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
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
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
Tuesday Dec 10, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons shout before all the human race like we'll never lose. Yup, we're discussing the mighty, mighty Queen on this episode, focusing on the band's undeniable greatness from their beginnings all the way through 1980, when they peaked commercially with "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." The band managed to be unapologetically campy and occasionally naughty while more than occasionally rocking harder than just about any other band on the planet. We give Queen the hero treatment they deserve here.
Check out all the wonderful Queen music from this era by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/76mb0E3aiyLiFm9LdbN7nl?si=d82b5b2260e143d7
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:56) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Queen
(04:40 - 17:21) The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Bright Eyes and Michael Kiwanuka
(18:06 - 01:04:02) - We discuss the origin story of Queen and show love for the band's first eight studio albums
(01:04:51 - 1:24:53) - We summarize Queen's run through the 1980s and offer thoughts on the band's ultimate 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-
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
In which the Curmudgeons continue to revisit the fertile fields of the late 1970s and land on 1977, one of the most explosive years in rock history. It's when the Sex Pistols dropped their album Never Mind the Bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols and set off a punk revolution. It's also when Fleetwood Mac, Kraftwerk and Bob Marley dropped genre-defining masterpieces. And that still only runs to the surface of what 1977 produced. From David Bowie and Iggy Pop to Pink Floyd and Rush to Al Green, it was a hell of a year. Let us celebrate it in grand style.
Revisit the great music of 1977 by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6e0NiIBN4USKAMmuaUlTvS?si=bcd72729a7424d1f
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 04:23) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1977
(04:38 - 14:35) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Personal Trainer and English Teacher
(15:20 - 01:17:10) - We run down everything to know about punk in 1977--The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones and more
(01:18:21 - 01:48:12) - We cover albums from Kraftwerk, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and Bob Marley
(01:49:11 - 02:21:11) - We engage in lightning-round coverage of 10 additional albums from 1977, including releases from Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Al Green and Joni Mitchell
Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
Tuesday Nov 12, 2024
In which the Curmudgeons dive into the little bit of the third installment of Neil Young's Archives that we can. The full 17-CD, five-Blu Ray Archives Vol. III is available for roughly $450, but only for 5,000 lucky customers willing to spend a small fortune. The rest of us get an album Young refers to as "Takes," which contains a 16-song sampling from The Neil Young Archives Vol. III. We describe the individual albums contained within this mammoth boxed set, and Christopher O'Connor, our resident Neil Young-ologist, offers a review of the songs plus additional nuggets from the fuller Archives set he's been able to glean.
Check out all 16 songs from The Neil Young Archives Vol. III Takes album plus bonus songs by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26TNUP8zBW26IllEVHDaI4?si=a0f1932278564b2b
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:45) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Neil Young's archives
(04:09 - 15:17) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Hinds and Amyl & The Sniffers
(16:02 - 57:57) - We discuss the first nine songs from Neil Young's Archives Vol. III Takes album, including never-before-heard renditions of "Hey Babe" and "Drive Back" and a version of "Hey Hey My My (Into the Blac) featuring Devo. Yes, Devo...
(59:05 - 01:32:05) - We discuss the final eight songs of the Takes album, which include a delectably New Wave version of the country ballad "Razor Love."
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
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons worship at the altar of the mighty, mighty Led Zeppelin. With scorching guitar licks, torpedo-heavy drumming and sex-god screamer vocals, this band epitomized the sensuality and the swagger of rock 'n' roll, and in presenting their take on the genre, they helped create what we now call heavy metal. During this episode, we counter some unfair myths this band has saddled with over the years and pour over its incredibly rich catalog of music with love and respect.
Enjoy our special Spotify playlist featuring the stylings of Led Zeppelin:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ldFOLlEcY7HL4zueF7JJ3?si=990fa39641cc40d7
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 05:02) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Led Zeppelin
(08:30 - 22:29) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Arooj Aftab and Goat
(23:14 - 01:00:24) - We debunk five myths about Led Zeppelin and tell the remarkable story of the band's formation and ascension
(01:02:03 - 01:50:01) - We analyze the band's catalog of eight studio albums in detail--six classics and two decent affairs
01:51:00 - 02:12:55) - We tell the rest of the story that followed Led Zeppelin's break up, plus Chris O'Connor offers his list of the five best "phony" Zeppelin acts
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
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons kick off its latest Golen Age series of episodes by revisiting the seminal year of 1976. It was a year that saw both The Ramones and The Sex Pistols break out. To say punk was the thing that year was an understatement. It was also was vital year for arena rock, as Boston and The Eagles both dropped classic albums. We also pay tribute to work from Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder, among many others.
Enjoy the awesome music of 1976 by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6k00d7GvYsD0USPv4p1h8p?si=a511fe8d51fe4845
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:52) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1976
(04:13 - 20:20) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by El Khat and Geordie Greep
(21:05 - 01:04:35) - We cover all things punk, from The Ramones to The Sex Pistols to singles by Blondie, The Runaways and others
(01:06:00 - 01:39:08) - We cover albums from Boston, The Eagles, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder
(01:40:20 - 02:11:25) - We engage in a lightning round, presenting 10 1976 albums we consider to be great. Artists include Fleetwood Mac, Frank Zappa, Aerosmith and Patti Smith.
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
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons shake, shake, shake that booty and revisit one of popular music's most unfairly maligned genres. Disco was essentially funky orchestral music--grand, reverb-heavy, maximal, showy, dramatic. Yet it was also energetic and fun as hell. Here, we explore disco's birth as a movement of freedom and uninhibited expression in Black and Hispanic gay nightclubs and how, once a production house in Philadelphia put an official musical sheen on the proceedings, it erupted into the mainstream. We also lament disco's demise among burnout, derision and plain' ol macho racism, sexism and homophobia.
Check out all the songs we lovingly discuss by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6DbgCCxyfmfcITV2nxyZon?si=7786b0860b12450f
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(0:52 - 04:52) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of disco
(06:50 - 27:33) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviewes of new albums by Cindy Lee and Jamie xx
(28:18 - 01:09:06) - We tell the story of disco's beginnings and we offer the first of three playlists, this one covering the early disco years of 1974 and 1975
(01:10:58 - 02:11:45) - We speak of disco's dizzying ascent into the mainstream and offer the second of three playlists covering 1976 to 1978
(02:12:44 - 02:53:34) - We cover the downfall of disco and offer the last of our three playlists, which covers 1979 and 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
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons