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
Monday Jan 08, 2024
Monday Jan 08, 2024
In which The Curmudgeons revisit an unbelievably fertile year for popular music during the 20th century. The Beatles dropped Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. James Bown dropped "Cold Sweat." And a staggering number of artists announced their arrival in stunning fashion--Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, the Velvet Underground and others. And, yes, there was a whole lot of flower power emanating from the streets of San Francisco. We pack mounds of '67 goodness into our discussion.
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(00:52 - 03:10) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our 1967 discussion
(05:56 - 18:13) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Joanna Sternberg and Danny Brown
(19:11 - 01:16:59) - We discuss Sgt. Peppers, the Rolling Stones, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and The Velvet Underground
(01:18:38 - 02:22:35) - We discuss the sounds of San Francisco, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and James Brown's "Cold Sweat." We also run through a slew of great Motown and Stax singles, and end with a roll call of other great albums from 1967.
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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
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
In which The Curmudgeons each reveal their favorite records of the year. Frankly, it was a mediocre past 12 months for popular music, and there aren't a whole lot of records people will remember a decade from now. Yet there were some gems, and during this moment in time, we're excited to share our picks. Call it a public service.
Enjoy a sampler platter of our selections via our Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1N5hCOovaIYE2uobAgvxVy?si=a80ada2729ab42c8
Here is a handy navigation companion for this episode:
(0:52 - 02:20) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for the episode
(02:20 - 10:17) - The Curmudgeons briefly discuss their pick for the worst album of 2023
(11:21 - 54:53) - Christopher O'Connor reveals his Top 10 albums of the year, including releases by Boygenius, Killer Mike and Zach Bryan
(56:26 - 01:29:02) - Arturo reveals his Top 10 albums of the year, including releases by Laurel Canyon, Mitski and Paul Simon. Yes, that Paul Simon...
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Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
In which The Curmudgeons celebrate an underrated classic album that was Chris's favorite for a stretch when he was 18 years old. Yes, the episode title is a direct assertion about Blind Melon's debut record Chris made once upon a time to Arturo. But was it a warranted statement from a tortured 18-year-old kid? Of course not, but don't we all have an album like that from our youth we adore? Regardless, the album actually is truly great and deserves serious, thoughtful treatment here 30 years later.
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(0:52 - 4:55) - Atruo sets the parameters for our discussion of Blind Melon
(6:54 - 20:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring albums by Squirrel Flower and Blondeshell
(21:20 - 37:18) - Arturo offers the origin story of Blind Melon. Chris discusses why the album came to mean so much to him all those years ago.
(38:13 - 01:05:27) - The Curmudgeons offer a track-by-track analysis of the album Blind Melon
(1:05:28 - 01:16:35) - We tell the rest of the story: The disappointing follow-up 1995 album Soup, the death of singer Shannon Hoon and a;; the what-could-have-beens.
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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
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
In which The Curmudgeons plumb the vast archival releases of one of our favorite artists, Neil Young. Chris, in fact, considers himself a Neil Young-ologist, and he takes the lead in touring ten of the most essential releases in what has seemed, since 2009, like a never-ending torrent of live recordings and unreleased studio material dating all the way back to the 1960s. Also, Arturo shows how much he doesn't know about Young's 1974 classic record On the Beach.
Here's a nifty Wikipedia page to help you start exploring the Neil Young Archives yourself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Young_Archives
Also check out Neil Young's YouTube channel, in which nearly everything he has ever released is available for free: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8gbK8uoqKhlACSeenUPkFQ
Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode.
(0:54 - 3:44) - Arturo sets the parameters for the episode
(06:38 - 17:26) - The Parallel Universe, featuring new releases from Jamila Woods and Robert Finley
(18:25 - 59:44) - A run through five Neil Young Archival releases, including Live at Fillmore East 1970 and Odeon Budokan
(01:01:22 - 01:46:26) - A run through five more Neil Young archival releases, including Chrome Dreams and Way Down in the Rust Bucket
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Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
In which the Curmudgeons revisit the year when rock 'n' roll exploded into psychedelic glory. The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde and The Beatles' Revolver greatly expanded rock's vocabulary--with a little help from their friends. All three albums are considered timeless greats, and we discuss the myriad reasons why. We also parade through 1966 albums and singles that followed gloriously in those masterworks' wake. Plus, we give love to both Motown and Stax.
Here is handy navigation companion for the episode.
(0:52 - 5:14) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion
(07:39 - 21:00) - The Parallel Universe, in which discuss new albums by Say She She and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
(21:59 - 56:34) - We analyze Pet Sounds, Blonde on Blonde and Revolver
(58:34 - 01:49:45) - We rumble through an assortment of other great 1966 albums and humungous psychedelic singles, plus we discuss the great runs that year of Motown and Stax/Volt.
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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
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
In which The Curmudgeons espouse the virtues of Bston's glorious, pioneering arena rock masterpiece. Boston's self-titled debut was the product of the creative mind and engineering talents of a guy who worked by day as an engineer for Polaroid. His use of multiple tracks to layer lead guitar parts and vocals effectively created what became a cliche--to the detriment of this band's legacy. We discuss the Boston story and each song on the album in detail.
Here is a handy navigation companion for this episode.
(0:52 - 3:07) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion
(07:32 - 20:37) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of albums by Mitski and Jaimie Branch
(21:36 - 44:10) - Chris runs through the harsh criticism and faint praise for Boston among critics and listeners; Arturo tells Boston's fun, wild origin story
(45:20 - 01:23:34) - The Curmudgeons offer a song-by-song analysis of Boston's "Boston" and consider the Boston 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://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80M
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
In which the Curmudgeons remember and pay fond tribute to one of our favorite bands of all time, which now unfortunately is masquerading as an emblem for Las Vegas tourism. We give close attention to the hope, grace and sense of wonder that made the band's anthemic brand of rock 'n' roll so magnificent. We focus especially on the period between 1983 and 1993, when U2 ruled the world via six studio albums and some legendary tours.
Check out a book we reference during the episode, Neil McCormick's "U2 by U2": https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/u2-by-u2_u2_neil-mccormick/287778/?resultid=b31d846a-b396-4558-9fdd-27e446d6859c#edition=5780193&idiq=5601732
Here is a handy navigation companion for the episode.
(0:00 - 13:30) - Arturo sets the parameters for this episode with some deeply personal history
(16:24 - 27:33) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums by Margo Cilker and Wilco.
(28:13 - 58:14) - We cover U2's early history and the albums War, The Unforgettable Fire and the Joshua Tree
(59:13 - 01:19:06) - We cover U2's albums Rattle and Hum and Achtung Baby
(01:20:51 - 01:41:59) - We cover U2's albums Zooropa and Pop and briefly cover a rather forgettable 25 years since then
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
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
In which the Curmudgeons focus their gaze on music that exploded into our cultural consciousness 58 years ago--and is still exploding now. For the second consecutive year, The Beatles and Bob Dylan changed and everything and then some. The Rolling Stones started writing songs and kicking ass. James Brown, The Byrds, The Who and The Beach Boys also startled with innovation. Was 1965 rock's greatest year? Listen and decide for yourself.
Check out Johnny Rogan's two-volume biography of the Byrds, "Requiem for the Timeless," which we give love to during this episode: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/byrds-requiem-for-the-timeless---volume-1_johnny-rogan/13877111/?resultid=2de171fb-b3d1-406f-9a88-41c0eef7f2f0#isbn=0952954087&edition=13770321
Here's a handy navigation companion for the episode
(0:53 - 6:37) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion
(08:10 - 17:05) - The Parallel Universe, featuring new albums by Pale Blue Eyes and Courtney Barnett
(18:04 - 50:02) - We discuss the 1965 genius of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan
(51:24 - 01:36:45) - We serve up more 1965 genius from The Byrds, James Brown, The Who and The Beach Boys
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Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
In which the Curmudgeons wake up in the city that never sleeps once more and offer a countdown of what we think is the definitive list of the greatest 40 rock 'n' roll songs about the Big Apple. We touch on the city's love-hate dichotomies and make the argument that these songs paint the city as an experience more than as a residence. And Arturo recounts all the places he bought weed from once upon a time.
Check out a great book we mention in the episode, Anthony DeCurtis's "Lou Reed: A Life."
Here's a handy navigation guide for the episode.
(0:52 - 3:30) - Arturo sets the parameters for the discussion
(5:52 - 17:58) - The Parallel Universe: Reviews on new music by Goat and Osees
(18:58 - 59:37) - New York songs 40-21
(01:01:01 - 01:47:28) - New York songs 20-1
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
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
In which The Curmudgeons give the origins of hip-hop a serious treatment and contemplate the magical melding of time, place and resources that makes its early history so compelling. The pioneers of the genre stared down the destruction and impoverishment of the South Bronx with the swagger of kings, organically spinning celebration, and positivity, out of their circumstances. They also channeled the competitiveness of the streets into hip-hop's four "elements" -- DJing, MCing, breakdancing and graffiti -- ensuring there was as much sport as there was funk. Hip-hop became the ultimate DIY creation as a result.
Check out a book we reference during this episode, Jeff Chang's wonderful "Can;t Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation":
Here's a handy navigation for the episode.
(0:54 - 6:20) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion
(7:40 - 20:18) - The Parallel Universe, in which we review new music from PJ Harvey and Yard Act
(21:17 - 1:04:59) - Chris, with Arturo's considerable input, discusses four aspects of the hip-hop origin story that make it so unique; plus, we discuss hip-hop "elements" in detail
(1:06:24 - 1:45:48) - We discuss the influence four hip-hop pioneers -- Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Caz -- and marvel at the story of "Rapper's Delight," hip-hop's first hit single.
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