A loud-mouth retired rock critic and a cranky expat rock obsessive discuss, analyze and just plain old argue about rock ‘n‘ roll: the old stuff, the new stuff and why it all still matters.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
In which The Curmudgeons pay loving tribute to one of our favorite bands. Built to Spill is the brainchild of Boise, Idaho, native and guitar maestro Doug Martsch, who's been banging and crunching his way through indie-rock anthems for more than three decades now. As Arturo Andrade likes to say, BTS, as we call them for short, taught indie-rockers everywhere that classic rock and guitar solos were cool. And BTS has served up some remarkable guitar tapestries over the years. We discuss the band's albums and also break down the band's legacy on this episode.
Enjoy the music of Built to Spill by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28IWa36crH0h7z5CyzrGay?si=97f1b37037e64956
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:
(00:52 - 03:07) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion of Built to Spill
(04:33 - 15:12) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Snapped Ankles and Little Simz
(16:11 - 52:09) - We discuss the origins of Built to Spill and analyze their first five albums, including classics such There's Nothing Wrong With Love, Perfect From Now On and Keep It Like a Secret
(53:33 - 01:15:18) - We analyze Built to Spill's last five albums, including their most recent effort, 2022's terrific When the Wind Forgets Your Name
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons take a big ol' dukey on that most prominent of rap-metal bands Limp Bizkit. The band is surely one of the worst hard-rock outfits to make it big since cranking up guitars real loud became a thing. Its plodding, uninspired riffage was eclipsed only by its misogynistic, corroded worldview and ultra-dumb lyrics. We dive into the rock's dregs here, analyzing the band's origins as well as its first four albums, all of which are awful. It all begs the question: How the heck did Limp Bizkit get so huge, anyway? We attempt to answer that question.
Marvel in horror at the awful music of Limp Bizkit by accessing out Spotify plylist for the episode:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5s6kczKDwbpVDYt3DoTiaD?si=f88d0b956bcf4120
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 06:15) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Limp Bizkit
(15:04 - 29:52) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Ty Segall and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
(30:50 - 38:56) - We discuss the origin story behind Limp Bizkit's improbable rise from the underground of Jacksonville, Fla., to corporate rock's front burner
(40:03 - 1:18:23) - We break down why this band's first four album are, in fact, truly terrible and even offensive. And we ponder why this kind of rap-metal may have been so appealing to so many people.
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons trip out through outer space and rock out to Hawkwind, one of the most singular psychedelic rock bands of all time. And in which we do it completely sober! This band practically invented what is known as space rock, a jammy, propulsive brand of heavy metal that focuses its gaze firmly on the cosmos and all the alien beings and strange phenomena the Great Beyond can generate. We focus on this longtime, prolific band's most fruitful period, namely the 1970s, when maybe only Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd kinda, sorta counted as peers.
Enjoy the awesome music of Hawkwind by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2K0qbD4dzEv9XHJj7dBLTm?si=0252e442d42643b7
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:
(00:52 - 03:27) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Hawkwind
(6:05 - 17:24) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Lael Neale and Perfume Genius
(18:23 - 01:04:13) - We give five reasons why Hawkwind merits a defense, discuss the band's origin story and analyze five great albums, from In Search of Space (1971) to Warriors on the Edge of Time (1975)
(01:05:16 - 01:23:59) - We analyze four more Hawkwind albums, from Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music (1976) to PXR5 (1979)
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons give loud, deserved props to one of modern rock's most influential bands. Hûsker Dû started out as a revered hardcore punk band in Minneapolis in 1979, but by the mid-1980s, the band had veered toward a style that became known as punk-pop--loud and abrasive but also unquestionably melodic and heartfelt. During this episode, we extol the virtues of Hûsker Dû and what made them truly great. We discuss their six studio alums plus a rocked-out EP and a sensational live album.
Enjoy the music of Hûsker Dû by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4z536uqdfmR7VVoAkZaCk8?si=a8db8b22da0d4a8e
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:
(00:52 - 04:12) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Hûsker Dû
(06:17 - 16:49) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Moonchild Sannelly and J.I.D.
(17:47 - 50:49) - WE discuss Hûsker Dû's origin story and then analyze four full-length albums and one EP the band released on indie label SST. These include Zen Arcade, New Day Rising and Flip Your Wig.
(52:41 - 01:09:04) - We discuss two albums Hûsker Dû relased on Warner Brothers Records and also a live album that hit record-store shelves long after the band broke up.
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons continue their exploration of the City of Angels during arguably its most fertile period, namely the decade of the 1980s. Last episode, we established that the glam metal and punk scenes gestated based on a similar us-against-the-world ethos, albeit expressed much differently from one another. By the late '80s, glam metal had become a bona fide global commodity and its punk...hadn't, morphing instead into something wholly original and awe-inspiring. Here, we tell the story of the rest of glam metal, giving particular emphasis on Motley Crue, Poison and Guns N' Roses. We also track the rise and extraordinary influence of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction.
Enjoy the music of Los Angeles from the late 1980s by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1JXeDNqhrQHMOA5xcxoKhl?si=dee7f0ffbea2413e
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:
(00:52-03:50) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Los Angeles rock in the late 1980s
(05:07 - 17:04) - The Parallel Universe, featuring revies of new music from The Murder Capital and Beach Bunny
(18:02 - 01:09:14) - Christopher O'Connor discusses the explosion of glam metal, runs through a lightning round of some great--and some truly terrible--glam metal singles and discusses the arc of Motley Crue, Poison and Guns N' Roses
(01:10:28 - 01:51:22) - Arturo Andrade discusses the early work and influence of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and then covers the origin story and burning glory of Jane's Addiction
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons travel back to sleazy, sweaty streets of Los Angeles to celebrate the music emanating from the City of Angeles. On one end, you had the burgeoning glam metal scene, a parade of excess and depravity in leather, chains and spandex--and some glorious, decadent riffage. On the other end, you had the DIY punk underground, led by hardcore punk stalwarts Black Flag and their SST label. You also had quirkier bands like The Minutemen and X lurking beneath the surface. A rockin' time was had by all. We explore it all intensely.
Enjoy the music of early '80s L.A. by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61bZCVO8Mu2WVJE2Q7NyZO?si=3ffe4c45856b48b7
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:59) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Los Angeles rock in the early '80s
(06:24 - 18:00) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Zzzahara and Mdou Moctar
(18:59 - 53:02) - Christopher O'Connor covers the glam metal scene of the Sunset Strip, placing emphasis on Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue and Rattt
(54:09 - 01:46:37) - Arturo covers the L.A. punk underground, placing emphasis on Black Flag, The Minutemen, X and The Gun Club
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
Tuesday Apr 08, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons end their dynamic 3rd Golden Age of Rock series with a loving reexamination of the year 1980. The year stands as crucial pivot point for the development of rock 'n' roll culture. Punk and post-punk were becoming Gothic rock and New Wave. The Clash was serving as a virtual world jukebox. Talking Heads was virtually doing the same. And everyone was serving up their tunes and imagery in the year before MTV changed *everything* in 1981. We give love to these artists and genres and celebrate other artists including Prince, AC/DC, Rush and more.
Enjoy the music of 1980 by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0wYtNWaQjP7zcFqlBQHn9V?si=fb8b86a4b10943b2
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:
(00:52 - 04:05) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1980
(04:18 - 16:38) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Greentea Peng and The Tubs
(17:36 - 56:33) - We examine albums from Talking Heads, Joy Division, The Clash and then lovingly celebrate a bunch of great singles from 1980
(58:15 - 01:48:21) - We meditate of the death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, pay homage to several great heavy metal albums, give it up for Prince's Dirty Mind and run down a number of other all-time great albums released in 1980
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons honor one of hip-hop's most tragic figures. Big L was a hip-hop savant from Harlem whose flows were endlessly inventive, whose lyrics walked a fine line between pathos and shock value and whose professionalism allowed him to dominate any beat and any style. His star was on the rise in early 1999 before disaster struck and Big L was murdered. We'll closely examine his brief career and its astounding output in detail.
Enjoy the music of Big L by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6eUSIvLwmppo3yYSNNrv9l?si=7f804cfaee6d43fc
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons passionately laud, lavish and defend one of the true gentle giants of popular music--and certainly its most underappreciated. Curtis Mayfield was an absolute pioneer of soul, R&B and funk. Mayfield produced an astonishing body of work, first as the bandleader for soul trio The Impressions in the 1960s, and then as a prolific solo artist in the 1970s. He tempered the anger and rage of Black America with the temperance and observant tenderness of a preacher, and he filtered that emotional tension through rich arrangements laden with strings, horns, fuzzy bass and more than dollop of da funk. We revisit the best of his music, covering select singles from his Impressions days and then dissecting his first eight solo albums.
Enjoy the music of the great Curtis Mayfield by accessing our Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4XF7kiE4LNWZesC2GQEhWm?si=43fa7e1ba07f441d
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 04:46) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Curtis Mayfield
(05:27 - 17:12) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Nadia Reid and Horsegirl
(18:11 - 01:09:11) - We discuss Curtis Mayfield's origins as a musician and then run through 10 great Impressions songs and his first eight studio albums, including the unbelievable Superfly
(01:10:36 - 01:24:00) - We discuss the latter half of Mayfield's career and espouse on his big picture legacy
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons honor one of the most important years in all of rock 'n' roll history. Through the greatest albums and songs of 1979, we hear the sound of one decade fading and another decade splashing into full color and light. Post-punk, for instance, reached its most glorious heights, with bands like Public Image Ltd. and Gang of Four offering up a danceable yet jagged concoction. There was also the grandest statement put forth by The Clash, whose London Calling from late in the year was one of the most important rock records ever released. Neil Young, Michael Jackson, Tom Petty and Pink Floyd also had an amazing 1979. We discuss all of those artists and more during this episode.
Enjoy the music of 1979 by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7d2Whdu6upljApGZpVB8JP?si=53b5973e8eea4376
Here's a ahndy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:36) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1979
(03:51 - 13:40) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Decius and Bonnie "Prince" Billy
(14:39 - 01:05:20) - We discuss the peak period for punk rock and post-punk, highlighting The Clash, Public Image Ltd. and many others.
(01:06:52 - 1:59:04) - WE give love to Neil Young, Tom Petty, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd. We also rip through a lightning round in which we cover other great albums by David Bowie, Talking Heads, Fleetwood Mac and others.
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911
https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-
Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor