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Originally recorded August 22, 2024.

This album by the Cambridge collective not only breaks the sophomore slump, but manages to be one of the greatest albums of the 2020s, let alone of all time. Filled with music & lyrics both poignant and personal, the band may never be the same after this but our feelings on it will be. It's BCNR's "Ants From Up There"!

Originally recorded August 17, 2024.

The title most certainly doesn't lie. Oft considered one of the greatest and most influential hard rock albums to come out of the 1970s, the lyrics may not make a lot of sense but it's the instruments that steal the show and pave the road. It's Deep Purple In Rock!

Alright, vacation time's over, time to release a new batch of episodes! Theres three more coming after this and we'll be caught up after an extended break of not editing and relaxing for a change. First up we got one of the defining funk albums of the 1970s, one that is surely great to introduce to a theater kid if you don't start them with the title track! It's Funkadelic, "Maggot Brain"!

If anyone's wondering why we're doing the movie soundtrack version of Grease instead of the actual recording, just remember we did Chicago with the movie soundtrack and no one complained then! Also this episode is dedicated to the memory of Olivia Newton-John, a soulful person who had a soulful voice! And sorry my mic isn't working this episode. But hey, let just talk about Grease!

First off I’d like to gravely apologize for the recent episodes being dropped super late as opposed to our usual Sunday schedule. It’s been hard to find a concrete day to record episodes as of late, and a key member of our team dropped out, all which resulted in 19 nervous breakdowns on my part. I know that was a joke, but truthfully this summer has taken its toll on me. Still, we’ll all stride along as long as we can. 

Now let’s talk about a critically acclaimed 2000s band with their critically acclaimed concept album about changing the radio station! It’s Queens of the Stone Age, “Songs for the Deaf”!

Jimmy Buffett is just one of those names in music that no one knows what to think about. Is he deep? A joke? A beach bum? A successful businessman? Who are we to say? But join us as we look at one of his more acclaimed albums, the true start of his famous Key West persona, “A1A”’!

If it wasn't for this album and it's lead single of the same name, the underground band Mott the Hoople probably would've faded into obscurity forever. But an up and coming singer/songwriter named David Bowie saw the potential in this glam band and their silly name and produced their album designed to turn them into superstars. And it worked! For a bit, and then the lead single is the only song people know of these guys. And now we're taking a retrospective look at this album. Let's sea dive into Mott the Hoople's "All The Young Dudes"!

Apologies for taking two weeks off. I decided we all need a vacation from the podcast, and I needed some well deserved rest. And I spent that rest listening to this feel good album set in a safe haven surrounded by death and destruction. Let’s talk about Creedence Clearwater’s “Green River”!

Literally just an episode of me and Riley talking about the lore of the PBS Kids show "Cyberchase".

Once again we discuss the Tres Hombres on the podcast! And just a couple weeks after I myself saw them in concert! That was a fun live experience. Unlike the live experience that makes up the first half of this follow up to their acclaimed 1973 album. Let’s talk about “Fandango” by ZZ Top!

It's our second birthday episode in a row! This time it's Izaiah's pick to choose the album, and this time he chose an album by a guy we did about a year ago whom we were relentlessly cruel to. So maybe this album of his will be better! Released during his 'Lost Weekend' era, this album gives us his first #1 hit in the United States as a solo artist. It's John Lennon's "Walls & Bridges"!

My second birthday episode has arrived, and the album is one the people would least expect me to pick! But I, a man who has been described as a Beatles purist in the past, has a nostalgic attachment to this ska punk album with a lead singer taken from us too soon. Let’s look at the self titled album by Sublime!

Progenitors of "cock rock", Aerosmith has had a troubled history with troubled albums but still there are moments when the band comes as a whole to produce timeless hard rock & roll. And when we get to 'Rocks' we'll let you know. But yeah this album came first. My friend David from Episode 10 comes back in this episode, and we got a new member of the podcast family making her first appearance here, so let's talk about 'Toys in the Attic'!

This probably could be the most obscure thing we've discussed on the podcast, but that's okay. Never be afraid to dive into things you haven't heard of before. Be afraid if you'll like it or not. Will the theater kids like this? I guess we'll find out when we cover Big Head Todd & The Monsters' "Sister Sweetly"!

The biggest metal band ever makes their debut on this podcast with their 1983 debut album! It’s not “Master of Puppets”, and it’s definitely not “Garage Inc.”, but then again most things aren’t. Let’s talk about Metallica, “Kill ‘em All”!

Sorry for the two day delay but it’s here! 

Recorded over just two weeks at a budget of $6,400, the self titled debut of Ramones was a commercial flop. But music would never be the same after the release of this loud, brash and exhausting rock and roll record. The theater kids have reached punk. But will they like it?

Released in early 1970, Van Morrison's third album, where he began going mainstream with his R&B jazz compositions, was a smash hit and is considered by critics to be not just one of his best albums, but also one of the best albums ever made.

Well, standards change with the generation. As does taste.

Let's dive into "Moondance"!

We cap off Cade Month 2 (the last one thankfully) with an album by a band back when there was more than one member. The baroque pop sound of this album is not what we expected out of this recording act, but it’s a welcome surprise. It’s Panic (no exclamation point) at the Disco’s “Pretty. Odd.”

Jonathan Larson’s first and last magnum opus, RENT, has some clear flaws when placed in modern lenses, heck we made an entire episode about that (episode 44, you’re welcome), but his shelved work, a semiautobiographical musical, is probably even better. This goes for the Andrew Garfield movie as well. Let’s talk about “Tick, Tick...Boom!”

On Jackson’s second birthday episode, we take a look at a hip hop classic that redefined one of the genre’s most influential groups from one-hit wonders to trailblazers in the world of sampling. It’s raw, witty, amazing, and it’s Beastie Boys’ “Paul’s Boutique!”

*NOTE, our next episode is going to be "Tick Tick Boom". The album I spun at the end will be our episode 75.

It's the first episode of Cade Month 2. I am so thrilled. Anyway we're talking about not a rock album this time, but a pop rap album that doubles as a concept album about fame & reflecting on past successes and looking at lifestyles when young and old. And it's got some good stuff to it. Let's discuss Lil Nas X's "Montero" and hope we don't get filed a cease and desist!

Pink Floyd’s 6th album may not be as big or influential as The Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall, but it makes up for that in soothing atmosphere & texture. Plus some weird 23 minute song. Let’s talk “Meddle!”

In 1997, this social experiment was released by two Russian sociologists and an American composer after they released a poll determining what people wanted and didn't want in a song. The wanted song....exists. The unwanted song is a 20 minute avant-novelty piece featuring accordions, bagpipes, and most blatantly rapping cowgirl opera sopranos & children choirs singing about holiday shopping at Walmart! Guess which one we prefer. Let's talk "The People's Choice Music"!

The website Ultimate Classic Rock recently released a list celebrating what they believe are the Top 40 singers in the rock music style. There's not much else to say, anything else that can and will be said will be said in the episode itself. Enjoy!

The list itself: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/top-40-rock-singers/

The Flying Gorilla ad Romi mentions at the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_PotZ6PF_Q

Apologies for the late upload, I was on vacation. More on why at the end of the episode. Anyway, what do you get when you combine one of the greatest American comedians, an underrated jangle pop singer-songwriter, and a banjo? You get Steve Martin & Edie Brickell's hugely successful...bluegrass albums!! Oh, they made a musical too. This is Bright Star!

In Riley's first official birthday episode, we take a look at one of her personal favorite albums. It's relatively modern, being five and a half years old, but there still are a few things to salvage. But is there more to this album's edgy alt. rock other than obscenities in almost every song? "F.W.Y.T." begs to differ. Let's talk Highly SUSpect's "The Boy Who Died Wolf" but also KidzBop!

Plagued by tour fatigue and poor album sales, Tom Petty decided to drop the Heartbreakers name for his next album and team up with his friend and Traveling Wilburys bandmate, #1 Beatles Fetishist Jeff Lynne of ELO, to create one of the solo debut albums of the 20th Century. Will this be the album to finally unleash Kay's inner rock kid? Let's find out with "Full Moon Fever"!

One of, if not the first glam rock album, David Bowie’s third album is full of tremendous highs and depressing lows. But should it be considered part of his classic period? Let’s talk “The Man Who Sold The World!”

One of the biggest and most expensive shows on Broadway history, this Spider-Man musical was mostly written by BONO & THE EDGE FROM U2! Now doesn’t that sound like a match made in Heaven? Pray for us, as we take a look at “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark”.

One of the biggest and most influential rock albums of the 1990s, this bleak concept record about drugs and relationships perfectly married grunge & metal thanks to guitarist Jerry Cantrell’s influential playing. And unlike a certain other loud album from 1970 with a song that’s also the name of this album, we’re here for it all the way. Let’s talk Alice In Chains, “Dirt”!

The Doors’ 5th foray gives us some pretty good songs— and seven bonus tracks. Jim Morrison, aka The Lizard King, aka The Spy, begins his transition from acid shaman to obese blues/booze boy here and we’re kinda here for it? Let’s talk “Morrison Hotel”!

It’s our first official April fools episode! And the joke is my mic wasn’t plugged in so please forgive me if I sound like crud. Anyway let’s talk about a comedy rock duo and their epic YouTuber collaboration album that might actually have good qualities to it. Ninja Sex Party’s “Cool Patrol”!

UPDATE (2/1/23): It is with a heavy heart that I announce that on Sunday, January 29, Chris was part of a car accident that sadly took his life. The accident also took the life of his friend Patrick and badly wounded Patrick’s brother, James, better known as YouTuber Schaffrillas Productions. Chris will be known through the rest of time for his heart and his humor, on both his livestreams and the episodes he guest starred in. Having him on here, no, just knowing him was one of the greatest privileges of all of us, and he will sorely be missed. Everyone liked this album, there were no fights, this is an underrated gem. Chris from Schaffrillas Productions joins us again as we tackle the forgotten sibling in The British Invasion, The Kinks, who quickly metamorphosed from a garage rock band to baroque pop legends with singer/songwriter Ray Davies' witty socio-political lyrics. His fascination with English class differences reach a head in this album, only to get better with each coming album. It's no "Low Budget", but it's up there. Let's talk about The Kinks' "Face To Face"! Also here's Chris' channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/spacechris7

Before our episode on The Kinks' "Face to Face" this Sunday, I figured we should listen to something not Kinks. This song, oft considered to be one of the progenitors of the rock opera style, likewise with the band, was quite influential in its day; further escalated when the band played it on The Rolling Stones' Rock & Roll Circus in late 1968 with so much power that The Stones withheld release of their own performance until three decades afterward. Let's talk The Who, "A Quick One"!

On Kay's first official birthday episode, we tackle a musical that had a production in 1988 before being shut down due to numerous flaws, one of them almost fatal! But I'm getting ahead of myself. This musical, based off Stephen King's famous first novel of the same name, came back & as some would say better than ever in 2012. But does it deserve it's praise as a comeback musical? Let's talk "Carrie: The Musical"!

You wouldn't think an album with a 23-minute song would be a theater kids' favorite. But lo it is. This fourth album by one of the great prog bands exemplifies what's so great about the genre! Let's talk about Genesis, "Foxtrot"!

And here's the awesome visualization of "Supper's Ready" we bring up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4HfFwVy-h0&pp=ygUNc3VwcGVycyByZWFkeQ%3D%3D

U2, the Beatles of the 80s. And they proved they're just as great as them with their 5th album; an EP of 4 songs and 7 bonus tracks. Let's join Bart & The Edge in "The Joshua Tree"! Also, yes, calling Bono "Bart" is an in-joke that will be explained in the episode.

One of the most famous debut albums of all time, we finally take a look at it, along with a band one could consider to be transcendent rock gods. And then we dissect that title a bit. Regardless of the people behind it, this album is awesome. It’s Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin”!

Almost a year has passed since our infamous episode on The Beatles’ monumental 1966 masterpiece of an album, Revolver. Have our opinions changed on it over time? Have they soured or stayed the same? Let’s find out!

UPDATE (2/1/23): It is with a heavy heart that I announce that on Sunday, January 29, Chris was part of a car accident that sadly took his life. The accident also took the life of his friend Patrick and badly wounded Patrick’s brother, James, better known as YouTuber Schaffrillas Productions. Chris will be known through the rest of time for his heart and his humor, on both his livestreams and the episodes he guest starred in. Having him on here, no, just knowing him was one of the greatest privileges of all of us, and he will sorely be missed. Our occasional special guest Chris from Schaffrillas Productions returns again to help us dive into one of the best prog bands of all time. With one well known song. And it’s not even on this album. Oh well this album still rips. Let’s talk Yes, “The Yes Album”!

In honor of our own Riley’s being in a production of this musical, we take a look at the 2002 soundtrack to the famous movie adaptation, whilst at the same time doing an intervention for Romi and her John C. Reilly obsession. Let’s look at Chicago!

This episode is dedicated to writer/composer Jim Steinman (1947-2021), who’s visionary mind brought forth one of the most classic albums of the 1970s. And it’s also dedicated to the man himself, Michael Lee Aday, aka Meat Loaf (1947-2022), who teamed up with Steinman to make the album more classic than it already was.  

This album is stupid, silly, over the top & pompous, and we’re here for every single second of it! Let’s talk “Bat Out of Hell!”

Eric Clapton has long been a controversial figure in the history of rock music, not helped by his recent statements regarding the pandemic. And after building up my disdain for him for about a year now, we take a look at one of his early albums in a band that Jackson has called "the only good thing (he's) ever done." Let's talk Cream, Disraeli Gears!

In our last episode for Romi Half-Month, we do her official birthday episode with a whimsical piece of witty theater comedy that expands on the universe of the classic Aladdin whilst mocking it so endearingly. It’s Twisted! Which is also the name of the musical.

My friend Jamie guest appears in the second installment of Romi half-month, where we look at the near universally acclaimed indie/folk concept album that was meant to be a part of a 50 part saga about the 50 states. Sufjan Stevens’ “Illinois”!

We start off Romi’s half month takeover of the podcast for her birthday with an album that’s sort of left field. But it doesn’t matter what the album is, just as long as we like it, and...it’s an album. Angel Olsen’s “MY WOMAN”!

In honor of the recently deceased producer legend Steve Albini, we decided to check out one of the albums he produced. This one was with the acclaimed alt-rock singer/songwriter PJ Harvey. The album is highly acclaimed for its confrontational sound and lyrics. So does it make for music that theater kids would like? Let's find out with "Rid of Me"!

"Andrew complaining about the '06 recording of Company for 40 minutes straight" For real though, Stephen Sondheim was a visionary in musical theater, paving the way for lyrics introspective & sardonic about modern society, putting less emphasis on catchy hooks & more on hypnotic soundscapes. And a neat way for us to get introduced to the late genius is with his breakthrough musical comedy, Company!

We’re diving straight in to Talking Heads with their 1979 outing, Fear of Music! Well, four of us are, while one of us listened to the wrong album! That didn’t mean this episode was any less fun to record.

 Also, some Spider-boy spoilers here & there.

And just a note, we confused Chris Frantz with Jerry Harrison & forgive us for sounding like idiots.

We've had a long and crazy 2021 at the Rock of Ages podcast. And I just wanna take this time to thank our viewers new & old for watching our episodes. So here's a few of us ranking our best and least favorite albums we did this year, as well as some statistics, analytics & album predictions for 2022.