Album Nerds

Final albums are often last grasps at fame and money, but on occasion they serve as a fitting capstone to a band’s career. On today’s show we explore two final albums that we think send these legendary artists off on a good note. Sam Cooke – Ain’t That Good News (1964) The Police – Synchronicity (1983) Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose (2024) Meco – Music Inspired by Star Wars and Other Galactic Fun...

Drums have been a part of music for thousands of years, which is probably why it’s so hard to imagine modern day music without them. On today’s show we discuss what it takes to be a legendary drummer and some of our favorite drummer-focused records. Rush – Moving Pictures (1981) Slipknot – Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) (2004) Fontaines D.C. – Romance (2024) R.E.M. – Automatic for the People (1992...

Many worthy records never receive the recognition they deserve. Promotion, timing and accessibility often get in the way of great art finding its way to the people that might appreciate it the most. On today’s show we talk over two album gems from bands that never broke through. Despite being truly outrageous. Talk Talk – Spirit of Eden (Don) Brad – Shame (Dude) Dennis Wilson – Pacific Ocean Blue...

Some albums are love at first listen, but other’s take a bit more time to reveal their true value. Whether it’s a bad first listen, miss-placed expectations or just being the wrong age – some albums take time to love. Join us as we discuss some of our favorites. Death Grips – The Money Store (Andy) The The – Mind Bomb (Don) Green Day – Dookie (Dude) The Smashing Pumpkins – Aghori Mhori Mei King Gi...

What better way to put a bow on the Summer of Don then to talk about one of his favorite records – The Beach Boy’s landmark album Pet Sounds. Join us as we try to decipher Brian Wilson’s genius and discuss the record’s significance today. The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds Jpegmafia – I Lay Down My Life For You Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin Action Bronson – Johann Sebas...

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The Who helped define the formula for the prototypical classic rock band. Their 1971 album Who’s Next is a large part of what earned them that status. Join us as the Summer of Don shines it’s rays down on this seminal classic rock album. The Who – Who’s Next Lava La Rue – Starface Hakushi Hasegawa – Mah​ō​gakkō Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 Gillian Welch & David Rawlings...

With a title like Blood Sugar Sex Magik, you might expect the music to be graphic, loud and a little weird – and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Chili Peppers 1991 effort with producer Rick Rubin is stuffed with lots of big ideas, sounds and personalities. Join for a discussion on the landmark record as we rejoin our regularly scheduled Summer of Don, already in progress. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood...

Happy mid-new-year-ish! We’re taking a short break from the Summer of Don to look back on the first half of 2024. Join us as we highlight some of our favorite new releases. Shabaka – Perceive It’s Beauty, Acknowledge It’s Grace Les Amazones d’Afrique – Musow Danse The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again The Brother Brothers – The January Album Pearl Jam – Dark Matter The Lunar Effec...

Bowie’s final studio album left us all a bit speechless when it came out back in 2016, just a few days before his passing. Join us as we regroup and take a closer listen to the record and discuss its impact. There’s a blackstar shinning in the night sky, as the Summer of Don rolls on. David Bowie – Blackstar Nadine Shah – Filthy Underneath Kneecap – Fine Art James Blake, Lil Yachty – Bad Cameo Urb...

Springsteen’s landmark 1984 album Born in the USA has become an iconic piece of American culture. The album art and long series of hits were hard to escape in the mid-80s and still play a part in modern day society. Join us as we discuss the album and some other things we’ve been digging on. Turn on the grill and break out the SPF – the Summer of Don shines on! Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA...

Stevie Wonder had a pretty amazing stretch of albums during the early 1970s. One of our favorites from the period is 1973’s Innervisions. We talked about it a bit a few years ago, but the Summer of Don has given us a chance to talk about it a bit more. Stevie Wonder – Innervisions Caroline Shaw – Rectangles and Circumstances Ulcerate – Cutting the Throat of God John Cale – POPtical Illusion The Ca...

Pearl Jam’s debut record became an iconic part of the alternative rock (yes, grunge) movement of the early 1990s. Their anthemic hooks, flashy guitars and emotive vocals made them fan and media favorites. Join us as we look back on the album, the era and how it all holds up after three decades. The Summer of Don shines on! Pearl Jam – Ten Joey Valence & Brae – No Hands Bat for Lashes – The Dre...

Sade’s debut record Diamond Life stood out from the rest of the 1984 musical landscape in the US and UK. Join us for a discussion on the landmark album as well as some other records we’ve been enjoying. The Summer of Don rolls on. Sade – Diamond Life La Luz – News of the Universe Aespa – Armageddon – The 1st Album Nathy Peluso – Grasa Big Head Todd and the Monsters – Her Way Out Winter Aid – Pull...

Chris Stapleton’s debut record back in 2015 was influential both on the podcast’s musical taste and on the future of country music. It helped expand our palettes and pushed the genre forward. Join us as we revisit the record and discuss our thoughts after all these years – the Summer of Don carries on! Chris Stapleton – Traveller Joywave – Permanent Pleasure Childish Gambino – Altavista Shellac –...

What better way to kick-off the Summer of Don then to talk over a record that has a bit of a special place on the show. The Doors final release, LA Woman, served as a bookend to their celebrated career and a goodbye to the city that shaped them. Join us as we discuss the record and some other things we’ve been digging on. The Doors – LA Woman The Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know Broadcast – Sp...

Like all popular genres, R&B and Soul music has morphed over time to fit modern sounds under it’s wing. In the 90s, the inclusion of hip-hop into popular music had started to ripple out into the surrounding genres; like soul music. Join us as we talk over some of our favorite soul records from the 1990s. Macy Gray – On How Life Is (Andy) Simply Red – Stars (Don) Rahsaan Patterson – Rahsaan Pat...

Double albums – the topic so nice, we had to cover it twice. Join us as we discuss another round of some of our favorite double LPs. The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street (Andy) Donna Summer – Bad Girls (Don) Metallica – …And Justice for All (Dude) What do you think of these double albums? What’s your favorite double album? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, podcast@albumn...

Time to get comfy and put on some double albums. On today’s show we discuss some of our favorite (dare I say classic) double albums. Miles Davis – Bitches Brew (Andy) The Cure – Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (Don) The Beatles – The Beatles (Dude) What do you think of these double albums? What’s your favorite double album? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, podcast@albumnerds.com ....

Happy Record Store Day, Nerds! On today’s show we celebrate independent record stores by exploring some of the holiday’s special releases. Here’s our picks: Freddie Gibbs – Pinata (Andy) Mavis Staples – Have a Little Faith (Don) Dio – The Last in Line (Dude) What do you think of these records? What RSD albums are you excited for this year? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, po...

From the The Carter Family to the Jackson 5 and the Jonas Brothers – families have found success in the music industry for decades. On today’s show we highlight some of our favorite family-made albums. First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar (Andy) The Isley Brothers – Go For Your Guns (Don) Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory (Dude) What do you think of these records? What albums from family members...

Turns out 2012 wasn’t the end of the world, but it may have seemed like it at the time. With hurricanes, mass shootings and the music of Drake and Luke Bryan dominating the pop charts, I think we all felt the end was nigh ;). Join us as we discuss our favorite best selling albums from that year. The Black Keys – El Camino (Andy) Rihanna – Talk That Talk (Don) Adele – 21 (Dude) What do you think of...

During the late 80s and early 90s, Yo! MTV Raps helped to bring the quickly evolving genre of hip-hop into the living room. On today’s show we talk over the TV program and a handful of records from artists featured on the initial run of episodes. Ultramagnetic MC’s – Critical Beatdown (Andy) Eric B. & Rakim – Follow the Leader (Don) Gang Starr – Step into the Arena (Dude) What do you think of...

Plugin the synths and polish up that disco ball, we’re going electronic on today’s show. (Well, as electronic as we three rock fans can get). Join us as we explore albums that blend electronic components with familiar sounds. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver (Andy) Editors – In this Light and on This Evening (Don) MGMT – Oracular Spectacular (Dude) What do you think of these records? What electro...

Ireland’s rich cultural heritage has produced lots of great art, with music being no exception. On today’s show we highlight a handful of Irish artists that we’ve come to love. Happy St Paddy’s Day! Nealo – November Medicine (Andy) Van Morrison – Astral Weeks (Don) Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia (Dude) What do you think of these records? What Irish artists do you love? Let us know on our website, alb...