The Albums That Saved Us: Recent Episodes
Doug Smith
These are The Albums That Saved Us...don't forget the songs that made you smile and the songs that made you cry. The music podcast based around the albums that changed our lives if you grew up in the 80s, MAYBE into the 90s, and SOMETIMES back to the 70s. #albumsthatsavedus
In this episode, we're journeying back to 1980 with a children's classic that has enchanted generations: Raffi's "Baby Beluga." Known for its joyful melodies and gentle themes, this album isn't just for kids—it's a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together, no matter their age.
This episode is dedicated to Nick Opalewski
Formed in Long Island, New York, in the late 1960s, Blue Oyster Cult or B.O.C. has etched its name in rock history with a unique blend of hard rock, heavy metal, and psychedelic influences. Known for their cryptic lyrics and complex musicianship, Blue Oyster Cult has maintained a distinctive sound that has garnered a dedicated fan base over the decades.
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Big Audio Dynamite was a band formed from the slowly drifting ashes of The Clash. The Clash would last a little longer, but would never be the same. Co-founder Mick Jones had just been kicked out of The Clash for wanting to move the punk pioneers in new directions and into new sounds. Less than a year later, Jones quickly regrouped with Big Audio Dynamite. Big Audio Dynamite was confrontational like The Clash, but in a different way—exploring new directions like melding dance with rock and liberally sampling sounds and movie clips as part of the band’s palette.
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Pearl Harbour has quite a musical legacy. Aspart of the 70’s San Francisco rock scene she sang background vocals for the Tubes. She formed her own band Pearl Harbour and the Explosions, released analbum, and toured with the Talking Heads. She moved to London and became part of a new scene and became connected with The Clash, eventually marrying Clashbassist Paul Simonon, touring with them and joining The Clash on stage many times.
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In this episode we're talking about none other than The Power Station's self-titled debut album. Released in 1985, this album brought together a supergroup of musicians for an explosive mix of rock, funk, and pop.
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On this episode I talk about My Favorite Concert Shirts and the Ones That Got Away. Over the years I amassed quite a collection of concert shirts, at quite an expense. I then gave them away in one fell swoop to a pair of identical twin teens who probably hadn’t heard of half the bands. I was wearing concert t-shirts before they were even born!
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With their sixth studio album, "Black Celebration," Depeche Mode embarked on an artistic exploration that delved deeper into the shadows of human existence. Released in 1986, Black Celebration represents a pivotal moment in Depeche Mode's career, marking a departure from their earlier synthpop sound and paving the way for a more mature and brooding sonic landscape.
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Danse Macabre is the sixteenth studio album from Duran Duran. A Halloween-themed album including three new tracks, covers and reworked versions of Duran Duran classics. Former guitarists Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo appear, and Nile Rodgers and Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin also feature as guest artists.
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Arcadia's debut album, "So Red the Rose," released in 1985, stands as a testament to the artistic prowess of Duran Duran's side project. With their innovative blend of synth-pop, art-rock, and new wave influences, Arcadia delivered a captivating and atmospheric sonic journey that remains a timeless gem in the realm of '80s music. The best album Duran Duran never did.
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David Bowie's 1983 album "Let's Dance" marked a significant departure from his previous experimental and avant-garde sound, embracing a more commercial and accessible style. The album was produced by Nile Rodgers, known for his work with the funk and disco group Chic, and this influence is apparent in the album's slick, danceable grooves.
Overall, "Let's Dance" may not be Bowie's most groundbreaking or experimental album, but it's a testament to his ability to adapt and evolve with the times. The album remains a classic of '80s pop and a testament to Bowie's versatility and enduring influence.
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One this episode of The Albums that Saved Us we're taking a closer look at Achtung Baby by U2, released in 1991. Achtung Baby is a masterpiece that challenged U2's fans to embrace change and pushed the boundaries of what a rock album could be. Its impact can still be felt today, and it remains a defining moment in the band's career. Whether you're a die-hard U2 fan or just a lover of innovative music, Achtung Baby is an album that deserves a place in your collection.
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Listen in as R.A. MacLean discusses his musical journey starting with early influences, his time as a DJ, stint as a rock journalist, his time in the San Diego music scene and beyond with Deadbolt, The Scariest Band in the World, his band Swamp Angel, nautical adventures, and more.
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Rockabilly is such American music and culture. It touches rhythm and blues, hillbilly music, gospel, country, punk, psychobilly, Americana and more, It's also a lifestyle for many that ties into fashion, furniture, cars. My journey with this music has taken me through shows, Hootenannys, clubs like The Casbah and Tio Leos, and musicians ranging from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Reverend Horton Heat, The Cramps, Stray Cats and many others. I might have also dressed the part and gotten some tattoos along the way...
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The Soundtracks of John Hughes, the music of our 80s teen movie tears, loves and crushes from Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful and more.
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Not a history of punk rock, but my punk rock journey. From tongue in cheek punk to political punk and hardcore, back to the origins in NY and UK and earlier, to SoCal punk, to the 90s mainstream acceptance. From FEAR, Dead Kennedys, The Clash, Sex Pistols, Social Distortion, The Runaways, Green Day and more...all part of my punk rock journey. Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
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Albums that saved us are made by BANDS that saved us. One of the bands that saved me was Men At Work. Technically only three studio albums, and a fall from the biggest band in the world to “Where Are They Now” status, but they were early groundbreakers in first stage new wave, and a huge spike on my early musical landscape.
Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
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Welcome to Behind the Music...this week we discuss Southern California’s Rio A Tribute to Duran Duran...the band, the lineups, the shows, the highs, the lows, the groupies. The height and the eventual rock bottom...
Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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**Fandom is a largely thankless job. I've heard story after story of fans meeting famous musicians and being disappointed or even devastated. Obviously we've got this version in our heads of what our idols are like. If we meet them and they're not like we think, it's disappointing. I think this is the number one reason I so rarely band stalked. I didn't want to be disappointed if that singer just wanted to go to sleep, or that drummer just wanted to eat. I think they should consider that for the fan it's probably a once in a lifetime chance, and a little hassle is worth it for the lifestyle, but I'm not in their shoes.
Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.**
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Rio by Duran Duran -- the quintessential 80s album, the quintessential 80s videos that helped put MTV on the map, and the quintessential 80s band, at least until about 1985. This year is the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Rio album, and it’s certainly one of the albums that saved us. Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
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Double Platinum came out in 1978, and my bio dad gave me the double cassette for my 8th birthday. Double Platinum, double cassette. I had a little bad portable tape recorder that sounded terrible, but it was my only option to listen to my new cassettes. These were the first cassettes I had. I might have also gotten the Village People’s Macho Man cassette that birthday too. I largely went the way of Kiss instead of the way of the Village People, at least at the time, but I still rocked some Macho Man.
Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
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I’ve seen a lot of concerts. My first concert was Duran Duran in 1987 on the Strange Behaviour Tour, with Erasure opening. Several months later I saw Depeche Mode for the first time, and that was even better. I was hooked. I loved live music, and seeing the bands I loved. There’s nothing like a good live show. There are those moments that are transcendent and take you into an alternate reality. That’s why I love music and a good live show. Music should change your life and a good live show can change your life.
Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
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Rising like a phoenix from the ashes after the death of their original singer Bon Scott, AC/DC releases their masterpiece Back in Black in 1980. One of the greatest and biggest-selling albums of all time. Changed many lives, especially of pub singer Brian Johnson, who was picked by the band to fill in Scott’s shoes after his untimely death, and working in an auto factory at the time, still dressed the same as he does today.
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Welcome to The Albums That Saved Us. Music has always been a huge part of my life since I was a little kid. I think I can tie it back to 1976, those days before VCRs and Youtube, and if you didn’t see it, you didn’t see it. KISS. Paul Lynde Halloween Special, 1976.
The Albums That Saved Us will be about the albums, songs, and bands that saved my life, and I would imagine many of our lives. Music has that effect where a song can bring you back to a certain time, place, feeling. That’s what I want to talk about. I hope you will listen.
Each week I’ll focus on an album by a band, and discuss. Sometimes I’ll have guests. I am going to post weekly social posts related to the album of the week and experiment with live casting where people can join in the conversation.
Look for #albumsthatavedus, email me at albumsthatsavedus@gmail.com, Instagram @albumsthatsavedus, Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/albumsthatsaveduspodcast/.
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