In the eighties, Nina Simone recorded one her most startlingly eclectic and personal albums. It’s also one of her best, and Ralph and Michael are here to tell you all about it, doing our best to understand her as a musician, as a person, and as a political figure. (Michael says this is his favorite album we've covered on this show so far. What do you think, listener?) 

Later, Ralph performs a Nina Simone original in the style of Radiohead.

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Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG).

This is another one of those episodes where Michael struggles to get into the album, and Ralph has to take the wheel. What is it about the Red Hot Chili Peppers that Michael doesn’t get? Seriously, what crawled up that guy’s butt? First Lil’ Wayne and now this. It’s like he hates fun or something, that Scrooge.

Don’t worry, listener; empathy and open-mindedness will win in the end. (In this episode anyway. Not sure about real life.) Remember in the Bob Dylan episode when we promised our podcast wouldn’t be weird anymore? How are we doing with that?

Later, Ralph shares a mysterious 78 RPM record that will change the way you think about RHCP and, possibly, the laws of time and space.

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

And on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG).

Dee Snider drops by to talk about Christmas music, his time as a choir boy, and the making of a yuletide metal classic on our first annual Holiday Spectacular! Yeah, we do holiday specials now, like Doctor Who! And don't worry, listener; we ask him about that book and he's got news about it. 

Also in this episode, Michael is visited by ghosts and he and Ralph grapple with complicated feelings about the holidays and uncertainty about the future. But mostly they talk about Twisted Sister. Happy Holidays, everyone! (Even you, Derek.) 

This episode is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend Rim Headley. 

Rose-Colored Headphones will return in 2025 with the rest of season two. 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

And on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG).

Aaron Carnes drops by to educate Ralph and Michael about the wide world of Ska. Why is “Third Wave Ska” a misleading term? Where do the Bosstones fit into the larger story of the genre? Plus more listener mail from Michael’s arch-nemesis Derek. Ugh. Later, Ralph is joined by drummer Elwood Bond as he brings a Bosstones anthem back to the roots of ska. 

Be sure to check out the new expanded edition of Aaron’s fantastic book In Defense of Ska. It makes a great gift for ska-enthusiasts and an even better gift for ska-haters. 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG)

Ralph and Michael dive into the Christian-Rock equivalent of Thriller and weigh DC Talk’s evangelical credentials against DC Talk’s counter-cultural inclinations. To whom is this album speaking? What is being said? Is it more than a collection of 1990s pastiche with religious lyrics? Maybe this album isn’t what you remember. (Well, it probably is in a lot of ways, but there’s more to it than that.) Also, is there a DC Talk group-chat where these guys argue about politics? (We will not find an answer to that question, but if you were once a member of DC Talk, drop us a line and let us know.) Later, we take a call from a listener in distress, Ralph converts “Just Between You and Me” into a delightful slab of reggae, and he and Michael turn that delightful slab of reggae into some spacey dub. 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks.

Ralph and Michael are on their best behavior as Dan Charnas stops by to detail the history of J Dilla’s shelved-and-then-resuscitated should-be classic. What happens when a legendary hip-hop producer decides to rap over beats by other producers? More importantly, why would he decide to do this? Plus, Ralph explores the relationship between hip-hop and bossa nova by performing “Diamonds.”

If you haven’t already, be sure to get a copy of Dan’s book Dilla Time. 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks. 

Ralph and Michael put on full KISS makeup (trust us) to contemplate this heady concept album that Michael keeps calling “Music FOR the Elder,” which is not the actual title. (Get it together, Michael.) Turns out there’s more to Gene Simmons than most people realize, and we’re going to convince you of that. Along the way, Ralph tries to define “butt rock,” Michael rethinks his concept of heroism, and they take a call from someone with an unusual proposition. Later, Ralph performs “I.” 

This episode is dedicated to all of our listeners, except for Derek.

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks. 

Ralph and Michael dive into the Beastie Boys Album That Time Forgot and reminisce about the hostile political climate that surrounded it. The Unhinged Lunatic who forces us to do this podcast likes giving us these trips down Painful Memory Lane. Anyway, how are you? Still profoundly uneasy about everything? Us too. Maybe just forget about it for a while and listen to these knuckleheads talk about some Beastie Boys music. Plus, upsetting listener mail and Ralph’s Tom-Waits-ian cover of “Crawlspace.” 

This episode was brought to you by The Towel Emporium. 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks

Ralph and Michael dig into the original “everybody hates it” album and try to unpack the incredibly negative reaction it received back in 1970. And wouldn’t you know it? It’s actually pretty dope! That’s right, Rose-Colored Headphones is back! Season Two is going to be so good, you guys. We’re definitely not as weird as before. This is a respectable show now. Maybe we’ll even find out why that Unhinged Lunatic is forcing us to do this. But probably not. Anyway, this is a podcast episode about Bob Dylan, which is… maybe something no one’s ever done before? There’s no way to be sure. Later in this episode, Ralph performs “It Hurts Me Too.” 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]

Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on Instagram)

PM

Imagine a season finale where time drifts slowly… a world where music carries you away. Experience our episode about Pure Moods: the perfect soundtrack for your way of life. Also, Ralph and Michael talk about Twin Peaks and the Butthole Surfers. Later, they present an original song in the style of Pure Moods and the unhinged lunatic who forces these guys to make this podcast finally breaks his silence.

Thanks for listening to our first season; we will return! We don't have a choice! 

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/

Or send us an email: [email protected]