Episode 25: Cocteau Twins

Mike and Alex discuss the lovely Cocteau Twins this week. This is the perfect band for people who appreciate goth but wouldn’t be caught dead in platform boots or mascara. And if you have no interest in goth whatsoever, listen for Elizabeth Fraser’s unbelievable voice. If you have no interest in unbelievable voices whatsoever, then maybe you’re listening to the wrong podcast.

Closing track: “Beatrix” from Treasure (1984)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
Treasure (1984) — Best Album
Garlands (1982) — Personal Favorite
The Moon and the Melodies (1986) — Worst Album
Four Calendar Cafe (1993) — Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Treasure (1984) — Best Album
Garlands (1982) — Personal Favorite
Milk & Kisses (1996) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Garlands (1982)
Head over Heels (1983)
Treasure (1984)
Victorialand (1986)
The Moon and the Melodies (1986)
Blue Bell Knoll (1988)
Heaven or Las Vegas (1990)
Four Calendar Cafe (1993)
Milk & Kisses (1996)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 24: Black Flag

This week Mike and Alex tackle one of the most important punk bands in history. Black Flag went through a litany of style and lineup changes throughout their short existence, all while somehow single-handedly inventing genres along the way. Exciting band. Hell yeah.

Closing track: “Scream” from My War (1984)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
Damaged (1981) — Best Album
Loose Nut (1985) — Personal Favorite
What The… (2013) — Worst Album
Family Man (1984) — Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Slip It In (1984) — Best Album
My War (1984) — Personal Favorite
What The… (2013) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
The First Four Years (1983)
Damaged (1981)
My War (1984)
Family Man (1984)
Slip It In (1984)
Loose Nut (1985)
The Process of Weeding Out (1985)
In My Head (1985)
What The… (2013)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 23: Death

This week we are talking about Death from Orlando, FL. Death—or more accurately, Chuck Schuldiner—is often credited with creating the entire death metal sub-genre, although music nerds probably still debate that. Even still, there is no question how important they were and are to metal. Death is absolutely incredible and it’s truly heartbreaking Schuldiner passed away so young. This is one of the most consistent bands you’ll ever find and one of the smartest, most musical metal bands of all time. Also, at one point during the episode Mike accidentally says their final album was released in 1999 instead of 1998 and he still hasn’t forgiven himself for it.

Closing track: “A Moment of Clarity” from The Sound of Perseverance (1998)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
The Sound of Perseverance (1998) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Spiritual Healing (1990) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Human (1991) — Best Album
The Sound of Perseverance (1998) — Personal Favorite
Scream Bloody Gore (1987) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums we discussed this episode…
Scream Bloody Gore (1987)
Leprosy (1988)
Spiritual Healing (1990)
Human (1991)
Individual Thought Patterns (1993)
Symbolic (1995)
The Sound of Perseverance (1998)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 22: Wipers

This week we talk about the highly underrated Wipers from Portland, OR. Singer/guitarist and primary songwriter Greg Sage churned out some of the most inventive, psychedelic, and musical punk ever written, yet the Wipers are mostly known as that band that Nirvana covered a bunch. It’s criminal. They released some spectacular albums in the early 80s. Then the 90s came and that’s where Mike and Alex become enemies, once again disagreeing entirely.

Closing track: “Wait a Minute” from Is This Real? (1980)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
Youth of America (1981) — Best Album
Over the Edge (1983) — Personal Favorite
Silver Sail (1993) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Over the Edge (1983) — Best Album
Youth of America (1981) — Personal Favorite
The Circle (1988) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums we discussed this episode…
Is This Real? (1980)
Alien Boy EP (1980)
Youth of America (1981)
Over the Edge (1983)
Land of the Lost (1986)
Follow Blind (1987)
The Circle (1988)
Silver Sail (1993)
The Herd (1996)
Power in One (1999)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 21: A Tribe Called Quest

This episode we talk about the wonderfully talented A Tribe Called Quest. This band did a lot over the course of their 6 albums, but most importantly, they got Mike and Alex to agree on everything. Everything. This is the first episode of Every Album Ever where Alex and Mike ended up with the exact same picks for best, personal favorite, and worst albums. This band is that good.

Closing track: “We the People…” from We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service (2016)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike and Alex’s Picks:
Midnight Marauders (1993) — Best Album
We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service (2016) — Personal Favorite
The Love Movement (1998) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums we discuss this episode…
People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
The Low End Theory (1991)
Midnight Marauders (1993)
Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996)
The Love Movement (1998)
We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service (2016)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 20: Led Zeppelin

We made it to episode 20—we can’t believe it. Because of this, we thought it was only appropriate to talk about one of the most famous bands in history. Plagiarism, statutory rape, vagina sharks—we cover it all. Apologies in advance, but also these guys were brutal, for real.

Closing track: “In the Light” from Physical Graffiti (1975)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
Houses of the Holy (1973) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV) (1971) — Least Favorite
In Through the Out Door (1979) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV) (1971) — Best Album
Houses of the Holy (1973) — Personal Favorite
In Through the Out Door (1979) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums we discussed this episode…
Led Zeppelin (1969)
Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Untitled (Led Zeppelin IV) (1971)
Houses of the Holy (1973)
Physical Graffiti (1975)
Presence (1976)
In Through the Out Door (1979)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

2019 Wrap-Up Episode

If you're wondering why there's no video for this episode, it's because Mike's an idiot and he managed to lose it. Since this is a music podcast, it’s only necessary we talk about our favorite albums of the year, if only to prove that we’re still hip. Aside from Alex and Mike’s picks for album of the year, there are no rankings on this episode. All of these albums are great and you should listen to them all. Finally, to close off the episode, we talk about our biggest surprises and disappointments from albums we’ve talked about on the podcast. It’s a good time, aside from the fact that there's no video, completely ruining a visual gag where Mike was literally wearing 3 different Lingua Ignota t-shirts, slowly revealing them one-by-one throughout the episode and confusing the hell out of Alex. If you listen closely, you can hear when it happens. Happy New Year!

Closing track: “Tourniquet” by Baroness from Gold & Grey

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s album of the year:
Lingua Ignota — Caligula

Alex’s album of the year:
Baroness — Gold & Grey

Mike’s Picks:
Ioanna Gika — Thalassa
Marissa Nadler & Stephen Brodsky — Droneflower
Big Brave — A Gaze Among Them
Baroness — Gold & Grey
BONES UK — BONES UK
Buildings — Negative Sound
Danny Brown — unknowwhatimsayin¿
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds — Ghosteen
Swans — Leaving Meaning.

Alex’s Picks:
Malibu Ken — Malibu Ken
Karen O & Danger Mouse — Lux Prima
Anderson .Paak — Ventura
Rico Nasty & Kenny Beats — Anger Management
Helms Alee — Noctiluca
black midi — Schlagenheim
Lingua Ignota — Caligula
Tool — Fear Inoculum
Brittany Howard — Jamie
Blackwater Holylight — Veils of Winter
clipping — There Existed an Addiction to Blood

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 19: Christmas Special 2019

Instead of discussing the entire discography of an artist this week, Mike and Alex each brought 3 eclectic Christmas albums of their choice. Unsurprisingly, things get wacky very quickly as the two discuss Christmas albums by artists such as The Beach Boys, The Flaming Lips, and of course, fucking Rob Halford.

Closing track: “What Child is This?” by Sleepy Sun from Psych-Out Christmas (2013)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
Imagene Peise — Atlas Eets Christmas (Flaming Lips) (2007) — Best Album
Nightmare Revisited (Various Artists) (2008) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Psych-Out Christmas (Various Artists) (2013) — Best Album
December (The Moody Blues) (2003) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
The Beach Boys Christmas Album (1964)
December (The Moody Blues) (2003)
Imagene Peise — Atlas Eets Christmas (Flaming Lips) (2007)
Nightmare Revisited (Various Artists) (2008)
Halford III: Winter Songs (Rob Halford) (2009)
Psych-Out Christmas (Various Artists) (2013)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 18: Van Halen

This one was suggested to us by listener Connie. While we thank her profusely for allowing us to dive into the insanity of David Lee Roth, we also curse her for forcing us to listen to hours worth of Sammy Hagar’s intense screaming and red-rimmed sunglasses. Also, on this episode, Mike talks about how he managed to personally piss off a famous musician that we’ve covered on the podcast. We’re finally making a (bad) name for ourselves on this show.

Closing track: “Hot for Teacher” from 1984 (1984)

Mike’s Picks:
1984 (1984) — Best Album
Van Halen II ( 1979) — Personal Favorite
Van Halen III (1998) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Van Halen (1978) — Best Album
Women and Children First (1980) — Personal Favorite
OU812 (1988) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums we discussed this episode…
Van Halen (1978)
Van Halen II (1979)
Women and Children First (1980)
Fair Warning (1981)
Diver Down (1982)
1984 (1984)
5150 (1986)
OU812 (1988)
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
Balance (1995)
Van Halen III (1998)
A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 17: The Velvet Underground

Mike’s unbridled rage manifests itself this episode as he and Alex tackle every Velvet Underground album one by one. If that doesn’t sound intriguing, the two go off on a whole tangent about Trainspotting during the episode. Man, what a great movie.

Closing Track: “Venus in Furs” from The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
The Velvet Underground (1969) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
White Light/White Heat (1968) — Least Favorite
Squeeze (1973) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Squeeze (1973) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums discussed this episode…
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
White Light/White Heat (1968)
The Velvet Underground (1969)
Loaded (1970)
Squeeze (1973)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 16: The Minutemen

Mike and Alex take a break from albums this episode to talk about a band whose discography is 90 percent EPs. Luckily, the band is still amazing. The Minutemen, from San Pedro, CA, were one of the most interesting and unique punk bands during their short existence. The tragic death of singer/guitarist D. Boon put the kibosh on them, but bassist Mike Watt is still out there jamming econo. That last line will make more sense if you listen to the episode.

Closing Track: “Little Man with a Gun in His Hand” from Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat (1983)

Mike’s Picks:
Joy (1981) — Personal Favorite
Double Nickels on the Dime (1984) — Best Album
3 Way Tie (For Last) (1985) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
The Punch Line (1981) — Personal Favorite
Double Nickels on the Dime (1984) — Best Album
Tour-Spiel (1984) — Worst Record, Least Favorite

Records discussed this episode…
Paranoid Time (1981)
Joy (1981)
The Punch Line (1981)
Bean-Spill (1982)
What Makes a Man Start Fires? (1983)
Buzz or Howl Under the Influence of Heat (1983)
The Politics of Time (1984)
Tour-Spiel (1984)
Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)
Project: Mersh (1985)
3 Way Tie (For Last) (1985)
Minuteflag (1986)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 15: Jimi Hendrix

If Mike and Alex’s reputations weren’t already in the garbage, they’re certainly headed there after this episode. This week, they discuss the legendary Jimi Hendrix and everything he did for rock music, including all the boring albums he released.

Closing track: “Freedom” from The Cry of Love (1971)

Mike’s Picks:
Are You Experienced (1967) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Electric Ladyland (1968) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Electric Ladyland (1968) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Axis: Bold as Love (1967) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Albums we discussed this episode…
Are You Experienced (1967)
Axis: Bold as Love (1967)
Electric Ladyland (1968)
Band of Gypsys (1970)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More

Episode 14: X

In addition to this being the first episode of Every Album Ever with an accompanying video, this is also the first artist on this podcast to feature a lady. It only took us 14 episodes. Christ. Anyway, X is a great band, which you will hear Mike repeat for basically the entire episode. Also, we don’t mention it in the episode, but Exene was married to Viggo Mortensen for 10 years! How crazy is that!

Closing track: “Dancing with Tears in My Eyes” from Under the Big Black Sun (1982)

Mike’s Picks:
Los Angeles (1980) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Ain’t Love Grand (1985) — Worst Album, Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Los Angeles (1980) — Best Album
Ain’t Love Grand (1985) — Worst Album, Least Favorite
Hey Zeus! (1993) — Personal Favorite

Albums discussed this episode…
Los Angeles (1980)
Wild Gift (1981)
Under the Big Black Sun (1982)
More Fun in the New World (1983)
Ain’t Love Grand (1985)
See How We Are (1987)
Hey Zeus! (1993)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

Read More