Episode 35: Nick Drake

This week we discuss the tragic and beautiful sounds of Nick Drake. During his lifetime, this guy made no money, sold no records, had no fans, yet still somehow managed to record 3 gorgeous albums through it all. Now, decades after his untimely death in 1974, his music is widely available and beloved. We tackle each album in extreme detail and generally blow the guy for over an hour.

Closing track: “Things Behind the Sun” from Pink Moon (1972)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Five Leaves Left (1969) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Bryter Layter (1970) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Pink Moon (1972) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Bryter Layter (1970) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Five Leaves Left (1969)
Bryter Layter (1970)
Pink Moon (1972)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music.

Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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Episode 34: The Beastie Boys

On this episode we talk about the Beastie Boys. The Beasties started out as a snotty hardcore punk band in the early 80s before morphing into the party-crazy rappers featured endlessly on KROQ to this day. However, despite the radio choosing only to play the same 4 hits ad nauseam, they were great until the tragic death of founding member Adam Yauch, aka MCA in 2012. If you haven’t heard anything besides the hits, it’s time to give their albums a listen.

Closing track: “Gratitude” from Check Your Head (1992)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Paul’s Boutique (1989) — Best Album
Check Your Head (1992) — Personal Favorite
Some Old Bullshit (1994) — Worst Album
License to Ill (1986) — Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Paul’s Boutique (1989) — Best Album
Check Your Head (1992) — Personal Favorite
Some Old Bullshit (1994) — Worst Album
Hello Nasty (1998) — Least Favorite

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music

Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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Episode 33: The Birthday Party

This week we are talking about the violent, psychotic, and absolutely astounding Birthday Party. Many of you are familiar with Nick Cave, who has a lengthy and fantastic musical (and film and writing) career. You also might not be familiar that he was once the wildest frontman for one of the most ravenous bands in rock history. The Birthday Party, from Melbourne, Australia (later relocated to London) have an unusual footprint in alternative music and it. Is. Crazy.

Closing track: “Big Jesus Trash Can” from Junkyard (1982)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Prayers on Fire (1981) — Best Album
Junkyard (1982) — Personal Favorite
Door, Door (1979) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks::
Prayers on Fire (1981) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Mutiny/The Bad Seed (1989) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Door, Door (1979)
Hee Haw (1989) (Compilation; originally released 1979-1980)
Prayers on Fire (1981)
Junkyard (1982)
Mutiny/The Bad Seed (1989) (Compilation; originally released 1983)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music

Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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Episode 32: Dead Kennedys

This week’s episode was suggested by listener Emely. However, if she hadn’t suggested it, we would’ve done it anyway because Dead Kennedys are one of the greatest punk bands, hardcore bands, rock bands—one of the greatest BANDS ever. We had a blast talking about all of their albums. Not a single bad record. Listen to anything by them, honestly. They’re completely batshit. Brilliant songwriters, too.

Closing track: “This Could Be Anywhere” from Frankenchrist (1985)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Bedtime for Democracy (1986) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980) — Best Album
Plastic Surgery Disasters (1982) — Personal Favorite
In God We Trust, Inc. EP (1981) — Worst Record

Albums we discussed this episode…
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)
In God We Trust, Inc. EP (1981)
Plastic Surgery Disasters (1982)
Frankenchrist (1985)
Bedtime for Democracy (1986)
Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death (1987)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music

Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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Episode 31: Notorious B.I.G.

This week we discuss one of the most beloved rappers of all time, the great Biggie Smalls. Although he only recorded 2 full length records in his lifetime, we dissect each of them in extreme detail. If you haven’t heard Biggie and you’re even remotely a fan of hip hop, you should be ashamed. The man’s lyrics are absolutely bananas.

Closing track: “Dead Wrong” from Born Again (1999)

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

Albums we discussed this episode…
Ready to Die (1994)
Life After Death (1997)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music

Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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Episode 30: Slayer

To celebrate our 30th episode, we invited our buddy Matt Berlinsky (@meistermatt) from the Stone & Steel Radio Show (stoneandsteelradioshow.com) to join us as we honor the almighty Slayer. Slayer were the first of thrash’s Big 4 to break up, so we knew it was our duty to discuss their entire discography in extreme detail. We all know Slayer is a great band, but we don’t pull any punches here—Slayer found a sound that worked and didn’t veer from it at all throughout their 3 decade lifespan. If you enjoy Slayer, this is not a bad thing. If you don’t enjoy Slayer, we probably already don’t like you.

Closing track: “Angel of Death” from Reign in Blood (1986)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Reign in Blood (1986) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Undisputed Attitude (1996) — Worst Album
God Hates Us All (2001) — Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
Reign in Blood (1986) — Best Album
Seasons in the Abyss (1990) — Personal Favorite
Undisputed Attitude (1996) — Worst Album

Matt’s Picks:
Reign in Blood (1986) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Divine Intervention (1994) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Show No Mercy (1983)
Haunting the Chapel EP (1984)
Hell Awaits (1985)
Reign in Blood (1986)
South of Heaven (1988)
Seasons in the Abyss (1990)
Divine Intervention (1994)
Undisputed Attitude (1996)
Diabolus in Musica (1998)
God Hates Us All (2001)
Christ Illusion (2006)
World Painted Blood (2009)
Repentless (2015)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura, Alex @motherpuncher, and Matt @meistermatt

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Episode 29: Hüsker Dü

This week we discuss Hüsker Dü from Minneapolis, MN. Yet another band who influenced countless other, more successful bands. Hüsker Dü’s evolution is profound—they started as lightning-speed hardcore punk, ventured into noisy psychedelia, then finally settled on poppy indie rock. They’re good, go listen.

Closing track: “Chartered Trips” from Zen Arcade (1984)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Zen Arcade (1984) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Warehouse: Songs and Stories (1987) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Zen Arcade (1984) — Best Album
Candle Apple Grey (1986) — Personal Favorite
Warehouse: Songs and Stories (1987) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Land Speed Record (1982)
Everything Falls Apart (1983)
Metal Circus EP (1983)
Zen Arcade (1984)
New Day Rising (1985)
Flip Your Wig (1985)
Candy Apple Grey (1986)
Warehouse: Songs and Stories (1987)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

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Episode 28: Celtic Frost

This week we’re tackling Switzerland’s very own Celtic Frost. To say this band is abrasive is a viking-sized understatement. However, their contribution to the creation of extreme metal is undeniable, regardless of whether or not you might actually enjoy their music. Important band in heavy metal’s history. But be warned, some of their stuff gets extremely weird. Cool, heavy, and weird.

Closing track: “A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh” from Monotheist (2006)

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

Mike’s Picks:
Monotheist (2006) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Cold Lake (1988) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Into the Pandemonium (1987) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Cold Lake (1988) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Morbid Tales (1984)
To Mega Therion (1985)
Into the Pandemonium (1987)
Cold Lake (1988)
Vanity/Nemesis (1990)
Monotheist (2006)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

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Episode 27: The Replacements

This week we discuss The Replacements from Minneapolis, MN. Like countless other highly influential rock bands, these guys had a bit of a drug and alcohol problem. However, they still released some wonderful records before crumbling into a mess of drugs and sadness. This is one of the rare instances where Alex and Mike see eye to eye during the whole episode. Sort of.

Closing track: “Answering Machine” from Let It Be (1984)

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

Mike and Alex’s Picks:
Let It Be (1984) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Don’t Tell a Soul (1989) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981)
Stink EP (1982)
Hootenanny (1983)
Let It Be (1984)
Tim (1985)
Pleased to Meet Me (1987)
Don’t Tell a Soul (1989)
All Shook Down (1990)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

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Episode 26: Charles Bradley

On this episode, Mike and Alex talk about the most beautiful black rose, Charles Bradley. This former James Brown impersonator went through it all before achieving success in his early 60s. After 3 brilliant albums, Bradley tragically died of cancer in 2017, but a 4th album was released posthumously. The man was absolutely spectacular and we’ll never get another one like him. We’re all a victim of loving you, Bradley. Unless you haven’t heard him. In which case listen now for the love of God.

Closing track: “Lovin’ You, Baby” from No Time for Dreaming (2011)

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

Mike’s Picks:
No Time for Dreaming (2011) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Black Velvet (2018) — Worst Album

Alex’s Picks:
Changes (2016) — Best Album
No Time for Dreaming (2011) — Personal Favorite
Black Velvet (2018) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
No Time for Dreaming (2011)
Victim of Love (2013)
Changes (2016)
Black Velvet (2018)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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