Send us a text Singer-songwriters JF Robitaille and Lail Arad pay YMAAA a visit to discuss Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water . They talk about how they came to love the album and which tracks are the most meaningful to them, as well as sharing some stories they have learned about how certain tracks were made. JF and Lail also talk about working as a duo and making their first album together—the just-released Wild Moves . MPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YMAAA COMMUNITY: ...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Send us a text IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE YMAAA COMMUNITY: The new YMAAA Patreon—Bonus Tracks—has arrived! Once a month, there will be a new podcast episode exclusively for the Patreon community. In addition to bonus episodes, there will be forums where we can get together as a community. The first Bonus Tracks episode will be published on July 24. If you subscribe anytime before July 31, you can get the first episode for $0.99 instead of the normal $5.99 monthly charge. For this Bonus Track...
Jun 26, 2025•52 min
Send us a text Canadian singer-songwriter Amy Millan (solo, Stars, Broken Social Scene) drops in on YMAAA to introduce Al to the music of fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Charlotte Cornfield, and specifically, her 2019 album The Shape of Your Name . Amy talks about how she first got to know Cornfield’s music and then got to know her personally, and she explains the ways in which The Shape of Your Name showcases her talents. Amy also discusses how some of the songs from her new album, I Went to ...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Send us a text Singer-songwriter Teedra Moses, who has written pop and R&B hits for Christina Milian, Trina and herself, visits YMAAA to introduce Al to D’Angelo’s 2000 album Voodoo . Teedra talks about why she has frequently listened to Voodoo since its release 25 years ago, and why the album represents “church” for her. She also discusses how the album has had both an emotional and an intellectual impact on her. Teedra also talks about her debut album Complex Simplicity , which is enjoying...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text Luke Mallett of the Maine-based roots rock group The Mallett Brothers Band introduces Al to Mink DeVille’s 1977 debut album Cabretta (also known as their self-titled album). Luke talks about the song that first got him fascinated with Mink DeVille and their frontman, Willy DeVille, and why Cabretta is a particularly important album for him. He and Al break down nearly all of the album’s 10 tracks and the various genres that they encompass. Luke also discusses growing up in Nashvil...
Jun 06, 2025•58 min
Send us a text Former label executive, guitarist and author Paul Rappaport joins Al to introduce him to Pink Floyd’s 1994 album The Division Bell . Paul talks about how he became a part of the Pink Floyd “family” while working with them in his capacity as senior VP of rock promotion for Columbia Records. He shares his initial reactions to The Division Bell, which he had heard in bits and pieces while working on promotions for the album, and he explains why the album is still a favorite of his mo...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Send us a text On this episode, drummer Arthur Thompson (Mindi Abair, The Boneshakers, Wayman Tisdale, Dave Koz, solo) introduces Al to Cameo’s 1980 album Cameosis . Arthur talks about how he first wound up hearing Cameosis and why that event played an important role in kick-starting his musical career. He also discusses the importance of listening to the various instruments in a band, and how Cameo integrates all of their musical elements so effectively. Arthur talks about his recent singles, h...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Send us a text Guitarist Barrie Cadogan (Little Barrie, Primal Scream, The The) joins Al for this episode to dig into The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s 1968 album Electric Ladyland . Barrie talks about getting introduced to the album by his father and getting much of his guitar education from listening to it (and Hendrix’s other albums). He also goes in depth in discussing some of his favorite tracks from the album. Barrie also talks about working with Matt Johnson on The The's Ensoulment , and on t...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Send us a text Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and visual artist Andrew Dost (fun., Anathallo) joins Al for this episode and introduces him to The Rentals’ 1995 debut album Return of the Rentals . Andrew explains why he chose this album and why he consistently revisits it over the years. He also talks about the uniqueness of The Rentals’ sound and how frontman Matt Sharp has made it distinctive from the sound of Weezer (of which he is a former member). Andrew also discusses why he started his ...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text On this episode, kindie rock superstar Laurie Berkner introduces Al to Aimee Mann’s 1995 album I’m with Stupid . Laurie talks about how she listened to this album frequently in the latter half of the ‘90s (along with Beck’s Odelay and Liz Phair’s Whitechocolatespaceegg ) and why it appealed to her so much. Laurie also discusses the ways in which I’m with Stupid has influenced her own work, and specifically, how she has tried to create the same type of playful feel that this album ...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Send us a text On this episode, Wes Jackson—the President of BRIC Arts Media in Brooklyn—drops by to introduce Al to De La Soul’s 1993 album Buhloone Mindstate . Wes talks about his long-time De La Soul fandom, how he became acquainted with their music and how he has crossed paths with the group at various points during his professional career. He also discusses the various ways in which Buhloone Mindstate , and De La Soul more generally, has provided him with a hip hop and jazz education. Wes t...
Apr 24, 2025•53 min
Send us a text Nottingham-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, YouTuber and podcaster Laura Kidd (Penfriend, Obey Robots, She Makes War) joins Al to get him acquainted with Belly’s 1993 debut album Star . Laura talks about how she was first introduced to Star and how its uniqueness inspired her to follow her own musical path. She also revisits the time she performed Belly’s “Slow Dog” with Tanya Donelly as well as Donelly’s subsequent performance on “Paper Thin” from Laura’s...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Send us a text Peter Holsapple (dB’s, R.E.M., Hootie and the Blowfish, Continental Drifters, The Paranoid Style) pays YMAAA a visit to introduce Al to The Flame’s 1970 self-titled album. Peter talks about discovering the band’s music as an outgrowth of his love of the Beach Boys and why the album has held up for him as a favorite for more than 50 years. He also offers another album recommendation—The Pretty Things’ S.F. Sorrow . Peter winds up his visit with a discussion of his new solo album, T...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Send us a text CONTENT WARNING: There are references to suicide as they relate to the lyrics of the song “China Doll.” (Discussion begins at 28:27 and ends at 31:53.) On this episode, L.A.-based singer-songwriter Dylan Rodrigue joins Al to introduce him to the Grateful Dead’s 1974 album From the Mars Hotel . Dylan talks about why he selected this album to discuss, and why he thought it would be a great gateway for Al to learn more about the Grateful Dead. He talks about the progressive rock and ...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Send us a text On this episode, Al has not one or two, but three guests to introduce him to an album he has never heard before. Miki Berenyi (Lush, Piroshka), KJ “Moose” McKillop (Moose, Piroshka) and Oliver Cherer (Aircooled, Dollboy, Gilroy Mere, Australian Testing Labs Inc.) of the Miki Berenyi Trio share their thoughts and memories about The Associates’ 1982 album Sulk . Miki, Moose and Ollie talk about the unconventional aspects of this album, its popularity in the UK and how pop music went...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Send us a text Multi-instrumentalist Jessica Dobson—best-known as the guitarist and vocalist for Deep Sea Diver—joins Al to introduce him to Radiohead’s 2001 album Amnesiac . Jessica talks about the memorable circumstance under which she first heard Amnesiac , which tracks are her favorites and why, and how Radiohead has been an influence on her playing and songwriting. She discusses Deep Sea Diver’s new album, Billboard Heart , and how Radiohead helped to shape some of its sound. Jessica also b...
Mar 23, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Send us a text On this episode, L.A.-based singer/songwriter/musician Linying gets Al acquainted with Sufjan Stevens’ 2015 album Carrie & Lowell . Linying talks about how the album has impacted her over the last 10 years and how she relates its themes of mortality and grief to her own life experiences. She also explains the ways in which both the music and lyrics of Carrie & Lowell tell a compelling story. Finally, Linying discusses the making of her new album Swim, Swim (to be released ...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Send us a text Mike Clark, the guitarist for the L.A.-based progressive metal band Final Gravity, joins Al on this episode to introduce him to King’s X’s 1989 album, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska . Mike talks about roles that an L.A. radio station and MTV played in getting him into King’s X, and he discusses the elements of the album’s sound that have made it one of his favorite albums. He also notes several bands that have been influenced by King’s X and explains why he thinks they did not get as m...
Mar 09, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Send us a text Sophie Payten, aka Gordi, joins Al from Melbourne, Australia to discuss the phenomenon that is Carole King’s 1971 album Tapestry. Sophie talks about how this album has been an important part of her life since childhood, and how it has influenced her songwriting. She breaks down nearly all of Tapestry 's tracks, focusing on how King's vocals, piano playing and songwriting helped to create a pop masterpiece. Sophie also explains why she decided to pursue both a medical career and a ...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Send us a text Singer-songwriter Kendall Jane Meade (Mascott, Juicy, Anders and Kendall, solo) pays YMAAA a visit to introduce Al to Joni Mitchell’s 1974 album Court and Spark . Kendall talks about her first impressions of the album and explains why its tracks still resonate with her more than 25 years after first hearing them. She and Al also discuss some of the unique features of the album, such as the Cheech and Chong cameo on “Twisted” and how “Help Me” was especially sophisticated for a hit...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Send us a text Singer, songwriter and guitarist Jess Sylvester (Marinero) joins Al and introduces him to Blonde Redhead’s 2004 album Misery Is a Butterfly . Jess talks about why he chose this album for the episode and how he was first exposed to it. Among many aspects of the album he focuses on, Jess observes how Blonde Redhead integrates their classical influences with different musical styles and how they convey the album’s lyrical themes across its 11 tracks. Jess also talks about his brand-n...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Send us a text Guitarist, improviser and research diver Henry Kaiser visits YMAAA and introduces Al to Captain Beefheart’s 1972 album The Spotlight Kid . Henry talks about his personal connections to Captain Beefheart’s backing ensemble, The Magic Band, and particularly his connection to Elliot Ingber, who passed away just days before this episode was recorded. Henry recalls how seeing a live performance of one of the tracks from The Spotlight Kid led to him taking up the guitar, and how he deve...
Feb 09, 2025•53 min
Send us a text On nearly every previous episode of You, Me and An Album , Al has invited a guest to introduce him to one album he doesn’t know well (or at all), but this week’s guest talks about seven of his favorite albums. Mike Montgomery, who owns Candyland Recording Studio in Dayton, Kentucky, and is a member of R.Ring and Ampline, suggested 11 possible albums to discuss on this episode, but he and Al weren’t able to narrow the list down. So Mike talks about seven of those albums (noted in t...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text On this episode, NPR music critic and correspondent Ann Powers gets Al acquainted with The Roches’ 1979 self-titled debut album. Ann explains how she got to know the album and how it became an important part of her life and the lives of her friends. She also talks about the elements that make The Roches unique, including their harmonies, clever songwriting and misfit style. Ann discusses her 2024 biography of Joni Mitchell, Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell, and why she took...
Jan 26, 2025•1 hr
Send us a text On this episode, guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer Dave Alvin (The Blasters, X, The Knitters, The Third Mind, solo) digs deep into the 1969 Underground Blues compilation album. He explains how he became acquainted with the album and why it was such an important part of his introduction to the folk blues tradition. Dave also dissects the work of some of the artists featured on the album, including Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker. Dave talks about how one of his...
Jan 19, 2025•1 hr 32 min
Send us a text Legendary folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John McCutcheon kicks off 2025 on You, Me and An Album by introducing Al to Pete Seeger’s 1963 live album We Shall Overcome . John talks about how it was the first album he had ever bought and how it has shaped life and his work as a musician. He also discusses his personal relationship with Seeger and what made Seeger such an important and unique figure in folk music. John and Al wrap up by discussing John’s new album, F...
Jan 12, 2025•53 min
Send us a text Georgia-based singer-songwriter Scott Colson—who performs under the name Slaw—visits YMAAA to discuss the 1969 album Led Zeppelin II . Scott explains how his love of the blues led him to become a Led Zeppelin fan and why he thinks Led Zeppelin II is their best album. Scott breaks down several of his favorite tracks from the album and tells Al about a game he plays with his friends that further cemented the album’s status as his favorite. He also talks about his debut album, Here I...
Dec 22, 2024•54 min
Send us a text Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sarah Gargano visits YMAAA to discuss Bright Eyes’ 2000 album Fevers and Mirrors . Sarah talks about the unusual reason that got her to explore Bright Eyes in her early teens and how she was first introduced to Fevers and Mirrors . She explains why this is one of her favorite albums and why she considers some of the material to be both self-indulgent and helpful to her personally. Sarah also talks about her recently-released single, "Halloweekend,...
Dec 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Send us a text Simon Raymonde—bassist for Cocteau Twins and head/co-founder of the Bella Union record label—joins Al to introduce him to the Patti Smith Group’s 1976 album, Radio Ethiopia . Simon talks about his initial reaction to hearing the album when he was 15 and how that differed from his impressions of Smith’s debut Horses . He also talks about why he started listening to the album again in the last few years and how it hits him differently now. Simon discusses his work with artists—inclu...
Nov 24, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Send us a text Electric violinist Ginny Luke, who has played on sessions for numerous artists including Foo Fighters, Hozier, Britney Spears and Meat Loaf, drops by YMAAA to talk about her first solo album Devil at My Heels , which was released on Nov. 1. Ginny talks about her previous solo work, the process behind recording her first full-length solo album—including collaborations with guitarists Nili Brosh and Orianthi—and how recording her own album differed from her experiences as a session ...
Nov 17, 2024•32 min
