Spin it or Bin It

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Episode 56 | Saya Gray | ‘Saya’

Posted on April 14, 2025 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 66 of This Is Not Happening. An Album of the Month podcast. In Part 1, we do a deep drive review of our Album of the Month. This month David brings Neo-Soul back into focus with Jill Scott and her comeback album 'To Whom This May Concern.In Part 2, we play Spin It or Bin It, we pick a theme and all pick songs that represent that theme. This month the theme is 'Neo-Soul, and it's a belter. —— Part 1 | Album of the Month | Jill Scott | To Who This May Concern ——Jill Scott's debut was released in 2000, it played a big part in some of our lives. But most of us lost touch after this release. It's 26 years later and Jill has been through some shit.This album is big, it's a lot. There is a lot to take in digest and consider. It works big time for some of us … not so much for others. Have a listen, let's get into this!Listen to the original album here.Tiny Desk concerts are getting better and better, here is Jill's.Watch some videos, interviews and performances here. —————- Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Music —————- The theme is Neo-Soul, the task is pick a track that fits the theme, the objective, get more 'spins' than your friends. We each pick for tracks for a 16 track play list (that is fire).We then each pick select 1 track and ask the simple question 'Spin It Or Bin It'?Guy chose 'Heard it all Before' by Sunshine Anderson.Nolan chose 'Serve this Royalty' by Cody Chesnutt.David chose 'Don't Mess with My Man' by Lucy Pearl.Joey chose 'Untitled (How Does It Feel) by D'Angelo.We've been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/

We dispense with the niceties this month and discuss an album where we have quite differing opinions. Welcome to Episode 56 of This is Not Happening (TINH), an Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast.

In Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. We pick a theme and each pick a song that represents that theme. We judge the selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

In Part 1, David, resident ‘Pop Being’, has the pleasure of presenting an album from one of his genuine musical obsessions. ‘Saya’ the latest release by Saya Gray.

In Part 2, following the theme of ‘Saya’, break-up and heart-break, we play Spin It or Bin It with the simple theme of ‘Heart Break’ with no additional rules!

—– Part 1 | Saya Gray | ‘Saya’ —–

To say David is a Saya Gray fan is something of an understatement. He has been championing the strange sounds of Saya for nearly 3 years. Nobody’s really sure if this is her debut album or not but that’s not important. It is an album and an artist that has divided opinion on the pod. 2 of us love this album, 1 of us doesn’t, and 1 of us has had such a busy month at work that we have no idea what they think pre-recording.

Regardless of how we feel about this album individually, we all think it’s an album that deserves a listen. Listen to the album, listen to the pod, tell us what you think.

Listen to the album … HERE.
Watch the World Cafe Podcast / Interview … HERE.
Watch the AMAZING Tiny Desk Performance … HERE.
Watch some ‘Visualisers’ (music videos!?!) … HERE.
Buy some stuff … HERE.

—– Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Heart-Break —–

Was music originally created to express heart-break? Probably not but it definitely feels like it when you start looking for your favourite tracks that embrace the subject. We’ve chosen a track each that may not be what you expect.

Guy chose ‘A Little Respect’ by Erasure.
David chose ‘Already Dead’ by Beck.
Joey chose ‘It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay’ by Whitney Houston.
Nolan chose ‘Shiver’ by Lucy Rose.

Here is a link to our 16 track playlist of religion-inspired tracks – with the first 4 tracks being our picks for this month.

We’ve been writing the blog for years come and have a look – https://thisisnothappening.net/

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast EP.55 | Brother Ali | Satisfied Soul.

Posted on March 10, 2025March 10, 2025 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

The awesome albums keep coming early in 2025 and we’d love to introduce on to you today. Welcome to Episode 55 of This is Not Happening (TINH), an Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast.

In Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. We pick a theme and each pick a song that represents that theme. We judge the selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

In Part 1, Nolan, resident Hip Hop head stays true to form and brings a new album from a 47 year old artist! Brother Ali’s ‘Satisfied Soul’.

In Part 2, following Brother Ali’s exploration of peace, love, faith and religion, our Spin It or Bin It, our theme this month is ‘Religion’.

—– Part 1 | Brother Ali | Satisfied Soul —–

Nolan has been trying to introduce Brother Ali to us for years but … there’s a lot of music and not a lot of time. Previous album releases have not lined up with podcasts but this time they did! Satisfied Soul is an album that is worth any music fan spending some time with. It is not a niche hip hop album for niche hip hop fans. It’s soul music. It’s pop music. It’s Hip Hop. It’s intelligent. It’s massively thought provoking and massively accessible to anyone with an open mind and an open ear.

Get on it. Please.

Listen to the album here.
This track is not from this album … but too good not to share Cadillac.
Nolan’s awesome ‘Intro to Brother Ali’ playlist can be found here.
Buy some stuff here.

—– Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Religion’ —–

Popular music and religion have been uncomfortable bedfellows since … forever. We agreed to each select a track that ‘tackles’ the theme of religion in any way shape or form;

Joey chose Tennessee by Arrested Development.
David chose Dear God by XTC.
Guy chose Stand on the Word by The Joubert Singers.
Nolan chose Name of God by Mustafa.

Here is a link to a this 4 track playlist.

Album of the Month, New Albums, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 53 | Father John Misty | Mahashmashana

Posted on January 20, 2025January 20, 2025 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Another month, another pod. Welcome to Episode 513 of This is Not Happening (TINH), an Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast. In Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, Guy hosts an interesting discussion on Father John Misty’s (FJM) latest album, Mahashmashana. 50% of the Pod love FJM, 50% don’t!

In Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, our theme this month is ‘Location, Location, Location’, or ‘songs about places’ and it’s a belter!

Part 1 | Father John Misty | Mahashmashana

We often review artists that we all love. This month this is not the case. 2 of us love FJM, one of us gets very angry when listening to FJM and one of us doesn’t really have an opinion. Can this album keep the fans happy and win over the angry and the non-plussed?

Given the above, this is a surprisingly well mannered and coherent conversation about FJMs latest album. There’s only 8 tracks but they’re all pretty long. We discuss songwriting, song length and album themes like ageing and the associated ego deaths that accompany it.

Listen to the album … HERE
Watch some of the videos for the tracks discussed … HERE
Watch the World Cafe interview that we reference on the pod … HERE
Watch a live performance of lead single ‘She Cleans Up’ … HERE

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Location, Location, Location’

Songs about places are really common. It’s a theme explored by many (most?) artists at some point in their songwriting. This was a great chat and 4 great track selections.

Guy chose Paris by Friendly Fires feat. Au Revioire Simone.
Nolan chose New York State of Mind by Nas.
Joey chose Welcome to Jamrock by Damien Marley.
David chose Tobacco Road by Bobby Gentry.

Here is a 16 track playlist where we all contribute 4 Location, Location, Location themed tracks to an extended playlist.

See you on Episode 54…

Album of the Month, Music chat, Playlists, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Episode 52 | Top 10 Albums 2024

Posted on December 16, 2024December 17, 2024 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

It’s the end of the year and that means it’s time for us decide on our individual Top 10 Favourite albums list. Once this is done, we hand this to David, who fires up the TINH algorithm and a collective Top 10 is created. Sometimes it’s predictable, sometimes it’s not, more often than not Guy feels like the TINH black-sheep but every year we tell him we love him and it all works out well.

Part 1 | TINH Collective Top 10 List.

We run down our top 10 list, introducing the albums and why they made it into our top 10. We always plan to be short and snapy. We always fail. But hopefully you enjoy it.

Part 2 | Spin It Or Bin It | Favourite Track of 2024.

We usually create a short list of 4 tracks each and pick a single track to represent the theme. With it being the end of the year, the theme is obvious, Favourite Track of the Year. But we each created a 10 track ‘short’ list this time.

The 40 track ‘Favourite Tracks of 2024 is available here and it’s a belter.

In Part 2 we each talk through our favourite track of the year and then ask the question … Spin It or Bin It where we try to decide a track of the year.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 50 | Nilifur Yanya | My Method Actor

Posted on October 14, 2024October 19, 2024 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

We’ve hit the BIG 5-0 and we’re still speaking to each other. It’s delgight to welcome to Episode 50 of This is Not Happening (TINH). An Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, David introduces the latest album from one of my favourite obsession artists, ‘My Method Actor’ by Nilifur Yanya.

In Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, we return for our quarterly visit to the theme of ‘New Music’ … anything released since August 1st.

Part 1 | Nilifur Yanya | My Method Actor

This is the third full length studio album from Yanya. She is a super interesting artist blending soul, jazz, indie and a bunch of other sounds and influences in there. This album is something of a departure for her following her last 2 albums that perhaps embraced the indie side of her influences. This album is a super smart melding of all of her influences, definitely leaning more towards the soul and jazz side of her music. It feels like a return to some of her earliest EP releases and I love it for that fact.

Listen to the album … HERE
Watch a video of her performing a track from her 2nd EP back in 2017 on the BBC Introducing stage … HERE
2 Tracks from the new album get a very low-fi video, watch them both HERE and HERE
The obligatory Jimmy Fallon performance link is … HERE
Interesting interview on ‘The Talk.Com’, this is a quick read and enlightening … read it HERE

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | New Music

Super-simple, we all chose a track that we love from the last couple of months and ask each the simple binary question, Spin It or Bin It?

Joey chose Wristwatch by MJ Lenderman
Guy chose Zero Sum by The Smile
Nolan chose Dafodil by Jamie XX and friends
David chose Neon Signs by The Weather Station

See you on Episode 51 …

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 49 | Common & Pete Rock

Posted on September 16, 2024September 16, 2024 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 49 of This is Not Happening (TINH). An Album of the Month (AOTM) Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, Nolan goes back to his spiritual home, Hip Hop and has picked an album that the genre has been waiting decades for – Common and Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1.

In Part 2, Spin It or Bin It, the theme sounds simple but it turned out to be deceptively divisive. This month we delve into ‘Power Ballads’ … but what actually is a Power Ballad?

Part 1 | Common & Pete Rock | The Auditorium Vol. 1

If you’re age (old AF) and you like Hip Hop then you’ve probably been listening to these two legends for 30 odd years. Common is 52, Mr. Rock is 54. They’ve been at the top of their games for decades but does the combination deliver synergy or something a little less?

Listen to the album HERE
Watch some videos HERE and HERE and HERE
Guy references the performance of ‘When the Sun Shines Again’ on Jimmy Fallon.
If you’ve got 4 hrs then watch this monster chat with the pair on Drinks Champs
I reference a NY Time Popcast Episode discussing what ‘What’s an ageing rapper to do’
Guy references

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Power Ballads.

So what is a Power Ballad? We all know the classics, but if we try and bring something a little different then first we have to have some sort of definition. We’ve picked 4 tracks that aren’t on many Power Ballad playlists …

Guy chose Nothing Compares 2U by Sinead O’Connor.
David chose The Way That You Do It by Gerry Rafferty.
Joey chose Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo.
Nolan chose Roar by Katy Perry.

See you on Episode 50 …

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, Playlists, podcast, Spin it or Bin It, Tracks of the Month, Uncategorized

Podcast Ep. 44 | Yard Act | Where’s My Utopia

Posted on April 22, 2024 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 44 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, we wrestle with the 2nd album from Yard Act titled ‘Where’s My Utopia?’. This month we’re in the capable hands of Guy who has been a Yard Act fan for some time, choosing their debut album as his Album of the Year in 2022. 66.6% of the team agree with him but 33.3% of the team has found the album more of a struggle.

Part 1 | Yard Act | Where’s My Utopia?

Yard act are an interesting proposition, they are perhaps the most knowingly Northern band since Oasis. They seem to be everywhere and it’s tough to find someone who doesn’t like them. They are very clearly ‘Post Punk’ but their definition of what this means has changed somewhat with this album. We ask the standard question, what did you expect and what did you get plus questions about

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Buy some stuff here.
Buy some tickets to see them live here.
Read some stuff here and listen to some pods here and here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘Spoken Word’

Given the AOTM is Yard Act, we chose to look at our favourite Spoken Word tracks. And 3 of us actually chose a Spoken Word track … one of us chose something else but let’s leave that and let us know if you agree with me that it was not Spoken Word. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

Nolan chose – ‘SpottieOttieDopalicious’ by Outkast.
Guy chose –‘‘The Revolution will not be Televised’ by Gil Scott Heron.
Joey chose – ‘Loosing My Edge’ by LCD Soundsystem
David chose – ‘O Superman’ by Laurie Anderson

See you soon for Episode 44!

Album of the Month, New Albums, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 43 | Helado Negro | Phasor

Posted on March 11, 2024April 22, 2024 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 43 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, we embrace the truly beautiful, hynotic new album by Helado Negro, called ‘Phasor’. Joey (that’s me) is running ‘tings this month, at least one of the crew loves this album but the other two … I’m not so sure. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘New Music’ where we all chose a track from the last 2 months and ask the others ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

Part 1 | Helado Negro | Phasor

This is right up my street. It’s calming, beautiful, intriguing little gem of an album. It’s instantly accessible and a rewarding listen but it is also a gift that keeps on giving. There is a surprsing complexity to the album if you want there to be. But the big questions is ‘what on earth do we call it?’ Guy suggests ‘Cosmic Pop’ and I think he’s right.

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Buy some stuff here.
Follow him on Instagram here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | ‘New Music (Jan, Feb, March ’24)

The theme is nice and simple and always a fun one – new music. Pick a track, any track from the past 2-3 months. Our chosen 4 tracks can be found on a play list here. In order to chose a track we each shortlist 4 tracks each, a combined 16 track playlist can be found here.

David chose – ‘AA Bouquet for your 180 Face’ by Saya Grey
Guy chose –‘Spare me the decision’ Nation of Language / Cutouts
Joey chose – ‘Right Back At It’ by Waxahatchee / MJ Lenderman
Nolan chose – ‘Invulnerable’ by K-OS

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, New Tunes, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Episode 39 | Sufjan Stevens | Javelin

Posted on November 20, 2023 by misterstory

EP.66 | Jill Scott | To Whom This May Concern – This Is Not Happening – An Album Of The Month Podcast

Welcome to Episode 39 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’?

This month, in Part 1, we get stuck in TINH favourite, Sufjan Steven’s latest release ‘Javelin’. Wow. Is there a lot to talk about. I hope we do it justice. In Part 2, the Spin it or Bin it theme is ‘Unconventional Love Songs’ where we all chose a track that we think fits the theme and ask the others ‘Spin It or Bin It’.

Part 1 | Sufjan Stevens | Javelin

It’s David’s choice this month and a record 3rd time that we’ve reviewed an album by the same artist. On one hand this Sufjan doing Sufjan things … and then on the other, it’s a heart breaking, gut punch of an album that takes you to beautifully uncomfortable places. It’s genuinely spectacular.

Listen to the album here.
Watch some videos here.
Buy some stuff here.
In the chat we reference Sufjan’s Instagram, that can be found here.
A rare and recent (ish) interview with Sufjan on his health condition is here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It | Unconventional Love Songs

Who are we to judge what ‘conventional’ means, what ‘love’ means … what a ‘song’ is? The interpretation of ‘unconventional love songs’ was left wide open this month.

We all chose a 4 track shortlist to chose our track, you can here all 16 tracks on this playlist here.

Nolan chose – ‘The Night’ by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Joey chose – ‘Ms Fat Booty’ by Mos Def
Guy chose – ‘Chateau Lobby #4 (for 2 virgins)’ by Father John Misty
David chose – ‘Where Dreams go to Die’ by John Grant

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

Album of the Month, Music chat, New Albums, podcast, Spin it or Bin It

Podcast Ep. 36 | Creep Show | Yawning Abyss

Posted on August 21, 2023 by misterstory

Welcome to Episode 36 of This is Not Happening. An Album of the Month Podcast where in Part 1 we deep dive into an Album that one of us has chosen and in Part 2 we play ‘Spin it or Bin it’. This is where we pick a theme and each select a song that represents that theme. We judge each others selections by asking the question ‘Spin It or Bin It’? This month, we get stuck right into Creep Show’s ‘Yawning Abyss’ in Part 1 and in Part 2 we play Spin It or Bin It with the theme ‘Super-Producers’.

Part 1 | Album of the Month | Creep Show’s ‘Yawning Abyss’

It’s Guy’s choice this month and he choses a bleak little oddity by Creep Show called Yawning Abyss. Creep Show are a ‘Super Group’ of John Grant, Phil Winter (Tuung), Stephen Mallinder (Caberet Volataire) and Ben ‘Benge’ Edwards (Prolific Producer). This is their 2nd album as a collective and they channel the dark, the dystopian and the hopeless across 9 tracks and 40-ish minutes of music. There are elements of each individuals previous work but there is distinctive sound that the band capture themselves.

Listen to the album here or some tracks here.
Visit their Bandcamp here.

Here are few links to provide a little background.

Read a very short interview with Creep Show here and a longer one here.
Watch Creep Show play ‘Yawning Abyss’ live at latitude here.
The Metacritic album page can be found here.

Part 2 | Spin It or Bin It? | Super-Producers

What is a Super-Producer? It turns out we all have a different definition, no surprises there I guess! But collectively we kind of agree that a Super-Producer is (i) successful (ii) prolific (iii) has had a significant impact on music (iv) spans numerous artists and perhaps genres.

David chose ‘I never loved a man’ by Aretha Franklin (Jerry Wexler)
Joey chose ‘Gamma Ray’ by Beck (Dangermouse)
Nolan chose ‘NY State of Mind’ by Nas (DJ Premier)
Guy chose ‘Weird Fish / Arpeggi’ by Radiohead (Nigel Godrich)

In order to select our tracks we shortlist 4 each and create a 16 track playlist that can be found here.

*** Enjoy the Episode ***

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