Hey, Listen to This!

This week, Matt and Ryan dive into Taylor Swift's latest, The Life of a Showgirl. Recorded during the whirlwind of The Eras Tour, this 2025 follow-up to The Tortured Poets Department marks a distinct pivot for Swift. Seeking to move in a new direction, Taylor has delivered a project that feels exceptionally focused and polished. Tune in to hear the full review! Listen to the album: https://youtube...

This week, Matt and Ryan review Big Thief’s 2025 album, Double Infinity, the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2022 breakthrough Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You. With Double Infinity, the group sought to expand their sound by incorporating elements of trance, drone, and textural experimentation, with arrangements designed to allow for space and gradual development. Tune in to hear wh...

This week, Matt and Ryan revisit Radiohead’s pivotal 1995 album, The Bends. Following the massive success of their breakout single "Creep," the band found themselves at a crossroads, desperate to outrun the "one-hit wonder" tag. After breaking a creative deadlock on the road, the group emerged with a record that didn't just save their career—it redefined it. Join the guys as they break down this a...

For this week’s episode, Matt and Ryan shake off their holiday hangovers by deep-diving into A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. The album was conceived while Spector was producing The Ronettes' hit "Be My Baby." Aiming to apply his legendary "Wall of Sound" to holiday classics, Spector created what many consider the definitive versions of Christmas standards. Listen in to hear what Matt a...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a break from the usual deep dive into an album and turn their attention to the discography of the 'Queen of Christmas' herself: Mariah Carey. The two hosts will take turns picking albums from her catalogue and see how they rate on All Music. The host that picks the best-rated selection of albums will win bragging rights and have the ability to choose the...

For this week's episode, Matt and Ryan deep dive into the most legendary jazz album: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Davis created the album to move away from the Bop Era of Jazz, seeking more freedom to explore melody and emotion. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about this iconic record! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kLtBpVbGac_7xgJC4x9cRpeiLfjt9T1Pk&si...

For this week's episode, Matt and Ryan explore a genre of music that they haven't covered yet: blues. The album that they decided to cover comes from Muddy Waters and it's his 1977 album Hard Again. After having a legendary career, Muddy teamed up with Johnny Winter to produce this record. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about the record! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a break from the usual deep dive into an album and turn their attention to the prior winners of the CMA's Album of the Year award. The two hosts will take turns picking albums from that crop of albums and see how they rate on All Music. The host that picks the best-rated selection of albums will win bragging rates and have the ability to choose the artist...

To celebrate their 100th full-length review, Matt and Ryan are tackling one of the most famous albums of all time: The Beatles' legendary Abbey Road. This record was born at a time when tensions within the band were at an all-time high. Despite the friction, they attempted to set their differences aside and record one final masterpiece in their classic style. The result? One of the most universall...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan dive into blink-182's 1999 pop-punk classic, Enema of The State. This album launched the band into superstar status with songs like "All The Small Things," "What's My Age Again?," and "Adam's Song." The album explores themes ranging from high school love and angst to depression and even aliens. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about the album! Listen...

With their 100th episode, Matt and Ryan review one of the biggest albums of all time: Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys. Released in 1966, Brian Wilson was inspired to compose this album after hearing Rubber Soul by The Beatles. He believed that album had no skips and wanted to challenge himself and The Beach Boys to replicate that effort. Tune into this episode to hear what the guys have to say about...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a break from the usual deep dive into an album and turn their attention to the discography of everyone's favorite rock band Nickelback. The two hosts will take turns picking albums from that discography and see how they rate on All Music. The host that picks the best-rated selection of albums will win bragging rates and have the ability to choose the arti...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan review the debut album from modern country superstar Brad Paisley entitled "Who Needs Pictures". Brad got his start through a mixture of singing for his church and being a weekly act on Jamboree USA. He would go into his career generating hit singles like "Mud On The Tires", "Whiskey Lullaby" and "She's Everything". Tune in to hear what the guys have to say ab...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan review the debut self-tilted album from The Stooges. Often credited with being a proto punk band, the group released this record after signing to Elektra Records in 1968. The Stooges drew influences from garage rock, The Doors and The Untouchable. This album features one of their biggest tracks: "I Wanna Be Your Dog". Tune in to hear what the guys have to say...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan review the 2008 album from The Gaslight Anthem called The '59 Sound. After gaining an independent following from their debut album, the group blended their punk rock sound with influences from heartland rock. The record landed on different publications "Best Of" lists: most notably eMusic named it the best album of 2008. Tune in to hear what the guys have to s...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan go back to the year 1967 to review the debut self-titled album by The Doors. The Doors had four members that brought a unique element to the group's overall sound. The Doors developed their sound during their live shows at clubs such as the Whisky a Go Go. This record features some of the group's most well-known songs, including "Break On Through (To The Other...

Get ready—this week, Matt and Ryan are lighting up the airwaves with a look back at Wiz Khalifa's legendary 2010 mixtape, Kush & Orange Juice. Remember when this thing broke the internet? It was the number one trending topic on Google and Twitter when it dropped! The guys dig into the tracks, including one that features a super unexpected sample from Demi Lovato's "Our Time Is Here." You don't...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a dive into the 1977 debut album from the band Television entitled Marquee Moon. Television was a rock band formed in 1973 hailing from New York City. They crafted their unique sound throughout years of live performances most notably at the legendary club CBGB's. Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about this album! Listen to the album: https://yout...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan dive into Purple Rain by Prince and The Revolution. This iconic album firmly established Prince's status as a figurehead for pop music of the 1980s. Regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time by several publications, it features some of Prince's biggest songs, including "When Doves Cry," "Darling Nikki," and the title track, "Purple Rain." Tune in to h...

On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan take a deep dive into the cult classic album, Spiderland, from the band Slint. Highly influential in shaping the modern landscapes of post-rock and post-hardcore, the album was famously praised by Steve Albini in his Melody Maker review. He wrote, "It's an amazing record... and no one still capable of being moved by rock music should miss it. In 10 years it wi...

Get ready for some Motown magic! On this week's episode, Matt and Ryan are diving deep into Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations. This legendary album brought together two of Motown's most popular groups and was a huge hit, climbing all the way to number 2 on the Billboard 200. Find out what the guys thought about this iconic record! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playlist?...

Join Matt and Ryan as they take a deep dive into Joy Division's influential album, Closer. Released in 1980, the record arrived just months after the tragic death of frontman Ian Curtis. The album is widely regarded as the band's finest work and a cornerstone of the post-punk movement, a genre they helped pioneer. Praised by critics like Mark Fisher as "the crown jewel of post-punk," this album is...

This week, Matt and Ryan are diving into Coldplay's album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The album marked a shift for the band, showcasing a greater use of electric guitar and piano than its predecessor, Parachutes. The singles from this record became some of Coldplay's biggest hits, including "In My Place," "The Scientist," and "Clocks." Tune in to hear what the guys have to say about the album! L...

In this episode, Matt and Ryan explore the monumental album that defined a genre: Black Sabbath's Paranoid. Released in 1970, this record didn't just introduce heavy metal; it perfected it. The album is a heavy hitter, featuring classics like "Iron Man," "War Pigs," and "Paranoid." Don't miss their discussion on this essential piece of music history! Listen to the album: https://youtube.com/playli...

In this week's episode, Matt and Ryan dive into Jelly Roll's 2024 album, Beautifully Broken. Released on October 11, 2024, the album marked a significant milestone for the artist, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Jelly Roll has been open about his past struggles with mental health and addiction, and he uses the album as a way to connect with others on a similar journey. The album...