Jagbags

Beave and Len preview the MLB playoffs opening by predicting winners of all the wildcard matchups. Beave has a horrific Javy Baez/Kyle Schwarber 2016 World Series flashback. They also talk the Bears and Chiefs' win and the Browns' awful loss to the Raiders. Len roots for the Minnesota Lynx to make the WNBA Finals. Beave tries to guess the #1 seeds in Len's Facebook cookie brand bracket, which leads to an incredibly in-depth discussion of kinds of cookies, Beave's alarming cookie-eating habits, and a formation of a "Cookie Committee". Plus "I Recommend", new 2024 album review, and hidden Top 40 jams. Tune in now!

We're talking Matthew McConaughey movies on the latest Jagbags! Which performance is his greatest? OK, David Wooderson doesn't exist -- which performance is his greatest? We also talk his book "Greenlights", which has sold six million copies. We talk his Oscar-winning turn in "Dallas Buyers Club", his stunning performance in "True Detective", and much more! Tune in for insightful, expert McConaughey discussion!

On the latest recap episode, Len completes his Favorite 500 Albums review by going five through one. Tune in to see what LP grabs the coveted top spot! Plus NFL (Red Rifle Returns With a Venegeance), MLB (GUARDIANS FEVER), and WNBA playoffs. Beave reviews the new Fontaines DC album, "The Gentlemen" on Netflix and the Pillow Queens concert in Cleveland. Len talks through "little known" Top 40 hits, and reviews the B-52's installment from the movie "The Flintstones". Tune in!

RATINGS GOLD guest Amy Seeley comes back and this time the subject is the New Wave legends the Cars, led by Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr. Beave and Len discover they've been pronouncing "Ocasek" incorrectly all this time. Amy talks about her teenage love of the Cars, and has some outstanding stories as well. We go through our favorite albums, put together a tight 45-minute playlist, and discuss the secret of their appeal. And is the Cars' debut album one of the greatest of all time? (HINT: Yes.) It's a fun discussion, and apologies to Todd Rundgren for all the cheap shots! Tune in!

In the newest recap episode, Beave cautiously celebrates the Guardians' drive to the playoffs, Len lauds Ian Happ's excellent season, and the Sox make a final push for infamy. Plus the Bears fall to Houston, KC wins a tight one over Cincy, and the Browns escape Jacksonville. Beave and Len lament the end of the Chicago Sky's season. Beave struggles with "Einstein", by Walter Issacson. And LEN'S FAVORITE 500 ALBUMS COMES TO A CLOSE! We talk the near misses, then jam out with a little band I like to call Big Country. Enjoy!

Friend of the podcast Chris Marcum joins Jagbags for a CONTENTIOUS discussion of the current state of the WNBA, reasons for its explosion in popularity, and the influx of rookies making an impact on the league. Chris shares his experience of traveling to Indianapolis for a Fever game. We argue Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese vociferously! Who will win the WNBA championship this year? What team could surprise? And what should the league do to maintain and grow its positive momentum? Tune in for all hoops!

Len and Beave do another SPEED RECAP for you. Len is on the cusp of entering the Top Ten of his all-time favorite albums. They go through five more albums, which leads to discussion of the dean of American music critic Robert Christgau's word choices of "fatuous" and "middling". The NFL season kicks off with a Bears and Chiefs win and a terrible Browns loss. MLB winds down as the Guardians sweep the Sox (who have lost 27 of their last 28 home games). Len watches Kyle Hendricks in twilight, as he faces the Dodgers. TUNE IN FOR ELECTRIC DISCUSSION!

NFL Expert Matt Beyer rejoins the podcast to talk through the 2024 NFL season, with particular attention paid to the Browns, Bears and the defending champion Chiefs. Can the Ravens or 49ers break through? Who will be the surprise team of the season? Who will win MVP? Why do the guys make so many Aaron Rodgers/Egypt jokes? And when will Carolina quit messing around and turn over the keys to future Hall of Famer Red Rifle? TUNE IN FOR FOOTBALL EXPERTISE!

Recap action is back and we have sports, music and TV favorites for you! Beave recommends "Dark Winds", available on Netflix. Len recommends "Hum", the new novle by Helen Phillips. Guardians continue to get pushed to the brink, then fight back. Cubs make a bid for the postseason. Sox make a bid for the wrong kind of baseball immortality. The Chicago Sky endure a losing streak at the worst possible time. Beave reviews the new Pearl Jam LP. And Len's Favorite 500 continues the countdown! JAGBAGS!

On the newest Jagbags, Beave and Len go deep into the music of Pink Floyd as the newest Facebook bracket kicks off. Beave correctly guesses all top seeds and then collapses from joy. They talk the tragic tale of band founder Syd Barrett, and how Floyd progressed from his departure to the triumph of "Dark Side of the Moon", one of the best selling albums in music history. They go through their five favorite Floyd albums and then their 45-minute playlists (which you can access on Spotify). Tune in and Breathe! Breathe in the Air!