September 26, 2017
Into Another bring the riffs, the big vocals and locked-in rhythm section on 1995′s Seemless. Even though we’re fans of New York City bands such as Quicksand and Handsome, Into Another somehow flew under our radar. However, thanks to Patreon patron Chris M. with his twelve-month anniversary pick, he enlightened us on the major label debut (and third overall) album by the band. We dug deep into the record, enough to give you some bonus content over at Patreon discussing b-sides and more.
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - Mutate Me
12:43 - Mutate Me
21:42 - For a Wounded Wren
27:20 - The Way Down
30:30 - Actual Size
Outro - T.A.I.L.
In the 1990s the term alternative country appeared, we’re talking the bands, the sound and influences. What is alternative country an alternative to? Country? Rock? We dig into the unique aspects that separate alternative country from its more mainstream counterparts and the sounds that help create it. We talk some of the biggest influences upon 90s alternative country, including Gram Parsons, Neil Young, the punk rock from labels like SST and more. We talk about our favorite 90s alternative country albums, and which artists today are carrying the alternative country torch. To do so, we’re joined by returning roundtable guests Eric Grubbs of Dallas Observer, Jim Kopeny of Chicagoist and Jim Hanke of Vinyl Emergency.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - Are You Ready for the Country by Neil Young
16:42 - Blue by The Jayhawks
29:08 - Postcard by Uncle Tupelo
47:36 - California Stars by Billy Bragg and Wilco
1:01:32 - Dancefloors by My Morning Jacket
Outro - Hot Burrito #2 by Dinosaur Jr (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
September 19, 2017
In the 1990s the term alternative country appeared, we’re talking the bands, the sound and influences. What is alternative country an alternative to? Country? Rock? We dig into the unique aspects that separate alternative country from its more mainstream counterparts and the sounds that help create it. We talk some of the biggest influences upon 90s alternative country, including Gram Parsons, Neil Young, the punk rock from labels like SST and more. We talk about our favorite 90s alternative country albums, and which artists today are carrying the alternative country torch. To do so, we’re joined by returning roundtable guests Eric Grubbs of Dallas Observer, Jim Kopeny of Chicagoist and Jim Hanke of Vinyl Emergency.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - Are You Ready for the Country by Neil Young
16:42 - Blue by The Jayhawks
29:08 - Postcard by Uncle Tupelo
47:36 - California Stars by Billy Bragg and Wilco
1:01:32 - Dancefloors by My Morning Jacket
Outro - Hot Burrito #2 by Dinosaur Jr (Flying Burrito Brothers cover)
September 12, 2017
What happens when you remove Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots - you get Talk Show. Attempting to fill the hole left by Weiland’s drug problems in 1996, the DeLeo brothers and drummer Eric Kretz recruiter former Ten Inch Men frontman/guitarist Dave Coutts to take the lead on this self-titled release from 1997. The album failed commercially and band quickly dumped Coutts to welcome Weiland back into the fold. We revisit the album with fresh ears to try to figure out if Talk Show was a missed opportunity for listeners or a misfire by the band. We also delve into the career trajectory of Stone Temple Pilots to determine if Talk Show was a harbinger of things to come for the band as they chased radio friends sounds (i.e. “Down”) and relevancy in the 2000s.
Over at Patreon, we take a few minutes to discuss if any band successfully pulled off the lead singer switch, whether with an existing band (like AC/DC or Alice in Chains) or a new outfit (Audioslave).
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - Hello Hello
14:08 - Peeling An Orange
15:34 - Everybody Loves My Car
24:16 - Wash Me Down
28:28 - Ring Twice
Outro - So Long
September 5, 2017
The debut Save Ferris album It Means Everything is everything you know and love/hate about 90s ska-punk. The snappy snare, the upstroke guitar lines, the energetic horn stabs - all the hallmarks of the familiar 90s sound utilized by early No Doubt, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish and others. Save Ferris don’t break the mold, but they do add a few extra layers, inserting a distorted guitar from time to time, as well as taking advantage of Monique Powell’s pipes to slow down the tempos into classic reggae and dub influenced grooves. Neither of us are ska punk aficionados, or really fans for that matter, but did Save Ferris win us over? Tune in to find out.
Songs in this Episode:
Intro - Come On Eileen
18:11 - Lies
22:56 - SuperSpy
32:20 - The World Is New
Outro - Goodbye
