Classical violinist Kelly Carter loves hanging out in the clubhouse listening to pop/rock records as much as anybody, but she loves orchestral music just as much, if not more.  So this week she stops by and classes up the podcast a bit as we take in one of the great symphonic creations of composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, "Scheherazade."

Local stage & screen artist John Haynes surprised me.  For somebody who wears his hometown of Chicago on his sleeve, I figured that would reflect in his musical tastes, too.  Nope. From cover bands growing up in Chicago, to buying records in college that the righteous kids frowned upon, to working bar bands, John's always loved the music he loves.  And what he loves the most is a hard rock peanut butter cup.  You take orchestral music and heavy metal, two great things that go great together, and you get Metallica's "S&M."

So what do you if you have a green thumb and you love to ROCK?!  You head to Seattle, find yourself some nice fertile ground, till the soil, get some seeds, sprinkle a little punk music, a little Black Sabbath, water generously, and then you have yourself a... wait for it... Soundgarden!  This week Jason Bindas and I discuss Badmotorfinger (and since we're already in the garden, of course we talk a little Guns n Roses, too).

How in the world do you discover some of the true kings of new wave pop music all the way out in Bellingham, MN? Well, it involves not going to sleep like you've been told, a little bit of belly crawling, and super spy-like hearing. Tim Dybevik and I take a ride with The Cars debut album, and also manage to discuss the Statler Brothers, the Gatlin Brothers, being the self-appointed Cars expert in a class size of 16, trying to find the lastest releases at a Pamida, and taking your kid to daycare while singing along to the Ramones.

This week I'm joined by Bill Fricke.  Bill's a musician and a true connoisseur of pop music. So it would make sense that we'd be talking about "the greatest album ever made", Echo & The Bunnymen's "Ocean Rain."  It's a distinct slice of the 80's.  It might be easy to dismiss some of the music from that decade, but this reminds us that there was a lot of really good, unique pop music that came out of the 80's.

It's the debut of The Best Album In the World Podcast!  My good friend Adam Litz and I discuss what made Weezer's debut album, "Weezer", so special.  As well as "barrowing" tapes from older sisters, making mixes, Brian Wilson, John Fogerty, and how much he hates Weezer now!Wait, what???What's your best album in the world?  Who do you think I should talk to next?  I'd love to hear from you.  Shoot me an e-mail at [email protected]!