Album Nerds

Giving a friend an album recommendation can be a tricky prospect. There’s a lot that can go wrong, but when it works, it’s magical. On this episode we talk over 2 albums recommendations we gave to each other – Benjamin Booker’s blues rocker ‘Witness’ and Canadian punk group Propagandhi’s new release ‘Victory Lap’. Tell us your thoughts on these records @albumnerds on the Twitters. Nerd it!

For our (believe it or not) 50th episode we dive back-in to our Essential Jazz and Country project. Join us for some mind-bending saxophone from the Lee Konitz and then sit back while Willie Nelson tells us story about love and loss in the wild west. Pour some nerd on that shit.

Let the Album Nerds help get you in the Halloween spirit. We’ve got 2 great spooky album recommendations for you – one to party with and the other to scare yourself. Hear our thoughts on Black Sabbath’s 1970 classic debut record as well as underground British group Coil’s 1999 release Musick to Play in the Dark.

We’ve got 2 hot ‘n fresh new release recommendations for you this week. The Dude steps outside of his comfort zone and picks an experimental record from doom metal band Bell Witch. Andy selects a zany electronic record that certainly is unique and has the dude scratching his head. Don’t be a turd, turn up that nerd!

If you love albums like we do, you probably love vinyl too. Today we dig into our vinyl collections to highlight 2 records that we think sound best on wax. Andy recommends a Zappa record that nicely balances his musical genius and goofy sense of humor. The Dude picks out a deluxe version of a Lenny Kravitz’s 1993 record, Are You Gonna Go My Way that includes some lesser known tracks. Spin that bla...

Everyone loves a good story. We talk over 2 albums that not only are interesting musically, but also take the time to tell a story. In 1988 metal group Queensryche released their an ambitious record detailing the adventures of a brainwashed hit man working for a secret organization trying to overthrow the government. It’s pretty much a an action movie set to music. And we also dig into the lore su...

Join us as we take a stroll down memory lane, all the way back to the year 1994. We cover some of the movies and pop culture that was going on, but our focus is on 2 influential albums from that year. Lesser known and underappreciated group King’s X put out a great record that managed to fit Beatles-esq harmony’s into the hard rock sound of the time. And a new punk rock group called Sunny Day Real...

Hard to believe it’s been a year since we started our Essential Project deep-dive into Blues, Country and Jazz music. Today on the show we recap the albums we highlighted throughout the year as well as share how the project has affected our listening to modern day music. Crank that essential nerdiness to 11.

We’ve got two new release recommendations for you this week. Veteran gospel singer Mavis Staples latest release is a beautifully written statement of love and togetherness, focused on lifting up minorities. And Canadian rockers, One Bad Son, have added yet another solid rock record to their ever growing catalog. Help us spread the message of good music by cranking that nerd to 11!

Holiday music can get old fast. It’s the same set of songs, over and over again. Luckily your favorite Album Nerds are here with a couple holiday album recommendations that feature some excellent original songs to help you celebrate your Christmas-Hanukkah-Kwanzaa-Festivus Day in style. Our first pick was released in 1973 by country legend Merle Haggard. The economy was in a recession and many fam...

It’s the close of another year and that can only mean one thing – year end countdown lists! In a bold move of originality, we count down our top 10 favorite records of 2017. In this episode we cover our honorable mentions and numbers 10 through 6. Honorable Mention Bell Witch – Mirror Reaper (Dude) A heavy, dark doom record that sounds open and spacious. Hiss Golden Messenger – Hallelujah Anyhow (...

We complete our 2017 year end countdown of our favorite records of the year that was. In this episode we cover numbers 5-1. 5 Mastodon – Emperor of Sand (Dude) The seventh studio album from the Atlanta, GA progressive metal band that sees them returning to their concept record roots. Downtown Boys – Cost of Living (Andy) A raucous, post-punk rock record with lyrics focused on social and economic i...

We kick off our 2018 edition of the Essential Project where we dig deep into a particular genre, bringing you the important records and historical context you need to be a true Album Nerd. This year we’re focusing on NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and Funk music. Our first NWOBHM record is from a ‘what-could-have-been’ band named Angel Witch and their 1980 album by the same name. They he...

We look back on the year that was 1995. As we reared our heads out of the grunge movement, what was left? A new wave of rock bands emerged, trying to capitalize on the Seattle sound. Hip-hop continued to move into the mainstream. And of course, there’s always Weird Al to put his spin on it all. We combined our individual lists to arrive at this top 5: Honorable Mentions GZA – Liquid Swords Mobb De...

Alright, we’re settling back into our usual grove with to some new releases recommendations on this week’s show. We’ve scoured the new release charts and review columns from the last few months to bring you these 2 new records that we think simply rock. And as an added bonus they’re both uplifting, positive records which is always welcomed to help fight the post-holiday blues. The Dude’s pick come...

This week on the show we’re talking about blue – specifically 2 albums that use the word in their titles. The Dude’s pick is the 2009 comeback record from Alice in Chains. An amazingly relevant sounding record from a band that had been on hiatus for over a decade. Many of the songs deal with the loss of the bands longtime lead singer, Layne Staley who passed away in 2002. New vocalists and rhythm...

Join us for our second installment in this years Essential project – where we dig deep into a genre and bring you the albums that matter most. This year we’re covering the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and Funk genres. Today on the show we talk about records from two very influential and well-known bands – Iron Maiden and Parliament. In 1980, Iron Maiden released their debut record to m...

1980 was a transitional year for music. Punk was slowly giving way to a new type of sound – you might even call it a new wave. Join us as we count down our top 5 favorite albums from that year. #5 U2 – Boy The debut record from a band that seemingly has always existed. They earn our this position for sounding amazingly well formed and polished at this early stage of their career. #4 The Feelies –...

On this edition of the Album Nerds Podcast, we recommend a new release from one of our favorite bands – southern rockers The Sheepdogs and their new record Changing Colours. The group was first brought to our attention when they won a Rolling Stone contest back in 2011. We discuss the publications relevance in today’s music scene as well as our personal history’s with the magazine. Then we dive he...

This week on the show we discuss two loosely connected albums – The Cult’s 1989 smash hit Sonic Temple and The Sonics 1965 debut full length, Here’s Are the Sonics!!! – both ‘sonic’ albums. Sonic Temple finds The Cult trying several different musical styles – from crunchy 70’s grooves to mellow ballads and commercial ’80s hard rock. The standout tracks like Fire Woman, American Horse, New York Cit...

Time for another entry in our New Wave of British Heavy Metal and Funk genres Essential Project! This week we dive into two classic albums from 80s rockers Def Leppard and funk master supreme Bootsy Collins and his backing group the Rubberband. In the early 80s Def Leppard was young and looking for a sound to set them apart of from their NWOBHM contemporaries. Their second full length record, High...

We were so excited about these 2 new records, that we had to break from our usual routine to talk about them ASAP. Longtime rockers, Judas Priest have emerged with a new energy and a great new record called Firepower. The Dude discusses what the band has been up to as of late and what makes this record so special. Andy brings up a more recent success story in the form of left-field hip hop group Y...

In honor of the Easter holiday, we’re counting down our Fav 5 comeback albums. Join us as we talk over the albums that put these popular bands back on the map. It’s Nerd or Nothin!

How is Pink Floyd connected to Mastodon? They’re both fans of great works of fiction. Join us as we breakdown 2 classic albums based on famous literature. Nerd it!

Essential listening is what we do. This week on the show we have another installment of our essential New Wave of British Heavy Metal and Funk series. We discuss influential thrash metal group Diamond Head and their stellar debut record Lightning to the Nations. Also on the show we talk over George Clinton spin-off project Parlet and their 1979 album Invasion of the Booty Snatchers – a fun listen...