To celebrate the release of Public Service Broadcasting’s *The Last Flight*, we explore the world of concept albums. Robert Bound speaks to the band’s J Willgoose, Esq about the making of the album, which explores aviator Amelia Earhart’s final takeoff. To continue the theme, Monocle’s contributing editor Andrew Mueller digs deep into weird and wonderful LPs, while writer Natty Kasambala and Will Hodgkinson, music critic at ‘The Times’, share their favourite concept albums. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello and welcome to Monocle on Culture.
I'm Robert Bound.
On today's show to coincide with the release of a new album by Public Service Broadcasting, we're celebrating the art of the concept album for that is what the British band's new lp, the Last Flight, is the concept the aviatrix extraordinaire Amelia Earhart's final takeoff on record.
Now, our show is not about the usual haul of singles from studio sessions, but rather an artist's intention to explore ideas, themes and stories.
It could be the notion of hyper emotion or a well known tale from a different perspective.
Or the story of Raul, a Puerto Rican street kid on a transcendental search for his soul on the streets of of New York.
Well, that is the Lamb Lies down on Broadway by Genesis from 1974.
Back in 2024, we'll be speaking to J.
Wilgoose Esq.
From Public Service Broadcasting to hear the story behind the story of his new record.
We'll hear from Monocle regular and music critic Andrew Muller on the notion of the concept album.
And we'll discuss our favourite concept LPs, the good, the bad and the weird, with two beloved familiar voices right here in the studio.
That's all coming up right here on Monocle On Culture.
We're going to start with Public Service Broadcasting, a British band that go above and beyond with their musical style and grand ambition.
They've previously made records about the space race, the BBC, coal mining and a celebration of Berlin as the ultimate expression of 20th century urbanism.
Oh, yeah.
Their blend of cinematic sounds entwined with innovative ideas are uber concept album territory.
Their new album, the Last Flight, revolves around the final voyage of America's pioneering aviator, amelia Earhart.
In 1937, she announced that she would circumnavigate the globe in her Lockheed 10E Electra, and she crossed the Americas, Africa, the Middle east and Asia.
On leaving Papua New guinea, she was speeding to the Central Pacific.