Shows
ALBUMBLE22 Look At Us Now by GustaphIn a strange turn of events, Andy - not Ann - chose an album with Eurovision connotations, furthermore with Liverpool Eurovision connections. Stef Caers AKA Gustaph could well be described as the Nico Hulkenberg of Belgian pop: almost 20 years after their first foray into showbusiness they finally got the success they deserved.
The album uses the catapult of the Eurovision hit to explore the wider corners of the dance/pop genre with a generous dollop of LGBTQIA+ storytelling on top. Discussions also look into which people and songs possibly influenced the song writing, possible reasons for the tra...2025-07-1643 minALBUMBLE21 Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti PolittiIt was Ann's choice of album this time and we delve into the back catalogue of a band that was lightly weaved into the fabric of 80s - and 70s and 90s - music but has never truly received the plaudits they deserve. In this iteration we see the band evolve from communist punkers to slick funk samplers.
During the episode we talk (not in much detail as we would be here for weeks) about how, on the surface, this album seems like a radio friendly slice of sturdy funk-pop but below the surface there are philosophical...2025-07-0149 minALBUMBLE20 Partie Traumatic by Black KidsWelcome back to a more modern episode of ALBUMBLE.
We look back to the late 2000's and a bit of American indie pop rock with more than a shake of Britishness on the top. Black Kids hailed from Jacksonville, Florida and the band's multi-ethnic and mixed-gender make up seemed to give their music a unique edge and viewpoint culminating in this album which was the band's second release.
The album has a definite sound, without feeling too samey - although we feel some themes and ideas could have been pushed through little bit more. We...2025-06-1641 minALBUMBLE19 Headquarters by The MonkeesWe are back!!!!
After our short yet slightly stressful Eurovision break we look back over the last few weeks and have a quick round up of news regarding some of our past ALBUMBLE alumni. On the subject of this podcast, we delve into the 60's with an album by The Monkees. "Headquarters" was the band's third album - and the third that reached number 1 on the Billboard album chart - although it contained a lot of firsts for the band as musicians.
Mickey, Peter, Mike and Davy were originally cast as a fictional band for...2025-06-0142 minALBUMBLESOA2025-6Welcome back to the final Shite Or Alright for 2025!
We start off this last - and hopefully exciting - episode by noticing if the similarity between seemingly disparate jingles may actually be by design. Ann also dumps the idea of Eurovision Tariffs because the EBU might be able to get some extra funding and expertise by appearing on a certain BBC business show...
Once we have our final show winner we look at all six heat winners and decide who is our "champion of champions" who will surely - almost definitely - will not be winning...2025-04-2659 minALBUMBLESOA2025-5Welcome back to episode 5 of Shite Or Alright 2025!
Andy starts the podcast by revealing he has some kind of Eurovision malaise but don’t worry he has a belated Belgium-related fix to relieve it. We swiftly begin the judging with a lot of explaining to do as it has ended up being a rather loaded episode!!!!
So here we go!
SHOW 5 - THE YEAR OF THE PLINTH
Albania, France, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands & Serbia
He does all the film voiceovers
It's good - but it's not right
Under the ausp...2025-04-2250 minALBUMBLESOA2025-4Welcome back to Shite Or Alright for 2025!
We start the podcast by considering how good Gilles de Coster, the Belgian host of “De Mol”, is at keeping secrets and a convincing straight face but that is all after relating the Monty Hall problem to why USB ports are so random… We eventually get onto the job at hand and judge some Eurovision songs… with some rather surprising results!!!!
So here we go!
SHOW 4 - DANCERS AND CYCLISTS CAN'T SING
Cyprus, Greece, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal & Slovenia
Ammonite contempowaft
Greater than the sum of...2025-04-1857 minALBUMBLESOA2025-3Welcome back to Shite Or Alright for 2025!
We start by wondering of the recent rise in talk about 'tariffs' could be leveraged in Eurovision and think about the categories of Eurovision tropes that could be incentivised and sanctioned so the entrance fee for the contest could be slightly negotiated. After that we judge 6 of this year's crop from 0 to 5 and find a show winner!
So here we go!
SHOW 3 - AN EXPLANATION OF URINAL CAKES
Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Sweden, & United Kingdom
A till from the Grace Brothers
They c...2025-04-1553 minALBUMBLESOA2025-2Welcome back to Shite Or Alright for 2025!
We talk about why we didn't really see Nemo coming for the win last year (I blame trains) but that 's after we start with a brief sojourn into reaction videos - and not just Eurovision ones - before Andy and Ann give their views on each song & performance giving them a score from 0 to 5.
So here we go!
SHOW 2 - SWEEP FOR ESC 2026
Armenia, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia & Norway
"Swashbuckle" graphics
A fan of Blue Peter
Enya... on drugs
...2025-04-1245 minALBUMBLESOA2025-1Shite Or Alright is back for another year!
On our return to review the 2025 Eurovision songs, we have a brief moment to recall the (mostly not so nice) events of ESC 2024 and frame the themes and memes we have in store in 2025. We begin with why there are 37 songs on the menu and not the expected 38, why we're only reviewing 35 of them and why some countries are on a final warning.... After each clip Andy and Ann give their views and give them a score from 0 to 5.
So here we go!
SHOW 1 - HOLDEN'S...2025-04-0954 minALBUMBLE18 Service Station at the End of the Universe by Antony SzmierekIn this last episode before a Eurovision break we review a brand new album!!! This is Antony Szmierek's second album although it has been four years since their debut effort. He has been on the scene making waves not in the form of releases but more in the form of live shows and tours.
Former teacher Szmierek takes us for a ride (not like that!) to the world of the service station and is able to pull apart, visualise, imagine and dissect who is there, why are they here and what will happen next. The album itself...2025-03-1651 minALBUMBLE17 Meat Is Murder by The SmithsIn 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, m...2025-03-0252 minALBUMBLE16 Smart by SleeperThis 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...2025-02-1646 minALBUMBLE15 Shine On Me [EP] by Boys WonderThis 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...2025-02-0235 minALBUMBLE14 Next Day Shipping [EP] by Adult DVDThe 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 s...2025-01-1634 minALBUMBLE13 One [EP] by MansunHappy 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...2025-01-0130 minALBUMBLE12 Lagos Paris London [EP] by Yannis & The Yaw ft Tony AllenInstead 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 a...2024-12-1638 minALBUMBLE11 A Song For Eurotrash by Various ArtistsThis 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...2024-12-0158 minALBUMBLE10 Touché by InteractiveIn 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...2024-11-1647 minALBUMBLEFarty or Party 2024 - ep3ALBUMBLE 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:
2024-11-1033 minALBUMBLEFarty or Party 2024 - ep2ALBUMBLE 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:
2024-11-0840 minALBUMBLEFarty or Party 2024 - ep1ALBUMBLE BONUS EPISODE !!!
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 one we review songs from, in alphabetical order:
...2024-11-0739 minALBUMBLE09 Forever Young by AlphavilleWe go back to 1980's West Germany as Ann unveils the totally underrated and under-the-radar band Alphaville and their 1984 debut album "Forever Young".
Depending on where you are (or where you where in the mid 80s) you will probably know them for a different hit depending on what was released and pushed in your region! Their moniker of being a 'one hit wonder' really does not do this band justice as their music was powerful and memorable while their song writing skills were possibly passed over at the time. As we discover, you might *think* you know...2024-11-0149 minALBUMBLE08 Tilt by The Lightning SeedsAndy's choice this month takes us back to the Liverpool music scene and to the talents of Ian Broudie in the guise of The Lightning Seeds.
Although best known for their jangly pop numbers and some '90s football/adjacent songs, their 5th studio album "Tilt" was their first new music LP after the release of their Greatest Hits album. It seems that the band were taking some risks and avenues that were slightly unexpected for the general public which resulted in a rather subdued chart performance for the album and its singles releases... and as you...2024-10-1653 minALBUMBLE07 Fryslân by Joost KleinIt's the start of the month so it was Ann's choice and sooner or later Eurovision had to come into it! We listened to "Fryslân" by Joost Klein
Joost had been well known in his native Netherlands through his YouTube exploits as a teen. Slowly but surely he transitioned into using music to connect to the world and connect us to *his* world. Released in 2022, the album is a surprise mish-mash of styles although the majority of the album is deep in his electronic roots. More importantly, the albums touches upon Joost's life story which he p...2024-10-0156 minALBUMBLE06 Killjoy by Coach PartyIt was Andy's choice this time, and he brought to the table our most recent and up-to-date album yet - "Killjoy" by British indie band Coach Party.
Although the album is very much based in the 21st century there are definitely some call backs to the original emergence of the indie genre in the late 80s and 90s. It is a relatively short album which makes for a nice short and snappy podcast!
At the end of the pod, Ann reveals the album to be reviewed for the next podcast and plugs the potential of s...2024-09-1632 minALBUMBLE05 The ArchAndroid by Janelle MonáeIn episode 5 Ann chooses a modern RnB gem which not only tells, nay continues, a track-by-track story but also acts as a show reel of genre swishing singular songs.
Needless to say blues and soul is not usually our first choice of music and although this album has some mega highlights, neither of us are afraid to highlight its pinch points.
We also start with a bit of a news round up regarding news from some of our previous albumble artists!
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the a...2024-09-0153 minALBUMBLE04 Angles by Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius PipIn our fourth episode Andy proposes a electronic, spoken word, hip hop album. As you will hear the "Angles" has some rather confronting themes which could be quite triggering but is balanced by some interesting musical choices and humorous viewpoints.
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Angles 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 Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip and whether you agree with our views !!2024-08-1659 minALBUMBLE03 Who Killed... The Zutons by The ZutonsIn our third episode, we listen to the early 2000's phenomenon that was The Zutons' debut album. Although seen as a Scouse extension to the '90s Britpop era, we decide it is a lot more nuanced than that.
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Who Killed... The Zutons 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 this alum or ANY of the albums we have reviewed so...2024-08-0143 minALBUMBLE02 Victory by DaanIn our second episode proper, Andy asks me/us to listen to Belgian music superstar Daan's early 2000's album "Victory". He's a quite the well-known name in Belgium - and our house - but not so much elsewhere.
To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Victory 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 Daan, Victory and whether you agree with our views !!
2024-07-1637 minALBUMBLE01 Different Class by PulpIn our first episode proper we go back to 1995 and listen to Pulp's seminal contribution to Britpop... although it was a little bit more than that, don't you think?
Listen to the album yourselves before listening to our appraisal and remember to get in touch with your thoughts and feeling about Different Class or how you feel about our opinions!
2024-07-0143 minALBUMBLEAlbumble introductionIn this clear-as-mud episode, I (Ann) collar my husband (Andy) and sound him out on my idea for a podcast.
I envisage that there will be 2 episodes a month - one on the 1st of the month and another roughly on the 16th - so come back on July 1st for our first episode proper!!!
At the end I suggest the album which will be the focus of the first show so once you've listened to this intro - go and listen to that album too !!!
2024-06-1616 min