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Ruth and Martin’s Album Club
The concept behind the Ruth and Martin’s Album Club blog is simple: Make people listen to a classic album they’ve never heard before. Make them listen to it two more times. Get them to explain why they never bothered with it before. Then ask them to review it.
What began as a simple whim quickly grew in popularity, and now Ruth and Martin’s Album Club has featured some remarkable guests: Ian Rankin on Madonna’s Madonna. Chris Addison on Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. Brian Koppelman on The Smiths’ Meat is Murder. JK Rowling on the Violent Femmes’ Violent Femmes. Bonnie Greer on The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. Martin Carr on Paul McCartney’s Ram. Brian Bilston on Neil Young’s Harvest. Anita Rani on The Strokes’ Is This It. Richard Osman on Roxy Music’s For Your Pleasure. And many, many more.
Each entry features an introduction to each album by blog creator Martin Fitzgerald. What follows are delightful, humorous and insightful contributions from each guest as they have an album forced upon them and – for better or worse – they discover some of the world’s favourite music.
Ruth and Martin’s Album Club is a compilation of some of the blog’s greatest hits as well as some exclusive material that has never appeared anywhere before. Throughout, we get an insight into why some people opt out of some music, and what happens when you force them to opt in.
What began as a simple whim quickly grew in popularity, and now Ruth and Martin’s Album Club has featured some remarkable guests: Ian Rankin on Madonna’s Madonna. Chris Addison on Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. Brian Koppelman on The Smiths’ Meat is Murder. JK Rowling on the Violent Femmes’ Violent Femmes. Bonnie Greer on The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds. Martin Carr on Paul McCartney’s Ram. Brian Bilston on Neil Young’s Harvest. Anita Rani on The Strokes’ Is This It. Richard Osman on Roxy Music’s For Your Pleasure. And many, many more.
Each entry features an introduction to each album by blog creator Martin Fitzgerald. What follows are delightful, humorous and insightful contributions from each guest as they have an album forced upon them and – for better or worse – they discover some of the world’s favourite music.
Ruth and Martin’s Album Club is a compilation of some of the blog’s greatest hits as well as some exclusive material that has never appeared anywhere before. Throughout, we get an insight into why some people opt out of some music, and what happens when you force them to opt in.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2017
11 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 25, 2022
This was a wildcard book I saw in the big Foyles that I thought could go either way - I used to buy pretentious books about music I didn’t read (Lester Bangs after watching Almost Famous…tragique from me) but thankfully I’ve grown out of that now and thank GOD I no longer believe that any music post 2000 isn’t worth listening to. It is extremely hard not to hate 17 year old me who thought she was the only person in the world who had read Kurt Cobain’s journals (also so fucking boring sorry Kurt) but we move! We embrace that we love the Sugababes, 00s cheese and Mika.
This book is anything but pretentious and I really liked it. The format is a chapter for each classic album (I’d heard a handful of songs from a few, all of Nevermind - lol - but then zero songs from N.W.A, Pavement, The Hold Steady and more), the potted history from Martin on the band which miraculously bypassed being boring and was just funny and interesting and then finally the interview with the guest and their rating. It’s just a really lovely read and I’d say it’s about loving music at all stages of your life and unashamedly embracing the music YOU love rather than approaching everything with a veneer of “had to be there” or “you haven’t listened to The Strokes?”
Also hope the album club comes back, it slaps x
This book is anything but pretentious and I really liked it. The format is a chapter for each classic album (I’d heard a handful of songs from a few, all of Nevermind - lol - but then zero songs from N.W.A, Pavement, The Hold Steady and more), the potted history from Martin on the band which miraculously bypassed being boring and was just funny and interesting and then finally the interview with the guest and their rating. It’s just a really lovely read and I’d say it’s about loving music at all stages of your life and unashamedly embracing the music YOU love rather than approaching everything with a veneer of “had to be there” or “you haven’t listened to The Strokes?”
Also hope the album club comes back, it slaps x
March 3, 2019
You know when you see a book, it’s not really your sort of thing but you still click on the thumbnail image for one reason or another? Well Ruth and Martin’s Album Club is one of those books for me and I know there were a couple of reasons why. The cover – mentioned Ian Rankin and JK Rowling is going to pique the interest of this bookworm. The other is a good friend is seriously into his music which even though his taste is in the main extremely different to mine kind of nudged me to read a book about music (not that I think he’s read Ruth and Martin’s Album Club).
There is an eclectic choice of contributors, from authors, TV personalities to politicians and media gurus. Throw in an equally wide array of albums from N.W.A and Public Enemy to Marvin Gaye, The Strokes and Nirvana and you’ve got an interesting read.
I love the concept – give a person an album they’ve never listened to and make them listen at least three times. By that point, they’ve heard enough to make a valid opinion.
Each chapter is set up with the same sections
First time listener
XXX’s top three albums ever?
Before we get to XX, here’s what Martin thinks of [chosen album]
So, over to you XXX. Why haven’t you listened to it? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?????
You’ve now listened to it at least three times, what do you think?
Would you listen to it again?
A mark out of 10?
Not everyone loves the album they’re given; Ian Rankin’s evaluation of Madonna’s debut Madonna is rather scathing! Alex Massie’s evaluations of Nevermind is damning and in part I agree with what he says but I have to say I loved the album as a teenager. It was part of my music rebellion for me alongside listening to Guns ‘n’ Roses after being a pop fan from an early age loving the likes of Wham! and Shakin’ Stevens.
I loved Martin’s anecdotal section. For the artists I’m aware of, it gave me an insight into their history. It showed me how much I didn’t know about the music industry and some of the journeys artists have come gone on to get where they are today.
I really enjoyed this book; it’s a total change to my normal read. Its the sort of book you can pick up and put down, dip in and out of. I personally had to read each chapter in its entirety before putting it down. It’s introduced me to different artists I’d never heard of and once I work out my Amazon music, I’ll be hunting some down to try, at least three times.
I’m kinda gutted that the blog is no more as I’d like to read more of these posts. But I’ve found the website and will be reading the posts not covered in the book.
There is an eclectic choice of contributors, from authors, TV personalities to politicians and media gurus. Throw in an equally wide array of albums from N.W.A and Public Enemy to Marvin Gaye, The Strokes and Nirvana and you’ve got an interesting read.
I love the concept – give a person an album they’ve never listened to and make them listen at least three times. By that point, they’ve heard enough to make a valid opinion.
Each chapter is set up with the same sections
First time listener
XXX’s top three albums ever?
Before we get to XX, here’s what Martin thinks of [chosen album]
So, over to you XXX. Why haven’t you listened to it? WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?????
You’ve now listened to it at least three times, what do you think?
Would you listen to it again?
A mark out of 10?
Not everyone loves the album they’re given; Ian Rankin’s evaluation of Madonna’s debut Madonna is rather scathing! Alex Massie’s evaluations of Nevermind is damning and in part I agree with what he says but I have to say I loved the album as a teenager. It was part of my music rebellion for me alongside listening to Guns ‘n’ Roses after being a pop fan from an early age loving the likes of Wham! and Shakin’ Stevens.
I loved Martin’s anecdotal section. For the artists I’m aware of, it gave me an insight into their history. It showed me how much I didn’t know about the music industry and some of the journeys artists have come gone on to get where they are today.
I really enjoyed this book; it’s a total change to my normal read. Its the sort of book you can pick up and put down, dip in and out of. I personally had to read each chapter in its entirety before putting it down. It’s introduced me to different artists I’d never heard of and once I work out my Amazon music, I’ll be hunting some down to try, at least three times.
I’m kinda gutted that the blog is no more as I’d like to read more of these posts. But I’ve found the website and will be reading the posts not covered in the book.
September 6, 2017
Perfect Christmas gift for at least three people on your list this year! This book is perfect for the music aficionado, the professional music writer, and the total newcomer alike. Industry insiders will enjoy the deep dives into the historical minutiae behind the formation of bands and the making of albums that Martin Fitzgerald's genuine enthusiasm for music and storytelling prompts him to take, as well as the fresh, irreverent takes on classic albums by the guest writers. That same irreverence combined with Fitzgerald's natural easy-going bonhomie and total lack of pretension means that newcomers to the music world or those typically excluded from what is, let's be honest, very much a Boy's Club, won't feel ignorant or put-off, as though they needed to catch up on 60 years of pop music history before they can read it- or indeed, enjoy the music.
It's enough of a page-turner that you could read the whole thing in a few sittings, but maybe the best way to enjoy it is the way I enjoyed the original blog: Dig out your dad's old LPs on a rainy Saturday morning, stick the corresponding album on the turn table, and read an essay or so a week.
It's enough of a page-turner that you could read the whole thing in a few sittings, but maybe the best way to enjoy it is the way I enjoyed the original blog: Dig out your dad's old LPs on a rainy Saturday morning, stick the corresponding album on the turn table, and read an essay or so a week.
January 8, 2018
There was never any chance that I'd give this less than five stars, I read it while it was a blog, and was very excited indeed when they announced a book. Basically, they force a piece of music that's universally regarded as A Classic upon someone who's never heard it, for whatever reason, and record their reaction to it.
The results are very charming.
So here's what you ought to do:
1) Go fetch yourself a copy of this book.
2) Set it next to whatever device or system you use to listen to music.
3) Read each chapter whilst playing the album being discussed.
4) Appreciate an immersive musical experience.
5) When you're done, buy two more copies of this book, to give to friends.
You will appreciate having done this. You're welcome.
The results are very charming.
So here's what you ought to do:
1) Go fetch yourself a copy of this book.
2) Set it next to whatever device or system you use to listen to music.
3) Read each chapter whilst playing the album being discussed.
4) Appreciate an immersive musical experience.
5) When you're done, buy two more copies of this book, to give to friends.
You will appreciate having done this. You're welcome.
October 10, 2024
Enjoyable read along with Spotify to review the Albums under review some new and some familiar.
Loved Martins introduction to the formation of the band and backgrounds into how the albums were formed some LOL moments. Great holiday companion Giving gaps to allow time to listen to the subject Albums. Hope a 2nd book on same format follows.
Loved Martins introduction to the formation of the band and backgrounds into how the albums were formed some LOL moments. Great holiday companion Giving gaps to allow time to listen to the subject Albums. Hope a 2nd book on same format follows.
December 18, 2017
Beautifully written reviews of people reviewing albums. Best of all are Martin's intros to whichever album or band is being featured. A lovely read.
January 1, 2021
I'd heard whisperings about Ruth & Martin's Album Club for years, and whilst it was always something that *should* appeal to me, I never really bothered to track it down. How portentous, then, to have it gifted to me this Christmas. And it's a good, fun, fast-paced read. Authored by Martin Geraghty, it's frequently charming and he has wholesome connections with the records he writes about. He's often overly superlative, but that's not particularly surprising given his age and the status of most of these records.
And he often finds angles and storytelling techniques that create a genuinely refreshing analysis of these albums' history. Usually I'd be bored by the idea of reading about 'Elvis Presley', or 'Pet Sounds', or 'The Velvet Underground & Nico' AGAIN before even starting. But with occasionally sharp humour and wit, he channels new life into music many of us have heard a million times - no easy feat. His chapters about Madonna's self-titled and the Hold Steady's 'Almost Killed Me' are particularly amazing.
When it comes to the guests, it's a real mixed bag, although most of them offer something engaging. Given the praise heaped upon these records by Geraghty though, I often found myself enjoying the negative reactions more; Eddie Argos' righteous and hilarious dismissal of R.E.M's 'Murmur', for example. Many of the guests serve to bolster the reputation these records already have, but it's mostly interesting to see a spiritual connection between some of them and records that I also love.
Essentially, Geraghty has largely found slightly new ways of rehashing old ground. It makes for good, occasionally riveting stuff, but you might occasionally find yourself zoning out if you don't think that music ended in 2005.
And he often finds angles and storytelling techniques that create a genuinely refreshing analysis of these albums' history. Usually I'd be bored by the idea of reading about 'Elvis Presley', or 'Pet Sounds', or 'The Velvet Underground & Nico' AGAIN before even starting. But with occasionally sharp humour and wit, he channels new life into music many of us have heard a million times - no easy feat. His chapters about Madonna's self-titled and the Hold Steady's 'Almost Killed Me' are particularly amazing.
When it comes to the guests, it's a real mixed bag, although most of them offer something engaging. Given the praise heaped upon these records by Geraghty though, I often found myself enjoying the negative reactions more; Eddie Argos' righteous and hilarious dismissal of R.E.M's 'Murmur', for example. Many of the guests serve to bolster the reputation these records already have, but it's mostly interesting to see a spiritual connection between some of them and records that I also love.
Essentially, Geraghty has largely found slightly new ways of rehashing old ground. It makes for good, occasionally riveting stuff, but you might occasionally find yourself zoning out if you don't think that music ended in 2005.
October 18, 2018
I used to commute by train each day. For a while I liked Fridays best, not just because it was the weekend, but also that was the day the latest @ramalbumclub dropped. A weekly blog with a simple idea: take a celebrity (of sorts) and get them to listen to a classic album they had never heard, 3 times, then write about it. The host, Martin Fitzgerald, would give a funny summation of why this was a classic, then the guest would have their say. Sometimes they liked it, sometimes they didn't. This is the book.
It's great. It's basically the most famous guests, so the BuzzFeed journalists have gone. It's funny and kind of fun. But while it's supposedly the celebrities (jk Rowling, Ian Rankin for example) it's Martin's writing that makes it. He has a knack for telling a complicated tale and making me laugh. It's what drew me in to the blog. It was worth it.
And if you want to read just one album review? Tim Farron on Straight Outa Compton is spectacular.
It's great. It's basically the most famous guests, so the BuzzFeed journalists have gone. It's funny and kind of fun. But while it's supposedly the celebrities (jk Rowling, Ian Rankin for example) it's Martin's writing that makes it. He has a knack for telling a complicated tale and making me laugh. It's what drew me in to the blog. It was worth it.
And if you want to read just one album review? Tim Farron on Straight Outa Compton is spectacular.
January 30, 2018
Obviously I read the book three times before coming to a verdict...
The great things about having a physical copy rather than reading on-line are:
1) because someone (my lovely wife) paid good money for it, I felt obliged to read every review, compared with the on-line version, where I would probably only read about albums I knew or where was familiar with the reviewer; consequently I'm now looking forward to checking out acts I might not otherwise have listened to;
2) the signed copy and personalised dedication are so encouraging! (But that's between me and Martin...)
BTW - Martin Fitzgerald is the Tom Lubbock of popular music. But funnier - I laughed aloud many, many times.
The great things about having a physical copy rather than reading on-line are:
1) because someone (my lovely wife) paid good money for it, I felt obliged to read every review, compared with the on-line version, where I would probably only read about albums I knew or where was familiar with the reviewer; consequently I'm now looking forward to checking out acts I might not otherwise have listened to;
2) the signed copy and personalised dedication are so encouraging! (But that's between me and Martin...)
BTW - Martin Fitzgerald is the Tom Lubbock of popular music. But funnier - I laughed aloud many, many times.
February 26, 2019
Love the concept of this book - people being given a classic album they’ve never heard before and challenged to listen three times and share their thoughts.
It’s prompted me to listen to some music I hadn’t heard before and others I hadn’t listened to in a while.
The background stories shared by the author to open each chapter are delightful. At least two or three laugh out loud comments on each album.
The book is reliant on the responses by the guests and that’s the only drawback. Some are great, others less so. But it doesn’t detract from a very enjoyable light read
It’s prompted me to listen to some music I hadn’t heard before and others I hadn’t listened to in a while.
The background stories shared by the author to open each chapter are delightful. At least two or three laugh out loud comments on each album.
The book is reliant on the responses by the guests and that’s the only drawback. Some are great, others less so. But it doesn’t detract from a very enjoyable light read
February 7, 2024
I learnt of this book, not being aware of the blog.
I have listened to some new record i should have listened to a long time ago.
Uncovered some gems, but also found out that it is OK to not like some albums, although I have tried.
Almost every album I have read about in the book, I've had a listen to
As some of the writers say, me to like to have the music on in the background doing something everyday. Washing up. cleaning, shoveling snow, just to pass a barrier. Then afterwards have a listen.
Enjoyed it
I have listened to some new record i should have listened to a long time ago.
Uncovered some gems, but also found out that it is OK to not like some albums, although I have tried.
Almost every album I have read about in the book, I've had a listen to
As some of the writers say, me to like to have the music on in the background doing something everyday. Washing up. cleaning, shoveling snow, just to pass a barrier. Then afterwards have a listen.
Enjoyed it
December 20, 2017
A simple premise -have famous(ish) people listen to A Classic Album (capitalisation mine) they've never heard before and report back on whether they liked it or not.
The parts written by the victims are good, but the real brilliance in this book is the introductions to each album, written by Martin Fitzgerald. These are, without exception, funny and enlightening, and even on the albums I know inside-out by artists I've loved for 20 years, he manages to bring something new to the story.
The parts written by the victims are good, but the real brilliance in this book is the introductions to each album, written by Martin Fitzgerald. These are, without exception, funny and enlightening, and even on the albums I know inside-out by artists I've loved for 20 years, he manages to bring something new to the story.
October 14, 2017
This collection is 100% up my alley and it didn’t disappoint except by being over. I love Martin’s introduction/history for each LP and the various contributors did mostly great stuff, too. The writers who let themselves be surprised by the records tended to be the better ones but there’s also nothing wrong with hate-reading some rando ranting about a record you love. Let’s have a Volume 2!
June 7, 2018
When I first heard the chorus of The Modern Age I thought it was the best thing I’d heard in years. When I later heard Last Nite my head actually fell off.
I may have had Is This It? on repeat since hitting this chapter.
I may have had Is This It? on repeat since hitting this chapter.
February 19, 2023
Once you start noticing the phrase 'best...ever', you can't unnotice it. All the same, the biographies are well done and the participants are very up for the challenge of listening to an album three times. An impressively eclectic compilation of a worthwhile project, which ran from 2016-17.
September 19, 2017
Brilliant book. The introductions in each chapter by Martin are brilliant, informative and, more than often, hilarious.
July 18, 2019
I loved this blog and I loved the book. I just wish we could have some more.
May 8, 2021
Great story intros to all the albums. Well worth having as a book companion to fill any spare minutes.
September 9, 2023
Who doesn't love a list book. The twist in this one is that it is a series of 'celebs' listening to albums they have not heard before. You have to listen 3 times and then they say what they thought.
Its nicely put together. The episodic nature of the pieces means you can drop in an out of the book. I recall I liked the blog when it was online. The introductions to the music by Martin are as much fun as the reactions.
Of course some of the people annoyed me (One came across as really pompous) and some of the choices were of more interest to me than others. That is what you get with a book like this.
Overall however it was a good read and I'd recommend it to others.
Its nicely put together. The episodic nature of the pieces means you can drop in an out of the book. I recall I liked the blog when it was online. The introductions to the music by Martin are as much fun as the reactions.
Of course some of the people annoyed me (One came across as really pompous) and some of the choices were of more interest to me than others. That is what you get with a book like this.
Overall however it was a good read and I'd recommend it to others.
January 30, 2021
What a marvellous idea this was. Martin (Ruth's involvement seems limited to behind-the-scenes encouragement) explains why his favourite classic albums are important (often imparting some background info about their creation that was new to me) and then has a celebrity or public figure listen to them for the first time and record their responses.
Such an exercise would normally vary in success depending on who the initiant is, but despite a disparate group of personalities that ranges from Richard Osman and J K Rowling to former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, the results are always fascinating and thoughtful. Even a bemused Peter Hitchens, though steadfastedly (and bafflingly) uncaptivated by The Kinks' "Village Green Preservation Society", still manages to be charming and insightful about being a teenager in the '60s.
By design this book will make you immediately want to re-listen to the albums under discussion and, of course, discover those that had passed you by.
A fun book, then, and nice to dip in and out of.
Such an exercise would normally vary in success depending on who the initiant is, but despite a disparate group of personalities that ranges from Richard Osman and J K Rowling to former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, the results are always fascinating and thoughtful. Even a bemused Peter Hitchens, though steadfastedly (and bafflingly) uncaptivated by The Kinks' "Village Green Preservation Society", still manages to be charming and insightful about being a teenager in the '60s.
By design this book will make you immediately want to re-listen to the albums under discussion and, of course, discover those that had passed you by.
A fun book, then, and nice to dip in and out of.
January 17, 2021
Fitzgerald's writing style is joyous.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews