Thegreatalbums.com blogger Jeff Fiedler joins Bill and Brian as special guest cohost along with this week's guest Andrew Kolbenschlag (of indie rockers Small Planet Radio) as get into week 2 of Massive Albums November with Michael Jackson's "other" multiplatinum album Bad (1987, Epic).
It's Bonus Song Thursday! And Bill and Brian talk about one of the rock songs of all time. Bill shares how this was his first Zeppelin album gifted to him on an Easter in the late 90s. We talk about how III had hipster appeal and has started to take its place alongside the other great albums in recent years. Then we get into some emails about Jellyfish, "He's My Best Friend" being about masturbation, Jesus' fan club, and klezmer music!
In our first installment of Massive Albums November 2017, Rock on Radio's Danny Coleman (coaradio.com) joins Bill and Brian to discuss Led Zeppelin IV (1971, Atlantic). Danny talks about his cool older cousin gifting him this album on his 12th birthday and his life being forever changed. Bill, Brian, and Danny then get into John Bonham's influence on Danny as a drummer, Zep vs. the Who, polyrhythms, John Paul Jones' bass keeping the band together, AM/FM radio and music fandom, how Led Zeppelin k...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian are feeling the sting of Jellyfish (it's a good thing) as we chat about their cover of Harry Nilsson's "Think About Your Troubles." Brian tells the tale of Nilsson's The Point! Then we get into which pop artists have had cartoons, 90s power pop, listener appreciation, a Smashing Pumpkins tale, experiencing the release of new albums, World Party, and the possibility Jeff January.
Bill and Brian go sans guest (not by choice) to talk about Jellyfish's unique blend of Baroque arrangements and power pop hooks on the band's sophomore and final album Spilt Milk (1993, Charisma). Bill and Brian discuss the band's place amongst other 90s rock bands, how the band has started to carve out its own niche in the canon of great bands, the influence of classic Disney films, where fan clubs fit in with the modern music industry, the confluence of harmony styles from both the Beach Boys ...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian keep the Ted Leo train rolling by talking about the time that he and the Pharmacists stopped by the AV Club to cover Tears for Fears "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." We chat about when 80s pop went from being admonished to admired, the Val Kilmer vehicle Real Genius, how we don't know much Silicon Valley trivia (for either the place or the TV show), and even Dennis Miller. Then we read some listener emails filling us in on some facts and opinions on t...
Bill and Brian are joined by WXPN's Mike Vasilikos to talk about Ted Leo & the Pharmacists' Shake the Sheets (2004, Lookout!). Mike explains how working in Baltimore radio lead to his discovery of the band and scoring tickets to a great live show. Then Bill, Brian, and Mike discuss Pitchfork and AllMusic's middling reviews, the band's place in the indie and punk scenes, comparing Leo to the likes of Billy Bragg and Elvis Costello, obliquely political themes, the influence of the Strokes, peo...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! And Bill and Brian would do anything to make sure you're enjoying the listening experience as dive into Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman's epic tune that cemented their legacy through the 90s and into today. We chat about how to make cool guitar sounds, Todd Rundgren's contributions (or lack thereof), Eddie Martinez's killer guitars, the possibility of Brian's band the Paper Jets covering some Loaf tunes, and the meaning of the lyrics. Then we get into some listener emails (b...
Bill and Brian are joined by podcaster Steve Fiorillo (inthemixpod.libsyn.com) to talk about Meat Loaf's legendary album Bat Out of Hell - Songs by Jim Steinman (1977, Cleveland International/Epic). Steve talks about inheriting his love of Mr. Loaf from his mother and how "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" is one of his earliest memories of music. We get into comparing and contrasting Springsteen with Meat Loaf and the timelessness of the albums production. Then Bill, Brian, and St...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! And Bill is joined by special guest, musician and songwriter Tyler Plazio (soldiersofsuburbiaband.com), as we get really tangential to discuss that time that Billy Corgan teamed up with David Bowie to perform "All the Young Dudes" at Madison Square Garden. We end up with our longest BST yet as we talk about the importance of going to college, the best age and era to listen to the Smashing Pumpkins, vinyl vs. Spotify, How Tyler got into Bowie, the Mott the Hoople version...
Bill and Brian are joined by podcaster James Anderson of Unabashedly Obsessed (unabashedlyobsessed.com) to talk about the Smashing Pumpkins breakthrough album Siamese Dream (1993, Virgin). James tells the story of playing N64 in a friend's basement, being blown away hearing the Pumpkins for first time, and how it led to purchasing the album at Walmart, a circumstance that forever shaped how he listened to the album. Bill, Brian, and James then get into the band's evolution through the years, how...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian quickly derail their own conversation about Saves the Day and their growth on their Stay What You Are follow up In Reverie by espousing the coolness of Nada Surf and their own transformation into indie power pop kings worthy of all the respect. Then they read some emails about how cool the Genuine Imitation Life Gazette is, Frankie Valli's involvement with the Watertown demos, and "songs that belong to the dance floor."
Musician and songwriter Matt Koerner (feenynj.com) joins Bill and Brian to talk about early aughts pop punk innovators Saves the Day and their breakthrough album Stay What You Are (2001, Vagrant). Matt shares his experience discovering the band as a teen pop punk devotee. Then we get into what it's like listening to a band from your hometown, Weezer's interactions with the band, Chris Conley's evolution and maturation as a songwriter and artist, Rob Schnapf's influence as producer, how this isn'...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian take a listen to and chat about some Four Seasons, songs that belong to the dance floor, and we read some listener emails about songs that make commercials.
Bill and Brian are joined by podcaster Mike Derrico (rockunderfire.com) to chat about Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons' often overlooked, pop psychedelic masterpiece the Genuine Imitation Life Gazette (1969, Philips).
It's Bonus Song Thursday! It's slim pickings for some interesting options of Nick Drake covers, but we hit the jackpot with Robyn Hitchcock's version of "Parasite." Bill and Brian discuss Sebadoh's cover of "Pink Moon" and Joe Boyd's arrangement, before getting into some listener emails about Metallica's "Master of Puppets" and teenage Luther Dickinson's contributions to the Replacements' "Shootin' Dirty Pool" (both odor and guitar).
Musician Kevin Newcomb (funwhileyouwait.com) joins Bill and Brian to discuss Nick Drake's Pink Moon (1972, Island).
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian follow up our Replacements' conversation with Tommy Stinson's follow up band, Perfect, and their tune "Miss Self-Esteem." We talk about how this band remained under the radar, especially in comparison to Tommy's other post-'Mats effort Bash & Pop. Then we get into some listener emails about bands naming themselves after songs, Paul Westerberg's counting abilities (or lack thereof), and in defense of "Nightclub Jitters."
In a special crossover episode, Bill and Brian welcome Randy and Dan from That Dandy Classic Music Hour (thatdandyclassicmusichour.com) to finally return to covering a Replacements album with their 1987 classic Pleased to Meet Me (Sire). Bill and Brian discuss the band's history and their newfound hi fi sound before cutting to our conversation with the Dandy Classic guys where we delve into Paul Westerberg showing off his lead guitar skills, Jim Dickinson's contributions, Chris Mars' art career,...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian discuss Pearl Jam's surprise hit "Last Kiss," the band's staying power, a listener email about second chances, and an indie rock version of the Traveling Wilburys.
Bill and Brian take the stage at the Nashville Rock n Pod Music Expo to chat about what makes Pearl Jam's Backspacer (2009, Monkeywrench) a great album. Featuring some special guests culled from the convention floor!
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian dive into the deep waters with Modest Mouse (get it?) to discuss a favorite of theirs "Dashboard." We get into the contribution of Johnny Marr and the influence of disco. Then we read some listener emails letting us know some good songs covered by the Modest Mouse and a little appreciation for Frightened Rabbit.
Indie August draws to a close as Bill and Brian welcome musician and producer Derrill Sellers (lowlightnj.com) to the podcast as they make their way through Modest Mouse's the Lonesome Crowded West (1997, Up) track by track!
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian keep spreading the gospel of Frightened Rabbit (pun intended if you take a look at the theme of this parent album) and chat about "The Woodpile." We talk about the evolution of the band's sound as we compare and contrast them with their "cousins" the National. Then we read some listener emails that brightened our day, share some indie rock fantasy supergroup lineups, and discuss some good non-fiction reads about great music.
Bill and Brian continue Indie August, spending a couple hours delving into one of their new favorites and what they consider a modern classic, Frightened Rabbit's The Midnight Organ Fight (2008, Fat Cat).
It's Bonus Song Thursday! Bill and Brian get only semi-tangential from our Rilo Kiley episode and chat about Jenny Lewis' "She's Not Me." We talk about Ryan Adams' smooth production, the excellent guitar solo, and whether or not the the 70s gloss is a simply a hipster trope. Then we read some listener emails about Sebadoh (and how, no, we weren't criticizing Lou Barlow's post Dinosaur Jr project), best female guitarists, and the Singles soundtrack!
Singer songwriter Lance Scott Greene (not-poprecords.bandcamp.com) joins Bill and Brian as we make our way through Indie August to discuss Rilo Kiley's More Adventurous (2004, Brute/Beaute). Lance talks about discovering the band via a discman into the tape deck of his friend's busted old 90s sedan. Then Bill, Brian, and Lance discuss these songs inspiring Lance as a songwriter, the multitude of genres featured on the album, the Birch Hill in NJ, Jenny Lewis' powerhouse vocals, Blake Sennett's i...
It's Bonus Song Thursday! And Bill and Brian take a deeper dive into Lou Barlow's non-Dinosaur Jr project Sebadoh and their song "The Freed Pig." We talk a little about what Brian loves about this lo-fi gem and the band's place maybe outside the shadow of Dinosaur Jr. Then we get into some listener emails about A Mighty Wind, transgender issues, and film soundtracks in the 21st century.
Bill and Brian kick off Indie August with podcaster Josh Flanagan (ifanboy.com) joining them to discuss Dinosaur Jr's You're Living All Over Me (1987, SST). Josh explains how his 'mid-life crisis' helped him dive into a band that has been circling him for decades. Then Bill, Brian, and Josh discuss the band's interpersonal dynamics, Murph suffering under J's dictatorial arrangements, the band's tenuous relationship with Homestead Records, how J Mascis' guitar shredding skills are integral to his...
Podcaster and WXPN music director Dan Reed (soundcloud.com/ddmusicpodcast) joins Bill and Brian to discuss Afghan Whig's Gentlemen (1993, Elektra) in front of a live audience at the 2017 Philadelphia Podcast Festival.
