Fake Plastic Cheese

Rage Against The Machine Self-Titled vs Metallica "Master Of Puppets"

In at number 97, Rage Against The Machine's eponymous debut album from 1992 on Apple Music and Metallica's "Master Of Puppets" from 6 years earlier in 1992 on the Rolling Stone list. Master Of Puppets features on Apple Music's list further up at number 69 interestingly. So what do our middle-aged heroes make of this veritable feast of RAWK? Rage brought keen political awareness to the masses in a way that hadn't been done before or really since. While Metallica's razor sharp riffing and dissonance was somehow melded to classical structures and pop melodies in a similarly idiosyncratic fashion. Listen on to get FPC's unique take on these masterpieces...

Travis Scott "Astroworld" vs Lucinda Williams "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road"

In at no 98 on the Apple Best Albums Of All Time Forever And Ever Amen list is a certain Travis Scott with his 2018 record "Astroworld". Inspired by a local fairground, the contents present a murky and curiously introspective world belying the sunny Texas climes from whence he hails. In neighbouring Louisiana, some 20 years previously, Lucinda Williams was cooking up some deceptively poetic country rock for her album "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road" which did so well it ended up at no 98 in Rolling Stone's list. Well done both of you! Now our middle-aged heroes attempt once more to decipher what these two artists were trying to achieve with these records that showcase very different sides of American life.

Eagles "Hotel California" vs Taylor Swift "Red"

99... Jay-Z's number of problems, a simple-yet-delicious ice cream treat and also the place where you'll find the Eagles' "Hotel California" on Apple Music's Top 100 albums list. In the same berth on Rolling Stone's list is Taylor Swift's "Red". Two massive country artists, a generation apart, trying their hardest to crossover into the mainstream. It almost seems too good to be a coincidence... but coincidence it is!

Robyn "Bodytalk" vs The Band "Music From Big Pink"

We begin our countdown in earnest at no 100 on Apple Music's Top 100 albums - Robyn's "Bodytalk" where tear-soaked dancefloors and her idiosyncratic quirkiness abounds. What will our middle-aged heroes make of this? And what tenuous threads will they pull when it comes to contrasting it with Rolling Stone's number 100 album "Music From Big Pink" by the Band? Only one way to find out dear listener...

Intro Episode

Why the hell are we here? Listen to find out... Joss and Alex delve into a bit of their back story and the general concept behind the pod.