

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

Jan 1, 2024 • 43min
The Best Tweets of 2023
As a special year end bonus - we compiled the best tweets of 2023, with lots of laughs and plenty of snark. Thank you all for everything!Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch Store

Dec 25, 2023 • 1h 28min
The Story Behind: The Band - Music from Big Pink, Ep 137
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Band were tight - as a touring unit and as friends. After some ups and downs on the road they decided to hole up in upstate New York and start writing what would become Music from Big Pink. The team discuss ragged harmonies, all American songwriting, and beautiful keyboard parts.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/70xdLEWV7UY3Kx19sqs0QR?si=c42c582e83514729Listen to Music from Big Pink here:https://open.spotify.com/album/0ky5kdvfPxSmSpj03hpSAE?si=yoTv8G6cScWnmTFEUT-1TQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Soft Cell - Non Stop Erotic Cabaret

Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 19min
The Story Behind: Megadeth - Rust in Peace, Ep 136
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Megadeth began the day Dave Mustaine got fired from Metallica and vowed revenge in the form of a harder, faster, louder band. The boys talk about technical solos, NEW video game soundtracks, and a lack of low end.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/122pEK7yMTfWuPKrI41IbA?si=669688030b454dc6Listen to Rust in Peace here:https://open.spotify.com/album/4e6ML9RBhDyyKTaTwbiRZv?si=utRdYE75TTeC1I1yAM3MlAIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: The Band - Music from Big Pink

Dec 11, 2023 • 1h 26min
The Story Behind: Portishead - Dummy, Ep 135
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Portishead wanted to combine the edgy moods of sampling with the visceral power of soulful singing, and their debut album from 1992 helped set an entire genre in motion. The team discuss converting your bass to fretless, close mic-ing you singer, and unorthodox record scratching, 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/2JNiJJzmAUvfmFOTajvzDW?si=1a7e5a620bf14724Listen to Dummy here:https://open.spotify.com/album/3539EbNgIdEDGBKkUf4wno?si=RiWWMLEMRRSahmpUu2OcPgIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Megadeth - Rust in Peace

Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Story Behind: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes, Ep 134
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Fleet Foxes came out the Seattle folk rock scene wanting to reinvent the soaring harmonies of the late 60s on their debut album for Sub Pop. The boys discuss lilting melodies, boomy bass drums, and Marty's fake band The Clap. 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/475JV5gix85msz9Umkxvy1?si=3ae745daf57b43b2Listen to Fleet Foxes here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5GRnydamKvIeG46dycID6v?si=2POQAQsRQmKxq1APfPlHPwIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Portishead - Dummy

Nov 27, 2023 • 1h 23min
The Story Behind: Steely Dan - Can't Buy a Thrill, Ep 133
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Steely Dan's core members circled each other for a few years before finally assembling the band in LA to make their debut album Can't Buy a Thrill. The fellows discuss the Rat Pro Co guitar tone, Becker bass flubs, and Chevy Chase.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/6XQHPX2HqF9aet54686OaL?si=0cdefb1ab78a4a46Listen to Can't Buy a Thrill here:https://open.spotify.com/album/6DlSUW5gmq6Byc3osKDJ2p?si=ivGZRdfNTKydak3KljhIMAIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 31min
The Story Behind: Pavement - Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, Ep 132
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Pavement helped define early indie music and their influences reach all the way to the present day, and this shines through on their 2nd album Crooked Rain Crooked Rain. The team discuss guitars that sound like an airplane landing, purposefully off-key vocals, and the magic of not caring what other people think.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/6ThB9w75782Z5f7ZlMWk03?si=1ea15314774d453fListen to Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain here:https://open.spotify.com/album/1XFNz6KIvLyIsLFOiLRKqP?si=iZMI9YbcSwqE4O9AXZZjFAIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Steely Dan - Can't Buy a Thrill

Nov 13, 2023 • 1h 33min
The Story Behind: Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced, Ep 131
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Jimi Hendrix landed in London an unsuccessful amateur but very quickly took the scene by storm. A band was hastily assembled around him and they went into the studio to cut a sea change album in Are You Experienced. The boys talk about horse meat, fake confidence, and (of course) 60s recording techniques.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/2JbIgzmK51F5I8MSzVEBlz?si=d80293b583da485eListen to Are You Experienced (original UK release recreation) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yqsxNbHin4JU8YfGrtuWe?si=a3fa56648c344dbaListen to Are You Experienced (bloated, with all the singles added) here:https://open.spotify.com/album/7rSZXXHHvIhF4yUFdaOCy9?si=_2U0MNwvQMOOYSxQHWQeYgIntro 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 home!Follow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain

Nov 6, 2023 • 1h 23min
The Story Behind: Radiohead - OK Computer, Ep 130
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Radiohead had early success but was starting to get disillusioned with the music industry when they started writing the material for their 3rd album OK Computer. The team discuss mellotron, pinching ideas from The Beatles, and recording in Dr Quinn's castle.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/40p7t4zcwhPUTkDYTW4RAL?si=93ad35a9f20a40b9Listen to OK Computer here:https://open.spotify.com/album/6dVIqQ8qmQ5GBnJ9shOYGE?si=0M0flprATPeWjJmOc_qTtQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001AC Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 25min
The Story Behind: Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime, Ep 129
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Minutemen came roaring out of the SoCal hardcore scene and proved that musicianship and punk weren't incompatible. The team discuss the importance of overdubbing, the nature of "punk" music, and how sincerity shining through is almost always a good thing. 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/6IW6s9P2s5m9QhMxXCvwvi?si=bee36ed1507e4ae9Listen to Double Nickels on the Dime here:https://open.spotify.com/album/5viZ5HyYtV0wafK7DoXmgF?si=5rft_h0VTw6tw82HSlxYRQIntro 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 @1001AlbumComplaintsWe have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.US Merch StoreUK Merch StoreNext week's album: Radiohead - OK Computer