The Wilderness Years

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Charlie & Sam

10 episodes

5 days ago

Sam is a 40 something who likes The Doors. He doesn't like the 80s. For him, there's a period of time - starting on 12th Sept 1975, and ending on 2nd May 1989 - that he dismisses outright, music-wise. Charlie is his mate who can't lie down and let this unhealthy view remain unchallenged. Sam and Charlie are old friends, old bandmates and new nemeses. If you can bear the pain, join our two music lovers on a voyage of discovery, obstinacy and outright idiocy. Warning: this podcast contains almost no correct factual information. It does contain ridiculous opinions and a healthy dose of swearing.

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Music

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Music Commentary

Music

Episodes (10/10)

The Wilderness Years

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac - This Is How 70s Songs Should Sound

All good things must come to an end, and average things too. So we conclude this part of the journey that saw young Sam explore otherwise unknown territory. We had highs, we had lows, we had tears, exasperation and partial enlightenment.

It seemed fitting to end on a tried and tested flagship of the period, Fleetwood Mac's coke-fuelled and drama-filled smash hit; Rumours.

Rolling Stone named it the 7th Greatest Album Of All Time, but what's Sam got to say? After last week's shocking revelations regarding his - Dare we say it - “enjoyment" of The Human League's breakthrough genre-defining LP surely a classic rock effort laden with acoustic guitars, gorgeous harmonies and weapons grade songwriting should drive the final nail in the coffin?

Only one way to find out.

4 years ago

1 hour 20 minutes 30 seconds

The Wilderness Years

Dare! by The Human League - What Is Happening?!

After Sam's dad suggested Dare! - The Human League's 1981 Magnum Opus - was the album he considered most accurately represented The Wilderness Years, it was only a matter of time before our hosts took it on. With a pretty much entirely synthesised backing, mixed gender vocals, and a sense of drama usually more at home onstage at the National Theatre all signs point to this being the one that finishes Sam off. Not even sure he'll make it past the first song.

4 years ago

1 hour 12 minutes 48 seconds

The Wilderness Years

The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk - Living In A Wardrobe. That Can’t Be Right…?

It’s a big one this week. We tackle one of Charlie’s favourite bands in Talk Talk (who Sam continues to refer to as Soft Cell much to Charlie’s chagrin) and their third album The Colour Of Spring, from 1986. There may well be tears before bedtime.
With the scores currently at 3-2 in favour of the wilderness years, will this see another win for Charlie’s promising fight or another nail in the coffin of sanity to take things level?

Let’s find out.

4 years ago

1 hour 20 seconds

The Wilderness Years

The Man Machine by Kraftwerk - I Get It...I Don't Mind Electronical Input...

This week we travel to Dusseldorf to listen to one of the pioneers of West-Germany’s experimental krautrock scene. This was always going to be a reach for poor old Sam, but The Man Machine was a universal concern. The band’s seventh album was arguably both a critical and commercial highpoint, and features The Model, a huge single for Kraftwerk when re-released in 1981.

As long as Sam can keep a straight face, and the robot impressions to a minimum then we could see a surprise result!

As if…

4 years ago

1 hour 7 minutes 30 seconds

The Wilderness Years

Purple Rain by Prince - Sorry To Julie & Bev, Was It?

As we've passed the halfway point of our journey through the wilderness years™️, it seems appropriate to tackle one of the big guns. Prince Rogers Nelson had his biggest commercial success with 1984's Purple Rain. Will Sam be able to get past its grandiose veneer and appreciate the songs at its heart?

It's unlikely isn't it

4 years ago

1 hour 10 minutes 10 seconds

The Wilderness Years

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush - If There Was A Gallery For Your Ears, This Could Be Played

Once we get over some shaky ground involving positive discrimination, this week’s chat covers some new ground, and whisper it, Sam actually makes some progress. Despite the two technological titans of 80s record production (the Fairlight & Linn drum) being liberally applied throughout the two sides of Kate Bush’s masterpiece, Sam manages to concede some positives. I’m not getting carried away, but could this be a sense of hope I’m feeling…? The sound's better on this one too, sorry about last week.

4 years ago

1 hour 15 minutes 48 seconds

The Wilderness Years

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop - I Think It Needs To Hear My Blind Ears

On this episode of The Wilderness Years we discuss Iggy Pop's second album of 1977 and second recorded with David Bowie, the rollicking Lust For Life. We very nearly re-recorded this show as Sam was horribly hungover, plus the sound quality on his side is less than brilliant cause he was using diabolical wi-fi. That would suggest some degree of professionalism on our part though so that particular idea got vetoed. We have nailed the process now though, I think this is the last shitty sounding one. It's not that bad, and it warms up for the second half. Stop moaning, they're free aren't they?

4 years ago

1 hour 1 minute 58 seconds

The Wilderness Years

Ocean Rain by Echo & The Bunnymen - I Heard Cabbage, Parsnips I Think

After the abject failure to change Sam's opinion of The Wilderness Years on last week's show with the 80s pop behemoth that is ABC's Lexicon Of Love, perhaps a subtler approach might see more success. So it is we go in this time with an indie-pop landmark album. Stars of a burgeoning Liverpool scene at the beginning of the 80s, Ian McCulloch and his band Echo & The Bunnymen, channelled The Doors and The Velvet Underground, and would influence a whole generation in both style and substance, including fans Radiohead, The Flaming Lips and Arcade Fire. This has got to work right? Well, let's see...

4 years ago

1 hour 9 minutes 44 seconds

The Wilderness Years

The Lexicon Of Love by ABC - Does He Say Scooby Doo?

This week, we take a massive dive, a swan dive let's say. If we're going to tackle this very serious problem head on, we may as well do it properly. Join Sam and Charlie as they take on The Wilderness Years in arguably its definitive year. 1982. God help Sam.

4 years ago

57 minutes 38 seconds

The Wilderness Years

The Wilderness Years - Intro Show

Sam is a 40 something who likes The Doors. He doesn't like the 80s. For him, there is a period of time - beginning on 12th September 1975, and ending on 2nd May 1989 - that he dismisses outright, music-wise. Charlie is his mate who can't lie down and let this unhealthy insanity continue unchallenged. Sam and Charlie are old friends, old bandmates and new nemeses. If you can bear the pain, join our two music lovers on a voyage of discovery, obstinacy and outright idiocy. Warning: this podcast contains almost no correct factual information. It does contain ridiculous opinions and a healthy dose of swearing.

4 years ago

53 minutes 6 seconds