Feeling the need to break some stuff? Some classic punk rock might be just what you need. Raise a fist in the air and join us as we discuss 3 classic albums from punk rock’s beginnings. Buzzcocks – Another Music in a Different Kitchen (1978) Wire – Pink Flag (1977) Stiff Little Fingers – Inflammable Material (1979) Other Diggins Villagers – That Go…

Prince certainly has inspired his share of artists, but on this episode we dig into some of the artists and albums that inspired him. Besides the clear funk lineage, we also draw comparisons to folk and blues rock artists that Prince was a fan of. Join us as we pay homage to the forces that gave us the purple one. Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (1971) J…

Few genres have influenced rock music as much as the blues. From it’s humble beginnings in the 19th century American South, incorporation with R&B and Soul music in the 60s, to its strong influence on 70s rock, its hard to separate the blues from modern day music. Join us as we discuss 3 of our favorites from some of the all-time top blues albums. …

The leaves are changing and pumpkin spice has infiltrated everything, so it must be time to scare ourselves with some sinister album selections. Join us as we discuss 3 of our favorite spooky albums to help get you in the Halloween spirit. Mwahahaha! The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us (1980) Duran Duran – Danse Macabre (2023) Type O Negative – B…

The 80s were a definitive decade for hip-hop music. New production techniques and expanded lyrical content helped to push the genre towards the mainstream. Join us as we explore 3 albums from hip-hop’s golden era. Dana Dane – Dana Dane with Fame (1987) Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary (1988) Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989) The…

AHHHH! Every once in awhile you gotta get it out. Music is a great release for anything that might make you angry. On today’s show we explore three albums that deal with anger in different ways. Scream into a pillow and join us for a little music therapy. Machine Head – Burn My Eyes (1994) Pink Floyd – The Final Cut (1983) Hole – Live Through This …

1984 had tons of iconic cultural moments – Gremlins and Ghostbusters hit theaters, the summer Olympics were in Los Angeles, and the Cosby Show and Miami Vice debuted on TV. Join us as we revisit two of the top selling albums from this year. Culture Club – Colour By Numbers (1984) Van Halen – 1984 (1984) Ours – New Age Heroine (2024) The Crazy World…

Feel the power… of words! Great lyrics have a way of cutting to the heart of our emotions, beliefs, and cultural values. Join us as we discuss a pair of records that smacked us in the face with their powerful lyrical punch. Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (2024) John Lennon – Imagine (1971) Mac Leaphart – Motel Breakfast…

Final albums are often last grasps at fame and money, but on occasion they serve as a fitting capstone to a band’s career. On today’s show we explore two final albums that we think send these legendary artists off on a good note. Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News (1964) The Police – Synchronicity (1983) Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose (2024) Meco – …

Drums have been a part of music for thousands of years, which is probably why it’s so hard to imagine modern day music without them. On today’s show we discuss what it takes to be a legendary drummer and some of our favorite drummer-focused records. Rush – Moving Pictures (1981) Slipknot – Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) (2004) Fontaines D.C. – Roma…

Many worthy records never receive the recognition they deserve. Promotion, timing and accessibility often get in the way of great art finding its way to the people that might appreciate it the most. On today’s show we talk over two album gems from bands that never broke through. Despite being truly outrageous. Talk Talk – […]…

Some albums are love at first listen, but other’s take a bit more time to reveal their true value. Whether it’s a bad first listen, miss-placed expectations or just being the wrong age – some albums take time to love. Join us as we discuss some of our favorites. Death Grips – The Money Store […]Oleh Album Nerds

What better way to put a bow on the Summer of Don then to talk about one of his favorite records – The Beach Boy’s landmark album Pet Sounds. Join us as we try to decipher Brian Wilson’s genius and discuss the record’s significance today. The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds Jpegmafia – I Lay […]Oleh Album Nerds

The Who helped define the formula for the prototypical classic rock band. Their 1971 album Who’s Next is a large part of what earned them that status. Join us as the Summer of Don shines it’s rays down on this seminal classic rock album. The Who – Who’s Next Lava La Rue – StarfaceHakushi Hasegawa […]…

With a title like Blood Sugar Sex Magik, you might expect the music to be graphic, loud and a little weird – and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Chili Peppers 1991 effort with producer Rick Rubin is stuffed with lots of big ideas, sounds and personalities. Join for a discussion on the landmark record as […]…

Happy mid-new-year-ish! We’re taking a short break from the Summer of Don to look back on the first half of 2024. Join us as we highlight some of our favorite new releases. Shabaka – Perceive It’s Beauty, Acknowledge It’s GraceLes Amazones d’Afrique – Musow DanseThe Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be […]…

Bowie’s final studio album left us all a bit speechless when it came out back in 2016, just a few days before his passing. Join us as we regroup and take a closer listen to the record and discuss its impact. There’s a blackstar shinning in the night sky, as the Summer of Don David […]Oleh Album Nerds

Springsteen’s landmark 1984 album Born in the USA has become an iconic piece of American culture. The album art and long series of hits were hard to escape in the mid-80s and still play a part in modern day society. Join us as we discuss the album and some other things we’ve been digging on. […]Oleh Album Nerds

Stevie Wonder had a pretty amazing stretch of albums during the early 1970s. One of our favorites from the period is 1973’s Innervisions. We talked about it a bit a few years ago, but the Summer of Don has given us a chance to talk about it a bit more. Stevie Wonder – Innervisions Caroline […]Oleh Album Nerds

Pearl Jam’s debut record became an iconic part of the alternative rock (yes, grunge) movement of the early 1990s. Their anthemic hooks, flashy guitars and emotive vocals made them fan and media favorites. Join us as we look back on the album, the era and how it all holds up after three decades. The Summer […]…

Sade’s debut record Diamond Life stood out from the rest of the 1984 musical landscape in the US and UK. Join us for a discussion on the landmark album as well as some other records we’ve been enjoying. The Summer of Don rolls on. Sade – Diamond Life La Luz – News of the UniverseAespa […]Oleh Album Nerds

Chris Stapleton’s debut record back in 2015 was influential both on the podcast’s musical taste and on the future of country music. It helped expand our palettes and pushed the genre forward. Join us as we revisit the record and discuss our thoughts after all these years – the Summer of Don carries on! Chris […]…

What better way to kick-off the Summer of Don then to talk over a record that has a bit of a special place on the show. The Doors final release, LA Woman, served as a bookend to their celebrated career and a goodbye to the city that shaped them. Join us as we discuss the […]Oleh Album Nerds

Like all popular genres, R&B and Soul music has morphed over time to fit modern sounds under it’s wing. In the 90s, the inclusion of hip-hop into popular music had started to ripple out into the surrounding genres; like soul music. Join us as we talk over some of our favorite soul records from the […]…

Double albums – the topic so nice, we had to cover it twice. Join us as we discuss another round of some of our favorite double LPs. The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street (Andy)Donna Summer – Bad Girls (Don)Metallica – …And Justice for All (Dude) What do you think of these double albums? […]Oleh Album Nerds

Time to get comfy and put on some double albums. On today’s show we discuss some of our favorite (dare I say classic) double albums. Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (Andy)The Cure – Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (Don)The Beatles – The Beatles (Dude) What do you think of these double albums? What’s your […]Oleh Album Nerds

Happy Record Store Day, Nerds! On today’s show we celebrate independent record stores by exploring some of the holiday’s special releases. Here’s our picks: Freddie Gibbs – Pinata (Andy)Mavis Staples – Have a Little Faith (Don)Dio – The Last in Line (Dude) What do you think of these records? What RSD albums are you excited […]…

From the The Carter Family to the Jackson 5 and the Jonas Brothers – families have found success in the music industry for decades. On today’s show we highlight some of our favorite family-made albums. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar (Andy)The Isley Brothers – Go For Your Guns (Don)Oasis – (What’s The Story) […]…

Turns out 2012 wasn’t the end of the world, but it may have seemed like it at the time. With hurricanes, mass shootings and the music of Drake and Luke Bryan dominating the pop charts, I think we all felt the end was nigh ;). Join us as we discuss our favorite best selling albums […]Oleh Album Nerds

During the late 80s and early 90s, Yo! MTV Raps helped to bring the quickly evolving genre of hip-hop into the living room. On today’s show we talk over the TV program and a handful of records from artists featured on the initial run of episodes. Ultramagnetic MC’s – Critical Beatdown (Andy)Eric B. & Rakim […]…

Plugin the synths and polish up that disco ball, we’re going electronic on today’s show. (Well, as electronic as we three rock fans can get). Join us as we explore albums that blend electronic components with familiar sounds. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver (Andy)Editors – In this Light and on This Evening (Don)MGMT – […]…

Ireland’s rich cultural heritage has produced lots of great art, with music being no exception. On today’s show we highlight a handful of Irish artists that we’ve come to love. Happy St. Paddy’s Day! Nealo – November Medicine (Andy)Van Morrison – Astral Weeks (Don)Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia (Dude) What do you think of these […]…

Great popular music is often a result of creative partnerships. From Gilbert and Sullivan to Lennon and McCartney, men have joined forces and inspired each other to amazing heights. Join us as we discuss records from some of our favorite bromances. Jan & Dean – Little Old Lady From Pasadena (Andy)Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark […]…

As unique as each relationship is, all relationships go through stages. From infatuation to heartbreak and everything in between, music does a great job of expressing the emotions of love. On today’s show we discuss three albums that closely deal with the different phases of a relationship. Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear […]…

Sometimes the spark of making music together can kindle a romance. Bands like Fleetwood Mac, Abba, and Wings all had their romantic pairings – and oftentimes splits. Join us as we discuss some of our favorite records forged in the fires of romance. Tom Waits – Alice (Andy)Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow (Don)The White Stripes […]…

What makes music sound sensual? A deep groove? Hazy production? Romantic lyrics? Of course its going to vary by listener, but on today’s show we try to find some common ground. Join us as we discuss three albums we think have sex appeal. Air – Moon Safari (Andy)Cigarettes After Sex – Cigarettes After Sex (Don)Marvin […]…

Besides the fabulously be-dazzled Solid Gold Dancers, the TV show of the same name featured a wide variety of popular artists of the early to mid 1980s. Even though the performances were lip-synced, the program exposed audiences to all sorts of new music. On today’s show we discuss three albums from artists that appeared on […]…

Over the last few decades, the VMA’s have been a plentiful source of meme-worthy moments from the day’s most popular musicians. On today’s show we discuss records from three Video of the Year winners and talk over some of our favorite music videos. Taylor Swift – Midnights (Andy)R.E.M. – Out of Time (Don)The Cars – […]…

Country music is particularly great at telling a story. Whether it’s gunslingers in the old west, or troubled relationships in a modern day setting, country music is great at shining a light on the lives of everyday people doing everyday things. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums that have plenty of good stories to […]…

Cover albums are essentially love letters from a band to their influences. Some pull from a variety of artists, others focus on one. Some even go as far as doing a track-by-track rendition of the entire record. On today’s show we explore one of each type of cover album. Angelique Kidjo – Remain in Light […]…

As 2023 comes to a close, we look back and highlight the new releases that stood-out. Join us as we discuss honorable mentions and pick our fav albums of the year. Happy New Year! PJ Harvey – I Inside the Old Year Dying (Andy)Peter Gabriel – I/O (Don)Charles Wesley Godwin – Family Ties (Dude) What […]…

Join us for our annual holiday extravaganza as we review some of the best selling Christmas albums of all time. Plus we get plenty of holiday album picks from friends and listeners. Cozy up by the fire and enjoy a warm cup of your favorite nerds. Happy Holidays! Susan Boyle – The Gift (Andy)Kenny G […]…

Besides being known for rain and coffee, Seattle has a rich musical history. From as far back as Jimi Hendrix, through the grunge movement of the 90s, to the Sub Pop label that’s still relevant today – something about the city seems to inspire good music. On today’s show we discuss some of our favorite […]…

We often end up focusing on albums from early in the careers of our favorite artists, when they’re at the supposed peak of their creative powers. On today’s show we take a listen to the latest releases from some of our favorite legendary artists. Nas – Magic 3 (Andy)Sting – The Bridge (Don)Metallica – 72 […]…

The 2010s saw country music continue to thrive as it increasingly merged with other popular genres. On today’s show, we talk over 3 records from Billboard’s staff list of the top country albums of the decade. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour (Andy)Keith Urban – Ripcord (Don)Luke Combs – This One’s for You (Dude) What do […]…

Sometimes songs are as important to a film as the images. Iconic scenes are often paired with a classic song. On today’s show we talk about albums that feature a song that’s forever etched into our memories by a movie. Stealers Wheel – Stealers Wheel (Andy)The Replacements – Pleased to Meet Me (Don)Queen – A […]…

This just in – it’s new release time! Every few months we like to take a moment to see what’s shaking in the world of new releases. We picked out a choice few to share with you: Corinne Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows (Andy)Wilco – Cousin (Don)Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan (Dude) What do you […]Oleh Album Nerds

One of the most iconic aspects of the metal genre are the epic guitar riffs and solos. Known for being loud, fast and intricate, metal guitarists are amazing to behold – somehow pulling off complex passages while headbanging in a cloud of hair. Join us as we discuss three records that feature guitar shredding capable […]…

The top of the Billboard charts in the mid-80s is packed with a surprisingly diverse collection of stars like Whitney Houston, ZZ Top and Phil Collins. If you love squeaky clean production (and who doesn’t), get on your legwarmers and settle-in as we revisit some of the top albums from 1986. Dire Straits – Brothers […]…

Protest songs are a pivotal part of social and political change. Issues ranging from human rights to war and prohibition have benefited from music written about their causes. On today’s show we dive into 3 albums that focus on creating change. Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine (Andy)Phil Ochs – I Ain’t […]…