Life of the Record

hot damn that was a good record

Hell yeah

For the 40th anniversary of @themarychain.bsky.social’s debut album, PSYCHOCANDY, we spoke with Jim Reid and William Reid about how it was made. Brothers changed by punk, discovering recording, a magical fuzz pedal and pop meets noise in the 1980s.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/the-jesus-a...

Dan is too kind. Every episode of @lifeoftherecord.bsky.social is a treasure trove of information.

Honored that Life of the Record makes an appearance in @chrisdeville.bsky.social’s fantastic book Such Great Heights. I've been a big fan of Chris's writing for a long time so it means a lot to be included in this essential indie rock history. Check it out: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

In our latest episode, Sharon Van Etten describes reading Patti Smith's 'Just Kids' and feeling inspired to finish writing songs for her album, TRAMP.
Full track-by-track deep dive: lifeoftherecord.com#/sharon-van-...

The Making of A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE by Smog - featuring Bill Callahan — Life of the Record For the 20th anniversary of the Smog album, A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE, we spoke to Bill Callahan about how it was made. Leaving Smog in Chicago, moving to Austin, learning fingerpicking, writing ...

In-depth review of “A River Ain’t Too Much to Love” by Bill Callahan himself lifeoftherecord.com/smog/

New on Life of the Record ⬇️

In celebration of Sharon Van Etten's third album, TRAMP, we spoke to Sharon Van Etten and producer Aaron Dessner about how it was made. Living between sublets, recording in Aaron's garage, the Brooklyn music community and a turning point moment.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/sharon-van-...

Life of the Record Life of the Record is a documentary podcast about how iconic albums are made. Featuring the voices of the creators, each episode delves into the writing, recording and touring of a record that became ...

you might enjoy this episode of the podcast @lifeoftherecord.bsky.social btw about No Need to Argue - lifeoftherecord.com#/the-cranber... i keep pushing this podcast on people because it's so great to hear about these albums in the words of people who actually made them

In our latest episode, Peter Bjorn and John describe early reactions to "Young Folks," after playing it while DJing and putting it up on Myspace.
Full WRITER'S BLOCK deep dive: lifeoftherecord.com#/peter-bjorn...

Peter Bjorn and John's WRITER'S BLOCK is one of the defining indie albums of the 2000s. We spoke to Peter Morén, Björn Yttling and John Eriksson about how it was made. Almost quitting, recording with no budget and the whistle heard round the world.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/peter-bjorn...

Two hoots, a hello and a fuck all y'all.

Love this album.

The Making of A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE by Smog - featuring Bill Callahan Podcast Episode · Life of the Record · 08/05/2025 · 1h 34m

“I watched that drip, but it would not drop
I knew what I had to do
Had to pull those boards off the well”

The Making of I'M WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING by Bright Eyes - featuring Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis Podcast Episode · Life of the Record · 27/01/2025 · 2h 9m

If like me you love this album, this is a fascinating listen podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/l...

In our latest episode, Bill Callahan describes the decision to leave the Smog name behind and start fresh with A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE.
Full deep dive interview: lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/

This new @lifeoftherecord.bsky.social #podcast to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Smog album,
'A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE' is fantastic.
Could listen to Bill Callahan talk all day.
lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/

Totally. I loved hearing that too and it makes so much sense with his work. How as a listener, you’re often following the journey of the primary image in the song. The spontaneity in the lyrics is so unique

The most I’ve ever heard this man speak and I hung on every word. Fantastic work here.

Thanks a lot, Ryan. That means a lot. Usually I cut some bits here and there but I used everything he said for this one. Just found him endlessly fascinating

1) can’t believe it’s been 20 years

2) this is one of my all-time favorite records

Life of the Record Life of the Record is a documentary podcast about how iconic albums are made. Featuring the voices of the creators, each episode delves into the writing, recording and touring of a record that became ...

Not usually a podcast person but enjoyed this Life Of The Record podcast on the making of A River Ain't Too Much To Love by Smog with Bill Callahan talking about how it was made

lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/

Another essentail Life of the Record episode with a beautiful remembrance by Bill Callahan on the making of A River Ain’t Too Much to Love. It's my favorite of his albums with three songs from it analyzed for my Bill Callahan Series:

reclinernotes.com/bill-callaha...

Nice to see our Mic City Sons episode mentioned in this Pitchfork review

Great episode of Life of the Record on one of my favorite albums, Smog’s A RIVER AIN’T TOO MUCH TO LOVE, which came out 20 (!) years ago.

For the 20th anniversary of the Smog album, A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE, we spoke to Bill Callahan about how it was made. Leaving the Smog name, moving to Austin, learning fingerpicking, writing as a newcomer, and a clear sound like a river.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/

These F&#%ing Guys The latest B-side from Such Great Heights looks at Alex Warren, Benson Boone, and the power of negative polarization

The new B-side from my book SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS is about Alex Warren, Benson Boone, and the power of negative polarization (with bonus cameos from the Radiohead bear logo and @titus-andronicus.bsky.social on @lifeoftherecord.bsky.social)

I'm absolutely thrilled that @heatmiserarchive.bsky.social’s MIC CITY SONS is available on vinyl again. Such an incredible record. Hear our deep dive oral history of the album that we did for the 25th anniversary: lifeoftherecord.com/heatmiser/

Today is the 30th anniversary of one of the great Elliott Smith albums. 5 years back, we took a detailed look at the mystery and magic of the self-titled record:
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/elliott-smi...

Found this worth listening to as well: https://lifeoftherecord.com/#/titus-andronicus/. Patriotic in the best way.