ALBUMBLE

17 Meat Is Murder by The Smiths

In this episode we 'celebrate' the 40th anniversary of The Smiths only chart-topping number 1, Meat Is Murder. Known, but not as well known as some of their other releases, this album has a slightly unusual collection of songs in terms of song style, song meaning, song tempo and song length but is possibly more known for the 'political' nature of the lead song and the album artwork.
This was their second studio album and spawned a rather disparate and not too well-known number of singles but the title track certainly captured headlines and hearts.  As we discuss, many of the songs had that stereotypical dreary Smithsness but there are a few rather chipper - almost pop - numbers proving they were more than just a one note band. In addition we also note that the tracks start to strengths of all of the band members not just Morrissey and Marr!
Our news round up is mostly taken up with Joost news! As always though, we reveal of the next albumble album which is a bit different as this album is literally days old as of recording!
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Meat Is Murder is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of The Smiths' work and whether you agree with our views !!

16 Smart by Sleeper

This episode sees us return to albums and back to the 90s, although for both of us, this wasn't something either of us had on our discmans (discmen?!?!) at the time of release
Sleeper got swept in with the cool kids of Britpop and their debut album has lyrics that are very of their time but, as we discuss, there is a little more too it than that. Smart was certified gold and spawned 4 singles although many of these went under the radar. We also realise many of the themes are much ruder that one might have anticipated and the nuances of a couple of tracks were possibly before their time. Maybe the Sleeper train was piled on because there was a strong female influence but that point of view is something that obviously needed airing!
Our news round up is very short this week as there is not much news going on! As always though, we reveal of the next albumble album which like Smart is also celebrating an anniversary!! 
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Smart is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Sleeper's work and whether you agree with our views !!
 

15 Shine On Me [EP] by Boys Wonder

This EP, of sorts, has an amazing back story - a story I felt needed to be shared on the podcast. Boys Wonder was a short lived band during the late 80s but their music wasn't really the expected 80s fayre which probably led to the band's downfall.
The London band released a small handful of songs during their tenure and although an album was mooted, it never materialised. But 35 years after their 'heyday' the band seemed to come back into prominence with people reconnecting with the tracks they loved but also a new batch listeners discovering the band's small but perfectly formed output... Soooooo what did happen all those years ago? Listen on to find out!
The Shine On Me EP is actually a modern release which combines some of their original single releases. The four tracks show a thematic similarity but also brings together a shedload of disparate influences which may explain their pull to the modern audience. We start with a brief recap over past ALBUMBLE reviews and the TV tunes we loved and loathed.
To fully immerse yourself in the ALBUMBLE podcast, listen to the release yourselves (Shine On Me EP is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Boys Wonder's work and whether you agree with our views !!
 

14 Next Day Shipping [EP] by Adult DVD

The run of EPs continue but this time a much more modern affair with the newcomers Adult DVD. This six-piece combo, who are originally from Leeds, have an abrupt and in-your-face (or should that be in-your-ears?) sound which embraces a realm of modern, quirky and retro edges. 
The band were formed in Leeds at the turn of the 2020s and have a small but perfectly formed back catalogue of individual song releases and bulkier EP offerings... Surely a decent sized long player is only around the corner!. The band's sound has an indie edge but an electronic sensibility, plus as you will hear what they sound like and what they look like do not necessarily gel!
Next Day Shipping is five tracks long and sets out their stall for their musical vision but is this a collection of disparate tracks, a homogenous gloop of similar things or something in between? To find out our opinion - listen on! We start with some very weird cultural chat and a very brief look at something that happened on the cusp of the new year. Remember to listen to the end to get the heads up on the next EP we're reviewing!
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the release yourselves (Next Day Shipping EP is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Adult DVD's work and whether you agree with our views !!
 

13 One [EP] by Mansun

Happy New Year to you all!
We start of this busy time of year by indulging in another EP this time by lesser known North-West indie band Mansun. The band were seemingly a fan of the EP format as they released a slew of them during their tenure; sequentially and numerically named all the way from 1 to 14!!!!
Although they were around as a band for a fair while before and after the height of the fame in the latter part of the 1990's, they are mainly known for two, maybe three songs. This is a little unfair as the band actually had fourteen top 40 hits, nine of them getting into the top 20! Their sound is very much in tune with the Brit Pop scene of the time but they had a slightly rockier, guitar-infested sound which sometimes came across a bit on the Prog side, sometimes on the funk side.
The EP we discuss today has four tracks... or is it five....? Whichever side of the debate you are on, it seems fair to say this is (quite literally if you are talking about 7" releases) an EP of two sides. Some of the tracks appear to be the typical Britpop indie fayre but some of it seems a bit more melodic - almost funky -  but some how leaves us wondering... well.... listen on and find out!!!
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the release yourselves (One EP is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of IMansun's work and whether you agree with our views !!

12 Lagos Paris London [EP] by Yannis & The Yaw ft Tony Allen

Instead of albums, starting with this unpigeonhole-able release from the front man of Foals,  we are going to be whipping out a range of EPs for us to peruse over. It is a busy time for us (and most of you!) at this time of year and this allows everyone a break from without stopping the podcast.
Yannis Phillippakis is joined on this recording by the drummer from the very first Afrobeat combo - Africa 70 - the late Tony Allen who has collaborated with a long list of musicians and singers spanning a wide range of genres and nationalities. We tap into how and why these two came together and also why it took so long between the recording the tracks in 2020 and their release in 2024.
This may well only be a 5 track offering but it soon becomes clear that if you were expecting an Afrobeat record, or an indie record, or a funk record, or a jazz record; this EP none of those things and all of those things at the same time.

11 A Song For Eurotrash by Various Artists

This month sees the first reviewed album on the podcast that is not by a set artist or act. This album from 1998, was not only a homage (I think...?!?!) to the Eurovision Song Contest but also a tie-in to the late night Channel 4 programme in the UK, Eurotrash.
The album contains a range of Eurovision and Eurovision adjacent fayre and might have left many people watching the accompanying episode or listening to the album how or why they got these acts to do these songs.... Some songs are straight covers, some are brand new songs but there are also a couple of old songs that snuck in under the radar. This CD, as was the TV show, was all VERY 90s and therefore some of it has not aged well... In fact some of the ideas were questionable to begin with... 
We have a very short news round up at the start and finish with the reveal of the next review (which also a bit of a first!) but will be the last of 2024!
This particular album is not available on streaming services but the "A song for Eurotrash" TV episode is findable on youtube as are many of the individual songs too. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Interactive's work and whether you agree with our views !!

10 Touché by Interactive

In a strange Quantum Leap-esque straddle from the previous episode, we stay in Germany *and* with the Forever Young theme as Andy asks us all to listen to the mid-90s rave combo Interactive.
Although not the most known electronic dance artists (especially outside of Germany), Interactive's work comfortably spans the realms of hardcore/techno/hard trance/commercial chart music and creates a sound that many do not initially think of when they are asked to dwell on the 90's European dance scene. There are plenty of lyrics - most of which are not that repetitive - some pleasant earworms, multifarious tunes and a varied array of layered electronic instrumentals.
Our news round up is very short this week and ends up being more of an ESC advert! As always though, we reveal of the next albumble album which is VERY different to anything we've reviewed before! 
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Touché is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Interactive's work and whether you agree with our views !!
 

Farty or Party 2024 - ep3

ALBUMBLE BONUS EPISODE ALERT !!!
It's that time again! It is time for Junior Eurovision 2024!
17 countries will be looking to win the contest that is being held in Madrid, Spain. We quickly discuss why it's being held in Spain and the make up of this year's contest.
Ann and Andy are joined by their 9 year old Marcus who, if you have listened to previous FOPs, has an extremely good track record in picking the acts and songs that will do well.
In episode three we review songs from, in alphabetical order:
France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy and San Marino...and reveal our Farty Or Party review winner!!!!!
This year, jESC is being held on a Saturday - namely November 16th at 6pm UK time. Don't worry if your country is not taking part, you can still watch and even vote...!!!!
Go to the official channel at junioreurovision.tv for more info !

Farty or Party 2024 - ep2

ALBUMBLE BONUS EPISODE ALERT !!!
It's that time again! It is time for Junior Eurovision 2024!
17 countries will be looking to win the contest that is being held in Madrid, Spain. We quickly discuss why it's being held in Spain and the make up of this year's contest.
Ann and Andy are joined by their 9 year old Marcus who, if you have listened to previous FOPs, has an extremely good track record in picking the acts and songs that will do well.
In episode two we review songs from, in alphabetical order:
Armenia, Germany, Malta, North Macedonia, Poland and Ukraine
This year, jESC is being held on a Saturday - namely November 16th at 6pm UK time. Don't worry if your country is not taking part, you can still watch and even vote...!!!! Go to the official channel at junioreurovision.tv for more info !