What happens when one of your childhood friends grows up to be the Wall Street Journal’s music critic? 

In this episode, hosts Dave and David talk with Mark Richardson—who went from late-blooming music nerd to Pitchfork Editor-in-Chief and became one of the most respected critics working today. Mark reflects on discovering music in the '80s, writing about Bay Area turntablism in the Web 1.0 era, and shaping music criticism as Pitchfork exploded into the mainstream. 

They cover: 

Why year-end lists still matter 

What makes a music review worth reading 

How he listens to 300+ albums a year 

Early contenders for 2025 Record of the Year 

And what it means to really pay attention to sound 

Plus: Springsteen, Harold & Maude, and a few hidden retro surprises for the true heads. 

Whether you still buy vinyl or just want smarter music takes in your feed, this one’s for you.