Album Nerds

New Wave music funneled together a diverse range of sounds from 70s punk, pop and electronic music to form something original and distinctively 80s. Join us as we discuss albums from this classic era of popular music. Blondie – Parallel Lines (1978) The Psychedelic Furs – Forever Now (1982) Devo – Freedom of Choice (1980) Other Diggins Civerous – Maze Envy (2024) Megan Thee Stallion – Megan (2024)...

From curated popular music selections to original works specifically created for a film, great soundtracks have the power to elevate scenes, guide audience emotions, and sometimes become enjoyable listening experiences on their own. Pull up a comfy chair, grab some popcorn and join us as we share some of our favorite movie soundtracks. Various Artists – Pulp Fiction Soundtrack (1994) Various Artis...

Growing up ain’t easy, but we all gotta do it. Luckily we have great music to get us through the trials and tribulations of coming of age. Join us as we discuss three albums that deal with the journey of youth to adulthood. Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012) Arcade Fire – The Suburbs (2010) Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair (1985) Other Diggins Lupe Fiasco – Samurai (2024) Pri...

Feeling the need to break some stuff? Some classic punk rock might be just what you need. Raise a fist in the air and join us as we discuss 3 classic albums from punk rock’s beginnings. Buzzcocks – Another Music in a Different Kitchen (1978) Wire – Pink Flag (1977) Stiff Little Fingers – Inflammable Material (1979) Other Diggins Villagers – That Golden Time (2024) Peter Perrett – The Cleansing (20...

Prince certainly has inspired his share of artists, but on this episode we dig into some of the artists and albums that inspired him. Besides the clear funk lineage, we also draw comparisons to folk and blues rock artists that Prince was a fan of. Join us as we pay homage to the forces that gave us the purple one. Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (1971) Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971) Santana – Santana (1971...

Few genres have influenced rock music as much as the blues. From it’s humble beginnings in the 19th century American South, incorporation with R&B and Soul music in the 60s, to its strong influence on 70s rock, its hard to separate the blues from modern day music. Join us as we discuss 3 of our favorites from some of the all-time top blues albums. Magic Sam – West Side Soul (1968) The Rolling...

The leaves are changing and pumpkin spice has infiltrated everything, so it must be time to scare ourselves with some sinister album selections. Join us as we discuss 3 of our favorite spooky albums to help get you in the Halloween spirit. Mwahahaha! The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us (1980) Duran Duran – Danse Macabre (2023) Type O Negative – Bloody Kisses (1993) Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown...

The 80s were a definitive decade for hip-hop music. New production techniques and expanded lyrical content helped to push the genre towards the mainstream. Join us as we explore 3 albums from hip-hop’s golden era. Dana Dane – Dana Dane with Fame (1987) Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary (1988) Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989) The Mavericks – Moon & Stars (2024) Mildlife – Ch...

AHHHH! Every once in awhile you gotta get it out. Music is a great release for anything that might make you angry. On today’s show we explore three albums that deal with anger in different ways. Scream into a pillow and join us for a little music therapy. Machine Head – Burn My Eyes (1994) Pink Floyd – The Final Cut (1983) Hole – Live Through This (1994) Judith Hill – Letters from a Black Widow (2...

1984 had tons of iconic cultural moments – Gremlins and Ghostbusters hit theaters, the summer Olympics were in Los Angeles, and the Cosby Show and Miami Vice debuted on TV. Join us as we revisit two of the top selling albums from this year. Culture Club - Colour By Numbers (1984) Van Halen - 1984 (1984) Ours – New Age Heroine (2024) The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – Self Titled (1968) Midland – Ba...

Feel the power… of words! Great lyrics have a way of cutting to the heart of our emotions, beliefs, and cultural values. Join us as we discuss a pair of records that smacked us in the face with their powerful lyrical punch. Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (2024) John Lennon – Imagine (1971) Mac Leaphart – Motel Breakfast (2024) Stone Temple Pilots – Purple (1994) Nancy...

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...