Music at a Rational Volume

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle continue their Canadian summer and discuss their favorite albums ever produced by our friends to the north, the Canadians. So before the show goes on hiatus for the next couple of months, listen in as the hosts talk about the music they love and the albums that continue to fuel their joy. We'll see/hear/talk to you in the Fall, stay safe out there.

This Week's Playlist: Canada's Best Albums

Nate's List

1. Barenaked Ladies - Maroon (September 12, 2000)
   1. Never Do Anything
   2. Go Home
2. Two Hours Traffic - Foolish Blood (February 19, 2013)
   1. Magic
   2. Audrey
3. Joel Plaskett Emergency - Ashtray Rock (April 17, 2007)
   1. Drunk Teenagers
   2. Fashionable People
4. Jeremy Fisher - The Lemon Squeeze (May 13, 2014)
   1. I Love You.. so?
   2. The Bride is Dead
5. Bryan Adams - Reckless (November 5, 1984)
   1. Long gone
   2. It’s Only Love (duet w/Tina Turner)

Kyle's List

1. Loverboy – Get Lucky (October 7, 1981)
   1. Jump
   2. Take Me to the Top
2. Crash Test Dummies – The Ghosts That Haunt Me (April 9, 1991)
   1. Winter Song
   2. Androgynous (Replacements cover)
3. Kathleen Edwards – Failure (September 7, 2002)
   1. One More Song the Radio Won’t Like
   2. Westby
4. April Wine – The Nature of the Beast (January 12, 1981)
   1. All Over Town
   2. One More Time
5. Bryan Adams – Cuts Like a Knife (January 18, 1983)
   1. The Only One
   2. What’s It Gonna Be?

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle revisit the music from our friends up North... the Canadians... to curate a playlist of some of the host's favorite releases in recent memory. So take a listen and they walk through some of their choices for the playlist and hopefully get you interested in the wealth of talent in The Great White North. 

Album of the week: Trans-Canada Highwaymen: Explosive Hits Volume 1

This week's playlist: Canadian All-Stars: Part Deux

Our first Canada All-Stars Playlist is here: Devoted To Canada from June 2021

1. No Hurry - Terra Lightfoot (Waterdown, Ontario)
2. Ain’t Gonna Cry - Bryan Adams (Kingston, Ontario)
3. I Can’t Hide This Anymore - Blue Rodeo (Toronto, Ontario)
4. Simple Pleasures (Classified Mix) - David Myles (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
5. If There’s Another Road - Joel Plaskett (Lunenburg, Nova Scotia)
6. I Don’t Get It Anymore - BNL (Scarborough, Ontario)
7. Come Fly Away - Jeremy Fisher (Hamilton, Ontario)
8. Satellite - Jason Plumb (Regina, Saskatchewan)
   • Ed Robertson's version 
9. The Ghosts That Haunt Me - Crash Test Dummies (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
10. Play Me Something Good - Charlie A’Court (Truro, Nova Scotia)
11. Soft One - Matthew Barber (Mississauga, Ontario)
12. Broken One - Luke Doucet (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
13. Come Back to Me - The Devin Cuddy Band (Toronto, Ontario)
14. Don’t Say You Love Me - Port Cities, Carleton Stone (Sydney, Nova Scotia)
15. Happy Baby - Shaye (Newfoundland, Labrador, PEI) 
16. Horse in the Country – Cowboy Junkies (Toronto, Ontario)
17. Good to See You – Neil Young (Toronto, Ontario)
18. Hey Men – Men Without Hats (Montreal, Quebec)
19. I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory – Kathleen Edwards (Ottawa, Ontario)
20. Jenny Jet – Crash Kelly (North Bay, Ontario)
21. Don’t Fall in Love – Danko Jones (Toronto, Ontario)
22. All I Can Do – Chantal Kreviazuk (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
23. Burning in Love – Honeymoon Suite (Niagra Falls, Ontario)
24. Unkind – Sloan (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
25. Rain Down on Me – Blue Rodeo (Toronto, Ontario)
26. Metal Queen – Lee Aaron (Belleville, Ontario)

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle discuss one of the greatest albums ever produced by humans on the planet earth (GAEPBHOPE). That album is the 2005 album from The New Pornographers titled, Twin Cinema. A gem of an indie rock revival record from the mid naught-ies, this record captured a fun time in music where the music world was in several transitions at the same time. So buckle up as the hosts discuss what makes this album one of the best pieces of auditory art ever produced by human hands, and voices, and... you know what I'm saying?

No playlist this week, instead check out The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

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In this long overdue episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle discuss, remember, and deep dive into the Billboard Rock Albums Chart from September 8th of 1984 to give you a "best of the rest" playlist from what could possibly be one of the greatest moments, particularly in terms of cultural relevance, in music history. That may sound hyperbolic, but given the measurably significant albums listed and their hit songs that have permeated rock radio ever since, this was a time that moved and influenced generations of people (And let's be honest, still does). 

This week's playlist: Reliving The Charts: 09-08-1984

Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band – Born in the U.S.A.

• Bobby Jean 
• No Surrender 
• I’m Goin’ Down 

John Waite - No Brakes

• Tears 

Huey Lewis & The News - Sports

• Bad is Bad
• Finally Found A Home 

The Cars - Heartbeat City

• It’s Not The Night

Prince - Purple Rain

• Baby I’m A Star

Lindsay Buckingham - Go Insane

• D.W. Suite

Honeymoon Suite - Honeymoon Suite

• New Girl Now
• Turn My Head

Sammy Hagar - VOA

• Don’t Make Me Wait

Billy Squier - Signs of Life

• Can’t Get Next To You

Metropolis Soundtrack

• Here She Comes - Bonnie Tyler

Romeo Void - Instincts

• Say No

Jefferson Starship - Nuclear Furniture

• Layin’ It On The Line
• Rose Goes to Yale

Eddie & The Cruisers Soundtrack (John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band)

• On the Dark Side

Cyndi Lauper  - She’s So Unusual

• When You Were Mine

Krokus - The Blitz

• Midnight Maniac
• Boys Nite Out

Box of Frogs - Box of Frogs

• Back Where I Started

Scandal – Warrior

• Hands Tied
• Only the Young

Night Ranger – Midnight Madness

• Why Does Love Have to Change?
• Chippin’ Away

Twisted Sister – Stay Hungry

• The Price

Ratt – Out of the Cellar

• Lack of Communication

A Flock of Seagulls – The Story of a Young Heart

• Never Again (The Dancer) 
• Remember David

Billy Idol – Rebel Yell

• Catch My Fall

Dio – The Last in Line

• We Rock
• Mystery

Whitesnake – Slide It In

• Love Ain’t No Stranger 

Lou Reed – New Sensations

• I Love You, Suzanne

Helix – Walking the Razor’s Edge

• Young and Wreckless

Quiet Riot – Condition Critical

• Party All Night

Corey Hart – First Offense

• Sunglasses at Night 

Tina Turner – Private Dancer

• Better Be Good to Me

Scorpions – Love at First Sting

• Big City Nights

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle return to the world of album reviews of the greatest albums ever made by humans on the planet Earth.  The latest entry is Missouri band, The Rainmakers. The host's discuss The Rainmakers 1986 self titled record and why it's a classic.

No playlist this week, instead check out The Rainmakers

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle take a third stab at your heart, in honor of Valentine's day obviously, with a new installment of the break up song playlist. Listen in as the hosts choose 8-ish new songs each to add to the growing pantheon of their Music at a Rational Volume recommended breakup jams while also trying to justify their choices... which are all awesome right? You decide. 

The Breakup Song Compilation Link

This week's playlist: Breakup Playlist Part III: Even Breakier

1. Tie Me To The Tracks - Raynes
2. Since You’ve Been Gone - Weird AL
3. Bittersweet Company - Kip Moore
4. All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down - The Mavericks
5. Watching Airplanes - Gary Allan
6. You Run Away - Barenaked Ladies
7. What Good Is Love - Scarlet Opera
8. Take Me Back - Glitterfox
9. “45” - Gaslight Anthem
10. A Way It Goes – Amanda Shires
11. Another Guitar – The Rainmakers
12. She’s Leaving You – Hangdogs
13. Can’t Get Over You – the Romantics
14. Better Off Apart – Martin Zellar w/Presley Haile
15. What’s Wrong With You? – Todd Snider
16. Morning Song – Avett Brothers
17.  Flawless - Dorothy

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle talk about music they discovered during their music appreciation through 2025. This playlist is not limited to songs released during the year, but just to those that the hosts had no prior relationship with before this past year. So listen in as Nate and Kyle discuss the music that falls through the cracks, because the musical ocean is vast and deep and you can't hear everything. This then is the attempt to spread the news of good tunes you also may not have heard before either.

This week's playlist: 2025 Music Discoveries Playlist

N8’s List

1. Telander - Unsure (feat. The High Kings) (2025)
2. Jackopierce - Like It Is  (2025)
3. Pacifica - Premature Rejection  (2023)
4. Dom Fera - Breathe  (2019)
5. Gabrielle Grace, Michigander - Losing It  (2025)
6. The Maine, Beach Weather - Thoughts I have While Lying In Bed  (2024)
7. Catfish and the Bottlemen - Showtime  (2024)
8. Brigitte Calls Me Baby - Impressively Average  (2024)
9. Howl Owl Howl - My Cologne  (2025)
10. The Sheepdogs - Feeling Good  (2012)
11. Yam Haus - One Bullet Left  (2025)
12. The Upsides - Jump In  (2024)
13. Jon Butcher Axis - It’s Only Words  (1983)
14. Nick Lowe - My Heart Hurts (1983)
15. Huey Lewis & The News - Tell Me A Little Lie (1982)

Kyle’s List

1. Out of My Mind (on Sunday) – the Cactus Blossoms (2024)
2. Darlene – Sitcom Neighbor (2012)
3. Doing in Me Head – Amyl & the Sniffers (2024)
4. People Like Us – Talking Heads (1986)
5. Natural Disaster – Bethany Cosentino (2023)
6. Miss Ferguson – Cory Branan (2002)
7. Dumb But Pretty – Tommy Tutone (1983)
8. Sometimes Shit Happens for a Reason – the Empty Hearts (2020)
9. Flawless – Dorothy (2018)
10. Gratitude – Danny Elfman (kinda Oingo Boingo) (1984)
11. Friday Night (3 Stacks on the Radio) – Candi Carpenter (2025)
12. Two Bits and Shirtless on Main Street – Hubcap (2002)
13. Who Do You Dance For?  – Sahara Hotnights (2004)
14. Don’t Leave Me in the Dark – Ricky Warwick & Lita Ford (2024)
15. Hello, It’s Me – Lou Reed and John Cale (1990)

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle discuss the best albums and new releases that 2025 had to offer. Listen in as the hosts talk about the highs and lows of the musical scene in the last year... sometimes great and often times not so much.

Kyle's album of the week Doublewide and Live by Southern Culture on the Skids

This week's playlist: 2025 Albums of the Year

1. Kip Moore - Solitary Tracks
   1. Flowers In December
   2. Love & War
2. Ione - From Here 
   1. Honestly
   2. Come Out Clean
3. The Beaches - No Hard Feelings 
   1. Lesbian of the Year
   2. Can I Call You In The Morning
4. Royal Otis - Hickey
   1. Moody
   2. I Hate This Tune
5. Cecilia Castleman - Cecilia Castleman
   1. It’s Alright
   2. Company
6. Glitterfox - Decoder 
   1. Passenger
   2. Take Me Back
7. Saint Motel - Afterglow 
   1. Room With A View (For The End Of The World)
   2. Peace n Love n Anarchy
8. Pacifica - In Your Face! 
   1. In Your Face!
   2. Don’t Blame Me
9. Raynes - Bloom 
   1. Goldfish
   2. Rainbow Baby
10. Vistas - Cut The Cord
    1. The Middle
    2. Always
11. Amanda Shires – Nobody’s Girl 
    1. Streetlights & Stars
    2. Not Feeling Anything
12. Dave Hause…and the Mermaid
    1. Look Alive
    2. Yer Outta My Hair
13. Kathleen Edwards – Billionaire 
    1. Billionaire
    2. FLA
14. Ruston Kelly – Pale, Through the Window
    1. Give Up the Ghost
    2. Pickleball
15. The Darkness – Dreams on Toast 
    1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Cowboy
    2. Walking Through Fire
16. Neil Young – Oceanside, Countryside
    1. Sail Away
    2. Pocahontas
17. Alice Cooper – the Revenge of Alice Cooper
    1. Kill the Flies
    2. Money Screams
18. Cheap Trick – All Washed Up 
    1. Twelve Gates
    2. Long Way to Worcester
19. Fitz & the Tantrums – Man on the Moon 
    1. Withdrawals
    2. Oh, Marie
20. Bryan Adams – Roll With the Punches 
    1. Make Up Your Mind
    2. Be the Reason

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In this festive episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle discuss the 70s contributions to the totality of Christmas music. So listen in as Nate and Kyle wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays in the only way they know how, by crafting a playlist... you're welcome everybody!

Albums of the week:

A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas

Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless Christmas

This week's playlist: Christmas in the 70s

1. Light of the Stable - Emmylou Harris (‘79)
2. Jingle Bells - Willie Nelson (‘79)
3. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizard (‘73)
4. Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade  (‘73)
5. Lonely This Christmas - Mud (‘74)
6. I Believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake ('75)
7. Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby, David Bowie (‘77)
8. Santa Clause Is Coming To Town - Jackson 5  (‘70)
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - The Carpenters (‘78)
10. My Christmas Card To You - The Partridge Family (‘71)
11. A Time To Be Jolly - Bing Crosby ('71)
12. Silent Night - Johnny Cash, The Carter Family (‘72)
13. If We Make It Through December - Merle Haggard (‘73)
14. Carol of the Bells - John Fahey, Richard Ruskin ('75)
15. What Child Is This - Connie Smith (‘75)
16. Please, Daddy (Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas) – John Denver ('75)
17. In The Bleak Midwinter - Julie Andrews ('75)
18. There’s Someone Who’s Knocking - The Salsoul Orchestra (‘76)
19. Pine Cones And Holly Berries / It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - The Osmonds ('76)
20. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - John Denver, The Muppets ('79)
21. Santa Claus and His Old Lady - Cheech & Chong (Dec ‘71)
22. Mamacita, ¿dónde está Santa Claus? - Charo ('78)
23. This Christmas - Donny Hathaway  (‘70)
24. Silver Bells - Elvis Presley (‘71)
25. Jim Croce - It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way (‘73)
26. Christmas for the Free - Argent ('73)
27. Christmas Bop - T. Rex ('82 or '75?)
28. Christmas Must Be Tonight - The Band  (‘77)
29. Another Christmas - The Yobs ('79)
30. Step into Christmas – Elton John ('73)
31. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano ('70)
32. Please Come Home for Christmas – the Eagles ('78)
33. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney ('79)
34. Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John Lennon and Yoko Ono ('72)
35. Jesus Christ – Big Star ('75)
36. Father Christmas – the Kinks ('77)
37. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band ('75)
38. One of Everything You Got – Buck Owens & Susan Raye ('71)
39. Christmas Eve Can Kill You – the Everly Brothers ('72)
40. Child of Winter – Beach Boys ('74)
41. Run Rudolph Run – Keith Richards ('78)
42. Xmas at K-mart – Root Boy Slim & the Sex Change Band ('78)
43. Christmas Day – Squeeze ('79)
44. White Christmas - The Whispers ( ‘79)
45. Do You Hear What I Hear - Gladys Knight & The Pips ('75)

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In this episode of Music at a Rational Volume, Nate and Kyle discuss the music, life and tragic passing of singer, songwriter, folkster, hippie, and all around well respected musician Todd Snider. His recent passing gives us a chance to celebrate all of the songs that Kyle and Nate have come to love and appreciate. So listen along as the hosts try to express feelings about just how big of an impact Todd's life and career had on these two music loving human beings. Enjoy the playlist.

This week's playlist: Todd Snider Tribute Playlist

1. Can’t Complain
2. Broke
3. Missing You
4. America’s Favorite Pastime
5. Money, Compliments, and Publicity
6. Statistician’s Blues
7. Slim Chance Is Still A Chance - Doomed Version
8. Just In Case
9. The Very Last Time
10. Ways and Means
11. Like a Force of Nature
12. Songs For  the Daily Planet (entire album)
13. I Believe You
14. Side Show Blues
15. Enough
16. Horseshoe Lake
17. Tension
18. Late Last Night
19. Rocket Fuel
20. Positively Negative
21. Comin’ Down
22. Never Let Me Down
23. Doublewide Blues
24. Happy to Be Here
25. D.B. Cooper
26. Keep Off the Grass
27. What’s Wrong with You?
28. New Connection 
29. Vinyl Records
30. Rose City
31. Beer Run
32. Waco Moon (Written for his friend, bandmate, Eddy Shaver, who committed suicide.)
33. Play a Train Song
34. Ballad of the Kingsmen
35. Looking for a Job
36. Thin Wild Mercury
37. Unbreakable
38. From a Rooftop
39. Stuck on the Corner (Prelude to a Heart Attack)
40. Bring ‘em Home
41. Talking Reality Television Blues
42. Welfare Music (Bottle Rockets cover) – Hard Working Americans
43. That Was Me
44. Working on a Song

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