Romi's birthday episode for 2024 is a compilation album of old songs covered by (somewhat) new musicians. From the good, the bad, and the Iggy, what they all have in common is that they're under the Light in the Attic record label. So let's dive into "Light in the Attic & Friends"!

Link to our episodes that have been taken down: https://archive.org/details/episode-10_20240122

How ironic that our previous episode was an album that kickstarted the glam metal scene, and this episode is an album that *killed* it! The album wasn't meant to become the global juggernaut it is, but if it didn't the musical landscape might look a little worse. And the theater kids are (mostly) in agreement! So let's look at Nirvana's "Nevermind"!

From the ashes of the slow-running classic rock train, rises a new hard rock act with a massive-sounding debut album that ushered in a new sound for rock in the 1980s up until the early 90s. And while many of the acts it inspired sound of their time and dated, somehow this album remains fresh and relevant with each passing year. And could it be because of their amazing guitarist? The theater kids sure do think so! So let's talk about the self-titled debut by Van Halen!

Sara Bareilles' musical based on the 2007 indie film of the same name was not one I expected to be so popular, and yet it is. And this is not to deny the quality of the musical, which both smells and tastes as good as a marshmallow pie! Let's look at 'Waitress'!

After ditching Los Angeles and its singer-songwriter scene for good, The Piano Man penned some of the greatest tunes of his career at that point and decided to throw out Columbia Records' assigned producer and band in favor of producing it himself with his own backing band. It was a risky gambit, and one that didn't work, as this album peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200.

But I never said the album was bad because of it.

Let's talk Billy Joel, "Turnstiles"!

Also sidenote I forgot to give my rating at the end (8.5)

Originally recorded December 23, 2023.

It's a Christmas season miracle. We are all caught up with editing episodes! And just before the end of the year! And so to celebrate, here is our Christmas episode! It's not an album centered around the holiday, but it does have one of the greatest modern Christmas songs ever. And it also has the dearly missed Shane MacGowan (1957-2023), whom this episode is dedicated to. So let's talk about The Pogues' "If I Should Fall From Grace With God"!

Sidenote I accidentally referred to "Thousands are Sailing" as a song by Shane, when it's actually a song by the guitarist Phillip Chevron, I am very sorry to both of them for this mistake.

Originally recorded December 16, 2023.

In early 1977, punk was merely seen as a passing phase, just another loud and stupid genre by and for people who don't like anything. But that changed when a band who would later earn the moniker "The Only Band That Matters" released their debut, one of the only debut albums that matters. This album has everything. Power, style, sharp lyrics, focus. And do the theater kids like it after their middling reception towards Ramones? Well let's find out as they listen to the self-titled debut by The Clash!

Shortly after releasing their list on the Top 40 greatest lyrics in rock, Ultimate Classic Rock is back at again with the Top 40 *worst* lyrics in rock! Ok Top 20 actually because all the lyrics are just so good man. But once again it's up to us and only us to see how accurate this list is!

The list: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/worst-rock-lyrics/

Originally recorded December 5, 2023.

Yea we recorded out of order, so? The point is we are so close to finally catching up with editing all the episodes! And this episode is Jamie's birthday episode, and she chose a wonderful album with raw aggression and emotions! Not exactly a theater kid's cup of tea, but certainly still worth their time. So let's talk Sleater-Kinney's "The Woods"!