This week's song, "A Change of Seasons" by Dream Theater, is our longest yet at just over 20 minutes.  Fortunately, special guest, Craig Miller, challenges that run time by sharing his in-depth thoughts on the band's history, their place in the greater metal oeuvre, and just how many movements it takes to describe the cycle of life and death.  All that plus Rob learns that metal artists don't just write songs about demons and magic and that not all of them are scary men who want to hurt him. Pardon for the audio drop outs at times.  Perfect storm of wireless internet shenanigans as Craig tries to keep from waking up his son in a different room and I brilliantly hide my wireless extender under a coat.  Think it still came out pretty darn good. Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

This week we kick some teeth in talking about the Dead Kennedys' "Riot".  Special guest Matt Summers and I flagrantly violate the law--noise ordinances, mostly--to break down the steps of rioting in your neighborhood, punk-rock suing your former bandmates, and appreciating the muscianship of the Dead Kennedys.  All this and poetry! Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

In honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Professor Aaron Cain joins us to literally school me on the aria "Es Ist Vollbracht" from J.S. Bach's St. John Passion.  And he brings his own materials!  Aaron does his best to share his knowledge of early music, Bach's grumpy, beer-related missives, and one of the best personal anecdotes about a song ever heard on this show.  Rob ends the term with an "F" for German pronunciation and must make up the work this summer.  Luckily, you're all getting an "A" for "awesomeness"! Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

Because this is the podcast you probably most associate with religion, we have an episode to complement the upcoming Easter holiday as we discuss the aria "Es Ist Vollbracht" from the St. John Passion by J.S. Bach. My special guest, Aaron Cain, was kind enough to provide an Mp3 of the Portland Baroque Orchestra performing this piece for our audience.  He even checked with the members including featured viola da gamba soloist, Joanna Blendulf, and countertenor, Matthew White, for permission so you can download and listen without fear of legal recourse.  Thanks, Aaron and the Portland Baroque Orchestra! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element If you need a visual, YouTube has a nice clip of the performance as well. And, with the original German and the English translation, the lyrics: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Es Ist Volbracht Aria AltoViolino I/II, Viola, Viola da gamba sola, ContinuoEs ist vollbracht!It is accomplished ! O Trost vor die gekränkten Seelen!What comfort for all suffering souls! Die TrauernachtThe night of sorrow Läßt nun die letzte Stunde zählen.now reaches its final hours. Der Held aus Juda siegt mit MachtThe hero from Judah triumphs in his might Und schließt den Kampf.and brings the strife to an end. Es ist vollbracht!It is accomplished!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So listen, watch, read, and join us back here Wednesday for the full episode.

Christien Murawski from the Quarter to Three Movie Podcast gives "Pitseleh" two thumbs up.  Except that's not really how they rate things on the show.  And they usually rate movies, not songs.  Anyhoo, we dive deep into the poetry of this one to discuss the intermingling of love and fear, the strange relationship between ourselves and our favorite artists, and every emotion in between.   Plus a bonus movie review of "Keeping the Faith" and a fabulous tangent into Fountains of Wayne territory. Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

So, what are we talking about this week, special guest Chris Hornbostel? "Last Day That We're Young?" by Game Theory? Could you please recount the fascinating story of how this album came to be, break down the musical arrangement and mastering process that makes the song so excellent, and then drop an awesomely prescient interpretation of the lyrics whilst tying them into a personal theme of aging, life, and death? Ok, thanks.  I'll be over here looking up "opalescent". Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

And so another Robruary has come and gone.  But not before I drag my poor wife, Diana, into the studio to talk about "Big Sur" by the Thrills.  I share my heartfelt memories of how this song represented one of the happiest periods of my life.  Diana just wants to talk about the Monkees.  Spot on musical renditions ensue. Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Here's the sad, penultimate chapter of Robruary in which I talk, alone, about Death Cab for Cutie's "A Lack of Color" and how it made me the man I am today.  There will be tragedy.  There will be heartache.  There will be copious moments of sad-sackery.  I solemnly swear that this episode is well within the FDA limits of wracking man-sobs.  Barely within the limits. Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

It's the final of the "I'm Recording In a Car" trilogy with special guest, Brendon and special song, Blink-182's "What's My Age Again?"  Much like the Star Wars prequels, this episode comes first chronologically and has a lot of terrible CG effects.  It also features the next chapter of Robruary in which a college-aged Rob finds Blink-182 depressing--not depressing depressing--Brendon opines his lack of blankets in the cold New England nights, and everybody has more fun.  MORE FUN!!! Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Robruary goes big with writer, Tom Chick, joining me to share his thoughts on "Where Is My Mind?".   You won't believe your ears as we discuss our mutual love of "Fight Club", how much Tom and Black Francis have in common, subliminal genitals, and the eternal question: what happens to our pee during outdoor music festivals? You're listening to this episode at a very strange time in my life. Remember to check out Tom's site, Quarter To Three and be sure to donate to their movie podcast fund drive and vote for the crew to watch "The Goonies".  It's a great way to support their awesome work and a simple way to get a birthday gift for me! Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3