The Mild Mannered Army

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 26 - Tracks of our Years with Hadley Freeman

Episode: Hadley Freeman – A Journey Through the Music of 1989

In this episode of The Mild Mannered Army, host Paul Laird is joined by acclaimed author and journalist Hadley Freeman for a long-form conversation about the music that defined 1989. Known for her witty insights and deep cultural commentary, Hadley takes us on a nostalgic journey through the songs that shaped her world during that transformative year.

From Madonna’s iconic Like a Prayer to Prince’s eccentric Batdance, from the infectious pop of Boy Meets Girl and Milli Vanilli to the rebellious edge of Guns N’ Roses and Neneh Cherry, this episode revisits the eclectic soundtrack of a year that bridged the '80s and '90s. Together, we explore the stories behind these songs, their cultural significance, and the personal connections that make them timeless.

Tracks Discussed:

• Like a Prayer – Madonna
• Waiting for a Star to Fall – Boy Meets Girl
• Girl You Know It's True – Milli Vanilli
• Batdance – Prince
• You Got It – New Kids on the Block
• Patience – Guns N’ Roses
• Buffalo Stance – Neneh Cherry
• Pictures of You – The Cure
• We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel
• Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson
• Stand – REM

Links:

• Hadley Freeman’s books:
  • House of Glass: The Story and Secrets of a Twentieth-Century Jewish Family
  • Life Moves Pretty Fast: The Lessons We Learned from Eighties Movies
  • The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable
• Paul Laird’s book: The Birth and Impact of Britpop

Fair Use Statement:

This episode features brief audio clips from songs discussed for the purposes of commentary and critique. All music clips are used under fair use for educational and discussion purposes.

Join us for this vibrant trip down memory lane, celebrating the music of 1989 with one of the sharpest cultural commentators of our time.

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 25 - Tracks of Our Years 1981

The Mild Mannered Army Podcast – 1981: The Year Pop Exploded

In this episode, Paul and Nick take a deep dive into the music of 1981—a year that saw the explosion of synth-pop, the rise of the New Romantics, and a blend of post-punk experimentation with mainstream chart success.

Join us as we share our memories of 1981, a year filled with iconic fashion, unforgettable performances, and groundbreaking music. We explore the tracks and artists that defined the era, from shimmering synth melodies to rebellious rhythms and everything in between.

Artists Featured:
Soft Cell, The Human League, The Specials, The Go-Go’s, Duran Duran, Adam and the Ants, U2, Depeche Mode, Heaven 17, Altered Images, Grace Jones, and even Shakin’ Stevens (because no trip to 1981 would be complete without him).

Expect plenty of nostalgia, debate, and more than a few guilty pleasures as we celebrate one of the most exciting years in pop history.

Tracks Used:
We’ve compiled all the music featured in this episode on a Spotify playlist—take a listen and relive the sounds of 1981:
Spotify Playlist

Fair Use Statement:
This podcast may include short clips of music used under the principles of fair use for the purpose of commentary, critique, and education. We respect and celebrate the original artists and encourage listeners to explore and support their work.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Mild Mannered Army wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow us on social media for updates on future episodes!

 

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 24 - Tracks of Our Years 1973

Episode 25 of The Mild Mannered Army is the second in our "Tracks of Our Years" strand.  This week it's my turn to pick twelve songs from a pivotal year in my life - my birth year of 1973.  Join Nick and I as we discuss the songs, the artists, and the memories from that year.

Theme music is Magenta Moon (Part II) by Line noise from the Free Music Archive.

You can follow us on X; 

@TracksOurYears @MildManneredMix

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 23 - Tracks of Our Years 1972

We're ba-ack.  Join Nick Amies and I as we take a journey through the tracks of our years...the music that was providing the soundtrack to our lives.  In this weeks episode we are going back to 1972 when Mama and Papa Amies welcomed little baby Nick into the world.  Nick has selected 12 tracks he loves from his birth year...join us on this deep dive into an epic year for music.

Paul Laird is the author of "The Birth and Impact of Britpop" - the definitive story of the Britpop era.  He is also a regular contributor to BBC Radio Scotland on pop culture.  He writes for Our Sound Music.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birth-Impact-Britpop-Mis-Shapes-Scenesters/dp/1399017470/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19QSKQ9DMWWCM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xmF5GdAmkTi23Js71kHZFw.IfKiY7vtyJFmf7NkVER8BT8RnqWtIx2KW9sgh7ETqCg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+birth+and+impact+of+britpop&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1727957358&sprefix=the+birth+and+impact+o%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-1

Nick Amies is a journalist, author, screenwriter, and cultural commentator.  Nick has written books on Oasis, as well as novels set in the nineties "indie" scene.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Nick-Amies/author/B00D85RSQ8?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1727957302&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

 

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 22 - Graeme Armstrong "The Young Team"

I am joined by author Graeme Armstrong to discuss his debut novel "The Young Team".  Inspired by his own experiences of gang culture in North Lanarkshire Graeme has produced a debut novel that has generated real excitement and that looks set to be viewed as a classic in time.  With themes of family, identity, love, loss and belonging running throughout the tales of life as part of the Young Team this is a book that captures you, excites you, disturbs you and challenges you.  

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 21 - Rick McMurray (Ash)

A treat as I am joined, in the Filmhouse bar, by Rick McMurray from Ash to discuss 25 years of...teenage wildlife.  This is a real delight with Rick and I talking Top Trumps, Iron Maiden, the perfect set-list and almost everything else along the way.  Teenage Wildlife is available right now on CD, vinyl and a few limited edition formats of both are still available too.  You know what to do.

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 20 - In Her Room interview with James Cook

Former Britpop star James Cook follows up his fantastic memoir "Memory Songs" with a new book that deals with his experience of being the father of a child with non-verbal autism and how music helped him to connect with her.  James is open and honest about his experiences and the things he has learned on his journey.  The book is available from Blink and, right now, we would encourage you to order a copy from your nearest independent book shop.

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 19 - Stephen Street

In this episode I am joined by the legendary music producer Stephen Street.  Over his career Stephen has worked with some of the best known, best loved and iconic bands and artists in popular music; The Smiths, The Triffids, Blur, The Cranberries and Sleeper are just a few of those.  Here we discuss all of those bands and Stephen's memories of working with them.  This is a real treat...enjoy it!

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 18 - Olympian at 25 with Matt James

What a treat.  An interview with Gene drummer and all 'round good egg Mr Matt "The Hat" James.  Matt and I met to talk about the debut album from Gene, "Olympian", and along the way we discover the history of the band, Martin Rossiters love of Queen, what working with Phil Vinall was like and so much more besides.  A treat I tells ya.

The Mild Mannered Army Episode 17 - Plastic Jewels at 25

Ahoy, welcome to the first episode of the Mild Mannered Army Podcast of the roaring twenties.  Exciting isn't it?  In this episode I am joined by James and Jude Cook of The Flamingoes to discuss their album "Plastic Jewels" which celebrates its 25th anniversary this month.  2020 will see the same celebrations for a lot of the "big" albums of the Britpop era but few of those contain as much of the spirit of the nineties UK  music scene as this one.  Full of verve, vim and vigour, great pop songs and tender, moving, deeply personal songs about the loss of life, love and the human condition this is an album that has things to say and says them wonderfully.