This week we're discussing every album by The Damned from 1977 to 1986. Pioneers of punk (and goth to a degree), The Damned are a band more talented and even more insane than most others. They defined the chaos of first generation punk in the late 70s, yet still managed to put out some of the most legendary albums of the era. Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Rat Scabies, and Brian James, before his departure, left a legacy filled with speed, booze, and countless memorable riffs.
Read MoreEpisode 235: Women
This week we're discussing every album by Women. From Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Women are a right-down-the-middle-split between indie garage rock and noisy prog rock, with almost nothing in the middle. Made up of Patrick Flegel (guitar, vocals), Matt Flegel (bass, vocals), Mike Wallace (drums), and Christopher Reimer (guitar). The band struggled in their existence, despite their acclaimed second album, Public Strain and broke up due to an onstage fight. Reimer tragically died unexpectedly two years later.
Read MoreEpisode 234: Magazine
This week we're discussing every album by Magazine. Led by vocalist Howard Devoto and guitarist John McGeoch (before he left to join Siouxsie and the Banshees), Magazine is one of the most underrated punk bands to come out of England in the late 70s. Their style, which was in large part characterized by prominent synths, was unlike any other band at the time. Best of all, the songs still hold up today.
Read MoreEpisode 233: ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
This week we're discussing every album by ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. Led by core members Conrad Keely and Jason Reece (who both trade off between drums, guitars and vocals), Trail of Dead is one of the most fun and ambitious post-hardcore bands around. And although they have a trademark sound, they've continued to evolve and expand their sound in countless ways. Dig it.
Read MoreEpisode 232: Cardiacs
This week we're discussing every album by the completely insane Cardiacs. If you aren't familiar with this band, then you're going to need to take a seat and prepare yourself. Led by the late Tim Smith and his brother Jim, Cardiacs are a prog band like no other in existence. You just have to hear them. Their final album, LSD, was just released after almost 20 years of painstaking writing, recording, and devastating heallth problems. This is one of our most requested bands and one that will stay with us for years to come.
Read MoreEpisode 231: Killdozer
This week we're discussing every album by Killdozer. Made up of Michael Gerald, and Bill and Dan Hobson, Killdozer is without question one of the funniest sludge metal/noise rock bands in history. Satirical and over the top, but with no shortage of incredibly hard hitting riffs. Easily one of Touch & Go Records' most underrated bands that you should listen to immediately.
Read MoreLet God Sort Em Out by Clipse | Loose Ends
This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing Let God Sort Em Out, the newest album by hip-hop duo Clipse. This is not a reunion we saw coming and to be completely honest, half of the reason we're even covering it is because of how much Mike hates Clipse. (We covered all of their albums on episode 56). However, this album completely surprised us.
Read MoreEpisode 230: Sonic Youth (Pt. 2)
This week we're discussing the remaining albums by Sonic Youth. This era covers everything from 1994 until their breakup in 2011. Aside from a couple of exceptions, not many of their most well known albums are in this era, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of worth here. Even though Sonic Youth isn't a band for everyone, they have a style that is unmistakable and continued to push themselves until the very end.
Read MoreEpisode 229: Placebo
This week we're discussing every album by Placebo. While they can be considered a fairly niche band, Placebo has had massive widespread appeal and success since the mid 90s. However, we call BS on the legitimacy of their albums as the years go on. Needless to say, they're not exactly our band.
Read MoreEpisode 228: Daniel Striped Tiger
This week we're discussing every album by Daniel Striped Tiger. Named after the puppet from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Daniel Striped Tiger is a ferocious post-hardcore band from Boston. This is the first time Mike and Alex have heard the band and let's just say they were delighted. We might be biased here on this podcast, but this band never went wrong throughout their entire career.
Read MoreEpisode 227: Thinking Fellers Union Local 282
This week we're discussing every album by Thinking Fellers Union Local 282. Let's just get this out of the way now: you probably haven't heard of this band, but that needs to change today. TFUL 282 are one of the smartest and most creatively gifted bands in history. Noisy, silly, beautiful, and wildly technical at times. If you have even a passing interest in 90s rock then strap in for some of the wackiest and most incredible albums ever made.
Read MoreMAD! by Sparks | Album Review
Today we're discussing MAD!, the latest album by Sparks. We love Sparks and the simple fact that Ron and Russell Mael are still making records over 50 years into their career is amazing. While MAD! may not be our favorite Sparks record ever, it still has all the charm you'd hope to expect from one, not to mention their delightfully quirky lyrics.
Read MoreEpisode 226: Wild Nothing
This week we're discussing every album by Wild Nothing. This band is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Jack Tatum, and if you're at all familiar with indie/synth wave/dream pop then you already have a pretty good idea how these albums sound. Unfortunately, Wild Nothing joins the ranks of bands we have no business talking about and that we never want to hear ever again.
Read MoreMotherfucker, I Am Both... by Shearling | Album Review
This week we're discussing Motherfucker, I Am Both: "Amen" and "Hallelujah"..., the debut album by experimental band Shearling. Let's not beat around the bush here; this album is absolutely insane. While the band is clearly influenced by post rock and noise rock, the result is something out of a nightmare and should approached with the utmost caution. Not only is this one of the most ambitious albums of the year, but also one of the most intense we've ever covered on the show.
Read MoreMore by Pulp | Loose Ends
This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing More, the reunion album by Pulp. It's been over five years since Mike and Alex covered every single album by Pulp (back on episode 44) so they definitely weren't expecting an album full of brand new material. Mike came out of that episode a fan while Alex did not. However, this album just shook things up and now they're flipped on the matter.
Read MoreEpisode 225: Sonic Youth (Pt. 1)
This week we're discussing every album by Sonic Youth from 1982 - 1992. Made up of core members Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley, Sonic Youth are easily one of the most influential, as well as one of the most eclectic rock bands of all time. This era of the band covers all of their early years, including the vast majority of their most beloved albums. Incidentally, they're also a band Alex and Mike can't agree on to save their lives.
Read MoreEpisode 224: This Heat
This week we're discussing every album by This Heat. This is a band we don't really have words for because they're unlike anything we've ever heard. To put a genre on them feels silly, especially considering some of their songs could hardly be considered music. But they are indeed one of the most original bands we've ever come across, with songs that could never be replicated or imitated. This Heat is the real deal.
Read MoreEpisode 223: The Stone Roses
This week we're discussing every album by The Stone Roses. This band put out one of the most beloved albums of the 80s and then proceeded to completely crumble under its success, churning out one massive disappointment of a followup five years later, only to immediately break up. A harrowing tale, but at least we have some fun tunes out of it.
Read MoreEpisode 222: TOOL
This week we're discussing every album by TOOL. This band needs no introduction, considering they're one of the most famous metal bands in existence. This is, however, Mike's first deep dive into the band. Some controversial takes here, some not so controversial. But even if you aren't the biggest TOOL fan in the world, there is simply no denying what they do well.
Read MoreEpisode 221: Creedle
This week we're discussing every album by Creedle. If you haven't heard of this band, don't worry, no one has. However, we urge you to change that today. Creedle is one of the most criminally underrated and underappreciated prog bands that exists. If you're a fan of Mr. Bungle, King Crimson, Secret Chiefs 3, or just crazy music in general, then they are an absolute must listen.
Read More