The 1990s saw a massive evolution of rock 'n roll. The 1980s corporate sound of synths and drum machines was replaced by many sub-genres that were all quite experimental and edgy. Entire radio stations were dedicated to "Alternative Rock". It was a Big Tent term that encompassed a wide variety of artists and bands. From Alice In Chains to Dave Matthews Band to Beck to R.E.M. to Radiohead and more One Hit Wonders than you can shake a stick at!

But which songs and artists were our favorites? Since Cristina is on vacation, Chad invited Amy from  @PopCultureRetrospectivePodcast  back on the show along with his sister Jena and brother John to draft a Top 40 list of sorts. Each panelist took turns drafting songs from Apple Music's "90s Alternative Essentials" playlist.

Agree or disagree with out picks? Let us know in the comments!

Check out our 90s Alt Rock playlist👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjQJImU7svTQYN4aTJu_IKD7fAFBQpn8s

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Metallica's seminal album "Master Of Puppets" just celebrated its 40th anniversary; so what better time to discuss it than now? Even if you're not a headbanger, you're probably aware of the impact this record had on the heavy metal genre and the rock music industry. It proved that bands could make radio UNfriendly music and still sell millions of copies.

This record was quite the milestone at the time as the band had really evolved from short, thrashing jams with rather cliche lyrics; to longer, more complex song structures with poignant themes.

We invited Milo from  @The80sand90sCom  to join us for a track-by-track discussion and to reminisce on our reactions to heavy metal as kids and what we think of it now. Be sure to give his channel a follow if you're not already!

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/MdRqTELBaA4

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Fleetwood Mac didn't invent soft rock (or "Yacht Rock" as we call it today); but they probably perfected it. If you turned on pop/rock radio in the late 1970s/early 1980s you were pretty likely to hear hits from this album such as DREAMS, YOU MAKING LOVING FUN, THE CHAIN, GO YOUR OWN WAY, etc.

And let's not forget SILVER SPRINGS, which was left off the album and was only available as a B-side single until it was included on their Greatest Hits album in 1988. Cristina says this was probably her favorite song on the record. Chad had never heard it until now.

So yes, this album contains a lot of hits, but what about the deep cuts? Do you know the infamous backstory behind the making of this album? Does it still hold up in 2026? And what was with that album cover? We discuss all these topics and more in this podcast!

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Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/rDVmoX4H084

Chad has been a Rush fan since high school, but Cristina only knew of their popular songs. Could there be a better introductory album to this band than 1981's MOVING PICTURES?

This record was a turning point for the Canadian progressive rock trio of Alex Lifeson (guitar), Neil Peart (drums/lyricist), and Geddy Lee (bass; keyboards and vocals). Each of their previous albums had only one or two radio-friendly songs, but almost every track here could have been (and SHOULD have been) a rock radio staple. In fact, if you turn on a classic rock station you're likely to hear any of the songs from Side A: TOM SAWYER; LIMELIGHT; YYZ; or RED BARCHETTA.

But let's not forget the deep cuts from Side B: THE CAMERA EYE (a progressive rock song if ever there was one); WITCH HUNT (rather didactic in retrospect but it was edgy at the time) and VITAL SIGNS (Chad's pick for the best Rush deep cut track of all time!).

MOVING PICTURES just celebrated its 45th anniversary and Chad says it rocks just as hard now as it did back then. Will Cristina agree? Listen and find out!

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NOTE: Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/eYkElqAe324

We're a little behind schedule, so to make up for it; here's a review of BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM Chad conducted with Rob Walker* way back in 2013! This was the first time Batman was given a full length animated film and it was even shown in cinemas (briefly). It's loosely based on Frank Miller's BATMAN: YEAR ONE and Todd McFarlane's BATMAN: YEAR TWO.

Though animation; neither this film nor Batman The Animated Series were strictly intended for children. They're just as entertaining for adults as well... especially adults of today who watched it as children.

*Rob Walker is the brother of Doug Walker aka The Nostalgia Critic aka  @ChannelAwesome . Chad and Rob met way back in the MySpace days and were online buddies for years.

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We always intended this podcast to cover more than movies, so we're finally going to talk MUSIC for March! Cristina picked one of her childhood favorites: DISINTEGRATION by The Cure. Released in 1989, this was a major shift in tone from a band that started out as post-punk, but wound up as a pop rock single band (much to the chagrin of bandleader Robert Smith).

Chad wasn't familiar with the album aside from its famous single "Lovesong." As a lover of progressive rock and metal, it was a really interesting experience. What's funny is the songs Chad liked the best, Cristina liked the least (and vice versa).

Watch the video version 👉 https://youtu.be/4SIBmjt7ELw

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The last entry for romantic movie month (though technically a day late) is Chad's pick of Chasing Amy. This was Kevin Smith's third-ever movie and is quite the change of pace from the outrageous comedies of Clerks and Mallrats.

Ben Affleck stars in one of his first ever leading roles as comic book artist Holden O'Neil who meets-cute with fellow comic book creator Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) who turns out to be a lesbian... or is she?

This movie was pretty progressive and groundbreaking at the time as there weren't any mainstream comedies interested in LGBT issues. But does it seemed dated and politically incorrect in 2026? (Cristina thinks so, but Chad disagrees). Is it still a legit funny comedy or just a tearjerker? Both? Neither? Listen and find out!

Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/FxXx6dYcxXs

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There were a LOT of crime/thriller/mindbender movies in the 1990s. Quentin Tarantino, Danny Boyle and Tony Scott probably made some of the most memorable films of the genre. But one most Americans missed was the 1998 indie German film RUN LOLA, RUN!

Critics and movie nerds raved about this film at the time as it was a unique approach to the genre featuring multiple storylines and outcomes. It's set mostly in real-time and features a bumping European techno soundtrack that enhances the suspense (or drives you crazy if you hate that kind of music ha ha).

Cristina says this is one of her favorite indie movies; and much like Harold & Maude it's technically a romance story but about as far from a Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan Hollywood cookie cutter flick as you can get. Chad had never seen it until now and noticed how much it's actually a comic book-type movie as Lola seems to have superpowers.

Have you ever seen this cult classic? Does it hold up in 2026? Let us know!

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Watch the video version of this podcast👉 https://youtu.be/othOfai0TMM

Continuing with "Romantic Movie Month", Chad picked one of his all-time favorite films: HIGH FIDELITY starring John Cusack and directed by Stephen Frears. It's one of the most original romantic comedies ever made as there are no "meet cute" moments; no melodramatic tear jerking scenes; and no race-to-the-airport ending.

This movie is like if the kids from John Hughes' 1980s movies grew up and dealt with adult problems. There's also lots of hilarious and unique Kevin Smith-style discussions of niche/geeky topics not normally included in movies like this.

Chad thinks this is a pretty much perfect movie for couples as it's got the romantic elements for women, but still has a masculine sense of humor without ever becoming vulgar or chauvinistic. Will Cristina agree? Watch and find out!

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When it comes to "cult classic" movies, HAROLD AND MAUDE is usually considered one of the greats. It's the story of a twisted young man who's obsessed with death and likes to crash funerals who crushes on an elderly woman who has similar proclivities. This film has become a cult classic likely due to the fact it mixes and defies genres. It's mostly absurdist dry comedy with some wacky slapstick, but delivered with the look and feel of an arthouse mind-bender.

Cristina says this is her favorite movie of all time and enjoys it for the comedy, romance, originality, and its overall bizarre nature. Chad had never seen so much as a clip of it and went in with a blank slate. Will he enjoy it as much as she did? Listen and find out!

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