This week we're discussing every album by the Geto Boys. If you thought 2 Live Crew was too family friendly, then Geto Boys have just the right amount of smut and over the top violence to satisfy you. Made up of Willie D, Scarface, and the 3'8" Bushwick Bill, Geto Boys helped pioneer gangsta rap, in addition to their own brand of violent and cartoonish misogyny. But these days, most would probably recognize them from their tracks featured in Mike Judge's Office Space. Time to grab a baseball bat and your least favorite copy machine.
Read MoreCool World by Chat Pile | Album Review
This week we're discussing Cool World, the latest album by noise rock band Chat Pile. Although simply labeling an album this brilliant, engaging, and endlessly original "noise rock" is doing it a disservice. Cool World is the follow up to 2022's God's Country and it expands upon it in every way. This is a juggernaut of an album and one of the best this year. We're joined this episode by Tom Osman, our history guy, interviewer, and host of Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman.
Read MoreHiraeth by Respire | Album Review
This week we're discussing Hiraeth, the latest album by Canadian "post-everything" band Respire. If you've ever wished Godspeed You! Black Emperor had more black metal elements, then this is the band and album for you. Respire even adds touches of screamo here--a genre we typically have little interest in--to give this record quite an original style. There's some real good stuff here.
Read MoreEpisode 202: Flipper
This week we're discussing every album by Flipper. While known to many as a huge influence to bands like Nirvana and the Melvins, Flipper are a punk band unlike any other. They're as amazing as they are terrible, but completely unique and bizarrely innovative. After founding member and bassist/vocalist Will Shatter died in 1987, they've gone through various breakups and reunions, even as far as recruiting Nirvana's Krist Novoselic and the Jesus Lizard's David Yow. These days they tour with the legendary Mike Watt.
Read MoreGlossolalia by Dale Crover | Review + Interview
This week we're discussing Glossolalia, the latest solo album by Melvins drummer Dale Crover. Not only that, but he was kind enough to do an interview with us talking all about it, as well as tons of other great insights. While known primarily as a drummer, Crover is actually quite the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He's also joined by some notable guests on Glossolalia, including Kim Thayil, Ty Segal, and even a brief appearance by Tom Waits. Dig it.
Read MoreRack by The Jesus Lizard | Album Review
This week we're discussing Rack, the latest album by The Jesus Lizard and their first in 26 years. None of us saw this album coming and the return of one of the greatest noise rock bands of all-time is a welcome one. Rack shows David Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims, and Mac McNeilly returning to their roots, as well as venturing into fairly uncharted musical territory. We were not disappointed and it deserves a listen by any fans of the band. Don't forget to check out our full episode on The Jesus Lizard if you haven't already (episode 142).
Read MoreEpisode 201: Dazzling Killmen
This week we're discussing every album by Dazzling Killmen. While they were peers of bands like Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard, and worked with Steve Albini numerous times, the Killmen were impossible to compare. Equal parts noise rock, punk, and math rock, their music is ferocious, complex, and unmeasurably tight. If you're into noisy aggressive music at all, you simply must hear them. They are legends who don't get nearly enough credit.
Read MoreEpisode 200: Metallica (Pt. 1)
This week we're discussing every album by Metallica from 1983 to 1988. That's right, all the thrash albums. This era highlights not only some of their most ferocious and technical material (and let's face it, BEST albums), but also their time with legendary bassist Cliff Burton before his tragic death. Everyone and their mom has heard these albums, but now it's time to hear them again.
Read MoreUmbilical by Thou | Album Review
This week we're discussing Umbilical, the latest album by sludge/doom metal band Thou. We sure you hope you like punishing, brutal, and unrelenting metal, because Umbilical is one of the gnarliest records released this year. Not counting collab albums, this is the band's first full-length since 2018's Magnus. Crank it and brace yourselves.
Read MoreEpisode 199: Acid Bath
This week we're discussing every album by Acid Bath. While their existence was short lived, Acid Bath's style of sludge metal and stoner rock was a clear inspiration to bands like Pantera. If you're looking for brutal sludge with hard rock hooks, these dudes deliver.
Read MoreLost Themes IV by John Carpenter | Album Review
This week we're discussing Lost Themes IV: Noir, the latest album by legendary movie director John Carpenter. Collaborating with his son, Cody Carpenter and his godson, Daniel Davies, this is Carpenter's fourth album and it's a ton of fun. Like previous Lost Themes albums, there are a ton of synths, 80s rock guitars, and driving electronic rhythms. Is it reinventing the wheel? Definitely not. But it's well done and scratches a specific itch.
Read MoreEpisode 198: Faith No More
This week we're discussing every album by Faith No More. As one of the pioneers of alt metal, Faith No More combined heavy hip hop-spired rhythms with chunky metal guitarwork to create a wholly unique style. But since Mike Patton joined the band in the late 80s, FNM has evolved into one of the most interesting and diverse rock bands of all time. These guys are legendary, simple as that. Not to mention some of Patton's onstage antics teeter into criminal activity territory.
Read MoreRemembering Steve Albini
This week we're taking some time to honor the great Steve Albini. Having already done full episodes on Big Black, Rapeman, and most recently Shellac, this time we're talking about everything Albini has worked on that's affected us over the years. Mike speaks with Alex, their history guy, Tom, as well as his brother Robert about everything Steve Albini and his incredible legacy.
Read MoreEpisode 197: Shellac
This week we're discussing every album by Shellac. After covering Big Black and Rapeman in past episodes, it was only a matter of time before we eventually got to Shellac. However, due to the unexpected and tragic loss of Steve Albini this year, this episode is bittersweet. They were a fantastic band that we're happy to dissect in detail here.
Read MoreCometh the Storm by High on Fire | Album Review
This week we're discussing Cometh the Storm, the latest album by the great High on Fire. Led by guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike (Sleep) and joined for the first time by drummer Coady Willis (Murder City Devils, Big Business, Mevlins), Cometh the Storm is High on Fire doing what they do best. Is it similar to their other albums? Yes. Does it rule? Also yes.
Read MoreEpisode 196: Destiny's Child
This week we're discussing every album by Destiny's Child. Yes, you read that correctly. Do we want to cover this band? Absolutely not. Did someone pay us to do it? You're damn right. So we listened to all their albums as unbiased as possible. For the love of God, if you're a fan of Destiny's Child or Beyonce, do not watch this.
Read MoreWAR. by WHORES. | Album Review
This week we're discussing WAR., the newest album by noise rock band WHORES. This album hits insanely hard. If you find yourself in the mood for noise rock with a healthy dosage of sludge metal mixed in there, you'll have a hard time finding a better album than this one this year. Crank this one loud, folks.
Read MoreEpisode 195: Siouxsie and the Banshees (Pt. 2)
This week we're discussing the remaining albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees. This era covers 1984-1995, into their subsequent break up. While there are still plenty of beloved albums in this era, this is also where some complications hit the band. One of which being their brief stint with The Cure's Robert Smith on guitar. It's not all good, folks, but there's still great stuff to be had here. Be sure to check out part 1 of our Siouxsie episodes, which is episode 190.
Read MoreLives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons | Album Review
This week we're discussing the debut solo album by Portishead vocalist Beth Gibbons titled Lives Outgrown. We honestly weren't sure what to expect from this record, but what we got is easily one of the best albums of the year. While there are hints of Portishead's sound here, Gibbons has taken a turn for the dark, orchestral, and tribal. This is one you gotta hear.
Read MoreEpisode 194: Injury Reserve
This week we're discussing every album by hip hop trio Injury Reserve. Made up of Ritchie with a T, Parker Corey, and Stepa J. Groggs (before his untimely death in 2020), Injury Reserve made some of the most innovative and downright insane rap in history. This isn't for casual music listeners, but it is wholly unique unlike anything we've heard before.
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