Honest & Unmerciful Record Review Podcast

Join Pete, Brian, and special guest reviewer Kevin Brown ("The Tom Petty Project") as they track the many stylistic changes on David Bowie's fourth LP, 1971's "Hunky Dory". Bowie at once honors his inspirations and looks toward his own future on an album that features a variety of styles. But with any break from the past and harbinger of what's to come in an artist's career, does the album hold up...

Join Pete and Brian as they explore U2's "Achtung Baby" (1991), a transformative, influential record with a surprising origin story. This album finds the band redefining their sound and taking huge steps from self-serious 80's rockers to changing the musical landscape of the 90's. Experimenting with new production approaches and attitudes, while still unmistakably U2, "Achtung Baby" garnered even...

Join Pete and Brian as they delve into the many layers of The Cure's landmark 1989 album, "Disintegration". Striving to create a work of lasting importance and sustaining a heavy mood, Robert Smith and co. recorded an album that reverberates with melancholia and melodies both grand and sparse.  An all-time classic or an emotionally-draining experience? Tune in to find out! Episode originally relea...

Join Pete and Brian as they dive deep into the churning sonic waters of XTC's 1980 album, "Black Sea". This record is brimming over with experimental sounds and lyrics, with XTC wearing the "New Wave" badge as well as referencing mid-60's British psychedelia, while sounding totally distinct and modern. Is the record a work of genius, challenging conventions of the time, or the album equivalent of...

Join Pete and Brian as they explore 1976's "A Trick of the Tail" album by Genesis, the band's first without Peter Gabriel on lead vocals, swapping in young drummer Phil Collins. While the loss of a distinct voice and visual identity could have ended the fledgling band, Genesis delivered a classic album full of progressive music, adventurous lyrics and a voice that began a new era of critical and p...

Join Pete and Brian as they tackle AC'DC's 1980 classic LP "Back in Black". One of the all-time best-selling albums, "Back in Black" found the hard-rocking Aussie band paying tribute to their departed vocalist, Bon Scott, and breaking in the pipes of new lead singer, Brian Johnson. Never backing away from hedonistic themes and heavy guitar licks, the album delivers huge singles mixed with some con...

Join Pete and Brian as they dig into Radiohead's lauded but challenging 2000 album, "Kid A". Coming off their acclaimed "OK Computer" record, anticipation for the next LP was high and the pressure was on to deliver. Radiohead responded with an album of sonic experiments and disparate influences that confounded many but also shaped their sound going forward. Is it a landmark masterpiece or a big me...

Join Pete and Brian as they revisit a true monolith of classic rock, The Who's 1971 album "Who's Next". We'll discuss how the album's tracks were born out of sessions for another ambitious concept LP/rock opera. A band of huge characters and musical talents, "Who's Next" collects some of their most famous and recognizable tunes, showcasing their style and stretching into new themes and techniques....

Can a band escape the dreaded "one-hit wonder" label and craft a career of consistency and critical acclaim by musical maturation and perseverance? That was Nada Surf's challenge with 2002's "Let Go", taking the independent route to establish their true identity beyond 1996's buzz-bin hit "Popular". Did they succeed in their efforts? Tune in as Pete and Brian offer their perspectives on this trans...

Join Pete and Brian for an honest, unmerciful analysis of 1997's "Whatever and Ever Amen" LP by Ben Folds Five.  This power trip (piano, bass and drums) rocked and walked the edge of 90's irony and sincerity with a lively mix of melody, melancholy and rage. Does that sound like a recipe for success or disaster? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 2 Sept 2021.

Pete and Brian share their honest, unmerciful insights on one of the defining albums of the 80's, Peter Gabriel's "So" from 1986. How does this record walk the line between Gabriel's unique artistic vision and major commercial success? How did he evolve in a way that led to huge pop hits while staying true to his experimental muse? Tune in to find out! Episode originally released 7 August 2021.

Join Pete and Brian as they dig into the monumental second Smashing Pumpkins record, 1993's "Siamese Dream". This record appeared as grunge was pushing into the mainstream, and the band was struggling internally and externally to make a different mark. Is it a colossal work of (Billy Corgan's) genius, or an overblown opus? Tune in to find out! Episode originally released 1 July 2021.

Join Pete and Brian as they explore a legendary, critically acclaimed album by Tom Petty, 1994's "Wildflowers". This "solo" LP, with major assists from Heartbreakers bandmates, documents the professional and deeply personal changes Petty was feeling at the time. We'll discuss how such changes impact the record's sounds and themes. So get ready to find yourself sonically somewhere you'll feel free!...

In this episode, Pete and Brian dive into the party that is Franz Ferdinand's eponymous debut album from 2004. Full of raw guitar swagger, disco beats, and ambiguous lyrics, we'll peel away the many layers of this electric, eclectic record. Come check it out with us! Episode originally released 28 May 2021.

Join Pete and Brian as they discuss the debut album by The Sundays, 1990's "Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic". This college rock/dream pop album launched a promising career, thanks to Harriet Wheeler's unmistakable vocals, David Gavurin's jangly guitar lines, and a set of literary, sometimes precious lyrics. But as sure as their star rose, The Sundays faded from view just a couple of records later...

Pete and Brian discuss a touchstone of New Wave, Elvis Costello & the Attractions' 1978 classic, "This Year's Model". What makes the record tick: a) a rock-solid rhythm section, b) catchy, omnipresent organ, c) clever wordplay, d) Costello's unmistakable voice, e) all of that, or f) that's too much! Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 12 April 2021.

Join Pete and Brian for a deep dive into Depeche Mode's 1993 album, "Songs of Faith and Devotion", a record that saw the synth-focused band intentionally update their sound amid the early 90's musical landscape. With emphasis on rock elements, live guitar and drums, and layers of interesting samples, the band also experimented with new non-electro genres, while maintaining their emotionally/spirit...

Join Pete and Brian for an Honest & Unmerciful assessment of R.E.M.'s 1985 LP "Fables of the Reconstruction:. Does the record provide an important transition for the band, or is it part of their natural progression in developing their signature sound? And what's going on with those lyrics?! Tune in to find out! Episode originally released 16 Mar 2021.

Pete and Brian explore Cat Stevens' 1970 album "Tea for the Tillerman" with its rich lyrics and fabled folk music stylings.  Is it "timeless" or "of a time" 50+ years ago?  Tune in to find out!  Originally released 22 Feb 2021.

This episode, Pete and Brian pass the mics to Skinny D and Jet Carlo to discuss Beastie Boys' 1994 genre-busting LP "Ill Communication".  Where do the B-Boys step up, and are there missteps among the tag-team raps, forays into funk-jazz improvs, or returns to their punk roots? Tune in to find out! Originally released 8 Feb. 2021.

Join Pete and Brian for an Honest and Unmerciful discussion of "Stop Making Sense" by Talking Heads. Widely regarded as one of the greatest live concert films, but how does the energy and creativity of this unique performance translate to the record? What does a live album represent or accomplish without its strong visual component and in the career of an extremely creative band?  Tune in to find...

Join Pete and Brian for an Honest and Unmerciful discussion of Death Cab for Cutie's 2003 conceptual, emotive breakthrough album, "Transatlanticism"! This record is all about the feels, introspective and clever lyrics, and explores themes of movement and distance, emotional and physical. But do earnest sentiments and pleasant alt-rock carry an album? And how does this move the band's career forwar...

Join Pete and Brian on this "secret journey" into The Police's 1981 classic transitional album, "Ghost in the Machine". Get ready for virtuoso guitars, inventive drumming, sturdy basslines and...synths! And horns, too! Explore the sound of a band approaching their creative and commercial peak, balancing atmospheric pop-rock with some reggae-lite sonic excursions. As always, our verdict will be hon...

Pete and Brian offer up diverse perspectives (um, disagreements?) on The Black Keys' 2004 lo-fi blues-rock classic album, "Rubber Factory". Is this a consistent, solid album exploring a variety of tones, or is it stuck in a muddy groove? We'll give our honest and unmerciful summaries of a selection of tracks and the album's overall legacy...don't miss it!

Pete and Brian dive into the fascinating samples and diverse influences that make up Beck's landmark 1996 album, "Odelay". Overrated? Underrated? Just right? Listen in as we weigh in on some classic tracks, deep cuts, and give our honest and unmerciful ratings in this, our debut episode! Originally released: 11 December 2020.