A (relatively) in-depth analysis of English synth-pop band Blancmange (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Formed in Harrow, London, in 1979 by vocalist Neil Arthur and instrumentalists Stephen Luscombe and Laurence Stevens, the group's name derived from the milky pudding of the same name. Stevens left shortly after the band was formed, and Arthur and Luscombe continued as a duo. They released their first EP, Irene and Mavis in 1980, but widespread exposure came via the track 'Sad Day' featuredon the Some Bizzare compilation album released in 1981. This led to them signing with London Records. Luscombe passed away in 2025 and this episode is dedicated to his contribution to the arts and culture.This is also the final episode of Season 4. Season 5 will begin in February 2026 when I hope you will join us again for more cultural rummaging.To make a classic blancmange, you combine milk, sugar, and a thickening agent (typically cornstarch or gelatin), flavour it with vanilla or other essences, cook until thickened, and then chill until set. Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.(relatively) in-depth analysis of the English rock band Joy Division (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.
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Low
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of American indie-rock band Low (as well as some other general stuff) in (just under) thirty minutes.Formed in 1993 by Alan Sparhawk (guitar and vocals) and Mimi Parker (drums and vocals), the band was a trio from 1993 to 2020, having featured four different bassists. They disbanded following the death of Parker in 2022.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.(relatively) in-depth analysis of the English rock band Joy Division (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.
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Original Pirate Material (The Streets)
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of Original Pirate Material by English hip hop project the Streets (as well as some other general stuff) in (just over) thirty minutes.Released in 2002 by principal member Mike Skinner, the album is musically influenced by UK garage and American hip hop, while its lyrics tell stories of British working-class life. Skinner has also stated that his main early influences were from the United States, in particular Wu-Tang Clan rappers such as Raekwon and RZA, as well as the album Illmatic by Nas.The cover artwork depicts the south face of the Kestrel House tower block on City Road, London at night. The photo was taken in 1995 by German photographer Rut Blees Luxemburg using an eight-minute exposure.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
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Amarok (Mike Oldfield)
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the album Amarok by English musician Mike Oldfield.Released in 1990 by Virgin Records, Oldfield originally conceived it as an 'angry protest album'. It is presented as a single sixty-minute track of continuous, uninterrupted but constantly changing music.Although the album was not promoted with singles or a concert tour at the time, a duo comprising American pianist Gus Fogle and bassist Jason Miller performed the piece in April 2012, after it had been transcribed note for note by Welsh composer and arranger Ryan Yard.'I am told that when men hear its voice, it stays in their ears, they cannot be rid of it. It has many different voices: some happy, but others sad. It roars like a baboon, murmurs like a child, drums like the blazing arms of one thousand drummers, rustles like water in a glass, sings like a lover and laments like a priest...' William Murray (from the short story included in the album liner notes).I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
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Love and Money
A (relatively) in-depth analysis of the Scottish rock/soul/funk band Love and Money (as well as some other general stuff) in (just under) twenty five minutes.Formed in 1985 in Glasgow, Love and Money was created by three former members of Friends Again (singer-songwriter and guitarist James Grant, drummer Stuart Kerr and keyboardist Paul McGeechan) along with bassist Bobby Paterson, who replaced Friends Again's Neil Cunningham and who had been a member of Set the Tone, a band previously signed to Island Records in 1983. In their initial nine years together they recorded four moderately successful albums, three of which were released in the United States, and had six chart hits in the United Kingdom.Love and Money went their separate ways in 1994, although they did regroup for one final gig at Glasgow Barrowland on 23 December 1994 entitled 'Love and Money: RIP'. They also reformed for a show at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of Celtic Connections 2011. Strange Kind of Love was re-issued by Cherry Red Records in 2010 and includes six unreleased demos and forewords from Grant, McGeechan and producer Gary KatzDogs In Traffic was reissued in 2022 on vinyl and CD. The CD contained six bonus tracks.I do hope you enjoy this episode.Mathew Woodallhttps://www.facebook.com/share/1F15mx4ea3/https://buymeacoffee.com/lownoiseWhy buy me a coffee?Low Noise is proudly ad-free. If you would like to to say thank you for any of the content you have enjoyed (and help support the continuation of creating more), the above link provides a way to make a small donation of your choice (I also function on coffee!).Feel free to leave a note with your donation to let me know what you enjoy about the podcast or any topics you would like me to discuss in the future.
Low Noise is a weekly podcast, which provides a (fairly) in-depth analysis of popular music and culture in (approximately) fifteen minutes. These episodes have been recorded ‘on the spot’ using the Low Noise Mobile Recording Studio (my iPad) at various locations throughout the UK. All broadcasts are recorded with passion, enthusiasm and substance. Low noise - high output. Thank you for listening!
Ireland