The Curmudgeon Rock Report

In which The Curmudgeons introduce you--again--to your new favorite band. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club spliced the neo-psychedelic swagger of bands like The Brian Jonestown Massacre with the rawkin' menace of the Stone Roses, Oasis and other British bands to offer a maximal yet poignant vision of what rock 'n' roll should be. Their five-album output during the first decade of the 21st century is one of the best streaks of releases in recent memory. We analyze each album as a means of explaining why B.R.M.C. was so powerful--and so ultimately meaningful.    Enjoy the masterworks of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club using our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3POJDOxUGBOkKWVtpvSrQA?si=d8626f78bd7a4b9a   Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.   (0:52 - 03:33) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club   (04:08-18:13) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent albums from Metz and Ratboys   (19:13 - 38:47:55) - We cover BRMC's origin story and discuss the albums B.R.M.C. and Take Them On, On Your Own   (39:42 - 01:00:36) - We cover the albums Howl, Baby 81 and Beat the Devil's Tattoo and contemplate BRMC's ultimate legacy    Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com    Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

In which The Curmudgeons show love for artists that are, well, falling out love. A great break-up album takes the listener on a journey through the complicated layers of our humanity and our very souls: Love, anger, betrayal, heartbreak, grief, forgiveness, false hope, celebrations of new love, reservations about getting back in the game and healing. The albums on our list all take us to these delicate places, and in doing so, they demonstrate the power of music, and the power of the heart, magnificently. We cover albums from artists such as Blur, Millie Jackson, Richard & Linda Thompson, Wilco and others. Oh, and there's this one album by Bob Dylan...   Check out select songs from these breakup albums by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5uI7a4eI5s5uM8J04RsLxR?si=bdd3829cd454483d   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:49) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of great break-up albums   (03:00 - 11:01) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent albums from The Men and Dove Ellis   (12:00 - 36:31) - We start our countdown of the 15 greatest break-up albums by discussion list number 15 through number 8. Artists include Phish, Blur, Millie Jackson, Mickie Newberry and Amy Winehouse.   (37:47 - 01:06:48) - We count down from list number 7 all the way down to our (very) vaunted number 1 album on our list. Plus, Christopher O'Connor gives his spiel about how AC/DC's Back in Back is a pretty good break-up album, too.      Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com/    Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

In which The Curmudgeons revisit the goofy yet ambitious and thrillingly original dawn of grunge music. Unbeknownst to some, the story of what became the dominant mainstream brand of rock 'n' roll in the 1990s dates back to 1984, back when the Seattle area was cold, rainy, gloomy and also a sleepy outpost that was surprisingly actually skipped by major artists of the time. So what you do you when no one's really watching and there isn't a whole lot to do? You mess around wiht your friends and bond over a love for 1970s classic rock, punk, metal, prog rock and other various forms of guitar-driven rock. And you started bands and shared ideas and worked to one up another in finding a way to meld all you loves into one sonic package. And that's exactly what the innovators of grunge did: found a sweet spot in between the fury of punk on the one hand and the grandeur and theatricality of metal on the other. Here. we discuss the first wave of bands that figuratively--and literally-put grunge on the map. We cover Green River, the Melvins, Soundgarden and more...   Listen to all of this awesome proto grunge from the 1980s by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IcoNHpnt15muKt4cg8CLy?si=6c1adf065eb44519   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 04:23) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of early grunge   (06:13 - 23:56) - The Parallel Universe, featuring discussions of music of recent vintage from The Men and Cameron Winter   (24:55 - 58:07) - We discuss the origin in story of grunge by providing context about the Pacific Northwest scene in the 1980s. We also analyze great albums from Green River, the Melvins and Sound Garden   (59:02 - 01:18:41) - We analyze a number of great "grunge-adjacent" albums from Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and The Pixies. And we cover the last great volley from Green River before its members went on to found Mudhoney and Pearl Jam in later years.   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com/    Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor  

In which the Curmudgeons celebrated the 1970s output of one of soul music's loveliest and most powerful voices. Yes, Al Green could sing his ass off. His falsetto may be one of the most mimicked in all of popular music. But there was a depth to Reverend Al that stops us both in our tracks. His expressions of making up, breaking up, loneliness, fearless masculinity, spiritual vulnerability and pure joy were awe-inspiring. And that was made more so by the incredible production and arrangement work behind him of partner Willie Mitchell and the Hi Records Rhythm Section. From "I'm a Ram" at the beginning of his classic run to "Belle" at its end, when Green penned his break-up with R&B is favor of gospel music, we cover all things Al in the '70s.    Listen to the music of Al Green by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08kzflsz7tjGBbGfTDue9k?si=d76f76f2ceaa4eb3   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:41): Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Al Green   (02:51 - 17:29) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent music from Sleaford Mods and Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band   (18:27 - 48:18) - We discuss Al Green's origins as, at first, a Memphis outsider. Then we cover the first part of his brilliant run of albums in the 1970s, featuring analysis of masterpieces I'm Still In Love With You and Call Me   (49:55 - 01:17:58) - We analyze the latter half of Al Green's storied '70s run, including the oddly titled Al Green Explores Your Mind and his swan song as a mainstream R&B performer, The Belle Album   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com/    Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor   

In which the Curmudgeons go way back--all the way back to 1960 for starters--to celebrate the sounds, the innovations and the incredible legacy of the musicians--and the labels--that created and performed Memphis's soul music. Stax/Volt, as the production house was known as, originated as a source for a kind of counterprogramming to what Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others were launching into cultural relevance across town. For Stax/Volt, R&B, blues and soul were the thing man. And they lined up an incredible roster of artists to help them introduce their Memphis swing to the world. Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Albert King, Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave, Booker & the M.G.s, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas soothed, titillated and entertained tremendously all throughout the 1960s. It was glorious run, one we describe and analyze in detail during this episode.    Enjoy the wonderful music of 1960s Memphis by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0TZ5YELmBVZAuv0YVCFgkK?si=cdcbdc35f7eb4e1c   Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode:   (00:52 - 04:00) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1960s Memphis soul   (04:02 - 22:10) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent albums from Upchuck and YHWH Nailgun   (23:10 - 01:03:54) - We tell the tragicomic story of Stax/Volt's rise and fall, and celebrate songs and albums by Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, William Bell, the Mar-Keys, Booker T. & the M.G.s and Otis Redding   (01:05:34 - 01:33:41) - We celebrate songs and albums by Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Albert King, Johnnie Taylor and Isaac Hayes   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

In which The Curmudgeons out-list all of the other lists and show you the way to the REAL best albums that hit shelves in this grand year of 2025. Christopher O'Connor's list leans heavily toward power-pop and indie rock and features Geese's incredible Getting Killed as his number one album of the year. Arturo Andrade's own list veers generally in a weirder, more experimental direction, though he tops his list with the best pure punk album either of us heard this year--Lambrini Girls' Who Let the Does Out. We discuss these albums and other really good to great records from artists such as Wet Leg, Big Thief, Greentea Peng, Benjamin Booker, Mdou Moctar and the Tubs. Dig it!   Access the full Geese and Lambrini Girls albums and choice cuts from our other selections by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/63v34yLnkffxWAvJjs9pTc?si=95092bcf41b94b3b   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor    

In which The Curmudgeons take a gigantic, cathartic dumpola on one of the worst bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s, namely the insufferable post-grunge Christian rock quartet Creed. We'll give the band credit for one thing: They proved there was still a market for grunge well after the luster of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and other bands had faded. But, see, that was the problem. Creed could do an impression or orthodox grunge band, but they did so without the soul, the spirit or the fire or the depth of the real thing. Instead, they served up bland, safe, corny paeans to self-pity and phony sacrifice. And worse, they did it by shallowly and incompletely evoking Christianity. Here was a Christian band with a lead singer who emoted a lot about shame and related subject matter but never got around to actual redemption of sanctification. What a bunch of cynical nonsense! We hold our noses and dive into this steaming pile to meditate on the sheer crappiness of it all.   Check out, if you dare, the music of Creed by accessing our special Spotify playlist. Why the fuss? Here you go: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wCfm2Jd0m624rZuuGkxCC?si=4dc779f8ad384e23   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 04:07) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Creed   (04:14 - 17:23) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Noura Mint Seymali and Die Spitz   (18:23 - 33:59) - Arturo shares the origin story of Creed, while Chris offers a primer of modern Contemporary Christian Music and why Creed fits into its most self-absorbed and misguided wing    (34:40 - 01:07:52) - We marvel at the awfulness to be found in Creed's four-album catalog. Thankfully, they only did four albums.   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor  

In which The Curmudgeons pay homage to one of the most storied--and notorious-indie-rock bands of their era. Starting in 1995, the Brian Jones Massacre unleashed a brand of retro-futuristic trance-rock that expanded the possibilities of the rock idiom. The band, led by enigmatic and perhaps troubled frontman Anton Newcombe, initially dabbled in the shoegazer genre defined by bands like My Bloody Valentine. But The Brian Jonestown Massacre soon embraced 1960s British psychedelia to drive Newcombe's extraordinary gift for finding a song's most meditative center. By the end of the 2000s, the band was exploring European dance music while maintaining that special, incredibly absorbing BJM "thing." We revisit and analyze the band's first 15 years of recorded output in this episode.   Enjoy the best of The Brian Jonestown Massacre's music by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZQ0UA6v4MQZTZJGhWfFPt?si=7c845bee93554ce1    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:11) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of The Brian Jonestown Massacre   (05:33 - 19:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent albums from Sprints and Geese   (20:20 - 58:43) - We offer thoughts on the complicated nature of Anton Newcombe and analyze The Brian Jonestown Massacre's albums released in the 1990s   (59:43 - 01:26:09) - We analyze BJM's albums released between 2000 and 2010 and explore the band's legacy    Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor    

In which The Curmudgeons take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on ABBA, one of the most endearing pop bands of its era. This Swedish quartet has taken its lumps from critics and snarky scenesters over the years, being labeled cheesy, or inauthentic, or too corny to be taken seriously. We think all of that flak nonsense. We love this band, who lit up the universe with their charming, smile-inducing, dance-up-a-storm hits. ABBA served up something for everyone--empathetic ballads, disco anthems, earnest love songs and way-too-happy-sounding pop nuggets about heartbreak and divorce. We defend them mightily on this episode, and also meditate on their wonderful run of singles over the course of the 1970s.    Enjoy the awesome music of ABBA by accessing our special Spotify playlist" https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4MtuWgQaSSSsunw5nKLDO3?si=68ab2ebe29a847f0   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:53) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for defense of ABBA   (03:07 - 16:48) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Julia Mestre and Sam Fender   (16:47 - 43:46) - We snicker at lame, misguided critiques of ABBA and dispel five myths that aim to taint their legacy   (45:10 - 01:28:23) - We explore ABBA's origin story as a sort of Swedish supergroup, and then we analyze a string of extraordinary ABBA singles   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor   

In which The Curmudgeons honor one of the fiercest--and most fiercely independent--rock bands of all time. Fugazi erupted from the Washington, D.C., punk scene in the late 1980s.  They fashioned a brand of passionate, politically charged post-hardcore music that deftly weaved two guitars with a dub reggae-inspired rhythm section. Beyond the music, the band was known for an uncompromising vision: the music stayed with the people for good. No major labels. No ticket prices more than ten bucks. No radio singles. No videos. No age restrictions on their audience. Fugazi exerted control, which together with their awesome music, made them thrilling. We meditate on it all during this episode.    Listen to the amazing post-hardcore music of Fugazi by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GfyH9j01AFa16kkWNVOYD?si=ae72ef3b27914455   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:37) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Fugazi   (09:42 - 22:38) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music by Greg Freeman and Wednesday   (23:36 - 01:00:53) - We expound on Fugazi's philosophy. discussing their origins and analyze their first two EPs and first three studio albums, including the amazing Repeater   (01:02:11 - 01:29:56) - We analyze Fugazi's final three studio albums and then also contextualize their rock 'n' roll legacy   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

In which The Curmudgeons wrap up their five-part lookback at the British rock of the 1990s. It was a decade that started with the demised of dance-rock and shoegazer scenes but then saw an absolute cultural revolution explode in their wake via Britpop. By the end of the decade, though, things were dying down a bit and bubblegum pop acts like Robbie Williams and The Spice Girls. Yet there was quite a lot of good Britpop-influenced rock emerging from the U.K. streets in 1998 and 1999. Bands like Belle and Sebastian and The Beta Band scored critical-carling status if not overwhelming commercial success. Bands like Coldplay and Muse, both of whom would dominate the next British decade, made their debut. And Britpop stalwarts Pulp and Blur were still hanging on and producing some grand tunes. We cover it with aplomb during this episode.   Enjoy the British rock of 1998 and 1999 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5XoRoHiH80oOfYQv9lFdk0?si=c579654c1eb4487f   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.    (00:52- 04:08) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of British rock in the late 1990s   (04:25 - 15:54) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albims from Margo Price and Geese   (16:53 - 32:00) - We launch into a lightning round to cover a bunch of great singles from 1998 and 1999, including songs from Travis, Coldplay and Earl Brutus   (34:01 - 01:09:41) - WE analyze great albums from Belle and Sebastian, The Beta Band, Pulp, Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor PJ Harvey, Blur and Muse    

In which The Curmudgeons lovingly recall the latter edge of the Britpop era, covering the years of 1996 and 1997. Britpop, at this point, had become a defining cultural phenomenon in the U.K., leaving music fans to wonder what might come next. Yet while Oasis attempted to follow the smashing, overwhelming success of its first two albums by going even bigger and grander, other bands veered toward something else entirely--maturity. Oasis's chief Britpop rival Blur changed things up by embracing American indie rock and electronica, and crafted its best album in the process. The Verve toned down their shoegazing psychedelia and turned solemn and gorgeously melodic. And Radiohead portended the future of rock with the first of its two inarguable masterpieces. We discuss these albums and also cover a whole bunch of great, sunny Britpop singles.   Check out the great Britpop music of 1996 and 1997 bu accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/515doUnbjJNx40O7kaBy1P?si=07858465088b45a8   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 03:06) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Britpop in 1996 and 1997   (03:24 - 14:39) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Big Thief and Curtis Harding   (15:38 - 48:32) - We engage in a lightning round discussion of 23 terrific Britpop and Britpop-adjacent singles, from Supergrass, Super Furry Animals. Sleeper and others   (49:57 - 01:23:48) - We analyze classic albums from Blur, Oasis, The Verve and Radiohead   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor    

In which The Curmudgeons revisit the zenith of the Britpop movement. And by 1995, there definitely was a movement in the U.K. The music defined the style and defined the discussion and defined the culture. The mania was such that the two biggest bands in all of Britpop, Oasis and Blur, ended the year embroiled in a hilariously nasty feud. Here, we discuss albums by those two bands and others by The Verve, PJ Harvey, Elastica, Pulp and Radiohead. Oasis won't look back in anger, and neither will we.    Enjoy the Britpop and Britpop-adjacent music of 1995 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71HOiSyG8eJs3Jsrd5sKJb?si=6179b61852834ac6   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:46) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Britpop in 1995   (03:04 - 14:52) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Wolf Alice and Lorelle Meets the Obsolete   (15:51 - 43:59) - We discuss the height of the Britpop mania, and we also run through a bunch of great Britpop singles   (45:20 - 01:29:10) - We analyze great albums from PJ Harvey, Radiohead, Elastica, The Verve, Pulp, Blur and Oasis   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor     

In which The Curmudgeons continue catching a wave of Britpop and launch into the second part of our five-part series on the joys of the Britpop era. On this episode, we cover the eventful year of 1994, during which Britpop officially solidified as a thing and started its ascension toward the stratosphere. It was during 1994 that Oasis and Blur released seminal, awesome albums that effectively defined the genre. It was also when bands like Elastica, Primal Scream, Pulp and others released fantastic singles that extended Britpop's reach and scope. How good was it? Press play and find out, baby!   Enjoy the Britpop sounds of 1994 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0gesREv76xGMtXggp2BAvd?si=6462123662b84ffb   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 04:10) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Britpop in 1994   (04:18 - 16:16) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Golomb and Osees   (17:15 - 43:37) - We breakdown just how monumental of a shift in British culture Britpop represented. We also run through a bunch of great Britpop and Britpop-adjacent singles from 1994.    (44:38 - 01:01:25) - We discuss and analyze two great albums: Blur's Parklife and Oasis' Definitely Maybe   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor  

In which The Curmudgeons hop into the phone booth and travel back to the time when Britpop ruled the world during the heart of the 1990s. What was Britpop? Most specifically, it was a call to rock 'n' roll arms by a swath of young, hungry bands peeved at America's cultural imperialism of the era. The music swayed and blasted with confidence, and its pop structures were tight, tuneful--and, as a result, titanic. We start this series of episodes in the early 1990s, in 1992 and 1993. We cover Britpop artists such as Blur, Suede, Pulp, Elastica and The Verve on this episode. Yet we also cover what we call "Britpop adjacent" acts like PJ Harvey, Radiohead and The Cranberries, whose own Britishness seeped its way into groundbreaking music they were making in their own right.    Enjoy the Britpop and Britpop adjacency from this episode by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08abNW4XljAQS4ZvJ77Cpp?si=f199dce9a4cc4ab7   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 02:55) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion of early Britpop   (05:44 - 16:56) - The Parallel Universe, featruing reviews of recent albums from Bob Vylan and Sault   (17:55 - 51:54) - We describe the British music of the early 1990s and the forces that shaped Britpop, plus we kick off a lightning round of great Britpop singles from 1992 and 1993   (53:08 - 01:15:11) - We analyze important and vital British records from PJ Harvey, The Verve, Radiohead and Blur   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor  

In which The Curmudgeons continue their exploration of all the cool and revolutionary sounds blasting out of the City of Angels in the 1990s. By 1995, the music world had been grungified, making things safer, brighter and lovelier for not only hard-rock artists, but folks of the more soul-breaking, confessional variety. And that L.A. satisfied both ends of that spectrum between 1995 and 1999. Rage Against the Machine, Tool, System of a Down and Kyuss all blasted down doors and melted minds. Meanwhile, Beck, eels and Los Lobos soothed the more sensitive souls. We take a run through work by those artists and more on this episode. We begin this episode, though, by discussing the legacies of two recently departed icons, Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan.    Enjoy the music that came out of Los Angeles during the latter half of the 1990s by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KHCvbSIZv6lqVOLW88yTw?si=1f93bf2fb25a48a4   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 03:40) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of rock in Los Angles during the latter half of the 1990s   (03:43 - 27:31) - The Curmudgeons, both children of the 1980s, discuss the legacies of Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan   (28:30 - 45:04) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent releases by Wet Leg and Orua.    (46:24 - 01:36:04) - We cover albums by No Doubt, Kyuss, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Los Lobos, Beck, Weezer and Sublime   (01:36:04 - 02:19:31) - We cover albums by Tool, System of a Down, Queens of the Stone Age, eels, Beck (again), The Red Hot Chili Peppers (again) and Rage Against the Machine (again) Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor  

In which the Curmudgeons once again venture to the City of Angels to recapture all the great vibes generated during the 1990s. After a 1980s in which glam metal and punk scenes dominated, what came next for Los Angeles? Well, the trade winds blew in from the Pacific Northwest, and the influence of grunge made the music crunchier and louder, giving us bands like Tool and Weezer. Meanwhile, the longstanding stylings of the L.A. underground found their way into the mainstream, giving us radio-ready glory from Jane's Addiction, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beck. A lot happened in L.A. during the dawn of the Internet age. We begin to cover those happenings in this episode.    Listen to all the great sound of Los Angeles in the 1990s by access our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44Gum0MV2jMIMehRa1ja72?si=5a06f9d388d74bac   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 02:36) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Los Angeles rocking in the 1990s   (05:15 - 16:10) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Blondshell and Durand Jones & The Indications   (17:09 - 57:25) - We discuss great L.A. albums from Los Lobos, Guns N' Roses, Jane's Addiction, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine and Kyuss   (58:43 - 01:33:23) - WE discuss great L.A. albums from Los Lobos (again), Tool, Weezer, Beck, Kyuss (again) and Korn   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

In which The Curmudgeons pay loving tribute to one of our favorite bands. Built to Spill is the brainchild of Boise, Idaho, native and guitar maestro Doug Martsch, who's been banging and crunching his way through indie-rock anthems for more than three decades now. As Arturo Andrade likes to say, BTS, as we call them for short, taught indie-rockers everywhere that classic rock and guitar solos were cool. And BTS has served up some remarkable guitar tapestries over the years. We discuss the band's albums and also break down the band's legacy on this episode.    Enjoy the music of Built to Spill by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28IWa36crH0h7z5CyzrGay?si=97f1b37037e64956   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:07) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion of Built to Spill   (04:33 - 15:12) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Snapped Ankles and Little Simz   (16:11 - 52:09) - We discuss the origins of Built to Spill and analyze their first five albums, including classics such There's Nothing Wrong With Love, Perfect From Now On and Keep It Like a Secret   (53:33 - 01:15:18) - We analyze Built to Spill's last five albums, including their most recent effort, 2022's terrific When the Wind Forgets Your Name   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

In which The Curmudgeons take a big ol' dukey on that most prominent of rap-metal bands Limp Bizkit. The band is surely one of the worst hard-rock outfits to make it big since cranking up guitars real loud became a thing. Its plodding, uninspired riffage was eclipsed only by its misogynistic, corroded worldview and ultra-dumb lyrics. We dive into the rock's dregs here, analyzing the band's origins as well as its first four albums, all of which are awful. It all begs the question: How the heck did Limp Bizkit get so huge, anyway? We attempt to answer that question.    Marvel in horror at the awful music of Limp Bizkit by accessing out Spotify plylist for the episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5s6kczKDwbpVDYt3DoTiaD?si=f88d0b956bcf4120   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 06:15) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Limp Bizkit   (15:04 - 29:52) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Ty Segall and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard   (30:50 - 38:56) - We discuss the origin story behind Limp Bizkit's improbable rise from the underground of Jacksonville, Fla., to corporate rock's front burner   (40:03 - 1:18:23) - We break down why this band's first four album are, in fact, truly terrible and even offensive. And we ponder why this kind of rap-metal may have been so appealing to so many people.   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

In which The Curmudgeons trip out through outer space and rock out to Hawkwind, one of the most singular psychedelic rock bands of all time. And in which we do it completely sober! This band practically invented what is known as space rock, a jammy, propulsive brand of heavy metal that focuses its gaze firmly on the cosmos and all the alien beings and strange phenomena the Great Beyond can generate. We focus on this longtime, prolific band's most fruitful period, namely the 1970s, when maybe only Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd kinda, sorta counted as peers.     Enjoy the awesome music of Hawkwind by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2K0qbD4dzEv9XHJj7dBLTm?si=0252e442d42643b7   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:27) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Hawkwind   (6:05 - 17:24) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Lael Neale and Perfume Genius   (18:23 - 01:04:13) - We give five reasons why Hawkwind merits a defense, discuss the band's origin story and analyze five great albums, from In Search of Space (1971) to Warriors on the Edge of Time (1975)   (01:05:16 - 01:23:59) - We analyze four more Hawkwind albums, from Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music (1976) to PXR5 (1979)   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor