In music, experimentalism is more than just "that one time in college." This week, we cover the albums that dared to be different, were fearless in their pursuit of breaking new ground, and subverted traditional expectations of what music should sound like.

The spirit of experimental music is alive and well on The Sound, the debut solo album by guitarist, cellist, composer producer, arranger, painter, and educator Knox Chandler. This project is a musical memoir depicting the shift in his surroundings from the urbanism of New York, London, and Berlin to the serene rural setting of the Connecticut shoreline. Through 10 diaristic and transportative soundscapes, The Sound incorporates Knox's "Soundribbon" style of meditative, powerfully cinematic guitar, accompanied by upright bass and percussion, and is paired with a book of paintings, sketches, and writings.

You no doubt have heard Knox Chandler's work throughout a career that has spanned four decades, as a member of The Psychedelic Furs, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Cyndi Lauper's band, and The Golden Palominos. He's also played, composed, produced, and arranged on dozens of records including REM's Automatic For The People, Depeche Mode's Exciter, David Gahan's Paper Monsters, Paula Cole's Harbinger, and many more.

Special thanks to Howard Wuelfing from Howlin' Wuelf Media for the introduction and coordination.

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**PART TWO** Be sure to listen to E282 if you haven't heard the first part!

It's better to travel to the kaleidoscope world of 1973 when you can breakout with great Third Lads. What, too subtle for ya?!? This week, we enter the twilight world of Swing Out Sister - Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell!

Along with discussing some of our favourite songs from 1973, we are are also celebrating the release of the new Cherry Red Records box set Certain Shades Of Limelight, a beautifully curated 8 CD box set covering the vibrant and soulful evolution of iconic British pop sophisticates Swing Out Sister. Spanning the years 1994 to 2004, the definitive collection captures a golden decade of musical exploration, refinement and reinvention. Included are the group's five albums released during that time period and three bonus discs packed with B-sides, 7" versions, rare mixes, instrumentals, alternate versions, soundtrack versions, and sought-after edits.

During part two of our conversation with Corinne and Andy:

...and our top three picks for Songs of 1973.

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**PART ONE**

It's better to travel to the kaleidoscope world of 1973 when you can breakout with great Third Lads. What, too subtle for ya?!? This week, we enter the twilight world of Swing Out Sister - Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell!

Along with discussing some of our favourite songs from 1973, we are are also celebrating the release of the new Cherry Red Records box set Certain Shades Of Limelight, a beautifully curated 8 CD box set covering the vibrant and soulful evolution of iconic British pop sophisticates Swing Out Sister. Spanning the years 1994 to 2004, the definitive collection captures a golden decade of musical exploration, refinement and reinvention. Included are the group's five albums released during that time period and three bonus discs packed with B-sides, 7" versions, rare mixes, instrumentals, alternate versions, soundtrack versions, and sought-after edits.

During part one of our conversation, Corinne and Andy give us the run down on the box set, plus...

Don't worry, we won't make you play the waiting game too long (last Swing Out Sister pun for now, we promise)...Part 2 drops on Thursday, July 17th!

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We gather here once more to celebrate some of the finest new independent music on the planet! This week, you'll hear a six pack of fresh tune from:

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Based on his experiences on both sides of the record store counter, Peter Holsapple lovingly pokes a little fun at obsessive music nerds on a track from his new solo album : "I got A Love Supreme / I got a Soft Machine / I got the Dave Clark Five / I got Slade Alive / I got a Shonen Knife / I got Repeat When Necessary, Repeat When Necessary. I'm that kind of guy!" Yep, we're those kind of guys...and fortunately Peter is too, because he is our Third Lad this week!

This week's discussion revolves around our Top 5 Debut Solo Albums - in other words, the first album released by an artist apart from or after their well known group.

While you'd have to go back to 1997 for Peter Holsapple's official debut solo album, he's arguably just released his best yet - The Face of 68, out now on Label 51 Recordings. It's a tight, lean, rocking affair that finds the dB's singer/songwriter's knack for melody and songcraft still incredibly sharp after roughly 50 years of making records. Along with a deep dive into The Face of 68, we also chat about his proto-punk beginnings with Little Diesel, being shown how it's done by the legendary Alex Chilton, life on the road with R.E.M. and Hootie and the Blowfish, supergroup collectives the Continental Drifters, the Salt Collective, and the Big Star Quintet, and the flurry of dB's related activity including Propeller Sound Recordings reissue campaign and 2024's reunion shows.

Thanks to Wendy Brynford-Jones from Hello Wendy PR for the introduction and coordination!

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How tough was it to pick our "album bookends" this week (that is, albums that have a great first and last track)? You could say that's impossible, that's im-poss-i-ble. But, fortunately, we're everywhere that you are!

We're un-alone for this discussion, because (if you couldn't have guessed) we have guitarist/singer/songwriter Steve Barton and drummer Dave Scheff from one of the best American bands of the '80s, Translator! Translator released four excellent albums for 415/Columbia: Heartbeats and Triggers (1982), No Time Like Now (1983), Translator (1985), and Evening of the Harvest (1986).

At the end of their initial run, they played a final gig at the Farm in their home base of San Francisco. Captured on a cassette, nearly 40 years later, that incendiary live set is out for the first time on download, LP, or CD as Beyond Today: Live at the Farm San Francisco: 1986. from Liberation Hall. https://translatorlive.bandcamp.com

As an added treat for fans, Beyond Today also contains two brand new Translator songs, "These Days to Come" and "With Your Dreams", both wonderfully mixed by Ed Stasium.

Special thanks to Randy Haecker from Prime Mover Media for the introduction and coordination!

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We've got a sumptuous six pack of swoonworthy new tunes to kick off your weekend!

1) Amelia & The Housewives - 'Maybe' (single, Damaged Goods)

2) Last Tourist - 'Slowly Fade' (single, 1991recordings)

3) Splitsville - 'I Hate Going to Hutzler's' (from the LP Mobtown, Big Stir Records)

4) Lammping & Bloodshot Bill - 'Never Never' (from the LP Never Never, We Are Busy Bodies)

5) Jeanines - 'What's Lost' (single, Skep Wax Records / from the LP How Long Can It Last, Slumberland Records)

6) Nah - 'Summer Follows Spring' (from the LP Koffers Collected)

Also, we are pleased to present the newest O3L PodPerk - 41% off at https://cozyearth.com!  Cozy Earth sells the most luxurious, comfortable sheets, bedding, loungewear, pajamas, hoodies, sweaters, robes and more.  Their cool and comfy bamboo sheets are so incredible that they were honored as one of "Oprah’s Favorite Things".  Use promo code O3L to start saving!

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Get ready to do the "Lube the Anaconda and the Candle" (or maybe just a more sensible Twist or Watusi), as we hit the floor with songs that are about, inspired, or mention dance crazes. Joining us for all sorts of "idiot dancing" is the triumphant return of Barry Andrews to O3L!

During Barry's last appearance in E246, we talked about his career spanning from the early days of Swindon's finest, XTC, to Iggy and Fripp, to Shriekback's extensive and ambitious catalogue. This time, we have more cause for celebration, as the new Shriekback album, MONUMENT, is out now, and is among his finest releases! He's not shouting at you...or is he?!?

Plus, we've got a brand new O3L game for you - "Dancing with Ourselves." Do you have what it takes to go up against Barry and Uncle Gregg to name dance craze related songs?

This is a fun one, kids. Now let's do all 16 dances!

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We haven't given you a Weekend Six Pack in a while...so what better way to kick off the summer than with a fresh flight of new music?

1) Heavenly - 'Portland Town' (Skep Wax)

2) The Parachute Testers - 'Halfway to Everywhere'

3) B-Movie - 'Polar Opposites'

4) Gun-Shy Butterfly - 'Manchild'

5) Budapest - 'Me & Everything'

6) Nelson Bragg - 'Death of Caroline' (Big Stir Records)

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As arguably the single most important, most influential group in pop music history, The Beatles have been honored with thousands of cover versions. This week, Uncle Gregg, Brett, and Third Lad Arthur Alexander hand pick some of the fabbest and gearest of 'em all.

101 episodes ago, power pop hero Arthur Alexander joined us to recount his fascinating life and career: growing up in Communist Poland, getting exiled to the U.S., and being a driving force in two of the NYC's seminal power pop bands - The Poppees and Sorrows - before putting out his fine solo records One Bar Left and ...steppin' out! He was one of our favorite guests yet, so we were ecstatic to have him join us for this topic that is near and dear to his heart.

Big Stir Records presents Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow, the long lost thrid album by NYC power pop legends SORROWS, recorded in 1981 during a one-night session at the peak of their energy. This final chapter in their musical legacy includes the indie hit “Out Of My Head” and ten unreleased originals, plus three covers. The band, formed from the ashes of The Poppees, had previously made waves with their debut Teenage Heartbreak and faced struggles with their ill-fated second album (Love Too Late), which nearly ended their career. Forty years later, Arthur Alexander and the band recovered the rights to the material, leading to the surprise 2021 release of Love Too Late... The Real Album. Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow captures the band in raw form, fueled by the frustration of industry interference, delivering high-energy rock tracks like “Never Mind,” the heartfelt elegy for John Lennon “Cricket Man,” and the rockabilly scorcher “Let Me Know.” Recorded at Mediasound Studios in NYC, it’s a powerful testament to the band’s sound and vision, offering a cohesive, fiery farewell with timeless tracks that reflect both their struggle and resilience.

Thanks to Rex Broome and Christina Bulbenko from Big Stir Records. You are both amazing!

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