The Tower Record

Taking a break from the holiday break, Sarah takes the Zoom on a walk in Green-Wood Cemetery, reflecting on a few of the ways the grounds have intersected with the events of September 11, and American history at large. Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Recorded January 5, 2026 in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn. 

In a five-part series, The Tower Record discusses the life and career of the 107th mayor of New York City — America's Mayor — Rudy Giuliani. In this final episode: Failed ambitions and the deal with the Devil. Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Recorded December 7, 2025 in South Slope, Brooklyn. V'entrar con voi pur ora, ed i miei sogni usati e i bei sogni miei,...

In a five-part series, The Tower Record discusses the life and career of the 107th mayor of New York City — America's Mayor — Rudy Giuliani. In this episode: Rudy's grip on the city weakens as his second term slouches to a close. His future feels unknowable — until the attacks of September 11 recast him as one of the most honored, trusted figures in the entire world. Content warning: this episode...

In a five-part series, The Tower Record discusses the life and career of the 107th mayor of New York City — America's Mayor — Rudy Giuliani. In this episode: Leveraging the fulcrums of crime and racial anxiety, Rudy campaigns and triumphs in his quest for elected office. But who will bear the cost to realize his vision of a safe, right, and well-behaved city? Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  h...

In a five-part series, The Tower Record discusses the life and career of the 107th mayor of New York City — America's Mayor — Rudy Giuliani. In this episode: It's not what you know, it's who you know – and who you will let transform you. From New York to Washington to Miami and back again, Rudy meets the friends and foes who will make him one of the most famous U.S. Attorneys in the history of the...

In a five-part series, The Tower Record discusses the life and career of the 107th mayor of New York City — America's Mayor — Rudy Giuliani. In this episode: Born from recent immigrants, a family breaks two ways — one to the fringes of the New York Mafia, one towards the doorstep of the nation's halls of power. Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Recorded December...

Rise a knight! Not too long after the movie's 20th anniversary, The Tower Record discusses one of their favorite movies — Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut). Ignored in theaters, and butchered by its theatrical presentation, its restored version has endured as one of the most remarkable films of the immediate post-9/11 era. Here's why. Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://li...

After the traumatic events of September 11, 2001, The Tower Record goes to the movies for a respite, finding the end of an era is happening in more ways than one. Movies discussed: Hardball, The Glass House, The Musketeer, Two Can Play That Game, The Others, Rush Hour 2, Jeepers Creepers, American Pie 2, Rat Race, and Rock Star. Follow along with the findings:  https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weeken...

Amid threats to go and reclaim it, Kevin and Sarah discuss the by turns embarrasing, enraging, absurd and dark world of American-occupied Bagram Airfield in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan.  Follow The Tower Record everywhere: https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Music by Rrrrrose Azerty. Recorded November 13, 2025 in Astoria, Queens.

In honor of the release of the new Arcadia Archive Edition from Temporary Residence Records, Kevin and Sarah discuss the pre-and-post-9/11 origin story of one of the most remarkable works of experimental music ever made: The Disintegration Loops, by William Basinski.  Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Check out the album here:  https://www.temporaryresidence.com...

In a spooOooky Halloween episode of The Tower Record, Kevin, Sarah, and Amelia discuss the purported case of a purported boy who purportedly came to realize that he is the purported reincarnation of a victim of the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. Could it be true? Could it be... not? Amelia makes the case, Kevin listens considerately, and Sarah goes off. Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  ht...

Kevin and Sarah discuss – and with sources, dismantle – the state-scripted story of the capture and rescue of Private First Class Jessica Lynch during the invasion of Iraq. A manipulation of one woman's trauma to advance the cause of an unjust war, it is one of the most laser-focused and uniquely cruel pieces of propaganda in the Global War on Terror, and modern American history. This episode cont...

Kevin and Sarah discuss the music, alternate reality game, and cultural context of the 2007 Nine Inch Nails album Year Zero, aka Halo 24. Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Recorded September 7, 2025 in Astoria, Queens.

Kevin and Sarah take The Tower Record on the road with the podcast's first live show, which they spend mostly discussing... the podcast's first live show! (And its organizers.) Follow The Tower Record everywhere:  https://linktr.ee/thetowerrecord Intro music by Gareeth Beats. Outro music by Rrrrrose Azerty. Recorded October 7, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The story of United Airlines Flight 93 continues. In this episode, Kevin and Sarah discuss the unknown parts and loose ends of the Flight 93 narrative, address the oft-repeated "shootdown theory," discuss the crash site near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the FBI's revelation of the flight's cockpit voice recording, which recorded audio of the hijacking and rebellion, to the families and friends o...

Kevin and Sarah discuss one of the four critical events of September 11, 2001 — the hijacking, passenger revolt, and downing of United Airlines Flight 93. Part 1 of 2. Music by Rrrrrose Azerty. Recorded September 25, 2025 in South Slope, Brooklyn.

Kevin and Sarah intellectually rock the f*ck out to one of Kevin's all-time favorite albums, and a new experience for Sarah: "Toxicity" by System of a Down. Also: a discussion of the very memorable SOAD/Korn concert they attended at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. So blast off — it's party time — and we don't live in a fascist nation ;) Recorded September 7, 2025 in Astoria, Queens.

Kevin and Sarah discuss and reflect upon post-9/11 politics, history and culture writ large, from the shallow end to the briny deep. 22 amazing episodes, 24 amazing years, with many more to go, Lord willin'.  Thank you for listening. We love you. Music by Rrrrrose Azerty. Recorded September 11, 2025 in Astoria, Queens.

Kevin and Sarah discuss the campy, seminal, superhero slugfest "Spider-Man," which healed America, and most importantly New York, in the summer after 9/11. Recorded August 17, 2025, in South Slope, Brooklyn.

Kevin and Sarah discuss the second "Rock Against Bush" compilation, the political project/punk rock album from Fat Wreck Chords released in August 2004. Recorded August 17, 2025 in South Slope, Brooklyn.

Kevin and Sarah go back 23 years, 11 months, and 6 days to talk about the surreal first seconds, minutes, and hours of 9/11, specifically from the perspective of live broadcast news on that day.  Music by Rrrrrose Azerty. Recorded August 17, 2025 in South Slope, Brooklyn.  

Kevin and Sarah discuss "The Falling Man," the haunting, historic photograph by photojournalist Richard Drew, taken 9:41:15, 9/11/01. Music by Rrrrrose Azerty. Recorded August 12, 2025 in Astoria, Queens.      

Kevin and Sarah discuss the barely coherent, very not good, made for TV biopic of New York City Mayor Rudolph "Rudy" Giuliani, released in 2003, starring James Woods. They also thoroughly discuss the rather quite good book by journalist Wayne Barrett on which the film is very loosely based, as well as Kevin's memories of growing up in the vicinity of Rudy's NYC, up to and including the events of S...

Nested within an American history of routine, careless mistreatment of workers and the dispossessed, Kevin and Sarah discuss the chronic health problems faced by the first responders, victims, and survivors of 9/11. Exposed to dangerous conditions at the crime scene and during disaster cleanup, these volunteers, workers, and people in proximity to contaminated zones contracted illnesses which set...

On December 22, 2001, the worst aviation-related terrorist attack in world history almost got a little brother. And that little brother was way more sophisticated than the media may have led you to believe. With a recreated timeline and contemporary reporting as to-the-minute and accurate as we could make it, Kevin and Sarah are proud to bring you the true story of the attempted "shoe bomber," Ric...