This week we're discussing Lucro Sucio, the latest album by The Mars Volta. It's been three years since the Volta surprised us with their self-titled reunion album in 2022, and now Lucro Sucio shows the band even less predictable than ever. This easily has some of their most deep and psychedelic production. However, we still have problems with the album as a whole.
Read MoreEpisode 220: King Crimson (Pt. 2)
This week we're discussing every remaining album by legendary prog rock band King Crimson. This episode tackles 1981 - 2003, where KC mainstays Adrian Belew and Tony Levin first join the group. Despite some moments that are a bit dated (specifically in the production), Robert Fripp and company continue to surprise us with their sheer audacity in their songwriting. Maybe these albums aren't perfect, but they sure are impressive.
Read MoreBirthing by Swans | Loose Ends
This week we're discussing Birthing, the latest album by Swans. Our history guy and interviewer Tom Osman is filling in for Alex this week to reflect on our recent interview with Michael Gira, as well as take a deep dive into the final massive Swans album we're likely ever going to get. Birthing is as intense as it gets for Swans, so fans will be in for a treat, despite its 2 hour runtime. Be sure to check out all our episodes chronicling Swans’ entire discography (episodes 150, 160, and 170), as well as our interview with Michael Gira. Birthing releases on May 30.
Read MoreInterview with Michael Gira of Swans
This week we're interviewing Michael Gira: leader, vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter for the legendary Swans. Swans' latest album, entitled Birthing, releases on May 30 and is reported by Gira to be the band's final large-sounding, expansive album. Michael was generous enough to have a phone conversation with Mike and Tom to talk all about it, as well as his creative process as a whole. Swans are a band like no other and if you haven't already, check out all of our episodes chronicling each of their studio albums.
Read MoreEpisode 219: Eyehategod
This week we're discussing every album by Eyehategod. From New Orleans, Eyehategod are one of the most quintessential sludge metal bands that exists. Led by vocalist Mike IX Williams and guitarist Jimmy Bower, this band has been through hell since their formation in 1988. But they're still going strong after being wrecked with drug abuse, incarceration, and death.
Read MoreLoose Ends | The World Is Still Here and So Are We by mclusky
This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing the world is still here and so are we, the reunion album by mclusky. This is a reunion neither of us saw coming, but is shaping up to be one of the most memorable musical moments of the year. If you're a mclusky fan, chances are you won't be disappointed by this album. It's as fun, wild, and unpredictable as we've come to expect from these guys.
Read MoreEpisode 218: Green on Red
This week we're discussing every album by Green on Red. Let's not beat around the bush here. We hated this band and if we had any idea what they sounded like before this episode, we wouldn't have agreed to do it. It's our fault, honestly. But we listened to every album thoroughly regardless. They're a country rock band led by Dan Stuart and that's about all you need to know. Enter with caution.
Read MoreLonely People with Power by Deafheaven | Album Review
This week we're discussing Lonely People with Power, the latest album by Deafheaven. We've been massive fans of Deafheaven for years, but 2021's Infinite Granite had us split down the middle. Lonely People with Power shows the band returning to black metal in a massive way, shattering any assumptions people may have had that they are now a full-blown shoegaze band. Once again Deafheaven proves they are more than capable songwriters and continue to experiment in innovative ways. Crank this one.
Read MoreLoose Ends | Thunderball by Melvins 1983
This week we’re discussing Thunderball, the latest album by Melvins. Technically, this was released as Melvins 1983, which has the band’s very first drummer, Mike Dillard, on drums instead of Dale Crover. Thunderball also features experimental musicians Void Manes and Ni Maitres lending electronic contributions. If you’re a fan of the early 90s sludge era of Melvins, then this is the album for you.
Read MoreEpisode 217: Tragic Mulatto
This week we’re discussing every album by Tragic Mulatto. Truly one of the strangest and most unique punk bands who can’t even be described as punk music. Led by saxophonist, tubist, and vocalist Gail Coulson and bassist Alistair Shanks, Tragic Mulatto is dirty, silly, deranged, and shockingly talented. Any fan of the Butthole Surfers should seek them out ASAP.
Read MoreLower by Benjamin Booker | Album Review
This week we’re discussing Lower, the latest album by Benjamin Booker. After an 8 year hiatus, Booker is back with an album completely unlike his previous outings and one that’s incredibly hard to narrow down to a single genre. However, it offers an excitingly diverse, emotionally resonant, and brilliantly produced (thanks to the collaboration of Kenny Segal) set of songs.
Read MoreEpisode 216: Donnie & Joe Emerson
This week we’re discussing every album by Donnie and Joe Emerson. The Emersons recorded one album in the late 70s as teenagers in a hilariously expensive home studio built by their father. The result was a charmingly rough collection of songs obviously written by kids. They quickly faded into obscurity until they were discovered in the 2010s and miraculously gifted a second life. I hope you’re ready for a good time.
Read MoreEpisode 215: King Crimson (Pt. 1)
This week we’re discussing every album by King Crimson from 1969 to 1974. Led by the legendary (and partially insane) Robert Fripp, King Crimson is one of the pioneers of prog rock, as well as one of the wildest and most influential bands of all time. This era of the band chronicles some of the most memorable albums in all of prog rock. But be warned, this is not a band that welcomes everyone. The insanity is real.
Read MoreWaiting Room by Kathryn Mohr | Album Review
This week we’re discussing Waiting Room, the latest album by Kathryn Mohr. Put out on The Flenser (one of our favorite labels), Waiting Room is lonely, bleak, and terribly atmospheric. Written and recorded by Mohr by herself, the minimalism is the album’s most notable asset. But while it is unsettling and executed well, it might not be for everyone.
Read MoreEpisode 214: Hum
This week we're discussing every album by Hum. While they can technically be considered a one-hit-wonder with their song "Stars" from 1995's You'd Prefer an Astronaut, Hum did way more and influenced so many more than they get credit for. Equal parts grunge, indie, and chunky post-hardcore--Hum has a style and personality so distinct, you can hear how much they influenced bands like Deftones today.
Read MoreTo Cross or To Burn by Venamoris | Album Review
This week we’re discussing the latest album by Venamoris entitled To Cross or To Burn. Venamoris is the side project of Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Dead Cross) and his wife Paula, and boy did it catch us off guard. No way were we expecting one of the most prolific and respected metal drummers to put out a genuinely good goth record. An unexpected delight that you should all check out.
Read MoreLoose Ends | Bird Machine by Sparklehorse
This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing Bird Machine, the presumed final album by Sparklehorse. Shortly before his death in 2010, Mark Linkous recorded the foundation for these tracks with Steve Albini. Since then, Matt and Melissa Linkous took the tracks and completed them, giving them a proper release. While Mike and Alex generally weren't huge fans of Sparklehorse's records, no one can deny how moving this album is. Be sure to check out our thoughts on the full discography from episode 122.
Read MoreEpisode 213: My Bloody Valentine
This week we’re discussing every album (and EP) by My Bloody Valentine. MBV is one of the most influential rock bands of all-time and helped pioneer shoegaze, with singer/guitarist Kevin Shields’s surreal and unreasonably noisy guitar tone. This band is for anyone who wants the prettiest music ever to also make their ears bleed.
Read MoreEpisode 212: Thorr's Hammer
This week we’re discussing the one and only album by Thorr’s Hammer. While they only have one album, it has since become the stuff of legend due to being formed by sludge/doom pioneers Greg Anderson and Stephen O’Malley. However, the mind blowing vocals by a then 17-year-old Runhild Gammelsæter were the final necessary ingredient. Following Runhild’s return to Norway, the band reformed as Burning Witch (whom we covered on episode 167).
Read MoreEpisode 211: Faith/Void
This week we’re discussing every album by both The Faith and Void. These two legendary hardcore punk bands will be forever linked because of their split LP from 1982. However, both bands couldn’t be more different in their approach to punk. The Faith (whom Ian MacKaye’s younger brother Alec fronted) was a prime example of quality songwriting and musicianship. Void, on the other hand, was pure ravenous chaos and inadvertent originators of extreme metal. Two of the best to ever do it.
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