gather together live in the room and discuss Robert Smith, spitting at punk shows, and their latest cover band ideas.Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1AI2FICa3BYkau6pAgCV0E?si=7484d95147a3477bListen to Juju here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5OEum65e1HMGX51Ifu51Wb?si=Q5ZA3ytVS7y18N58cvUtwQIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

May 15, 2023 • 1h 5min
The Story Behind: Fun Lovin' Criminals - Come Find Yourself, Ep 105
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Fun Lovin' Criminals were working as bar backs when they got their earliest club gigs in New York. They sampled extensively and smashed together genres to become a major hit in the UK. The boys discuss hip hop lyricism, sampling workarounds, and one hit wonders of the 1990s. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1lyjCpl3gDAuDjj9FDWgoV?si=d80a0fa1dd114759Listen to Come Find Yourself here:https://open.spotify.com/album/2kLxemkoUhfXKvJ78MabBN?si=o6sOoQQ0TD2H4uYOZiN0cQIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Siouxsie And The Banshees - Juju


