Album Nerds

Great popular music is often a result of creative partnerships. From Gilbert and Sullivan to Lennon and McCartney, men have joined forces and inspired each other to amazing heights. Join us as we discuss records from some of our favorite bromances. Jan & Dean – Little Old Lady From Pasadena (Andy) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark – Architecture & Morality (Don) Queens of the Stone Age – S...

As unique as each relationship is, all relationships go through stages. From infatuation to heartbreak and everything in between, music does a great job of expressing the emotions of love. On today’s show we discuss three albums that closely deal with the different phases of a relationship. Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear (Andy) Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (Don) Alanis Morissette – Jagge...

Sometimes the spark of making music together can kindle a romance. Bands like Fleetwood Mac, Abba, and Wings all had their romantic pairings – and oftentimes splits. Join us as we discuss some of our favorite records forged in the fires of romance. Tom Waits – Alice (Andy) Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow (Don) The White Stripes – White Blood Cells (Dude) What do you think of these records...

What makes music sound sensual? A deep groove? Hazy production? Romantic lyrics? Of course its going to vary by listener, but on today’s show we try to find some common ground. Join us as we discuss three albums we think have sex appeal. Air – Moon Safari (Andy) Cigarettes After Sex – Cigarettes After Sex (Don) Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get it On (Dude) What do you think of these records? What sensual a...

Besides the fabulously be-dazzled Solid Gold Dancers, the TV show of the same name featured a wide variety of popular artists of the early to mid 1980s. Even though the performances were lip-synced, the program exposed audiences to all sorts of new music. On today’s show we discuss three albums from artists that appeared on the show, plus other 1980s TV memories. Rick James – Street Songs (Andy) M...

Over the last few decades, the VMA’s have been a plentiful source of meme-worthy moments from the day's most popular musicians. On today’s show we discuss records from three Video of the Year winners and talk over some of our favorite music videos. Taylor Swift – Midnights (Andy) R.E.M. – Out of Time (Don) The Cars – Heartbeat City (Dude) What do you think of these records? What VMA winner do you...

Country music is particularly great at telling a story. Whether it’s gunslingers in the old west, or troubled relationships in a modern day setting, country music is great at shining a light on the lives of everyday people doing everyday things. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums that have plenty of good stories to tell. Marty Robbins – Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs (Andy) Brandy Clark – 12...

Cover albums are essentially love letters from a band to their influences. Some pull from a variety of artists, others focus on one. Some even go as far as doing a track-by-track rendition of the entire record. On today’s show we explore one of each type of cover album. Angelique Kidjo – Remain in Light (Andy) The The – Hanky Panky (Don) Metallica – Garage Inc (Dude) What do you think of these rec...

As 2023 comes to a close, we look back and highlight the new releases that stood-out to us. Join us as we discuss honorable mentions and pick our fav albums of the year. Happy New Year! PJ Harvey – I Inside the Old Year Dying (Andy) Peter Gabriel – I/O (Don) Charles Wesley Godwin – Family Ties (Dude) What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite record of 2023? Tell us on the Album Nerd...

Join us for our annual holiday extravaganza as we review some of the best selling Christmas albums of all time. Plus we get plenty of holiday album picks from friends and listeners. Cozy up by the fire and enjoy a warm cup of your favorite nerds. Happy Holidays! Susan Boyle – The Gift (Andy) Kenny G – Miracles: The Holiday Album (Don) Mannheim Steamroller – Christmas (Dude) What do you think of th...

Besides being known for rain and coffee, Seattle has a rich musical history. From as far back as Jimi Hendrix, through the grunge movement of the 90s, to the Sub Pop label that’s still relevant today – something about the city seems to inspire good music. On today’s show we discuss some of our favorite albums from Seattle artists. 7 Year Bitch – Viva Zapata! (Andy) Death Cab of Cutie – Plans (Don)...

We often end up focusing on albums from early in the careers of our favorite artists, when they’re at the supposed peak of their creative powers. On today’s show we take a listen to the latest releases from some of our favorite legendary artists. Nas – Magic 3 (Andy) Sting – The Bridge (Don) Metallica – 72 Seasons (Dude) What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite latest album from a...

The 2010s saw country music continue to thrive as it increasingly merged with other popular genres. On today’s show, we talk over 3 records from Billboard’s staff list of the top country albums of the decade. Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour (Andy) Keith Urban – Ripcord (Don) Luke Combs – This One’s for You (Dude) What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite country record from the 2010s?...

Sometimes songs are as important to a film as the images. Iconic scenes are often paired with a classic song. On today’s show we talk about albums that feature a song that’s forever etched into our memories by a movie. Stealers Wheel – Stealers Wheel (Andy) The Replacements – Pleased to Meet Me (Don) Queen – A Night at the Opera (Dude) What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite song...

This just in – it’s new release time! Every few months we like to take a moment to see what’s shaking in the world of new releases. We picked out a choice few to share with you: Corinne Bailey Rae – Black Rainbows (Andy) Wilco – Cousin (Don) Zach Bryan – Zach Bryan (Dude) What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite recent new release? Tell us on the Album Nerds Discord, albumnerds.com...

One of the most iconic aspects of the metal genre are the epic guitar riffs and solos. Known for being loud, fast and intricate, metal guitarists are amazing to behold – somehow pulling off complex passages while headbanging in a cloud of hair. Join us as we discuss three records that feature guitar shredding capable of melting any face. Death – Human (Andy) Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard of Ozz (Don) A...

The top of the Billboard charts in the mid-80s is packed with a surprisingly diverse collection of stars like Whitney Houston, ZZ Top and Phil Collins. If you love squeaky clean production (and who doesn’t), get on your legwarmers and settle-in as we revisit some of the top albums from 1986. Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms (Andy) Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston (Don) Janet Jackson – Control (Dud...

Protest songs are a pivotal part of social and political change. Issues ranging from human rights to war and prohibition have benefited from music written about their causes. On today’s show we dive into 3 albums that focus on creating change. Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine (Andy) Phil Ochs – I Ain’t Marching Anymore (Don) Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet (Dude) What do y...

Prince's classic album Purple Rain is often lauded not only as a high point in his career, but also in popular music. The album acts as a soundtrack of sorts for the film of the same name, but ultimately its an intimate record about Prince himself. Join us as we dive deep into Purple Rain. Prince - Purple Rain (1984) What do you think of Purple Rain? What's your favorite Prince record? Tell us on...

Funk largely grew out of 60s rock and RnB, but its influence can be heard in many of the surrounding genres. On today’s show we explore funk-infused records. Here’s our album picks: Jaco Pastorius – Jaco Pastorius (Andy) Chic – Risqué (Don) Living Colour – Vivid (Dude) What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite funk fusion record? Tell us on the Album Nerds Discord, albumnerds.com/di...

This one goes out to all the late night FM radio dial explorers. The Quiet Storm radio format originated back in the 1970s and gave rise to a new RnB sub-genre. On today’s show we discuss albums from the genres creation through modern day. Smokey Robinson – A Quiet Storm (Andy)Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly (Don)D’Angelo – Voodoo (Dude)What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite Qu...

Few of the sub-genres we cover on the show are as nerdy as prog rock. From the intricate, long compositions to the sci-fi infused lyrics – 70s prog rock pushed the boundaries of rock music and helped bring nerds into the limelight. On today’s show we discuss 3 iconic prog rock albums from the era. Rush – 2112 (Andy) Yes – Close to the Edge (Don) Klaatu – 3:47 EST (Dude) What do you think of these...

1990 was a transitional year in music. The synth heavy sound of the 80s was transforming, hip-hop and new jack swing were becoming part of mainstream culture and a new ‘dirty’ type of rock was taking shape out west. Join us as we recount some memories of the era and discuss some of our favorite albums of 1990. Sonic Youth – Goo (Andy) Pet Shop Boys – Behaviour (Don) Alice in Chains – Facelift (Dud...

One of the few things George Gershwin and DJ Jazzy Jeff have in common is writing songs called “Summertime.” They sound a little different, but they both work well with the season. On today’s show we talk about albums we associate with summa summa summertime. Weezer – Blue Album (Andy)Roxy Music – Avalon (Don)John Mellencamp – Uh-Huh (Dude)What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite r...

The cover of Rolling Stone magazine has been the face of music and pop culture in the US for over 50 years. On today’s show we discuss albums from artists who’ve been featured. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (Andy) Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On (Don) Michael Jackson – Thriller (Dude) What do you think of these records? Which Rolling Stone issue i...