British pop/rock vocalist and songwriter Tasmin Archer joins Al to discuss Daniel Lanois’ 2003 album Shine. Tasmin talks about how she became a fan of Lanois’ music, and she breaks down the elements of Shine that make it one of her favorite albums, highlighting some of her favorite tracks along the way. She also revisits the making of her 1992 signature hit “Sleeping Satellite” and reveals which band indirectly influenced its sound. The conversation concludes with Tasmin talking about her upcoming album A Cauldron of Random Notes, which will be released in late 2024 or early 2025.
To keep up with news on Tasmin’s album release, sign up for her newsletter and much more, check out tasminarcher.com. You can also follow Tasmin on X at @tasminarcher and on Facebook at tasmin.archer.
Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.
1:15 Tasmin joins the show
1:45 Tasmin talks about the Lanois track that hooked her on his music
2:52 Tasmin recalls the moment she knew “Sleeping Satellite” was going to be special
5:13 Tasmin explains how she initially got exposed to Lanois’ music
7:52 Tasmin and Al talk about how they responded to the album’s sequencing
11:55 Tasmin explains how Shine gets better with repeated listens
14:03 Tasmin talks about the timeless quality of Lanois’ music
18:58 Tasmin identifies what she likes about Lanois’ vocals
24:59 “Shine” is one of Tasmin’s favorite tracks on the album
26:54 Tasmin and Al discuss “I Love You” and “Falling at Your Feet” (with a brief Genesis detour)
31:53 Tasmin and Al talk about Lanois’ take on reggae
34:56 Tasmin shares her reaction to some of Lanois’ lyrics
38:49 Tasmin expects that Lanois will continue to make great music
41:57 Tasmin explains how Lanois may have influenced some tracks on her new album
44:17 Tasmin talks about some of the other influences on “Madame Joy”
48:41 One of Tasmin’s new songs reminds her of U2
50:36 Tasmin discusses the process of making A Cauldron of Random Notes
58:57 Tasmin explains where the title for A Cauldron of Random Notes came from
1:00:57 Tasmin talks about her initial reaction to “Sleeping Satellite” as it was being written
1:03:55 Tasmin discusses the possibility of upcoming live performances
Outro music is from “Sleeping Satellite” by Tasmin Archer.
For this episode, Will Rigby—drummer for the seminal indie rock band the dB’s—introduces Al to Cheri Knight’s 1998 album, The Northeast Kingdom. Will talks about his experience of playing on the album, breaks down aspects of the recording process and discusses why he loves the album and is proud to have played on it. He also talks about the 2024 reissued versions of the dB’s first two albums, Stands for Decibels and Repercussion, and the band’s upcoming tour.
You can also follow the band on Instagram at @wearethedbs.
As Will mentions on the show, you can find his solo music on Bandcamp at willrigby.bandcamp.com.
Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:17 Will joins the show
2:36 Will talks about the trajectory of Cheri Knight’s musical career and his place in it
5:12 Will explains why he wanted to talk about The Northeast Kingdom
8:49 Will talks about the band Knight toured with
12:14 Knight’s experience with farming is a key theme of the album
15:32 Will and Al discuss one of Knight’s sequencing choices
19:48 Will talks about Steve Earle’s contributions to the album
151. Julia Massey Discusses The Black Tones, Cobain & Cornbread
Julia Massey—the vocalist and keyboardist for the Seattle-based band Warren Dunes—comes to YMAAA to discuss The Black Tones’ 2019 album Cobain & Cornbread. Julia talks about how Cobain & Cornbread is one of a small number of albums that are a part of her “musical DNA,” and why the album resonates with her so strongly. She also discusses her friendship with The Black Tones’ Eva Walker and how Eva has influenced her own music. Julia and Al try to categorize Warren Dunes’ sound and delve into their new album Aquamarine.
To keep up with Julia and Warren Dunes, be sure to follow them on Instagram at @warrendunesband. They are also on Facebook (@welcometowarrendunes) and X (@warrendunesband).
To keep up with Julia’s parrot, follow Bacon the Bird on TikTok.
Warren Dunes has a website, too! warrendunesband.com
For more information on Warren Dunes’ Pool Party Patreon, as discussed on this episode, go to patreon.com/warrendunes.
Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has accounts on Instagram and Threads at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:05 Julia joins the show
1:27 There are just a few albums that Julia goes back to again and again
4:18 Julia talks about her reaction after hearing Cobain & Cornbread for the first time
5:48 The album is a reflection of Eva’s personality
7:56 The songs on Cobain & Cornbread are deceptively long
10:31“Rivers of Jordan” and “The Key of Black (They Want Us Dead)” really grabbed Julia’s attention
61. (NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT) Sean Inderbitzen Discusses Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
NOTES: This episode includes some discussion of graphic and disturbing lyrics during the section on the track, “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.,” beginning at the 9:47 mark.
Also, there were some issues with audio quality on this episode. I apologize for the quality in some spots and hope you can bear with them (I think you’ll find it’s worth it!).
Behavioral health therapist Sean Inderbitzen joins Al for this episode, as he introduces him to Sufjan Stevens’ critically-acclaimed 2005 album, Illinois. Sean discusses why he chose this album and how he came to love it. Sean also delves into how he sees the album’s songs as a reflection of the times they were created in and the more timeless meaning that they hold for him.
1:32 Sean joins the show
1:44 Al explains how he and Sean know each other
3:28 Al consciously avoided listening to Sufjan Stevens’ work
4:21 It took Sean several years to appreciate Sufjan’s work
6:12 “Chicago” was the gateway for Sean “getting” this album
9:47 Sean is fascinated by “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.” (WARNING: Includes discussion of graphic and disturbing lyrics)
14:50 Sean and Al have a hard time finding something to compare Illinois to
18:59 The intensity of Illinois reflects the time in which it was made
22:09 Sean reflects more on the message of “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.”
Reactions to additional tracks
24:00 Casimir Pulaski Day
60. Mara Davis Discusses The Chicks, Taking the Long Way
Radio/TV/podcast host and talent booker Mara Davis introduces Al to the The Chicks’ (formerly The Dixie Chicks) Taking the Long Way, released in 2006. Several of the tracks address the backlash to lead singer Natalie Maines' comments about President George W. Bush made three years earlier, and Mara talked about how The Chicks’ response to the incident helped to make her a fan of the group. She also highlighted her favorite tracks on the album, discussed the Spotify-Joe Rogan-Neil Young controversy and talked about the VOTEHER podcast that she co-hosts with Georgia state senator Jen Jordan.
While you’ve got your podcast app open, you owe it to yourself to check out The Jump with Shirley Manson (Mara books the guests for this show!): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jump-with-shirley-manson/id1469077859
Follow Mara on Twitter! @maradavis
Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com
Al wrote a piece for Bandcamp Daily! It's about a Quasi song that has made Al rethink his ideas about the importance of achievement. You can give it a read here: https://daily.bandcamp.com/resonance/quasi-seal-the-deal-essay
59. Kevin Brown Discusses Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour
ESPN and Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Kevin Brown makes his return to You, Me and An Album, after first appearing on episode 15 (with Lindsey Adler) to discuss Oasis’ Definitely Maybe, This time, Kevin chose Kacey Musgraves’ 2018 album, Golden Hour. Kevin talked about how he got into this album, which tracks are his favorites and what makes this album one that he still goes back to listen to regularly.
Corrections and clarifications:
Kevin asked me how many other repeat guests have been on the show, and I wasn’t sure of the exact number. I can now confirm that he is the fourth guest to have appeared on two episodes of this podcast.
I referred to there being auto-tune at the beginning and end of “Oh. What a World.” Kevin noted that those sections featured vocoder, and in retrospect, I realized that I mistook vocoder for an auto-tuned vocal. I will be writing more on this in the upcoming edition of YMAAA: The Newsletter.
I misspoke in my analysis of “Happy & Sad” I said it was “simplistic but not simple,” but I actually meant to say it the other way around. In any event, I was just trying to say it’s a great song.
Be sure to follow Kevin on Twitter at @kevinnbrown and to read his posts at https://www.kevinreviewsthings.com/!
Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com
58. Annie Zaleski Discusses Arcadia, So Red the Rose
Music writer — and author of the 33 1/3 book on Duran Duran’s Rio — Annie Zaleski joins Al for a discussion of Arcadia’s So Red the Rose. In addition to diving into the album itself, Annie makes the inevitable comparisons with Duran Duran, from which Arcadia temporarily split off, and provides insight as to how the experience of making So Red the Rose may have impacted future Duran Duran recordings. Annie also talks about how she became a music writer and a Duran Duran fan, and the path leading to the publication of her Rio book.
Annie writes a lot of cool stuff! To keep up with it, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @anniezaleski.
Also, be sure to check out Annie’s website, anniez.com...
While you’re at it, there’s a whole bunch of books in Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series worth checking out: https://333sound.com/33-13-series/
Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
2:01 Annie joins the show
2:46 Annie started writing about music in high school
57. Jamie Campbell Discusses Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
I have had many exchanges with Jamie Campbell about music, and I have always found his observations interesting and informative, so I wanted to get him to share them on the show. He obliged for this week’s episode, in which we discussed one of his favorite albums — I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One by Yo La Tengo. In addition to discussing this album, Jamie talked about the role that radio played in shaping his musical tastes, and the formative role that ‘90s music played for him in general.
You can find Jamie and his musical commentary on Twitter at @spacegauche.
Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:20 Jamie joins the show
1:59 Jamie explains the baseball-related origins of Yo La Tengo’s name
4:11 Jamie really started digging into bands he liked in the early ‘90s
7:11 Both Jamie and Al listened to WHFS during formative music-listening periods
10:48 Jamie tells Al of WHFS’s demise
12:42 Al wonders why he doesn’t remember hearing YLT on the radio
13:42 Jamie became less reliant on radio as the ‘90s progressed
15:57 Little Honda was Jamie’s entry point into YLT
17:05 Becoming a YLT fan was a long-term project for Jamie
56. Meredith Tarr Discusses Rachael Sage, Character
Meredith Tarr of MPress Records (A&R, Label Promotions) joins Al for a discussion of Rachael Sage’s 2020 album, Character, but this episode is about a lot more than just digging into a beloved album. Meredith talks about the role she played in sequencing Character and, more generally about her professional relationship with Rachael, who is the president and founder of MPress Records. She also discusses the path that led her to the music business, as well as her journey as a music fan.
I made a reference to listening to Meredith’s interview with Gable Music Ventures. You can check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wba1V2JlEUo&t=696s
Meredith alerted us to Rachael’s YouTube page, but here's the URL for easy reference! https://www.youtube.com/c/rachaelsage
She also mentioned the video that captured the recording of Rachael's version of "Both Hands." You can find that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJC3-yLw2YI
And here is the lyric video for "Catch the Light" that Meredith worked on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b40AnXqEDS4
Follow Meredith on Twitter! She’s at @mpressmeredith.
Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
Al has recently launched You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter. You can subscribe for free to get Al’s monthly posts, but paid subscriptions give you access to weekly posts and much more. Please consider trying a paid subscription as it also helps to support this podcast! https://youmealbum.substack.com/
1:10 Meredith joins the show
1:30 Meredith brings a unique perspective to this episode
55. Nando Di Fino Discusses Judgment Night: Music from the Motion Picture
Fantasy sports writer and editor Nando Di Fino (currently The Athletic, previously CBS Sports, ESPN and others) joins Al for what is possibly their first-ever discussion about music, even though they’ve been friends and colleagues for more than decade. Nando chose the soundtrack from the movie, Judgment Night, as the topic for their conversation. Along the way, Nando discusses his mother’s record collection, his love of Christmas music and the extremely cool set of experiences he had when he was a student at Boston College.
I mistakenly said that the album features 22 different artists across 11 tracks, but Cypress Hill appears on two different tracks, so the total number of artists is 21.
Nando talked about a Christmas village in Washington state, and I guessed the location was George, but I think he was referring to Leavenworth.
The R.E.M. song I was trying to think of but inexplicably blanked out on was Radio Song, which featured KRS-One.
Nando made a reference to "Mistadobalina" by Del the Funky Homosapien. I did not realize until researching it that the titular line that is repeated throughout the song was originally recorded by The Monkees for their song, “Zilch.”
It's not too late (or early) to read the latest piece that Nando and Brandon Funston did on Christmas songs for The Athletic. Check it out here: https://theathletic.com/3001436/2021/12/16/top-100-christmas-songs-ranked-sias-instant-classics-ray-charles-at-no-1-plus-holiday-themed-playlists-and-more/
You can find Nando at Twitter at @nandodifino.
Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.
1:16 Nando joins the show
2:11 Nando and Al never talked about music…until now
26:16 Will and Al talk about the heavier sound of “Sweetheart”
27:14 Will delves into the guitar sounds on the album
Going into detail on specific tracks:
29:28 The Northeast Kingdom
38:12 The Hatfield Side
41:47 Dead Man’s Curve
43:19 Will thinks the band rehearsed just the right amount before recording the album
44:18 Will is also a fan of the cover art
45:47 Will talks about the reissues of the dB’s first two albums
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