The Vinyl Curriculum

It's a family affair on this special edition of Vinyl Curriculum ! Logan welcomes his dad, Mike , to the podcast for an episode built around a playlist of songs tied to concerts he's attended throughout his life...or has he? As Logan and Jim put Mike's concert memories to the test, they swap stories, revisit legendary artists, and uncover a few surprises along the way. Can Mike remembe...

This week on Vinyl Curriculum, Logan and Jim head down the back roads to explore the world of Alternative Country. Blending the storytelling roots of traditional country with the grit and attitude of rock, Alt Country has carved out its own unique place in American music. From pioneering artists and influential albums to modern favorites, the guys discuss what separates Alt Country from mainstream...

On this episode of Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim explore The Great American Songbook —the collection of timeless standards that helped shape American music for generations. From legendary songwriters and unforgettable melodies to the iconic performers who brought these classics to life, the guys discuss what defines the Songbook and why its influence can still be heard across popular music toda...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim step outside the traditional playlist and into the world of musical theater, diving into Dear Evan Hansen. Joined by special guest John, the guys break down the music, themes, and emotional impact of the show after all three experienced it live at Paramount Theatre. From powerful ballads to the way the story connects through its soundtrack, the con...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim explore what happens when artists step out on their own. Joined by special guest George, the class takes a look at musicians who made the leap from band life to solo success—whether by choice, circumstance, or creative difference. From bold reinventions to familiar sounds with a new voice, the group breaks down what it really means to “go solo.” Wh...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim crank the volume and head back to the 1970s for a deep dive into hard rock. Joining the class is special guest Mackenzie, bringing fresh perspective to an era defined by heavy riffs, powerhouse vocals, and larger-than-life energy. From arena anthems to guitar-driven classics, the group breaks down what makes 70s hard rock so timeless—and which trac...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim turn the clock back to the era of flannel, distortion pedals, and some of the most iconic alternative music of the 1990s. Joining the class is special guest Reid, one of Logan’s longtime friends—and a certified Blink-182 superfan. The trio dives into the sound that defined a generation, from grunge influences to the pop-punk explosion that helped b...

This week on Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim take a trip back to the 1970s to explore the world of folk music — acoustic guitars, thoughtful lyrics, and the artists who helped define the era. Joining the conversation is special guest Kevin, who helps guide the discussion through some of the standout sounds of the decade. But not everyone in the room is fully on board… Logan quickly makes it known...

This week on Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim turn the lights down and the volume up for Episode 25: “The Club.” We’re stepping into the world of club dance music — the beats, the drops, the anthems that fill the floor and keep it moving all night long. Joining the guys is special guest Grace — Jim’s daughter — bringing a fresh perspective (and probably better dance instincts) to the mix. From cer...

This week on Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim drop the needle on Empty Glass and break down one of rock’s most personal and powerful solo albums. From raw lyricism to bold production choices, they explore what makes this record stand out and how it reflects a turning point artistically and emotionally. Joining the conversation is special guest reviewer Jenna, who brings her own perspective, favori...

Season 2 of Vinyl Curriculum kicks off with a new sound and a new voice 🎶 Logan and Jim dive into the world of New Wave , breaking down the synths, style, and swagger that defined an era. And for the first time ever, the show welcomes a special guest — Jim’s son, Trey — bringing a fresh perspective to the conversation. From iconic bands to underrated tracks, the guys explore what makes New Wave d...

It’s the Vinyl Curriculum year wrap-up 🎶 Logan and Jim look back on the highs and lows of the year in music, revisiting some of their favorite songs, cringing at a few of the worst picks, and breaking down their music app wraps to see what they actually listened to all year long. From surprising standouts to questionable skips, this episode puts a bow on the year and sets the tone for what’s next...

It’s the Vinyl Curriculum year wrap-up 🎶 Logan and Jim look back on the highs and lows of the year in music, revisiting some of their favorite songs, cringing at a few of the worst picks, and breaking down their music app wraps to see what they actually listened to all year long. From surprising standouts to questionable skips, this episode puts a bow on the year and sets the tone for what’s next...

Vinyl Curriculum celebrates the season with its first-ever Holiday Special. In this episode, Logan and Jim step away from the usual artist-focused format and review some of Jim’s favorite holiday songs, breaking down the music, memories, and meaning behind each track. From timeless Christmas classics to personal favorites, it’s a festive conversation filled with nostalgia, vinyl, and holiday spiri...

Season 1 wraps up with a full tank of soul and a dash of chaos! 🚗💨 Logan gets a second shot at picking the tunes—this time, the Blues Brothers soundtrack—while Jim grabs the clipboard to do the grading. Will Logan redeem himself, or crash and burn in a cloud of rhythm and blues? 🎷 Want to listen to the playlist? ⁠Spotify Playlist⁠ ⁠Apple Music Playlist⁠ ⁠⁠Vinyl Curriculum Website

Episode 19 of The Vinyl Curriculum dives into U2’s The Unforgettable Fire. Jim insists it’s a masterpiece; Logan’s just hoping to stay awake till the last track. 🔥 Will he finally appreciate a full album? Tune in and find out! Want to listen to the playlist? Spotify Playlist Apple Music Playlist ⁠Vinyl Curriculum Website #U2 #UnforgettableFire #TheVinylCurriculum #80sRock #MusicPodcast #VinylComm...

In this week’s episode of The Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim take a deep dive into Billy Joel’s iconic album Piano Man . From the heartfelt storytelling of the title track to the vivid characters scattered throughout the record, Jim passionately breaks down Joel’s genius — while Logan, as usual, keeps his trademark poker face. His lack of emotion drives Jim up the wall as he tries to get Logan t...

In this episode of The Vinyl Curriculum , Jim and Logan switch things up with a full-album experience. Jim plays Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf from start to finish, guiding Logan through one of rock’s most iconic and theatrical records. From epic ballads to explosive anthems, the duo dives into the stories, sound, and legacy of this larger-than-life masterpiece. Tune in as they try something new—li...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , Logan and Jim spin back to the early 1990s — a transformative era when alternative rock broke through the mainstream and redefined the sound of a generation. From the gritty Seattle grunge scene to jangly college radio hits and boundary-pushing indie acts, we trace how bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and The Smashing Pumpkins shaped music history and infl...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , Jim and Logan take center stage as they explore the magic, music, and storytelling of Broadway . From timeless classics to modern hits, the duo dives into what makes show tunes so powerful—how they blend character, emotion, and spectacle into unforgettable performances. They discuss the evolution of musical theatre, highlight iconic composers, and share how Broa...

This week, Logan and Jim dive into the world of collaboration in music. From legendary duets and powerhouse supergroups to behind-the-scenes partnerships that shaped entire genres, the guys break down how working together has sparked creativity and changed the course of music history. Expect stories, laughs, and of course, tracks that highlight the magic of two (or more) voices, minds, and sounds...

🎙️ In this week’s episode of The Vinyl Curriculum , Jim and Logan are joined by special guest Harold McCay, a true connoisseur of 1960s folk music. Together, the guys dive into a hand-picked Late 60s folk playlist, unpacking the stories behind the songs, the cultural movements that shaped the era, and the lasting influence of folk on today’s music. Harold brings his deep knowledge and passion for...

This week on the Vinyl Curriculum Podcast , we’re digging into the world of cover songs—the art of taking someone else’s music and making it your own. Logan and Jim break down some of the most iconic covers in music history, from reinventions that became bigger than the originals to bold takes that divided fans. Along the way, they’ll explore why certain covers work, how artists put their own stam...

The Vinyl Curriculum is turning up the energy with a trip back to the 1990s dance floor. From Eurodance anthems to house beats and radio-ready club tracks, the decade delivered infectious grooves that still make people move today. In this episode, Logan and Jim dig into the biggest dance hits, the artists who defined the sound, and the cultural wave that made 90s dance music unforgettable. Expect...

This week on The Vinyl Curriculum , we’re flipping the script—Logan takes the reins and picks the music. From hidden gems to tracks that have shaped his own taste, this episode is a personal playlist full of stories, surprises, and the kind of variety you’ve come to expect from the show. Tune in for fresh takes, fun facts, and a deeper dive into the songs that make up Logan’s soundtrack. 🎧 Catch...