Pop/Rock

Megan joins the boys for a rollicking discussion about high school jazz band, Janice from Friends, and the enduring emotional resonance of Tracy Chapman. Oh, also there’s some talk about ABB’s 2003 album Hittin’ The Note, but honestly it’s pretty minimal. Are you... not entertained?

The live album is a fickle creature. How do you balance new material and the hits? In what ways do personnel changes impact your arrangements? Did you hear that glass just shatter? This week, Shawn and Cameron review ABB’s 2004 album One Way Out. Also on the menu: obsolete blues songs, Sailor Moon costumes, and prep for a Portugal The Man show. Yum yum!

Quick question: you like the bleep-bloops? This week the fellas discuss M.I.A.’s 2007 album Kala, a gosh-dang kaleidoscope of bleepin’ sounds and rhymes profound. Also, a tribute to Grandma Jackie (R.I.P.), the two most traumatic visits to colleges the boys made as high schoolers, and the song that gave Aja her drag name. This is musical nihilism, and folks? It’s a real good time.

The curatorial hand of Martin Scorsese is deeply felt in this extremely focused and professional episode of Pop/Rock. The fellas discuss the compilation album Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: The Allman Brothers Band, which is really great, actually! Also there’s some talk about the relationship between grunge and the blues, but really—this ep is a formal experiment in talking about the album the whole time. How’d it turn out? You be the judge!

We’ve got a weird one for you here, folks. Shawn and Cameron discuss the live album An Evening With the Allman Brothers Band: First Set, quickly realizing there’s not much to say. What follows is a rollicking journey through Cher’s Dancing Queen album, the legacy of Rebecca Black, and Uncle Randy’s mythical Mixtape. Know your Auto-Tune history!

Welcome to the brotherhood of Two The Hard Way apologists. In this episode, Shawn and Cameron discuss the 1977 album by Allman and Woman (the woman is Cher!), which it turns out kinda RULES. Slip off your old red flannel nightgown and snuggle into this deep cut of disco history. Shatner’s here, too!

In this FRESH NEW Pop/Rock, Shawn and Cameron discuss STRFKR’s superb 2013 album, Miracle Mile. Also: the Texas Cowboy Club, tailgating a rock show, and the most experimental comedy Shawn ever did. But we’re kind of burying the lead here: most importantly, these boys got KAZOOS!

Hey, do you like hits? Because today, the fellas discuss the Allman Brothers Band’s album A Decade of Hits: 1969-1979. And boy oh boy, what a decade it was! Also, Shawn and Cameron discover their new hero, guitarist Dickey Betts. In the words of “Revival”: People, can you feel it? Love is everywhere.

Go ahead and google “Gregg Allman Laid Back” and slam that “images” button, because you’re going to need some visual reference for this one. Today, the fellas discuss Gregg Allman’s debut solo album, Laid Back (1973), which is quite good! Also, Bobby violates the rules of improv to emphasize a simple truth: it’s just Rock & Roll. And Cameron’s hot toddy recipe! This one’s all over the place, you’ll love it.

The boys take a break from their dad’s CDs to discuss Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 album Illinoise, which they LOVE. This is straight-up an album about the state of Illinois, and it’s a masterclass in lyrics, composition, and the non-boner-jazzy use of horns. Also, Megan stops by to talk about weird basement shows and her work as a “Create of”. Hope you’re ready for a ride—from the pristine frolf courses of Anchorage to the murky depths of Crud Corner, this one’s a JOURNEY.