The Curmudgeon Rock Report

STP was pegged as a phony grunge band, and then it was minimized as its lead singer publicly battled drug addiction. The Curmudgeons think that was unfair, and on this episode, we make the case for what we think was one of the best bands of its era.

Songs discussed during this episode include:

Sturgill Simpson, "Juanita"

Calexico, "Quattro (World Drifts In)"

Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, "That Don't Bother Me"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Dead & Bloated"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Sex Type Thing"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Vasoline"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Big Bang Baby"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Art School Girl"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Sour Girl"

Velvet Underground, "Sister Ray"

The Beatles, "The Long and Winding Road"

In which the Curmudgeons discuss all things Pearl Jam...and do not do it alone. Author Ronen Givony joins us to talk about the band, his book Not For You: Pearl Jam and the Present Tense, fan communities, and more. (Interview starts at 23:57.)

Entering the 1990s, Prince and Michael Jackson were made eccentric pop music men. As the decade unfolded, however, eccentricity devolved into just plain weirdness as the spotlights dimmed and both guys fought for control--and then relevancy.

In which the Curmudgeons tear down beloved jewels from the Beastie Boys, Hole, Drake, Jeff Buckley, and others.

In which the Curmudgeons take turns speaking glowingly of eight albums, while the other takes a dump on all eight. Artists covered include David Bowie, Tori Amos, The Flaming Lips and Jay-Z.

Who gets to induct acts into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anyway? Whoever it is, they sure do whiff a lot. The Curmudgeons make the case for why Joy Division, Soundgarden, the Smiths and 10 others have been criminally ignored by these folks.

What does a megastar do after the whole megastardom thing peaks? It was a quality problem for Michael Jackson and Prince to have in the late 1980s. The Curmudgeons discuss and debate each legend's output during the era.

In which the Curmudgeon reveal their list for the 20 best "forgotten" bands in modern music. Starring: Ty Segall, Kurt Vile, Metz--and many Australians.