Dan and Kev reach peak indie this month as they discuss Regina Spektor’s 2006 release Begin To Hope. We talk about Regina’s various eclectic styles and mannerisms, her influence on the Indiesphere, and the stereotypes she patented/violated. How much can a bubbly Bronx pianist push the envelope? What life circumstances produce a work of this much variety? Why does she do that thing with her voice? Brace yourself to FEEL THE WALTZ!

Kev finally subjects Dan to one of his lifelong favorite artists; Richard Thompson. They discuss Richard's background in the seminal folk-rock band Fairport Convention, his most famous works with his ex-wife Linda, and his consistent and enduring legacy as a songwriter, instrumentalist, music historian and successful journeyman. His 1999 album Mock Tudor is perhaps his most acclaimed solo effort, but where does it stand in the world of popular music and taste? Where do his instincts as a writer thrive and where do they fail? What is his status as an influence and what influenced him? What does he have in common with Bobby Baccalieri from The Sopranos? Every time you hear this podcast Bathsheba Smiles, so Crawl Back (Crawl Back) under your stone and listen to Dan and Kev break it all down.

There comes a time when every pair of music nerds must talk about Radiohead, and that time is now for Dan and Kev. We discuss how this not-so-obscure band became the darling of music critics everywhere for the last few decades, and what their sophomore release says about all their material since its release. Is Radiohead ultimately popular? Why don’t more band evolve their sounds like this? Do you know The Note? You most certainly will after this episode, along with a small handful of Britishisms. Don’t leave Dan and Kev High and Dry. Just listen to the episode and feel it in your Bones.

Happy New Year Under Records fans! As a break between Seasons 1 and 2 of breaking down potentially underappreciated albums, Kev and Dan decide to slow it down and instead have a wide ranging conversation about music, technology, popularity and the monoculture. Is technology a bigger driving force than generational change in music popularity? Is the monoculture gone or secretly stronger than ever? How has technology impacted the way we hear, talk and think about music? What video game did Dan have as a soundtrack on a cassette as a youth? Will Kev ever shut the fuck up? All of these questions will be revealed in this Oops! All Concluding Thoughts episode. (Spoiler; the answer to the last one is no).

Dan and Kev are embracing their inner hermit to discuss Tame Impala’s 2012 release Lonerism. Dan reminisces about being an awkward 20-something having Lonerism as the lyrical validation for his struggles, and Kev nods along empathetically. We also attempt to answer the most important questions surrounding Tame Impala, like, What’s going on in Kevin Parker’s perfectionist head? Does he really sound that much like John Lennon? Does Elephant belong on this album, or any Tame Impala album? Does anyone even know this album exists? We’ll attempt to move this discussion forward even though it feels like we only go backwards.

Dan and Kev are getting in touch with their soul, soul music that is, with a discussion of Al Green’s 1971 album Al Green Gets Next to You. We discuss the roots of Soul music, the dynamics of working with a studio band, and what made this record so special that it made Al Green into a household name. How does Al Green differentiate himself from his contemporaries? Is this album a secret concept album? Is Al Green a Ram? Or a Driving Wheel? We’re gonna talk about this Right Now Right Now.

Dan and Kev are mining the depths of human depravity with Tool’s 1993 release Undertow. We discuss the measured complexity of Tool’s debut studio album, how it stands up to the music of the time, and whether its rawness makes it any better or worse than Tool’s future progressive releases. Does Undertow share commonalities with its grunge contemporaries? Is it an animal all its own? How is it that this eclectic rock band achieved mainstream success at all and dodged the designation of underground or extreme metal? We’ll see if we can get to the Bottom (ft. Henry Rollins) of this.

Dan and Kev are absolutely giddy to be talking about R.E.M.’s 1986 album Life’s Rich Pageant. We talk about the critical inflection point this album was in creating a division between old college-rock R.E.M., and the arena-packing juggernaut they were about to become. Do any of Michael Stipe’s lyrics make sense? Does it even matter if they don’t? Is R.E.M. being forgotten by the greater culture? Why do all these songs kick so much butt? Seriously, we can’t wait to talk about the passion…wait that’s not on this album. Whatever, keep it in.

Dan and Kev can’t stand how outstanding Wilco is, especially on their 1999 release Summerteeth. Of course we’ve all heard Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but what kind of status did Wilco have before the release of their tumultuous 2002 album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? Is this old Wilco’s peak? Or is this just a druggy love affair between Jeff Tweedy and Jay Bennet? Can Dan be convinced that Wilco is at all remarkable as a band? Maybe all he needs is a shot in the arm

Dan and Kev dip their toes into the folk-jazz intersection that is Joni Mitchell’s For the Roses. Context plays an important role for this 1972 album, which finds itself jammed between two major Joni releases. We dive into Joni’s life and career, and Dan tries to sell Kev on Joni’s angelic-yet-sometimes-cringeworthy voice. Are there hidden gems on For The Roses? How does knowing what we know now about Joni Mitchell’s life inform the interpretation of these lyrics? Is Blonde In The Bleachers the ultimate underrated Joni song? Join us as we discuss Joni’s heart and mind.