Playing By Ear

Brett Dennen might be the best friend you could ask for. This unusual bop chronicles his main character heading straight to the airport to fly all the way to Australia to support his falsely accused companion. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/nostalgium , where you can join our Discord and get bonus episodes...

Um, can you play a song with a fucking beat? Chappel Roan burst onto the scene with the musically ambitious, lyrically delicious "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". The album literally pulses with youthful exuberance, exploring themes of sexual experimentation and alienation, all set to Roan's powerful vocals and theatrical performance. We're joined by guest Matt Storm aka Stormageddon ("Fu...

Originally written as "The End Is The Beginning Is The End" for the film "Batman & Robin, it was reworked into this newer, darker, and hypnotic new version by Billy Corgan and company. Lost on various b-sides and rarities compilations, it resurfaced for the trailer of a different DC comics film, "Watchmen". The song remains powerful and entrancing, and like that film, a seeming harbinger of ap...

For Halloween we're bringing out the Pumpkin King himself, Danny Elfman, for a look back at Oingo Boingo's signature album "Dead Man's Party". The band worked some new wave weird science that fills this record with spooky melodic fun that will rattle your bones from beginning to end. Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess" by Cha...

Classic rock is a spectrum, and Rainbow's late 1970s banger "Since You've Been Gone" is bright, colorful, and fits in among good-time party records of the era. We're glad Kyle shined a light on this forgotten classic that absolutely belongs in everyone's backyard BBQ playlist. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com...

Welcome to the jungle! On their monster debut Guns N' Roses exploded out of the paradise city of Los Angeles serpentining their way up record charts, delivering one of the greatest albums of the 1980s, perhaps of all time. Axl Rose, Slash, and company set a rock and metal standard that perhaps no band has equaled since. I mean, where do we go, where do we go now? Listen along with us for next time...

While he may have left the building, Elvis remains the King. The soulful "If I Can Dream" musters all of Elvis' raw power and focuses it on hope for a better tomorrow. This song remains moving decades on, and reminds us of the promise beyond the horizon, if only we could walk hand in hand to find it. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscr...

Powered by radio-friendly megahits like 3 AM and Push, Matchbox Twenty's debut album demolished charts and set the stage for a career that would continue to generate megahits one after the other. This first album remains one of their strongest, and one we had an easy time revisiting. Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "Appetite For Destruction" by Guns N' Roses. Be...

On this mini-episode we're t-t-talking about My Generation. A clarion call not just for the 60s but for all time, My Generation showcases all the raw power and youthful rebellion The Who could muster. From Roger Daltrey's screaming vocals, Pete Townshend's feedback-laden guitar, John Entwhistle's driving base, and Keith Moon's unbridled and unmatched drumming, no one can try to put this down. For...

Elvis Costello's debut album "My Aim Is True" is aptly titled. Full of short, laser focused tunes, played by Costello with the raw energy of youth and pure rock and roll dreams, the album is melodic, cheeky, and a fantastic example of artist pouring out their true vision with no supervision. Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "Yourself or Someone Like You" by Matchb...

To help you along with your working week, we're going to start releasing mini-episodes on individual songs, and this time, we're celebrating the late and unimaginably great Dolly Parton by analyzing one of her most famous tracks, 9 to 5. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/nostalgium , where you can join our Dis...

One of the greatest classic rock records of all time, Boston's self-titled debut exploded with ambitious prog rock, reliable blues, and some of the most soaring vocals of the 1970s from lead singer Brad Delp. With over 20,000,000 copies sold worldwide, anyone with more than a feeling about this smoking album's place in history can have some peace of mind about this rock and roll band. Hitch a ride...

Buffalo Tom's "Big Red Letter Day" may not have commercially been the big red letter day the band was looking for, but it exemplifies the feelings and soundscapes of grunge-era college rock. We're joined by musician and comedian Dylan Ris ( www.lostmoonradio.com and www.themoonunits.com ) to throw on some flannel and think about our so-called lives in the early 90s. Please listen along with us. Yo...

Heartfelt and full of swinging, bright melodies "Sounds Like This" sounds like Eric Hutchinson finding his musical footing. The album exhibits a confidence of an artist taking command of his style and audience, as darker subjects are slipped into catchy upbeat melodies. If Eric Hutchinson wants to rock, he rocks, and if he wants to roll, he rolls. We're right there rolling along with him. Please l...

R.E.M.'s eighth album lived up to the band's name, as it featured a far more dream-like sound than what they had done before. With deeper lyrical subjects about death, aging, and legacy, R.E.M. challenged themselves, their audience, and created an album that received critical and audience acclaim, often appearing on the lists of greatest albums ever made. The jangly pop guitar sound the band was k...

Weezer's second album looked nothing like Buddy Holly. While Rivers Cuomo and company returned with their signature memorable melodies, their sound was significantly harsher, full of screams and squeals. As a result, the album was less radio friendly, and even the band itself had a complex relationship with the material. But that material is very strong, and many cite Pinkerton as Weezer's best al...

Easy on the ears, The Chicks' fourth album "Wide Open Spaces" broke wide open and made the band, then known as The Dixie Chicks, a household name. Nearly thirty years on, this album still holds up beautifully, as the trio's impeccable harmonies and their collaborators' exceptional melodies results in an album that will take care of you. Searingly sincere and clear vocals from the band's then new s...

To honor Pride Month we start by tearing down walls revisiting the glam rock soundtrack of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". It's the 25th anniversary of John Cameron Mitchell's landmark adaptation of the stage production about a fictional icon whose gender and sexuality are simultaneously right in the middle, babe, and nothing at all. Stephen Trask's songs continue to shine like the brightest star, a...

Fastball's winning album "All The Pain Money Can Buy" was best known for its huge hits, "The Way" and "Out Of My Head" but if you only stopped at those two, then you missed out on an album full of endearing and heartfelt songs. On this episode we confirm that Fastball hit this one out of the park. Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is the soundrack to the film "Hedwig & T...

Dan Wilson is one of the most prolific and accomplished songwriters of the last thirty years. Before hitting it big with "Closing Time", his band Semisonic released its first album, "Great Divide" which showcases exactly why Wilson was destined for success. Full of lush, memorable melodies, this record is a perfect calling card of Wilson's legendary skill. Comedian Rich Baker joins us for a look b...

The Prince of Darkness, the Ozzman, whatever you call him, Ozzy Osboune remains the undisputed master of heavy metal. No one did more to cement what metal was, and his unique vocals and showmanship were untouchable. This episode we look back at 1995's "Ozzmosis" with comedian Rch Baker, and analyze why Ozzy's reign remained, even while musical tastes around him completely shifted. Please listen al...

One way or another, "Parallel Lines" from Blondie is gonna get you. This 1978 album is innovative, and a convergence of genres on the rise, from punk rock, to new wave, and everything in between, anchored by Debbie Harry's limitless cool and swagger. Highly influential, this album is a gas that doesn't turn out to be a pain in the ass. Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "O...

We give a little respect to Erasure's "The Innocents". The album features classic 80s new wave synth sounds that perfectly suit Vince Clarke's smooth voice. Vivacious, danceable, and sometimes moving, "The Innocents" perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Erasure what it is, a pop confection with more depth than you might expect at first glance. Please listen along with us. Your homework for...

The Blues are the bedrock of all modern popular music. From rock, to R&B, country, hip-hop and more, it all owes a debt to one of America's greatest musical inventions. On this episode we explore a more modern and feminine take on this classic genre, Grammy nominee Susan Tedeschi's "Just Won't Burn". Her raspy, powerhouse vocals and forceful guitar work transport the listener with raw chords a...

Did we lose control over Teddy Swims' debut album, or did we show it the door? The true answer is that it is problematic, an album with some high highs, but the second, slower half loses some steam along the way, something partially corrected by the addition of four new electric tracks in the Part 1.5 re-release of the album. What is undeniable, however, are Swims' pitch-perfect powerful vocals wh...