Эпизоды

  • In which The Curmudgeons know you wanted the best so we're giving it to you. Long live KISS, whose live act and meaty, ferocious riffs are both legendary. Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss understood that rock 'n' roll, at the end of the day, is all about the show. And KISS, nearly 50 years ago, put on the greatest show on the rock 'n' roll earth--leather, makeup, fire, blood, explosions, lightning and seven-inch platform boots. It was a show that the world was so fond of it discovered it still longed for it 20 years later. Thus, KISS became an everlasting nostalgia act. We pay homage to the show on this episode--and to the nine albums the band released in the 1970s, which include two of the grandest live albums ever.

    Check out all of KISS's kick-ass '70s glam metal by accessing our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BXk5u5qUOVjvuDINjJcLR?si=1cadf882cffc4a76

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (00:52 - 05:29) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of KISS

    (08:25 - 20:08) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Kokoko! and MJ Lenderman

    (20:53 - 01:08:25) - We analyze KISS's 1970s album output, including the self-titled debut, Alive!, Alive! II and Destroyer

    (01:28:19 - 01:27:05) - We tell the rest of KISS's story: their downturn from glory, their decision to take off the makeup and embrace MTV excess and the inevitable return to '70s stage glory

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    https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-curmudgeon-rock-report?refMarker=null

    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons discuss the awesome power and influence of one of the innovators of the Southern thing, as The Drive-By Truckers refer to it. Lynyrd Skynyrd remains one of the most underrated rock bands of all time, a condition that is partially its own fault, given how it has tied itself in its most recent form to the worst of old Southern stereotypes. But there's no denying that the band's patented three-guitar assault, soulful songwriting and penchant for being the thinking man's rednecks produced a sterling catalog of work during the 1970s. We revisit the five albums of the Ronnie Van Zant era during this episode and place the band in a well-deserved, warm, positive spotlight.

    Enjoy the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd bu accessing our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3fLgdipOAMd34LCBpAcl3H?si=62407df7ae1c4435

    Here is a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (00:52 - 03:48) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion

    (03:52 - 18:43) The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of awesome new albums by Osees and Jack White

    (19:28 - 51:09) - We tell the origin story of Lynyrd Skynyrd and discuss the albums Pronounced 'Leh-'Nerd 'Skin-'Nerd, Second Helping, Nuthin' Fancy, Gimme Back My Bullets and Street Surviviors

    (52:31 - 01:20:09) - We tell the rest of the Lynyrd Skynyrd story, from the tragic plane crash that killed three members to its reformation with Ronnie's little brother Johnny Van Zant and then its eventual descent into self-parody.

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

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  • In which the Curmudgeons end their epic series of odes to the music of a nine-year period that transformed everything--and then some--in popular music. By 1972, the hangover from the revolutionary vibes of the 1960s had subsided, and that era's outgrowth of freedom and experimentation truly started to blossom. The Rolling Stones filtered American roots music through a dirty, sweaty prism to create a true rock masterpiece. David Bowie perfected glam rock and intergalactic theater to create a masterpiece of his own. And Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Curtis Mayfield set Black music on a wilder, more lush course. We explore all of that and much more during this episode.

    Enjoy all the great music of 1972 on our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22v1Gg8aZWlUaGrBHqaZ0B?si=446b89de0580497d

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (00:52 - 05:02) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1972

    (05:16 - 17:32) - The Paralell Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Kelly Stoltz and King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard

    (18:17 - 55:50) - We celebrate the 1972 output of The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder

    (57:22 - 01:20:30) - We revisit the 1972 music of Al Green, The Eagles, Steely Dan, Roxy Music, Neu! and Big Star

    (01:21:29 - 1:45:51) - We pay loving tribute to albums from Can, Neil Young, Black Sabbath and others who help define 1972

    Listen to all of this great music by accessing our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/159nl5UDgswraoThqqv07A?si=7b57198f803e4944

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (00:52 - 04:56) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion

    (05:49 - 16:23) - The Parallel Universe, feauturing reviews of new albums from King Hannah and Wand

    (17:08 - 45:11) - We discuss 13 great songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Bobby Womack and Donny Hathaway

    (46:29 - 1:09:08) - We discuss 13 additional songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Gladys Knight & the Pips, Don Julian, Willie Hutch, Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons stand up to the man and deliver the best of the best of a special era for both cinema and music, when African-Americans anti-heroes lit up the screens and imaginations of a generation of young Black people. And also young Black artists, who cranked out stunning funk, soul and disco anthems to accompany these films. Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and The Staple Singers were among the legends who contributed to this electrifying canon. We enter our wayback machine and revisit some of the best Black music of its time.

    Listen to all of this great music by accessing our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/159nl5UDgswraoThqqv07A?si=7b57198f803e4944

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (00:52 - 04:56) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion

    (05:49 - 16:23) - The Parallel Universe, feauturing reviews of new albums from King Hannah and Wand

    (17:08 - 45:11) - We discuss 13 great songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Bobby Womack and Donny Hathaway

    (46:29 - 1:09:08) - We discuss 13 additional songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Gladys Knight & the Pips, Don Julian, Willie Hutch, Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers

    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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M

    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons revisit an era where the streets soared to the top of the charts...and then unleashed their danger on hip-hop's finest artists. The success of Dr. Dre's 1992 album The Chronic ushered in an era where cursing, threatening lyrical opponents with violence, drug use and other chicanery became acceptable fodder for the radio dial. And it gave artists who might not otherwise have enjoyed a broad-based platform an opportunity to shine--including a couple of guys named Tupac Shakur and Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G" Wallace. In this episode, we analyze the tremendous music this period produced and lament its unfortunate wrath.

    Enjoy all of this awesome hip-hop music from the 1990s on our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5z7oEmg62kJeiAPRIKhxhS?si=e506f329ec4b4a26

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (00:52 - 04:50) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion

    (05:06 - 15:52) - The Parallel Unvierse, featuring reviews of new albums from Oisin Leech and Eels

    (16:37 - 01:11:11) - We celebrate the breakout of hardcore hip-hop from both coasts, with discussion of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Biggie Smalls

    (01:12:37 - 02:10:15) - We rumble through a whole host of great '90s hip-hop singles, including entries from gang Starr, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Jay-Z, DMX, A Tribe Called Quest and Ol' Dirty Bastard

    (02:11:14 - 02:55:04) - We meditate on the ballad of Tupac and Biggie and attempt to capture the legacy of 1990s hip-hop

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    https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M

    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons explore one of the most extraordinary years for rock music of all time. We won't call it the greatest, because we don't really believe in such a superlative. But, still, 1971 was pretty freakin' great. Patheon albums from Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and The Who; stone-cold masterpieces from Carole King and Joni Mitchell; and classics by Funkadelic, David Bowie, Santana and many others hit the shelves. We revisit it all with fondness and a romantic sense of history.

    Check out our super-long but super-awesome special Spotify playlist dedicated to the music of 1971:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3I7Y3rpv4Ub0hmuLjkM2ts?si=bfed69082851406a

    Here's a handy navigation companion to the episode.

    (0:52 - 03:47) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1971

    (04:14 - 17:27) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Kamasi Washington and Vince Staples

    (18:11 - 55:50) - Discussion of albums by Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Marvin Gaye

    (57:25 - 01:29:00) - Discussion of albums by Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone, Alice Cooper, T. Rex and David Bowie

    (01:29:58 - 02:12:55) - A run-through of a dozen more 1971 albums, including ones from Can, Santana, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and The Doors

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    https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb

    https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M

    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons celebrate the music and indelible legacy of one of the 21st Century's smartest, most vital rock bands. When The Black Keys first hit in 2002, comparisons with The White Stripes were inevitable. After all, they were a duo that blasted forth with just a guitar and drums. But that's where the fair comparisons ended. The Black Keys offered up lean, mean, reverent blues rock with dashes of soul and psychedelia. After self-recording their first four albums--and mostly doing so in basements--the band graduated to the majors with the help of storied hip-hop producer Danger Mouse, instantly growing as an incredibly sensual musical force. We explore the band's entire catalog, including their brand-new record, Ohio Players.

    Enjoy heaping helpings of The Black Keys via our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xTGizMTwVDR2bKBWulliT?si=b908d0c0745345fe

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (0:52 - 5:20) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion

    (05:21 - 27:41) - We share the origin story of The Black Keys and revisit their first three albums - The Big Come Up, Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory

    (28:26 - 52:19) - We discuss the albums Magic Potion, Attack & release, Brothers and El Camino

    (53:47 - 01:14:30) - We discuss the album Turn Blue, "Let's Rock," Delta Kream, Dropout Boogie and Ohio Players

    Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock

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    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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M

    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which the Curmudgeons hammer one of the most perplexing "it" bands of the entire 21st Century. Arcade Fire stormed out of Montreal in 2004 with Funeral, a debut album that captured the imagination of throngs of unimaginative indie hipster d-bags. Whereas their fans and a whole bunch of fawning rock critics heard glorious art in all the band's maximal grandiosity, we just heard...noise. Lots of it. A pulverizing wave of annoyance after annoyance. And the annoyance has yet to stop. Let us tell you all the ways we think this band is a giant turd burger.

    Listen to the abomination and judge for yourself by accessing our Arcade Fire-focused Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1C30jnDsJQySuV4wEPzq5r?si=9bd7c9df43514814

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.

    (0:52 - 04:50) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our Arcade Fire beatdown

    (05:06 - 16:21) - The Paralell Universe, featuring reviews of albums by The baby Seals and Kurt Vile

    (17:06 - 36:25) - We goof on maximal grandiosity and discuss Arcade Fire's albums Funeral and Neon Bible

    (37:57 - 01:03:09) - We discuss Arcade Fire's albums The Suburbs, Reflektor, Everything Now and We

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which the Curmudgeons continue their romp through rock's second golden age by revisiting perhaps the age's most underrated year. There were a ton of great albums released in 1970, as we discuss at least half-a-ton of those albums during this episode. It was a year when the rock 'n' roll generation started to mature and grow more varied in its tastes and its demands. The Beatles split up that year, and its core members all released solo albums in 1970. There also was the "soft-rock" movement, which made stars out of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and a guy named Neil Young. We soak it all up and pay tribute to that calendar trip around the sun 54 years ago.

    Listen to our special Spotify playlist dedicated to the sounds of 1970:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/53S1aHJv6oguRVLUtIszEe?si=22b0dfd685cd433f

    Check out a great book about the music of 1970 we discuss - David Browne's "Fire & Rain":

    https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/fire-and-rain_david-browne/455158/?resultid=22bd0d08-9aae-467f-9e8b-345c1438860a#edition=6906336&idiq=7763326

    Revisit our discussion of the Grateful Dead's early catalog of albums:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grateful-dead-in-the-studio-a-legacy-part-1/id1551808911?i=1000577054207

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.

    (0:52 - 03:48) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of the music of 1970

    (03:49 - 30:42) - Our Current Universe, featuring discussion of new music by St. Vincent, Drake and Kendrick Lamar

    (31:27 - 01:17:43) - We discuss the explosion of "soft-rock," the first solo albums by The Beatles, James Brown, Black Sabbath and The Stooges

    (01:45:18 - 02:24:08) - We discuss 12 more great albums releases in 1970, including releases by The Grateful Dead, Santana, The Velvet Underground and Creedence Clearwater Revival

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons straight cold rock a party and revisit hip-hop's greatest, most electrifying, most unendingly thrilling period, which stretched from 1986 to 1991. We tear through 12 brilliant albums and dozens of awesome singles that taught all the MCs and producers that followed how it should it be done--and how it would be done from here on out. We cover Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, Schooly D, Ice Cube, 2 Live Crew, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, The Beastie Boys, Queen Latifah and scores of other great and hugely influential artists.

    Listen to our special Spotify playlist dedicated to this episode:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4sf98fg4Qr5L4hJTg2uDQS?si=76c9e51cf474410f

    Listen to an old episode of our podcast, in which we argue for A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory as the greatest hip-hop album ever made:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-greatest-hip-hop-album-ever-made/id1551808911?i=1000545909663

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this new episode.

    (0:52 - 4:43) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of hip-hop's golden age

    (5:02 - 18:25) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Bodega and Mdou Moctar

    (19:10 - 01:16:54) - The Curmudgeons analyze 12 amazing albums that sprung from the golden age of hip-hop

    (01:18:15 - 02:14:40) - We celebrate a whole ton of great, mad-fun hip-hop singles from the golden age of hip-hop

    Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock

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    Subscribe to our show on these platforms:

    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons marvel at the trainwreck that the career of a pretty fabulous rock 'n' roll singer became. Rod Stewart's gravelly, soulful voice was the engine for a series of great ramped-up yet mostly acoustic albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s, all of which cemented a solid legacy for the singer. And then Stewart became beholden to a rock-star, sexy-man persona that craved relevance more than integrity. Starting in 1975, his career descended into a series of schlocky, cheesy singles that, while they proved to be his biggest hits, must be heard to truly appreciate their awfulness. We recount both the good ol' days and the bad ol' days of Rod Stewart during this episode.

    Listen to all things Rod Stewart - good, bad and ugly - by accessing our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0nXvqAv6Yby0h6pWeDSEG4?si=1ddcbbd651df4677

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode

    (0:52 - 03:31) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Rod Stewart

    (03:50 - 15:25) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Sahra Halgan and Khruangbin

    (16:09 - 37:33) - Good Rod - a discussion of Stewart's beginnings and analyses of his first five albums, including his masterpiece, 1971's Every Picture Tells a Story

    (38:32 - 58:27) - Bad Rod - a discussion of Stewart's nosedive into mediocrity, following him from 1975 through the New Wave days of the early 1980s

    (59:25 - 01:21:17) - More Bad Rod - a discussion of the nadir that was Rod Stewart's 1980s and then something of a brief comeback in the early 1990s. We end by contemplating the ultimate legacy of Rod Stewart.

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons meditate on one of rock's most important years. The music of 1969 was as inspiring as the times it was released were tumultuous. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who all released celebrated masterworks. Southern rock was born, and the newfangled form of funk continued to evolve. And two gigantic festivals hit the United States--one glorious, the other notorious. There would be blood, serving as arguably a perfect prelude to the 1970s.

    Read a gripping book we discuss during the episode, Joel Selvin's "Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock's Darkest Day":

    https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-darkness-got-to-give_joel-selvin/9920665/?resultid=fdbf7f90-5f20-4371-8ae3-f5f6616ace4f#edition=13196916&idiq=28301699

    Listen to lots of wonderful music from 1969 by accessing our special Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fSB03xBvDiODLdA6S1d4V?si=0c6b037284a54d13

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode

    (0:52 to 2:44) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1969

    (03:06 to 15:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by The Black Crowes and Waxahatchee

    (16:06 to 01:14:54) - Discussion of the 1969 output of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin and The Stooges

    (01:16:05 to 01:42:49) - Discussion of the 1969 output of Isaac Hayes, Sly & The Family Stone, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Band and The Allman Brothers

    (01:43:48 to 02:30:06) - Discussion of a bunch of great albums from 1969, plus a contemplation of the divergent stories that were Woodstock and Altamont

    Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock

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    https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M

    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons make the case for what we think is one of the most underrated bands of all time: The Doors. Wait. The Doors?! Yup. Once revered and now reviled, The Doors, we believe, are viewed by younger generations as a Baby Boomer fossil that is as pretentious as it is insufferable. But that misses the mark badly. Listen as we discuss the influences and artistic ambition that made Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek and bandmates so compelling, so engaging and so original.

    Enjoy each of The Door's six marvelous--or at least marvelously strange--records they made with Jim Morrison via our Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6qyqDc06X5gPa2XIK2n4jR?si=01b736f7a6ab40fa

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.

    (0:52 - 04:05) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of The Doors

    (04:22 - 19:48) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Yard Act and Liquid Mike

    (20:33 - 42:02) - We dispel five myths commonly associated with The Doors

    (43:32 - 01:08:54) - We discuss the band's origin story. We also analyze the first three Doors albums: the self-titled debut, Strange Days and Waiting For The Sun.

    (01:09:53 - 01:46:55) - We analyze the last three records The Doors made with Jim Morrison: The Soft Parade, Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman. We also discuss the band's considerable influence and undeniable legacy.

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • 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=cd59a5b1d62046f3

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.

    (0:52 - 03:40) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

    (03:58 - 16:03) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Lime Garden and Little Simz

    (16:48 - 37:55) - We cover BRMC's origin story and discuss the albums B.R.M.C. and Take Them On, On Your Own

    (39:35 - 01:02:17) - WE cover the albums Howl, Baby 81 and Beat the Devil's Tattoo and contemplate BRMC's ultimate legacy

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which The Curmudgeons explore the dichotomous year that followed 1967's Summer of Love trippiness. The previous year's highs represent a peak creative burst. Well, where to go next? That's where the era's most storied artists diverged. On the one hand, you had bands that went bigger and bolder--The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead fall into this category. On the other hand, you had a yearning to return to the simpler roots of rock 'n' roll, and a rush toward softer, warmer hues by The Byrds, The Band, The Kinks and others ensued. We explore both paths in depth and with panache.

    Enjoy the music we discuss in this episode using our Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/62VxWb48fGleKLmFkRSPF0?si=bc901034b00144ef

    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (0:52 - 02:20) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1968

    (04:55 - 20:18) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Sleater-Kinney and Amyl & The Sniffers

    (21:03 - 54:15) - WE analyze The Beatles' White Album and The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet

    (55:28 - 01:19:24) - Christopher O'Connor analyzes 1968 albums by The Band, The Byrds and The Kinks

    (01:20:22 - 02:05:22) - We cover a slew of albums, ranging from Van Morrison's Astral Weeks to The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow, with Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead and others sandwiched in between

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which the Curmudgeons marvel at how quickly, and how well, hip-hop evolved after the Sugar Hill Gang's massive 1979 hit "Rapper's Delight" changed the game completely for everyone. We tell the story of how entrepreneurs, hustlers and visionaries seized the moment to bridge gaps between the streets, the art galleries and the record-label boardrooms. We celebrate a string of amazing singles that grew in sophistication and in pure fun with each volley. And we mark the beginning of the album as a hip-hop artform by discussing two classics, Run-D.M.C.'s self-titled debut and LL Cool J's Radio.

    Listen to all of this great music by accessing our Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0H0DTcK3EqlQvVXIF4UK7U?si=900ad05efec74d30

    Check out these books, which we discuss during the episode:

    Jeff Chang's "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation":

    https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/cant-stop-wont-stop-a-history-of-the-hip-hop-generation_jeff-chang_dj-kool-herc/257047/?resultid=64846f2c-3a5f-46cd-80fc-c72a7f0af996#edition=4070729&idiq=4560452

    Jonathan Abrams' "The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop":

    https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-come-up-an-oral-history-of-the-rise-of-hip-hop_jonathan-abrams/35084204/?resultid=76479560-1d4a-4cb7-9ce1-4ba7ff020fe0#edition=64092613&idiq=55408108

    Here is handy navigation companion to this episode.

    (0:52 - 03:50) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion

    (03:55 - 18:36) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Otoboke Beaver and Slift

    (19:21 - 44:10) - WE discuss the success of "Rapper's Delight" and its explosive aftermath. We feature Kurits Blow, Fab 5 Freddy, the movie "Wild Style" and other accomplishers and accomplishments.

    (45:03 - 01:37:00) - We cover a litany of fantastic singles, plus the albums Run-D.M.C. and Radio.

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    Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade & Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  • In which the Curmudgeons count down our selections for the 50 best B-side songs in rock history. The B-side is something of a lost art as digital music dominates and physical media becomes less prevalent. But there was a time when the other side of the 45 or tracks 2 and 3 of the CD maxi-single mattered. There, you could find songs the artist intentionally withheld from an album to give them their own grand stage. In some instances, those songs were among the greatest ever recorded. Beatles, anyone?

    Listen to most of these songs on our Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6l4pcDTnHhjpcVKl7S1bmn?si=a16b63d5e9f64f26

    Here is a handy navigation companion for this episode:

    (0:52 - 03:06) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion

    (03:11 - 14:18) - The Parallel Universe, featuring revies of recent albums by Sufjan Stevens and Lil Yachty

    (15:03 - 51:09) - We count the down the greatest B-sides from numbers 50 to 26. There's a Kinks song on here Chris particularly likes.

    (52:20 - 01:37:14) - We count down the greatest B-sides from number 25 to the top spot at #1. You've probably heard our entire Top Ten more than a few times.

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    -

  • In which The Curmudgeons revisit an unbelievably fertile year for popular music during the 20th century. The Beatles dropped Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. James Bown dropped "Cold Sweat." And a staggering number of artists announced their arrival in stunning fashion--Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, the Velvet Underground and others. And, yes, there was a whole lot of flower power emanating from the streets of San Francisco. We pack mounds of '67 goodness into our discussion.

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.

    (00:52 - 03:10) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our 1967 discussion

    (05:56 - 18:13) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Joanna Sternberg and Danny Brown

    (19:11 - 01:16:59) - We discuss Sgt. Peppers, the Rolling Stones, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and The Velvet Underground

    (01:18:38 - 02:22:35) - We discuss the sounds of San Francisco, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and James Brown's "Cold Sweat." We also run through a slew of great Motown and Stax singles, and end with a roll call of other great albums from 1967.

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  • In which The Curmudgeons each reveal their favorite records of the year. Frankly, it was a mediocre past 12 months for popular music, and there aren't a whole lot of records people will remember a decade from now. Yet there were some gems, and during this moment in time, we're excited to share our picks. Call it a public service.

    Enjoy a sampler platter of our selections via our Spotify playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1N5hCOovaIYE2uobAgvxVy?si=a80ada2729ab42c8

    Here is a handy navigation companion for this episode:

    (0:52 - 02:20) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for the episode

    (02:20 - 10:17) - The Curmudgeons briefly discuss their pick for the worst album of 2023

    (11:21 - 54:53) - Christopher O'Connor reveals his Top 10 albums of the year, including releases by Boygenius, Killer Mike and Zach Bryan

    (56:26 - 01:29:02) - Arturo reveals his Top 10 albums of the year, including releases by Laurel Canyon, Mitski and Paul Simon. Yes, that Paul Simon...

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  • In which The Curmudgeons celebrate an underrated classic album that was Chris's favorite for a stretch when he was 18 years old. Yes, the episode title is a direct assertion about Blind Melon's debut record Chris made once upon a time to Arturo. But was it a warranted statement from a tortured 18-year-old kid? Of course not, but don't we all have an album like that from our youth we adore? Regardless, the album actually is truly great and deserves serious, thoughtful treatment here 30 years later.

    Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.

    (0:52 - 4:55) - Atruo sets the parameters for our discussion of Blind Melon

    (6:54 - 20:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring albums by Squirrel Flower and Blondeshell

    (21:20 - 37:18) - Arturo offers the origin story of Blind Melon. Chris discusses why the album came to mean so much to him all those years ago.

    (38:13 - 01:05:27) - The Curmudgeons offer a track-by-track analysis of the album Blind Melon

    (1:05:28 - 01:16:35) - We tell the rest of the story: The disappointing follow-up 1995 album Soup, the death of singer Shannon Hoon and a;; the what-could-have-beens.

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