1001 Album Complaints

The Chop Unlimited

Musicians give irreverent takes on "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die", delivered every Monday morning. We do all the research, help you better understand why you love the things you love, plus introduce you to new music and musical ideas you should care about. Want to sound informed, intelligent, and funny when talking about music, even the records you don't like? Want to laugh while you learn more about music production and music history? Then welcome to your new favorite weekly podcast.

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Top 10 1001 Album Complaints Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best 1001 Album Complaints episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to 1001 Album Complaints for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite 1001 Album Complaints episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Story Behind: Bonnie Raitt - Nick of Time, Ep 154

1001 Album Complaints

04/22/24 • 81 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Bonnie Raitt was at a low point in her career after being a road dog for decades and failing to breakthrough into mainstream success. With her reputation on the line she set her sights on a nostalgic record about middle age. The boyos discuss 80s synth overkill, selflessly helping old blues musicians, and burying your best tracks deep in the mix.

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2iorAa92kElp2bkPMlhAcq?si=81ce6cc472434b88

Listen to Nick of Time here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6wxpS5o0ty5CLqyH5fIRln?si=X1umENyZSFGNiLqYGnAEPA

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Support us on Patreon, now including our new show Song Battle!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: Chvrches - The Bones of What You Beileve

The Story Behind: Fugees - The Score, Ep 203

1001 Album Complaints

04/07/25 • 83 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Fugees took a big label advance and built a studio in their New Jersey basement so they could relax and take their time making The Score. The fellows get together to discuss low harmonies, creative sample repurposing, and yodeling in hip hop.

Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaints

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7DWXG1SkW8VBSbxuhEGIFP?si=73315a109dbb441b

Listen to The Score here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4z6F5s3RVaOsekuaegbLfD?si=J0_JhYpRQMGWmfFLT4QfOQ

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: Janis Joplin - Pearl

The Story Behind: Abba - The Visitors, Ep 208

1001 Album Complaints

05/12/25 • 95 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Abba had an impressive run of pop hits while touring the world non-stop in the 1970s, but as the 1980s came around, they were close to a breaking point, both personally and professionally. The team get together to talk about being in a band with your wife, the Swedish wrecking crew, and where pop catchiness comes from.

Come hang with the guys live in person at The Beverly Crushers album release show in San Francisco - Saturday May 17th at Thee Parkside

Follow our amazing guest complainer Thomas at: https://www.instagram.com/carolclevelandsings/

and listen to his latest music at: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6mLtSiWnsetUanX2AQ4mS4

Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaints

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5C6BhrFGiyhzcDGAHQ5zJ4?si=821b9ee082c140aa

Listen to The Visitors here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3JHZ83ohEBDLFQfbVfDHFh?si=v-kmBHDSSX2p1zs8I7YcGQ

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 35+ hrs of bonus shows!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: De La Soul - Three Feet High and Rising

Bonus: Future Complaints #1 (of 6): Rob reps King Gizzard and Judas Priest

1001 Album Complaints

01/02/25 • 33 min

Welcome to Future Complaints - our end of year bonus show(s) where each of our six hosts get to recommend albums from 2024. Each episode, one host picks two highlight songs and we all discuss together. All 6 of our 2024 recommendation shows are available NOW over at our Patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/c/1001AlbumComplaints

You can listen on Patreon directly or once you're a member you can listen to our entire bonus episode library on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5yuPJugWxYoMaY7Re4dLpc?si=5cd2ac5165794cd1

In this episode, Rob talks about seeing Judas Priest shred this summer at an advanced age, then gives advice on how to approach the intimidating catalog of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, who the entire podcast crew caught on tour this year.

Here's a playlist of Rob's recommended 2024 tracks/albums:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0gbQlMb3XztS5DEPkzUDtH?si=8029f6031b154294

And here's a playlist of all the songs that got a random mention along the way (from all 6 shows): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Tgc6xckAfRXQyMwNfoIo2?si=20a8d1a311bf4b47

Happy New Year!

The Story Behind: Ween - The Mollusk, Ep 172

1001 Album Complaints

08/26/24 • 114 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Ween set their hearts and spleens to being the brownest rock band on earth. And with The Mollusk, they made their undersea hallucinations a reality. The boys talk about deranged confidence, acid-tinged rock star humility, and the artistic history of New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaints

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7iDGyTmXnQWPGvlUk8l523?si=6c24b29c59ff49a9

And here's that playlist Tom mentioned creating of curated Ween "serious"" picks:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3WU7GFHRtvVrXEuMTvnx29?si=520a2a8470854c18

Listen to The Mollusk here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/1yfJqxKKXG320vhqLfUEeC?si=DbwIZNwdQwiAzA-qF7-vxg

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Support us on Patreon, now including our new show Song Battle!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: Motorhead - Ace of Spades

The Story Behind: Herbie Hancock - Headhunters, Ep 164

1001 Album Complaints

07/01/24 • 76 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Herbie Hancock had hits, a solo career, and the best possible jazz pedigree as a sideman but he still wanted more. His evolution led to the formation of the HeadHunters band and a deeper connection to the funk genre. The boys talk about drummers who keep it interesting, bass players who miss the chance to play iconic bass lines, and cracking open the Fender Rhodes to make it better.

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3XtR8RvOWAU1GOrDs4FDpP?si=81aaa46f0e484785

Listen to Headhunters here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/5fmIolILp5NAtNYiRPjhzA?si=GKX5T7FhTvynnKYhHcTC9g

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Support us on Patreon, now including our new show Song Battle!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: Duran Duran - Rio

Our 200th Episode! The Story Behind: David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: SIDE 1

1001 Album Complaints

03/17/25 • 86 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. David Bowie wanted to be a star. It took a few tries but after changing his name and shaving his eyebrows off, he finally made it. The boys celebrate a big milestone episode and discuss methods for learning vocal harmony, ancient Egyptian religions, and vocal cord rupturing single takes,

Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaints

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/32VqnBD5EYWflsreOc7YVs?si=db867ef7a24c4a80

Listen to The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/48D1hRORqJq52qsnUYZX56?si=5xRs7WweRdaGwa07QsmxMQ

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars: SIDE 2

The Story Behind: The Beatles - Abbey Road SIDE 2, Ep 151

1001 Album Complaints

04/01/24 • 103 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Beatles were freshly married and without the Let It Be documentary cameras rolling, and head into their favorite London recording studio to lay down an all time classic before calling it quits forever. In our thrilling conclusion, we cover every track on Side 2 and chatter about the most popular Beatles song in the digital era, guitar solos played by bass players, and using every note in the western scale in a single, strange composition.

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Ml5UZUmoFftVKR3VGKs2L?si=1ea0d8244d934286

Listen to Abbey Road here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/5iT3F2EhjVQVrO4PKhsP8c?si=5D0oPW_aTgyBKyfcAx_htQ

Check out our playlist "The Beatles Album That Never Was" here, made up of songs in work at the time the band broke up, and later finished and released on other albums:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6iKUDtCOrHN3wKPEUnrMc2?si=7e3d757a2bcb460b

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Support us on Patreon, now including our new show Song Battle!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: Living Colour - Vivid

The Story Behind: Van Halen - 1984, Ep 197

1001 Album Complaints

02/24/25 • 106 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Van Halen got their start on the Pasadena house party scene then became one of the top selling bands of all time, but by 1984 they were tired of the road and ready for a change of scenery. The team welcome a special guest to discuss stage presence, bass players who sing, and an instrument-defining talent.

Listen to / Support The Beverly Crushers "Enterprise" (Rob and Tom's new album)

Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaints

Support our guest Emm Gryner here: https://www.emmgryner.com/

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2q4ZtmrUv5VDW527Z8B34z?si=21b506a674bd4b93

Listen to 1984 here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3REUXdj5OPKhuDTrTtCBU0?si=OwDIY9_mSLa0nvfY1aWtXQ

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 30+ hrs of bonus shows!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints

We have 1001 Merch! Support us by buying some.

US Merch Store

UK Merch Store

Next week's album: Harry Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson

The Story Behind: Christina Aguilera - Stripped, Ep 205

1001 Album Complaints

04/21/25 • 100 min

Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Christina Aguilera went from pre-teen singing phenom to Disney channel star and then decided she wanted to make a different kind of music. The team get together to discuss genre-hopping, excessive vamps, and the challenges of pop stardom.

Buy your ticket to see guys live in person at The Beverly Crushers album release show in San Francisco - https://linktr.ee/thebeverlycrushers

Join our Mailing List here: https://linktr.ee/1001albumcomplaints

Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at [email protected]

Listen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4mG0iAYAapqdj2Fjqiusdz?si=c568d266321e4cd9

Listen to Stripped here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/2USigX9DhGuAini71XZEEK?si=S5hzJg5JQK2TzpYcAIKQFA

Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly Crushers

Outro music: After the Afterlife by MEGA

Follow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at home

Join us on Patreon to continue the conversation and access 35+ hrs of bonus shows!

https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaints