ALBUMBLE

In a strange Quantum Leap-esque straddle from the previous episode, we stay in Germany *and* with the Forever Young theme as Andy asks us all to listen to the mid-90s rave combo Interactive.

Although not the most known electronic dance artists (especially outside of Germany), Interactive's work comfortably spans the realms of hardcore/techno/hard trance/commercial chart music and creates a sound that many do not initially think of when they are asked to dwell on the 90's European dance scene. There are plenty of lyrics - most of which are not that repetitive - some pleasant earworms, multifarious tunes and a varied array of layered electronic instrumentals.

Our news round up is very short this week and ends up being more of an ESC advert! As always though, we reveal of the next albumble album which is VERY different to anything we've reviewed before! 

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Touché is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Interactive's work and whether you agree with our views !!

ALBUMBLE BONUS EPISODE ALERT !!!

It's that time again! It is time for Junior Eurovision 2024!

17 countries will be looking to win the contest that is being held in Madrid, Spain. We quickly discuss why it's being held in Spain and the make up of this year's contest.

Ann and Andy are joined by their 9 year old Marcus who, if you have listened to previous FOPs, has an extremely good track record in picking the acts and songs that will do well.

In episode three we review songs from, in alphabetical order:

France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy and San Marino...and reveal our Farty Or Party review winner!!!!!

This year, jESC is being held on a Saturday - namely November 16th at 6pm UK time. Don't worry if your country is not taking part, you can still watch and even vote...!!!!

Go to the official channel at junioreurovision.tv for more info !

ALBUMBLE BONUS EPISODE ALERT !!!

It's that time again! It is time for Junior Eurovision 2024!

17 countries will be looking to win the contest that is being held in Madrid, Spain. We quickly discuss why it's being held in Spain and the make up of this year's contest.

Ann and Andy are joined by their 9 year old Marcus who, if you have listened to previous FOPs, has an extremely good track record in picking the acts and songs that will do well.

In episode two we review songs from, in alphabetical order:

Armenia, Germany, Malta, North Macedonia, Poland and Ukraine

This year, jESC is being held on a Saturday - namely November 16th at 6pm UK time. Don't worry if your country is not taking part, you can still watch and even vote...!!!! Go to the official channel at junioreurovision.tv for more info !

ALBUMBLE BONUS EPISODE !!!

It's that time again! It is time for Junior Eurovision 2024!

17 countries will be looking to win the contest that is being held in Madrid, Spain. We quickly discuss why it's being held in Spain and the make up of this year's contest.

Ann and Andy are joined by their 9 year old Marcus who, if you have listened to previous FOPs, has an extremely good track record in picking the acts and songs that will do well.

In episode one we review songs from, in alphabetical order:

Albania, Cyprus, Estonia, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

This year, jESC is being held on a Saturday - namely November 16th at 6pm UK time. Don't worry if your country is not taking part, you can still watch and even vote...!!!! Go to the official channel at junioreurovision.tv for more info !

We go back to 1980's West Germany as Ann unveils the totally underrated and under-the-radar band Alphaville and their 1984 debut album "Forever Young".

Depending on where you are (or where you where in the mid 80s) you will probably know them for a different hit depending on what was released and pushed in your region! Their moniker of being a 'one hit wonder' really does not do this band justice as their music was powerful and memorable while their song writing skills were possibly passed over at the time. As we discover, you might *think* you know them for just 1 hit but you actually know them for more! This album is an undiscovered synth-pop gem which should be upheld as a classic of its genre which we wish more people knew about!

We start with a bit of a news round up regarding previous albumble artists and end with the reveal of the next albumble podcast alumni!

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Forever Young is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Alphaville's work and whether you agree with our views !!

PS - the Junior Eurovision podcasts will be with you over the next week!

Andy's choice this month takes us back to the Liverpool music scene and to the talents of Ian Broudie in the guise of The Lightning Seeds.

Although best known for their jangly pop numbers and some '90s football/adjacent songs, their 5th studio album "Tilt" was their first new music LP after the release of their Greatest Hits album. It seems that the band were taking some risks and avenues that were slightly unexpected for the general public which resulted in a rather subdued chart performance for the album and its singles releases... and as you will hear these choices did seem a little odd... and still do 25+ years on. On the face of it, the personnel involved should have resulted in chart smashes.... but they didn't... and we wonder why this might have happened and why it shouldn't!!!

At the end of the pod, Ann reveals the album to be reviewed for the next show as well as setting up the extra Junior Eurovision podcasts that will be popping up in the feed over the next few weeks!

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Tilt is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Tilt, The Lightning Seeds - or any of the other acts we have discussed - and tell us if you agree with our views !!

It's the start of the month so it was Ann's choice and sooner or later Eurovision had to come into it! We listened to "Fryslân" by Joost Klein

Joost had been well known in his native Netherlands through his YouTube exploits as a teen. Slowly but surely he transitioned into using music to connect to the world and connect us to *his* world. Released in 2022, the album is a surprise mish-mash of styles although the majority of the album is deep in his electronic roots. More importantly, the albums touches upon Joost's life story which he portrays through those different styles and vocal deliveries. At times, it is not an easy listen, but this also provides a training ramp to where many may have discovered him - EUROPAPA.

At the end of the pod, Andy reveals the album to be reviewed for the next podcast and plugs many of the places (real and fictitious!) you can find us and get in touch with us!

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Killjoy is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Coach Party - or any of the other acts we have discussed - and tell us if you agree with our views !!

It was Andy's choice this time, and he brought to the table our most recent and up-to-date album yet - "Killjoy" by British indie band Coach Party.

Although the album is very much based in the 21st century there are definitely some call backs to the original emergence of the indie genre in the late 80s and 90s. It is a relatively short album which makes for a nice short and snappy podcast! 

At the end of the pod, Ann reveals the album to be reviewed for the next podcast and plugs the potential of some bonus Junior Eurovision pods popping up on the feed in the near future!

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Killjoy is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Coach Party - or any of the other acts we have discussed - and tell us if you agree with our views !!

In episode 5 Ann chooses a modern RnB gem which not only tells, nay continues, a track-by-track story but also acts as a show reel of genre swishing singular songs. 

We also start with a bit of a news round up regarding news from some of our previous albumble artists!

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (The Arch Android is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Janelle Monáe and whether you agree with our views !!

In our fourth episode Andy proposes a electronic, spoken word, hip hop album. As you will hear the "Angles" has some rather confronting themes which could be quite triggering but is balanced by some interesting musical choices and humorous viewpoints.

To fully immerse yourself in the Albumble podcast, listen to the album yourselves (Angles is on Spotify and possibly other places too) then listen to our appraisal. Remember to get in touch by tweeting us via @albumble and tell us what you think of Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip and whether you agree with our views !!