What the Riff Next Gen

Lynch riffs on the Third studio album by Sublime “Sublime” from February 1996 (What I Got / April 29, 1992 / Doin' Time / Santeria).   STAFF PICKS: “Aeroplane” by Red Hot Chili Peppers — Rob. “Fear of Falling” by The Badlees— Bruce. " “In the Meantime” by Spacehog — Wayne.   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd (from the motion picture “Happy Gilmore”). 

Rob riffs on the fourth studio album by Collective Soul “Dosage” from March 1999 (Tremble for My Beloved / Heavy / Slow / Run).   STAFF PICKS: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals — Lynch “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim— Bruce Why I'm Here” by Oleander — Wayne   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Main Title/Trinity Infinity” (from the motion picture "The Matrix").  **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

Bruce riffs on the second solo studio album by Mark Knopfler “Sailing to Philadelphia” from October 2000 (What It Is / Silvertown Blues / Do America / Sailing to Philadelphia). STAFF PICKS: "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” by Nine Days — Lynch. “Hangin Around” by Counting Crows — Rob. "Beautiful Day” by U2 — Wayne. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Frolic” by Luciano Michelini (from the TV Series "Curb Your Enthusiasm"). 

Lynch riffs on the third studio album by the Gin Blossoms, “Congratulations I'm Sorry,” which had its first single release in  January 1996 (Follow You Down / As Long As It Matters / Day Job / Til I Hear It from You). STAFF PICKS: “Breakfast At Tiffany's” by Deep Blue Something — Bruce. “Santa Monica” by Everclear — Wayne. "Miss Sarajevo” by Passengers (aka U2) — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:  "Beach Sequence" by Passengers   **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

Wayne riffs on the fourth studio album by Bowling for Soup, Drunk Enough to Dance, from August 2002 (I Don't Wanna Rock / Girl All the Bad Guys Want / Running from Your Dad / Emily). STAFF PICKS: “Without Me” by Eminem — Bruce “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age — Rob "Downfall” by Trust Company — Lynch   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "Feuer Frei!" by Rammstein (from the motion picture "XXX").   **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

Rob riffs on the 11th studio album from Van Halen “Van Halen III” from March of 1998 (Without You / Fire in the Hole / One I Want / From Afar). STAFF PICKS: “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba — Wayne. "The Way” by Fastball — Lynch. “Brick” by Ben Folds Five — Bruce. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Uninvited” by Alanis Morissette (from the motion picture "City of Angels"). 

Bruce riffs on the fourth studio album from Cake “Comfort Eagle” from July 2001 (Love You Madly / Comfort Eagle / Long Line of Cars / Short Skirt/Long Jacket). STAFF PICKS: "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” by Train — Rob. “Bodies” by Drowning Pool— Wayne. "Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm — Lynch. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Acro Arena (Instrumental)” by Cake. 

Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from Matchbox 20 “Yourself or Someone Like You” on the charts in  November of 1996 (3AM / Push / Real World / Long Day). STAFF PICKS: “Big Chair” by Reacharound — Wayne.  “Rewind” by Better than Ezra — Rob.  "When You Love a Woman” by Journey— Clint Barrett.   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Space Jam” by Quad City DJ's (from the motion picture "Space Jam").   **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

Wayne riffs on the debut studio album by Jet, Get Born, released in September 2003 (Rollover DJ /Are You Gonna Be My Girl / Get Me Outta Here / Cold Hard Bitch). STAFF PICKS: Weak and Powerless by A Perfect Circle — Lynch. In Da Club by 50 Cent — (Fan of the Show )Clint Barrett. One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL/ENTERTAINMENT/LAUGH TRACK: Main theme from the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.

Friend of the show, Greg Lyon riffs on the debut album by Disturbed, “The Sickness” from March 2000 (The Sickness / Voices / The Game / Stupify). STAFF PICKS: "Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit — Wayne. “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down — Rob. "Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon — Lynch. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Final Destination Suite” from the motion picture "Final Destination". **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

Bruce riffs on the second studio album from Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory? on the charts in November 1995 (Champagne Supernova / Wonderwall / Morning Glory / Don't Look Back in Anger). STAFF PICKS: "Name” by Goo Goo Dolls — Wayne. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette— Lynch. "See You On the Other Side” by Ozzy Osbourne — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “The Memory of Trees” by Enya. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)

Rob riffs on the 13th studio album from R.E.M. “Around the Sun” from September of 2004 (Leaving New York / Wanderlust / Aftermath / Around the Sun). STAFF PICKS: “1985” by Bowling for Soup — Bruce. "Float On” by Modest Mouse— Lynch.  “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney — Wayne.  COMEDY TRACK: “Goofy Goober Rock” by SpongeBob SquarePants.

Lynch riffs on the third studio album from the Smashing Pumpkins, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” from October 1995 (1979 / Bullet with Butterfly Wings / Zero / Tonight, Tonight). STAFF PICKS: “Downtown” by Neil Young — Rob. “Lump” by The Presidents of the United States of America — Wayne. “Hard as a Rock” by AC/DC — Gregg. L/E/I TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Strange Days". 

Surprisingly, America was formed in London.  The trio of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek met in London where their fathers were stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip.  The three attended London Central High School and began playing together on borrowed acoustic guitars.  The name came from the Americana jukebox in the mess hall, and a desire to distinguish themselves from the British musicians around them who were trying to sound more American. America is also their self-titled debut album released in the States in January 1972.  The album originally was released without “A Horse With No Name,” but when that single garnered significant commercial success it was added to a re-release of the album in early 1972.  The re-released album would top the US album charts and produce two top-10 singles. The band would be a force in the folk-rock and soft rock genres for a generation.  With close harmonies similar to Crosby, Stills & Nash, and complex acoustic guitar arrangements, their first seven albums would be in the top 50 on the album charts, though this first debut would be their lone chart topper to date.  Their compilation album “History:  America's Greatest Hits” was released at the end of 1975. America produced albums of original material up through 2015.  In 1977 Dan Peek left the group to pursue music in the Contemporary Christian genre.  Speculation regarding a reunion of the original members continued through the years until Peeks death in 2011. Rob brings us a great debut folk rock album in this week's podcast. Riverside The lead off track is a good example of the original America sound.  It has a laid back message:  I don't want to take anything from you, and I don't want you to take anything from me.  It is a “live and let live” message using a metaphor of life on two sides of the river. A Horse with No Name This is the track that put the band on the map.  Originally entitled “Desert Song” the track takes inspiration from a Salvador Dali painting and an M.C. Escher painting.  Writer Dewey Bunnell created lyrics loosely based on his travels as a child with family through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico.   Three Roses Bunnell paints a picture of both a quiet life and romantic uncertainty in this song inspired by his girlfriend, soon to be wife.  “Three roses were bought with you in mind.”  Dan Peek takes lead vocal duties on this one with subdued but complex chords and harmonies. I Need You The second single from the album was written by Gerry Beckley when he was 16 years old.  Beckley also takes lead vocals on this ballad which went to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.  You can sense the similarity to bands like the Beatles and Alan Parsons in this track.   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main theme from the television series “Emergency!” This first responder action series focused on Squad 51 in Los Angeles saw its debut in January 1972.    STAFF PICKS: Family Affair by Sly & the Family Stone Bruce begins the staff picks with the most successful hit from Sly & the Family Stone.  This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and the R&B Singles chart for five.  This track is a little different for the group, as the guitars are toned down, and the electric piano (with Billy Preston on keyboard) is brought up.  The lyrics talk about the ways a family can go wrong. Roundabout by Yes Lynch brings us a song written by singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe.  The song originated from a trip the group took in Scotland in which they encountered a number of roundabouts.  The line, “in and around the lake” came from one of the lochs they passed.  This opening track from Fragile was drastically edited to produce a single coming in at 3:27 rather than the over 8-minute original.  It reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, the group's highest charting single until 1983's “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” Doctor My Eyes by Jackson Browne Wayne's staff pick is a single off Browne's debut and self-titled album.  The lyrics discuss the feeling that the singer is becoming jaded about life by seeing all the wrong in the world, and now being unable to cry about it.  David Crosby and Graham Nash provide backing vocals to this song which went to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.   Misty Mountain Hop by Led Zeppelin Rob features a song which was the B-side to Zeppelin's “Black Dog.”  The lyrics take their inspiration from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as the “Legalize Pot Rally” held in Hyde Park in July 1968.  It appeared on the massive Led Zeppelin IV album.  As Rob says, it is a “mixture of stoner idealism and Tolkien nerdery.”   COMEDY TRACK: Pigeon Song by America We exit with a little double dipping, and with gratefulness that none of us is a pigeon named Fred.  Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel. Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share. Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform! **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

Before the grunge movement of the 90's, and before the punk movement of the 70's, there was the garage band phenomenon of the 60's.  One of the forerunners of both punk and grunge from this garage band period is Tacoma Washington's The Sonics.  Their classic lineup consisted of Rob Lind on harmonica, vocals, and sax, Gerry Roslie on organ, piano, and lead vocals, Larry Parypa on lead guitar and vocals, Andy Parypa on bass, and Bob Bennett on drums.  The Sonics had a fast, hard-edged sound similar to The Kinks, and performed with a speed that would inspire punk rock. Boom is their second studio album from the band, released in February 1966.  As with many songs from the mid-60's, all the songs are short.  But with a non to the future punk movement, many songs are even shorter, clocking in at just over 2 minutes.  The Sonics take their name from Boeing, the aviation company also based in Tacoma.  The name of the album is likely a play on words for the "sonic boom," the thunderous sound produced by an aircraft exceeding the speed of sound.  The music on this album is energetic and abrasive, and while some fuzzy guitar distortion is included the overall feel is raw with little extra production. The classic lineup would fall apart by 1968, with members leaving to join other bands, attend college, or in saxophonist Rob Linds' case - become a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War.  Gerry Roslie would be the sole remaining original member with new members jumping in and out of the band until 1980.   Wayne brings us this forerunner of punk and grunge for this week's podcast.   Cinderella The lead-off song from the album was an original piece written by Gerry Roslie.  The lyrics relay a boy meeting a girl at a bar, having a great time drinking and dancing, and just when things start to get going well, the girl is gone by midnight.   He's Waitin' This song starts the B-side of the album, and was also a Gerry Roslie original.  This "boy loses girl" song is not a happy one!  The lyrics reflect the boy's thoughts on being burned by a girl.  Now he is telling her that Satan is waiting for her.  "It's too late, you lied, now you will fry."  Louie, Louie Richard Berry wrote and performed this song in 1957 with The Pharaohs, and covers of this song are common with garage bands.  The Sonics' version is quite fast, and modifies the pronunciation from "Lou-ee Lou-ee" to "Lou-eye Lou-way" in the chorus.  It is hard to separate this song from the thoughts of fraternity parties and the comedy movie "Animal House."  Shot Down The song that closes out the album laments about striking out when approaching a girl.  "I play a guitar.  I even drive a brand new car.  Big man in town, I've been shot down."   ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the motion picture "The Rare Breed" This western starred James Stewart and Maureen O'Hara and was one of the first films scored by the now-legendary composer John Williams.  STAFF PICKS: Crying Time by Ray Charles Bruce leads off the staff picks with the lead single and starting track to Ray Charles' album of the same name.  The song was originally performed by Buck Owens in 1964, and Charles kept the country feel while taking the cover to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  He won the Grammy Awards in 1967 for Best R&B Recording and Best R&B Solo Performance for this track. It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown Lynch brings us a song that takes its name as a play on the name of a 1963 comedy film, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."  The minor key track has lyrics decrying the chauvinism of society where all the work of modern civilization are attributed to men, but it would all "mean nothing without a woman or a girl."  Brown recorded the song in only two takes, and it would become a staple of his live shows for the rest of his career. Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers Rob features a surf rock song originally developed as the opening intro to the U.S. spy television series "Secret Agent," which aired from 1964 to 1966. The ditty became popular, and Rivers developed it into a full single.  The song would go to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming both a signature song for Rivers and a rock standard for future bands and shows. Lies by The Knickerbockers Wayne's closes out the staff picks with a song from an American band deliberately trying to mimic the sound of a British Invasion song.  The trio harmonies definitely give it a Beatles quality.  As you might expect from the band name, the Knickerbockers got their start in New Jersey as a garage band.  The track came together in about a half hour.   COMEDY TRACK: The One on the Right is On the Left by Johnny Cash This comedy song about a band with incompatible political leanings amongst its members takes us out for this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel. Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share. Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform! **NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.