Album Nerds

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...

Well it’s time we gave some props to our great listeners and recommend some of their album picks. All these selections come from our Discord (which is free to join, by the way). Fortunately for us – our listeners have exquisite taste. Today on the show we get to talk about these 3 classic records. Get the ANHoF alert warmed up! Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes (Andy) Depeche Mode – Violator (Don) Fl...

Most artists have their creative peak and that’s it. Some of the greats though, get a second wind and put out records that stand among their best. Today on the show we discuss 3 such records from a variety of genres. Horace Andy – Midnight Rocker (Andy) Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow (Don) Metallica – Death Magnetic (Dude) What do you think of these records? What other late career masterpieces woul...

Southern rock is kind of a tricky genre to pin down. It had it’s hey-day in the 70s, but lives on today in various forms and fusions with other genres. On today’s show we discuss a foundational southern rock record, as well some modern day interpretations of the sound. Here’s the albums: Lynyrd Skynyrd – (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) (Don) Drive-By Truckers – Southern Rock Opera (Andy) Pride...

The Lollapalooza festival helped bring attention to the alternative music scene in the early 90s and laid the groundwork for many of the popular tours to come. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums from artists on that first Lollapalooza tour. Jane’s Addiction – Ritual de lo Habitual (Dude) Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes (Andy) Siouxsie and the Banshees – Juju (Don) What do you think of these recor...

Top 40 can be hit or miss - usually a miss, in this humble podcasters opinion. This is especially true when you're talking about the early 2000s. On today's show we take on the daunting task of recommending albums with a top 40 single from that year. Here's the records that are up for discussion: Outkast - Stankonia (Andy) Staind - Break the Cycle (Don) Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor (Dude) Should...

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi! Australia has a rich musical history – from the traditional sounds of the didgeridoo all the way to modern acts like AC/DC. Join us as we discuss 3 records from prominent pop-rock artists from the land down under. INXS – Kick (Dude) Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree (Don) Hoodoo Gurus – Stoneage Romeos (Andy) What do you think of these records? What re...

The year 1980 brought with it the Miracle on Ice, Ronald Regan and Pac-Man. Not to mention, a bunch of good albums across a variety of genres. On today’s show we talk about three of them: Bob Marley – Uprising (Andy) Talking Heads – Remain in Light (Don) AC/DC – Back in Black (Dude) What do you think of these records? What records from 1980 do you love listening to? Tell us on the Album Nerds Disc...

‘Once upon a time’ and ‘happily ever after’ are the fairly tale standards, but what about for music? Which albums have the best opening and closing cuts? On today’s show, we talk over 3 albums that start and finish with moments of greatness. Grateful Dead – American Beauty (Don) Nina Simone – Pastel Blues (Andy) Nirvana – Nevermind (Dude) Don’t forget to vote on our ANHoF nomination of Alicia Key’...

The British Invasion brought a wave of psychedelic rock and pop to the US in the mid-60s. With it came a plethora of classic albums that would come to define the movement. On today’s show we discuss 3 classic British Invasion albums: The Beatles – Revolver (Dude) The Zombies – Odessey and Oracle (Don) The Yardbirds – Roger the Engineer (Andy) Don’t forget to vote on our ANHoF nomination of Alicia...