DISCLAIMER: This episode is NOT a condonement or endorsement of generative AI, nor is the thumbnail made by AI. All of us at Rock of Ages are anti-AI because it lacks any sort of creativity; it can only steal what it sees/knows, and it's destructive to the environment. The episode only exists to mock AI "content", putting it in its place as laughable and unserious efforts.

So, in the last episode we did, I read a random internet comment relating the album Time by ELO's sound to the popular Disney show Star vs the Forces of Evil. I couldn't hear it that much, but it did get me thinking what a cross between the two would look like. And because one of the albums themes was the threats of AI, I thought what would the dumb machine think it would look like. So I put in a prompt, and it churned out what I can only call 'anti-content'. And this bonus episode is a dramatic reading of it! Yaaaaayyyy....

Originally recorded April 13, 2025.

Critically panned at release, this synth heavy effort by Jeff Lynne and his Beatles tribute band has since been looked back as a very progressive, influential, and flat-out amazing record. And the theater kids agree. It's time for ELO's "Time"!

Originally recorded April 13, 2025.

Rod Stewart was once long avoided on this podcast because of his voice, one that host Andrew believed would be unappealing to the theater kids. And himself. But now, the podcast conquers its fear and checks out his critically acclaimed smash hit, Every Picture Tells a Story! Does it surpass the panelists average expectations of Sir Rod? Let's find out!

Originally recorded April 5, 2025.

At last. We're finally covering a real album.

Originally recorded March 30, 2025.

Diving back into our good friend Bruce Springsteen on this episode, looking at the album he did right before he released the big one. Perhaps not as good, but he's still coming into his own and that's what matters. It's wild, it's innocent, and it's the E-Street Shuffle!

Originally recorded March 29, 2025.

It was St Patrick's time for the podcast, which meant we get to cover an Irish artist! And we decided this year to look at the debut by one of the island's greatest and most powerful singer-songwriters. One who was unfortunately shunned and dismissed for most of her career until it was too late. It's Sinead O'Connor, "The Lion and the Cobra"!

Originally recorded March 16, 2025.

Panelist Kay chooses the album this episode with the "debut" album by Canadian American post-punk revival royalty, Metric! It did only release after they had two albums out, but better late than never. We're talking 'Grow Up and Blow Away'!

Originally recorded March 8, 2025.

Before I start anything, one must marvel at my ability to take any famous or sad album cover and completely ruin it with the same stock image of Ringo and pngs of pop culture characters we mention in the episode. I will never stop doing this, it is the funniest shit in the world lmao.

Anywayyy this is one of the 80s finest debuts from one the greatest synthpop acts to grace the synth. Theater kids agree. This is Tears For Fears' The Hurting!

Originally recorded March 1, 2025.

In 1970, former Impressions member Curtis Mayfield released his solo debut. And 55 years onward it's still one of the best sounding albums ever recorded from one of the best artists sadly taken away from us in the most tragic unforeseen circumstance. Are the theater kids in awe of the Gentle Genius? Trick question, who isn't?

Originally recorded February 22, 2025.

Pop punk existed before Green Day's Dookie, and it was likely to exist after Green Day's Dookie, but it could never exist in the way it does today without Green Day's Dookie. Do the theater kids agree? Listen for yourself.

Originally recorded February 15, 2025.