What makes a good music opinion... and what deserves a lifetime ban from the aux?

This week we're doing something completely different. Instead of meeting in our usual pub, the four of us jump on a video call for a special episode of Beers & B-Sides to react to some of the most controversial music opinions we've ever received.

We asked our followers across social media to send us their hottest takes, unpopular opinions and most outrageous music debates—and you definitely didn't disappoint. From legendary bands and overrated artists to classic albums, guilty pleasures and everything in between, nothing is off limits.

Along the way we also reveal some of our own controversial opinions that might divide listeners even more...

Agree? Disagree? Furious? We want to hear your thoughts. Let us know your hottest music take and we'll feature some of the best ones in a future episode.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and share it with another music fan. Every bit of support helps us grow.

🍻 Beers & B-Sides is the podcast where four friends get together each week to chat all things music, vinyl records, albums, gigs and the artists we love.

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we drop the needle on one of the most talked-about albums of the 21st century – Beyoncé's Lemonade.

As always, we kick things off with our Home Brewed segment, where we shine a spotlight on a talented artist from the North East and introduce you to some brilliant new local music.

Then it's time to dive into Lemonade. We rewind to 2016 to look at what was happening around the world before exploring Beyoncé's journey from Destiny's Child to global superstar, the creation of Lemonade, and why it became such a landmark release.

While this isn't the kind of album some of us would normally reach for, its incredible blend of R&B, rock, country, soul, blues and hip-hop had us questioning our expectations. We chat about our favourite tracks, the songs that didn't quite land for us, the singles, our favourite side of the vinyl, different pressings we own, and any memories of seeing Beyoncé perform live.

Did Lemonade change a few minds around the table? Was it a pleasant surprise, or does it still sit outside our comfort zones?

Join four friends with a shared love of vinyl as we crack open a drink, spin another classic, and round things off with our Last Orders Verdict—would we buy the record, or leave it on the shelf?

New music. Vinyl. Great conversation. That's Beers & B-Sides.

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we're cracking open a few pints and diving headfirst into one of the most talked-about punk records of recent years – Comfort To Me by Amyl & The Sniffers.

As always, we kick things off with Home Brewed, where we shine a spotlight on incredible music coming out of the North East. This week we're featuring Home Proud and their brilliant new single Again, chatting about the band and why they're one to keep firmly on your radar.

Then it's time to wind the clock back to 2021, looking at what was happening around the world when Comfort To Me was released before exploring the story behind Amyl & The Sniffers – how the band came together, their rise through the punk scene, and what makes them such a unique force in modern rock.

From there, we take our usual deep dive into the album itself, discussing the artwork, production, standout moments, the singles, our favourite tracks, underrated gems, weaker moments, and which side of the vinyl comes out on top.

But this week's episode comes with a twist...

Three of us absolutely loved Comfort To Me, praising its energy, attitude and infectious hooks. One of us, however... absolutely hated it. Cue one of our liveliest debates yet as we try (and fail!) to convince them otherwise before delivering our famous Last Orders verdict.

Would we buy it? Hunt down every coloured variant? Or leave it sitting in the record shop?

Grab a pint, drop the needle, and join us for another round of Beers & B-Sides.

Cheers! 🍻

Grab a pint and join us for another episode of Beers & B-Sides, the podcast where a group of mates head to the pub, crack open a few beers and dive deep into a classic vinyl album every week.

This week we’re discussing The Libertines’ legendary debut album, Up The Bracket. Widely regarded as one of the defining British indie rock albums of the 2000s, we explore whether it still deserves its iconic status over twenty years later.

Before we get into the album, we kick things off with our Home Brewed segment, shining a spotlight on another fantastic local artist from North East England, giving them the recognition they deserve and discussing their latest release.

Then it’s onto Up The Bracket, where we cover:

🍺 What was happening in 2002 when the album was released

🍺 The story behind The Libertines and how the band came together

🍺 Pete Doherty, Carl Barât and the band’s turbulent rise

🍺 The controversies that surrounded Pete Doherty and the band

🍺 The rise (and return) of the Indie Sleaze era

🍺 The singles released from the album

🍺 The vinyl pressing we’re listening to

🍺 Our favourite tracks

🍺 Songs that didn’t quite hit the mark

🍺 Our final Last Orders Verdict — is Up The Bracket still worth buying on vinyl today?

If you love vinyl records, indie rock, Britpop, British music history, album reviews or simply enjoy listening to friends chatting music over a few pints, this is the podcast for you.

If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a rating and let us know what album you’d like us to review next.

Cheers!

🍻 Beers & B-Sides returns to the pub for one of our most divisive album discussions yet!

This week we sip a few pints and dive into Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey.

What makes this episode special? The album completely split the panel. Two of us thought it was a beautiful, introspective masterpiece packed with stunning songwriting and atmosphere. The other two? They struggled to connect with it and weren’t shy about saying why.

In this episode we discuss:

🎵 Our Home Brewed segment featuring the best North East emerging talent.

📅 The events happening around 2023

🎤 Lana Del Rey’s career and how she rose to fame

💿 The album’s vinyl pressing

🎶 Best tracks and weakest tracks

🔥 Why this album divided all four hosts

🍺 Our final Last Orders Verdict — would we buy the vinyl or leave it on the shelf?

Whether you’re a die-hard Lana fan or someone who’s never understood the hype, this is a fun, honest, and occasionally heated conversation about one of the most talked-about albums of recent years.

This week on Beers & B-Sides, the four of us head to the bar, grab a few pints, and dive into The Balcony, the iconic debut album from Catfish and the Bottlemen.

From the band’s formation story and breakthrough success to the biggest singles, deep cuts, overlooked gems, weaker tracks, favourite songs, and the eternal debate of Side A vs Side B, we break down every aspect of this modern indie rock classic on vinyl.

We also revisit the year of the album’s release, discuss its impact on the UK indie scene, and deliver our final Last Orders Verdict. Spoiler alert: this is one of the most unanimous episodes we’ve ever recorded, as all four of us absolutely loved this album.

In our Home Brewed segment, we shine a spotlight on rising North East band Northern Hospitalityand their latest single, “Fading Out.”

If you’re a fan of Catfish and the Bottlemen, indie rock, vinyl records, album reviews, music history, and honest pub-style music discussion, this episode is for you.

🍺 Home Brewed: Northern Hospitality – Fading Out

🎵 Album Review: Catfish and the Bottlemen – The Balcony

📀 Vinyl discussion, favourite tracks, hidden gems, album rankings & more

#CatfishAndTheBottlemen #TheBalcony #IndieRock #VinylRecords #AlbumReview #MusicPodcast #BeersAndBSides #NorthernHospitality

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we pull up a chair in the pub, grab a few pints, and take a deep dive into Jake Bugg’s self-titled debut album (2012).

Join us as we explore the record that introduced the world to one of Britain’s most exciting young singer-songwriters. We discuss the story behind Jake Bugg’s rise to fame, his early influences, and how he developed his distinctive blend of indie rock, folk, and acoustic songwriting.

As always, we also rewind to 2012 to look at the major news stories, cultural moments, and events happening around the world when the album was released. Then it’s onto the music as we reveal our favourite tracks, debate the songs we’d skip, share our live concert experiences, and deliver our all-important Last Orders Verdict: would we spend our hard-earned cash on this vinyl record?

If you love vinyl records, album reviews, classic albums, indie music, pub conversations, music history, and discovering the stories behind great records, this episode is for you.

🍺 Featured Album: Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg (2012)

🎵 Favourite Songs & Hidden Gems

⏭️ Tracks We’d Skip

🎤 Have We Seen Jake Bugg Live?

📰 A Look Back at 2012

💿 Last Orders Verdict

Follow Beers & B-Sides for weekly vinyl album deep dives, honest reviews, music nostalgia, and great pub chat.

#JakeBugg #VinylRecords #AlbumReview #IndieRock #MusicPodcast #BeersAndBSides #RecordCollection #VinylCommunity #BritishMusic #SingerSongwriter

This week on Beers & B-Sides, we're settling into the pub with a few pints and putting one of the most influential albums of the 1980s on the turntable: The Smiths' Meat Is Murder.

Widely regarded as a landmark alternative rock record, Meat Is Murder helped cement The Smiths as one of the defining bands of their generation. But does it still hold up today, and is it really as untouchable as its reputation suggests?

As always, we kick things off by looking back at 1985, exploring some of the biggest news stories, cultural moments and events from the year the album was released before diving into the history of The Smiths and their rise to fame.

From there, we break down the album track by track, discuss our favourite songs, examine its themes and legacy, and share our honest opinions on the record. We also touch on the darker political themes within the album, the lasting impact of its title track, and the controversy that continues to surround Morrissey decades after the album's release.

This wasn't a unanimous favourite around the table. While we can appreciate the album's influence and importance, our scores and opinions might surprise some die-hard Smiths fans.

Expect plenty of laughs, pub chat, random tangents, questionable takes and the relaxed atmosphere that comes from a group of friends talking music over a few beers.

In our famous Last Orders Verdict, we answer the question:

Would we actually spend our own money to add Meat Is Murder to our vinyl collections?

🍺 Honest album review
📀 Vinyl collector perspective
🎵 Favourite tracks and standout moments
📰 A trip back to 1985
🎙️ Music history, debate and pub chat
🔥 The Morrissey question and the album's lasting legacy

Whether you're a lifelong Smiths fan, discovering the album for the first time, or just love music discussion and vinyl culture, pull up a chair and join us for another round of Beers & B-Sides.

#TheSmiths #MeatIsMurder #AlbumReview #VinylRecords #MusicPodcast #AlternativeRock #Morrissey #RecordCollection #BeersAndBSides