Published by The Curmudgeons
A loud-mouth retired rock critic and a cranky expat rock obsessive discuss, analyze and just plain old argue about rock ‘n‘ roll: the old stuff, the new stuff and why it all still matters.
Listen on Apple PodcastsIn which The Curmudgeons revisit the most popular and epic music from most of the year they both turned 16 years of age. Why most? Because on September 24,1991, a whole hell of a lot changed. That was the day Nirvana's Nevermind hit record-store shelves (remember those?). Before then, the world was inundated with diva pop from Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul, the embers of pop metal from the Scorpions, Skid Row and Guns N' Roses, a ton of mostly awful R&B slow jams, novelty hits from folks like Gerardo and MC Hammer and some actually great stuff from R.E.M., Gang Starr, My Bloody Valentine, Metallica, INXS, Londonbeat and others. We put our track shoes on in this episode to brave the rapids of these decidedly mixed and non-zeitgeist-ish first nine months of 1991...covering nearly 100 songs! Enjoy the ride... Listen to all of this great (and not so great music) from 1991 by access our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3EdH6x0Uy5phuXOadoe2z1?si=7fa8ae32186c4562 Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode: (00:52 - 03:05) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of the pre-Nirvana months of 1991 (04:04 - 22:29) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Mildred and Vince Staples (23:27 - 01:31:19) - We rumble through songs that were either big or notable between January and May of 1991. Some names some of you may remember: Keith Sweat, Cath Dennis, Wilson Phillips, C+C Music Factory, Extreme, Color Me Badd, Roxette and Massive Attack. (01:32:25 - 02:33:57) - We sprint through a whole bunch of other songs, this time focusing on June to September 1991. Other names you might remember: Seal, Big Audio Dynamite, EMF, Right Said Fred, Naughty By Nature and The Cult 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 share their reverence for one of modern indie rock's most singular and iconoclastic talents. Kurt Vile has worked hard from his native Philadelphia for nearly 20 years now to build for himself an idiosyncratic, shamanistic style that melds folk, psychedelic, classic rock and pure pop into something wholly his own. As Curmudgeon Arturo Andrade puts it, "Imagine Lou Reed and Tom Petty having a bastard child who smokes pot with Pavement and Dinosaur Jr., and the weed is provided by the Meat Puppets. Yeah, his shit is that good." Yet for as wacky as Vile may seem, he's a craftsman and a brilliant shaper of ideas and moods. And, hey, his name is actually Kurt Vile. So perhaps he was truly born to be great. Listen as we analyze Vile's work and, most especially, his vibe. Listen to the music of Kurt Vile by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6tvHBRaA2dgN7fZW1x5wU8?si=cf1a4d4ea7d44412 Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode: (00:52 - 02:15) - Arturo Andrade sets the paramaters for our discussion on the music of Kurt Vile (03:20 - 15:18) - We offer initial thoughts about what we think makes Kurt Vile so special and then offer up his origin story as a blue-collar guy working his tail off to get his music career and find his voice. (16:16 - 32:18) - We analyze Vile's first three proper albums: Childish Prodigy, Smoke Ring For My Halo and Wakin' On a Pretty Daze. (33:22 - 01:03:00) - We diver just as deep into the rest of Kurt Vile's catalog of albums, including 2026's urgent ode to gratitude and contentment, Philadelphia's Been Good to Me. 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 revisit the year before grunge exploded into the mainstream. And 1990 was indeed a really important year for the development of our beloved genre. Mother Love Bone was on the cusp of hitting it big until frontman Andrew Wood, a beloved figures in the Seattle scene, died of a heroin overdose. The band's album Apple, in the can but not yet released, was effectively tanked by its record label, robbing Wood of a posthumous star turn. But another enigmatic blonde guy started preparing for his own star turn in 1990, as Nirvana released a titanic single that signaled its pivot from sludgier sonics to a more commercial, song-driven approach. Another essential grunge band, Alice in Chains, also had its first leap toward superstardom in 1990 with the release of their downbeat glam metal juggernaut Facelift. By the end of this important year, the veritable stage was set for rock's last truly special phenomeon to become huge. Enjoy the fantastic grunge and grunge-adjacent music of 1990 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2wAlMYcAn38MwZKXMHoEto?si=57fc9f65e9184ad4 Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode. (00:52 - 2:57) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for ourdiscussion of the grunge rock of 1990 (03:53 - 17:10) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Genesis Owusu and Twisted Teens (18:09 - 48:30) - Arturo laments the effect of heroin on the story of grunge. We then analyze 1990 grunge releases from Nirvana, Tad, Alice in Chains and Mother Love Bone (49:31 - 01:09:05) - We analyze grunge-adjacent 1990 albums from L7, The Afghan Whigs, The Breeders and Sonic Youth 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 express deep appreciation for how Kendrick Lamar both honors and respects hip-hop as an artform and continues to move it forward--even as the rest of modern hip-hop stagnates, suffers and embarrasses. We cover the span of his entire career and analyze each of his official album releases musically and artistically. This includes discussion two absolutely staggering achievements in Good Kid, m.a.a.d City and To Pimp a Butterfly and a total of five albums built around a central literary theme. And, of course, we recall thoroughly Kendrick kicked Drake's rear end in their storied musical battle from 2024. Check out the extraordinary musical output of Kendrick Lamar (including To Pimp a Butterfly in its entirety) by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Wu3GrqmxcJaiflYLjTga7?si=720b42881a0e49bc Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode. (00:52 - -03:52) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Kendrick Lamar (04:21 - 15:39) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Kneecap and Weird Nightmare (16:38 - 50:43) - First, Christopher O'Connor offers a not-so-great state of the union of today's hip-hop. Then we recall the origin story of how Kendrick Lamar established his career. Then we start discussing his albums, including Good Kid, m.a.a.d. City. (51:49 - 01:46) - We discuss the rest of Kendrick Lamar's catalog, including To Pimp a Butterfly. We also revisit what Chris had to say about the Kendrick-Drake beef right as it was about to end two years ago--and then tell the rest of the story. 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 express awe and amazement over the musical innovation and rebellious spirit of one Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti. Already an established jazz-fusion bandleader in his native Nigeria, a nearly year long stay in Los Angeles in 1969 exposed Kuti to the thrilling sounds of that era's soul and funk music and to the rage and purpose behind the politics of Black empowerment. Kuti returned home reinvigorated and over the course of the 1970s, he proceeded to fashion what we now call Afrobeat, writing and performing marathon-length compositions that spliced funk, R&B, jazz and Afro-Cuban music with the polyrhythmic Yoruba beats of his homeland. Kuti thrusted rousing horn punches, electric-piano sensuality and especially lush and glorious saxophone solos into the world's consciousness. And he became more furious and more targeted in his criticisms of African colonialism, imperialism and governmental corruption--to the point the Nigerian government burned down his commune and, later, imprisoned him on trumped-up charges. Kuti's resultant suffering and defiance through it all became a rallying cry for justice among the Western world, helping him transcend his status as a musical visionary into something entirely more heroic. We explore the best of Fela Kuti's music and meditate on his lasting influence during this episode. Enjoy the music of Fela Kuti by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7jmPzVgNCI1252H9b19UhJ?si=3fcbe59f198346bb Here is a handy navigational companion to this episode. (00:52 - 03:37) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Fela Kuti (04:11 - 14:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Brother Wallace and Touch Girl Apple Blossom (and an amusing recitation mishap by Christopher O'Connor) (15:20 - 49:18) - We discuss the musical and cultural legacy of Fela Kuti right up front. We also tell his origin story. And we begin an analysis of his best songs, starting with the nastily funky "Roforofo Fight." (50:27 - 01:07:37) - We analyze more of Fela Kuti's best songs, including the James Brown-inspired vamp-up "Zombie" and the amazingly intense 24-minute classic "I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)" 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 meditate on the year in which grunge as a movement officially entered the universal rock consciousness. The Seattle rock scene in the mid-to-late 1980s was defined by a bunch of smart, ambitious wiseasses who were in a virtual competition with one another to find the truest sweet spot between punk and metal. However, it was not until the band Mudhoney found an enthusiastic and adoring fanbase in the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1989 that the rest of the world started to take notice. An inquisitive and diligent writer named Everett True, with help of storied Seattle record company Sub Pop, traveled to Seattle and cranked out an authoritative, lovingly crafted primer on grunge for the magazine Melody Maker that triggered a wave of buzz and set in motion the commercial forces that made grunge a cultural phenomenon two-plus years later. And True's timing was impeccable: Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, Screaming Trees, Tad and this one "little brother" band named Nirvana all released exciting music in 1989. We cover that grungy waterfront during this episode. Enjoy the awesome grunge music of 1989 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7AKkKOtc1I4lCIcF6kp7Oz?si=c5dd28c7c3b940ed Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode: (00:52 - 03:43) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of grunge in 1989 (04:19 - 22:43) - The Parallel Universe, in which we review recent albums from Lime Garden and Los Thuthanaka (23:42 - 52:19) - We tell the story of how Everett True helped put grunge on the global map. We also analyze 1989 albums from Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone and Screaming Trees. (53:46 - 01:11:39) - WE discuss 1989 albums from Tad and Nirvana as well as "grunge-adjacent" albums from The Jesus Lizard and The Pixies 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 revisit and marvel over one of the most amazing streaks a performer has ever had in the long history of this thing we love called rock 'n' roll. Belfast native Van Morrison enjoyed chart success early on in the mid-1960s with the hits "Gloria" and "Brown Eyed Girl" but then fell back into obscurity for a couple years before re-emerging with a mixture of bravado, introspection and poet's soul to embark on an extraordinary six-plus-year streak of artistic and eventually commercial mastery. He dropped one of the greatest albums of all time, the heavenly folk-jazz meditation Astral Weeks, in 1968. When the album bombed commercially, Morrison pivoted and spent the next several years blessing the world with a startling yet often rapturous brand of "blue-eyed" soul music that captured the world's imagination and propelled him to superstardom. We cover this whole period of Morrison's in detail--and with tremendous excitement. Enjoy the music of Van Morrison by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5RE1t7yvh12UfRvmOam12W?si=30961af58cfc4a29 Here's handy navigation companion to this episode. (00:52 - 03:46) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Van Morrison (04:42 - 26:03) - The Parallell Universe, in which we review new albums from Courtney Barnett and Angine de Poitrine (27:02 - 57:23) - We tell Morrison's origin story and them explore his albums Astral Weeks, Moondance, His Band and the Street Choir and Tupelo Honey (58:31 - 01:24:28) - We discuss the Morrison albums Saint Dominic's Preview, Hard Nose the Highway, ...It's Too Late to Stop Now...Vol. 1 and Veedon Fleece. We also contemplate Morrison's artistic 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 explore the work of the worst rock band of the 21st Century...so you don't have to do all the work yourself! Seriously, this is a public service we're doing here. Greta Van Fleet is a quartet from a small town in Michigan that did an admittedly great job of studying the style, technique and sound of the mighty Led Zeppelin. But then they mistook that for creative juice and served up a bunch of boring, comically vapid imitations of their heroes. When critics called them out on their uninspired mimicry, they tried their best to style themselves as a more prog-rock-leaning metal band...and became even more boring and vapid in the process. This prompts us here to ponder: Who the hell are the people that like this band and helped propel them to stardom and success? We dare you to listen to, we guess, the best of Greta Van FLeet's music by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ACdCuo9YcuAFKb8BDZcgF?si=a9f76057b3bc4b99 Here's handy navigation companion to this episode. (00:52 - 03:43): Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Greta Van Fleet (05:27-15:51) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent music from Automatic and Grace Ives (16:49 - 31:17) - We tell the origin story of Greta Van Fleet and marvel at the awfulness of their debut EP From the Fires, which won a Grammy for Best New Rock Album. Related: We trash the history of this particular Grammy. (32:31 - 49:16) - We analyze Greta Van Fleet's three full-length studio albums, which grow worse and then worser as we reach them 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 set the dial back to 1988, when grunge started to become a real thing with real buzz and found itself no longer contained to just Seattle. Mudhoney kicked ass and triumphed in the U.K. with the gargantuan single "Touch Me I'm Sick" and their awesomely heavy debut EP Superfuzz Bigmuff. Soundgarden released its full-length debut album, which, while badly produced, found the band slashing and burning through a number of supremely intense rockers. And Screaming Trees served up a super-loud but super-cool take on 1960s psychedelic garage rock. Meanwhile, non-Seattle bands like Sonic Youth, Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. released classic hard rock albums that would influence a certain talented little guy from Aberdeen, Wa., a few years later. Enjoy the awe-inspiring sounds of 1988 proto-grunge and grunge adjacency (with some bonus 1996 stuff from Screaming Trees) by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6lVn38eOrw3CraMeLejnTx?si=8de496ad2eb7414b Here's a handy a navigation companion to this episode. (00:52-03:13) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of grunge from 1988 (04:13-14:40) - Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Sault and Buck Meek (15:39 - 41:12) - We tell the origin story of the mighty Sub Pop Records and cover releases from Mudhoney, Soundgarden and Scream Trees (42:15 - 01:01:49) - We analyze tremendous "grunge-adjacent" albums from l7, Sonic Youth, The Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. 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 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