🍻 Is this the album that invented heavy metal? And over 50 years later, does it still deserve its legendary reputation?

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we're turning things up to eleven as we dive into one of the most influential rock albums ever released — Paranoid by Black Sabbath! 🤘

Released in 1970, Paranoid helped change the course of music forever. With Tony Iommi's crushing guitar riffs, Ozzy Osbourne's unmistakable vocals, and a darker, heavier sound than almost anything that came before it, Black Sabbath helped lay the foundations for an entirely new genre.

But is Paranoid really as groundbreaking as its reputation suggests? And how well does it hold up more than half a century later?

Before we get stuck into the album, we're kicking things off with Home Brewed, our weekly spotlight on emerging artists from North East England. This week we're featuring Look Terrified and their latest single, Love Bomb. 🎸

Then it's time to crack open a beer, get the record spinning and get into the music!

We take a trip back to 1970, explore the origins of Black Sabbath, and discuss how four lads from Birmingham went on to become one of the most influential bands in music history.

From the thunderous opening of War Pigs to the unmistakable riff of Iron Man, and the frantic energy of Paranoid, we're getting stuck into the songs that helped define the sound of heavy metal.

We'll be discussing the album's singles, exploring the stories behind the music, and sharing our thoughts on some of its most iconic tracks.

And with songs like Planet Caravan, Electric Funeral and Fairies Wear Boots sitting alongside those massive hits, there's plenty to get our teeth into!

As always, we'll be revealing our favourite tracks, the overlooked gems that deserve more attention, and the songs we'd happily skip.

BUT CAN AN ALBUM THIS LEGENDARY REALLY HAVE A WEAK TRACK? 👀

That's what we're here to find out!

Expect plenty of opinions, a few disagreements, some questionable choices and all the usual Beers & B-Sides banter as we work our way through one of the most important albums in rock history.

And, of course, we finish by choosing our favourite side of the record and delivering our all-important Last Orders Verdict. 🍺

So grab yourself a pint, turn the volume up, and join us for another episode of Beers & B-Sides!

🎧 Follow Beers & B-Sides on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

What do YOU think? Is Paranoid Black Sabbath's greatest album? And which track deserves the title of the best song on the record? Let us know!

#BlackSabbath #Paranoid #BeersAndBSides #HeavyMetal #MusicPodcast

🍻 Is this the greatest Britpop album of all time? Or have some of its biggest songs been played to death?

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we're diving into one of the most iconic British albums ever released — (What's the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis!

Released in 1995, this is the album that turned Liam and Noel Gallagher into household names, helped define an entire era of British music, and gave us some of the biggest anthems of the 90s.

But does it still sound just as good over 30 years later?

Before we get stuck into the album, we're kicking things off with Home Brewed, our weekly spotlight on emerging artists from North East England. This week we're featuring Split the Ticket and their brand-new single, Fingernails. 🎸

Then it's time to crack open a beer, get the record spinning and get into the music!

We take a trip back to 1995, explore the story of Oasis and their meteoric rise to fame, dive into the album's singles and B-sides, and discuss the songs that helped make Morning Glory a cultural phenomenon.

We'll be revealing our favourite tracks, the overlooked gems that deserve more attention, and the songs we'd happily skip.

And speaking of skips...

WONDERWALL?! 👀

That's right. A couple of us have actually picked Wonderwall, along with a few other Oasis classics, as songs we'd skip!

Not because we think they're bad songs — far from it — but when you've heard a song approximately a million times, does it start to lose some of its magic?

There's also plenty of nostalgia in this episode as we reminisce about our experiences at the Oasis reunion gigs. After years of wondering whether Liam and Noel would ever share a stage again, we finally got to witness it for ourselves, and we've got plenty to say about it!

With some of the biggest songs in British music history up for discussion, expect passionate opinions, a few disagreements, plenty of laughs and the usual Beers & B-Sides banter.

And, of course, we finish by choosing our favourite side of the record and delivering our all-important Last Orders Verdict. 🍺

So grab yourself a pint, turn up the volume, and join us for another episode of Beers & B-Sides!

🎧 Follow Beers & B-Sides on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

What do YOU think? Is (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Oasis' greatest album? And can a song be so overplayed that it becomes a skip, even if you still love it? Let us know!

#Oasis #MorningGlory #BeersAndBSides #Britpop #MusicPodcast

🍷 20 YEARS OF BACK TO BLACK! 🎶

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we're raising a glass to the one and only Amy Winehouse as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of her extraordinary second and final studio album, Back to Black.

Released on 27th October 2006, Back to Black remains one of the most iconic and influential British albums of the 21st century. From the infectious swagger of Rehab to the heartbreaking beauty of Love Is a Losing Game, it's a record filled with soul, heartbreak, honesty and unforgettable music.

But before we get into the album, we're kicking things off with our Home Brewed segment! 🍺

🎸 HOME BREWED – ISABEL MARIA

This week's Home Brewed spotlight falls on North East artist Isabel Maria, who's back with her latest single, Ruin.

We're shining a light on another exciting talent from our local music scene and giving her new release some well-deserved attention.

🎧 Listen to Isabel Maria:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1CPp8hXfUyooaqOWlqPKGB

🎵 Listen to Ruin:
https://open.spotify.com/track/13WV6U8Kx0gqYpEeIDxq43

🍷 BACK TO BLACK – 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

For this special episode, we're celebrating the life, music and extraordinary legacy of Amy Winehouse, a truly unique artist whose unmistakable voice and songwriting continue to resonate with listeners around the world.

As always, we're diving deep into the album, exploring Amy's musical journey, the story behind Back to Black, the singles, and what was happening in the world when the record first arrived in 2006.

We'll be picking our favourite tracks, discussing the overlooked gems, debating the weaker moments (if there are any!), choosing our favourite side of the vinyl and finishing with our all-important Last Orders Verdict.

Along the way, expect plenty of laughs, friendly disagreements, questionable opinions and, of course, a few pints! 🍻

20 years later, does Back to Black still deserve its legendary status?

Join us as we celebrate an incredible album and pay tribute to one of the greatest and most distinctive voices British music has ever produced.

🍻 Beers & B-Sides – Four friends. One album. A few pints.

#AmyWinehouse #BackToBlack #IsabelMaria #MusicPodcast #BeersAndBSides