Barber Cuts: Beats and Bars

This week’s album is a special one - Riley’s pick, and the record that sparked her own personal love of music. Relient K’s Forget and Not Slow Down blends heartfelt lyrics, clever wordplay, and driving melodies into an album that marked a turning point in her musical journey. You might even call it the original seed of Barber Cuts! We dive into the songs that hit hardest, the themes that linger, and why this 2009 release still feels so meaningful to her! Plus, our “Song of the Week” picks return to keep your playlists growing.

From the show: Riley references the YouTube video about the making of 'Forget and Not Slow Down' so here's a link to go watch it -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GejgIfGCb0

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

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Barber Cuts on Facebook

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:10 Least Favorite Songs

04:16 Favorite Songs

17:04 Why is this album on our list?

33:15 Best Beats and Bars

38:29 Songs of the Week

42:02 Our Ratings

44:50 Next album...

This week we glitter, strut, and shred our way back to 1972 with David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. A cosmic concept album drenched in glam rock glory, it tells the tale of an androgynous alien rock star sent to save the dying world. We dive into the swagger, the riffs, and the theatrical genius that made Ziggy an icon. Which tracks sparkle brightest for us and which fizzle out in the stardust? Tune in for the glam, the drama, and of course, our “Song of the Week” picks.

From the show: Bowie ended the Ziggy shows with Rock n Roll Suicide, climaxing on July 3rd, 1973 when Bowie indeed killed Ziggy on stage as he announced he would never tour again to screams of disbelief (not least from Bolder and Woodmansey - bandmates of his - who were both clueless it was all about to end). Watch the [iconic final performance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD1nzOeS6U0), and towards the end you see a fan run up on stage.

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:15 Least Favorite Songs

03:38 Favorite Songs

10:48 Why is this album on our list?

22:02 Our Ratings

24:57 Best Beats and Bars

28:47 Songs of the Week

35:10 Next album...

This week we jump forward 20 years from grunge to guitars, loops, and heartfelt lyrics with Ed Sheeran’s debut album +. Released in 2011, this record introduced the world to Sheeran’s blend of acoustic pop, rap-influenced delivery, and tender ballads. For Riley, this one carries a little bit of nostalgia so join us as we share favorites, skips, and talk about how this album set the stage for Sheeran’s rise. Plus, don’t miss our “Song of the Week” picks!

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:00 Least Favorite Songs

06:34 Favorite Songs

20:12 Why is this album on our list?

29:21 Our Ratings

36:51 Songs of the Week

45:54 Next album...

This week we’re back in 1991 with Nirvana’s Nevermind - the album that kicked down the door for grunge and changed rock forever. From the opening chords of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to the quieter moments tucked between the loud ones, we explore why this record struck a chord with a generation. Does it still hold up over 30 years later? We share our favorites, debate the skips (or are there any for us?), and dig into how this album became a cultural earthquake. Plus, don’t miss our “Song of the Week” picks!

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

Chapters

00:00 Intro

1:00 Least Favorite Songs

5:16 Favorite Songs

22:35 Why is this album on our list?

42:23 Our Ratings

44:52 Songs of the Week

48:00 Next album...

We’ve hit double digits! For our tenth episode, we take on one of the most revered albums in music history - Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On. Released in 1971, this soulful masterpiece blends smooth grooves with powerful social commentary on war, inequality, and the human condition. We dive into its timeless messages, lush production, and emotional weight - and share which tracks moved us most. Plus, our “Song of the Week” picks keep your playlist growing.

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

00:00 Intro

01:08 Least Favorite Songs

04:20 Favorite Songs

13:17 Why is this album on our list?

31:04 Our Ratings

33:49 Songs of the Week

40:31 Next album!

This week we cross the pond again to explore Original Pirate Material by The Streets - Mike Skinner’s gritty, witty, and genre-bending debut. With conversational flows, everyday observations, and beats that blur the lines between garage, hip-hop, and electronica, this 2002 release paints a vivid picture of early 2000s UK life. Plus, don’t miss our “Song of the Week” picks!

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(01:31) Least Favorite Songs

(05:00) Favorite Songs

(12:18) Why is this album on our list?

(32:13) Our Ratings

(40:15) Songs of the Week

(41:22) Tangent about Telewaves and Morgan Smith

(47:53) Next album...

This week we dive into Ten by Pearl Jam - an album packed with raw emotion, iconic riffs, and early ‘90s angst. For one of us, this is more than just a debut album - it’s a time capsule from high school and college. For the other, it’s an encounter with grunge without the haze of nostalgia. Do the tracks still hold up? Are there disagreements? Is Riley wrong? Yes, Yes and Yes. Join us as we explore the album that helped define a decade. Plus, our “Song of the Week” picks return to keep your playlist fresh.

Recording of show Todd went to ->Pearl Jam in Charlotte, NC - October 4, 1996

00:00 Intro

01:10 Least Favorites

06:06 Favorites

24:50 Is Release a worthy last song?

27:34 Why is this album on our list?

39:04 Our Ratings

44:50 Songs of the Week

48:59 Next album...

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

This week we slip into the swirling, emotional depths of Disintegration by The Cure. Released in 1989, this album blends lush soundscapes with melancholy lyrics, capturing the beauty in sadness like few others can. We explore themes of heartbreak, isolation, and dreamy despair - and talk about why this album still resonates decades later. Plus, don’t miss our “Song of the Week” picks for what’s been on repeat in our ears.

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

This week we plug in and crank up the fuzz as we dive into Elephant by The White Stripes. With its raw guitar riffs, pounding drums, and garage rock revival energy, this 2003 album put Jack and Meg White at the center of the early 2000s rock scene. From stadium anthems to stripped-down stompers, we break down what makes this album stomp and snarl. Plus - don’t miss the debut of our new “Song of the Week” segment, where we each share a track we’ve got on repeat.

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Riley inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X

This week we take on one of the most legendary albums of all time - Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. Released in 1973 and still orbiting playlists everywhere, this psychedelic rock masterpiece bends time, space, and sound. From clocks and cash registers to existential lyrics and studio wizardry, we explore what makes this album endure. Give it a listen to hear what tracks resonate most with us, which ones get a little spacey, and what surprised us along the way.

Playlist of our favorites - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2RXBXfKew9A9vj6pEy4hGA?si=a406cf1b7d5a42ce

Episode art by Todd this time inspired by the album.

Leave a comment at Spotify or any of the socials below to tell us what you think about the albums and about your favorites and skips!

Barber Cuts on Instagram

Barber Cuts on Facebook

Barber Cuts on X