This week, we’re discussing the latest album by sludge metal band BIG|BRAVE, A Chaos of Flowers. We’ve been following BIG|BRAVE since this show began and A Chaos of Flowers shows them evolving in a massive way. Still one of the heaviest albums you’ll hear, but with careful attention to atmosphere, minimalism, and beauty. A dense and destructive album that will reward anyone who has the stomach for music this slow and heavy.
Read MoreHalf Divorced by Pissed Jeans | Album Review
This week we’re discussing the latest album by Pissed Jeans, Half Divorced. If high speed hardcore punk with a noise rock edge is your thing, this is easily one of the best albums of the year. This is Mike and Alex’s first time hearing Pissed Jeans and they were delighted, to say the least. Give it a shot, this one’s hard not to love.
Read MoreEpisode 190: Siouxsie and the Banshees (Pt. 1)
This week we’re discussing every album by Siouxsie and the Banshees from 1978 to 1982. Aside from being one of the most influential bands in modern music, Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees played a major role in pioneering goth music, along with Bauhaus and the Cure. In this episode, we’re tackling the early years where they laid the foundation. It’s also the first time in a while Mike and Alex nearly strangle each other for their Worst Album picks.
Read MoreA Sudden Craving by The Children... | Album Review + Interview
This week we’re discussing A Sudden Craving, the newest album by The Children… And for the first time ever, we have included an exclusive interview with the band. Made up of Michael Wiener, Jim Coleman (Cop Shoot Cop), and Phil Puelo (Cop Shoot Cop, Swans), The Children have created some of the most fascinating, texture-rich music you will hear this year. However, Wiener’s vocals will separate the weak from the strong, as his choices are unlike any you’ve heard before. Beautiful, intricate, dark, and most of all, completely insane. Enter at your own risk.
Tom’s interview with Jim and Michael begins at 35:48
Read MoreEpisode 189: Foetus
This week we’re discussing every album by Foetus. However, there are a million EPs, remix albums, and collabs, so we’re just sticking with the core 10 albums. Foetus is the brainchild of JG Thirlwell, whom many will know as the music composer for The Venture Bros. and Archer. But Thirlwell’s roots stem all the way back to the New York no wave scene with characters like Lydia Lunch and Nick Cave. Be prepared, this is one hell of a discography.
Read MorePutrid | Obsolete by Prisoner | Album Review
This week we're discussing Putrid | Obsolete, the latest album by Prisoner. While these guys are self-described as industrial/metal/punk, the result sounds like all of these and none of them at the same time. Punishing, disturbing, headbanging, and weirdly enough, fun. If you have the stomach for extreme metal, this album is definitely worth checking out.
Read MoreEpisode 188: Peeping Tom
This week we’re discussing the one and only album by Mike Patton’s Peeping Tom. We all know Patton from Faith No More and Mr. Bungle (and his million other side projects, honestly), but Peeping Tom was the one time he tried mainstream pop music. Or at least his version of it, which of course sounds like no one else and could barely be considered pop music. A litany of guests are on here, too (Dan the Automator, Kool Keith, Norah Jones, Massive Attack). A bit dated in spots, but a great album still worth revisiting.
Read MoreEpisode 187: Porno for Pyros
This week we’re discussing every album by Porno for Pyros. Formed by Perry Farrell and Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros is a completely distinct spin-off band. Where JA was more guitar-centric, these guys are more rhythmic and psychedelic. A completely different style, but dynamic and with plenty of musical depth. Also, the band did a ton of crack. They’ve since reunited with legendary bassist Mike Watt for a final tour.
Read MoreShe Reaches Out to She... by Chelsea Wolfe | Album Review
This week we’re discussing She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She, the latest album by Chelsea Wolfe. Aside from being a mouthful, this album has Wolfe once again taking a sharp detour from the style of her last album—this time into mind-bending, dark electronic. Wolfe rarely disappoints and this record is no different. Dig it.
Read MoreTANGK by IDLES | Album Review
This week we’re discussing TANGK, the latest album by IDLES. We’ve been huge fans of these guys for years, but now the rest of the world is finally getting around to them. TANGK is their biggest record yet, with production by Nigel Godrich and a guest appearance by LCD Soundsystem. But TANGK doesn’t just talk a big game—it’s their best album yet and one you simply must hear. We’re serious. Listen to it now.
Read MoreEpisode 186: 2Pac
This week, we’re discussing every album by Tupac Shakur. Or, more accurately, every album by 2Pac and one by Makaveli. It would take us a year to cover all his posthumous albums, so we’re sticking with just one. If you’ve heard of music, then you know 2Pac, plain and simple. But how do we feel about his actual full-length albums? Let’s just say this is probably not going to be a very popular episode.
Read MoreEpisode 185: Primus
This week we’re discussing every album by Primus. This band needs no introduction as core members Les Claypool, Larry LaLonde, and Tim Alexander have been gracing us with their insanity since the late 80s. Heavy, funky, kooky, technical, and above all else, memorable. Plus they did several South Park themes. If you’ve been putting this band off, that ends today.
Read MoreSatyasena | Debut Album Review
This week we’re discussing the debut album by Satyasena. Formed and led by Pej Mon (of Secret Chiefs 3 and Ghoul), Satyasena explores a side of metal that you probably haven’t heard before. Middle Eastern, industrial, and death metal, among many other styles—it’s an intense and extremely complex ride. Not for the faint of heart, but worth checking out for all extreme music fans.
Read MoreEpisode 184: At the Drive-In
This week we’re discussing every album by At the Drive-In. Before Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala went on to create proggy psychedelic greatness with The Mars Volta, they cut their teeth with Jim Ward in At the Drive-In. While they started out as straightforward punk/post-hardcore, by the end of their initial run, their evolution was profound. Dynamic, experimental, and highly influential, all while retaining an angsty edge.
Read MoreBronson Arm | Album Review
This week we’re discussing the debut album by Bronson Arm. From Kalamazoo, MI, Bronson Arm is made up of Blake Bickel on baritone guitar and Garrett Yates on drums. Their vicious style of noise rock is reminiscent of 90s AmRep bands, although they still have a character that’s all their own. Fun stuff that any fan of noise rock should give a chance. Don’t forget to check out our history guy Tom Osman’s full interview with the band.
Read MoreEpisode 183: Barkmarket
This week we’re discussing every album by Barkmarket. Led by Dave Sardy (or D. Sardy), who is now a Grammy-winning record producer, Barkmarket was a wholly unique noise rock band. Blending elements of alternative metal, industrial, and grunge, these guys were ferocious. They even worked with Rick Rubin on two albums before he moved onto more commercially viable bands. Awesome stuff, dig it.
Read MoreBest Albums of 2023
It’s the end of another year so we’re picking our favorite albums of 2023. It’s been an amazing year for music, so narrowing down our lists was an absolute nightmare. It’s also the first year we’re ranking our picks, just to make things even more difficult for us. All of these albums are just fantastic so check out as many as you can, please.
Read MoreDC Special by Scream | Album Review
This week we’re discussing DC Special, the reunion album by DC hardcore punk band Scream. In addition to releasing Dischord Records’ first full length LP (1983’s Still Screaming), Scream is also the band Dave Grohl drummed for before joining Nirvana. DC Special reunites the original lineup, along with a slew of guests like Ian Mackaye, Brian Baker, Dave Grohl, Joe Lally, and many others. This is a fun one and so much better than you’d expect.
Read MoreEpisode 182: Sex Pistols
This week we’re discussing the Sex Pistols and their legendary album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols. This band needs no introduction, as Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Sid Vicious, and Glen Matlock (original bassist and main songwriter) are paramount in the creation of punk rock. We’ve all heard the hits, but you might not be familiar with some of the stories about these guys. It’s wild stuff.
Read MoreGirl Vanishes on Way to Jive Club by GASWAR | Album Review
This week, we’re discussing GASWAR’s debut album, Girl Vanishes on Way to Jive Club. GASWAR is a supergroup made up of Kevin Rutmanis (Cows, Melvins, Hepa/Titus, Tomahawk), and Apollo Liftoff (aka Paul Erickson) and Jeff Mooridian, Jr. of Hammerhead and Vaz. Recorded over 20 years ago, Girl Vanishes on Way to Jive Club is one of the biggest surprises of the year. If you have even a passing interest in noise rock, you must hear it.
Read More