Bizarre Albums

Oscar winner. Emmy winner. Country music recording artist. This is the story of Jack Palance's Palance, from 1970.

After over thirty years of being a successful actor, Kiefer Sutherland releases his debut country album.

Pat Boone was the second biggest act of the late 1950’s, behind only Elvis Presley. Then he went down a country and gospel music path. Then in 1997 he shocked the world with an album of heavy metal covers. This is the story of Pat Boone’s, In A Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy, from 1997.

Paul McCartney released his first solo album in 1970, about one month prior to The Beatles’ Let It Be, the final album they would release. In 1971, he made his second album, Ram, with his wife Linda. Just before it’s release, he also made an orchestral instrumental version of the album. Eventually, the album would be released, under the pseudonym, Percy “Thrills” Thrillington. This is the story of Percy Thrillington’s Thrillington, from 1977.

After being a successful child model as well as starring in several successful movies, actress Lindsay Lohan made her debut album when she was only 18. This is the story of Lindsay Lohan's Speak, from 2004. Special appearance by Jackie Johnson of the Natch Beaut podcast.

The Turtles record label wanted them to write another “Happy Together”, but then The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. And The Turtles said they wanted to make their own concept album…as a different band playing a different genre for every track. This is the story of The Turtles Present The Battle Of The Bands, from 1968.

After winning the Grammy for Album of the Year on three consecutive albums, Stevie Wonder took a three year break from recording. When he returned with a new album, it was a movie soundtrack to a documentary… based on a book…about plants. This is the story of Stevie Wonder's Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants, from 1979.

Part two of this week's episode, covering the second disc of Stevie Wonder's Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants, from 1979.

Mr. T was a bouncer and bodyguard who shot to fame when he was cast as Clubber Lang in Rocky III. Through that lead to tv shows, more movies, and even breakfast cereals. He developed a young fanbase, so, he made an album aimed at children. This is the story of Mr. T’s Commandments, from 1984. Special appearance by Hal Lublin (We Got This with Mark and Hal , Tights & Fights, and Good Morning Night Vale)

David Johansen was the lead singer of the New York Dolls, a highly influential band in the 1970’s that paved the way for glam and punk. After their breakup and a lackluster solo career, David Johansen developed an alter ego, Buster Poindexter, and made an album of calypso and lounge music. This is the story of the debut Buster Poindexter album, from 1987.

He was one of the Emmy winning stars of the groundbreaking Mary Tyler Moore Show. Caddyshack was still another 5 years away, but Ted Knight was popular enough to release an album. This is the story of Ted Knight's Hi Guys, from 1975.

Before becoming a movie star, Clint Eastwood was a cast member of CBS’s Rawhide. Shortly before he got his first starring film role, he released an album. This is the story of Rawhide’s Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites, from 1962…or 1963?

Just a few years after winning an Oscar for her performance as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter, Sissy Spacek recorded a country album of her own. This is the story of Sissy Spacek's Hangin' Up My Heart, from 1983.

Due to a scheduling problem, this week's show is an episode of Bizarre Singles from the Patreon. (I explain in the intro) Enjoy this episode of Bizarre Singles on Prince's "Batdance", from 1989.

After being the biggest star professional wrestling had ever seen, Hulk Hogan left the WWF to star in his own tv series. It didn't last long before he came back to wrestling, but this time went to rival company, WCW in 1994. One year later, he made an album with some friends and his wife. This is the story of Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band's Hulk Rules, from 1995.

After having a #1 album that was also the fastest selling hip hop album of all time, Vanilla Ice’s fame faded almost as quickly as it came. He tried to return in 1998…with a nu metal album. This is the story of Vanilla Ice’s Hard to Swallow, from 1998.

The Beverly Hillbillies shot to #1 in the ratings faster than any other show in the history of television. It even had a a theme song that went to #1 on the country charts…but when a Beverly Hillbillies album with the entire cast was released, they didn’t have quite as much success. This is the story of The Beverly Hillbillies, from 1965.

A 73 year old comedian releases an album of music? It happened. This is the story of George Burns Sings, from 1969.

Ben Folds Five had a mainstream hit with "Brick". The next move? Ben Folds decided to do an experimental project without his bandmates. This is the story of Fear of Pop - Volume I, from 1998.

Kurt Russell made his film debut when he was just 12 years old. By the time he was 15, Walt Disney signed him to a ten year contract. Shortly after his first big starring role for Disney, Kurt Russell recorded a bubblegum pop record for Capitol Records. This is the story or Kurt Russell's self titled album, from 1970.

Actor Donny Most, grew up with singing as his first love. When he got the role of Ralph Malph on Happy Days, that derailed his singing dreams…for a little while. This is the story of Donny Most’s self titled album from 1976.

Citizen's Band Radio, or CB Radio, blew up in the 1970's. They earned nearly 30% of all of Radio Shack's revenue. So, Radio Shack decided to capitalize on the trend and release a Radio Shack exclusive album full of CB themed songs. This is the story of All Ears: CB Songs, from 1977.

Brie Larson. Academy Award winning actress, Marvel superhero, and...teen pop star? It happened. This is the story of Brie Larson's Finally Out Of P.E., from 2005.

This is an episode of Bizarre Singles, originally heard by my patrons over on Patreon. Get weekly bonus episodes at patreon.com/bizarrealbums

In the 90's, Garth Brooks was the biggest star in all of music. He had four different albums that sold more than 10 million copies. He was not only the biggest star in country music, but he crossed over into the pop world as well. Then, Brooks did something very different. He created Chris Gaines, a rockstar alter ego. This is the story of Chris Gaines' Greatest Hits, also known as Garth Brooks in…the Life of Chris Gaines, from 1999.

Laverne and Shirley (Penny Marshal and Cindy Williams) first appeared on an episode of Happy Days in late 1975. Just a few months later, they had their own spinoff. And it was immediately a huge hit. By the end of it’s first year on the air, they even released an album in-character. This is the story of Laverne & Shirley Sing, from 1976.

In 2021, Gary Busey has become a staple in comedies and reality tv, but back in 1978, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the Buddy Holly Story. He and his co-stars sang the songs and played the instruments themselves. This is the story of soundtrack for The Buddy Holly Story, from 1978.

The most famous mime of all time and the birth of hip hop. This is the story of The Best of Marcel Marceao, from 1970.

Scott Baio became a teen idol after going the cast of Happy Days in 1977. The storylines eventually pushed a romance with one of his co-stars as well as singing. A few years later, he was a co-star of a new spin-off and recorded an album. This is the story of Scott Baio's self titled album, from 1982.

Kids Incorporated started out as a syndicated television series about a band made up entirely of kids..and it became the launching pad for several soon to be stars. This is the story of Kids Incorporated, from 1984.

A band made up entirely of animatronic animals that performed exclusively at a pizza restaurant. And they made an album. This is the story of Gee, Our 1st Album! by The Rock-afire Explosion, from 1982.

It’s Alias August on Bizarre Albums! All month long, episodes will focus on albums that artists released under another name. XTC has been called anything from post-punk to power pop. In the mid-80’s, they would release a psychedelic album…under a fake name. This is the story of The Dukes of Stratosphear’s 25 O’Clock, from 1985. Special thanks to Paul Rust and Michael Cassady! Don’t forget to check out their podcast, SONG-A-WEEK by Don’t Stop or We’ll Die!

It’s Alias August on Bizarre Albums! All month long, episodes will focus on albums that artists released under another name. XTC has been called anything from post-punk to power pop. In the mid-80’s, they would release a psychedelic album…under a fake name. And then did it again 2 years later. This is the story of The Dukes of Stratosphear’s Psonic Psunspot, from 1987.

It’s Alias August on Bizarre Albums! All month long, episodes will focus on albums that artists released under another name. When nearing the completion of their Zooropa album, U2 felt like they hit a wall. That’s when producer Brian Eno had them improvise. This turned into a project with Eno where the band would write songs for non-existent movies. This is the story of Passengers: Original Soundtracks 1, from 1995.

It’s Alias August on Bizarre Albums! All month long, episodes will focus on albums that artists released under another name. After taking their career to new heights with their American Idiot album in 2004, Green Day made a garage rock album under the name Foxboro Hot Tubs. This is the story of Foxboro Hot Tubs' Stop Drop and Roll!!! from 2008.

It’s Alias August on Bizarre Albums! All month long, episodes will focus on albums that artists released under another name. Snoop Dogg has had quite the life. His debut album goes to #1 and becomes the fastest selling hip hop album of all time. He dabbles in acting, porn, and youth football. Then in 2013 he went to Jamaica, started going by Snoop Lion and made a reggae album. This is the story of Snoop Lion’s Reincarnated, from 2013.

How did singing and dancing clay raisins from commercials end up with a platinum album? Today is the story of The California Raisins (aka The California Raisins Sing The Hit Songs), from 1987.

“The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart has had quite a life. He spent decades as a manager in professional wrestling, but in the years leading prior, he was a member of the rock band The Gentrys. Once he switched careers, he was able to use his music background in the world of wrestling. Today is the story of Jimmy Hart’s Outrageous Conduct, from 1985.

Country music artists + NFL players. That’s about all you need to know. This is the story of NFL Country, from 1996.

This is an episode of BIZARRE SINGLES from patreon.com/bizarrealbums I'll be back with a new episode of Bizarre Albums next week!

Focusing on disc 3 of Sinatra’s triple album…he sings about the future and space travel. This is the story of Frank Sinatra’s Trilogy: Past Present & Future, from 1980.

Right before their huge scandal broke,Tammy Faye Bakker, wife of the controversial televangelist Jim Bakker, released an album. This is the story of Tammy Faye’s Enough is Enough, from 1986. Thanks to Sara Benincasa!

73 year old actor William Shatner went back into the recording studio with Ben Folds as his producer...and made an album no one expected. This is the story of William Shatner's Has Been, from 2004.

It's Halloween time! The Munsters debuted on CBS in 1964. The show was such a success that that same year, TWO different Munsters albums were released. One that featured the cast, and one that did not. This is the story of At Home With The Munsters, from 1964.

Since the mid 1970’s, Andrew Gold had been a successful musician, songwriter and producer. After releasing his third solo album in 1980 (and being the man responsible for writing the theme song for The Golden Girls), he didn’t make another solo album for 16 years. When he finally made another album, it was a children’s Halloween album. This is the story of Andrew Gold’s Halloween Howls: Fun and Scary Music!, from 1996.

Happy Halloween! Here is a free bonus episode of Bizarre Singles, originally posted in 2019 at patreon.com/bizarrealbums !

Though only a moderate hit on tv at the time, the kids from The Brady Bunch released an album. This is the story of Meet The Brady Bunch, from 1972.

They started as a pre-teen barbershop quartet, moved onto being a pop group, then in 1972, The Osmonds made a hard rock album. This is the story of Crazy Horses, by The Osmonds, from 1972. Special appearance by Dave Holmes! Listen to Dave's great new music podcast, Waiting For Impact: A Dave Holmes Passion Project!

Shortly after the cancellation of their popular tv show, The Monkees made a film…and it was…bizarre. This is the story of The Monkees’ Head, from 1968.

The legendary hard rockers get a bluegrass tribute…with appearances from David Lee Roth. This is the story of Strummin' With The Devil: The Southern Side Of Van Halen, from 2006. Special guest guitar in the intro theme by Zach Comtois.

Model. Actress. Singer. All before Moonlighting. This is the story of Cybill Shepherd's Cybill Does It...To Cole Porter, from 1974. Special appearance by Brandie Posey.

A Marvel Comics licensing executive approaches a new record label about doing a series of Marvel character albums. This is the story of Spider-Man: Rock Reflections Of A Superhero, from 1976.

After their live action movies started having diminishing returns, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles looked to a couple of straight to video releases...that shared a soundtrack. This is the story of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' We Wish You A Turtle Christmas / Turtle Tunes, from 1994.

NBC gathers some of their top stars to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. This is the story of NBC Celebrity Christmas, from 2000.

Unlocked! A free Christmas bonus episode of Bizarre Singles, originally posted over at patreon.com/bizarrealbums

A synthesizer pioneer hoped to be able to compose the music for Star Wars. When he didn't get the job, he reimagined the classic soundtrack. This is the story of Patrick Gleeson's Star Wars, from 1977.