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You, Me and An Album
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Send a text Woodstock, NY-based composer and musician Will Epstein joins Al to introduce him to Lou Reed’s 1982 album The Blue Mask. Will talks about when he first got acquainted with the Velvet Underground and how he eventually started listening to Reed’s solo material and The Blue Mask specifically. He breaks down several of the album’s tracks, illustrating what impresses him about Reed as a songwriter and performer. Will also discusses his recently-released album Yeah, mostly and talks abo...
Send us a text This is an excerpt from the first-ever Patreon-only episode of You, Me and An Album, aka Bonus Tracks. On the original version of this episode, Mary Beth and Al Melchior discuss four songs, two that Mary Beth experiences as sad and two that Al experiences as sad. Al's choices were “Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)" by James and “Murmurations” by Amy Millan. Mary Beth’s were “Remember My Name” by Sons of Legion and “Hallelujah” by k.d. lang (specifically, her performance of ...
Send us a text Woodstock, NY-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist Storey Littleton joins Al to talk about Madi Diaz’s 2021 album History of a Feeling. Storey explains why she chose to discuss this album, even though she doesn’t always listen to it regularly, and she highlights certain tracks that are among her favorites. She also talks about how the album is a departure from the breakup albums that she used to listen to. Storey and Al chat about Storey’s soon-to-be-released deb...
Send us a text This is an excerpt from a Bonus Tracks episode published on the You, Me and An Album Patreon on Sept. 25, 2025. You can hear the entire episode, plus all of the other Bonus Tracks episodes, by joining the YMAAA Patreon at patreon.com/youmealbum. Dulcimer player Sam Edelston joins Al to talk about listening to albums that are off the beaten path. Whether we're listening to genres we're unfamiliar with or music that we come across unexpectedly, finding the key that allows us to e...
Send us a text On this episode, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Maia Sharp gets Al acquainted with Lord Huron’s 2018 album Vide Noir. (Maia was previously a guest on Ep 124, when she and Al talked about Historian by Lucy Dacus.) Maia explains why Vide Noir is on heavy rotation at her home and how this album—and Lord Huron’s music more generally—has informed her own songwriting. She also discusses the making of her latest album Tomboy, delving into some of the lyrical th...
Send us a text For the final YMAAA episode of 2025, music photographer, podcaster, entrepreneur and record collector Scott Dudelson introduces Al to Dillard & Clark’s 1968 debut album The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark. Scott talks about how he first encountered the album, why it had special significance for him during an important time in his life and why it continues to be a favorite album of his. He also discusses how bluegrass legend Doug Dillard and rock icon Gene Clark ...
Send us a text Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Madison Cunningham joins Al to introduce him to the 1968 debut album by Silver Apples, Madison talks about how she became acquainted with the album, the unusual way the album was made and why it has become a meaningful album for her personally. She and Al highlight their favorite tracks and discuss how they relate to the album’s lyrics. Madison also discusses the making of her latest album, Ace, and the process of selecting its thre...
Send us a text On this episode, UK-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jack Cooper of Modern Nature introduces Al to the 1997 Michael Head Introducing The Strands album The Magical World of the Strands. Jack talks about how and when he first learned about Head’s work and how he eventually became familiar with The Magical World of the Strands. He explains why he thinks this particular album stands out in Head’s discography and why it has a timeless quality. Jack also discusses Modern Natu...
Send us a text On this episode, English alternative rock singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and engineer Wreckless Eric talks to Al about Tom Petty’s 1989 multi-Platinum solo debut Full Moon Fever. Eric explains how he was belatedly introduced to the album, and what he loves and doesn’t love about it. He also makes the case for Full Moon Fever being the original Dad Rock album. Eric talks about his new solo album, England Screaming, which is a remaking of A Roomful of Monkeys, the lone a...
Send us a text On this episode, Nashville-based, Australian-born singer-songwriter Emma Swift introduces Al to Bon Iver’s 2007 album For Emma, Forever Ago. Emma talks about how she first learned about Bon Iver and this particular album as a DJ in Sydney. She explains what drew her to Justin Vernon’s music and what set him apart from other indie artists of the late 2000s. Emma also highlights some of her favorite aspects and moments from For Emma, Forever Ago. She and Al wind up by discussing ...
Send us a text Andrea Walker, co-founder, primary songwriter and guitarist for the Portland-based indie rock band Glitterfox, visits YMAAA to talk about Fleetwood Mac’s 1987 album Tango in the Night. Andrea discusses how she got into Fleetwood Mac, and this album in particular, through learning and performing the songs, and how playing Fleetwood Mac covers was instrumental to the development of Glitterfox. She also talks about what she likes about the sound of Tango in the Night, and which so...
Send us a text Leanne Butkovic and Angie Boylan, who comprise the rhythm section of the New York-based indie rock trio Freezing Cold, join Al to discuss No Doubt’s 1995 breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom. Leanne and Angie each talk about how the album was formative for them, why they still enjoy it and why being a fan of the band—and of Gwen Stefani in particular—is sometimes challenging. They also talk about Freezing Cold’s latest album, Treasure Pool, and their collaborative songwriting proc...
Send us a text Nashville-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Will Paquin joins Al to introduce him to Paulinho Nogueira’s 1965 album O Fino do Violão. Will talks about how he got into Brazilian guitar, why he didn’t tell anyone about the music he discovered and why he has a particular affinity for Nogueira’s music. Will also highlights some of his favorite parts of the album and notes some features that can best be appreciated through active listening. He and Al talk about Will’s recentl...
Send us a text Munich-based soul-pop artist Caro Kelley joins Al to talk about Jacob Collier’s 2024 album Djesse Vol. 4. Caro revisits her first encounter with the album—and why it led her to go on an extended housecleaning binge—and she explains why she loved the album instantly. Caro also explains why she thinks the album’s eclecticism suits it well. She and Al wrap up by talking about her latest album QUIET, why she had to take a break from recording the album and why that hiatus led to he...
Send us a text On this episode, Toronto-based singer, songwriter, composer and cellist Eliza Niemi joins Al to introduce him to Paco Cathcart’s project The Cradle and their 2021 album Half a Double Life. Eliza talks about how she first learned of Paco’s music, and Half a Double Life in particular, and she discusses the lyrical and musical elements that keep her coming back to the album. Eliza also delves into her 2025 album Progress Bakery, noting the features that were consciously and subcon...
Send us a text British singer-songwriter Tasmin Archer returns to YMAAA to discuss her newly-released album, A Cauldron of Random Notes (or ACoRN for short), and to answers questions submitted on Instagram and via the YMAAA newsletter. (Tasmin first appeared here on Ep 161, when she discussed Daniel Lanois’ album Shine.) Tasmin revisits the process she and her partner John Hughes undertook to create ACoRN—her first album in 19 years—as well as the ways in which being an independent artist has...
Send us a text This week’s episode features UK-based author, music journalist and musician Mark Brend, who introduces Al to David Ackles and his 1968 self-titled debut album. Mark talks about why he decided to buy the album 40 years ago without having heard any of it, and he revisits what his initial impressions were. He also shares what he learned about the making of the album and about Ackles’ career as a result of researching his latest book, Down River: In Search of David Ackles. Mark dis...
Send us a text On this episode, Superchunk frontman and Merge Records co-founder Mac McCaughan talks to Al about New Order’s 1983 album Power, Corruption & Lies. Mac discusses why he decided to buy Power, Corruption & Lies not long after it was released, even though he was largey unfamiliar with New Order’s music, and why the album has been a favorite of his for more than 40 years. He also talks about what he likes about New Order more generally and how he feels about the band’s disco...
Send us a text Power pop singer-songwriter extraordinaire Marshall Crenshaw joins Al to introduce him to the Rock ’n’ Roll Boogie compilation album, released in 2014 by Rapier Records. The compilation features songs released on the Fortune Records label in Detroit, mostly in the '50s and early '60s. Marshall talks about growing up listening to the label’s artists and how he became increasingly fascinated with Fortune Records over time. Marshall also provides an update on his Tom Wilson docume...
Send us a text New York-based composer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Cassie Wieland joins Al for this episode to introduce him to the 2011 self-titled debut album by A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Cassie talks about discovering this album during her college years and why it was an important album during that part of her life. She discusses how the album is compelling for her even though (or even because) it doesn’t make obvious demands for her attention. Cassie also delves into the ...



