

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

Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 41min
The Story Behind: Christina Aguilera - Stripped, Ep 205
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Christina Aguilera went from pre-teen singing phenom to Disney channel star and then decided she wanted to make a different kind of music. The team get together to discuss genre-hopping, excessive vamps, and the challenges of pop stardom. Buy your ticket to see guys live in person at The Beverly Crushers album release show in San Francisco - https://linktr.ee/thebeverlycrushersJoin our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/4mG0iAYAapqdj2Fjqiusdz?si=c568d266321e4cd9Listen to Stripped here:https://open.spotify.com/album/2USigX9DhGuAini71XZEEK?si=S5hzJg5JQK2TzpYcAIKQFAIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 35+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand

Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 43min
The Story Behind: Janis Joplin - Pearl, Ep 204
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Janis Joplin dreamed of being a famous blues singer and moved from Texas to San Francisco to make it happen. The guys discuss psych rock's delta blues origins, 70s keyboard aesthetics, and the importance of repertoire.Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/08qd0HzabRiv7K5PFWhxzM?si=92e36b3d649f4390Listen to Pearl here:https://open.spotify.com/album/6JltsW8Goc3cZQ0GOtTX2z?si=z8X3i6fiTGWtV6YNHinDPQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Christina Aguilera - Stripped

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 24min
The Story Behind: Fugees - The Score, Ep 203
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Fugees took a big label advance and built a studio in their New Jersey basement so they could relax and take their time making The Score. The fellows get together to discuss low harmonies, creative sample repurposing, and yodeling in hip hop.Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/7DWXG1SkW8VBSbxuhEGIFP?si=73315a109dbb441bListen to The Score here:https://open.spotify.com/album/4z6F5s3RVaOsekuaegbLfD?si=J0_JhYpRQMGWmfFLT4QfOQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Janis Joplin - Pearl

Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 36min
The Story Behind: Sex Pistols - Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, Ep 202
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Sex Pistols arose from a clothing store in London and rode a wave of controversy straight to the top on their debut album. The team discuss partial bass playing, political jabbering in punk, and rolling your R's as a frontman.Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/37NOJ4dKmrYEzYv27cCGmI?si=7445edc276c249edListen to Nevermind the Bollocks here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5fxYu3rqjCNTSPKN8mtEl2?si=eEsgF_xTRfWQt8sELV-r9AIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Fugees - The Score

Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 28min
The Story Behind: The Beverly Crushers - Enterprise
The Beverly Crushers themselves (Rob and Tom from 1001 Album Complaints) recount how a modern indie band makes and releases a record. Plus we answer listener submitted questions about the process - from songwriting to arrangment to track order and mixing decisions. Buy a copy of The Beverly Crushers "Enterprise" (Rob and Tom's new album) and have a chance to pick what album we cover next Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaintsEmail us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to Enterprise here:https://open.spotify.com/album/4AKRFZ3Z0r6dg544WKF7FK?si=c0eP3rOITO2wTCSGrHdxZQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 30min
The Story Behind: David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars SIDE 2, Ep 201
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. David Bowie finally locked in on a way to connect with the record buying public - by transforming himself into an alien savior / fame monster. The guys continue their 200th episode celebration and talk about unintelligible but cool lyrics, the melodic bass of Trevor Bolder, and those persistent sharp 4th notesJoin our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/4WZR9SJmpBnZljWNej5BQm?si=dbd81bad8a034df1Listen to Ziggy Stardust here:https://open.spotify.com/album/48D1hRORqJq52qsnUYZX56?si=ClTGG7-sR7Kr3LH1nzmDlQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: The Sex Pistols - Nevermind the Bollocks

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 28min
Our 200th Episode! The Story Behind: David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: SIDE 1
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. David Bowie wanted to be a star. It took a few tries but after changing his name and shaving his eyebrows off, he finally made it. The boys celebrate a big milestone episode and discuss methods for learning vocal harmony, ancient Egyptian religions, and vocal cord rupturing single takes,Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/32VqnBD5EYWflsreOc7YVs?si=db867ef7a24c4a80Listen to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars here:https://open.spotify.com/album/48D1hRORqJq52qsnUYZX56?si=5xRs7WweRdaGwa07QsmxMQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: SIDE 2

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h 47min
The Story Behind: Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral, Ep 199
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Nine Inch Nails was born from the late night studio experiments of Trent Reznor, who rocketed to stardom in the early nineties with this sonically experimental and lyrically provocative album. The boys discuss Trent's rural Pennsylvania beginnings, early ProTools workflows, and the importance of twisting up samples so as to be unrecognizableJoin our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/5WMPhYkRf7F0sH6Vi3eztx?si=5c91e3592a6d472aListen to The Downward Spiral here:https://open.spotify.com/album/7a7arAXDE0BiaMgHLhdjGF?si=R2YGEMcIRPaHsW10fDBJywIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

Mar 7, 2025 • 48min
BONUS: Song Battle: The Best #1 Hit of 2024 - Episode 1 (of 5)
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Song Battle is our Patreon-only bonus show where contestants select songs to compete in a bracket system and over the course of 5 episodes we pit them against each other to determine the one true winner in Episode #5. The theme for this Song Battle is 2024 #1 HitsAnd if you enjoyed this - you can access Episodes #2-#5 right now over at: https://www.patreon.com/1001albumcomplaintsAnd, once you're a Patreon member - you can access all of our bonus content immediately (30 + hours of it) either through Patreon app directly or through this Spotify feed which is locked for everyone who's not also logged into Patreonhttps://open.spotify.com/show/5yuPJugWxYoMaY7Re4dLpc?si=e555373c32e3455bListen to / Support The Beverly Crushers "Enterprise" (Rob and Tom's new album)Here's a playlist of all 16 songs we cover in this edition of Song Battle:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67D4nDPmN4A04XcfB39Di6?si=36428533eb6c449eAnd here's our standard "random mentions" playlist for the songs that get referenced throughout the series: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5WeAqIiLXy4eLpldcQEJua?si=a89b8489945140ed

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 34min
The Story Behind: Harry Nilsson -Nilsson Schmilsson, Ep 198
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Harry Nilsson ping-ponged through the songwriter-for-hire business and got some very famous admirers in the process before finding critical success with his breakthrough hit Nilsson Schmilsson. The fellas welcome an old friend and discuss half-baked song structures, detuned bass parts, and what song to listen to while crying in the Target parking lot. Check out Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends new record here: https://neutronfriends.bandcamp.com/Listen to / Support The Beverly Crushers "Enterprise" (Rob and Tom's new album)Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/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/27F7FcKq7sB5DoAKDp7m7q?si=06aa30fedec24ec7Listen to Nilsson Schmilsson here:https://open.spotify.com/album/3EfpOFKjotrMQTFTnxrXaB?si=90KmR8hhTZetT1PSyo6J7gIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsJoin us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral


