Oh, Great Illinois, it can only start with you! In 2005 Sufjan Stevens put out the second (and final) album of his ambitious 50 States Project, a 22-track tribute to the Midwest's "center of gravity," Illinois! Months of research went into this entirely self-made record that's basically a massive history lesson told through song. Stevens pays tribute to the state's greatest cities, notable individuals, and significant events, from the Black Hawk War and the World's Fair to serial killer John Wayne Gacy, Jr. and President Abraham Lincoln. We cover it all! Plus, the Mixtaper is live on location to deliver facts about aliens, Olympics, and full neon costumes! It's a monumental album you won't want to miss, so check out this episode to see what hidden details we uncover!

PLUS! Head to www.SpinItPod.com for the extended B-Side episode where you can find our thoughts on all 22 tracks, catch two surprising bonus rounds of Fact Or Spin, and listen to us fail miserably at some simple math. If you can't get enough of Illinois, the B-Side is the way to go!

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HAPPY GRAMMYS WEEK! It's our second annual Grammy Special, and this Podcast For A Sushi Restaurant is taking on another Album Of The Year winner, Harry's House by Harry Styles! We'll talk about our experience watching this year's history-making show, the accuracy of our predictions, and much more. Learn about Harry's candy (and tongue) eating habits, his famous fake parents, and get our thoughts on every track from the synth-laden As It Was to the harmony-driven Little Freak and everything in between. Plus, the Mixtaper is back to make Fact Or Spin history! See whether his incredible 2023 lossless streak can continue and get your groove on with this truly one-of-a-kind episode. We're spinnin' out waiting for ya!

Keep Spinning (and check out the brand new Trophy Case!) at www.SpinItPod.com!

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Anxious? Doubtful? Making Mistakes? Well you've got time to Think It Over this week as we talk about Bambi by the ever-evolving alt-pop band Hippo Campus! Inspired to shake things up after a solid first record, Bambi is the band's attempt to challenge themselves and "burn the room" into an entirely new sound. This batch of cathartic, vibey songs will definitely get us talking, and Fact Or Spin might leave us with more questions than answers! What tools does it take to carve and decorate spoons? How much does a wet trumpet cost? Why are Green Day and Hippo Campus chugging iced coffee with Rachael Ray?! There's only one way to find out...

Also... we recorded this before we realized they'd moved the Grammys (and therefore we had to move our Grammy Special)! If you're confused why we mention it like we do... we messed up the date. So you get this episode a week early instead!

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It's One For The Money, Two For The Show, Three To Get Ready, Now Go, Cat, Go! We're putting on our finest Blue Suede Shoes this week and talking about the self-titled 1956 debut record of the King Of Rock And Roll himself, Elvis Presley! We'll talk about how this small-town Mississippi boy came to be one of music's most influential superstars and dig into hit songs like Tutti Frutti, I Got A Woman, and Money Honey (some of the most highly acclaimed songs of all time)! From his Graceland home to his chimpanzee to his untimely death, we still barely scratch the surface of the legend in this episode. Also... did you know Elvis was a law enforcement officer? Uh-Huh-Huh.

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We're going back to The Night Me And Your Mama Met this week with Childish Gambino (and Donald Glover)! His 2016 record, "Awaken, My Love!" sent shockwaves through the music world with its psychedelic soul and funk-infused R&B sounds. We'll talk about Glover's ambitious projects, from Simpsons scripts to moon movies to hit shows like Community and Atlanta. We trade bits, share secrets, learn about cruise pirates, and more. See what this Spider-Man inspiration has been up to, and dig into the loose concept of memorable tracks like Boogieman, California, and the mega-hit Redbone! We hope you Have Some Love for this record, and don't forget to STAY WOKE!

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Take a walk West Of The Fields this week as we listen to R.E.M.'s debut album Murmur! Widely considered one of the first acts in alt rock, learn how the Athens, Georgia band got their start on a $2 budget, overcame producer hardship on the original Catapult, and quickly rose to prominence beyond their wildest expectations thanks to hits like Radio Free Europe! We'll talk about Michael Stipe's unique lyric-writing style, packed with gibberish vowel sounds and loaded to the brim with references and mythology. We'll also examine his near-death experiences, learn who covered a traveler with yogurt, and discover why R.E.M. won't be there for us. Clap clap clap clap!

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Don't cross him, don't boss him! We're screaming like a panther in the middle of the night this week with Willie Nelson's career-defining classic, Red Headed Stranger! This 1975 concept LP was mistaken for a demo when record execs first heard it, but hits like Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain and Remember Me helped cement its legacy. We'll follow the Preacher on a redemptive journey full of love, lust, and murder, all the way from Blue Rock to Denver. We'll also talk about Willie's hitchhiker lifestyle, his creative use of a barf bag, and the time he was accused of murder as we sail O'er The Waves on Spin It! 

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Nina Simone has us Feeling Good this week with her twelfth studio album, I Put A Spell On You! She's come to be known as the High Priestess Of Soul, and for good reason -- her classically-trained piano playing and expressive vocals lend themselves perfectly to the soulful R&B and jazz music she chose to sing. As a vocal figure during the Civil Rights Movement she helped give rise to the protest song as a tool and art form, and her career was fraught with turbulence from within and without. We'll talk about the wildlife of Barbados, a record-breaking vocal performance, and a time she REALLY lost her temper as we Take Care Of Business with this record. Happy New Year!

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Spinter Wonderland is upon us once again... We've compiled a list of the best holiday singles recorded by artists we've covered on the show and now it's time to get YOUR vote! We streamed this episode live and let you pick your favorites in head-to-head matchups, with some twists, turns, and surprises along the way. We'll talk about our Christmas wishes, play a brand new game, check in with the Mixtaper, and crown ONE artist that gets to remain on the Nice List this year! Everyone else is headed to the Naughty side, and nobody wants that. Find out who wins during this special seasonal episode!

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Thanks for listening, and Happy Holidays!

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The Doctor Is In!! It's Spin-ter Wonderland season, and we're kicking off the holidays with Connor's pick: Dr. Demento's Greatest Christmas Novelty CD Of All Time! Brace yourself. This festive record is packed with a wide array of comedic tunes, from staples that have transcended novelty like Christmas Don't Be Late, Hippopotamus For Christmas, and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer to lesser-known deep cuts. We'll talk about the Disc Jockey himself and learn about monkey muggings, dog mayors, and the Weird Al movie! It's an album unlike any we've encountered before (and hopefully unlike any we'll encounter again) so be sure to tune in and "stay demented!" 

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