The Asylum Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The Kousins were down one again this week. Kousin Ray was running the length of West Virginia. But, the other Kousins found another family member to fill the empty chair.

Admittedly, neither Kousin Tim, Kousin Gary, nor Kousin Marvin had more than the slightest knowledge of the Canadian three-piece from Toronto not named Rush, so Jem from Alabama was asked to join, and we talked about one of his faves, Triumph.  The “album” listened to was the 2010 Greatest Hits Remixed. Some may say a greatest hits compilation is cheating, but since the band was foreign, why not play the “hits?” Jem gave some fandom insights and commentary. Thank you, Jem!

No calls this week.

Are you a fan of Triumph? What is your favorite Triumph album?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).
We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft…
This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Kousin Gary is on a dude holiday with his son this week, so the other Kousins decided it was time to do some “Now Listening,” or as we call it, “Extended Now Listening,” and do what we usually do and split our regular “Let Me Know” segments and interweave the two. It is three regular tunes plus one Christmas-themed one. We had fun with it.

We had calls from Jem from Alabama and Bruno from Sweltering Hot South Africa.

What have you been listening to?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).
We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft…
This podcast was recorded in the Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The reason this podcast started was that there were three KISS Kousins who needed something to do during the pandemic. Along came a fourth – honorary Kousin. We had a great run as a KISS podcast. But we moved away from KISS once they hung up the platform boots and batwings. And we acknowledge that our hard rock fandom would be nothing without KISS, and KISS would be nothing without the release of their 1975 live masterpiece, Alive!.

Because it is a masterpiece doesn’t make it immune to scrutiny, however. The Kousins each took turns talking about other songs from the first three studio albums that they each would like to have heard on this album, and, in some cases, rearranged parts of the setlist to reflect their choices.

We hope you enjoy our takes. Additionally, Gary discusses taking his kids to see Vola.

Calls from Bruno from South Africa, Jim from Irwin, and Jem from Alabama, who delivers a bombshell line that keeps on giving throughout the podcast.

Which songs from the first three studio KISS albums would you have rather heard on Alive!? And in what order?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).
We have Instagram and Twitter. We can’t ask for those “enjoy” things and for you to keep getting updates because Facebook doesn’t like that. Pfft…
This podcast was recorded in the Omniverus Studios at Liberty Plaza and connected via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Kousins have done album showdowns before. But, in some instances, that just doesn’t seem fair to some of the songs on the two albums.

This week, Roadie Ray commands 1979’s Dynasty while Kousin Gary defends that album’s sibling, 1980’s Unmasked. Two albums, both some of the most polarizing in the Katalog, that fans either love or hate. Most people aren’t on the fence about them. Kousin Tim and Kousin Marvin both like each album, so they have the unenviable task of judging. There were some ties, so look for those on Twitter and cast your vote.

How is this different from most album battles the Kousins have done? After a coin flip, the winner can either go first or defer their pick. The first picker chooses their “gladiator” or song for battle. After a short listen, the opposing picker chooses the song (or gladiator) to battle the round’s opening song. The other two Kousins then vote for the winner. The two pickers can change their vote if they choose to, as well. Whichever song has the most votes… wins. If there’s a tie, it goes to Twitter for tiebreaker votes. If that doesn’t make sense, just give a listen and it will become as clear as mud.

The Kousins gave their now listenings. And a call from a long-time listener/first-time caller, Jim from Alabama!

How would your vote go on the songs on Dynasty or Unmasked?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).
You can also see it on our YouTube channel. We have Instagram and Twitter. We would appreciate a like, rating, and review. Subscribe and follow!
This podcast was recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and recorded via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Roadie Ray had to put out some fires in his day job, so the Kousins had to go on without him this week.

This week is the anniversary of 1975’s Dressed To Kill. Three of the four Kousins think that album is mostly “filler,” or songs put in to fill in the cracks and extend the length of the album.

For this episode, Kousin Tim, Kousin Gary, and Kousin Marvin go from KISS (self-titled) through Unmasked (not counting live, solo, or greatest hits albums) and debate and sometimes argue over which songs could have been left off. There were some “rules” that were never really followed, but they gave it a good college try (not really). There were some drop-jaw moments for sure as one of the Kousins is a total “contrarian.”

The Kousins gave their “Now Listening” and covered the “Let Me Know” section.

What are the songs you’d leave off from each of those eight albums?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

We have Instagram and Twitter. We would appreciate a like, rating, and review. Subscribe and follow!

This podcast was recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and recorded via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Not technically the opening week of the month (okay, not at all…) we decided to do an “opener” topic. Iron Maiden opened for KISS on the Unmasked tour in 1980 which was odd because that was KISS’s poppiest album and IM was like a hard rock punk band. A strange pairing indeed.

So each Kousin picked their own Top 5. There were some diverse choices, but the end came down to two heavy hitters. In the end, a collective Top 5 was determined via weighted scoring.

Kousin Tim gloated a bit on a recent victory, and each Kousin gave their “Now Listenings.”

What would be your Top 5 IM songs?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

You can also see it on our YouTube channel. We have Instagram and Twitter. We would appreciate a like, rating, and review. Subscribe and follow!

This podcast was recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and recorded via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Kousins have done album showdowns before. But, in some instances, that just doesn’t seem fair to some of the songs on the two albums.

Kousin Tim and Kousin Marvin battle with two albums chosen by our Twitter fans. This time around, for the battle of first place in the tourney, KT takes Lick It Up and KM takes Revenge.

How is this different from most album battles the Kousins have done? After a coin flip, the winner can either go first or defer their pick. The first picker chooses their “gladiator” or song for battle. After a short listen, the opposing picker chooses the song (or gladiator) to battle the round’s opening song. The other two Kousins then vote for the winner. The two pickers can change their vote if they choose to, as well. Whichever song has the most votes… wins. If there’s a tie, it goes to Twitter for tiebreaker votes. If that doesn’t make sense, just give a listen and it will become as clear as mud.

The Kousins gave their now listenings.

How would your vote go on the songs on the LIU or Revenge?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

You can also see it on our YouTube channel. We have Instagram and Twitter. We would appreciate a like, rating, and review. Subscribe and follow!

This podcast was recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and recorded via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

For the first time in our podcast’s history, we were a duo. Kousin Marvin had a family issue and Roadie Ray had a work thing. So, Kousins Tim and Gary went on with the show. Barstools and caffeine drinks and all. That part isn’t true.

But, the conversation was the top riffs from KISS. Specifically, the top from Paul, Gene, and Ace. We know that Peter didn’t write anything musical. Heck, he barely even wrote lyrics.

We had a discussion last week about the difference between a riff and a lick. KT had it all wrong, exactly the opposite, really. Here’s the definition of each.

Essentially a riff is a full musical phrase with a structure and repetition to ensure the ear catches and understands its wholeness. That is why it is an entity of its own. On the other hand, a lick is an incomplete musical idea that, if put together with other licks, can amount to a riff. (Rock Guitar Universe)

These were all from the early makeup era. KT and KG went through a collective Top 15 with some honorable mentions and a “bonus.”

KT/G gave their riff-influence “Now Listenings.”

What are your favorite KISS riffs?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

You can also see it on our YouTube channel. We have Instagram and Twitter. We would appreciate a like, rating, and review. Subscribe and follow!

This podcast was recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and recorded via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

The Kousins have done album showdowns before. But, in some instances, that just doesn’t seem fair to some of the songs on the two albums.

Kousin Gary and Roadie Ray battle with two albums chosen by our Twitter fans. The self-titled debut and Rock and Roll Over. KG took the s/t and RR held down the fort with RNRO.

How is this different from most album battles the Kousins have done? After a coin flip, the winner can either go first or defer their pick. The first picker chooses their “gladiator” or song for battle. After a short listen, the opposing picker chooses the song (or gladiator) to battle the round’s opening song. The other two Kousins then vote for the winner. The two pickers can change their vote if they choose to, as well. Whichever song has the most votes… wins. If there’s a tie, it goes to Twitter for tiebreaker votes. If that doesn’t make sense, just give a listen and it will become as clear as mud.

The Kousins gave their now listenings.

How would your vote go on the songs on the self-titled or RNRO?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

You can also see it on our YouTube channel. We have Instagram and Twitter. We would appreciate a like, rating, and review. Subscribe and follow!

This podcast was recorded in The Such-N-Such Media Studios at Liberty Plaza and recorded via Zoom, sponsored by Top Leaf Cigar Lounge.

Eugene B. Sims from Wheeler’s Dog Podcast joins the Kousins to discuss the first Van Halen album, Van Halen (1978).

Euge tells the story of the first time he heard the album, and the Kousins tell their stories, too.

More Van Halen albums were discussed. Why is this a relevant topic for a KISS podcast? The album was in direct correlation to the demo that Gene Simmons produced.

The Kousins and Euge give their now listenings.

Do you remember your first experience with Van Halen, first album or otherwise?