Beats, Beards & Brews

On another very special quarantine episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the boys check out the 20th Anniversary Edition remaster of In Flames' game-changing melodic death metal album Clayman . Eric, Evan and Dan reminisce about discovering the "Pinball Map" music video for the first time and they reflect on how one band from Gothenburg, Sweden, impacted the lives of three teenagers growing up in Des...

Welcome to yet another action-packed quarantine episode of Beats, Beards & Brews! This time the boys attempt to escape from the reality of the pandemic through the music of Vancouver-based power metal band Unleash the Archers . The album in question, Abyss , is full of fantasy lyrics, shredding guitars and soaring vocals. Seriously, Brittney Hayes (aka Brittney Slayes) is one of the better vocalis...

In the 90th episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, Eric and Dan do a deep dive on Deep Purple's 21st studio album Whoosh! OK, so Dan only listened through it once. But hey, he still has some deep thoughts on this legendary rock band's modern output. Deep Purple songs previewed during this episode include: Throw My Bones We're All the Same in the Dark The Power of the Moon Eric grabbed a bottle of Zeus...

In a very special artist tribute episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the boys dive into their picks for most underrated and enjoyable Iron Maiden albums of all time. Their selections are as follows: Killers (1981), Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), and Brave New World (2000). Iron Maiden songs previewed during this episode include: "Murders in the Rue Morgue" ( Killers ) "Can I Play With Madness"...

It's hard to believe we're already more than halfway through the dumpster fire of a year that is 2020 ... but hey, at least we got plenty of music to get us through the tough times! Rather than picking our favorite albums of 2020 so far, we decided to select three albums that we "missed" a chance to review on the podcast this year. Those albums include: Circles by Mac Miller (Evan's Pick) Healer b...

In the latest episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the boys tackle men's fashion during the quarantine, including one very iconic look. Dan, Evan and Eric then dive into a review of the third studio album by HAIM titled Women in Music Part III . The group consists of three sisters who blend pop, rock, and even some R&B into their hooks. HAIM songs previewed in this episode include: I Know Alone Don't...

Dan, Evan and Eric embrace the quarantine sadness, as they review singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers' second studio album Punisher . Eric thinks the 25-year-old's marketing is on-point. Evan is looking forward to the next album. Dan just really enjoys the music — but don't call him a punisher! Phoebe Bridgers songs previewed on this episode include: Kyoto Halloween Graceland Too Eric reviews The Be...

"There's a lot of uncomfortable white people in America right now." Dan and Eric review Run the Jewel's latest album RTJ4 and, inevitably, the discussion turns political. While the boys generally steer clear of politics on the pod, some needed conversation is had and the new RTJ album is a fitting soundtrack for the times. Run the Jewels songs previewed on this episode include: Walking in the Snow...

The boys are now 10 quarantine episodes deep. And more regular podcast recording means more wild card music reviews. This time, the gang dives into The 1975's fourth studio album Notes on a Conditional Form . The album is one hour and 20 minutes of spoken word, punk rock, pop rock, synth-pop, and more. The music is all over the place ... for better or worse. Eric decides to take a break from the b...

After Weezer and Bon Jovi both delayed the release of their new albums, Dan, Evan and Eric pivot to reviewing Reunions , the latest album from alt-country superstars Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit . Jason Isbell's thoughtful lyrics manage to connect with everyone. It must be the quarantine. Getting us all stirred up emotionally. For the beard portion of the podcast, Eric drops a review of Beardbran...

In this episode, Eric, Evan and Dan get political and debate whether 70s-inspired modern rock operas about white racist men changing their ways deserve a higher rating than a 2.0-2.5. The modern rock opera in question is titled American Love Story by Beats, Beards & Brews alum Butch Walker . One things for sure, 'ol Butch's guitar tones are absolutely on point on this album. Next, Dan gets even mo...

Blueberry beard oil! Blueberry beer! Blueberry facials for your dog! We've got it all in this action-packed episode of Beats, Beards & Brews. But first... Eric, Evan and Dan get "caught in a mosh" as they review Havok's thrashtastic fifth studio album V . All right, all right. Now on to the blueberries! For the beard portion of the episode, Eric tries out Dr. Wolf Blueberry Tobacco Beard Oil from...

In a very special episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, Eric and Dan review the long-awaited (for some) Danzig Sings Elvis cover album. Is this art? Dan isn't convinced. Listen to the episode for our Danzig deep thoughts and the usual "insightful" commentary. Danzig cover songs previewed in this episode include: First In Line Always On My Mind Fever During this episode Eric drinks and reviews Citra Ne...

Evan, Dan and Eric — three Midwest music-loving, beer-drinking everymen — step outside of their musical wheelhouses and review Fiona Apple's Fetch the Bolt Cutters . The album is controversial, in a way, because Pitchfork gave it a 10 out of 10 . Their reviews vary, but the boys all agree that this is art and everyone should listen to it. Pitchfork is still full of sh*t, though. Fiona Apple songs...

In the fourth quarantine episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the gang reviews The Strokes' sixth studio album The New Abnormal . The album channels the classic Strokes sound while also getting experimental. Eric's thoughts on the album might surprise you! The Strokes songs previewed in this episode include: Brooklyn Bridge To Chorus Bad Decisions Ode to the Mets Dan discusses his decision to shave t...

In quarantine episode número tres, the boys review Pearl Jam's eleventh studio album  Gigaton . As a longtime Pearl Jam listener, Dan drops some knowledge of the band's history and its sound. Do Eric and Evan get converted over to team Pearl Jam/Papa Vedder? The answer may surprise you. Tune in to find out! Pearl Jam songs previewed during this episode include: Dance of the Clairvoyants Superblood...

Another week of quarantine, another episode of Beats, Beards & Brews. This episode is dedicated to past podcast recordings lost. The gang reviews Folkesange by Myrkur aka Danish musician Amalie Bruun who sometimes performs black metal . Not death metal. However, this release is not metal at all. It's very folksy. Myrkur songs previewed during this episode include: Fager som en Ros Leaves of Yggdra...

Eric, Evan and Dan return to their mics to provide comfort in the strange new world we live in during the coronavirus outbreak . The boys share their COVID-19 stories, quarantine music picks and beard hygiene tips. They also review some local beers. Quarantine music picks (Eric and Dan): Aeromantic by The Night Flight Orchestra (Eric) A Sailor's Guide to Earth by Sturgill Simpson (Dan) Stranger in...

Here's a special "quick hitter" episode of Beats, Beards & Brews where Eric and Evan review a trio of craft beers they purchased to enjoy during Super Bowl LIV. Beers consumed include: Bell's Light Hearted Ale (Lo-Cal IPA) Dogfish Head's SeaQuench Ale Big Grove Brewery's Citra Triad The first two beers will keep you fresh during any major sports viewing party, while the latter option is coming in...

The Beats, Beards & Brews crew is back in 2020 with an episode recorded live at The Wobbly Tap in 2019. Better late than never!* *Episode release delayed by Eric this time. Sorry boys! Dan, Evan and Eric kick things off by picking their "favorite" albums of 2019. The albums featured on this episode include: The Dirty Nil - Master Volume (Deluxe Edition) [Dan's Pick] The National - I Am Easy to Fin...

Evan and Eric (minus Dan) present this special "holiday-themed" episode of Beats, Beards & Brews recorded live in Des Moines. The duo took some time after the Thanksgiving holiday to fully digest Cattle Decapitation's Death Atlas , an extreme metal concept album about climate change and the extinction of the human race due to its own inaction and poor choices. A conversation on "goblin vocals," bl...

It's November and that means a lot of dudes are growing out their mustaches and/or beards for a good cause. A select few are even attempting to give up drinking booze ahead of the holidays. In this action-packed episode of Beats, Beards & Brews, the gang reviews Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders' latest album Get the Money featuring an all-star cast of iconic rock 'n' rollers. Dan then shares...

Beats, Beards & Brews favorite Sturgill Simpson is back ... and this time he unleashes the Sound & Fury on unsuspecting listeners. Do the boys rate this one as highly as 2016's A Sailor's Guide to Earth ? Can Sturgill make Dan experience "pure delight" once more? Tune in to this thrilling podcast episode to find out! Beyond the music, it's time for another round of Sudsin' It Up With Eric and Dan...

It took Tool 13 years to release Fear Inoculum , so by comparison, Eric, Evan and Dan taking 3 months between episodes isn't so bad. Welcome to Episode No. 69 of Beats, Beards & Brews (nice). The gang first tackles Tool's new album where the non-interlude songs are all 10+ minutes in length. Epic prog or bloated nerd rock? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out. Next up, Eric talks about...

Eric, Evan and Dan return to their respective mics for some almost summertime fun with a review of Silversun Pickups' Widow's Weeds . Let's just say it's not quite "album of the summer." Dan and Eric test out Grave Before Shave's latest beard-softening product, its Beard Butter , which is not heatproof. It's also better for big, burly beards than it is for tender, trimmed beards. The Beats, Beards...