

1001 Album Complaints
The Chop Unlimited
Classic albums' full backstories told by musicians who love to nitpick the details, now with >1M downloads.
We do all the research, help you better understand why you love the things you love, plus introduce you to new music and musical ideas you should care about. Want to sound informed, intelligent, and funny when talking about music, even the records you don't like? Want to laugh while you learn more about music production and music history? Then welcome to your new favorite weekly podcast.
We do all the research, help you better understand why you love the things you love, plus introduce you to new music and musical ideas you should care about. Want to sound informed, intelligent, and funny when talking about music, even the records you don't like? Want to laugh while you learn more about music production and music history? Then welcome to your new favorite weekly podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 4, 2022 • 1h 14min
The Story Behind: Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA, Ep 59
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Bruce Springsteen skyrocketed to pop stardom in 1984 with Born in the USA, one of the best-selling records of all time. The team discuss under-developed melodies, snare drum sound characteristics, and subversive song lyrics. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7oej6rDhD9xnMrXe7HgtQ1?si=7d8ecd932f544c4fListen to Born in the USA here:https://open.spotify.com/album/0PMasrHdpaoIRuHuhHp72O?si=ZCcU56o9TzGWKagtQpOzXQIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: System of a Down - System of a Down

Jun 27, 2022 • 1h 25min
The Story Behind: Bob Marley and the Wailers - Natty Dread, Ep. 58
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Bob Marley was a star in his native Jamaica but had yet to breakthrough to the rest of the world when he recorded Natty Dread. The fellows discuss politically-charged songs, hammond organ attack dynamics, and the insanely far reach of this music into nearly every corner of the world.Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0BfWIcSnu7Co5vnRn7D27L?si=e59d790f5a7b43c2Listen to Natty Dread here:https://open.spotify.com/album/1d8lF3nZpEIFeEbWmAt9Ey?si=Wa--z5HIScWPDLinjEwq3QIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA

Jun 20, 2022 • 1h 19min
The Story Behind: Gang Starr - Step in the Arena, Ep 57
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Gang Starr were a hugely influential rap duo in the 1990s New York scene, and Step in the Arena is considered by many to be their first masterpiece. The boys talk about DJ craft, vocab words, and the legacy of the gritty sample. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5SM6zmWGGbSxXwsf31HxN8?si=7455564254134284Listen to Step in the Arena here:https://open.spotify.com/album/05wcY4zcfSawCyoutTTxda?si=R6kG1rHbQIeL-vYNbOl68gIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Bob Marley and the Wailers - Natty Dread

Jun 13, 2022 • 1h 38min
The Story Behind: Thelonius Monk - Brilliant Corners, Ep 56
Thelonius Monk, a misunderstood musician with a breakthrough on Brilliant Corners. Discuss notoriously difficult songs, an all-star backing band, and the stress of recording. Explore Monk's unique approach to jazz, analyzing his solo piano track and the influence of scat singing. Embrace the 'bad' note in jazz improvisation and discuss GangStarr's upcoming album.

Jun 6, 2022 • 1h 21min
The Story Behind: The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin, Ep 55
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. The Flying Burrito Brothers had a rotating cast of star players and a pocketful of Byrds royalties cash to spend on The Gilded Palace of Sin. The boys discuss hard panned harmonies, overly busy bass lines, and eating too much Mexican food while drunk. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5iKQXGsFbPelVOeYLSjuBI?si=97f2a10f8809471bListen to The Gilded Palace of Sin here:https://open.spotify.com/album/6VWKy5o2OcdeWa7yolazjU?si=S6qTQ0nvSgialZT2KZI7IwIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Thelonius Monk - Brilliant Corners

May 30, 2022 • 1h 12min
The Story Behind: Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule, Ep 54
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Lenny Kravitz was born cool as the only son of a hugely successful sitcom actress and a jazz promoter. He spent years honing his abilities on various instruments and his talents eventually converged on his debut album "Let Love Rule". The boys discuss the burden of having famous friends, SNL saxophone riffs, and Lenny's "rock and roll voice".Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1CcmMDAxihrJSDMBBU7q7M?si=af197be12d25494fListen to Let Love Rule here:https://open.spotify.com/album/70Vuh3jYUMO8LLP5BaqZMb?si=sCTPPtJQT0Wb3M0KGZvN-wIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: The Flying Burrito Brothers - The Gilded Palace of Sin

May 23, 2022 • 1h 21min
The Story Behind: Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause, Ep 53
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Kid Rock had had a few swings at stardom already when he finally hit a home run with "Devil Without a Cause" in 1998. The boys discuss single chord songs, lowest common denominator songwriting, and the "carnival of bravado" on display here. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0SJ4pIg6lZpeYF1BDV0fs4?si=86a4a3ec54b84183Listen to Devil Without a Cause here:https://open.spotify.com/album/7nFlAxnXMrQRpM1R80pKQm?si=Artm8DqdROa687yTlRbBVAIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsSupport us on Patreon, now including our new show Song Battle!https://www.patreon.com/1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule

May 16, 2022 • 1h 18min
The Story Behind: Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World, Ep 52
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Super Furry Animals emerged from the Welsh "Cool Cymru" scene in 1990s and have become a cult favorite in the decades since. The team discuss studio indulgences, perfectly stacked harmonies, and the meaning of celebrity album cameos. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1N0AvmuVkjlBPF20RQKKuM?si=e1bc717443cf4604Listen to Rings Around the World here:https://open.spotify.com/album/6g6WBTqT5gE4fAcwRljpjc?si=EA_51l8iTe2bB9OCKXh98AIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Kid Rock - Devil Without a Cause

May 9, 2022 • 1h 18min
The Best and Worst Songs of the 1st 50 episodes
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. We continue our celebrations of 50 episodes by voting for, then counting down the BEST and WORST songs we've covered so far. Apart from our definitive rankings, we discuss other surprises and random extrapolations from the voting ballots. The data does not lie. Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comOur official Top 50 songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/42deXI71b0V0twS6X2XoiD?si=7715b80f428449e5Our official Worst 25 songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/62Sziz97xscB1FXC6dXmQN?si=19d3697e24c54fe2Rob's Top 50:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2IeKzCy5WO9WZYCqhiYA0c?si=b46a02ffc6a347ccTom's Top 50:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Pj0GyNnCIMFnJWqH1K0cp?si=80e7946768434939Adam's Top 50:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5AyzKIHo4PLUt6d6k4xJAE?si=f1d6f2f0ed46416fAllan's Top 50:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ehp0jJpIABHwx0kne4oLf?si=37f0aa419c984892Phil's Top 50:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7HJnThGcXc4dImpVSETPZB?si=0ccad16141374807Intro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's album: Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World

May 2, 2022 • 2h 6min
Our 50th Episode! The Story Behind: Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon
Musicians recount the strange and unexpected story behind the making of your favorite albums. Pink Floyd stepped into the studio to layout a concept record about LIFE itself. We celebrate a momentous occasion (our 50th episode) by analyzing an undisputed classic album: Dark Side. The discussion is long and rangy as the boys touch on Abbey Road drum sounds, suspended chords, and the importance of patience.Email us your complaints (or questions / comments) at 1001AlbumComplaints@gmail.comListen to our episode companion playlist (compilation of the songs we referenced on this episode) here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0aXBGitvpORpO6onQGcVAb?si=3e989ffd0cdc435bListen to The Dark Side of the Moon here:https://open.spotify.com/album/4LH4d3cOWNNsVw41Gqt2kv?si=zt-EjD0-SKOsC6gRMGEnfAIntro music: When the Walls Fell by The Beverly CrushersOutro music: After the Afterlife by MEGAFollow our Spotify Playlist of music produced directly by us. Listen and complain at homeFollow us on instagram @thechopunlimited AND @1001AlbumComplaintsCheck out the Merch StoreNext week's show: The Best / Worst Tracks of our 1st 50 episodes!


