Our Phil Spector Spectacular continues with Disc 2 from Back to Mono, covering songs from 1963-1964 - mostly by The Ronettes, but we also get some more from Darlene Love as well as a cover of a Beatles song that is significant for all the wrong reasons.

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Cover Art: Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Before he murdered actress Lana Clarkson in 2003, Phil Spector was known as a legendary producer in the music industry, famous as the "Tycoon of Teen," launching the careers of multiple girl groups and developing his trademark "Wall of Sound" recording techniques. Pat and Derek discuss Spector's early career as documented on the first disc of the four-disc compilation Back to Mono, covering songs from 1958 to 1963.

Cover Art: Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In honor of the movie Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Pat and Derek conclude Rocktoberfest 2025 by discussing the Boss's landmark album, Nebraska.

Album Recommendations:

• All Hail West Texas - The Mountain Goats
• Songs from Suicide Bridge - Eric Caboor & David Kauffman

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Cover art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

We kick off Rocktoberfest II: A Hayride Through a Pumpkin Patch of Autumnal Albums by celebrating the harvest season with, what else, Neil Young's landmark 1972 album Harvest. But is Harvest as great as a flannel sweater on a crisp fall day or is it nothing more than a pile of wet leaves?

Album Recommendations

• Bryter Layter - Nick Drake
• 1984 - Van Halen

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Cover Art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Santana’s Abraxas is a wild fusion of Latin rock, blues, and jazz that's packed with hypnotic rhythms, and blistering guitar solos. Tracks like “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Como Va” aren’t just classics; they’re the kind of songs that define an era. But does its genre-blending brilliance earn it a spot among the 500 greatest albums of all time?

Album Recommendations:

• Mint Jams - Casiopea
• Malo - Malo

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Cover art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Funky Kingston by Toots and the Maytals is one of those records that feels like a bridge between worlds: part raw reggae groove, part soul-drenched funk, and all good vibes. You can hear the roots of reggae exploding into something bigger, as this became one of the first albums to make the rest of the world sit up and take notice of the music coming out of Jamaica. The real question is: does that mix of influence, innovation, and good vibes earn it a spot among the 500 greatest albums ever made?

Album Recommendations:

• Free the Universe - Major Lazer
• Dance Cleopatra Dance - Prince Buster

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Cover art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill dropped in 1998 and instantly felt like a cultural event—blending hip-hop, soul, reggae, and R&B into something that was both deeply personal and universally resonant. The album covers everything from love and heartbreak to spirituality and identity, all with Hill’s unmatched mix of sharp lyricism and raw emotion. It’s the kind of record that defined an era but still feels timeless every time you put it on. The big question is: does its legacy and influence justify Rolling Stone ranking it as the #10 greatest album of all time, or is that placement more about the mythos around Lauryn’s one-and-done masterpiece?

Album Recommendations:

• Black on Both Sides - Mos Def
• Goodies - Ciara

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Cover art by Katherine Evans

Theme music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

"Promised Land" is a fast-paced rock 'n' roll travelogue where the narrator hustles his way from Virginia to California. It's full of motion, rhythm, and clever references to the civil rights movement. It’s the American road trip as a metaphor for the fight for equality, all set to a killer guitar riff. But is it one of th greatest songs of all time?

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Cover art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

The B-52s’ debut album is a wild, campy ride that dropped in 1979 and still feels like a dance party from outer space. With surf rock guitars, retro-futuristic vibes, and absurdist lyrics, it introduced the world to the band’s totally unique sound. It’s kitschy, chaotic, and somehow still cool as hell, but is it one of the greatest albums of all time?

Album Recommendations:

• Talking Heads: 77 - Talking Heads
• The Budos Band - The Budos Band

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Cover art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Carole King's Tapestry is a landmark album that masterfully weaves introspective lyrics with unforgettable melodies, creating a deeply personal yet universally resonant listening experience. Given its immense cultural impact, enduring popularity, and influence on generations of musicians, Tapestry obviously deserves a high ranking on the Rolling Stone Album List, but is #25 too high, too low, or just right?

Album Recommendations

• Give It Up - Bonnie Raitt
• Live at the Troubadour - Carole King and James Taylor

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Cover Art by Katherine Evans

Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton