This Is Not Happening - An Album Of The Month Podcast Guy, Joey, Nolan and David

Welcome to Episode 44 of This is Not Happening.  An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we wrestle with the 2nd album from Yard Act titled 'Where's My Utopia?'.  This month we're in the capable hands of Guy who has been a Yard Act fan for some time, choosing their debut album as his Album of the Year in 2022. 66.6% of the team agree with him but 33.3% of the team has found the album more of a struggle.

Part 1 | Yard Act | Where's My Utopia?

Yard act are an interesting proposition, they are perhaps the most knowingly Northern band since Oasis. They seem to be everywhere and it's tough to find someone who doesn't like them. They are very clearly 'Post Punk' but their definition of what this means has changed somewhat with this album. We ask the standard quesiton, what did you expect and what did you get plus questions about 
Listen to the album here.Watch some videos here.Buy some stuff here.Buy some tickets to see them live here.Read some stuff here and listen to some pods here and here.Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'Spoken Word'

Given the AOTM is Yard Act, we chose to look at our favourite Spoken Word tracks. And 3 of us actually chose a Spoken Word track ... one of us chose something else but let's leave that and let us know if you agree with me that it was not Spoken Word. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.
Nolan chose - 'SpottieOttieDopalicious' by Outkast.Guy chose -''The Revolution will not be Televised' by Gil Scott Heron.Joey chose - 'Loosing My Edge'  by LCD SoundsystemDavid chose - 'O Superman'  by Laurie AndersonSee you on Episode 44! 
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Welcome to Episode 43 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we embrace the truly beautiful, hynotic new album by Helado Negro, called 'Phasor'.  Joey (that's me) is running 'tings this month, at least one of the crew loves this album but the other two ... I'm not so sure.  In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'New Music' where we all chose a track from the last 2 months and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'?

Part 1 | Helado Negro | Phasor

This is right up my street. It's calming, beautiful, intriguing little gem of an album. It's instantly accessible and a rewarding listen but it is also a gift that keeps on giving. There is a surprsing complexity to the album if you want there to be. But the big questions is 'what on earth do we call it?' Guy suggests 'Cosmic Pop' and I think he's right. 
Listen to the album here.Watch some videos here.Buy some stuff here.Follow him on Instagram here.Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'New Music (Jan, Feb, March '24)

The theme is nice and simple and always a fun one - new music. Pick a track, any track from the past 2-3 months. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.
David chose -  'AA Bouquet for your 180 Face' by Saya GreyGuy chose -'Spare me the decision'   Nation of Language / CutoutsJoey chose - 'Right Back At It' by Waxahatchee / MJ LendermanNolan chose - 'Invulnerable'  by K-OS

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Welcome to Episode 42 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we get stuck right into Integrated Tech Solutions by Aesop Rock. Nolan and I (Joey) think this is one of 2023's underrated albums and definitely a hidden hip hop gem. David is missing this month so we only have to convince Guy! In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'Technology' where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'.

Part 1 | Aesop Rock | Integrated Tech Solutions.

This one's special (in my opinion). Nolan has always tried to sell Aesop Rock to me but there's so much music and so little time that I never quite got it. That changed in the Autumn when Mindful Solutionism, the lead single from this album dropped. I chose it as a Spin It or Bin It track and won that month. There's another 17 tracks on this album. It's dense, intelligent, socially conciuous, amusing, moving and thought provoking hip hop. Get stuck in if you haven't already.
Listen to the album here.Watch some videos here.Buy some stuff here.Follow him on Instagram here.Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'Technology'

Taking inspiration from the album of the month, a really interesting theme of 'technology'. Interpretation was wide open on this one. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.
Nolan chose - 'Robots' by Landhouse ft. RaddantzeDavid chose -'Windpower'  by Thomas DolbyGuy chose - 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1' by The Flaming LipsJoey chose -'(nothing but) Flowers' by Talking Heads*** Enjoy the Episode ***
We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 41 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we go deep with Lana Del Ray for the first time on TINH. LDR is one of the industry major players: few move units or split opinions like her. Find out what we think. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'A Song for January' where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'.

Part 1 | Lana Del Rey | Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd.

This is album no.9 for LDR and its a whopper. It's got a lot to say and says it across 16 tracks. There are common LDR tropes and new twists on what you might expect. We think it contains some of the best music released in 2023 but is it all good? Can a 78 minute be brilliant from start to finish?
Listen to the album here.Watch some videos here.Buy some stuff here.A really interesting interview on Billboard can be found here.Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | 'A song for January'

Well, that was an odd Episode of Spin It or Bin It! The usual structure goes to the wall this month and it all gets a bit loose. Nolan get's the hump, Joey gets all serious but thankfully David and Guy clean up the mess and no blood was spilled.
Nolan chose - 'Let me calm down'by Nicki Manaj (Feat. J Cole).Joey chose - 'Vamos A Andar' by Silvio RodriguezGuy chose - 'Cocktail Chez Madmoiselle (remix)' by Laurent Voulzy, YuksekDavid chose - 'Utopia' by Goldfrapp*** Enjoy the Episode ***


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Welcome to Episode 40 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where we usually review an album in depth and play something called 'Spin It or Bin It' ... but not this month.

We're celebrating our big 4-0 in style. It's end of year review time. We select our top 10 albums of 2023 and each pick our Track of 2023.

Part 1 - 2023 Top 10 Albums

We all independently picked our top 10s. We run those choices through a series of deep learning models commonly known as 'Algo Dave' and we create a mathematically generated combined Top 10. We made our selections and recorded this pod WAAAAAY ahead of any body else's lists coming out so we are not influenced by the mainstream musical media (which is why our list looks SO different to everyone else's). We're super proud of our 10 and chuffed to bits that our No.1 is an album that we all love and one that we've loved since the start of the year. No recency bias here my friends.

Part 2- 2023 Tracks of the Year

We each select a track of the year. Simple as that. We explain why it's our track of 2023 and have a little critique of each others choices.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***
We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/

Welcome to Episode 39 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play 'Spin it or Bin it'.  This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question 'Spin It or Bin It'?

This month, in Part 1, we get stuck in TINH favourite, Sufjan Steven's latest release  'Javelin'. Wow. Is there a lot to talk about. I hope we do it justice. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is 'Unconventional Love Songs' where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others 'Spin It or Bin It'.

Part 1 | Sufjan Stevens | Javelin

It's David's choice this month and a record 3rd time that we've reviewed an album by the same artist. On one hand this Sufjan doing Sufjan things ... and then on the other, it's a heart breaking, gut punch of an album that takes you to beautifully uncomfortable places. It's genuinely spectacular. 
Listen to the album here.Watch some videos here.Buy some stuff here.In the chat we reference Sufjan's Instagram, that can be found here.A rare and recent (ish) interview with Sufjan on his health condition is here.Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Unconventional Love Songs

Who are we to judge what 'conventional' means, what 'love' means ... what a 'song' is? The interpretation of 'unconventional love songs' was left wide open this month.

We all chose a 4 track shortlist to chose our track, you can here all 16 tracks on this playlist here.
Nolan chose - 'The Night' by Frankie Valli & The Four SeasonsJoey chose - 'Ms Fat Booty'   by Mos DefGuy chose - 'Chateau Lobby #4 (for 2 virgins)' by Father John MistyDavid chose - 'Where Dreams go to Die' by John Grant*** Enjoy the Episode ***
We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look - https://thisisnothappening.net/