In this week’s episode, Shaun and Tim discussed their top ten favourite Genesis outtakes. Topics covered include: the difference between outtakes from the classic and contemporary periods of the band, why Genesis didn’t write psychedelic pieces, how the Banks-Rutherford dialectic affected the sound of the band, and the influence of Phil Collins’ love life on the lyrics. Also, why did Steve Hackett keep getting quieter? What’s the essence of Stoic philosophy? Should some of the single albums have been doubles? Should some of the double albums have been singles? And was Mick Barnard the secret genius behind Genesis?
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1:06:32
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1:06:32
Gentle Giant - The Power And The Glory: Gentle's Giant's Leviathan?
This week Tim did a monologue about the sixth studio album by Gentle Giant, The Power And The Glory. Topics covered include: whether the band had read Graham Greene, George Orwell or Thomas Hobbes; the extent to which the lyrics are reflected in the music and vice versa; the unique style and sound of Gentle Giant; and whether the album should be considered political or anti-political. Also, should the ending of the album actually have gone at the beginning? Was Cogs In Cogs influenced by Charlie Chaplin? Did the album lead to the demise of Nicolae Ceaușescu? Was Watergate really that big a deal? And crucially, how did Hegel distinguish good infinity from bad infinity?
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51:25
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51:25
Yes - Drama: The last great prog album?
This week, Tim and Shaun had a chat about the tenth studio album by Yes, Drama. Topics covered included: the relative success of this rock-new wave mash-up; what the nature of the Yes-Horn/Downes collaboration was; whether the cover of the album was based on the songs; and whether this line-up should have made another album. Also, would the album have been better if Chris Squire had sung it? What were Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman drinking when they decided to leave the group? What is it like to go on your honeymoon with Steve Howe? Is Trevor Horn actually a camera? Should Man In A White Car actually have been called Newman In A White Car? And what did Eddy Offord do to that pigeon?
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53:07
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53:07
Planxty - Planxty: The greatest Irish band of all time?
This week Tim did a monologue on the first album by Planxty. Topics covered include: whether Planxty are really the greatest Irish band of all time, whether prog fans would like this album, the mythological nature of the group’s songs, the carefully programmed nature of the album, and the connection between Planxty and the band Kneecap. Also, how did the band Elbow get their name? How do you make an English person feel Irish? Was the Jolly Beggar really a beggar or not? And did Christy Moore invent rap music on The Raggle-Taggle Gypsy?
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46:49
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46:49
TOP(OGRAPHIC) TRUMPS: Tommy vs. Quadrophenia
This week, Tim and Peter did an album-off, between Tommy and Quadrophenia by The Who. Topics covered include: whether both albums deserve to be doubles, in what sense Quadrophenia is a response to Tommy, how important Kit Lambert’s influence was, how each album deals with the question of sexual identity, and whether Underture is too long or not. Also, what would Freud have thought of the band? Which is the most offensive line on the two albums? Was Tommy actually finished or not? Are mods male or female? And which is better, Keith Moon’s drumming or his screaming?
This is a podcast for discussing ”issues around classic rock and prog music”. Join ’old friends’ Shaun and/or Tim and/or Peter for occasional discussions of the albums, songs and artists that have happily marked their lives.
Ireland