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
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
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
In which The Curmudgeons examine the last great era for hip-hop, namely the years between 1999 and 2008. After the catastrophe that was the murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, hip-hop could have imploded and or lost its footing--or even its respect as a genre. Instead, the movement throughout the 1990s, in which the hardcore went mainstream, carried over in the new century. In fact, hip-hop as a popular music genre exploded, becoming more successful than ever. In the process, genuine pop superstars like Eminem, DMX, Jay-Z, OutKast and Kanye West rose to glory. We discuss those artists and much more on this episode.
Listen to all the great music of this last stand for hip-hop by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/79etpkKGK52DHWnj0xsPU8?si=725307acab964915
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:
(00:52 - 04:24) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of real hip-hop's last stand
(05:27 - 16:45) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Benjamin Booker and Squid
(17:45 - 01:32:31) - We discuss Eminem, DMX, Jay-Z, Kanye West, OutKast and more
(01:34:05 - 02:30:06) - We blaze through a lightning round of 54 top hip-hop singles from this era
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 Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
In which the Curmudgeons know it's going to be a long, long time before the heavens produce a young man as preternaturally gifted as a songwriter and performer as Elton John proved to be back in the early 1970s. John's output during the early part of that fabled decade was routinely incredible, possessed with both a swagger and a tenderness that shone through in gorgeous melodies and the often profound lyrics of collaborator Bernie Taupin. We revisit a period when virtually no one else in all of rock n' roll could approach the mastery of Elton John. We analyze his studio albums from this period and discuss his legacy at length.
Enjoy the music of Elton John by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5kheG5S8heMsbCJGxoejtj?si=12b56c620c464c94
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:01) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Elton John
(04:29 - 18:08) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Lambini Girls and The Weather Station
(19:07 - 55:18) - We cover the origin story of Elton John and discuss his albums Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, Honky Chateau and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
(56:53 - 01:28:48) = WE discuss Elton John's albums Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road, Caribou, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and Rock of the Westies. We also offer thoughts on John's "big picture" legacy within popular music.
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 Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
In which the Curmudgeons revisit the underrated yet crucially important year of 1978. Punk rock had gone mainstream in the two years prior to '78, and true to the restlessness that defined the genre, the music was ready to morph into post-punk and New Wave. We marvel at the movement this pivotal year brought in this episode. We cover albums by Elvis Costello, Public Image Ltd., Patti Smith, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Talking Heads, Devo, The Cars and more.
Enjoy all of this great music from 1978 by accessing our Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68qv5ZpAVo8qA2BIT7Goil?si=3a0d75607d8c4958
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 04:20) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1978
(06:34 - 20:35) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Priests and Blood Incantation
(21:34 - 01:09:50) - We cover the dawn of post-punk and New Wave, covering artists such as Public Image Limited, Talking Heads and The Cars
(01:11:05 - 02:07:16) - WE discuss a number of other albums from 1978, from artists including Devo, Marvin Gaye, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Neil Young and Rush
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 Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
In which each of Yours Truly Curmudgeons offers our list of the ten best albums we consumed over the past 12 months. This was a surprisingly strong, deep year for new music releases...something exemplified by the fact that our lists share five entries in common. Here's a sneak peek: The top album on both of our lists is one of the greatest and most beloved superstars of all time. Shocking, but true: A pop goddess delivered a masterpiece. Find out who we're talking about and enjoy the rest of our discussion of Le Grande 2024.
Listen to select songs from each of the albums on our list (minus Cindy Lee, who avoids streaming services) by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3s0TyiIYye1KYbMiTg82MM?si=f607b3cd3bdb483a
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 Curmudegons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor