Trainspotting with You Am I

Our love for Australian rock legends You Am I is well documented. CDs, cassettes, records, scarves, beer, chilli sauce, patient wives, you name it, we have it.

It is likely clear to anyone who has listened to a You Am I record or been to a live show that messrs Rogers, Kent, Hopkinson and Lane are true lovers and students of rock and roll. Their songs are littered with references to other bands.

So here you go, from 1991 to 1998. A musical education through You Am I. Let us know what we missed! We will be following this up with an ep/post about their later albums soon.


SOUND AS EVER

The album itself

  • Dedicated to Stephen 'Goose' Gray from Sydney band Box The Jesuit
  • Produced by Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth
  • Recorded in Pachyderm Studios where PJ Harvey and Nirvana (amongst many others) recorded at the time

The lyrical references:

  • And how long can we talk about Mick and Keith / "Bayou Country" or "Exile On Main Street"?
  • You turned my head from a rock into a burning bush / With a chord, call, or Leon tape you'd push.

The referenced:

  • Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones
  • Bayou Country, Creedence Clearwater Revival's second studio record
  • Exile On Main Street, The Rolling Stones tenth studio record
  • American musician and songwriter, Leon Russell


The song title reference: the song title itself, Jammie's Got A Gal

The referenced: Aerosmith's 1989 single Janie's Got A Gun

The lyrical reference: Dresses like Lee Marvin / Dances like Dave Graney.

The referenced: Seminal Australian musician Dave Graney.

The Covers

  • The Who - I Can't Explain taken from the Berlin Chair single
  • Mighty Kong - All I Want To Do Is Rock taken from the Berlin Chair single
  • The Beatles - I'm So Tired taken from the Jaimme's Got A Gal single
  •  The Who - Young Man Blues, taken from the 2013 Superunreal Edition of Sound As Ever

HI-FI WAY

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The album itself

  • The cover art by Australian artist Simon Alderson is inspired by this promotional poster for the Beatles White Album
  • Recorded in New York shortly after finishing a US Tour with Soundgarden

The lyrical reference: Fell asleep to the line / Lyle sung "She's made up her mind"

The referenced: American country singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett and his 1992 track She's Already Made Up Her Mind.

The lyrical reference: Nineteen to twenty two / Just Nik, Jaimme, red wine and you / Into the Datsun and go / To another Massappeal show

The referenced: Australian hardcore punk band active between 1985 and 1994.

The song title reference: Cathy's Clown

The potential reference? The 1960 Everly Brothers song Cathy's Clown.

The guest appearance reference: Jon Auer from the Posies played Hammond Organ on the track

The Covers

  • Big Star - In The Street taken from the Cathy's Clown single
  • X - We're Desperate taken from the Purple Sneakers single
  • Chris Bell - You & Your Sister taken from the 2013 Superunreal Edition of Hi-Fi Way (previously on a RA records compilation)
  • The Beatles - Things We Said Today taken from the 2013 Superunreal edition of Hi-Fi Way
  • Spencer Davis Group - I'm A Man taken from the 2013 Superunreal edition of Hi-Fi Way
  • BONUS! Live cover of the Vaselines Molly's Lips covered in 1994 according to setlist.fm
  • BONUS QUOTE! 'I think I busted a button on my trousers'. Reference to Mick Jagger from the 1970 Rolling Stones live record Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out from the 1995 You Am I Triple J Live At The Wireless performance

HOURLY DAILY

The album itself

  • Mixed by David Bianco who also did work for Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub whose track The Concept the band would later cover
  • Conceptual and musical nods and winks to the Pretty Things - SF Sorrow and the The Kinks - The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society

The unintentional musical reference: The 1992 XTC tune Senses Working Overtime

The Covers

  • The Smoke - My Friend Jack from the Mr Milk single
  • The Easybeats - I'll Make You Happy from the Good Mornin' single
  • The Mummies - (You Must Fight To Live) On The Planet Of The Apes from the Good Mornin' single
  • The Who - Circles from the Tuesday single
  • Bob Dylan - Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You from the Tuesday single 
  • The Move - I Can Hear The Grass Grow from the Trike EP
  • The New York Dolls - There's Gonna Be A Showdown from the Trike EP
  • The Easybeats - She's So Fine from the Hourly Daily bonus disc Beat Party
  • The Creation - Makin' Time from the Hourly Daily bonus disc Beat Party
  • Iggy & The Stooges - Search & Destroy from the Hourly Daily bonus disc Beat Party
  • The Beatles - You Can't Do that from the 2013 Superunreal Edition of Hourly Daily
  • The Clash - Janie Jones from the Recovery! Hits From the Back Door compilation
  • BONUS! Live covers around this time of the following tracks according to setlist.fm
    • The Rolling Stones - Last Time
    • Big Star - September Gurls
    • Little Richard - The Girl Can't Help It
    • The Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Woman

#4 RECORD

The album itself

  • The album title is undoubtedly a reference to the first Big Star record #1 Record
  • Recorded during July 1997 at Hollywood's Sunset Studios in America where the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street was mixed
  • Produced by George Drakoulias who worked with the band previously on the Trike EP and had previously worked with Tom Petty, the Black Crowes and Primal Scream amongst others

The lyrical reference: A Bo Diddley walk a no more messing round the block / A seventeen watts is a all of what you got / So take me out and mess me 'round

The referenced: American blues and rock and roll legend Bo Diddley

The lyrical references

  • Static engine blow the scene a rumble in the old machine / R. A. D. I. O. / Ah hit me just like Lionel Rose
  • R. A. D. I. O. / A rumble in the old machine / Ronnie James D. I. O.
  • Fell down like Bocephus under all the noise and grease / Automatic mono-style rip me up, monkey style 

The Referenced

  • Lionel Rose the Australia boxer who had a brief singing career in the 1970s
  • Ronnie James Dio the famous Heavy Metal singer who performed with Rainbow, Black Sabbath/Heaven & Hell and DIO
  • Bocephus - We really aren't sure on this one, but it may relate to Hank Williams Jr?

The lyrical reference: But its only a 2 AM tune / With a bridge lifted from "My Aim Is True"

The referenced: My Aim Is True is the debut album by English musician Elvis Costello

The guest appearance reference: Benmont Tench from the Heartbreakers (Tommy Petty's not Johnny Thunder's) played a solo on Come Home With Me

The Covers

  • The Pretty Things - Midnight To Six Man from the Heavy Heart single
  • The Easybeats - She's So Fine from the Heavy Heart single
  • The Rolling Stones - Live With Me from the #4 Record Bonus disc Radio Settee
  • New York Dolls - Looking For A Kiss from the #4 Record Bonus disc Radio Settee
  • The Sweet - Fox On The Run from the #4 Record Bonus disc Radio Settee
  • Swinging Blue Jeans/The Beatles - Hippy Hippy Shake
  • Ramones/Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers - Chinese Rock

Moose’s best of 2015

End of year lists can be an exhausting affair, with critics clamouring for credibility by listing the obscure, challenging, or pseudo-intellectual records as the best thing since sliced bread.

I present to you what I believe have been the best 20 songs and best 15 albums of 2015, with something for everyone, great song writing, accessible, no degree necessary.

15 Albums

Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit

One of the few records on this list that is critically acclaimed, commercially successful and very accessible. Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett presents her unique perspective of Australian life through melodic electric guitar and a broad Australian drawl. A very charming indie rock record for fans of You Am I, The Lemonheads, The Hoodoo Gurus.

Oh Mercy – When We Talk About Love

Oh Mercy is really just a moniker for chief songwriter and front man Alex Gow, who had veered into a less acoustic, more funk direction on his last record ‘Deep Heat’. This album focuses much more on Gow’s acoustic guitar and songwriting (much like his second record ‘Great Barrier Grief’, and is a tight, beautiful album of mostly upbeat heartbreak songs. For fans of The Go Betweens, Josh Pyke and Bob Evans.

Josh Pyke – But For All These Shrinking Hearts

Josh Pyke is ever consistent, the sound of his voice floats, double tracked across five full length records, and a couple of strong EPs of acoustic guitar-led pop songs. The key to this record however, as with his last is a youthful energy, a knack for chord changes and melody that was a little lost around his second and third albums. It’s rare for an artist to regain the spark of their first EP, but on tracks like Songlines and Be Your boy, it’s clear that Pyke has. This record is for fans of Oh Mercy, Bob Evans, great melodies and acoustic guitars.

You Am I - Porridge and Hotsauce

The tenth record from Australian rock icons You Am I, recorded in New York and performed across sweaty clubs around the country. It’s tight, inventive rock music with a pinch of horns, and keys swirling around searing guitars. This record is also notable because of the first time guitarist Davey Lane, who has fronted the band on vocals for two tracks, and he indeed proves himself. This record may not set the world on fire, but it’ll wear the tread off your tyres as you burn down the highway this holiday period. For fans of Australian rock.

Tim Rogers & The Bamboo’s – The Rules Of Attraction

You Am I front man had his first hit Triple J single in sometime with Melbourne funk outfit The Bamboo’s on 2013’s ‘I Got Burned’. Naturally, the band got Rogers back for a whole record of incredibly tight funk tracks with hints of everyone from James Brown, to Jackson 5 and The Police. Rogers’ high register stretches and wails over smooth horns, crisp guitars and funky basslines that are guaranteed to get you dancing. For fans of Motown, 70’s funk, The Jackson 5 and You Am I.

Mustered Courage – White Lies and Melodies

If you’re into country or bluegrass then you’re going to love this – if you aren’t, stick around because there is more to this record than banjos. Mustered Courage are an Australian group with a bonus yank thrown in, that breakdown the bluegrass genre, infusing pop, soul and hip hop elements throughout the album to great result. For fans of country and blue grass, but also for those who love big harmonies and a cheeky attitude.

Tame Impala – Currents

Another record that is both critically and commercially successful, Tame Impala embrace synthesizers and pop melody on their third full length record Currents. Their cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Stranger In Moscow’ months before the record’s release foreshadowed its tone, with many early fans being turned off by the guitar light sound. However at its heart ‘Currents’ reflects the musical evolution of ship’s captain Kevin Parker to a smoother, more unique sound. For fans of Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Synth Pop and Psychadelia.

Daniel Johns – Talk

Daniel Johns initiated Silverchair’s split some years ago, not with a plan to drastically change up his sound, immediately anyway, but with a plan to live the teenage and university years he spent on the road with his hugely successful band. After years of experimentation with synths and vocoders, making music that may never see the light of day – Johns started building bits and pieces, musical ideas into a new sound for his debut solo record. 
It is a tight, experimental pop record, based less around organic instrumentation, and more around what sounds can be created in the box, and with the voice. It is not far removed from the sort of music Johns was creating with Paul Mac on The Dissociatives, and ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rock’ records. ‘Talk’, like these records is a singular vision voiced through the experiences of an extraordinary songwriter, never afraid to evolve. For fans of Silverchair, The Dissociative, James Blake, Jamie XX.

Thirsty Merc – Shifting Gears

A commercially successful Australian band, with jazz chops and songwriting nouse, that is often critically maligned or passed over for its commercial sound or influence. If you’ve ever loved a classic Beatles record, or a Beach Boys harmony, then you’d be making a mistake to pass this one up. Frontman Rai Thistlethwayte takes his multi instrumental, pop songwriting to new heights, placing beautiful chord structures, jazz chords and inventive vocal melodies amongst his band’s incredibly tight and well- recorded arrangements.
Lead single ‘The Good Life’ may be reminiscent of their biggest hit ‘In The Summertime’, but opening track ‘Understanding Love’ is a commercial radio hit if ever I’ve heard one. ‘I Fall In Love’ is a style the band calls ‘Rock Sinatra’ and the grind is a perfectly crafted slice of 80’s synth rock, with the best vocal breakdown section of the year.

Darren Hanlon – Where Did You Come From

Australian folk institution Darren Hanlon has a loyal audience around the world for his lyrical and often stripped-back records, and this record is no exception – having been recorded in various locations around the world on Hanlon’s travels. It is warm, acoustic and distinctly Australian folk which is often soulful and full sounding despite its minimalism. In stark contrast to the indie folk popularity gracing the mainstream right now, Darren Hanlon is a true folk storyteller and charming as hell.

The Paper Kites – Twelvefour

In a bid to break writer’s block and be more creative, chief songwriter Sam wrote this album between the hours of midnight and four AM. Whether these songs could have been written at any other hour is irrelevant, because the notion of the project has leant a midnight haze to these acoustic-led pop songs. The boy/girl harmonies and floating instrumentation make this the perfect late night or Sunday afternoon holiday record, with enough in there for those looking for something a little deeper.

Paul Mac – Holiday From Me

Paul Mac got his fantastic reputation as a DJ, but across his solo discography, has proved himself to be an excellent songwriter. On this, his third record, he adds to his catalogue of sophisticated electro pop with personal songs voiced by Newcastle’s own Kira Puru, Megan Washington, Brendan Mclean, Ngaiire and Dappled Citie’s Tim Derricourt. It’s the perfect record for people who love slick modern pop, excellent dance production, or raw personal song writing.

Sleater Kinney – No Cities To Love

Sleater Kinney have obviously benefited from a nine year hiatus, returning with an exceptional rock record to rival any of their male counterpart’s in 2015. An integral part of the Riot Grrl movement in the mid ‘90s, Sleater Kinney’s new record is intelligent, tight and loud. Touring in 2016, this record is a must for any alt rock fan.


Royal Headache – High

An Australian group that sounds like a late seventies British punk band. This idea could go very, very wrong, or sound derivative of an era more about its message than its music, but Royal Headache channel bands like The Clash through a modern Australian filter, and manage to sound fresh, short, fast and most importantly loud – through wonderful vocal melodies and guitars turned up to 11.

Mark Ronson – Uptown Special

The record that spawned arguably the best pop song of the decade in Uptown Funk, offers more than slick straight up funk pop. Opening with a harmonica solo from none other than Stevie Wonder, this conceptual record goes on to feature some of the most interesting rhythmic and chord changes heard on radio in some time. Bouncing between radio pop, bossa rhythms, funk, and hip hop whilst featuring cameos from Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Mystikal, Bruno Mars and Andrew Wyatt. This record is as close as you’ll get to Michael Jackson’s classic ‘Thriller’ level pop in 2015.

20 Songs

Tim Wheeler – Feels Like Summer

The opening song and main theme to this year’s ‘Shaun The Sheep’ movie is not just a song for kids. Written by Tim Wheeler (of rock band Ash), score composer Ilan Eshkeri and former-Kaiser Chief Nick Hodgson, this song is for fans of the Beach Boys, and ‘90s rock bands Ash and Teenage Fanclub.


Robert Forster – Learn To Burn

From ‘Songs To Play’, the new solo record by Go Betweens founder Robert Foster. The vocals recall David Byrne of the Talking Heads, while the angular guitar evokes Television’s classic Marquee Moon.


Saskwatch – Down the Stairs

Different in style to their earlier work, ‘Down the Stairs’ sounds more like The Smiths than classic soul music. However, vocalist Nkechi’s voice, and the bands’ proven songwriting skills shine through.


The Basics – Roundabout

Once again, a song with a call-back to an earlier sound (Born to Handjive, and just about anything with that rhythm). The Basics are a tight rhythm, blues and pop band and a lot of fun.  If you dig deeper you’ll find a lot more political tracks on this record, but this track is just a whole lot of fun, with drummer Wally De Backer (Gotye) on lead vocals.


Brian Wilson – On The Island / Saturday Night.

Beach Boy’s songwriter and known musical genius Brian Wilson, has notably lost a lot of his trademark falsetto voice in recent years, so not surprisingly his songs on the new record ‘No Pier Pressure’ are at their best when voiced by others. On The Island, sees Zooey Deschenel and M Ward of She & Him lay down Hammond organ, laid back vocals and tropical guitar feel for a classic beach feel. While Fun’s Nate Ruess lends his wistful vocals to an almost subtle ‘80s Beach Boys sound and beautiful chorus.

Rai Thistlethwayte – Go Nuts

Frontman of Thirsty Merc Rai Thistlethwayte is a more talented instrumentalist than people seem to realise, but his low key solo record proved the man has Prince-level synth and guitar chops in addition to his already proven songwriting skills. To put it simply – ‘Go Nuts’ could have been a huge summer hit single in any year since 1985, so get in now and crank it up at your next party.


Lianne La Havas - What You Don’t Do

Lianne La Havas is a London singer-songwriter who has been travelling in celebrity circles for some time, having been mentored by Paloma Faith and hosting a press conference for Prince in her tiny London flat. She proved her own this year and released her debut record, but while the record may be a grower, this is the standout track – with a smooth voice and catchy chorus.

Marcus Marr & Chet Faker – The Trouble With Us

Chet Faker has been the bearded indie darling of Australian music for the last couple of years, but never has he been this funky. This crisp catchy funk track that sees him team up with UK producer Marcus Marr is for fans of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky.

Sia – Alive

Sia made her mark writing low key, experimental balladry across a number of albums and voicing tracks for UK chill out pop DJs Zero Seven. She broke through to a worldwide audience however, by expanding her songwriting to radio pop and writing for the likes of Rhianna and Britney. Her best writing is clearly saved for herself however, with Alive taking out the best dramatic radio pop of the year. A huge chorus and great rhythms to air drum along to.

Dan Parsons – Baby Wants to Hold My Hand

Melbourne singer songwriter Dan Parsons has a voice like James Taylor, and the songwriting chops to back it up – need I say more? Check out his latest record Valleywood.

Alpine – Foolish

Melbourne pop band Alpine build on their atmospheric sound on this record with expert pop songs like Foolish and Damn Baby, that evoke a ‘90s pop and RnB sound, while still sounding fresh. Incredibly sexy, catchy, smooth and perfect for late nights and lazy afternoons.

Lanu – Dragon Sun

Lance Ferguson’s day job is leader of Australia’s best funk band The Bamboo’s, and slick pop songwriter too. His side project however is creating fun instrumental pop and ambient dance music under the name Lanu. Frequent collaborator Megan Washington voices this track, the first taste of his new album to be released in 2016. A perfect chill out pop song, with melodic bells and elements of Asian music, this track is a beautiful summer holiday song to take with you into the New Year.

Ryan Adams – Bad Blood

Easily the most hyped record of the year, Ryan Adam’s cover of Taylor Swift’s mega hit album ‘1989’ does not live up to expectations. What it does do though is present some fantastic songs to an audience that may have been too cool to appreciate them. This is best seen on ‘Bad Blood’, the highlight on Adam’s tribute to Swift.

Cold Chisel – The Backroom

Cold Chisel have had enough hits over the years to rest on their laurels, but they don’t. The Backroom is a hard rocking song about the Hunter region, a particular studio and a particular local couple.

Kurt Vile – Pretty Pimpin

The fact that Kurt Vile is a cool, long-haired character cut from the critically acclaimed band ‘War On Drugs’ is not important. His record ‘B’lieve I’m Goin’ Down’ is dark, yet fun, and perfect for fans of Neil Young.

Florence + The Machine – Ship To Wreck

Florence + The Machine’s epic, Kate Bush-esque shtick may be getting old for some, and only just beginning to intrigue others. But the opening track off her latest record ‘How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful’ is her best track in years, at least since ‘Shake It Out’.

Ben Folds – Phone In A Pool

Ben Folds made his name as the piano punk pioneer in the Ben Folds Five, blending the attitude of the grunge era with the piano pop chops of Elton John. Folds is daring to be different these days however, by educating himself and writing a classical concerto for his latest record ‘So There’. He does however still include songs that recall the humour of his earlier work, like this story of throwing his phone in a pool in New Orleans.

Darwin Deez – Kill Your Attitude.

Darwin Deez has not reached the success of his hit indie single ‘Radar Detector’, released two albums ago. But ‘Kill Your Attitude’ shows the same pop writing skills, wrapped in angular guitar and fantastic chord changes.

Justin Beiber – What Do You Mean?

Justin Beiber is a divisive artist, not for his music or message – but for his brattish public persona and very public failings (though what do you expect when you give a good looking teenager seemingly endless money and fame). Though, it seems to be his attempt at redemption that is honing his focus back on the work. ‘What Do You Mean’ is an expert pop song from his new album ‘Purpose’ that many well be too cool to like, or dismiss over his public persona – but they’d be missing out

1001 Albums I Heard While Alive: Tex Perkins And The Band of Gold - Self titled

Tex Perkins and The Band of Gold - Self titled

Tex Perkins should need no introduction to any Australian music fan. Over the last 30 odd years he has been involved in so many projects you would be forgiven for not keeping up.

There are the obvious outings like The Cruel Sea, Beasts of Bourbon, and Tex Don & Charlie however there are also other lesser known projects like TnT (a collaboration with You Am I’s Tim Rogers), Butcher Shop, The Ape and this week’s subject Tex Perkins and the Band of Gold.

The Band of Gold is the same group of musicians that performed with Tex as part of The Man in Black - The Johnny Cash Story and as you might have guessed this record is a love letter to country music.

Country music is often criticised unfairly. Sure, it has it’s fair amount of embarrassments and cliches but doesn’t every genre? For every Pearl Jam there is a Creed, for every Nirvana there is a Nickelback, for every Frenzal Rhomb there is a Good Charlotte... You get the idea.

The tracks on this record are all covers and it includes tunes by the legendary Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, George Jones and many others. Tex has always had an audible country influence on most of his records however here he plays it completely straight. No winking or sly smiles.

The full tracklist is:

This is the type of record that is perfect for the morning after a big night. Help Me Make It Through The Night is a fantastic opener and the album has a nice consistent feel throughout.

Highlights for me are the aforementioned opener, If I Needed You, Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness, Kathleen and Rock Salt and Nails.

I bought this album the day it came out and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in hearing some reinterpretations of classic country songs. Also, if you haven’t checked out Townes Van Zandt stop what you are doing and watch some videos now. A big thanks to Lyndon Rodriguez for getting me interested in Townes. Here are a few tunes to get you started:

Over to Moose.

Pointy: Do you own/like this album?

Moose: I don’t own this album, no – but i have heard it a few times, and i like it.

Pointy: Do you think this record belongs on the actual 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list?

Moose: No, he is an artist with such a vast amount of work, that i think there are other Tex records I’d put on the list first.

Pointy: Any particular thoughts about this record?

Moose: Tex has a lovely voice, and i like slide guitar.

Mrs Pointy’s pick for next week: The Doors - Waiting For The Sun

The Doors - Waiting For The Sun

1001 Albums I Heard While Alive: The Beatles - Let It Be...Naked

The Beatles - Let It Be...Naked

Starting this series with a Beatles record seems fitting and perhaps expected given we have already done two Splitting Cases episodes on the Fab Four. Let It Be...Naked however is unlikely to be anyone’s expected go to Beatles record so I think it is as good a place as any to start.

Let It Be...Naked was released in 2003, a tidy 33 years after The Beatles called it a day and is a reinterpretation of the band's final studio release (but not recording) Let It Be.


Let It Be in it’s original form was a decisive record, released in May 1970 shortly after the band announced their break-up, it was not a critical success despite containing some of the bands most well known songs.

The main complaint of the record was the orchestral work Phil Spector did on a number of the tracks, most notably The Long and Winding Road. This strayed from the original intent of the album, which was to bring the band back to their rock and roll roots.

The purpose of Let It Be...Naked was to right these perceived wrongs and bring it in line with Paul McCartney’s original vision.

If George Lucas was as skilled as Paul McCartney at tinkering with his old works I would be a very happy man. In my opinion, Let It Be...Naked far surpasses the original release of Let It Be. For a start, it contains Don’t Let Me Down which in itself gives the album a few extra points.

I had never paid much attention to Don’t Let Me Down until Billy Corgan’s post Smashing Pumpkins band Zwan started covering it in 2001.

This was definitely a selling point for my 19 year old self. I also remember thinking it was pretty cool I could buy a Bealtes record the day it came out!

So what songs are on the reconfigured record?

  1. Get Back
  2. Dig A Pony
  3. For You Blue
  4. The Long and Winding Road
  5. Two of Us
  6. I’ve Got A Feeling
  7. One After 909
  8. Don’t Let Me Down
  9. I Me Mine
  10. Across the Universe
  11. Let It Be

The only songs dropped from the original release were Maggie Mae and Dig It.

Over the course of this week I’ve listened to both Let It Be and Let It Be...Naked a number of times and I definitely enjoy both but as mentioned earlier I prefer Naked. Maybe it’s just because I got to buy it when it came out so I feel more of a connection.

It’s kind of redundant to talk about the songs on any Beatles album as they are all part of the public consciousness and there are far smarter people than me that have beaten me to the punch. For what it’s worth, my favourite tracks on the record are Dig A Pony, I’ve Got A Feeling, Don’t Let Me Down and Across the Universe.

Over to Moose

Pointy: Do you own/like this album?

Moose: Both!  This record made me really appreciate Let It Be where I hadn't before, everything sounds crisp, clean and much more like a band, than a studio project.

Pointy: Do you think this record belongs on the actual 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list?

Moose: No. Abbey Road, Revolver, Sgt Peppers all do – and some of the songs are classics that should be on the 1001 Songs You Must Hear list. However the album is not their best work, despite its classic couple of songs.

Pointy: Any particular thoughts about this record?

Moose: It shows a band really trying, and it’s important to note that although it was the last to come out, Abbey Road was their last recording session, which is heart-warming that they could put their problems aside for the sake of the band.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the album – but if you only hear 1001 albums, maybe just cherry pick the best songs from this one.

Thanks for reading!

Mrs Pointy’s pick for next week: Tex Perkins and The Band of Gold - Self titled

Tex Perkins and the Band of Gold


1001 Albums I Heard While Alive

Ok guys, Pointy here.

As Moose and I intend for Splitting Cases to be some type of media empire, I figured I might as well get this blog kick-started.

I’m sure most of you have heard of the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. If you haven’t, I’m not sure where you have been but the long and short of it is that it’s a list of the most ‘important’ and ‘influential’ albums of our time. ‘Our time’ being from the 1950’s through to roughly the present day.

Whilst I absolutely love many of the albums on the list, it struck me that it is devoid of guilty pleasures and albums that were loved at a point in time and then forgotten (for better or for worse).

So without further ado, I am announcing a Splitting Cases side-project where each week I will blog about an album from my collection. The series will be called 1001 Albums I Heard While Alive.

Memory permitting, I intend to write about how and when I came across the album, whether it is something I frequently listen to, if I have seen the band play and of course, the album itself.

I will also be getting Moose’s thoughts on:

  • Whether he owns/likes the album
  • Does he think it belongs on the actual 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list
  • Whether he has any particular thoughts on this record

Oh, and just to make things interesting and ensure I can’t curate this list to make myself look 1337, Mrs. Pointy will be randomly selecting the record from my collection each week.

The first record she has picked is Let It Be….Naked by The Beatles. First instalment to be live shortly!

NRL Grand Final Day

After a long break due to geographical challenges Pointy & the Moose will be reuniting tonight to record an episode about the NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Here’s the catch….Neither of us follow the NRL and we aren’t too sure that either of us have watched a full Grand Final before.

I think we are with Siri on this one:


Thank you

To celebrate the 10th episode of Splitting Cases we have put together a Spotify playlist of songs/bands mentioned in the first ten episodes. A big thank you to everyone that has come on the show or listened.