This week we’re discussing every album by the Marked Men. Formed in the early 00s, the Marked Men are heavily inspired by first wave, late 70s punk (most notably the Ramones). While they are certainly much faster and more aggressive than those bands, their sound fits right in with that entire era. Fun and energetic, but don’t expect any surprises.
Read MoreFat Chance by mr. phylzzz
This week we’re discussing Fat Chance, the latest album by nose rock duo mr. phylzzz. Made up of Clinton Jacob on guitar/bass/vocals and Danny Sein on drums, mr. phylzzz won over the boys last year with their album Cancel Culture Club, which made Mike’s Best of 2022 list. This time around they’re split, as Fat Chance shows the band noticeably expanding their sound. Dig it.
Read MoreEpisode 180: Jonathan Fire*Eater
This week we’re discussing every album by Jonathan Fire Eater. Known for influencing the post-punk revival of the early 00s (which spawned bands like the Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Jonathan Fire*Eater only had a brief existence before singer Stewart Lupton became addicted to heroin, spiraling the band into chaos.
Read MoreVOID by KEN mode Is Extreme Noise Perfection
This week we’re discussing VOID, the latest album by extreme noise rock band KEN mode. This is both Mike and Alex’s first time hearing KEN mode and they’ve since become instant fans. VOID is truly devastating, but with no shortage of great hooks and beautiful melodies. All fans of heavy music simply must hear this band.
Read MoreEpisode 179: Mayhem
This week we’re discussing every album by the infamous Mayhem. While they are known for pioneering modern black metal in Norway, most people know them because of their horrific, bloody, and disturbing history. Seriously, if you’re unfamiliar, grab some popcorn before you listen. Formed and led by Euronymous (Øystein Aarseth) until his murder by then bassist Varg Vikernes (of Burzum) in 1993, Mayhem continues to put out great albums with various lineups. However, they are held down by longtime drummer Hellhammer and bassist Necrobutcher. This band’s music is as intense as their reputation, so get ready.
Read MoreEpisode 178: Ween
This week we’re discussing every album by the one and only Ween. Made up of Gene and Dean Ween (real names Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo), Ween is one of the most impossible bands to pigeonhole. Garage rock, funk, folk, hard rock, tropical, pirate sea shanties, prog rock, psychedelic—this is only a taste of all the styles these guys frequently hop between. And they do so with complete sincerity and unmatched songwriting. A one of a kind band.
Read MoreReverend Kristin Michael Hayter SAVED Us
This week we’re discussing SAVED! the debut album by Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter, formerly known as Lingua Ignota. We’ve been fans of Kristin Hayter and Lingua Ignota for years (both Caligula and Sinner Get Ready were Mike’s albums of the year at their times of release). But Hayter has moved on to a whole new project and aesthetic, which revolves around old southern gospel. If you’re familiar with Hayter’s work, you already have an idea how disturbing it is. This ain’t an easy listen, so get ready.
Read MoreWe Love Wheeler Walker Jr... but We're Not Sure About This One
This week we’re discussing Ram, the brand new album by Wheeler Walker Jr. We’ve been fans of Wheeler back when he was just Ben Hoffman of The Ben Show. But he’s since adopted the brilliant, foul mouthed, outlaw country persona of WWJR, putting out awesome country records. Ram showcases his first stab at rock. And let’s just say we hope you like ZZ Top.
Read MoreEpisode 177: Sleep
This week we’re discussing every album by stoner metal pioneers, Sleep. No band in existence has paid tribute to Black Sabbath and cannabis more than Sleep. Made up of core members Al Cisneros (Om) and Matt Pike (High on Fire), Sleep is as brutal as they come. Sleep’s Holy Mountain and Dopesmoker are both legendary metal albums that will beat you down while simultaneously ripping a bong.
Read MoreMutoid Man Takes Us Back to Our Childhoods
This week we’re discussing Mutants, the newest album by Mutoid Man. Led by Stephen Brodsky, who many should know from Cave In (among many other side projects), as well as his guest appearances with bands like Converge (not to mention his role on Two Minutes to Late Night), Mutoid Man is one of the absolute most fun metal bands around. Blending elements of countless metal subgenres, as well as 90s video game and cartoon nostalgia, Mutants is one of the coolest albums we’ve heard from this year. Catchy, diverse, expertly performed, and charming as hell. Give it a shot.
Read MoreEpisode 176: Buddy Holly
This week we’re discussing every album by the one and only Buddy Holly. Holly is truly one of the most influential musicians of all time and was responsible for popularizing rock ‘n’ roll in the late 50s. His tragic death at age 22 immortalized his legacy, but the question is: how well do his actual songs hold up? We’re brutally honest here, no holding back.
Read MoreBaroness's New Album Stole Our Hearts
This week we’re discussing Stone, the newest album by Baroness. We’ve been huge fans of them for years and this record only seems to be deepening that love. Stone shows Baroness experimenting in subtle but noticeable ways here, and showcases some of their most and least accessible moments ever. We love it.
Read MoreEpisode 175: NoMeansNo
This week we’re discussing every album by NoMeansNo. Made up of core members and brothers Rob and John Wright, NoMeansNo helped pioneer math rock and post-hardcore, in addition to being possibly the only actual prog punk band ever. Their songwriting, arrangements, and performances were nothing short of legendary and decades ahead of their time. You guys wanted this episode, so get ready.
Read MoreOxbow's New Album Taught Us How to Love
This week we’re discussing the latest album by Oxbow, Love’s Holiday. Underground music nerds are already familiar with the reputation of singer Eugene S. Robinson and Oxbow, but for the uninitiated, they rule. Aggressive, noisy, and passionate, but with intricate musicality and poignant lyrical themes. Love’s Holiday is an album about love, but holy hell will it mess you up.
Read MoreEpisode 174: Can (Pt. 2)
This week we’re discussing the remaining albums by German krautrock pioneers CAN. Be sure to check out our first episode on this band where we detail the years with Malcom Mooney and Damo Suzuki. This era chronicles the awkward and strange later years, where guitarist Michael Karoli takes over vocals, as well as where bassist and founding member Holger Czukay leaves the band. It gets weird, you’ve been warned.
Read MoreWe Are Floored by Protomartyr's New Album
This week we’re discussing Protomartyr’s newest album, Formal Growth in the Desert. This band has been on our radar for a few years now, but this album shows a much darker side to the band. Truly heartbreaking songs that develop in brilliant ways over their short runtime. This isn’t an album to brush over—there is some incredible songwriting here that deserves your attention.
Read MoreEpisode 173: Mad Season
This week we’re discussing the one and only album by Mad Season—Above. A side project and supergroup made up of Layne Staley on vocals (Alice in Chains), Mike McCready on guitar (Pearl Jam), Barrett Martin on drums (Screaming Trees), John Baker Saunders on bass, with contributions from Mark Lanegan. Mad Season was short-lived but commercially successful. However, Staley’s erratic behavior and drug use ended any potential for long-term success that the band had and ultimately led to his death in 2002.
Read MoreSparks' New Album Is Delightful
This week we’re discussing the new album by Sparks, The Girl Is Crying in her Latte. Sparks have been putting out albums almost nonstop since the 1970s and have never lost their wit or creativity. Their latest album shows them still experimenting well into their 70s, which is incredible on its own, but more so when the songs are this catchy. Anyone in their right mind is already a fan of Sparks, so what are you waiting for?
Read MoreEpisode 172: Power Trip
This week we’re discussing every album by Power Trip. Formed in Dallas, TX, Power Trip was part of the wave of retro thrash metal in the mid to late 00s. However, they distinguished themselves through their raw and gritter approach when compared to some of their peers. So much so that they were nominated for a Grammy for the song “Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe).” Their future, at the moment, is a bit uncertain after the sudden death of vocalist Riley Gale in 2020.
Read MoreHow Good Is the New QOTSA Album?
This week we’re discussing the latest album by Queens of the Stone Age, In Times New Roman… We’ve talked about Josh Homme on this show before (see our Kyuss and Them Crooked Vultures episodes), and much of how we feel about him hasn’t changed in terms of how he makes records. This album isn’t a huge jump in any direction, mostly just more of the same. But none of it is bad and if you’re a die hard fan, this record will scratch that itch.
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