Episode 1: Yaz - Upstairs at Eric's (1982)

Join Brian and Sarah as they discuss the 1982 debut album by Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet, better known as the synth-pop duo, Yaz. We run through a quick history of the group, a track-by-track discussion of "Upstairs at Eric's" 11 songs, and then hand down a final grade on this important early-80s new wave classic.

Part 1: Background

Get the details about young Vince Clarke, young Alison Moyet, and even young Depeche Mode as we discuss growing up in the City of the Future: Basildon.

Part 2: Personal History

Learn how Sarah and Brian each discovered the album "Upstairs at Eric's" - and which one of them got sick listening to it for the first time!

Part 3: Track By Track

A track by track evaluation of the entire album! Which songs get good reviews? And how do YOUR favorite cuts make out?

• Don't Go
• Too Pieces
• Bad Connection
• I Before E Except After C
• Midnight
• In My Room
• Only You
• Goodbye Seventies
• Situation
• Winter Kills
• Bring Your Love Down (Didn't I)

Part 4: Final Grade

So how do the hosts rate the album overall? Will Yaz graduate with the highest honors or will they have to attend summer school to pull up their grades???

Part 5: Extra Credit Question

Which of these songs, if any, would fit comfortably on Depeche Mode's follow-up to "Speak & Spell" if Vince Clarke hadn't left the band?