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 Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons know you wanted the best so we're giving it to you. Long live KISS, whose live act and meaty, ferocious riffs are both legendary. Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss understood that rock 'n' roll, at the end of the day, is all about the show. And KISS, nearly 50 years ago, put on the greatest show on the rock 'n' roll earth--leather, makeup, fire, blood, explosions, lightning and seven-inch platform boots. It was a show that the world was so fond of it discovered it still longed for it 20 years later. Thus, KISS became an everlasting nostalgia act. We pay homage to the show on this episode--and to the nine albums the band released in the 1970s, which include two of the grandest live albums ever.
Check out all of KISS's kick-ass '70s glam metal by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BXk5u5qUOVjvuDINjJcLR?si=1cadf882cffc4a76
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 05:29) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of KISS
(08:25 - 20:08) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Kokoko! and MJ Lenderman
(20:53 - 01:08:25) - We analyze KISS's 1970s album output, including the self-titled debut, Alive!, Alive! II and Destroyer
(01:28:19 - 01:27:05) - We tell the rest of KISS's story: their downturn from glory, their decision to take off the makeup and embrace MTV excess and the inevitable return to '70s stage glory
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 Sep 02, 2024
Monday Sep 02, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons discuss the awesome power and influence of one of the innovators of the Southern thing, as The Drive-By Truckers refer to it. Lynyrd Skynyrd remains one of the most underrated rock bands of all time, a condition that is partially its own fault, given how it has tied itself in its most recent form to the worst of old Southern stereotypes. But there's no denying that the band's patented three-guitar assault, soulful songwriting and penchant for being the thinking man's rednecks produced a sterling catalog of work during the 1970s. We revisit the five albums of the Ronnie Van Zant era during this episode and place the band in a well-deserved, warm, positive spotlight.
Enjoy the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd bu accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3fLgdipOAMd34LCBpAcl3H?si=62407df7ae1c4435
Here is a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 03:48) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion
(03:52 - 18:43) The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of awesome new albums by Osees and Jack White
(19:28 - 51:09) - We tell the origin story of Lynyrd Skynyrd and discuss the albums Pronounced 'Leh-'Nerd 'Skin-'Nerd, Second Helping, Nuthin' Fancy, Gimme Back My Bullets and Street Surviviors
(52:31 - 01:20:09) - We tell the rest of the Lynyrd Skynyrd story, from the tragic plane crash that killed three members to its reformation with Ronnie's little brother Johnny Van Zant and then its eventual descent into self-parody.
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
Tuesday Aug 20, 2024
In which the Curmudgeons end their epic series of odes to the music of a nine-year period that transformed everything--and then some--in popular music. By 1972, the hangover from the revolutionary vibes of the 1960s had subsided, and that era's outgrowth of freedom and experimentation truly started to blossom. The Rolling Stones filtered American roots music through a dirty, sweaty prism to create a true rock masterpiece. David Bowie perfected glam rock and intergalactic theater to create a masterpiece of his own. And Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Curtis Mayfield set Black music on a wilder, more lush course. We explore all of that and much more during this episode.
Enjoy all the great music of 1972 on our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22v1Gg8aZWlUaGrBHqaZ0B?si=446b89de0580497d
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 05:02) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1972
(05:16 - 17:32) - The Paralell Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Kelly Stoltz and King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard
(18:17 - 55:50) - We celebrate the 1972 output of The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder
(57:22 - 01:20:30) - We revisit the 1972 music of Al Green, The Eagles, Steely Dan, Roxy Music, Neu! and Big Star
(01:21:29 - 1:45:51) - We pay loving tribute to albums from Can, Neil Young, Black Sabbath and others who help define 1972
Listen to all of this great music by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/159nl5UDgswraoThqqv07A?si=7b57198f803e4944
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 04:56) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion
(05:49 - 16:23) - The Parallel Universe, feauturing reviews of new albums from King Hannah and Wand
(17:08 - 45:11) - We discuss 13 great songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Bobby Womack and Donny Hathaway
(46:29 - 1:09:08) - We discuss 13 additional songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Gladys Knight & the Pips, Don Julian, Willie Hutch, Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons stand up to the man and deliver the best of the best of a special era for both cinema and music, when African-Americans anti-heroes lit up the screens and imaginations of a generation of young Black people. And also young Black artists, who cranked out stunning funk, soul and disco anthems to accompany these films. Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and The Staple Singers were among the legends who contributed to this electrifying canon. We enter our wayback machine and revisit some of the best Black music of its time.
Listen to all of this great music by accessing our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/159nl5UDgswraoThqqv07A?si=7b57198f803e4944
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 04:56) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion
(05:49 - 16:23) - The Parallel Universe, feauturing reviews of new albums from King Hannah and Wand
(17:08 - 45:11) - We discuss 13 great songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Solomon Burke, Bobby Womack and Donny Hathaway
(46:29 - 1:09:08) - We discuss 13 additional songs from blaxploitation films from artists including Gladys Knight & the Pips, Don Julian, Willie Hutch, Isaac Hayes and The Staple Singers
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons revisit an era where the streets soared to the top of the charts...and then unleashed their danger on hip-hop's finest artists. The success of Dr. Dre's 1992 album The Chronic ushered in an era where cursing, threatening lyrical opponents with violence, drug use and other chicanery became acceptable fodder for the radio dial. And it gave artists who might not otherwise have enjoyed a broad-based platform an opportunity to shine--including a couple of guys named Tupac Shakur and Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G" Wallace. In this episode, we analyze the tremendous music this period produced and lament its unfortunate wrath.
Enjoy all of this awesome hip-hop music from the 1990s on our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5z7oEmg62kJeiAPRIKhxhS?si=e506f329ec4b4a26
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(00:52 - 04:50) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion
(05:06 - 15:52) - The Parallel Unvierse, featuring reviews of new albums from Oisin Leech and Eels
(16:37 - 01:11:11) - We celebrate the breakout of hardcore hip-hop from both coasts, with discussion of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Biggie Smalls
(01:12:37 - 02:10:15) - We rumble through a whole host of great '90s hip-hop singles, including entries from gang Starr, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Jay-Z, DMX, A Tribe Called Quest and Ol' Dirty Bastard
(02:11:14 - 02:55:04) - We meditate on the ballad of Tupac and Biggie and attempt to capture the legacy of 1990s hip-hop
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons explore one of the most extraordinary years for rock music of all time. We won't call it the greatest, because we don't really believe in such a superlative. But, still, 1971 was pretty freakin' great. Patheon albums from Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and The Who; stone-cold masterpieces from Carole King and Joni Mitchell; and classics by Funkadelic, David Bowie, Santana and many others hit the shelves. We revisit it all with fondness and a romantic sense of history.
Check out our super-long but super-awesome special Spotify playlist dedicated to the music of 1971:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3I7Y3rpv4Ub0hmuLjkM2ts?si=bfed69082851406a
Here's a handy navigation companion to the episode.
(0:52 - 03:47) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1971
(04:14 - 17:27) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Kamasi Washington and Vince Staples
(18:11 - 55:50) - Discussion of albums by Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Marvin Gaye
(57:25 - 01:29:00) - Discussion of albums by Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone, Alice Cooper, T. Rex and David Bowie
(01:29:58 - 02:12:55) - A run-through of a dozen more 1971 albums, including ones from Can, Santana, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and The Doors
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons celebrate the music and indelible legacy of one of the 21st Century's smartest, most vital rock bands. When The Black Keys first hit in 2002, comparisons with The White Stripes were inevitable. After all, they were a duo that blasted forth with just a guitar and drums. But that's where the fair comparisons ended. The Black Keys offered up lean, mean, reverent blues rock with dashes of soul and psychedelia. After self-recording their first four albums--and mostly doing so in basements--the band graduated to the majors with the help of storied hip-hop producer Danger Mouse, instantly growing as an incredibly sensual musical force. We explore the band's entire catalog, including their brand-new record, Ohio Players.
Enjoy heaping helpings of The Black Keys via our special Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xTGizMTwVDR2bKBWulliT?si=b908d0c0745345fe
Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.
(0:52 - 5:20) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion
(05:21 - 27:41) - We share the origin story of The Black Keys and revisit their first three albums - The Big Come Up, Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory
(28:26 - 52:19) - We discuss the albums Magic Potion, Attack & release, Brothers and El Camino
(53:47 - 01:14:30) - We discuss the album Turn Blue, "Let's Rock," Delta Kream, Dropout Boogie and Ohio Players
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
In which the Curmudgeons hammer one of the most perplexing "it" bands of the entire 21st Century. Arcade Fire stormed out of Montreal in 2004 with Funeral, a debut album that captured the imagination of throngs of unimaginative indie hipster d-bags. Whereas their fans and a whole bunch of fawning rock critics heard glorious art in all the band's maximal grandiosity, we just heard...noise. Lots of it. A pulverizing wave of annoyance after annoyance. And the annoyance has yet to stop. Let us tell you all the ways we think this band is a giant turd burger.
Listen to the abomination and judge for yourself by accessing our Arcade Fire-focused Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1C30jnDsJQySuV4wEPzq5r?si=9bd7c9df43514814
Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.
(0:52 - 04:50) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our Arcade Fire beatdown
(05:06 - 16:21) - The Paralell Universe, featuring reviews of albums by The baby Seals and Kurt Vile
(17:06 - 36:25) - We goof on maximal grandiosity and discuss Arcade Fire's albums Funeral and Neon Bible
(37:57 - 01:03:09) - We discuss Arcade Fire's albums The Suburbs, Reflektor, Everything Now and We
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Monday May 20, 2024
Monday May 20, 2024
In which the Curmudgeons continue their romp through rock's second golden age by revisiting perhaps the age's most underrated year. There were a ton of great albums released in 1970, as we discuss at least half-a-ton of those albums during this episode. It was a year when the rock 'n' roll generation started to mature and grow more varied in its tastes and its demands. The Beatles split up that year, and its core members all released solo albums in 1970. There also was the "soft-rock" movement, which made stars out of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and a guy named Neil Young. We soak it all up and pay tribute to that calendar trip around the sun 54 years ago.
Listen to our special Spotify playlist dedicated to the sounds of 1970:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/53S1aHJv6oguRVLUtIszEe?si=22b0dfd685cd433f
Check out a great book about the music of 1970 we discuss - David Browne's "Fire & Rain":
Revisit our discussion of the Grateful Dead's early catalog of albums:
Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.
(0:52 - 03:48) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of the music of 1970
(03:49 - 30:42) - Our Current Universe, featuring discussion of new music by St. Vincent, Drake and Kendrick Lamar
(31:27 - 01:17:43) - We discuss the explosion of "soft-rock," the first solo albums by The Beatles, James Brown, Black Sabbath and The Stooges
(01:45:18 - 02:24:08) - We discuss 12 more great albums releases in 1970, including releases by The Grateful Dead, Santana, The Velvet Underground and Creedence Clearwater Revival
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Tuesday May 07, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons straight cold rock a party and revisit hip-hop's greatest, most electrifying, most unendingly thrilling period, which stretched from 1986 to 1991. We tear through 12 brilliant albums and dozens of awesome singles that taught all the MCs and producers that followed how it should it be done--and how it would be done from here on out. We cover Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, Schooly D, Ice Cube, 2 Live Crew, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, The Beastie Boys, Queen Latifah and scores of other great and hugely influential artists.
Listen to our special Spotify playlist dedicated to this episode:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4sf98fg4Qr5L4hJTg2uDQS?si=76c9e51cf474410f
Listen to an old episode of our podcast, in which we argue for A Tribe Called Quest's The Low End Theory as the greatest hip-hop album ever made:
Here's a handy navigation companion for this new episode.
(0:52 - 4:43) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of hip-hop's golden age
(5:02 - 18:25) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Bodega and Mdou Moctar
(19:10 - 01:16:54) - The Curmudgeons analyze 12 amazing albums that sprung from the golden age of hip-hop
(01:18:15 - 02:14:40) - We celebrate a whole ton of great, mad-fun hip-hop singles from the golden age of hip-hop
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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons