The Kousins are rockin’ ’round the Christmas Tree in this episode. Being the last Asylum episode of 2024, the Kousins talk about Christmas tunes, each giving two Xmas-based “Now Listenings” and a skimming of A Twisted Christmas (2006) from Twisted Sister.

Calls from Jem From Alabama, Jim From Irwin, Bruno From Sweltering South Africa, Eugene B Sims, and another call from Uncle Steve of Uncle Steve’s Mega Maiden Podcast.

What are your favorite Xmas songs, heavy or otherwise?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

Due to some technical difficulties (of which Kousin Tim is sparing you details), Kousin Tim had to pass off production duties to Kousin Gary. The Kousins thought it was time for another “Mount Rushmore” topic and this time it was lead guitarists. We may get to rhythm guitarists in the future, but for now, the spotlight takers, the shredders, the tappers… lead guitarists. Each Kousin went through their four picks with some accompanying music and why they thought they should be on the Rushmore list.

Calls from Jim From Irwin, Jem From Alabama, Nick Provenzano, and long-lost Uncle Steve of the Mega Maiden Zone podcast.

Each Kousin gave a “Now Listening.”

Who would be on your Mount Rushmore of lead guitarists?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

It started with Bruno From Sunny South Africa talking about an album that was a “bottom three” album or “top five” or whatever. Arbitrary rankings without context is hard. So, Kousin Tim called on all the “Asylum Inmates” to submit their own KISS Album Rankings. Unbeknownst to any of them, Kousin Tim didn’t really have a plan for the rankings, not unlike a dog chasing a car – what to do once you catch it? So, the Kousins decided to do a comparison and cumulative ranking based on the submissions by Jim From Irwin, Jem From Alabama, Nick Provenzano, Steve from Podder Than Hell/I Remember Now, Bruno, and Eugene B Sims. Kousin Marvin, Kousin Gary, and Kousin Ray didn’t know what any of the others had submitted. So, after the Inmates’ subs were tallied, Kousin Tim brought back the 2021 rankings from the Kousins and factored them in, as well. That gave a cumulative score of a total of 10 KISS fans. Out of 100, that’s 10%, so it’s a pretty good representation.

The albums ranked were: All studio albums from KISS (debut) through Monster, all four solo albums, all four “Alive” (Alive!, Alive II, Alive III, Alive IV – Symphony), Double Platinum, Killers, Smashes Thrashes & Hits, and Unplugged.

Calls by Jem From Alabama and Bruno From Sunny South Africa.

“Now Listenings” and “Let Me Know.”

How would you rank the 32 albums that the whole Asylum Family’s standings?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

Each Kousin brought three “Now Listening” songs to the table, and Kousin Marvin spread his “Let Me Know” throughout the show. Many things were heard for the first time, and some memories were brought back, as well as some old faves.

Calls from Jim From Irwin, Jem From Alabama, and Bruno From Sunny South Africa.

What have you been listening to lately?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

While listening to the Paul Di’Anno albums a few weeks back, one of the Kousins mentioned grading Iron Maiden albums. So, that’s what the Kousins are doing. They are grading the Mark I (“the Di’Anno years,” Iron Maiden, Killers) and Mark II (“the Bruce years, part one,” Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, No Prayer for the Dying, Fear of the Dark) versions of the band. The grades are cumulative averages given each Kousin’s individual grades. The grades can be from A+ to F.

Calls from Jim From Irwin, Nick Provenzano From Northern California, Bruno From (once again) Sunny South Africa, and Jem From Alabama.

No “Now Listenings” this week.

How would you grade the albums listed above? What’s your fave?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

So, this week is Halloween-ish. We could have done Trick or Treat or other films of that ilk. But, no. Kousin Ray knew about the Rocky Horror Picture Show but had never seen it. His wife and stepdaughter took him to see it live with “shadow players,” props, scripts, and more. Kousin Tim, Kousin Gary, and Kousin Marvin had all seen it on video but never live. The soundtrack is terrific and was prime for a good listening party. So, that’s what happened. Perhaps we’ll see you all “over at the Frankenstein Place?”

All four Kousins had “Now Listenings.”

Calls from Jim From Irwin, Eugene B Sims, Jem From Alabama, and Bruno From (usually) Sunny South Africa.

What was your favorite Rocky Horror moment, song, or character? Did you even like it at all?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

The Hard Rock community lost original Iron Maiden singer, Paul Di’Anno this past week after bouts with illness over the past several years. So, the Kousins listened through the first two Iron Maiden albums, the band DiAnno, and the Paul Di’Anno later year things, including selections from his last solo record that was released this past September.

Calls from Jim From Irwin, Communal Steve, Nick Provenzano From Northern California, and Jem From Alabama.

What are you favorite Paul Di’Anno moments in music?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

A few weeks ago, the Kousins did a retrospective of music (and other pop-culture things) from 1985, which focused on the hard rock genre (which can be found here). The Kousins will be visiting other years. But before we all move on, it was time to grade the top hard rock albums of 1985 (in their opinion). Kousin Marvin was not on the show but sent his grades beforehand.

The albums that were graded were (in no particular order):

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good.

Calls from Eugene B Sims, Jim From Irwin, and Jem From Alabama.

What were your grades for the hard rock albums of 1985?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

Yes, two listening parties in a row. Kousin Ray is out this week for “Mandatory Fun.” Led Zeppelin’s third album, cleverly called Led Zeppelin III (1970), has its 54th anniversary on Saturday. KR “respects Zep” but doesn’t like to listen to them because the local classic rock stations (like just about every classic rock station in the country, if not the world, play them almost non-stop). It was an opportunity to give it some love with KR being out, so that happened.

The three Kousins gave their “Now Listenings.”

Calls from Eugene B Sims, Jim From Irwin, and Jem From Alabama.

What are your thoughts on Led Zeppelin III? What’s your favorite song?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).

Staying with the 1985 theme after a week off, the Kousins thought that Mötley Crüe’s Theatre of Pain was an underrated album and needed some love. It is the general consensus that other than one track (which really isn’t that bad), the album is a gem. Was it glammy? Yes. Was it muddy? Yes. Does the album get a bad rap? Absolutely. Buy why? Stick with us and enjoy an excellent album with some hidden treasures.

All four Kousins gave their “Now Listenings.”

Calls from Bruno From (mostly) Sunny South Africa, Jem From Alabama, and Jim From Irwin.

What is your take and/or thoughts on Theatre of Pain?

Let us know by calling the TLDNetwork (KUZZ Army) hotline and leaving a message for the Kousins at 336-422-NUMB (6862).