Put on your comfiest baggy pants and unopened-condom-as-accessories, we are talking 90s slo-jams this week!

Cody and Hilary weave through the history of one of the top girl groups of all time, and the album that simultaneously solidified their place in the R&B lineage and almost put them out of business.

TLC is a group whose collective voice shines as bright and grooves as hard today as it did when CrazySexyCool first dropped. Their resounding success lies not exclusively in their legal victories, but also the ability of everyone in the world to recognize "Waterfalls" within the first five seconds.

CrazySexyCool is a perfect blend of musicality and message.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Put on your leather jacket, chaps, hat, vest, and anything else that has studs - EarWax is going metal once again!

Hilary and Cody headbang their way through Judas Priest's unbelievably charged record "Stained Class." Acting as the bridge between the godfathers and the new wave of British heavy metal, this album showcases proto-thrash riffs, towering Rob Halford vocals, and kick drums for days.

The story of this record extends beyond its undeniable influence on metal. Indeed, the controversy surrounding the lyrics (existent and nonexistent) resulted in a court decision that is generally considered a major victory for artistic freedom and expression.

Judas Priest refused to kowtow to or settle with those who sought to take away their seat at the table. "Stained Class" is a scorching template of kickass metal from start to finish.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

We are back and getting crazy with the Cheez Wiz! This week we are taking on the smorgasbord of sounds and genres contained within Beck's "Midnite Vultures."

Hilary and Cody jump headfirst into this amalgamation that somehow sounds like the weirdest party album you'll hear. Beck is in full control of the show, and the result is a fascinating look into the mind of a musician feeling themselves.

This album wears its influences on its sleeves, relishing in them, and sometimes chuckling at them too. Midnite Vultures is all of those ear candy sounds from all the genres you love, mixed, meshed, and distilled through the very particular lens of Beck.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ho-ho-holy good grief, we have a truly special one this week!

Hilary and Cody unwrap the story behind a legendary holiday album - A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Ever wonder who those kids are on the recording? They're just kids, of course! Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson understood the necessity for authenticity. This soundtrack has transcended beyond just the music to a classic television special; many would put this as the definitive soundtrack to their holiday season.

Full of quiet reflection, this record still finds space to swing. The Vince Guaraldi Trio has been the background music to many special holiday moments for over 50 years.

To quote a great blanket-toter: "And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Holy buckets and holly jolly everyone, we made it to episode twenty!

Sharon Jones & tTe Dap-Kings usher in our first holiday season with their brilliant, groove-filled album "It's A Holiday Soul Party." 

This album is set in a very specific, interesting period of time for the group, and for Miss Sharon Jones personally. The result is a record full of life, soul, and joy that encourages us all to let the goodwill flow toward our fellow man.

Hang the big bulbs on the tree, string the lights, and tune in to hear Cody and Hilary chat about one of the most unique, special holiday records out there!

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Surpriiiiiiissssse!!! We are back with a fury, and there's hardly a better album to get back into the swing of things than this absolute groove. Cody and Hilary dive into the B-52s second album, and man does it go in.

"Wild Planet" takes no prisoners, tackling topics from a poodle abandoning its owner for another dog, to tips on how to save a flailing party, to the happenings on a dirty back road.

The B-52s are a staple for relishing in yourself, owning the parts of you that others want to ignore, and embracing life as a weird party that sometimes goes awry. And that's okay!

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Hurry, hurry, step right up and follow us into an episode filled with beats, bars, and the God MC himself.

This week's episode sees Hilary and Cody marveling over the second album from Eric B. & Rakim.  We flip out over the exquisite samples (shout out Bob James!) and Rakim's mastery of flow and rhymes. Studios get blacked out, there's a feud over cereal...it gets in tense.

This is a landmark record in the evolution of hip-hop. "Follow the Leader" put everyone on notice that these guys had not only had claimed the throne, they had zero intention of letting it go any time soon. Eric B. & Rakim elevated the art form and established the template from which every modern hip-hop artist has taken more than a few pointers.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

What have we here? A two...or one and a half-for one deal this week!

Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" is a masterclass in melody and weaving styles together. With folks such as Jon Brion, Questlove, and Mike Elizondo contributing, this album really shows us an artist stepping into and owning their artistry.

Cody and Hilary explore the story behind this record's genesis, death, and rebirth - thanks in large part to a fanbase that would not take no for an answer!

"Extraordinary Machine" illustrates the power of resilience, and how projects never totally turn out as intended. Fiona Apple held fast to her principles, and the resulting album is as described - extraordinary!

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Get yourself right for this one, we're headed into the wild world of punk funk, the 80s, and Rick James.

Hilary and Cody wade through the legend of Rick James, touch on the storied history of Motown, and chat about an album that is simply a masterclass in groove.

Street Songs is the album most representative of Rick James's vision. Bombastic, opulent, and pretty much every superlative that can be applied to him, you can apply to this record!

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

We've made it to our 15th episode, and our spooky season selection is frightfully good.

Cody and Hilary tackle "Murder Ballads" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. An album full of betrayal, mayhem, and plenty of murder, it also has a sense of humor about itself. The total body count is into the dozens, and we had a great time trying to keep a running tally while listening.

"Murder Ballads" provides a fairly contemporary gateway into a realm of songs that have been around for hundreds of years. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds bring the past to the present in a record loaded with history, darkness, and legend. 

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

• Instagram: @earwaxpod
• TikTok: @earwaxpod
• Amoeba on Instagram:
  • @amoebahollywood
  • @amoebasf
  • @amoebaberkeley
• Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): [email protected]

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis