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You, Me and An Album

Al Melchior
You, Me and An Album
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241 episodes

  • You, Me and An Album

    Anne Richmond Boston Discusses The Glands (self-titled)

    07/16/2026 | 46 mins.
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    Georgia-based vocalist, songwriter, graphic designer and illustrator Anne Richmond Boston (The Swimming Pool Q’s, solo) visits YMAAA to introduce Al to The Glands’ self-titled album, released in 2000. Anne talks about getting to know The Glands’ late frontman Ross Shaprio in Athens, Georgia, before learning he was in a band and then discovering The Glands’ music. She explains what she loves about the band’s self-titled album and about the band in general, discussing the contributions of Shaprio as well as other members. Anne also talks about her 2025 solo album I Should Be Happy, which was 32 years in the making.

    You can check out I Should Be Happy on Bandcamp at annerichmondboston.bandcamp.com.
    Learn more about Anne’s work at annerichmondboston.com.
    You can also follow her on Instagram at @annerichmondboston.

    Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
    To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
    Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
    Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
    1:32 Anne’s introduction
    2:10 Anne explains why she picked The Glands for this episode
    3:29 Anne recalls how she met Ross Shapiro and got introduced to the The Glands’ music
    8:38 Anne talks about Shapiro’s artwork
    10:42 Anne discusses the appeal of the album’s eclecticism
    14:02 Anne listens to the album in a variety of settings
    14:48 Anne works at spreading the word about The Glands
    16:27 Anne has a hard time picking a favorite track
    18:31 Anne talks about the Athens music scene past and present
    21:01 Anne gives props to the other musicians who were in The Glands
    23:33 Anne hears Shapiro’s “heart and soul” in The Glands’ music
    25:16 Will Anne and her band cover a Glands song?
    26:39 Al talks about the full-band sound on several of the tracks on I Should Be Happy
    28:50 Anne discusses the process of making I Should Be Happy and the 32-year delay in releasing it
    37:43 Anne talks about putting a band together to tour the new album

    Outro music is from “I Should Be Happy” by Anne Richmond Boston.
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  • You, Me and An Album

    Bob Bert Discusses No New York (no wave compilation)

    07/09/2026 | 45 mins.
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    Drummer and percussionist Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Jon Spencer and the HITmakers, solo) visits YMAAA to introduce Al to the 1978 no wave compilation No New York. Bob talks about the music he listened to growing up in New Jersey and how he ultimately became immersed in the New York punk and no wave scenes. He details how No New York was an instrumental part of his exposure to no wave and how he eventually collaborated with some of the musicians from the scene, including Lydia Lunch. Bob also discusses his new album, Beach Bongo Bloodbath—the first solo album he has released under his own name.

    As Bob mentions on this episode, he has several upcoming shows and projects. You can learn more about those and whatever else Bob has coming up on his Instagram account. You can follow him at @therealbobbert.

    Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
    To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
    Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
    Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
    1:13 Bob’s introduction
    2:26 Bob talks about the progression of his music listening, leading up to his discovery of no wave
    7:35 Bob discusses joining Sonic Youth and meeting Lydia Lunch for the first time
    10:15 Bob recalls some of the shows he went to growing up in New Jersey
    13:27 Bob talks about the allure of the New York punk scene
    17:37 Al shares his reaction to the compilation
    20:25 Bob explains why he thinks no wave was accessible for him
    21:36 Bob points out how interest in no wave has far outlasted the scene itself
    24:06 Bob talks about the no wave scene beyond the compilation
    30:22 Bob discusses the album’s ongoing importance to him
    32:34 Bob recommends a pair of no wave documentaries
    34:41 Bob explains how he came to make Beach Bongo Bloodbath and why he didn’t include guitars
    38:18 Bob talks about the show from his recent album release party
    40:40 Bob discusses his upcoming shows and projects

    Outro music is from “Foggy Notion” by Bob Bert.
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  • You, Me and An Album

    Kira Roessler Discusses Bright Eyes, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn

    07/02/2026 | 56 mins.
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    Bassist, songwriter, music producer and film dialogue editor Kira Roessler (Black Flag, dos, solo) introduces Al to Bright Eyes’ 2005 album Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Kira talks about why this album has been one of her favorites for the last 10 years and explains why she admires Conor Oberst’s musicianship and songwriting in general. She delves into her favorite tracks on the album and explores why Oberst’s highly vulnerable performances are a central reason for why she revisits Digital Ash frequently. Kira also talks about her second and latest solo album Enigma and how her songwriting process shaped the album’s sound.

    If you want to hear Kira’s album Enigma in its entirety before it gets released on July 10, register for her Bandcamp listening party, which will take place on Tuesday, July 7 at 6pm ET. You can RSVP at kiraroessler.bandcamp.com.

    Follow Kira and her label Org Music on their socials!
    @kira_bassplayer on Instagram
    @kiraroessler on Facebook
    @orgmusic on Instagram

    Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
    To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
    Excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
    Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
    1:10 Kira’s introduction
    2:13 Kira reveals how she first became aware of Bright Eyes
    3:08 Kira explains why Digital Ash resonates with her
    4:57 Al and Kira share their responses to Oberst’s vocal style
    7:50 Oberst’s openness and vulnerability is part of the appeal for Kira
    10:31 Al identifies the point where his experience with Digital Ash started to change
    12:48 Kira and Al responded differently to “Hit the Switch”
    16:01 Kira appreciates Conor’s songwriting and album-making craft
    18:47 Coping with addiction is an important theme of Digital Ash
    22:02 Kira and Al talk about the one anthemic track on Digital Ash
    28:34 Al and Kira make note of the album’s loop-like nature
    30:24 Kira addresses a few tracks towards the end of the album
    34:27 Kira and Al talk about the Bright Eyes discography
    37:32 Kira explains why she recently saw Bright Eyes perform Digital Ash and I’m Wide Awake, despite her dislike of nostalgia
    39:57 Kira gives some examples of artists she can get nostalgic about
    41:02 Kira talks about her cover of “Drinking and Driving”
    43:17 Kira discusses the title track and album closer for Enigma
    45:16 Kira explains how she created the spacious sound on Enigma
    49:45 Kira talks about her recent singles and upcoming plans

    Outro music is from “You Will Feel My Pain” by Kira Roessler.
    Support the show
  • You, Me and An Album

    Caro Kelley Discusses Selected Albums from Her 1000 Albums Project - originally published on Bonus Tracks Patreon

    06/26/2026 | 43 mins.
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    This episode was originally published on the YMAAA Patreon in October 2025.
    Munich-based soul-pop artist Caro Kelley visits Bonus Tracks to talk about her 1000 Albums project, in which she listened to three albums a day for an entire year. Caro shares why she started the project, and she explains how she determines what rating to give an album. She and Al get into discussions about seven of the albums she has listened to for the project, ranging from the one-star Flood by They Might Be Giants to Frank Ocean’s Blonde, which she gave five stars.
    To see Caro’s Google sheet, which lists every album she has listened to for the project and their ratings, go to: 
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lqeY7_ihNEpU-2ngUvmpn8p7FIrIRANCNWFwurbmM8I/edit?gid=0#gid=0
    You can learn more about Caro and her music at https://carokelley.com!
    Also, you can follow her on the following platforms:
    Instagram and TikTok: @caro_kelley
    Facebook: @carokelleymusic
    YouTube: @CaroKelley
    Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
    To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
    0:00 Re-introducing Caro
    1:09 Caro explains why she decided to undertake her 1000 Albums project
    2:33 Caro details the process she used to select the 1000 albums
    4:53 Caro explains how she rates the records she listens to
    9:04 Why Caro gave her own album five stars
    10:57 Caro clarifies the familiarity data from her 1000 Albums spreadsheet
    Discussion of selected albums (with Caro’s ratings):
    13:16 They Might Be Giants, Flood (1 star)
    17:18 The Waterboys, This Is The Sea (2 stars)
    24:07 Toto, self-titled (3 stars)
    26:59 Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out (3 stars)
    33:32 The Cars, Heartbeat City (4 stars)
    36:40 Steve Winwood, Arc of a Diver (4 stars)
    38:32 Frank Ocean, Blonde (5 stars)
    Outro music is from “Guilty Feeling” by Caro Kelley.
    Support the show
  • You, Me and An Album

    Peter Case Discusses Fred Neil, Sessions

    06/19/2026 | 1h 7 mins.
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    Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Peter Case (solo, The Plimsouls, The Nerves) returns to YMAAA to introduce Al to Fred Neil’s 1968 album Sessions. (Peter was previously on Ep 114 to discuss Bob Dylan’s self-titled debut album.) Peter talks about how he became fascinated with Neil and Sessions during his early teens, and he explains why Neil’s work has not received as much acclaim and appreciation as it deserves. He also discusses how Sessions is a concept album and why it’s not necessary to know about album’s cohesive theme in order to enjoy it. Peter walks through his long history with the Santa Monica venue McCabe’s Guitar Shop and discusses his new live album, My Life to Live, which was recorded there.

    As Peter mentioned, the best place to follow him is on Instagram. He’s @petercase111. You can also keep up with Peter and his music at petercase.com and petercasemusic.bandcamp.com.

    Peter talked about the work of Denise Sullivan (his wife), including her book Keep on Pushing. You can find out more about her work on her website, denisesullivan.org.
    Be sure to sign up for the YMAAA Newsletter at youmealbum.ghost.io. 
    To keep up with You, Me and An Album, please give the show a follow on Instagram at @youmealbum.
    As Al mentioned on this episode, excerpts from episodes are now available on YouTube at @YouMeAndAnAlbum. Please consider subscribing and liking!
    Al has put a pause on publishing new Bonus Tracks episodes, but you can listen to the past ones at the You, Me and An Album Patreon for $1/month. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/youmealbum.
    1:12 Peter’s introduction
    2:14 Al explains why he picked Sessions from Peter’s short list
    3:29 Peter provides some of the reasons for why Neil didn’t have more of a following despite his accomplishments
    6:28 Peter talks about what drew him to Neil’s music during his teen years
    11:44 Peter explains how Neil’s music is a synthesis of different genres
    14:20 Peter talks about how the album’s emotion comes from its vibe
    18:16 Peter discusses how Sessions is a concept album
    24:25 Peter talks about the ways that Neil influenced Richie Havens and Bob Dylan (plus a Dave Von Ronk story)
    31:22 Peter views Sessions as a late-night listen
    33:57 Peter talks about Neil’s Coconut Grove period
    35:12 Peter and Al appreciate the loose feel of Sessions
    37:44 Peter highlights one aspect of the recording environment that gives Sessions its unique sound
    40:06 Peter gave Al some new ways to listen to the album
    41:10 Peter talks about Herb Metoyer and his contribution to Sessions
    44:28 Peter contrasts Neil’s focus on social issues versus the relative lack thereof in current indie music
    47:09 Peter gives Neil kudos for his rhythm guitar skills
    48:04 Al makes a comparison between Fred Neil and Joni Mitchell (h/t Jesca Hoop)
    49:53 Peter talks about his new live album and his history with McCabe’s Guitar Shop
    58:39 Peter shares his upcoming tour and songwriting plans

    Outro music is from “I Shook His Hand” by Peter Case.
    Support the show
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About You, Me and An Album
On each episode, a guest introduces the host, Al Melchior, to an album they love but that he doesn't know.
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