Pop/Rock

Alaskan composer Kevin Barnett is many things: a jazz pianist, a film scorer, and (most importantly) OUR CHILDHOOD NEIGHBOR. This week, Shawn and Cameron discuss Kevin’s 2010 album Alpenglow—a series of tone poems about Alaska, all of which rule. Also discussed: several dramatic events from Eagle River’s Symphony Lakes hike, Justin Timberlake’s underrated 2018 album, and an experimental journey to Algorithm Corner. This is pure jazz, baby, and it’s good!

Courtney Barnett’s music is all about SPECIFICITY, honey, and this week’s discussion of her Double EP (A Sea of Split Peas, 2013) leads the fellas to some real specific places. How does the chain of commerce work in beer distribution? What’s your favorite sports bar in Midtown Anchorage? And, for the love of God, how late does it have to be to get a drink in the Seattle airport? Also, the Double EP is quite good! Anyway, to paraphrase an Australian frozen dinner ad from the ‘90s, listening to this episode… is Taking Care of Yourself. :)

This week, iPod classic user and noted trivia queen Lucy Roberts joins the fellas to discuss Courtney Barnett’s 2015 bangerpalooza Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. From the vowels to the riffs to the hair, it’s all A+ here, and we’re getting INTO IT. Other topics of discussion include Lucy’s Sara Bareilles choreography, Shawn’s struggles as a joyless non-creative, and that OUR DADS WERE FRIENDS IN COLLEGE. Spritz yourself with some Essence of Lucy and come on!

Slip on your swimsuit and put sunglasses on your dog, because this week the fellas go deep on the Baha Men’s 2000 album Who Let the Dogs Out… and it’s so much more than a single. This triple-platinum(!) collection of bangers swings from beachy party anthems to sultry R&B jams to a club remix of its own title track, all while celebrating the spirit of Bahamian festival culture. And speaking of that title track—just WAIT til you hear the shocking origin of that unforgettable melody. It’s not a great album but it’s a great album, if you know what I mean, and the fellas are here to discuss it TODAY!

The weird thing about this one is it’s almost totally about music? This week, the fellas discuss the self-titled 1992 album by Arc Angels—an album they brought pretty low expectations to but were pleasantly surprised by! Also: the boys suspect that Gina might be a huge Phish fan, and they find inspiration in Little Jimmy King’s 1994 track “Something Inside of Me”. Buckle up for next week, because we've got BAHA MEN on the horizon!

Climb on up! This week, Actual Music Person Grey Grant joins the fellas to discuss Matt Andersen’s album Live From the Phoenix Theatre (2009)—and WOW is it a divisive one. Also on the menu: the baby tooth Shawn weirdly still has; two unusual dates; and Grey’s time as a child star in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. But most importantly: Can Shawn and Cameron convince Grey to yodel on-mic? You gotta listen to find out!

Don’t tread on me; don’t tread on my snowman. On this SIZZLING new Pop/Rock, Shawn and Cameron discuss Matt Andersen’s 2011 album Coal Mining Blues. But only sort of, because there’s a lot of talk about imaginary ads, love languages, and the gym classes they would teach if given the opportunity. Anyway, Free Snowzilla!

Hope you’re ready for a full Romp & Stomp, because this week the fellas dive on into the Putumayo World Music compilation American Blues (2006). Other topics of discussion include escape rooms, questionable headshots, and the World’s Biggest Organ (, baby!). Hop aboard, because this music train’s about to leave the station—choo choo, betch!

Welcome to BLUES FUSION CITY—also known as Gaylord, Michigan—because this week the boys dive right into Laith Al-Saadi’s 2013 album, Real. Shawn didn’t like it! Cameron thought it had strengths and weaknesses! No matter what, though, there’s one thing these fellas can certainly agree on: the calming pleasures of a beautiful spreadsheet. Oh, and that the Gaylord, MI is a very fun name for a place. Anyway, legalize it!

THE MAN HIMSELF joins Shawn and Cameron this week for an informative and action-packed Allman Brothers wrap-up. Which ABB albums are the Jefts’ faves and least faves? Why are there so many places in the South named after European cities? Did Gregg Allman ever find love? Answers to all of these—PLUS, Bobby absolutely ROASTS Cameron for drinking beer out of a can—on this Very Special Episode of Pop/Rock! Remember: You're culpable!