Album Nerds

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...

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...