This week we’re discussing every album by XTC. Led by Andy Partridge, few bands have the creative journey that XTC did. They started out as blistering post-punk, grew into an accessible 80s pop act, went on to pioneer modern alternative, only to end up tossing in a bunch of orchestras, wasting all their money in the process. By the end of their journey, the band was whittled down to two members who hated each other. This is a good one, so strap in.
Read MoreEpisode 126: The Walker Brothers
This week we’re discussing every album by the Walker Brothers. Made up of core members Scott, John, and Gary Walker (their last names are Walker in the same vein as the Ramones), the Walker Brothers began as a baroque pop, country western-influenced cover band in the 60s. Their hits “Make It Easy on Yourself” and “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” are gut-wrenching ballads that everyone should hear. However, their last album is entirely original and takes the band in an insane and unexpected direction.
Read MoreEpisode 125: Necrophagist
This week we’re discussing every album by the insane Necrophagist. Led by guitarist, vocalist, and main songwriter Muhammed Suiçmez, Necrophagist is one of the most beloved technical death metal bands. Partly because of their brutal and endlessly complex songs, and partly because of their sheer mystery. The band released two albums and is rumored to have recorded a third nearly a decade ago. However, Muhammed has abandoned the project and all plans to release it for seemingly no reason. Necrophagist isn’t for the faint of heart—they’re possibly the most brutal band we’ve covered yet.
Read MoreEpisode 124: Unwound
This week we’re discussing every album by Unwound. Formed in Olympia, Washington by Justin Trosper and the late Vern Rumsey, Unwound really came together after drummer Sara Lund joined the group. Although they began as a fairly straightforward post-hardcore band, their musical evolution was profound. By their final album, they were an intense and brilliant post rock band. Amazing stuff here.
Read MoreEpisode 123: Digable Planets
This week we’re discussing every album by Digable Planets. Considered by most to be a one-hit-wonder (the “cool like dat” song), Digable released two solid records in their short career. Made up of Ishmael Butterfly Butler, Mariana Ladybug Mecca Vieira, and Craig Doodlebug Irving, they are one of the greatest examples of jazz hip hop. Mellow, smooth, and yes, cool like dat.
Read MoreEpisode 122: Sparklehorse
This week we’re discussing every album by Sparklehorse. Composed solely of singer/multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous, Sparklehorse specialized in the most gentle, heartbreaking indie you’ve ever heard. Eventually Linkous was joined by guest appearances by Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop, and Danger Mouse—whom he collaborated with on two albums—as well as others. Linkous later committed suicide in 2010.
Read MoreEpisode 121: Rapeman
This week we’re discussing every album by Rapeman. These guys were a noise rock supergroup made up of Steve Albini on guitar/vocals (Big Black, Shellac), David Wm. Sims on bass (Scratch Acid, Jesus Lizard), and Rey Washam on drums (Big Boys, Scratch Acid, Ministry). Rapeman took the buzz saw noisiness of Big Black and coupled it with one of the most incredible rhythm sections in all of rock. A power trio that sounded ten times bigger than they actually were. While they are the most obscure out of all of Steve Albini’s projects, their brutal lyrics and provocative band name landed them in trouble just as much as you’d expect.
Read MoreEpisode 120: Melvins Pt. 3
This week we’re discussing the last remaining albums by the Melvins. This is the most current era of the band, spanning from 2012 to 2021. Easily the least predictable batch of albums compared to the rest, due to the revolving door lineup changes. Countless guest appearances, the introduction of Steve McDonald, as well as a bona fide Butthole Surfers supergroup. As usual, Buzz and Dale continue to not disappoint.
Read MoreEpisode 119: The Pogues
This week we’re discussing every album by The Pogues. Led by the world’s most infamous set of teeth, Shane MacGowan, The Pogues pioneered Celtic punk. If you’re not sure what that sounds like, just imagine the most Irish music you can, speed it up to 100bpm, and you’ve nailed it. Which is a bit ironic since they’re from London and not Ireland. This definitely isn’t a band for everyone, but they’re fun, snarly, and talented as all hell. Grab a pint and sit back, this is a fun one.
Read MoreEpisode 118: Mother Love Bone
This week we’re discussing every album by Mother Love Bone. Credited (along with Green River—check out our episode on them) with pioneering grunge, Mother Love Bone’s promising career was cut short after the sudden death of frontman Andrew Wood. As a result, members Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard went on to form Temple of the Dog (as a tribute to Wood) and eventually Pearl Jam. While Mother Love Bone’s music sounds more alternative metal than grunge, they were still paramount to the scene in Seattle. Good stuff.
Read MoreLoose Ends: From Out of Nowhere by ELO
There's no excuse for this one. This album came out two years ago and we had no idea. So we're barely covering it now. On the bright side, Jeff Lynne is still kicking! In addition to the album, we also talk about our adventures at Taco Bell. Don't forget to check out our original episode on ELO if you haven't already. Links below!
Read MoreBest Albums of 2021
This week we’re discussing our picks for the best albums of 2021. This was a good year for music, folks. So many of our favorite bands released records this year, as well as some huge surprises. This is our longest episode, but trust us when we say these are some of the best albums released in a long time.
Read MoreEpisode 117: ABBA
This week we’re discussing every album by ABBA. They need no introduction, but we will say that they are more than just a disco band—ABBA is an all-around pop juggernaut. With hits like “Waterloo,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” it’s obvious why they were so huge. But they have a thousand great songs you haven’t heard. Grab your platform shoes and get ready.
Read MoreEpisode 116: The La's
This week we’re discussing The La’s only album. Led by Lee Mavers, the La’s put out one of the world’s most famous singles, “There She Goes.” But don’t let that influence you—the rest of the album totally rips. Without question a wonderful album and band, yet Mike and Alex disagree on it entirely. Whose side do you take?
Read MoreEpisode 115: Porcupine Tree
This week we're discussing every album by Porcupine Tree. Led by mastermind Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree has tackled a ton of styles over their prolific career. Psychedelia, prog rock, metal, alternative, pop. Technically, we should love this band. But we don't. We hate them and we talk about it for two hours. Settle in and leave your angry comments, this is a hot one, folks!
Read MoreEpisode 114: mclusky
This week we’re discussing every album by mclusky. Led by Andy “Falco” Falkous, mclusky were an absolute monster of a noise rock band. Wacky, spastic, and as unhinged as it gets. Their second album, mclusky Do Dallas, went on to become a classic in the genre. They’re also way funnier than you’d expect. A must for fans of insanity.
Read MoreEpisode 113: Bauhaus
This week we’re discussing every album by Bauhaus. Credited with pioneering goth, Bauhaus took elements from punk, post-punk, reggae, and horror to create a completely unique and influential style. Don’t let the makeup and black clothing distract you—these guys were awesome songwriters.
Read MoreEpisode 112: Audioslave
This week we’re discussing every album by Audioslave. If for some reason you haven’t heard of these guys, it’s Rage Against the Machine but with Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell on vocals instead of Zack de la Rocha. Audioslave was a juggernaut of a supergroup and were one of the biggest rock bands in the early 00s. Musically, not the most innovative or original, but solid and fun. Plus, Tom Morello doing his wacky pedal stuff.
Read MoreEpisode 111: Rites of Spring
This week we’re discussing the short discography of Rites of Spring. Credited (along with Embrace) with helping to create emo-core, Rites of Spring went wild during their brief existence. They played only a few shows—destroying all their equipment in the process—but their influence remains today. Singer Guy Picciotto and drummer Brendan Canty went on to form Fugazi with Ian Mackaye and Joe Lally shortly after.
Read MoreEpisode 110: Melvins (Pt. 2)
This week we’re discussing every album by the Melvins from 1999 to 2010. This era of the band has two legendary lineups. The first is with Kevin Rutmanis on bass (Cows, Tomahawk, Hepa-Titus). The second is with Big Business’s Jared Warren on bass and Coady Willis on second drums. This era shows the Melvins evolving more than they ever have before. It’s wild.
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