Under Records

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.

Dan and Kev prep themselves for some psychedelic surfing lessons as they talk about MGMT’s 2010 release Congratulations. Was MGMT destined for a sophomore slump? Or did they inadvertently make their most artful album ever with the odds stacked against them? Is Siberian Breaks the greatest song ever written? What does Brian Eno know? We discuss all of this without ever mentioning drugs. I know, we didn’t think it could be done either. Give us a round of applause.

Dan and Kev strap on some camo gear and pith helmets to talk about Cracker’s 2009 release Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey. We discuss the band’s DIY ethos, and critically dissect every fiber of bandleader David Lowery’s being, from his weird voice to his love of the troops. What cracks in the musical landscape does Cracker fill in? Is this...dad rock? Are there really any features on this album or are they just pulling our leg? Is this the swan song of 2000s rock music? We could be wrong, we could be right.

Dan and Kev sit down to talk about Pixies’ 1990 album Bossanova. We discuss Bossanova’s divisive status as being a less collaborative Pixies album than Surfer Rosa or Doolittle. With Kim Deal taking more of a back seat on this album, does it still pass muster as being a great Pixies album? Is Black Francis going to come to Dan’s house and beat him up? Why are all the band members wrong about Hang Wire? Do any of these lyrics make sense? Come Bossanova with us!

Dan and Kev talk about Tom Waits’ 1999 release Mule Variations, in all its dusty, grimey, bluesy glory. We discuss Tom Waits’ background as a singer-songwriter, and how he managed to remain simultaneously relevant yet obscure enough to evade Dan’s boomer parents’ awareness. What sets apart Waits’s late-career release from his 70s and 80s material? Is this Waits at his earthiest? What the hell is a Filipino Boxspring Hog? Is Mule Variations underrated? We’ll find out, but first you gotta get behind the mule