Mixtape Hotline: Alternative Rock History

The boys discuss the melodic genius of Sheryl Crow's third studio LP, album artists versus single artists, and Steve's budding bromance with Frank Stallone. 

On this New Signals segment of the Mixtape Hotline, Steve gets driven to madness over the popularity of Geese while Nick tries to talk him off the ledge by subliminally promising him Taylor Swift vinyl. 

The Mixtape Hotline is introducing a segment called NEW SIGNALS, where we step outside of our 90s focused purview and look to analyze more modern bands.  On this episode we discuss the enigmatic Angine De Poitirine and how their microtonal grooves have carved out a new and surprising place in our current moment. 

Actor, writer, musician, and social media personality Jacob Givens joins the Mixtape Hotline to discuss his favorite album of all time: Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins. We trace the band's rise from the Chicago underground through the creation of one of the defining albums of the 1990s. Along the way, we examine the relentless pursuit of perfection that shaped the record, the internal tensi...

For the 11th episode of Mixtape Hotline, we dive into Radiohead and the turbulent period surrounding The Bends. After the unexpected explosion of "Creep," the band found themselves trapped beneath the weight of a massive radio hit they were already beginning to resent. We explore the pressure, uncertainty, and identity crisis that surrounded the making of The Bends, and how that tension ultimately...

In this episode of Mixtape Hotline, we explore the first three albums from Hole and the turbulent, polarizing career of frontwoman Courtney Love. From the abrasive chaos of Pretty on the Inside to the emotional intensity of Live Through This and the glossy evolution of Celebrity Skin, we trace the band's transformation across the 1990s and examine how Hole carved out a unique place in alternative...

In this episode of Mixtape Hotline, we dive into the haunting debut album from Sparklehorse and explore the troubled creative world of Mark Linkous. We discuss the personal struggles, isolation, and emotional fractures that shaped the music, and how those experiences transformed into something strangely beautiful and deeply human. From lo-fi experimentation to heartbreaking songwriting, Sparklehor...

In this episode of Mixtape Hotline, we go back to the beginning with Bleach — the raw, heavy, and uncompromising debut from Nirvana. Before Nevermind changed everything, Bleach was born out of a specific moment in the mid-80s Seattle underground. We explore the musical climate that shaped the band, from the influence of Green River and other early scene pioneers, to the bands that defined the envi...

In this special April Fools episode of Mixtape Hotline, we dive into one of the most legendary comedy bits in music culture: Scharpling & Wurster's 1999 episode "Rock, Rot & Rule." We break down the original segment — a chaotic and hilarious debate format that forces artists into three categories: rock, rot, or rule. What starts as absurd comedy quickly reveals something deeper about how people ar...

In this episode of Mixtape Hotline, we take a deep dive into Wildflowers — a defining solo statement from Tom Petty and one of the most beloved albums of the 1990s. We explore how Wildflowers marked a turning point in Petty's career — stepping away from the Heartbreakers' full-band sound to create something more personal, introspective, and free. From its stripped-down production to its emotional...

In this episode of Mixtape Hotline, we dive deep into Grace — the only studio album released during the lifetime of Jeff Buckley, and one of the most hauntingly beautiful records ever made. We explore Buckley's meteoric rise, his almost supernatural vocal ability, and the vast range of influences that shaped his sound — from classic rock and jazz to folk, punk, and beyond. The conversation traces...

In Episode 4 of Mixtape Hotline, we dive into XO, the 1998 album from Elliott Smith that marked a turning point in his career. Moving beyond the stripped-down intimacy of his earlier recordings, XO introduced fuller arrangements, richer production, and some of the most emotionally layered songwriting of his catalog. In this episode we discuss the songs on the album, the tone and atmosphere that ru...

In Episode 3 of Mixtape Hotline, we take a deep dive into the evolution of Soundgarden, one of the most musically ambitious bands to emerge from the Seattle grunge scene. Focusing on the albums Superunknown and Down on the Upside, we explore how the band expanded beyond their heavy roots to create some of the most complex and adventurous music of the 90s alternative era. Along the way we examine t...

In Episode 2 of Mixtape Hotline, we explore the legendary soundtrack to Cameron Crowe's 1992 film Singles — a record that captured the exact moment the Seattle grunge scene was about to explode into the mainstream. Featuring music from some of the most important bands of the era, the soundtrack serves as a time capsule of early 90s alternative rock. We break down the artists involved, the cultural...

In the debut episode of Mixtape Hotline, we dive into one of the most fascinating documents in alternative rock history: Kurt Cobain's handwritten list of his 50 favorite albums. This list reveals the underground punk, indie, and noise rock records that shaped Cobain's musical identity and ultimately influenced the sound of Nirvana and the entire 90s alternative explosion. From obscure punk classi...