Album Nerds

On occasion, an artist will burst onto the scene with a debut album so powerful, it completely shifts your perspective on music. On today’s show we discuss three such albums and how they shaped our musical tastes. Bjork – Debut (Andy) Velvet Underground & Nico – Velvet Underground & Nico (Don) Jeff Buckley – Grace (Dude) What do you think of these records? What debut album changed your tas...

Ah the saxophone, a surprisingly versatile, though often under utilized instrument in modern music. This week we discuss albums that embraced the woodwind to its full potential. Let’s get saxy… Sonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus (Andy) Roxy Music – Roxy Music (Don) Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Born to Run (Dude) Want to win a free copy of Roxy Music’s debut album on vinyl?! Listen up...

We all come from somewhere, even us nerds. On today’s show we dive into our folks record cabinets to explore where our tastes originated. Not surprisingly we came up with 3 quite different, though clearly influential albums from the late 60s. Aretha Franklin – Aretha Now (Andy) Elvis Presley – How Great Thou Art (Don) Ten Years After – Ssssh (Dude) What do you think of these records? What did your...

For a few years in the late 80s and year 90s, new jack swing dominated the charts and pop culture. This fusion of RnB, pop and hip-hop was not only commercially successful, but it also produced some of the most iconic records of the time. Today on the show, we discuss three of those albums. Bobby Brown – Don’t Be Cruel (Andy) Tony! Toni! Toné! – The Revival (Don) Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation (Dud...

As the 90s came to a close, the youth of America gathered in central New York to celebrate crappy music, overpriced water and poor sanitation. Woodstock ’99 served as a who’s-who of the shifting music scene at the time. Join us as we discuss 3 classic albums from artists who played the festival. Metallica – Master of Puppets (Andy) Bruce Hornsby and the Range – The Way it Is (Don) The Tragically H...

Good things rarely last, especially when it comes to the bands featured on this week’s episode. All of these groups burned brightly for a single album and then poof they were gone. Join us as we discuss some of our favorite one and done albums: Operation Ivy – Energy (Andy) The La’s – The La’s (Don) Temple of the Dog – Temple of the Dog (Dude) What do you think of these records? What one and done...

U2 is one of those bands that has been around so long that we’ve been able to watch them progress their sound through many phases of their career. Today on the show, we discuss 3 U2 albums that finds the band reinventing themselves, their sound, and in large part, the pop sound of the time. U2 – War (Andy) U2 – Songs of Experience (Don) U2 – Achtung Baby (Dude) What do you think of these records?...

Wu-Tang Clan burst onto the NYC rap scene in the mid-90s with a unique sound and large cast of colorful personalities. Their influence on the rap genre and American culture have been rippling outwards ever since. Today on the show, we explore 3 records from the collective and the many offshoot projects that it produced. GZA – Liquid Swords (Andy) Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (Don...

Every once in a while, we like to take a moment to reflect on some truly classic albums that deserve some extra praise. For that we have the Album Nerds Hall of Fame (aka ANHoF). Our nominees are: Radiohead – OK Computer (Andy) Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon (Don) Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger (Dude) What do you think of these records? What album would you nominate for the Hall of Fame?...

Everyone loves a good story. Combine that with some good music and you have the potential for magic. Today on the show we look at 3 albums that both sound great and tell a compelling story. Mike Watt – Contemplating the Engine Room (Andy) Roger Waters – Radio K.A.O.S. (Don) David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust (Dude) What do you think of these records? What rock opera moves you to sing along? Tell us on t...

Yeeeaaaaaaaaaaaah! The 80s hair metal scene left its mark not only with glass shattering vocal performances, but also plenty of glam, partying and general craziness. Today on the show we explore 3 hair metal albums that helped define The Decade of Decadence. Saigon Kick – The Lizard (Andy) Whitesnake – Whitesnake (Don) Mötley Crüe – Shout at the Devil (Dude) What do you think of these records? Wha...

In the early 90s, the idea of a female only music festival didn’t seem plausible. Sarah McLachlan and friends helped to make it a reality with the Lilith Fair tour. Running for three years in the late 90s, plus a revival in 2010, the festival helped to bring women-led music to a larger audience. Today on the show we discuss 3 albums from influential Lilith Fair artists. Lucinda Williams – Car Whee...

The 1960s saw a lot of change for the jazz genre. Big-name artists released influential records and the sound started to creep into other genres. Today on the show, we discuss records from the beginning, middle and end of the decade to see just how things progressed. John Coltrane – Giant Steps (Andy) Herbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage (Don) The Tony Williams Lifetime – Emergency! (Dude) What do you t...

The Motown record label has produced some of the most iconic American music from the last 50 years. Under the direction of producer Berry Gordy, artists like Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and Smokey Robinson brought RnB music to a mainstream pop audience. Today on the show we discuss 3 Motown records that have plenty of pop-appeal. Jr. Walker and the All Stars – Shotgun (Andy) Diana Ross and the...

Traveling Wilburys were about as super of a group as you can get. Combining the talents of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lyne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty they represented a powerhouse of musical talent from the past few decades. On today’s show we discuss Wilbury-related albums – from the group itself and from its members. Electric Light Orchestra – Eldorado (Andy) Traveling Wilburys – Travelin...

Along with the new millennium, the year 2000 brought with it a lot of questionable popular music – boy bands like N-sync and Backstreet Boys were at the top of the charts and alternative rock had morphed into an unholy abomination called nu-metal. Luckily, it wasn’t all bad. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums that we think are worth remembering. Jurassic 5 – Quality Control (Andy) Warren Zevon –...

The year 1962 finds us in a transitional time in music. While ‘The Twist’ may have been all the rage in pop culture, there was an undercurrent of change seeping to many of the fringe genres. Today on the show we explore the wide variety of the sounds that helped define the early part of the decade. Dexter Gordon – Go! (Andy) Roy Orbison – Crying (Don) Bob Dylan – Bob Dylan (Dude) What do you think...

The mid-70s were a great time for music, movies and of course sideburns. ’76 specifically has some all-time great rock albums that have become cornerstones for the classic rock genre. Not to mention, as Don is quick to point out, it was also a leap year. Clearly that extra day was put to good use. On today’s show we discuss 3 classic albums from this oh-so-classic year. Boston – Boston (Andy) Eart...

Well it’s about that time – time to take a moment to scratch our ANHoF itch. Some albums are just so good, we like to give them special praise by nominating them for the prestigious Album Nerds Hall of Fame. Today on the show we have 3 such nominees for consideration: The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland (Andy) Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris – Trio (Don) Rival Sons – He...

Love them or hate them, TV singing competitions are a big part of pop culture. Shows like American Idol, Star Search and the Eurovision Song Contest have garnered plenty of buzz and even produced a few stars. Today on the show we discuss 3 albums from artists who were featured on TV singing competitions. Beyoncé – Lemonade (Andy) ABBA – Arrival (Don) Daughtry – Dearly Beloved (Dude) What do you th...

The 1960s saw country music become increasingly more popular, spreading from its roots in the Southern US to suburban homes across the country. On today’s show, we discuss 3 iconic (and very different) country albums from the decade. Loretta Lynn – Fist City (Andy) Ray Charles – Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (Don) Johnny Cash – Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian (Dude) What...

Though the broadcast signals may be weak and the DJ budgets minuscule, college radio played a big part in the rise of the alternative music genre and in shaping many a 20 somethings musical taste. Today on the show we discuss 3 albums from the heyday of college radio. Sisters of Mercy – Floodland (Andy) New Order – Power, Corruption, & Lies (Don) De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising (Dude) What...

Every so often, we like to check-in and see what’s good in the world of new releases. On today’s show we tout a few honorable mentions as well as discuss our top albums of 2022, so far. Genres covered include industrial, indie rock and metal. Carpenter Brut – Leather Terror (Andy) Arcade Fire – We (Don) Bastardane – Is This Rage? (Dude) What do you think of these records? What new albums have you...

The Great American Songbook is comprised of the most significant work of top early 20th-century American jazz, pop and show tunes artists. Folks like Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin are responsible for writing many of the standards that American culture was built on. Today on the show we honor their legacy and discuss 3 albums that feature GAS songs. Brian Wilson – Brian Wilson Re-imagines...

We’ve all had it happen – a member of your favorite band decides to go out on their own. But do they have what it takes to make compelling music on their own? Often times the answer is not so much, but on today’s show we discuss 3 albums from solo artists who did find success doing their own thing. Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel 3: Melt (Andy) John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band (Don) David Lee Roth – E...