Riffs on Riffs

This week, Joe and Toby dive into the hauntingly beautiful song "Back to Black" and the album of the same name by Amy Winehouse. They explore how the title track captures themes of heartbreak, vulnerability, and emotional depth, setting the tone for the entire album. The conversation also gets into the broader impact of Back to Black , its influence on music, and its connection to mental health an...

This week, Joe and Toby dive into the hauntingly beautiful song "Back to Black" and the album of the same name by Amy Winehouse. They explore how the title track captures themes of heartbreak, vulnerability, and emotional depth, setting the tone for the entire album. The conversation also gets into the broader impact of Back to Black, its influence on music, and its connection to mental health and...

This week, Toby and Joe dive into The Weeknd’s 2015 smash hit “Can’t Feel My Face.” They explore Abel Tesfaye's background and the inspirations behind his Michael Jackson-esque vocal stylings. The duo discusses how the infectious lyric “I can’t feel my face when I’m with you” perfectly captures the song’s mix of pop hooks and drug-fueled emotions. They also highlight how The Weeknd seamlessly blen...

This week, Toby and Joe dive into The Weeknd’s 2015 smash hit “Can’t Feel My Face.” They explore Abel Tesfaye's background and the inspirations behind his Michael Jackson-esque vocal stylings. The duo discusses how the infectious lyric “I can’t feel my face when I’m with you” perfectly captures the song’s mix of pop hooks and drug-fueled emotions. They also highlight how The Weeknd seamlessly blen...

In this week’s episode, Joe and Toby dive deep into Journey’s legendary 1981 single “Don’t Stop Believin’” and explore the song’s rich history along with their personal connections to this timeless anthem. The guys discuss how the song’s structure cleverly delays the iconic chorus, creating a powerful moment when Steve Perry finally belts out the main hook, and they marvel at Perry’s incredible vo...

In this week’s episode, Joe and Toby dive deep into Journey’s legendary 1981 single “Don’t Stop Believin’” and explore the song’s rich history along with their personal connections to this timeless anthem. The guys discuss how the song’s structure cleverly delays the iconic chorus, creating a powerful moment when Steve Perry finally belts out the main hook, and they marvel at Perry’s incredible vo...

In this special crossover episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby team up with Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk from the Two Designers Walk Into a Bar podcast to talk about those rare and special albums that blow our minds both sonically and visually. Together, the four share their own picks of iconic albums where the music and visual aesthetics combine to create something that transcends beyond both...

In this special crossover episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby team up with Todd Coats and Elliot Strunk from the Two Designers Walk Into a Bar podcast to talk about those rare and special albums that blow our minds both sonically and visually. Together, the four share their own picks of iconic albums where the music and visual aesthetics combine to create something that transcends beyond both...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs , Joe and Toby dive into the 1992 hit "Under The Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. They explore the emotional turmoil and isolation Anthony Kiedis was experiencing when he penned the song, reflecting on how it resonated with them in their youth. The discussion highlights the exceptional musical talent of the band members, while noting Kiedis’s role as more of a st...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive into the 1992 hit "Under The Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers. They explore the emotional turmoil and isolation Anthony Kiedis was experiencing when he penned the song, reflecting on how it resonated with them in their youth. The discussion highlights the exceptional musical talent of the band members, while noting Kiedis’s role as more of a sty...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby explore Katy Perry's groundbreaking 2008 debut single "I Kissed A Girl." Initially met with strong resistance from her label and controversy from some who felt it appropriated the gay lifestyle, the song nonetheless resonated with many fans. Over time, listeners have shared how it opened their eyes to their own desires, and Perry’s unwavering support...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby explore Katy Perry's groundbreaking 2008 debut single "I Kissed A Girl." Initially met with strong resistance from her label and controversy from some who felt it appropriated the gay lifestyle, the song nonetheless resonated with many fans. Over time, listeners have shared how it opened their eyes to their own desires, and Perry’s unwavering support...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive into Owl City’s hit 2009 single “Fireflies.” While the somewhat over-the-top, synth-heavy pop song might not totally resonate with them, they certainly respect the hustle of Adam Young, the mastermind behind Owl City. The guys get deep into the lyrics, which paint a sugary picture of a night of insomnia. They also explore how “Fireflies” not onl...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, Joe and Toby dive into Owl City’s hit 2009 single “Fireflies.” While the somewhat over-the-top, synth-heavy pop song might not totally resonate with them, they certainly respect the hustle of Adam Young, the mastermind behind Owl City. The guys get deep into the lyrics, which paint a sugary picture of a night of insomnia. They also explore how “Fireflies” not onl...

This week, Toby and Joe dive into Pharrell Williams' iconic 2013 hit single "Happy." Released at a time when people were in need of a lift, this infectious track became an instant anthem. Originally written for the animated film Despicable Me 2 and intended for Cee Lo Green, Pharrell ended up recording the song himself, turning it into a worldwide sensation. As the guys explore all things Pharrell...

This week, Toby and Joe dive into Pharrell Williams' iconic 2013 hit single "Happy." Released at a time when people were in need of a lift, this infectious track became an instant anthem. Originally written for the animated film Despicable Me 2 and intended for Cee Lo Green, Pharrell ended up recording the song himself, turning it into a worldwide sensation. As the guys explore all things Pharrell...

Join Joe and Toby as they revisit Naughty by Nature's iconic song "O.P.P." and its … unique take on relationships. “O.P.P.” was released in 1991 on the Tommy Boy label amidst a burgeoning era of hip-hop. Sampling Melvin Bliss's "Synthetic Substitution" and the Jackson 5's "ABC," "O.P.P." combines diverse elements into a cohesive sonic mix — just like another favorite from that era, the "hot and co...

Join Joe and Toby as they revisit Naughty by Nature's iconic song "O.P.P." and its … unique take on relationships. “O.P.P.” was released in 1991 on the Tommy Boy label amidst a burgeoning era of hip-hop. Sampling Melvin Bliss's "Synthetic Substitution" and the Jackson 5's "ABC," "O.P.P." combines diverse elements into a cohesive sonic mix — just like another favorite from that era, the "hot and co...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, join Toby and Joe for a lively discussion about Beyoncé's latest single, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM.” They discuss Beyoncé's career and celebrate her work ethic and talent, particularly her ability to transcend genres and challenge musical conventions. The conversation explores the history of country music and the role of black artists within the genre. But is genre really...

In this episode of Riffs on Riffs, join Toby and Joe for a lively discussion about Beyoncé's latest single, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM.” They discuss Beyoncé's career and celebrate her work ethic and talent, particularly her ability to transcend genres and challenge musical conventions. The conversation explores the history of country music and the role of black artists within the genre. But is genre really...

Join Toby and Joe as they kick off the long-awaited return of Riffs on Riffs, diving deep into the pop sensation Taylor Swift's track "Cruel Summer." Initially released on her 2019 album Lover, the song saw a resurgence in popularity four years later, propelled by Swift's Eras tour. Now, this track isn't your typical carefree summer anthem. Oh no, there's something intoxicatingly complicated going...

Join Toby and Joe as they kick off the long-awaited return of Riffs on Riffs, diving deep into the pop sensation Taylor Swift's track "Cruel Summer." Initially released on her 2019 album Lover, the song saw a resurgence in popularity four years later, propelled by Swift's Eras tour. Now, this track isn't your typical carefree summer anthem. Oh no, there's something intoxicatingly complicated going...

Welcome back to the final installment of Riffs on Riffs' 4-part miniseries about the band 24-Carat Black. On this episode: The legacy of 24CB and its landmark record Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth , and where the former members landed. Riffs on Riffs is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Hosted by Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell. Our Audio Engineer is Eric Koltnow and our Producer and Sound Designer is...

Welcome back to the final installment of Riffs on Riffs' 4-part miniseries about the band 24-Carat Black. On this episode: The legacy of 24CB and its landmark record Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth, and where the former members landed. Riffs on Riffs is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Hosted by Joe Watson and Toby Brazwell. Our Audio Engineer is Eric Koltnow and our Producer and Sound Designer is...

Welcome back to our epic four part series about the band 24-Carat Black! On episode 3, we learn all about the beginning of the end; Stax Records was on the fritz, and Dale Warren was holding the group together with both hands. Hear from original band members and more about the fallout of 24-Carat Black, here on Riffs on Riffs! Riffs on Riffs is a production of Evergreen Podcasts. Hosted by Joe Wat...