Album Nerds

The late 80s and early 90s can arguably be called the golden age of hip-hop. The genres popularity was rising, but hadn’t been overly commercialized yet. On today’s show we talk about 3 classic albums from the era. Nas – Illmatic (Andy)Organized Konfusion – Stress: The Extinction Agenda (Don)Guru – Jazzmatazz Volume 1 (Dude)What do you think of these records? What 90s hip-hop do you love? Tell us...

Well, its a little more than halfway through 2023, so its about time to check-in on and what’s good in the world of new releases. Join us as we discuss 3 new albums from some new and established artists. Home Is Where – The Whaler (Andy) Boygenius – The Record (Don) Foo Fighters – But Here We Are (Dude)What do you think of these records? What new releases do you love? Tell us on the Album Nerds Di...

Being a one-hit wonder can mean a lot of things. Some went on to have long, successful careers, others were only together briefly. One things for sure though, they had a hit that left a lasting impact on our culture. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums known for their big single. Gnarles Barkley – St. Elsewhere (Andy)Gary Numan – The Pleasure Principle (Don)Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak (Dude)What do you...

For a country that is perpetually frozen and overrun by moose (😉), Canada has made a significant contribution to popular music. So many great artists (Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion) and bands (The Band, Rush, Tragically Hip) are from our neighbors to the north. On today’s show we discuss three albums from some of our favorite Canadian musicians. Broken Social Scene – You Forgot It In...

Marvin Gaye’s landmark album What’s Going On has left a lasting impact on not just RnB, but our entire culture. Few records so beautifully pair a message of social concern with an inspired, genre bending sound. On today’s show we revisit the classic 1971 album and discuss how our experience with the record has changed over time. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971)What do you think of What’s Going...

Country music, perhaps better than any other genre, does a great job of looking back to the past. On today’s show we explore albums from recent country albums and discuss the things that make us a little bit country. Billy Strings – Me / And / Dad (2022)Ashley McBryde – Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville (2022)Lainey Wilson – Bell Bottom Country (2022)What do you think of these records? What’s yo...

Bang your head! No show better captured the excitement of the 80s and 90s metal scene than MTV’s Headbangers Ball. Join us as we discuss albums from artists featured on the show and recount our headbanging glories. Faith No More – The Real Thing (1989) King’s X – Gretchen Goes to Nebraska (1989) Megadeth – Rust in Peace (1990)What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite artist featured...

Cue the screaming teenage girls – it’s our boy bands episode. Join us as we explore the sounds of boy bands new and old. SHINee – 1 of 1 – The 5th AlbumJonas Brothers – The AlbumThe Monkees – The Birds, the Bees & the MonkeesWhat do you think of these records? What your fav boy band album? Tell us on the Album Nerds Discord, albumnerds.com/discord or email us, podcast@albumnerds.com .Listen to...

There’s nothing better than a rainy afternoon and a good record to get all up in your feelings. What makes a great rainy day record though? On today’s episode we discuss a batch of records that get us drenched. The National – Boxer (2007) Philip Glass – Glassworks (1982) Ours – Precious (2002)What do you think of these records? What your fav rainy day record? Tell us on the Album Nerds Discord, al...

Hey, guess what – its our 200th episode! To celebrate the landmark achievement, we’ve decided to take a look at a landmark list – Rolling Stones top 200 albums. As a fun little twist, we only picked records from artists we’ve never featured on the show. Here’s our selections:Otis Redding – Otis Blue (1965)T. Rex – Electric Warrior (1971)Paul Simon – Graceland (1986)What do you think of these recor...

Ahoy there album lovers. On this episode, the SS Album Nerd is headed for all things yacht rock as we try to answer the eternal question – is it yacht or (k)not? Grab some boat shoes and tie your sweater around your waist, here’s the yacht rock albums on deck. Chaka Khan – I Feel For You (1984) Steely Dan – Aja (1977) Christopher Cross – Christopher Cross (1979)What do you think of these records?...

Time to rectify some past wrongs. When we last spoke about De La Soul’s landmark 1989 album 3 Feet High and Rising, we failed to nominate it for the prestigious Album Nerds Hall of Fame. On today’s show we revisit our thoughts on the record and (spoiler) solidify its place in history. What do you think of this record? What other outstanding albums are missing from the AHNOFs? Tell us on the Album...

Some singers have voices so incredible, they border on holy. On today’s show we discuss albums by vocalists who we think cross the divide between heaven and earth. Michael Jackson – Off the Wall (1979) Judy Collins – Wildflowers (1967) Led Zeppelin – IV (1971)What do you think of these records? What singer do you think has an angelic voice? Tell us on the Album Nerds Discord, albumnerds.com/discor...

Changing lead singers is usually a make-or-break moment for a band. Occasionally it goes smoothly, but often it results in a shift in sound and perhaps fan base. On today’s show we discuss albums from lead singer switches that we think went well. Kvelertak – Splid (Andy) Echo & the Bunnymen – Reverberation (Don) Van Halen – 5150 (Dude)What do you think of these records? What lead singer switch...

Pull a seat up to the table – time for our new release quarterly report. Join us as we discuss three new albums we’ve been enjoying. Yves Tumor – Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) (Andy) Depeche Mode – Memento Mori (Don) Iggy Pop – Every Loser (Dude)What do you think of these records? What newish album would you recommend? Tell us on the Album Nerd...

Not only did 1974 give us the UPC barcode, it also graced us with a quite diverse collection of popular music. Everything from rock, folk, rnb and country charted on Billboards top selling albums list. On today’s show we discuss 3 very different sounding albums from the year. Frank Zappa – Apostrophe(‘) (Andy) Barry White – Can’t Get Enough (Don) Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Dude) What...

Album artwork is an important part of what makes the album experience so special. A great album cover not only compliments the music, but tells its own story. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums with iconic album artwork. Tool – Lateralus (Andy) The Band – Music From The Big Pink (Don) The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Dude)What do you think of these records? What album cover art...

Besides goofy skits, Hee Haw was known for featuring some of the top artists in country music during the 70s and 80s. On today’s show we discuss albums from 3 artists featured on the hit TV show. Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown – Alright Again! (Andy) George Jones – I Am What I Am (Don) Garth Brooks – No Fences (Dude)What do you think of these records? What artist from Hee Haw would you recommend? Tell...

The year 1981 was rich with pop culture icons – everything from Donkey Kong, to Princess Diana, to the launch of MTV. Even the top 40 charts were packed with quality hits. On today’s show we discuss records that featured hits from the glorious year that was 1981. Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna (Andy) The Police – Ghost in the Machine (Don) Phil Collins – Face Value (Dude) What do you think of these re...

A music fan’s first concert is a big deal. Getting to see the songs you’ve sung hundred of times in your bedroom performed right in front of you is a powerful experience. On today’s show we share memories from our first shows and discuss the merits of albums from those artists. Less Than Jake – Losing Streak (Andy) Duran Duran – Notorious (Don) James Taylor – Sweet Baby James (Dude) What do you th...

The spirit of rock can live on in any genre. On today’s show we highlight 3 albums by women-led groups that embody the spirit of rock. 🤘 Bikini Kill – Pussy Whipped (Andy) Heart – Dog & Butterfly (Don) Tina Turner – Private Dancer (Dude) What do you think of these records? What women-led album would you recommend? Tell us on the Album Nerds Discord, albumnerds.com/discord or email us, podcast...

The 1970s were a great time for singer/songwriters. Many of the genres best albums were released during the decade. Which makes our job of picking just one to talk about, pretty tough. Here’s where we landed: Linda Perhacs – Parallelograms (Andy) Carole King – Tapestry (Don) Billy Joel – The Stranger (Dude) What do you think of these records? What 70’s singer/songwriter would you recommend ? Tell...

Ah, 1983. A simpler time when M.A.S.H. was the height of TV, MJ’s moonwalk was shinny and new, and Star Wars was only 3 movies. The music of the year was diverse and shifting as much as the pop culture. On today’s show we discuss 3 of our favorite albums from the year. Tomoko Aran – Fuyü-Kükan (Andy) Def Leppard – Pyromania (Don) Stevie Ray Vaughn – Texas Flood (Dude) What do you think of these re...

The Freaky Friday, body-swap storyline has been done to death in books and movies. Luckily for us, the Freaky Friday podcast ground is still fertile. :) On today’s show we pick records as if we were another host. The Dude picks for Andy, Andy picks for Don, and Don picks as the Dude. Here’s our album selections: Maxwell – Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite (Dude) The Smiths – The Queen is Dead (Andy) Wayl...

For many growing up in the 80s and 90s, 120 Minutes was a window to the world of alternative music. The program featured videos by groundbreaking artists that weren’t showing up on the pop charts. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums from artists that were featured on 120 Minutes. My Morning Jacket – Z (Andy) Erasure – Chorus (Don) Blind Melon – Blind Melon (Dude) What do you think of these records...