So So / Cool

Greetings fans! How have you been? You haven’t heard from us for a while because we’ve been in the lab preparing an exhaustive rundown of an entire genre! But now we’re back, coming in hot with a fresh new format: responding to a list we found on Reddit! In this memerific episode we’re talking about Indie rock of the aughts and addressing the quality and comprehensiveness of one person’s definitiv...

Okay fans, strap on your suspenders, throw back a mason jar full of moonshine, and get ready for some stomp-clapping, because this week we’re talking about Americana. More specifically, we’re listening to the bluegrass-adjacent 2010 album “Antifogmatic” by Punch Brothers. But while this record features classic bluegrass instrumentation, the band’s music stretches way beyond the genre, incorporatin...

This week we’re bringing you a pod to play to when you’re lonely, or in any other mood really, as we listen to John Frusciante’s 2004 album “Shadows Collide with People”. Matthew kicks things off by expressing a regret from his past. Then the guys play one their favorite games – “Is This Rock?” – as they discuss the eclectic combination of electronica, folk, and pop on the record. After some sober...

Tell me, am I right to think that there could be nothing better than listening to some dudes talking about the Postal Service? We hope so, because this week we’re breaking down the band’s one and only studie: "Give Up", from 2003. In this ep, which was definitely recorded today, March 2, our hosts debate the significance of this seminal record and elder Millennial cultural touchstone. We also toss...

Alright all you Gravemakers and Gunslingers, this week we’re running free as we listen to Coheed and Cambria’s 4th studie, "No World for Tomorrow". Our trio of hosts try to pin down exactly what genre this album fits into. Is it prog? Is it hair metal? Is it cock rock? Listen along as Joe explains why this album reminds him of Ted Nugent kicking down doors, Brandon talks about “scratching an itch”...

Put your hands on the wheel, and let the weight of the world drift away, because this week we discuss Beck's 2002 album “Sea Change”. This record, a major departure from Beck’s previous work, features sparse and expressive songwriting juxtaposed with dreamlike string arrangements and production flourishes. The songs explore feelings of heartbreak, desolation, and solitude, creating a palpable sens...

I heard there was a secret pod, that a few fans played while they took a jog. But you don’t really care for music podcasts, do you? Well, then check out the Daily or something because this week we’re talking about Jeff Buckley (or is it Buck Jeffley?), and his 1994 album “Grace”. This is Buckley’s only studio album released by during his life, and it has become a seminal pop record over the last c...

Every fan gather round now, while the So So / Cool Five sings you a song. Well… actually we’re not singing, so much as bringing you another episode of selfless, cold, and composed musical analysis. And this week we’re talking about Ben Folds Five’s sophomore 1997 album “Whatever and Ever Amen.” This record was in heavy rotation for all of us in our happy high school days, so join us to see which p...

Can you hear them? The helicopters? Well we’re sorry! We don’t have a professional podcast studio yet. At least we aren’t sitting in silence because for the second time in the last few weeks, Matthew talks us through an artist and album we were not super familiar with. This time, it’s PJ Harvey and her 2000 album, “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.”  Join us as we share our initial impr...

We are gathered here today in the majestic halls of old to honor an album called “Frizzle Fry.” That’s right fans, despite being plagued by insecurity, and having minds numbed by too many puppies, our overaged hosts will attempt to analyze Primus’ 1990 debut studio album. We dig into a band that truly defies the laws of tradition in their sound and approach, and yet still managed to become shockin...

We are doing this on purpose, but we hope we’re not making a mistake by dedicating this week’s episode to Fiona Apple’s 1999 album, “When the Pawn …”. While this album is relatively new to two of our hosts, we’re doing way more than scratching the surface—analyzing Apple’s unique songwriting and vocal style, and the innovative production and instrumentation of her sophomore record. Then join us as...

Happy new year fans! This year, the So So / Cool saga continues with more candy for your ears. We’re dropping our first episode of 2023 on Jan. 5 about J5 (see what we did there?). That’s Jurassic 5, if you’re not a Rhodes Scholar for the dollar. Specifically, we’re discussing their 2002 album “Power in Numbers.” Join us as we unlock the alpha and omega code of J5’s versatile rhymes, the distinct...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! To get in the spirit, we’re striking the harp, joining the chorus, and donning our gay apparel, but unfortunately our blazing yule was turned off prematurely by a grumpy podcast Grinch. In this very special Holiday episode, we’re getting festive, talking about our favorite seasonal tunes, some of our guilty pleasures, and a few of those songs we may have h...

Fans, nobody loves us, not like you do. That’s why this week we’re putting you all on a pedestal, for it's such lovely day to have to always feel this way about Portishead’s 1994 debut album, “Dummy.” In this episode, we talk about the origins of, and Portishead’s place in, the popular 90s genre, trip hop, and we try to nail down when we all actually heard of this band. Then join us as we listen t...

Jump in your blood-red Blade Razoredster, activate the SECRET TIRES, and throw on your patent leather sweater vest because we got an episode that is packed with monster dance party-worthy jams! You won’t need Ritalin-kid-like focus this week as we bring you the second half of our conversation with Gavin and Brendan of Grüvis Malt – this time listening to and discussing their final album “Maximum U...

It’s no use to fight The Blaze, fans… This week’s episode is gonna drive you wild, but hopefully you don't lose your wallets. Join us for Side A of The Maximum Conversation with Gavoon Castleteen and Brondin Beal – founding members of the band Grüvis Malt. Wait wait, sorry, that's Gavin Castleton and Brendan Bell. We'll get it right eventually. You may remember our in-depth discussion on the Grüvi...

Hey all you hepcats, this week we’re listening to Squirrel Nut Zippers’ 1996 album, "Hot". Join us as we talk about that unusual period of the 1990s—when a significant chunk of America was enamored with zoot suits and lindy-hop—and how Squirrel Nut Zippers sort of did and sort of did not fit into that cultural moment. Then we discuss the eclectic mix of genres and skillful performances on the albu...

Do you smell something? You know what that reminds me of? That smells like… a fresh pod ep! This week we’re talking Pittsburgh-based rap duo Grand Buffet and their 2005 compilation, "Five Years of Fireworks". Please don’t bust our chops after hearing us breakdown the virtuosic, syncopated rhymes of Grape-A-Don (aka Nate Kukla) and the lo-fi, Casio-inspired beats of Lord Grunge (aka Matt Kukla). We...

Hey fans! How we doin', fans? It’s been a while, fans. Life's so rad. But here we are, back from our digital garages to bring you a brand-new season of fresh content and lukewarm takes! This podcast's my favorite, don't you love em? We’re so glad we’re all back together and stuff. It's gonna be the best. Yeah. Aw man, you wanna break out your horn-rimmed glasses and put on your favorite sweater? A...

Mic check, one two, one two. Yeah, we're coming back with another bomb cast this week with Rage Against the Machine's self-titled 1992 classic. This band was a pretty big part of our early formative years, as evidenced by our vivid memories of rocking out with broom handle guitars, air drums, and screaming the lyrics of "Bullet In the Head" maybe a little too loudly—at least for Joe's dad. Join us...

Put on your baby blue polos and pop those collars cause this week we're talking about bro pop icon, Elliott Smith, and his 1998 classic "Xo". Wait scratch that, we got that wrong. Let's start over… Powder your wigs and dust off your petticoats cause this week we're talking Baroque pop. Or is it broke pop? Better play it safe and dump out your wallets, too. Well, whatever pop genre it is, it's a de...

Thanks for the Christmas card! We might not want to hear about your new job or about your swinging new place, but we definitely do want to hear and discuss Everclear’s 1997 smash hit, “So Much For the Afterglow”. This week, we are joined by trans poet, multimedia artist and our old friend Patty Gone, who might just be Everclear’s fan zero. Will we figure out what song features toy piano? Will we r...

Hey You, this week we’re walking into spiderwebs and munchin' on some old decoy cheese while we discuss No Doubt’s 1995 smash hit "Tragic Kingdom". Brandon gets in touch with his ‘90s ska kid roots, Matthew has some thoughts about the drumming and Joe draws distinct lines between disco and funk. After you hear our critiques, you may think “Excuse me mr, you’ve got things all wrong.” But ya know, w...

This week we are coming down from the upper atmosphere and tethering ourselves closer to the earth with the seminal 1973 Herbie Hancock album, "Headhunters". If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz-funk, this episode is for you! Join us as we try to figure out how many arms Herbie Hancock has (definitely more than two) and reminisce about the good ole...

This week we're surfin' the waves of funhouse mirrors and air-conditioned nightmares with the sounds of Mr. Bungle's 1999 album, "California”. Get ready for some spritely genre shapeshifting that’ll surely keep you on your toes. But be careful—it just might rot your brain like a catchy tune. At least it sure did for us. How else could you explain Matthew believing that Terry Gilliam directed the i...