The No Judgment Zone

The No Judgement Zone is here with special guest Evan Meindl, a dear friend and a facet of the Pittsburgh music scene. Evan walks us through Jimmy Eat World’s extensive discography as we chat about one of the biggest songs of our generation, “The Middle”.  From their first album in 1994 to 2022’s latest single, The No Judgment Zone is eager to find some clarity on the storied career of Jimmy Eat W...

Today in The No Judgment Zone, we’re stomping away to 2012’s smash hit, “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers. Four albums later, The Lumineers seem to have a solid fan base of barefoot stompers. How exactly did these New Jersey acoustic rockers become the embodiment of suspender-wearing folk rock? Listen to the episode to find out! Links from this episode: “Ho Hey” music video: https://youtu.be/zvCBSSwgtg4 “...

This week, The NJZ is taking a closer look at San Francisco rockers 4 Non Blondes. Their 1992 hit “What’s Up?” has amassed enormous success, so we were surprised to learn that the song came from their one and only album. Will we enjoy the album? Do we still enjoy the song? Did we ever really enjoy this smash hit? Listen to find out! Links from this episode: “What’s Up?” music video: https://youtu....

In today’s episode, we’re going down under to discuss Savage Garden’s 1997 hit “Truly Madly Deeply”. Despite the popularity of the song, and the success of other Savage Garden tracks, this pop duo’s run was short-lived. Listen to learn how Savage Garden came together, fell apart, and left us with a quintessentially 90s legacy. Links from this episode: Puma commercial: https://youtu.be/ruAF71UVMTc...

Today in The No Judgment Zone, Buffalo-natives (Buffalonians, as we’ll learn) the Goo Goo Dolls are taking center stage. This stop on the queue takes us to 1998’s “Slide” but leaves us wanting and loving a whole lot more Goo. Listen to learn about the Goo Goo Dolls’ unexpected roots as we discuss one of queue’s most anticipated and beloved songs. Links from this episode: “Slide” music video: https...

In today’s episode of The No Judgment Zone, we uncover the unexpected (and pretty dark) story behind t. A.T.u.’s pop mega hit “All the Things She Said”. From its origin to its status today, “All the Things She Said” has been steeped in controversy since its 2002 release. Was it worth it? Is it good? Listen to find out! Links from this episode: “All the Things She Said” music video: https://youtu.b...

Did you know that Eagle-Eye Cherry is the name of a person, not a band? Neither did we! In today’s episode, The No Judgment Zone is unpacking a 1998 one hit wonder. Will tonight be worth saving? Listen to find out! Links from this episode: “Save Tonight” music video: https://youtu.be/Nntd2fgMUYw “When Mermaids Cry” music video: https://youtu.be/DuFW9v8Wv5Y “I Like It” music video: https://youtu.be...

The No Judgment Zone is back with a true lyrical treat, “Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for Me)” by Blessid Union of Souls. Packed with nonsensical pop culture references and outlandish comparisons, “Hey Leonardo” is a delightful blast from the past that will make your head spin - and the trajectory of this band’s career will keep it spinning! Links from this episode: “Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me for M...

Happy holidays, listeners! As a little holiday treat, The No Judgment Zone is bringing you its very first movie review and discussing 1998’s Jack Frost. Jack Frost (played by Michael Keaton) takes his family on a very snowy and unexpected Christmas journey that leaves us with A LOT of questions. We might even run into some old NJZ characters along the way. Pour yourself a glass of eggnog and join...

For Episode 15 of The No Judgment Zone, we’re shaking things up and reviewing not just a song, but an entire album! And this isn’t just any album - it’s 2006’s DOUBLE album, Stadium Arcadium. Coming in at over two hours with 28 tracks, there is plenty to unpack (and question). To help us wrap our heads around all that is Stadium Arcadium, we pulled in everyone’s favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers expe...

In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into everything Dave. The Dave Matthews band has its own community and sub-culture, a following unlike any other artist we’ve covered so far on The NJZ. With special guest Eric Bennett of the Endless Scroll Podcast, we find out if we have what it takes to call ourselves true “Davers.”     Links from this episode: “Crash Into Me” music video: https://youtu....

In today’s episode, we’re hanging on to another moment with the Christian rock scene and discussing Lifehouse. How did some Los Angeles-based teenagers manage to crank out the most played song of 2001? A lot of faith and a couple of divorced parents might do the trick. Listen to learn more about Lifehouse’s catapult to mainstream and Christian stardom. Links from this episode: “Hanging By A Moment...

The No Judgment Zone is BACK! In this episode, we’re excited to take our first official foray into the singer-songwriter genre with 1994’s “Stay (I Missed You)” by Lisa Loeb (and Nine Stories - more on them later). We’re discussing the independent hit’s unexpected journey to the top of the charts and diving into the wonderfully wacky world of Lisa Loeb herself. Links from this episode: “Stay (I Mi...

In Episode 11 of The No Judgment Zone, we’re talking about Hollywood, California rockers Concrete Blonde. We all know the song “Joey”, but today we’re taking a closer look at a macabre world full of vampires, snakes, and even an unexpected appearance from Jim Jones. But does the novelty really stick? Are Johnette Napolitano’s soaring vocals enough to carry the songs? Enter The No Judgment Zone to...

Episode 10 is full of firsts for The No Judgment Zone! We feature our very first guest, friend and fellow podcaster Phil Kenbok, and record together in person for the very first time. Apologies in advance for some sound inconsistencies - we’ll get there (shouts out to Dino for all of his talent and support). We also cover our first artist north of the border. In this episode, we discuss how Canadi...

“She calls me from the cold...” Today’s episode is one we’ve been eager to record from the very beginning. Fuel takes us on a surprising journey filled with questionable lyrics, killer riffs, and some seriously cringey Facebook feuding. Enter The No Judgment Zone to find out how these Harrisburg, PA rockers fueled the very beginning of this podcast and to learn where we stand today. Links from thi...

This episode, we’re back at it with another Christian band - P.O.D. Falling somewhere on the strange spectrum that is nu metal, P.O.D. takes Christian themes to a whole new level. Does P.O.D. make us feel Alive or simply fall flat? Enter The No Judgment Zone to find out! Links from this episode: “Boom” music video: https://youtu.be/lYHA_7vxrgc “Alive” music video: https://youtu.be/ce2KN06dS7c “You...

The success of Christian indie-rockers, The Fray, definitely goes over our heads. In this episode, we’ll be touching on a family feud that churned out one of the biggest hits of our generation and discussing the iconic resurgence of music promotion through television. Are The Fray rock saviors or just self-righteous? Enter The No Judgment Zone to find out! Links from this episode: “Over My Head (C...

In this episode, we’re covering Seattle-based Harvey Danger, a group of zine-publishing indie-rockers who found themselves (very) unexpectedly at the top with their hit “Flagpole Sitta”. Harvey Danger gives The NJZ its first taste of a one hit wonder, a little history lesson, and our first big disagreement. Enter The NJZ to see where we stand with this stop on the queue! Links from this episode: “...

Today we’re discussing a band that might be able to transcend genres and generations. Motion City Soundtrack will take you back to a place you didn’t know you needed to revisit. But is what Motion City Soundtrack has to offer authentic? Enter The NJZ to find out! Links from this episode: “The Future Freaks Me Out” music video: https://youtu.be/i_nT6ojWzxo “Everything Is Alright” music video: https...

Today we’re going to be talking about Bush, a band once deemed “one of the most successful and shameless mimics of Nirvana’s music.” Did London’s Bush come at the right or wrong time for America? Does their work contain the last commercially successful grunge record, or perhaps the first foray into post-grunge? Enter The No Judgment Zone to see what we think about that - and about Gavin Rossdale’s...

Today we’re discussing Waldorf, Maryland’s most rich & famous identical twins, Benji and Joel Madden. “The Anthem” by Good Charlotte might feel like it resonates with you, but what happens when you take a look below the surface? Can these self-described “punk rockers” stay true to their roots while surrounding themselves with some of Hollywood’s very most elite? Enter The No Judgment Zone to find...

In this episode, we’re talking about the song that was truly “Everywhere” in the early 2000s. While we knew we had a hit on our hands, we didn’t all quite know what we we’d be getting into with the career of Arizonan superstar Michelle Branch. It’s already stuck in your head, so you might as well enter The Spirit Room... and The No Judgment Zone! Links from this episode: “Everywhere” music video:...

In our first episode, we’re talking about late 90s hit “One Headlight” by The Wallflowers, headed by none other than Jakob Dylan (yes, it’s spelled with a “K” and yes, he is Bob Dylan’s son). Are The Wallflowers just the product of an industry plant, or the result of a true roots-rock prodigy? Is there something to like about them either way? Enter The No Judgment Zone to find out! Links from this...