Discord and Rhyme: An Album Podcast

It’s time for a psychedelic podcast extravaganza, five years and two recordings in the making! The album Chips from the Chocolate Fireball by XTC’s alter-egos the Dukes of Stratosphear was supposed to be our fifth episode, but technical difficulties turned the episode into a splendid cream bun. But Rich, Ben, and Mike are finally back for a second round discussing a collection that perhaps isn’t XTC’s definitive artistic achievement, but it’s possibly the most pure fun you can have in their discography. Artistically adrift in the mid-’80s, the band adopted goofy pseudonyms and recorded a loving tribute to the ’60s music of their youth, produced by psychedelic engineering wizard John Leckie. If you enjoy Pink Floyd, the Byrds, the Small Faces, the Kinks, the Yardbirds, and especially the Beatles – which you most likely do, because you’re listening to this podcast – you owe it to yourself to take a bike ride to the moon with the Dukes.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/130-the-dukes-of-stratosphear-chips-from-the-chocolate-fireball-1987

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Gentle Giant comes up so often on Discord & Rhyme, especially considering how obscure they are outside the world of hardcore prog rock fandom, that it’s amazing we haven’t covered them yet. Many 1970s prog rock bands aspired to combine rock with classical (and jazz among other things), but unlike most of their contemporaries, Gentle Giant actually knew enough about classical music to make the combination something more than rock crossed with a touch of 19th century Romanticism. John’s pick for their best album is Octopus of 1972, an album that fires ideas at the listener so rapidly that the various songs (and these are all songs, in the 3-6 minute range) become extremely memorable, even as they’re sometimes among the most complex and bewildering music to come out of the 1970s. Come listen to John, Mike, and Phil tell you why they’ve fallen in love with this band and with this album.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/129-gentle-giant-octopus-1972

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

For this year’s Halloween episode, we wanted to go with an artist who scares the living daylights out of us, and what better choice than Nick Cave? After all, this is a man who once recorded an entire album of murder ballads, and whose legendary single “The Mercy Seat” charts a killer’s stream of consciousness as he is led to the electric chair. We could have picked almost any of Cave’s albums with the Bad Seeds, but Mike threw a curveball and chose the covers album Kicking Against the Pricks, because sometimes the best way to get to the essence of an artist’s work is examining the way they interpret and curate the work of other artists. The album boasts a truly eclectic set of songs, with pitch-dark Delta blues sharing a tracklist with light pop by Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, and the Seekers, all cloaked in the one-of-a-kind, macabre atmosphere that Cave’s fans have come to know, love, and fear. Yet by the time this carnival is over, you’ll have a sense of the light that glows beneath the darkness of his music. Happy Halloween!

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/128-nick-cave-and-the-bad-seeds-kicking-against-the-pricks-1986

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Beatles For Sale is a relatively obscure album, to the extent that any Beatles album could be called obscure. This album was recorded at a time when the Beatles were creatively exhausted and almost half of it is covers, which is why it’s often dismissed as one of their weaker efforts. But we don’t think that’s fair. It’s not world-changing, that’s true enough, but it doesn’t have to be. They were still writing interesting, exciting originals, and the covers are (mostly) very well chosen and excellently performed. Once you’ve listened closely, you’ll realize that tracks like “Rock and Roll Music,” “Eight Days a Week,” and “Every Little Thing” are absolutely essential to understanding the Beatles, and even the tracks that aren't as important are still tons of fun.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin, Ben Marlin, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/127-the-beatles-beatles-for-sale-1964

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Slint are a true one-of-a-kind band - they showed up seemingly out of nowhere, singlehandedly defined an entire genre on a single album, and disappeared before that album was even released. What happened? Why is Spiderland so influential? And, beyond its influence - does the album still hold up today? Phil certainly thinks so - in his opinion, its grandeur has been frequently imitated, but never duplicated. He, along with Mike, Rich, and Dan, are here to talk about just what makes this album so special.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/126-slint-spiderland-1991

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's Discord & Rhyme's 125th episode, and we are marking the occasion with one of our favorite recording strategies: tackling a famous band by discussing two of their albums while making an end-run around their most critically acclaimed period. In this episode, Ben talks about the 1964 Beach Boys album All Summer Long, where the band really shifted into second gear, while John talks about the 1970 Beach Boys album Sunflower, a beautiful album released during a period when very few people had any time to add the Beach Boys to their day. Rich and Phil join Ben and John to share their thoughts on these two lesser-known albums from one of the greatest (and secretly weirdest) bands one can find in this whole world, and spoiler alert, everybody here agrees that the Beach Boys are terrific (except maybe when Uncle Jesse is prominently involved). It's about time we got around to this band, but we promise this episode will put a smile on your face.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/125-the-beach-boys-all-summer-long-1964-amp-sunflower-1970

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Whether he likes it or not, Warren Zevon will forever be most remembered for his surprise hit “Werewolves of London,” but he’s a far more complex and interesting songwriter than most folks are aware. Forever a musician’s musician, Zevon’s unique voice has influenced scores of artists although he himself has remained something of a cult figure over the decades. While 1978’s Excitable Boy does indeed feature his biggest hit, it is also home to some of the most sharp-witted and acidic songs he ever wrote. Join Dan, Mike, Rich, and returning guest Libby Cudmore as we discuss Zevon and his cast of psychopaths, mercenaries, screwups, and lycanthropes.

NOTE: There's some strong language and dark subject matter in here, so be mindful of that if there's anyone around who shouldn't be hearing it.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Libby Cudmore

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/124-warren-zevon-excitable-boy-1978

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Are you ready to do the Dap Dip? This week, the Discord & Rhyme Super Soul Revue travels back to 2005 to discuss Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, who play sunny R&B that sounds like it came straight out of the late ‘60s or early ‘70s. But despite the retro sound, there’s nothing retro about this band, who were just playing the music they loved and recording it the way they loved it. And Sharon Jones herself was the real deal, a classic diva who was born in the South literally across the state line from James Brown. The world lost Sharon Jones to cancer in 2016, but her voice lives on in the Dap-Kings’ catalog, which includes six wonderful studio albums and innumerable covers recorded for hire. So put a fish in your dish and join Rich, Mike, and Dan to talk about an album that will make you fall in love with soul all over again.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/123-sharon-jones-and-the-dap-kings-naturally-2005

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're on summer vacation after finishing our King Crimson episode, so please enjoy this release from the Patreon vault! We call these our Mad Libs episodes, where we pick a category and discuss songs that fit that category somehow. This is one of our favorites, so we hope you like it! (Please note that we recorded this in September '22, before we did the Rumours episode and before Gordon Lightfoot passed.)

More Mad Libs episodes: https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers


Songs:

• Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
• Funkadelic - Get Off Your Ass and Jam
• Roxy Music - Amazona
• Steely Dan - Reelin' In the Years
• Neil Young - Like a Hurricane
• St. Vincent - Huey Newton
• Fleetwood Mac - Big Love (Live)
• Guitar Slim - The Story of My Life
• Metallica - Orion
• Janet Jackson - Black Cat
• Chicago - Free Form Guitar
• The Beach Boys - All I Wanna Do

• Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
• St. Vincent plays "Forty Six and 2"
• Lindsey Buckingham plays "Big Love"
• Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn explain their fingerpicking styles
• Sister Rosetta shreds
• The Hidden Beach Boys by Mixmaster Ben Marlin

It's only talk! This week, Mike rounds out our fifth-anniversary triad of King Crimson discussions with some dialogue, duologue, diatribe, dissension, and declamation about the band's 1981 album Discipline. On this album, bassist Tony Levin and guitarist and vocalist Adrian Belew joined Crimson veterans Robert Fripp and Bill Bruford to produce some of the most complicated music in the Crimson oeuvre, with every musician devoted to making their instrument produce sounds you’ve never heard. But paradoxically, it's also one of their catchiest albums, dabbling in new wave and world beat in the same musical sphere as Talking Heads, who were part of the same New York scene as Fripp in the late ‘70s. Discipline may sound like a sharp, disorienting left turn for King Crimson on first listen, but the album did a lot to cement the band’s music as a living document to be iterated upon. Join us as we break it down, frame by frame!

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/122-king-crimson-discipline-1981

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Part two of the Discord & Rhyme celebration of King Crimson brings us to the 1974 album Red, the band’s final studio(-ish) album before it disbanded for 7 years. John’s history with King Crimson began with this album, and while he didn’t initially like it, it’s long become his favorite King Crimson album, and the ‘72-’74 King Crimson lineup especially has long become one of his favorite bands. This episode examines how everything in King Crimson’s turbulent history to this point made this album possible, and how the band’s refusal to get pigeonholed as “progressive rock” allowed it to create some of the heaviest, most powerful, and most awe-inspiring music ever made under the general umbrella of “rock” music. Also, “Starless” might be the best song ever recorded, and we're happy to tell you why.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/121-king-crimson-red-1974

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

As frequently as we mention King Crimson on this podcast, you’d think we would have done a proper episode on them by now. But we wanted to hold off until we could really do it up right, so this is the premiere of our three-episode series on the greatest pioneers of progressive rock. They didn’t fully invent prog, but they did more to solidify the genre than any group that had come before them, to the point where each song on their debut album spawned a different prog subgenre - so, while this isn’t the first prog album, it might be the most important. Time to get started on this journey, because the cracked brass bells have rung to summon back all us fire witches to discuss The Court of the Crimson King.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/120-king-crimson-in-the-court-of-the-crimson-king-1969

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It’s time to follow the Moody Blues into the 1980s. After a long hiatus and a disappointing comeback album, the Moodies reconvened with a new keyboard player and a new producer to start a new decade in their long career. Music production styles had changed quite a lot since their classic period in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and the new personnel came with a new aesthetic that sounds quite different from the Moody Blues music we’re all used to. However, if you can forgive Patrick Moraz for not being Mike Pinder, and Pip Williams for not being Tony Clarke, and the ‘80s for not being the ‘70s, you’ll find that there is some fantastic music to be found on Long Distance Voyager. And there is also “Veteran Cosmic Rocker.”

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/119-the-moody-blues-long-distance-voyager-1981

Merch store: https://www.teepublic.com/user/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

By the time he recorded his third solo album, After the Gold Rush, Neil Young had already been part of successful records by the Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and his second album had hit the top 40. As great as that music had been, though, Neil hadn't yet reached his peak - at least according to Ben. Ben explains why After the Gold Rush is a high point in a career full of high points, and why the album and its singer have meant so much to him since he was a teenager. Rich, Phil, and John also weigh in and discuss their varying - but generally substantial - levels of Neil Young fandom. 

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/118-neil-young-after-the-gold-rush-1970

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Phil Ochs, perhaps more than anybody else in the 1960s Greenwich Village folk scene, believed that he could end the Vietnam War and change the world through his music. He offered deeply critical insight both of mainstream society and of the folk scene itself, calling out hypocrisy where he saw it and asking his listeners to consider questions and issues without easy solutions. He did this through a combination of exceptional songwriting gifts and a blazing intensity, but this intensity also limited his ability to appeal to a wide audience, and he largely faded into obscurity after his untimely 1976 death. In this episode, John leads a discussion on the 1966 live(ish) album In Concert, which he has loved for nearly 20 years, and the tenor of the discussion ranges from serious to silly in a way that mirrors the album itself. Join John, Ben, Phil, and Amanda as they cover an essential album from one of the most complicated figures ever to pick up an acoustic guitar and declare his truth.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Ben Marlin, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/117-phil-ochs-in-concert-1966

Merch store: https://www.teepublic.com/user/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Crosby, Stills & Nash weren’t the first so-called “supergroup,” but they may have been the first to eclipse the fame of each of the bands the members came from. David Crosby (hailing from the Byrds), Stephen Stills (hailing from Buffalo Springfield), and Graham Nash (hailing from the Hollies) came together to create a group that was completely unique. While the group would become more famous with the addition of Neil Young for 1970’s Deja Vu, their 1969 self-titled LP remains the group’s masterpiece. Phil, who has a lifelong love of the works of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, is joined by Amanda and Ben to discuss just what makes their 1969 debut LP such an enduring masterpiece.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/116-crosby-stills-amp-nash-crosby-stills-amp-nash-1969

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Q&A time is here again! In this edition, we share some exciting news and then talk about how to run a successful podcast, why we probably won't cover that album, whether Ariana Grande should cover a Moody Blues song, how much we love Producer Mike, and much more!!

If you have thoughts about podcast merch, hit us up: [email protected]

We opened a merch store!!!!! http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell and Amanda Rodgers

Theme Music: Joni Mitchell - Free Man in Paris/The Moody Blues - Question

Everyone knows by now that Joni Mitchell is one of the most profoundly gifted and driven musicians of the 20th century, and it’s long past time we came back to her here on Discord & Rhyme. Court and Spark is Amanda’s favorite Joni album, and it marks the sweet spot where Mitchell balanced her desire to push boundaries with the need for accessibility. The result is a set of brilliant songs that sound simple enough on the surface, but are secretly full of strange and interesting details. We spent a very happy couple of hours analyzing her brilliant lyrics, deciphering the weird and complicated musical arrangements, and marveling at Joni Mitchell’s genius. 

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/115-joni-mitchell-court-and-spark-1974

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This week, Discord & Rhyme heads back to Ohio for a discussion of Pere Ubu’s 1978 debut The Modern Dance. Rising from the ashes of the short-lived proto-punk pioneers Rocket from the Tombs, David Thomas and company emerged with a fiery set of songs fusing art and punk with an intensity that the band would never quite match again, even as their music would become even stranger and more challenging. Join Dan, Mike, and Rich for this sentimental journey of rusty Chuck Berry riffs, art-rock detours, and creepy soundscapes.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/114-pere-ubu-the-modern-dance-1978

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Even if you’ve never heard the music of Richard D. James, alias Aphex Twin, you’ve probably heard music that bears his stamp: he’s influenced artists as wide-ranging as Radiohead, Björk, Skrillex, and Billie Eilish, and his warped approach to electronica has become part of the fabric of popular music writ large. Every Aphex Twin album is a little different from his others, including the airy soundscapes of Selected Ambient Works Volume II and the ear-splitting tinnitus of I Care Because You Do, and his eponymous 1997 release Richard D. James Album features an intriguing mix of ethereal strings layered over dirty drum-and-bass beats. An expert knob twiddler himself, Producer Mike has long admired Aphex Twin’s skill at conjuring up sounds and textures you’ve never heard, and he’s invited Rich, Phil, and returning guest Shivam Bhatt to discuss Cornish geography, the milkman and his wife, and snare drums that go BRRRRRRRRR!

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Shivam Bhatt

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/113-aphex-twin-richard-d-james-album-1996

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Time for the closing arguments in our defense of progressive rock! And they are some very convincing arguments indeed. How will the jury rule?

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Dan Watkins, Amanda Rodgers

The complete playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02jupsEliJfqmLY4fPkkAA?si=a14f83512c48419c

Tracks:

Henry Cow - Bittern Storm Over Ulm
Egg - I Will Be Absorbed
Goblin - Suspiria
Van der Graaf Generator - The Sleepwalkers

Other clips:

Slapp Happy - Casablanca Moon
John Zorn and Fred Frith - The Ladder
The Yardbirds - Got to Hurry
The Fall - War
Egg - Seven Is a Jolly Good Time
Egg - While Growing My Hair
Van der Graaf Generator - Lemmings (Including Cog)
Robert Fripp - Disengage

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane has one of the most varied and rewarding discographies in any genre of music. Because of that variety, though, it can be hard to find an entry point into his music. Ben makes the case that your entry point should be Trane's 1960 classic Giant Steps. Giant Steps features Coltrane's trademark musical innovations and rich, emotional playing - but packaged in a series of energetic songs with catchy themes and accessible, poppy structures. And in sharing a detailed, multi-part history of Coltrane's artistic development, Ben argues that Giant Steps should only be the first stop on your long Trane journey. He's joined by John, Phil, and Mike, who share their own stories of discovering jazz and falling in love with John Coltrane's music. 

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Phil Maddox, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/112-john-coltrane-giant-steps-1960

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Remember how Mike said this is where he put all the weird stuff? He wasn't kidding. The trial continues, with two new witnesses for the defense: Amanda, who is unreliable and inconsistent, and returning guest Dave Weigel, who is the best witness for this case anybody could ask for. He's the author of The Show That Never Ends: The Rise and Fall of Prog Rock, an excellent book that you all should read, and an unshakable expert witness.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers, Dave Weigel, Rich Bunnell

Tracks:

Atomic Rooster - Friday the 13th
Gong - Flying Teapot
Magma - Kobah
Premiata Forniera Marconi - Per Un Amico
Hawkwind - Magnu

Additional clips:

Hawkwind - Sonic Attack
Hawkwind - Time We Left This World Today
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire
Atomic Rooster - Tomorrow Night
Alice Cooper - He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)
Gong - Flute Salad
Insane Clown Posse - Who Asked You
Can - Vitamin C
Magma - Kobaïa
King Crimson - Waiting Man (from Absent Lovers)
Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Hawkwind - Motorhead
Pink Floyd - Interstellar Overdrive
Hawkwind - Space Is Deep

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/

https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The New Pornographers winkingly call themselves an “indie rock supergroup,” even though none of their members were performing before crowds larger than 200 when they formed. Since then, they’ve grown into critical darlings with a cult following and an intimidating spread of studio albums and solo releases, but they were never scrappier, hungrier, and more fascinating than on their 2000 debut, Mass Romantic. Buoyed by bandleader Carl “A.C.” Newman’s sturdy pop songwriting, Dan Bejar’s looser, more whimsical compositions, and Neko Case’s superhuman vocals, the album packs six or seven hooks into every song. The results are both exhilarating and exhausting, and that ebullient energy is exactly why Rich has loved them for more than two decades. If you’ve never listened to the New Pornos before but enjoy great pop music, we hope this becomes a new favorite – because, after all, hope grows greener than grass stains.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/111-the-new-pornographers-mass-romantic-2000

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

You know we can't stay away from prog rock for long. This time we've brought in a witness for the prosecution: cohost Ben Marlin, who is famously impatient with prog's excesses! Surprisingly, he likes most of this, but there are plenty of awesomely hot takes in here.

Tracks:

Pink Floyd - One of These Days
The Moody Blues - Gypsy
Aphrodite's Child - The Four Horsemen
Procol Harum - Conquistador
Electric Light Orchestra - Daybreaker

Other clips:

Aphrodite's Child - Seven Trumpets
Aphrodite's Child - Altamont
The Tornados - Telstar
Aphrodite's Child - Rain and Tears
The Verve - The Rolling People
Beck - Chemtrails
Aphrodite's Child - ∞
Procol Harum - Conquistador (studio version)

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

In 1977, Marvin Gaye divorced Anna Ruby Gordy (against his wishes), and as part of the divorce settlement he agreed to pay Anna a portion of the royalties of his next album. Marvin responded by recording and releasing Here, My Dear, a 72-minute double album about his divorce, his feelings about his ex-wife, and a lot of other topics weighty and otherwise. The album was initially a critical and commercial dud, but over time the album gained a reputation as a classic and possibly Gaye's best. In this episode, John (as host) stakes a position in favor of the album and its improved reputation, while Ben stakes a position that maybe listeners and critics got it right with their initial skeptical reaction (Rich takes a middle position, generally in favor of the album but with some reservations), and this makes for a spirited conversation about an album that can't help but prompt strong emotional response. Everybody needs love, and everybody needs to hear us talk about this complicated album from one of the most complicated men ever to sing beautifully into a microphone.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/110-marvin-gaye-here-my-dear-1978

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Did you hear? Discord & Rhyme is continuing our holiday tradition of discussing bands who despise each other, and this year it’s the legendary Fleetwood Mac. After their foundation as a British blues band, they went through years of unbelievable turmoil before hiring a couple of Americans to add some sunny California rock to their sound. The result of all this was 1977’s Rumours, famously one of the best-selling albums of all time and inescapable to this day on classic rock radio. We’re taking a close look at this very famous album to see whether all that hype is truly deserved, and it turns out (spoiler alert) it totally is. So come along with us. We have some dreams we’d like to sell.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Ben Marlin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/109-fleetwood-mac-rumours-1977

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This week, we get busy in a Burger King bathroom and close out our coverage of Weird Al's 1992 polka medley. In this final set (for now), Janet Jackson levels up into new jack swing superstar, we discuss metal of both the hair and thrash varieties, and the Ice Man cometh.

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Metallica - Enter Sandman
Digital Underground - The Humpty Dance
Warrant - Cherry Pie
Janet Jackson - Miss You Much
Divinyls - I Touch Myself
Mötley Crüe - Dr. Feelgood
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

Other clips:

Mariah Carey - Emotions
Megadeth - I'll Get Even
Metallica - Frantic
Madonna - Vogue
Parliament - Flash Light
Digital Underground - Doowutchyalike
Parliament - Let's Play House
Parliament - Theme from the Black Hole
Sly and the Family Stone - Sing a Simple Song
Digital Underground - Same Song
Warrant - Heaven
Janet Jackson - Escapade
Janet Jackson - Black Cat
Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do (Without You)
Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation
Hi-Five - I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)
Cathy Dennis - Touch Me (All Night Long)
Divinyls - Pleasure and Pain
Vanilla Ice - Ninja Rap

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Wipe that illegal smile off your face! Phil has been immersed in the music of John Prine for his entire life, and he’s brought along John and Ben to discuss the Maywood, IL, singer/songwriter, who unfortunately was one of the earliest victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Prine recorded his 1971 debut, industry execs saw him as a Midwestern rube, to the point of posing him on top of a hay bale on the album cover, even though hay bales are in short supply in the Chicago suburbs. But he’s a witty, intelligent, insightful, and empathetic songwriter with the ability to make listeners laugh and cry in the space of a single line, and his songs have been covered by legends including Johnny Cash and Bonnie Raitt. Prine’s passing led to a surge of interest in his music, to the point where this album charted higher in the spring of 2020 than it ever had in the previous five decades, so if he’s has flown under your radar to this point, this episode is a great opportunity to learn all about a true genius of American folk music.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/108-john-prine-john-prine-1971

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Weird Al spent some downtime in the late '80s and early '90s waiting for the next big thing in popular music, which turned out to be Nirvana. But a lot happened in music in the intervening six years, and as a result, our coverage of his first polka medley of the '90s covers a lot of ground, including new jack swing, Madchester, house music, and the birth of DJ remixes.

Tracks:

Billy Idol - Cradle of Love
DNA feat. Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner
The B-52's - Love Shack
Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
EMF - Unbelievable
Bell Biv DeVoe - Do Me!

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins, Jennifer Carman

Links:

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Suzanne Vega tells the story behind "Tom's Diner": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D99PhzEIWuA

Barry Michael Cooper on the origins of new jack swing: https://www.njs4ever.com/2020/07/04/the-man-who-named-new-jack-swing-barry-michael-cooper-interview-part-1/

Hit Parade podcast on "legacy hits": https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2022/09/radio-determines-lost-hits-vs-legacy-hits

Weird Al gives the MST3K treatment to the "Losing My Religion" music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieHA0BIfs9A

Other clips:

"Weird Al" Yankovic - The Hot Rocks Polka
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana
Mariah Carey - Vision of Love
Generation X - King Rocker
Billy Idol - White Wedding
The Chipmunks - Cradle of Love
Stevie B - Because I Love You (The Postman Song)
Suzanne Vega - Tom's Diner
Mark Jonathan Davis feat. Marylin Whitelaw - Jeannie's Diner
Fatboy Slim - Praise You
Bad English - When I See You Smile
The B-52's - Hot Pants Explosion
The B-52's - Glove Slap
Michael Bolton - How Am I Supposed to Live Without You
Jesse Saunders - On and On
Technotronic - The Pro 24s
Technotronic - Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)
Technotronic - Move This
Lil Uzi Vert - Pump Up the Jam
Paula Abdul - Rush Rush
Color Me Badd - I Wanna Sex You Up
R.E.M. - Pilgrimage
R.E.M. - It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Yoko Takahashi - The Cruel Angel's Thesis
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Spam
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Frank's 2000" TV
Andrew Dice Clay - Mother Goose
Gorillaz - 19-2000 (Soulchild remix)
Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory
Keith Sweat - I Want Her
Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison
Bell Biv DeVoe - Do Me! (Remix)

When Discord & Rhyme was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful, a miracle, oh, it was beautiful, magical. We also knew from day one that our podcast was eventually going to talk about Supertramp, and that day has come at last. Amanda and Rich have been immersed in the UK prog-pop band’s music from a very young age, and they’ve recruited Supertramp noobs John and Phil to round out the panel. You may be familiar with their late-’70s album Breakfast in America and its quartet of radio singles, but today we’re talking about their 1974 album Crime of the Century, a musically and psychologically dense song cycle boasting some of the best art-rock production this side of Dark Side of the Moon. Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson had diametrically opposed arranging and songwriting philosophies, which tended to make their albums extremely disjointed, but for this one album, the balance was just bloody well right.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/107-supertramp-crime-of-the-century-1974

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

On this episode, Weird Al has finally made a monkey out of us. Our latest batch of reconstructed mid-'80s pop hits includes lots of drum machines, two covers of '60s classics (to varying degrees of success), a cameo from Danny Aiello's brief and inexplicable recording career, and an ode to Mozart for people who hate every ape they see, from chimpan-A to chimpanzee.

Songs:

The Rolling Stones - Harlem Shuffle
Bananarama - Venus
Janet Jackson - Nasty
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
Tears for Fears - Shout
Madonna - Papa Don't Preach

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Libby Cudmore

Links:

"Harlem Shuffle" music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAkMTu6q2pY

"Dr. Zaius" (from The Simpsons): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlmzUEQxOvA

Danny Aiello's "Papa Wants the Best for You": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xg11hwVs-M

Weird Al "interviews" Madonna in 1985: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twunYSrARk0

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Other clips:

Bob & Earl - Harlem Shuffle
"Weird Al" Yankovic - (This Song's Just) Six Words Long
"Weird Al" Yankovic - I Think I'm a Clone Now
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Alimony
Bananarama - Aie a Mwana
Shocking Blue - Venus
Dead or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)
Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Kylie Minogue - I Should Be So Lucky
Morris Minor & the Majors - This Is the Chorus
Ministry - Everyday Is Halloween
Bananarama - Cruel Summer
Bananarama - Robert De Niro's Waiting ...
Genesis - Land of Confusion
Janet Jackson - Fast Girls
Falco - Der Kommissar
Falco - It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
Tears for Fears - Mad World
Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World
XTC - This World Over
Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point
Madonna - Everybody
Danny Aiello - Papa Wants the Best for You
Kelly Osbourne - Papa Don't Preach
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Like a Surgeon

For over twenty years, Ted Leo has been one of the most intelligent and consistent songwriters of the indie rock world. In this episode, Dan, Rich, and guest rude-boy James Boo discuss the 2003 album Hearts of Oak, which showcases Leo’s talent for crafting thoughtful, politically-charged lyrics and channeling them into immediately catchy anthems. Whether it’s navigating the confusing climate of a post-9/11 America or simply ruminating on the power of ska, Ted serves it up in a poignant, ear-catching package.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, James Boo

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/106-ted-leo-and-the-pharmacists-hearts-of-oak-2003

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Emboldened by the success of "Eat It" and "Like a Surgeon," Weird Al titled his fourth album Polka Party!, and the 1986 record-buying public shunned what they assumed was a full album of accordion music. It wasn't, but the title track was the latest of Al's reliable polka medleys rounding up the chart music of the day. This time around we've got #1 hits by two members of Genesis, the Queen of Soul's voice doing battle with mushy '80s production, and an inconsistent but underrated Australian band that Ben and Rich have bonded over for decades.

Tracks:

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Phil Collins - Sussudio
Eddie Murphy - Party All the Time
Lionel Richie - Say You, Say Me
Aretha Franklin - Freeway of Love
INXS - What You Need

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Amanda Rodgers

Links:

"Sledgehammer" music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJWJE0x7T4Q

"Urban Renewal," the hip-hop/R&B Phil Collins tribute album: https://www.discogs.com/release/1925875-Various-Urban-Renewal

100+ pink Cadillacs at Aretha Franklin's funeral procession: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLTOnOUcLbU

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Other clips:

"Weird Al" Yankovic - Living with a Hernia
Otis Redding - Change Gonna Come
Bo Carter - Please Warm My Wiener
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Waffle King
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Talk Soup
Prince - 1999
Genesis - Misunderstanding
Ol' Dirty Bastard - Sussudio
Brandy - Another Day in Paradise
Kelis - I Don't Care Anymore
Eddie Murphy - Put Your Mouth on Me
Sisqo - Thong Song
Joe Pesci - Wise Guy
Eddie Murphy - My God Is Color Blind
Lionel Richie - You Are
Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin - Separate Lives
Aretha Franklin & Eurythmics - Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
Lisa Simpson, Ann Wilson & Nancy Wilson - Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
INXS - Need You Tonight
INXS - Don't Change
INXS - Heaven Sent
Eddie Murphy - Boogie in Your Butt

This Halloween we’re celebrating FALLoween, as we hit the north and take on the Mighty Fall! Other than a few singles that barely scraped the UK top 40, the Fall never achieved commercial success, but they built a large cult following due in large part to the personality and antics of their difficult, irascible, intelligent, and borderline unintelligible bandleader, Mark E. Smith. But what we hope to emphasize in this episode is that despite Smith’s outsized influence over the Fall, and his tendency to fire members on a whim, the Fall was always a band. Smith’s ideas formed the bedrock of their songs, but their music was always the product of a back-and-forth between him and incredibly talented musicians who added their own distinctive stamp to every iteration of the Fall. Their discography can be large and intimidating to new listeners, so we’ve chosen their 1985 opus This Nation’s Saving Grace, which is relatively accessible, but also a legit candidate for their greatest album. So even if you don’t come away from this episode as the Fall’s 50,001st fan, we hope you’ll at least understand why anyone would willingly listen to this band.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/105-the-fall-this-nations-saving-grace-1985

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

We talked about our first classical suite a few episodes back, so now it’s time for Discord & Rhyme to talk about its first symphony! Electric Light Orchestra have been going through something of a resurgence in the 21st century, but in the ‘70s, music critics savaged Jeff Lynne’s attempts to mix pop songwriting with orchestral pomp. But with 1974’s Eldorado, Lynne was attempting to please his harshest critic of all, his classical-loving father, who claimed that ELO’s songs “have got no tune.” The result was a fascinating, overblown concept album about a Walter Mitty-esque character who escapes the real world through the power of fantasy, and whether the concept holds for the entire album (it doesn’t), it dazzled Producer Mike as a child and continues to dazzle him today. So join our hosts for an evening at the symphony, as we fight some of the holiest wars and smash some of the holiest jawrs(?!!).

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/104-electric-light-orchestra-eldorado-1974

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Closing out our first round of arguments in defense of progressive rock with some extra heavy hitters! And some truly baffling weirdness.

Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention - Inca Roads
Focus - Hocus Pocus
The Nice - America
King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man

Other clips:

King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part 1
Frank Zappa - Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar
Focus - Hocus Pocus (live on The Midnight Special)
Rita Moreno - America
R.E.M. - It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Giles, Giles and Fripp - One in a Million
King Crimson - Schizoid Men 3

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins, Amanda Rodgers

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

As luck would have it, two of Discord & Rhyme’s most powerful villains have been turned loose for an episode that will strike terror into the hearts of men! This week, Rich and Mike take on the 2004 hip-hop classic Madvillainy, a team-up between MF DOOM, a rapper with a metal mask and a tragic, comic-book backstory, and Madlib, a DJ with eclectic taste and an unpredictable, artfully imprecise style. The album’s 22 tracks unfold like a fever dream over just 46 minutes, with samples drawn from Bollywood, Brazilian music, Zappa, and Sun Ra crashing headfirst into snippets from old cartoons. And this is all presided over by DOOM, who packs almost unfair amounts of wordplay and meaning into every line. It may seem like chaos at first, but there’s a method to Madvillainy, and it shows how hip-hop can contain the world.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/103-madvillain-madvillainy-2004

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Continuing our enthusiastic defense of progressive rock with this extremely compelling evidence!

Jethro Tull - Cross-Eyed Mary
Yes - Starship Trooper
The Soft Machine - As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still
Gentle Giant - Knots

Additional evidence:

Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Iron Maiden - Cross-Eyed Mary
Jethro Tull - Lap of Luxury
Yes - The Ancient (Giants Under the Sun)
Yes - Starship Trooper (Yessongs version)
The Soft Machine - All White
The Soft Machine - A Concise British Alphabet – Pt. 1
The Soft Machine - A Concise British Alphabet – Pt. 2
Björk - Submarine
Simon Dupree & The Big Sound - Kites
Gentle Giant - Alucard

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The Jefferson Airplane's drugged-up, hyper-political jams are often dismissed as a relic of the late 1960s. But the band's talent was in abundance on their earnest debut album The Jefferson Airplane Takes Off; and when they added vocalist Grace Slick to their lineup and recorded their second album, 1967's Surrealistic Pillow, the whole world discovered what they were capable of.  In discussing that album, Ben, Amanda, and John make the case that the Airplane's musicianship, harmonies, and attitude all hold up today.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/102-jefferson-airplane-surrealistic-pillow-1967

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're back on our compilation business! A few years ago, Producer Mike handed us all two discs filled with vintage progressive rock, including tentpole acts like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis, and Yes, as well as more obscure outsider art like Egg, Magma and Henry Cow. The collection was titled "In Defense of Prog Rock," and since most of us agree that prog is worth defending, we're officially sharing Discord & Rhyme's first homegrown collection with you. Keep watching the skies!

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers

Tracks:
Genesis - Watcher of the Skies
Camel - Freefall
Caravan - Winter Wine
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Knife-Edge

Other clips:
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Tarkus
Smash Mouth - All Star
Camel - Rhyader
The Wilde Flowers - Impotence
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Hoedown

Links:

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The Show That Never Ends: The Rise and Fall of Prog Rock by David Weigel: https://wwnorton.com/books/The-Show-That-Never-Ends/

Genesis performs "Watcher of the Skies" in 1973: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4su9Sz0n0ns

D&R discusses ELP's debut: https://discordpod.com/listen/2018/9/18/007-emerson-lake-palmer-emerson-lake-palmer

D&R discusses Collins-era Genesis: https://discordpod.com/listen/075-genesis-a-trick-of-the-tail-1976-and-invisible-touch-1986

John was always going to tackle a classical work for the podcast at some point, it was just a matter of finding the right piece. For our first visit to the orchestral hall, Discord & Rhyme is also taking a trip to the circus by covering The Carnival of the Animals, a 25-minute suite of musical jokes that 19th century French composer Camille Saint-Saëns wrote to put off writing the symphony he’d been paid to write. The Carnival of the Animals was John’s introduction to classical music as a kid, and when he fell back in love with classical music in his late 20s he was delighted to find that he still loved this piece (even without the silly poems in his version from when he was a kid). John (host), Mike (moderator), and returning special guest Sean Rodgers had a wonderful, in-depth conversation, ranging from the niche (like John’s love of birdsong in classical music), to the serious (like Saint-Saëns’ feelings about the musical world changing around him more than he liked), to the ridiculous (the notion of a tortoise doing the world’s slowest can-can). Come listen to us make the case that classical music is for everyone, and that The Carnival of the Animals is one of the funnest gateways to classical music anyone has ever written.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Sean Rodgers, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/101-camille-saint-sans-the-carnival-of-the-animals-1886

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

While we recharge our batteries after the White Album, please enjoy this sneak peek of our Patreon bonus feed! This time around, we picked our favorite songs from the wonderful world of Disney, with a special emphasis on everyone's favorite cartoon foxes.

Songs included:

Oo-de-Lally
Love
Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat
Heigh Ho
Someone's Waiting for You
The World's Greatest Criminal Mind
Once Upon a Dream
Feed the Birds
Why Should I Worry?
A Cowboy Needs a Horse
Shiny
Prince Ali

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Support the podcast and get more bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

In 1968, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr traveled to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh, India, buckling under the pressures of more fame than any band had experienced to that point and seeking spiritual release. It didn’t work, but their colorful experiences formed the bedrock of the double album The Beatles, colloquially referred to as “the White Album.” It’s a sprawling, diffuse, maddening, and bloody brilliant group of songs, and whether or not it’s your favorite Beatles album, it did a lot to expand the definition of what an album could be and what types of songs a band could even write. Which makes it the perfect album for Discord & Rhyme’s gala 100th-episode celebration! We’ve rounded up the whole D&R gang for this one, and we all have completely different perspectives on which songs are keepers. And true to the spirit of the album, our discussion spans two super-sized episodes, so you have been forewarned: This one’s gonna be long, long, long.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/100-the-beatles-the-beatles-1968

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

In 1968, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr traveled to the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh, India, buckling under the pressures of more fame than any band had experienced to that point and seeking spiritual release. It didn’t work, but their colorful experiences formed the bedrock of the double album The Beatles, colloquially referred to as “the White Album.” It’s a sprawling, diffuse, maddening, and bloody brilliant group of songs, and whether or not it’s your favorite Beatles album, it did a lot to expand the definition of what an album could be and what types of songs a band could even write. Which makes it the perfect album for Discord & Rhyme’s gala 100th-episode celebration! We’ve rounded up the whole D&R gang for this one, and we all have completely different perspectives on which songs are keepers. And true to the spirit of the album, our discussion spans two super-sized episodes, so you have been forewarned: This one’s gonna be long, long, long.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/100-the-beatles-the-beatles-1968

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Phish are a band who tend to inspire extreme reactions. Their particular blend of progressive rock, funk, pop, and extended improvisation has attracted what may be the most dedicated fanbase in the world, but there seems to be a never ending supply of people who use the band as a punchline. Phil falls firmly into the “love them” category - he’s listened to hundreds of shows and counts Phish among his all-time favorite bands. He’s extremely excited to be discussing A Live One - the album that served as the world’s introduction to the sound of live Phish - with Dan and Rich.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/099-phish-a-live-one-1995

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

What if you and your friends want to form a punk band, but the instruments you play are the banjo, accordion, and pennywhistle? The Pogues showed us that’s entirely possible, as long as you also have plenty of punk rock attitude, a frontman who can snarl vaguely in tune, and the ability to scream bloody murder at the slightest opportunity. Amanda, Ben, Rich, and special returning guest Sean Rodgers talk about how the Pogues combined punk rock and traditional Irish and British musical forms to tell new stories about ghosts, racehorses, immigration, injustice, loneliness, and the general hopelessness of the human condition, and made you want to get up and dance to all of it.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Sean Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/098-the-pogues-if-i-should-fall-from-grace-with-god-1988

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Special guest Dave Weigel joins Discord & Rhyme once again to talk about Sparks, “your favorite band’s favorite band.” It’s been a good couple of decades for Ron and Russell Mael. After decades of toiling in semi-obscurity, the brothers saw a late-career renaissance in 2002 with the symphonic, beatless dance album Lil’ Beethoven, and Edgar Wright’s 2021 documentary The Sparks Brothers cemented their status as elder statesmen of irreverent pop music. For today’s episode, Producer Mike is taking us back to the band’s early years with the 1974 album Kimono My House, which demonstrates that the Maels’ sense of songcraft was in full force from the very beginning. Despite what the interviewees in The Sparks Brothers (including Dave!) might tell you, Sparks aren’t for everybody, and the Maels occasionally revel in being grating in a way that even our hosts can’t abide. But if you listen to “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us” and adore it, good news: this is only the beginning of a gloriously warped musical journey.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins, Dave Weigel

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/097-sparks-kimono-my-house-1974

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

It somehow took us 96 episodes for Discord & Rhyme’s first movie soundtrack, so we’re rectifying this with possibly the greatest movie soundtrack of all time. In 1972, Curtis Mayfield had just capped off a career writing legendary civil rights anthems with the Impressions and defining the sound of Chicago soul by launching what would prove to be an equally legendary solo career. For his soundtrack to the classic blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield served as both the film’s Greek chorus and its conscience, subtly critiquing the film as a “cocaine infomercial” while acknowledging that this was the only life path available to its protagonists. And it’s a truly musically groundbreaking work, paving the way for both the musical language and verbal iconography of the hip-hop genre. Rich will be your pusherman this week, so join him as our hosts run wild and give a stellar soundtrack all of their love.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/096-curtis-mayfield-super-fly-1972

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Things get weird again at Discord and Rhyme as we dig into Mr. Bungle’s 1999 genre-defying opus California. After the demise of his day job with Faith No More, singer Mike Patton returned to his more esoteric side hustle to record a collection of songs that fuse Beach Boys pop, death metal, lounge music, and Eastern-European influences together as if they’re natural bedfellows. Join us as we discuss how the band managed to synthesize all of these disparate influences into what is easily their most cohesive and accessible album.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/095-mr-bungle-california-1999

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

After going more than a full calendar year without covering a Moody Blues album, Discord & Rhyme has reverted to its truest self with this episode on A Question of Balance, the 1970 album that the band created after realizing they needed to start recording more songs they could actually play live. Join us as we discuss the band’s most democratic and often weirdest album, one where the band tried to figure out how to make the transition from the 60s to the 70s and tried to make sense of all of the world’s problems simultaneously. They didn’t completely succeed with either of these tasks, but they did a fine job nonetheless with both, and this made for an interesting album that we had a fun time talking about.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/094-the-moody-blues-a-question-of-balance-1970

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Swedish pop band ABBA has become a beloved cultural institution in the four decades since they disbanded, but in a world of ABBA Gold and "Mamma Mia!," the band is typically remembered in terms of individual songs more than in terms of their albums. John, however, got into them primarily through their albums, and for this episode, John lead a discussion (along with Rich, Amanda, and Phil) on ABBA: The Album (aka The Album), the 1977 album by ABBA that in many ways is the most album album that ABBA ever released in a string of terrific albums. Take a chance on the ABBA album, ABBA: The Album, and learn why the band always thought of itself much less as a singles band and much more as an albums band. If you've never heard "Eagle" or "I'm a Marionette," then you have a hole in your soul.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/093-abba-the-album-1977

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

This week, we close out our second Weird Al polka medley with some nuclear war, some proto-hair metal, and a lot of sexual innuendo (or "out-uenndo," in the case of Frankie Goes to Hollywood). Returning guest Libby Cudmore returns to reminisce about her Weird Al concert experiences, gush about yacht rock, and help our sheltered hosts turn subtext into text.

Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It
Nena - 99 Luftballons
Kenny Loggins - Footloose
Duran Duran - The Reflex
Quiet Riot - Bang Your Head (Metal Health)
Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax
Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Libby Cudmore

Links:

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The OST Party on the "UHF" soundtrack (featuring Rich): https://ostparty.podbean.com/e/episode-27-uhf/

The OST Party on the "Footloose" soundtrack: https://ostparty.podbean.com/e/episode-48-footloose/

"We're Not Gonna Take It" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xmckWVPRaI

You're Wrong About on the PMRC hearings: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1112270/7857100-tipper-gore-vs-heavy-metal-the-hearing

Dee Snider's speech before the Senate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Vyr1TylTE

Yacht Rock episode 11 (Footloose): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX1Nh6c80wo

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Q&A is here again! In this edition, we discuss power ballads, music biopics, bad band names, and the artists we'll probably never cover.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Theme music: The Moody Blues - Question

Weird Al's second polka medley was his first to consist entirely of contemporary chart hits, a formula he would (mostly) follow for the rest of his career. This week, we discuss a largely forgotten duet between Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger, discover the missing link between ZZ Top and the Moody Blues (like we do), and ponder how the owner of a parcel of land in Montana compares to the owner of a pie.

The Jacksons and Mick Jagger - State of Shock
ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
Tina Turner - What's Love Got to Do with It
Daryl Hall and John Oates - Method of Modern Love
Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Slate's Hit Parade podcast on Hall and Oates: https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2022/01/hall-and-oates-biggest-duo-in-chart-history

"State of Shock" sung by Harvey Leeds (whom Rich misidentified as "Harvey Leeks"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLzVgfOCKkk

John Michael Higgins sings "Owner of a Lonely Heart" in The Break-Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aky2LIJu7yM

"Owner of a Lonely Heart" bit from Mystery Science Theater 3000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Rq5f9ZXKg

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Can’s music is part of the DNA of an incredible variety of music - from indie rock, to new wave, to electronica, to ambient, and most points in between. Despite this, Can are not well known outside of music geeks like the Discord and Rhyme crew. They have long been one of Phil’s very favorite bands, though, and he’s here to talk about perhaps the band’s greatest album, 1971’s Tago Mago, along with John and Mike. Together, they’ll demonstrate that while the voyage into the world of Can can be a somewhat difficult trip, it’s a trip very much worth taking.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/092-can-tago-mago-1971

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

This week we round out our coverage of Weird Al's first polka medley, including four bands we've talked about on the podcast before, a whole bunch of "Hey Joe" covers of varying style and quality, and Foreigner's surprising prog rock roots.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe
Talking Heads - Burning Down the House
Foreigner - Hot Blooded
The Police - Every Breath You Take
The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go
The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Who - My Generation

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Links:

D&R on "Hey Joe": https://www.spreaker.com/user/14421968/this-is-comp-nuggets-disc-1-tracks-10-18

D&R on Talking Heads: https://discordpod.com/listen/057-talking-heads-fear-of-music-1979

D&R on the Police: https://discordpod.com/listen/086-the-police-synchronicity-1983

D&R on the Rolling Stones: https://discordpod.com/listen/074-the-rolling-stones-their-satanic-majesties-request-1967

D&R on the Who: https://discordpod.com/listen/076-the-who-the-who-sell-out-1967

Al discusses Devo's "Freedom of Choice" on the podcast This Particular Album Is Very Very Important to Me: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/devos-freedom-of-choice-with-al-yankovic/id1406834876?i=1000447314876

Al sings George Harrison's "What Is Life": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXMq3QJwJiA

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Before Neil Finn was the New Lindsay Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac, and after he labored in the shadow of his brother Tim in Split Enz, he was the singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter for the band Crowded House. In 1985, Finn, drummer Paul Hester, and bassist Nick Seymour recorded Crowded House's debut album with producer Mitchell Froom, featuring the hits “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong.” Ben, Amanda, and Rich talk about this collection of punchy, melodic, and thought-provoking anthems that broke a band of New Zealanders and Australians big in America.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/091-crowded-house-crowded-house-1986

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

"Weird Al" Yankovic is known for his song parodies, but another tradition that has spanned his career is his polka medleys, where he rounds up chart hits from the era and gleefully deconstructs them on accordion. We realized that these medleys basically function as compilations in their own right, so we've decided to do what we do on Discord & Rhyme and talk about them, song by song. The concept was still a work in progress for his first medley, "Polkas on 45," which is a mixture of classic rock staples, mega-hits from the early '80s, and a couple of new wave oddities.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Devo - Jocko Homo
Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water
Berlin - Sex (I'm a ...)
The Beatles - Hey Jude
The Doors - L.A. Woman
Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Pre-album live version of "Polkas on 45": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOFmW8BrGd4

Original version of "Jocko Homo" (with video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRguZr0xCOc

The Simpsons "In the Garden of Eden" sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSCUhqsy4Nk

In 1994, the charts were dominated by the likes of Mariah Carey, Beck, Gin Blossoms, Ace of Base, and Pearl Jam - and then out of left field came elder statesman Tom Petty with a new album that was heartfelt, thoughtful, and beautiful, but could still rock your face off if it wanted to. Petty may have already released his greatest hits album, but Wildflowers showed that he was nowhere near done writing excellent songs. In fact, there were so many that several had to be cut in order to fit it all onto one album. As a result, Wildflowers is kind of a mess - but it’s an emotional, charming, and very interesting mess that we had a great time talking about. Tonight we ride.   

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/090-tom-petty-wildflowers-1994

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Eins, zwei, drei, vier! This week, Producer Mike brings our winter of electronic music to a close with a band that didn’t just pioneer electronic music – they basically wrote the source code. Kraftwerk formed in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1969 and started messing around with basically anything with wires that made a funny noise. They weren’t the first band to experiment with electronic music, but they infused it with a quirky, creative sense of humanity that transcended language and resonated with audiences worldwide. None of the members of Kraftwerk owned a computer when they recorded their 1981 album Computer World, but the album is shockingly prescient, anticipating the myriad ways computers have wormed their way into every aspect of daily life, and it’s also among their most influential, echoing through genres like hip-hop, electro, and basically any music with an electronic pulse. So get ready to beam yourself into the future, because Discord & Rhyme is going fahr’n, fahr’n, fahr’n auf der Autobahn.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/089-kraftwerk-computer-world-1981

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

It's time to rave on! Special guest Shivam Bhatt returns to help us round out the second half of MTV's late-night electronica collection, where they stuck all of the non-British acts. This time around we've got some anti-fascist digital hardcore punk from Berlin, a Crystal Method song you've heard in dozens of commercials, a history lesson about the Roland TB-303, and a hippie anthem recorded on a secluded island in Washington state.

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Tranquility Bass - We All Want To Be Free
Goldie - Inner City Life
The Prodigy - Voodoo People (Chemical Brothers Remix)
Josh Wink - Are You There?
The Crystal Method - Busy Child
Atari Teenage Riot - Sick To Death

Links:

DJ Ron's "Dangerous" (example clip for jungle music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2eiwK3WqCI
"Original Nuttah" by UK Apachi and Shy FX (example clip for drum & bass music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxbekgL4w7w
Full-band TV performance of "Inner City Life": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqX5AM-7ixM&feature=youtu.be
"Generation Ecstasy: Into the World of Techno and Rave Culture" by Simon Reynolds: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DL1R5OE/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
"Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey" by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton: https://groveatlantic.com/book/last-night-a-dj-saved-my-life/

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Shivam Bhatt

Intro music: "Weird Al" Yankovic, "Stupid Haircut" (parody of The Prodigy's "Firestarter," from The Weird Al Show)

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

We used to think that the day would never come, but Discord & Rhyme has reached a new milestone: it’s our first singles compilation! New Order issued Substance in an effort to bail out Factory Records, whose financial mismanagement is the stuff of legend. But that also meant that the label was willing to spend money on cool new equipment for the band, which meant that they were always one step ahead of the game technologically, leading an unintentional revolution in electronic dance music. Substance spans the years 1981–1987, during which the band rose from the ashes of Joy Division, issued the groundbreaking 12-inch single “Blue Monday,” and ascended to arena stardom with appearances on major soundtracks such as Pretty in Pink and hits such as “Bizarre Love Triangle” and “True Faith.” They’re one of Rich’s very favorite bands, so join us as he leads Mike and John on the journey from Manchester to Madchester.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/088-new-order-substance-1987

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In the late '90s, MTV's program Amp was responsible for giving a lot of electronic acts their first mainstream exposure, dressed up in a sleepy, late-night public-access vibe with no veejays or interviews. Returning guest Shivam Bhatt ranks it among his favorite compilations ever, and for the next two episodes, he'll be leading us through it artist by artist, song by song, break by break. So get your glowsticks ready and make sure to drink a lot of water, because Discord & Rhyme is ready to Discord & Rave.

The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin' Beats
Fluke - Atom Bomb
Underworld - Pearl's Girl
The Future Sound of London - We Have Explosive
Photek - Ni Ten Ichi Ryu
Aphex Twin - Girl/Boy Song
Orbital - The Box

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Links:

A (mostly) full episode of Amp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXocWOsU4Wk&t=22s
Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music: https://music.ishkur.com/

The Chemical Brothers' "Elektrobank" video, feat. Sofia Coppola:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0dxByaPWhM

Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBS4Gi1y_nc

Aphex Twin's "Come to Daddy" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ827lkktYs

Collection of Orbital's Glastonbury performances from 1994 to 2004: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCrHkEHfWI

Orbital's "The Box" video, feat. Tilda Swinton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asCrHkEHfWI

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Shivam Bhatt

Opening credits music: Deepsky - "Tempest"

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Renaissance formed in 1969 as the classical-folk-rock brainchild of two former Yardbirds, turned over its entire lineup by its third album, and spent the bulk of the 1970s churning out a brand of prog rock that brought them a devoted cult following but nothing like the commercial success of peers like Yes, Genesis, or ELP. This cult following, however, includes John, who has loved their 1973 album Ashes are Burning for over 20 years and successfully roped Amanda, Mike, and Phil into letting him wax rhapsodic about it and about the angelic vocal gifts of Annie Haslam. Join us as we cover an album and band that may borrow extensively from other prog rock bands (when they’re not borrowing from classical composers of all eras) but that still carved out its own unique identity and created some of John’s very favorite music.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/087-renaissance-ashes-are-burning-1973

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

It's time to say goodbye to the Motown box set, which has given us some absolutely amazing music! Fittingly, we're closing it out with Stevie Wonder, but first we had to get through a bunch of Commodores songs. We also talked about Halloween candy, yacht rock, and whether carrots can feel pain, so it's a very typical Discord & Rhyme episode.

The Commodores - Three Times a Lady
Diana Ross - The Boss
The Commodores - Sail On
The Commodores - Still
Stevie Wonder - Send One Your Love
Stevie Wonder - Pastime Paradise

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Happy holidays from Discord & Rhyme! We got you a big enough umbrella, though you’ll probably still end up getting wet. To close off our fourth(!) calendar year as a podcast, Phil, Rich, John, and Mike have decided to sit around the fire and talk about an album we all know and love. When the Police recorded their final album, 1983’s Synchronicity, the trio of Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland were at the peak of their popularity, but were also on the verge of collapse, fracturing under the stress of three very different personalities moving in opposite creative directions. The album often receives criticism as a prelude to Sting’s solo career, but we argue that it’s much more nuanced than that, and that even at their most incoherent, the trio had a natural chemistry and an ability to check and balance one another’s excesses that all came together into some truly remarkable arrangements. Whether Synchronicity is the best or worst Police album is very much up for debate, but it’s certainly one of their most interesting.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/086-the-police-synchronicity-1983

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Back to Motown! Once again we have some unbelievably great songs on here, and some others that are okay at best. We hope you like the Commodores.

Stevie Wonder - I Wish
Marvin Gaye - Got to Give it Up (Pt. 1)
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
The Commodores - Easy
High Inergy - You Can’t Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)
The Commodores - Too Hot ta Trot
Rick James - You and I

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Links:

Discord & Rhyme's Songs in the Key of Life episode: https://discordpod.com/listen/019-stevie-wonder-songs-in-the-key-of-life-1976
Supercut of amazing Celine Dion moments, including her ill-advised "I Wish" performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEggoXwoXEY
The story of the disco hit Marvin Gaye didn't want to make: https://groovyhistory.com/marvin-gaye-got-to-give-it-up-story-facts-disco
The 10 Craziest Stories in Rick James' Memoir: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/from-dali-to-bestiality-the-10-craziest-stories-in-rick-james-memoir-192094/
All hail Duke! Duke is life! (from The Critic): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNOyI9V2RfE

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

This week, the street-walking cheetahs of Discord and Rhyme take a stroll down the dark, sketchy alley that is Iggy and the Stooges’ 1973 classic Raw Power. Mostly ignored upon release, its primal, menacing energy would become a blueprint for countless punk and hard rock bands in the decades to come. In our discussion, we detail the drug-fueled, messy production of the record that yielded two radically different mixes of the album that continue to divide fans to this day. Shirts are optional.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/085-iggy-and-the-stooges-raw-power-1973

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

At last, we're back in the Motor City! Put your speakers in the window and go on the roof and listen to the Miracles, as well as us talking about the triumphant return of Diana Ross, the inauspicious debut of the Commodores, and the most-used Motown song in pop culture history.

The Miracles - Love Machine (Pt. 1)
Diana Ross - Love Hangover
Marvin Gaye - I Want You
Commodores - Just to Be Close to You
The Originals - Down to Love Town
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod
Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod
Diana Ross performs "Love Hangover" on Midnight Special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJTZrWv5Y9I
BBC Radio 4's Soul Music episode on "Don't Leave Me This Way": https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0375qt8
"Don't Date Robots" PSA from Futurama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ6knaienVE

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Pearl Jam might have had the most ambiguous relationship with fame of any major rock band. In the early nineties, they were arguably the biggest rock band in the world, but the group gave few interviews, made no music videos, and were difficult to see live due to their ongoing refusal to work with Ticketmaster. 1994’s Vitalogy captures the band in the midst of this era - struggling with the pressures of fame and trying hard to assert their independence from the drudgery of corporate rock. Vitalogy, despite its inconsistency, remains Phil’s favorite Pearl Jam album, and he’s here to tell Dan and Rich exactly why he thinks it’s the most interesting Pearl Jam album - an album well worth listening to even if you never cared for the group’s earlier work.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/084-pearl-jam-vitalogy-1994

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

In this episode, we cover the (short) career of a great country singer (maybe?) who made a few albums’ worth of transcendent country music (except for all the little touches that aren’t country music). Gram Parsons was a polarizing figure, but Ben loves his 1974 opus Grievous Angel - made in collaboration with the golden-voiced Emmylou Harris - and Amanda and John dig it plenty. Along the way, they make a case for why country music is worth your attention, and for why Grievous Angel is a classic example of the genre (mostly) (it’s complicated).

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/083-gram-parsons-grievous-angel-1974

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

There is absolutely nothing Limahl-related in this episode, and it might be the best batch of songs in the whole comp. Coincidence?

Tracey Ullman - They Don't Know
Will Powers - Kissing With Confidence
Genesis - That's All
The Cure - The Lovecats
Simple Minds - Waterfront
Madness - The Sun and the Rain
Culture Club - Victims

Links:

"They Don't Know" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9un119lq4c&ab_channel=stiffrecordsuk
"Kissing With Confidence" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO128UhPivE&ab_channel=LynnGoldsmith
"The Lovecats" video: https://vimeo.com/363970222

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Opening credits music: Jeff Wayne - Theme From McVicar

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

This is Halloween, this is Halloween! But instead of pumpkins screaming in the dead of night, we’re throwing a Dead Man’s Party with the help of Danny Elfman and his punk-new wave-ska-pop-rock band, Oingo Boingo. This classic album from 1985 marks a transition from Oingo Boingo’s earlier yelping weirdness into a more mature and radio-friendly sound, but never fear - they’re still just as creepy and strange as ever. The result is an album that’s intense, catchy, melodic, and fun, and has become a rightful Halloween classic. So leave your body and soul at the door and join us, because there’s always room for maybe just one more.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Mike DeFabio, Libby Cudmore

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/082-oingo-boingo-dead-mans-party-1985

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Sadly, Limahl and his mullet have left for good, but we still have Nick Beggs' mullet! There are also some non-Limahl bands in this batch, but they probably had mullets too.

New Edition - Candy Girl
Kajagoogoo - Big Apple
Tina Turner - Let's Stay Together
The Human League - (Keep Feeling) Fascination
Howard Jones - New Song
UB40 - Please Don't Make Me Cry
Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack - Tonight, I Celebrate My Love

Links:
Ricky Bell on New Edition’s $1.87 paycheck: https://www.vladtv.com/article/248301/ricky-bell-on-new-edition-being-broke-only-getting-1-87-after-major-tour
Early recording by Howard Jones’ teenage prog band, Warrior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJUoogTyTNc
Nick Beggs' mullet: http://www.globalbass.com/archives/apr2001/nick_beggs.htm

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins

Opening credits music: Jeff Wayne - “Matador,” ITV’s 1982 World Cup theme

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Of all the genre-flouting “alternative” bands scooped up by major labels in the mid-‘90s, Soul Coughing boasted arguably the most enduring listening power. Their second of three perfect albums, Irresistible Bliss, landed an unexpected hit with the aggressively funky depth charge “Super Bon Bon.” In this episode, Will enlists the help of Phil, Rich, and Amanda in figuring out whether there’s some manner of locomotion that will get us to the mezzanine.

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/081-soul-coughing-irresistible-bliss-1996

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

STILL this is what the UK calls music, in which Paul Young comes up on this podcast AGAIN. Also Limahl is back!

Kajagoogoo - Too Shy
Mike Oldfield - Moonlight Shadow
Men at Work - Down Under
Rock Steady Crew - (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew
Rod Stewart - Baby Jane
Paul Young - Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Chris Willie Williams

Opening credits music: Jeff Wayne - Theme from the BBC's 60 Minutes

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/

https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

At last, we’re talking about the Decemberists, a band that has come up multiple times in other episodes! But instead of going for the more obvious choices like Picaresque or The Crane Wife, we decided on an album that we feel has been underappreciated (even by some of us). What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World may not sound quite like the Decemberists of yore, but their unique identity hasn’t really changed, it’s just been channeled in new directions. Plus, this album contains Amanda’s most AND least favorite Decemberists songs! This is a good one for those of you who like the discord.

ALERT: This episode contains discussion of adult topics, a couple of dirty jokes, and grown adults openly weeping. Listen with caution.

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/080-the-decemberists-what-a-terrible-world-what-a-beautiful-world-2015

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Chris Willie Williams

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The next batch of chart hits from 1983, sadly with no Limahl!

KC and the Sunshine Band - Give It Up
Malcolm McLaren - Double Dutch
Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart
Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
Men Without Hats - The Safety Dance

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Jennifer Carman, Ben Marlin

"Duck Rock" sonic essay, by Daniel Haaksman: https://soundcloud.com/daniel-haaksman/malcolm-mclarens-duck-rock-a-sonic-essay-by-daniel-haaksman-1

"Double Dutch's Forgotten Hip-Hop Origins" (by Lauren Schwartzberg, Vice magazine): https://www.vice.com/en/article/nn974m/double-dutchs-forgotten-hip-hop-origins-456

'80s McDonald's Double Dutch commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo5DbV0ZKAI&t=1s

Billboard's music video nominees for Most Effective Use of Symbolism, circa 1982-83: https://twitter.com/redfacts/status/1155163519173701634

Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening credits music: Jeff Wayne - Jubilation (theme from The Big Match)

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

The career of jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis from the late 1940s through his (temporary) retirement in 1975 largely doubles as a tour of every significant stylistic development in the jazz world during this time. By the late 1960s, after taking acoustic jazz as far as he believed it could go, Miles chose to immerse himself in the world of electric jazz fusion, and his 1970 album Bitches Brew remains both one of the most famous jazz fusion albums and one of the most famous Miles Davis albums overall. In this episode, Mike leads a discussion on this monster of a listening experience: an album that that gets labeled as jazz-rock but often sounds nothing like either jazz or rock; an album that got dismissed by many contemporary jazz listeners and critics as a sell-out even though it's some of the least accessible music Davis ever made; and an album where producer Teo Macero proved that extensive tape manipulation could work every bit as well in the jazz world as it could in the rock world.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/079-miles-davis-bitches-brew-1970

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

As our UK listeners know, the Now That's What I Call Music! series started clear back in 1983, when a couple of major labels got together and decided to make some money by releasing a bunch of singles all at once. All of us born-and-bred Americans thought it would be fun to investigate the big chart hits from across the pond, so here's our next comp series!

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins, Limahl's mullet

Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love
Duran Duran - Is There Something I Should Know?
UB40 - Red Red Wine
Limahl - Only For Love
Heaven 17 - Temptation

Limahl's mullet: https://kajafax.co.uk/gallery/limahl-1983/

"Temptation" in Trainspotting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Yqdm2AKk0

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening credits music: Jeff Wayne - Theme from ITV's World of Sport

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

In 2009, 25 years into their career, the Oklahoma-based eccentric alt-rock band The Flaming Lips released a dark, terrifying double-album that nobody could have expected when "She Don't Use Jelly" landed them a cameo on Beverly Hills 90210. Embryonic is an album that prompts strong love-it-or-hate-it reactions in listeners, and John (host), Rich, and Mike land among the album's lovers. Join us for a detailed look at an absolutely wild musical and emotional journey, where sheer beauty mingles with overpowering low-end, and where devastating looks at depression mingle with whimsical (yet melancholy) tunes about a woman who imitates a frog.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/078-the-flaming-lips-embryonic-2009

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

You might know Sam Phillips from those lovely "la la la"s on the Gilmore Girls soundtrack, or as Katya, the silent assassin in Die Hard: With a Vengeance. But she's also a fiercely talented songwriter with an encyclopedic knowledge of music and a literary lyrical sense. She first cut her teeth in the contemporary Christian music world (as Leslie Phillips, “the Christian Cyndi Lauper”) before leaving Myrrh Records and forging a creative and personal bond with producer T Bone Burnett. But though her 1994 album Martinis & Bikinis is a secular album on the surface, it’s brimming with a spirituality that makes its point without resorting to dogma, as well as melodies and arrangements that reference the Beatles without slipping into pastiche. So join Rich, Amanda, and John for a Discord & Rhyme that’s one part Beatles study and one part Bible study, with a little bit of XTC and The Brave Little Toaster thrown in for good measure.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/077-sam-phillips-martinis-and-bikinis-1994

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

In which we exceed the prescribed number of twos.

Genesis - That's All
Madonna - Open Your Heart
The B-52's - 52 Girls
Tool - Eulogy
Heart - Alone
Mark Knopfler & James Taylor - Sailing to Philadelphia

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Rich's blog post explaining this concept: https://discordpod.com/blog/2019/6/10/22-2s

Opening theme: Devo - It's Not Right

Closing theme: Blur - Song 2

This week, we’re throwing away our hard-earned indie cred and dropping in a few more words from our sponsors than usual. We have some great new products to tell you about, and along the way, we will be discussing the 1967 classic The Who Sell Out. Conceptualized as a tribute to the UK pirate radio culture of the mid-60s, The Who go all-in on the concept (well, at least until they completely drop it about three-quarters of the way in) complete with station IDs and their own fake commercial jingles. It captures the band at their peak as a 60s pop band with instantly catchy melodies and clever, funny lyrics. Crack open another can of Heinz Baked Beans and join Dan, John, Ben, and Rich as we dig into this product placement classic.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: http://discordpod.com/listen/076-the-who-the-who-sell-out-1967

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The Track 2 journey continues! This time we're taking a detour through Indie Rock World.

The Chap - Fun & Interesting
Sleater-Kinney - Ironclad
Pony Up! - The Truth About Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)
CHVRCHES - Leave a Trace
Von Sudenfed - The Rhinohead
Pet Shop Boys - This Must Be the Place I Waited Years to Leave

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Chris Willie Williams

Rich's blog post explaining this concept: https://discordpod.com/blog/2019/6/10/22-2s

Sleater-Kinney performs "Ironclad" at the 2015 Pitchfork Music Festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z983DY2nPnw

"The Truth About Cats and Dogs (Is That They Die)" music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPdhe-nK07s

Opening theme: Devo - It's Not Right

Closing theme: Blur - Song 2

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

We're taking a break after our giant Genesis episode, so we decided to share one of our Patreon bonus episodes with everybody: the one where we found another excuse to talk about the Beatles! So please enjoy this conversation about Beatles songs covered by other artists: the good, the bad, and the really, really weird.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Get more Patreon exclusives! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Songs discussed:

Sparks - I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Richie Havens - Here Comes the Sun
Grant Green - I Want to Hold Your Hand
Coroner - I Want You (She's So Heavy)
Barbra Streisand - Mother
Procol Harum - Eight Days a Week
Freddie Hubbard - Cold Turkey
Micky Dolenz - Good Morning, Good Morning
Peter Gabriel - Strawberry Fields Forever
Alarm Will Sound - Revolution 9
Stereophonics - Don't Let Me Down
Yes - Every Little Thing

Spotify playlist (with some extras!): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7DrHnTnHTL50BmTY1jJ8Qr?si=6482fb861b1a400c

More of our favorite Track 2s! Tracks 2? Who knows.

Songs in this episode:

Motörhead - Love Me Like a Reptile
The Byrds - Have You Seen Her Face?
The Isley Brothers - Footsteps in the Dark
Television - Venus
Sly and the Family Stone - Chicken
Ween - Flutes of Chi

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin

Rich's blog post explaining this concept: https://discordpod.com/blog/2019/6/10/22-2s

Opening theme: Devo - It's Not Right

Closing theme: Blur - Song 2

What kind of band was Genesis - strange, artsy prog-rock masters, or catchy, commercial pop stars? In this very special episode of Discord and Rhyme, we brought in returning guest Jeff Blehar to help make the case that they did both equally well - and not only that, but the presence or absence of Peter Gabriel was not the main influence on their sound. They never truly lost their prog sensibilities, but they did get better at balancing them with more commercial and accessible sounds. After you get through all three hours of our third double feature, you will be the person at the party who says, “WELL, ACTUALLY” when someone tries to tell you that post-Gabriel Genesis is bad.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers, Jeff Blehar

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/075-genesis-a-trick-of-the-tail-1976-and-invisible-touch-1986

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

You might have noticed how we're always talking about a good track two - but what the hell does that mean? Rich and Mike are here with the extremely detailed answer to that question!

Tracks included in this episode:

Stereolab - Cybele's Reverie
Radiohead - Pyramid Song
Bruce Springsteen - Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
The Cure - Primary
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Hardware Store
My Bloody Valentine - Lose My Breath

Rich's blog post explaining this concept: https://discordpod.com/blog/2019/6/10/22-2s

Opening theme: Devo - It's Not Right

The phrase “so-and-so band needs no introduction” is incredibly overused, but if there’s a single band for whom the phrase holds true... it’s the Beatles. However, if there are two bands that it holds true for, it’s the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Many associate the Stones with “good old-fashioned rock and roll,” but that isn’t really true. Sure, the band has been locked into its trademark style for several decades now, but in the ’60s, they were far more creative than they were often given credit for. And they never ventured further afield than they did on 1967’s Their Satanic Majesties Request, a bizarre, stoned, trippy, psychedelic album, filled top to bottom with strange sounds, experimental song structures, and tons and tons of just-plain-weirdness. Fans and critics hated it and the band quickly moved on, never attempting anything in this style ever again and generally pretending that the album doesn’t exist. Is the album really that bad, though? Phil sure doesn’t think so, and he’s here to make the case to Rich, John, and Dan that it’s a detour in the Stones discography well worth taking.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/074-the-rolling-stones-their-satanic-majesties-request-1967

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Buckle up and run a systems diagnostic, because this is a long one. Where do you go after revolutionizing electronic dance music twice in a row? Daft Punk’s albums Homework and Discovery spawned a whole generation of imitators, way too many of whom were content to just copy their source code. The duo’s response was to load up Random Access Memories, an album that looks back to the sounds of the great synth and disco pioneers while envisioning a bold future for music that mixes the analog and digital. The music industry chose not to pursue this future, in part because this album was just too damn expensive, but it resulted in some great music, and one of the most Discord & Rhyme-ready albums we’ve covered. So get ready to get lucky and lose yourself to dance, as Daft Punk give life back to music.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Chris Willie Williams, Jennifer Carman

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/073-daft-punk-random-access-memories-2013

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the last episode of this Motown disc! This one includes the theme song from Berry Gordy's directorial debut, the last we'll hear from any of the Temptations for quite a while, and that time Motown decided to be a country label for a hot second.

•The Commodores - Slippery When Wet
•The Jackson 5 - Forever Came Today
•David Ruffin - Walk Away From Love
•Diana Ross - Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)
•T. G. Sheppard - Devil in the Bottle
•T. G. Sheppard - Tryin' to Beat the Morning Home

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Born in the USA isn't Ben's favorite Bruce Springsteen album. In fact, it's not even his favorite Bruce Springsteen album whose name begins with Born. So why the heck are we covering it here? Well, despite selling 30 million copies in the last 37 years, it's sometimes unfairly dismissed as Bruce's vapid radio album. But there's real depth on Born in the USA: politics, heartbreak, angst, humor, and creative frustration, all snuck into the Top Ten by virtue of being attached to catchy melodies and muscular rock and roll. So join Ben, who gets to be the Boss — for two hours, at least — and the awesomely insightful Employees Amanda, Rich, and Phil, as they discuss a huge hit album that's way more interesting than you might remember.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/072-bruce-springsteen-born-in-the-usa-1984

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Continuing our Motown party with the next batch of songs you never hear on the radio anymore (but are largely awesome).

• The Miracles & Billy Griffin - Do It Baby
• Stevie Wonder - You Haven't Done Nothing
• Stevie Wonder - Boogie On Reggae Woman
• The Temptations - Happy People
• Eddie Kendricks - Shoeshine Boy
• The Temptations - Shakey Ground
• Smokey Robinson - Baby That's Backatcha

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Support the podcast and get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

As we’ve discussed on this show before, rock critics are sometimes terribly, terribly wrong. When Paul and Linda McCartney released Ram in 1971, not only was everyone still mad about the Beatles breaking up, but the album was just innovative and groundbreaking enough that plenty of the tastemakers of the time just didn’t get it. Fortunately, the general public has known for quite a long time that Ram is amazing, and there’s recently been a big critical re-assessment of it. We’re here to help that process along. It’s an excellent album, containing some of McCartney’s best work, and we’re doing our best to convince anyone who is still in doubt.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Ben Marlin, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/071-paul-and-linda-mccartney-ram-1971

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Motown time is here again! Listen as we discuss some mediocrity, some absolute trash, and two of Stevie Wonder's best songs.

• Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
• Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin'
• Stevie Wonder - Living for the City
• The Temptations - Let Your Hair Down
• Eddie Kendricks - Boogie Down
• Diana Ross - Last Time I Saw Him
• The Jackson 5 - Dancing Machine

Links:
• "Dancing Machine" on Soul Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJYzlGzTaZw&ab_channel=BradockMichaelJackson
• Don't try to lay no boogie woogie on the king of rock and roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj_lZ4hkJd8&ab_channel=whiteray1
• Episode 049: Stevie Wonder - Innervisions (1973): https://discordpod.com/listen/stevie-wonder-innervisions-1973

Co-hosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Mahavishnu Orchestra, the brainchild of guitarist and prominent Miles Davis sideman John McLaughlin, spent roughly two years (1971-73) playing an incredibly intense brand of cutting-edge jazz-rock fusion and became bonafide rock stars in the process, before their comet-like rise to fame led to the group members hating each other and going their separate ways. In this episode, John (host), Phil (moderator), and Mike tackle The Inner Mounting Flame, the band’s 1971 debut album, and an album that John once found intimidating but now merely finds challenging and extremely enjoyable. Instrumental music and jazz fusion may not be for everybody, but if you’re skeptical, this episode may convince you that it’s more up your alley than you might have thought.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/070-the-mahavishnu-orchestra-the-inner-mounting-flame-1971

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Time for our third annual Q&A episode! In this one, we talk about whether we'll take album recommendations from listeners, the art of album sequencing, how to separate music from lyrics, and our favorite TV theme songs, among other important topics. 

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie Williams

Theme music: The Moody Blues - Question

Since this podcast's very beginning, there was only one real option for our 69th album: 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt’s three-disc 1999 opus. It's a seemingly impossible romp through dozens of musical styles that could be hilarious, heartbreaking, mocking, sincere, or all of the above in one big clump. This is the third and last episode of this series, so get your bottle of gin and join us!

NOTE: The Magnetic Fields use some bad words and so did we, just so you're aware.

Cohosts for vol. 3: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/069-the-magnetic-fields-69-love-songs-1999
Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Since this podcast's very beginning, there was only one real option for our 69th album: 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt’s three-disc 1999 opus. It's a seemingly impossible romp through dozens of musical styles that could be hilarious, heartbreaking, mocking, sincere, or all of the above in one big clump. This is the second of three episodes we've recorded, one for each disc. Come on and kiss us like you mean it.

NOTE: The Magnetic Fields use some bad words and so did we, just so you're aware.

Cohosts for vol. 2: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/069-the-magnetic-fields-69-love-songs-1999
Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Since this podcast's very beginning, there was only one real option for our 69th album: 69 Love Songs, Stephin Merritt’s three-disc 1999 opus. It's a seemingly impossible romp through dozens of musical styles that could be hilarious, heartbreaking, mocking, sincere, or all of the above in one big clump. We've recorded one episode for each disc, which we'll be releasing over the next three days. Please enjoy all our little words! 

NOTE: The Magnetic Fields use some bad words and so did we, just so you're aware.

Cohosts for vol. 1: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin, Libby Cudmore, B. Heard

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/069-the-magnetic-fields-69-love-songs-1999

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Finishing up the Yellow Pills series! We hope you've enjoyed our discussion of great power pop songs no one has ever heard of.
 
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67MbIIImCx9MRdYZuel6MG?si=wdezwl38ReuBtYAb36rgZw

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

• The Trend - She's Hi-Fi
• LMNOP - Forever Through the Sun
• Jack Stack a Track - Good Time Music
• Randy Winburn - Sunshine USA
• The Toms - House of Horrors
• Brat - Long Time Away
• The Kids - There Goes My Heart Again
• The Trend - (I Feel Like A) Dictionary

Support these artists:

The Toms (Bandcamp):
https://thetomspowerpop.bandcamp.com/

The Trend (Amazon Music):
https://www.amazon.com/Trend-Explicit/dp/B002CKB5U0

LMNOP (Bandcamp):
https://donw7.bandcamp.com/

Jack Grochmal (of Jack Stack a Track) on Lessonface:
https://www.lessonface.com/instructor/jack-grochmal

Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening music: 20/20 - Yellow Pills

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

One day in September 1976, fueled by cocaine, peppers, and milk, David Bowie entered a Los Angeles recording studio, and then emerged a couple months later remembering nothing about what had just happened. Discord & Rhyme is here to fill in the blanks for you: He spent those two months recording Station to Station, a transitional album between his funk and experimental art rock periods that may be his all-time greatest work. The only album from Bowie’s Thin White Duke persona is only six songs long, but they’re so colorful and dense that Producer Mike and co-hosts John, Rich, and Ben spend nearly two hours talking about them. There’s so much going on in this music that it could fill a movie or book (and Ben even wrote one about him), but for today, a really enthusiastic podcast episode will suffice. And unlike your television set, there is no evidence that your podcatcher of choice will try to eat you!

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/068-david-bowie-station-to-station-1976

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Finishing up the Yellow Pills comp, this is the first batch from disc 2.
 
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67MbIIImCx9MRdYZuel6MG?si=wdezwl38ReuBtYAb36rgZw

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

• The Toms - (I Wanna Be A) Teen Again
• The Bats - Not Easy For Me
• Treble Boys - Julie-Anne
• Tommy Rock - Dream Rocker
• The Sponsors - Love I Can't Wait
• The Colors - Growing Up American
• Finns - Hello Mr. Jenkins
• Tactics - Things I Am
• Treble Boys - One Kiss

Other links:
Treble Boys YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TrebleBoys

Between the Liner Notes podcast on Disco Demolition Night:
http://www.betweenthelinernotes.com/episodes-1/disco02

Tommy Rock radio promo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hCjuB2Yx0s

Support these artists:
The Toms (Bandcamp):
https://thetomspowerpop.bandcamp.com/

Treble Boys, Real Life in the Red LP (Neon Waste):
https://www.neonwaste.com/new-music-12-punk-rz/7xixfp55m2jrb4pbb8tuxblzwvew8m

The Colors, Teenage Furniture (Apple Music):
https://music.apple.com/us/album/teenage-furniture/1153880134

The Handgrenades (Bandcamp):
https://handgrenadesny.bandcamp.com/

The Finns (Bandcamp):
https://thefinnsstlouis.bandcamp.com/

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening music: 20/20 - Yellow Pills

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

This week, Dan, Mike, and Rich take a break from the usual state-of-the-art Discord & Rhyme studio, dust off the four-track, and head down to the basement with a case of beer for a no-frills chat about Guided by Voices. After percolating as 37-year-old school teacher Robert Pollard’s side hustle for over a decade, GBV (as we refer to them for 99% of the episode) suddenly found themselves on the radar of hip indie-rock tastemakers. 1994’s Bee Thousand captures this turning point for the band with a gloriously messy patchwork of 20 home-recorded songs that incorporate influences of what Pollard calls the Four P’s of Rock: prog, psych, pop, and punk. Jam along with us to these lo-fi anthems, and try to not pull a muscle while imitating Pollard’s signature stage kicks. (Rated Explicit for occasional naughty language.)

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/067-guided-by-voices-bee-thousand-1994

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Continuing our series on the Yellow Pills compilation, featuring returning special guest Dave Weigel!

Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67MbIIImCx9MRdYZuel6MG?si=wdezwl38ReuBtYAb36rgZw

Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Dave Weigel

• Randy Winburn - Somebody Else's Girl
• Luxury - One in a Million
• The Toms - Sun
• Luxury - Countdown
• The Colors - Rave it Up
• The Speedies - 1-2-3
• The Kids - Hey Little Girl
• The Bats - Mr. Peculiar

Opening music: 20/20 - Yellow Pills
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Frank Zappa is an awfully difficult man to summarize. He recorded dozens and dozens of albums with numerous different bands in countless different genres. He was a relentless innovator, never sticking with one style for long and always pushing forward into completely new musical territory, whether he thought his audience would be willing to follow him or not. Where do you even start discussing a man whose work consistently defies categorization and lacks a single album that stands as a “representative” work? Well, when all else fails, start at the beginning! On this episode, Phil is leading the Frank Zappa superfan contingent of Discord And Rhyme (consisting of John, Dan, and Mike) through a discussion of Frank Zappa’s wildly innovative 1966 debut double album, Freak Out!. Come for the doo-wop, stay for the musique concrète. NOTE: We put the explicit tag on this episode because we yelled some bad words, also it's Frank Zappa, of course it's explicit. 

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/066-the-mothers-of-invention-freak-out-1966

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Time for a new comp series! This time around we're tackling Yellow Pills: Prefill, a collection of overlooked power pop songs. Come for the insightful commentary, stay for the catchy pop music.

Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67MbIIImCx9MRdYZuel6MG?si=wdezwl38ReuBtYAb36rgZw

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Chris Willie Williams

• Luxury - Green Hearts
• The Tweeds - I Need That Record
• The Colors - All I Want
• The Speedies - You Need Pop
• Shoes - Like I Told You
• The Sponsors - In and Out of Love
• The Bats - Not My Girl Anymore
• The Tweeds - She's the Girl (Who Said No)

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/ 

Can you hear those towering walls of amped-up guitars in our latest episode, accompanied by aching lyrics you can barely hear? That’s because we’ve loaded it with Sugar! After pioneering alternative rock in the hardcore punk band Hüsker Dü, frontman and guitarist Bob Mould briefly went solo, then formed a new power trio named after a stray packet of sugar that caught his eye while eating at a Waffle House. (This naming convention would not be repeated until the 2000 Hootie & the Blowfish covers album Scattered, Smothered and Covered.) Sugar’s high-decibel, disarmingly sincere brand of power pop has always made the band Will’s preferred branch of the Mouldverse, and this week he’s joined by Ben, Will, and special guest Scott Floman to discuss their 1992 masterpiece Copper Blue.

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Scott Floman

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/065-sugar-copper-blue-1992

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod
 

Elle King is a tough, scrappy, incredibly talented musician who doesn’t get nearly as much attention as she should. Rather than being dismissed as a “one-hit wonder,” which has unfairly (and inaccurately) already happened, she should be appreciated as a versatile artist who can rock your face off with enormous guitars and drums one minute, then turn around and break your heart with a banjo ballad the next. Today we’re here to tell you why her enormous voice, her gift for both melody and lyrics, and her love of really loud percussion make her an artist you should love. If you don't get it right away, just turn up the volume. NOTE: This one contains a few bad words and some adult topics. If your kids are around, you may want to be prepared to cover their ears.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/064-elle-king-love-stuff-2015

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Happy New Year! In the last episode of this round of Motown tracks, Stevie Wonder steals a song from Jeff Beck, Gladys Knight & the Pips get done wrong again, and Rich attempts to seduce Ben and John.

Stevie Wonder - Superstition
Gladys Knight & the Pips - Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)
The Temptations - Masterpiece
Stevie Wonder - You Are the Sunshine of My Life
Diana Ross - Touch Me in the Morning
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get it On

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Hey, hey, it’s Discord & Rhyme! If, as alleged, the Monkees were a fake band, you’d never know it from listening to their 1967 album Headquarters - on which they wrote (most of) the songs and played (most of) the instruments. On this episode, Ben leads a discussion about this fascinating and fun anomaly in the career of the Pre-Fab Four. He’s joined by Micky, Peter, and Mike — oops, we mean by Amanda, Dan, and Rich.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/063-the-monkees-headquarters-1967

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This episode is 57% Michael Jackson, including the song Ben Marlin was named after! (This is probably not true.)

The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes
Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)
Michael Jackson - Got to Be There
Michael Jackson - Rockin' Robin
Michael Jackson - I Wanna Be Where You Are
Michael Jackson - Ben
The Temptations - Papa Was a Rollin' Stone

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Dan Watkins

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/ 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

It’s our third holiday episode, so why not sit comfortably and talk about a third Moody Blues album? By 1972, The Moody Blues had successfully transitioned their sound from the ’60s to the ’70s without losing their ability to generate top-5 charting albums in both the U.S. and the U.K., but they were also on the verge of total burnout that would lead to them taking a six-year hiatus between new studio albums. Seventh Sojourn is the last entry in the band’s core period before they went on break, and it has some of the band’s very best material despite not having any poetry or a single second of Mellotron. Come listen to John, Rich, Amanda, and Phil indulge themselves with an album they know and love from the podcast’s unofficial mascot band, and especially listen for when Amanda confesses to the single hottest take in the history of Moody Blues podcasting.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/062-the-moody-blues-seventh-sojourn-1972

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Our Africa series is done and we are back in familiar territory! Welcome to the next round of Motown episodes, in which our insistence on reading out the punctuation in song titles reaches its hilarious peak.

The Jackson 5 - Mama's Pearl
The Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
The Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye
Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers, John McFerrin
 
Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

On her junior album Homogenic, Björk (pronounced “Bjerk”) dumped the playful genre-bending of her earlier albums for a consistent palette of strings and volcano-like, almost proto-dubstep beats, and the result is almost universally considered the pièce de résistance of her career. But even more than that, the album is a mature, unique expression of Björk’s inner life, at a time when the press often treated her as more a quirky headline in a swan dress and less a human being. Well, Discord & Rhyme will have none of that! Returning guest Shivam Bhatt has a limitless ability to gush over Björk, and he joins Rich, John, and Mike for an episode best described as “groveling at the feet of a deity.” There are so many things we love about Björk, from her truly outside the box lyricism to her absolutely otherworldly voice, and we hope this episode conveys the unpredictable joy of getting to know her music.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Shivam Bhatt

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/bjrk-homogenic-1997

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Sly & the Family Stone was in many ways the quintessential American band (and John’s pick as the greatest American band), a rags-to-riches-to-rags story of a San Francisco group that rose from obscurity to worldwide popularity and acclaim, only to implode from intraband conflicts and the excesses of fame. The 1973 album Fresh captures the band right before collapse, after it had survived a transformation from an optimistic 60s psychedelic soul act to a top-notch 70s cocaine funk act, and it’s both an excellent album in its own right and a fascinating prism through which to examine the band’s career as a whole. Join John, Rich, Phil, and Ben as they examine an album adored by George Clinton, Miles Davis, and Brian Eno alike, and an album that even makes "Qué Será, Será" sound cool.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/sly-and-the-family-stone-fresh-1973

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the final segment of our Africa playlist! This one features artists from Niger and Nigeria, and ended up being very accessible to our rock-trained ears.

Mdou Moctar - Adounia
Mdou Moctar - Tarhatazed
Bombino - Amidinine
Mamar Kassey - Karma
Prince Nico Mbarga - Sweet Mother
King Sunny Ade & His African Beats - Ja Funmi
Fela Kuti & Africa 70 - Zombie

Complete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022

Further reading:

Mdou Moctar: The Hendrix of the Sahara (Esquire): https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a29817515/mdou-moctar-interview-2019/

His biggest hit sold more copies than any of the Beatles'. So why haven't you heard of him? (Narratively): https://narratively.com/his-biggest-hit-sold-more-copies-than-any-of-the-beatles-so-why-havent-you-heard-of-him/

Cohosts: Rich Bunnel, Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers

Opening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
 
Get early access to bonus episodes at https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

The song “Black Sabbath” on the album Black Sabbath by the band Black Sabbath is one of the rare occasions where the beginning of a new genre can be traced to one specific moment. We’re here to present the case that this is one of the most important records ever made, without which there would be no Iron Maiden, no Judas Priest, no Metallica, and no Def Leppard, and nobody wants to live in that world. Not only is it one of rock’s most influential albums, it still holds up incredibly well after 50 years. Just listen to that opening riff and try to say that isn’t one of the coolest things you’ve ever heard.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/059-black-sabbath-black-sabbath-1970

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

The latest installment of our Africa playlist, concentrating on Senegal!

Orchestra Baobab - Bul Ma Miin
Youssou N'Dour - Immigres/Bitim Rew
Youssou N'Dour - 7 Seconds (feat. Neneh Cherry)
Baaba Maal - Lam Tooro
Mumford & Sons and Baaba Maal - There Will Be Time
Toure Kunda - Emma
Toure Kunda - Emma Salsa

Complete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie Williams

Opening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo 

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Surprise! Due to some scheduling conflicts and the fact that we are all humans with lives, we weren’t able to record our scheduled episode in time. But luckily, back in April 2020, we decided it would be a good idea to record an emergency backup episode for just such an event! (Such is our dedication to you, the listener.) So we decided to tackle Revolver, an album that could only have been made by the Beatles, and only in 1966. John, Ben, and Amanda spent a couple of hours chatting about an album that blows our minds, makes us deliriously happy, and changed the course of rock music forever. 

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/058-the-beatles-revolver-1966

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Round 2 of the Africa playlist, this time concentrating on Mali! 

Ali Farka Toure — Gomni (feat. Ry Cooder) 
Ali Farka Toure — Debe (feat. Toumani Diabaté) 
Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabaté — Queen Bee 
Rokia Traoré — Laidu 
Tinariwen — Tenere Taqqim Tossam 
Ernest Ranglin — D’Accord Dakar 

Complete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Chris Willie Williams, Mike DeFabio

Opening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo 

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/ 
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Discord & Rhyme gets the Halloween season started with spine-tingling tales of animals, air, and paper! Well, okay... admittedly, these topics sound a bit more unsettling in the hands of Talking Heads on their 1979 opus to paranoia, Fear of Music. Dan guides a packed panel of Phil, John, Mike, and Rich through Talking Heads’ weird, transitional album that bridges the gap from the band’s early new wave style to its more eclectic flirtations with funk and world music. This ain't no party. This ain't no disco. This is Discord & Rhyme!

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/057-talking-heads-fear-of-music-1979

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This is the start of our next comp series, and it's a homemade one! You'll hear the whole story in the episode, but in a nutshell, this is our chance to get acquainted with some popular music from the African continent, mostly in West Africa. We're really excited to dive into this, and we hope you enjoy it too! 

Gigi - Gud Fella 
Gigi - Adwa
Hamza El Din - Your Love Is Ever Young
Amr Diab - Nour el Ain
Alpha Blondy - Brigadier Sabari
Alpha Blondy - Cocody Rock

Complete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Chris Willie Williams

Opening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo 

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/ 
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Get ready for an Elvis podcast that doesn’t contain “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” or “All Shook Up.” Come on, you’ve already heard those songs on a hundred movie soundtracks and diner mini-jukeboxes. Instead, Phil is leading Elvis obsessee Ben and utter Elvis novice Rich through From Elvis in Memphis, the 1969 album that briefly put him back in the spotlight after almost a full decade of starring in terrible movies. Buoyed by his hit comeback special, the King adopted a “country soul” sound that blends country songwriting with the sonic palette of gospel, soul, doo-wop and R&B. Elvis has a truly frustrating discography where the iconography often overshadows the actual music, but From Elvis in Memphis is one for us album nerds, and one for the ages.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/elvis-presley-from-elvis-in-memphis-1969

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

After spending the last couple of decades converting all of his friends into Camper Van Beethoven fans, Will is now doing the same for all of you - with the help of one of the band members! Victor Krummenacher, CVB bassist and swell guy, was kind enough to talk to Will about the making of Key Lime Pie and some general band history, and you can hear that interview in this episode before we start our usual discussion. (The full recording is available on our website, for you completionists out there.) Key Lime Pie is a terrific album full of unconventional song structures, clever lyrics, and interesting sounds, and we hope you all like it as much as we do. Rated Explicit for naughty language.
 
Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins
 
Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/055-camper-van-beethoven-key-lime-pie-1989-feat-victor-krummenacher
 
Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the last of this Motown disc, including "Tears of a Clown" Redux, some more of our best pal Stevie Wonder, and a Diana-less Supremes hit.

The Jackson 5 - I'll Be There
Stevie Wonder - Heaven Help Us All
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - The Tears of a Clown (US Version)
The Supremes - Stoned Love
Gladys Knight & the Pips - If I Were Your Woman

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin  

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/ 
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/ 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ 

Sometimes we choose albums to cover on the show because they’re important and we want to analyze them, and other times we choose albums because they make us happy. The Traveling Wilburys fall firmly into that second group. Their music may not have been especially important or ground-breaking, and the history of music wouldn’t be any different without them - but the world would certainly be poorer without this album in it. Amanda, Rich, Ben, and John spent a very happy 90 minutes talking about why we love these songs, and why one of them is Amanda’s very favorite song of all time.

Cohosts: Edith Wilbury (Amanda Rodgers), Charlie T. Wilbury III (Ben Marlin), Dewey Wilbury (Rich Bunnell), Levi Wilbury (John McFerrin)

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/054-the-traveling-wilburys-vol-1-1988

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're back with another batch of Motown songs! Even though these are especially great, you know we are incapable of staying on topic, so digressions include electric sitars, Karen Carpenter, and (inevitably) the Moody Blues. Also some dumb Genesis jokes.

Rare Earth - Get Ready
The Temptations - Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
Edwin Starr - War
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - The Tears of a Clown (UK Version)
Diana Ross - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
 
Support the podcast and get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers 

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Follow us back to Olde, Olde England for a look at Richard and Linda Thompson’s classic 1974 album I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. Actually, 1974 wasn’t that Olde - by that point, the English had been enjoying color TV for eight long years. But Richard Thompson’s songs evoke an England that existed centuries before The Avengers and The Prisoner brightened the airwaves. His is an England of drunkards and scoundrels, of circus performers, of little beggar girls, and of pub singalongs after a hard day of working the fields. With crisp guitar playing and sublime harmonies, Richard and his then-wife Linda wring a timeless resonance out of these archetypes from long ago. Join host Ben, along with Will, Amanda, and Dan, for a discussion about one of our favorite folk-rock albums of the 1970s.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie Williams, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/053-richard-and-linda-thompson-i-want-to-see-the-bright-lights-tonight-1974

Support the podcast! http://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Get ready, get ready, 'cause here we come with a new Motown episode! In which John mathsplains the Jackson 5 and we tell the Beatles to suck it for the second time in this series.

The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
Stevie Wonder - Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday
The Jackson 5 - ABC
Diana Ross - Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)
The Four Tops - It's All in the Game
The Jackson 5 - The Love You Save
 
Support the podcast and get these episodes early! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

We tried, we honestly tried to feature XTC as one of Discord & Rhyme’s earliest episodes, but technical issues derailed this podcasting train. Two years later, we’ve rebuilt our reserves of soul coal and dream steam, and Rich is ready to take John, Ben, and Dan aboard The Big Express, a relatively unknown but quintessential album from the Swindon trio. In 1984, the band was newly confined to the studio after eccentric frontman and lead songwriter Andy Partridge permanently swore off touring. Resultantly, the album finds him and bandmates Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory at their most kitchen-sink creative, as well as their most frustrating, which is a fundamental part of the proper XTC experience. So put your cleanest dirty shirt on, shake you donkey up, and get ready for some truly idiosyncratic songcraft.
 
Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins 
 
Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/052-xtc-the-big-express-1984
 
Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Heading back to the Motor City! This time around, we learn that this was a very dorky period for the Hot 100, plus more bonkers information about the Supremes and another Marvin Gaye classic.

The Temptations - Runaway Child, Running Wild
Marvin Gaye - Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
Jr. Walker & the All Stars - What Does it Take (To Win Your Love)
The Temptations - I Can't Get Next to You
The Originals - Baby, I'm for Real
Diana Ross & the Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Phil Maddox
 
Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Kick off your shoes, take a seat in your comfiest electric chair, and join the Discord & Rhyme crew for a look at Alice Cooper’s 1971 shock-rock classic Killer. In this episode, Dan is joined by Mike, Phil, and Ben to discuss how there is much more to Alice Cooper than the elaborate stage show and persona. In particular, we break down what a great group of players the original Alice Cooper band was and how they managed to craft some of the most fun and exciting hard rock of the early ’70s.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/051-alice-cooper-killer-1971

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

SCOOBITY WAH! Returning guest Libby Cudmore’s love for Steely Dan is so immense that we needed two albums to contain it. Much like the Oscars, we’re going without a host for our 50th episode, with Libby joining Rich, Mike, and Dan for 2+ hours of free-for-all Dansplaining. We’re specifically focusing on 1973’s Countdown to Ecstasy, where the Dan functioned as a full band under the command of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and 1977’s Aja, by which point Becker and Fagen had gone studio-only and ditched the band for a revolving door of experienced session musicians. Aja is a much smoother, “FM radio” album in contrast with Countdown’s breezy “AM radio” rock band vibes, but Becker and Fagen’s musical sensibilities and biting sense of humor made sure the Steely Dan identity remained intact throughout. So grab either a big black cow or a glass of scotch whisky and join us, because this is a really fun one.

NOTE: Rated Explicit for naughty language.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Libby Cudmore

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/050-steely-dan-countdown-to-ecstasy-1973-and-aja-1977

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Our last round of ignoring the mainstream includes attempting to explain Bjork, discussing celebrity philanthropy, and buzzing your eardrums. 

The Sugarcubes - Birthday
Hüsker Dü - Could You Be the One?
Faith No More - We Care a Lot
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
Wire - Eardrum Buzz

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ 

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/ 
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

John enjoyed taking part in the episode on Songs in the Key of Life so much that he demanded to host his own Stevie Wonder episode. This week, John leads Ben, Rich, and Phil in a discussion on Innervisions, Stevie’s 1973 masterwork that showed him capable of making music that could not only entertain but also speak to weightier matters of racism, spirituality, and philosophical introspection. Come join us as we admire an album that hits every bit as hard today as it did upon release, and whose presentation of the full range of human emotions suggests that, no matter how terrible things may seem, there’s always cause to have some hope.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/stevie-wonder-innervisions-1973

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Time for another episode of discussing Never Mind the Mainstream! During which Amanda came down with a mild case of COVID-19 and was therefore unable to come up with a pithy description.
 
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Head On
Echo and the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
New Order - The Perfect Kiss
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell 
 
Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 
 
Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

So you like samples, huh? Well, have all the samples in the world! In our Deltron 3030 episode, Producer Mike waxed poetic that hip-hop “can contain the whole world,” and the Beastie Boys tried to do exactly that on Paul’s Boutique. Seeking to level up as artists, the Beasties broke with Def Jam, moved to Los Angeles, and teamed up with producers and seasoned crate-diggers the Dust Brothers. The result is a miasma of light-speed references and samples, with a sonic palette drawing from ‘70s funk, old-school hip-hop, and whatever else the Dusts had lying around. It blew Mike’s mind as a teenager and budding producer, and this week he’s leading Rich, Phil and hip-hop noob John through a true bouillabaisse of an album, and a great hip-hop gateway drug for rock fans. Shake your rum-PAH!

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/048-beastie-boys-pauls-boutique-1989

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Back to ignoring the mainstream! In which we analyze R.E.M., criticize Morrissey, and learn that this is not a love song.

R.E.M. - Orange Crush
Public Image Ltd. - This Is Not a Love Song
Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?
X - Burning House of Love
Ministry - Stigmata
Morrissey - Everyday Is Like Sunday

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Chris Willie Williams
 
Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Far from any road, husband-and-wife duo The Handsome Family create beautiful indie folk/country that uses centuries-old musical traditions as a vehicle to explore, mourn, embrace, or giggle at human nature (and folly) from a perspective all their own. On this episode, Will enlists Amanda, Dan, and Rich to discuss the Handsome Family's sixth and oddest album, Singing Bones. Join us as we examine the way these songs shimmer and simmer, and attempt to determine if that's a result of heat rising from the boiling Albuquerque terrain or because we're listening through the murk of disconsolate ghosts.

WARNING: We said some bad words in this episode, in case that is something you are concerned about.

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/047-the-handsome-family-singing-bones-2003

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We usually take a week off between comps, but one of our favorite songwriters, Adam Schlesinger, passed away in April from complications related to COVID-19, and we wanted to do his career justice. Schlesinger is most famous for the retro soundtrack cut "That Thing You Do" and Fountains of Wayne's 2003 Cars pastiche "Stacy's Mom," but the songwriter was a workhorse, and his career had a truly wild level of variety. Ben, Rich, and Will know Fountains of Wayne the best, so most of the episode is focused on their songs, but we hit on the full kaleidoscope of Schlesinger's career, from his work for the CW sitcom Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to an oddball power pop supergroup fronted by Taylor Hanson.

Jethro Tull started their career as a hardcore blues band. Within a few years, they were a hardcore progressive rock band, writing album-long suites of extraordinarily complex music. While both of those eras are interesting, the brief period between the two - where the band had moved away from the blues, but hadn’t yet completely progged out - is some of the best music of its era. Sadly, it doesn’t get discussed nearly enough these days. In this episode, Phil, along with Ben, John, and Mike, dive into this era with 1969’s Stand Up - a contender for the best album Tull ever released. So - don your codpiece, jump on one leg, and join in the fun as we discuss one of the best (and most overlooked) rock albums of 1969 (along with several contemporary singles that, while not on the album proper, are far too good to ignore).

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/046-jethro-tull-stand-up-1969

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Motown time is here again! In which we learn the bonkers recording history of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," equate the Supremes to the Beatles again, and despair at what we've done with our lives compared to Stevie Wonder.

Diana Ross & the Supremes - Love Child
Marvin Gaye - I Heard it Through the Grapevine
Stevie Wonder - For Once in My Life
Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
Brenda Holloway - You've Made Me So Very Happy
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Amanda Rodgers

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Returning guest Dave Weigel lived in England in the late ‘90s, the era of Tony Blair, New Labour, ecstasy, the European Union, and, most importantly of all, the Pet Shop Boys. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe met in a hi-fi shop in the early ‘80s and went on to make beautiful, quintessentially British dance music together for the next four decades (and counting!). For this episode, Rich leads Dave, Phil, and Will track by track through the duo’s 1996 album Bilingual, where Tennant and Lowe were inspired by a recent tour of Latin America, as well as a rapidly globalizing post-Cold War world. It’s not one of the group’s more celebrated albums, but it’s so, so dense with all of the tight, grandiose, literate popcraft that they do so well.

NOTE: Rated Explicit for occasional language.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Dave Weigel, Chris Willie Williams

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/045-pet-shop-boys-bilingual-1996

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's Motown Time! In which we learn more heartbreaking stories of Motown artists, praise the magical voice of Smokey Robinson, and FINALLY get to the marvelous Marvin and Tammi

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - I Second That Emotion
The Temptations - I Wish it Would Rain
Stevie Wonder - Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing
The Temptations - I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - You're All I Need to Get By

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, we dive into the Kinks' 1969 concept album Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire, which has long been one of Ben's favorite albums. Arthur tells the fictional life story of Englishman Arthur Morgan, who was born during the glory years of the British Empire, and whose slide into mid-20th-century obsolescence mirrors that of his home country. Sound heavy? It's heavy. But it's also fascinating, and richly musical. Ben leads a discussion that touches on world wars, isolationism, the class system, parenthood - and, of course, some great rock and roll music. He's ably joined by Rich, John, and Mike, who have all waited years to express their opinions on those subjects. Especially British isolationism during the late 1930s. We could yammer on for hours about that.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/044-the-kinks-arthur-or-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-british-empire-1969

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Continuing our Motown journey! In which we get to our first Cashbox chart-topper, Mike compares the Supremes to the Beatles, and we learn the wild history of Gladys Knight & the Pips.

The Marvelettes - The Hunter Gets Captured By the Game
Diana Ross & the Supremes - Love Is Here and Now You're Gone
Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - Jimmy Mack
The Supremes - The Happening
Stevie Wonder - I Was Made to Love Her
Gladys Knight & the Pips - I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

The Tragically Hip are practically Canada’s national band, but they’re virtually unknown elsewhere. Today we’re aiming to change that by covering one of their best albums, Fully Completely. Not only is this album packed full of references to Canadian history and culture, it’s also packed full of excellent rock songs. Our goal for this episode is to convert all of you into Hip fans, so come for the terrific music, stay for the Canadian history lesson!

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Sean Rodgers

Fully complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/043-the-tragically-hip-fully-completely-1992

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We answer more of our listeners' burning questions and confirm once and for all that this is really a Moody Blues podcast. 

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin

Back to Motown! This is an absolutely stellar batch of songs, with one notable exception. What could it be???

The Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Stevie Wonder - Blowin' in the Wind
The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
The Temptations - Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
The Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
The Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You
 
Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers
 
Early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Today we're sharing one of our Patreon exclusives with everybody! In this one, Rich and Amanda talk about a '90s rock classic. You can get more of these bonus mini-episodes for just $3 a month! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Time to ignore the mainstream again! In which Rich and Will get to discuss their favorite bands, Dan critiques MTV's song choices, and then they talk about Nicolas Cage for some reason.

Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians - Balloon Man
World Party - Put the Message in the Box
XTC - Dear God
They Might Be Giants - Ana Ng
Camper Van Beethoven - Eye of Fatima (Pt. 1)
Modern English - I Melt With You
 
Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 
 
Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Often criminally overlooked among the ’90s indie-rock canon, Helium’s The Magic City is one of the most colorful and unpredictable albums to come out of Matador Records’ reign as kings of the genre. On their second and final album, Mary Timony and crew cast aside the fuzzy, lo-fi guitars for bright, lush arrangements that explore influences as diverse as medieval folk, progressive rock, and video game music. Climb aboard your mighty unicorn and follow Dan, Amanda, and Rich into the cosmos as we travel through this musically rich landscape of aging astronauts, dragons, and Chamberlins. 

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/042-helium-the-magic-city-1997

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Continuing to ignore the mainstream! In this episode: Rich is shocked to discover that the Cocteau Twins are actual humans, we collectively approve of surprise bagpipes as a concept, and Amanda continues to dislike bands with the word "sonic" in the name.

The Church - Under the Milky Way
Cocteau Twins - Carolyn's Fingers
Julian Cope - World Shut Your Mouth
Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka
Sonic Youth - Kool Thing 

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/ 

The 2003 Radiohead album Hail to the Thief was widely praised as a great album upon its initial release, but starting a few years later it became a consistent target of criticism from the band and fans alike. In this episode, John leads a discussion with Will, Mike, and Phil in which they try to make the case that this album, in which Radiohead largely consolidates the different approaches of its post-Bends work into something new and yet still something recognizably Radiohead, deserves a significantly better reputation than as “the Radiohead album with too many songs.” Come for the serious discussion of Radiohead’s take on the Iraq War and society’s failings, stay for the recurring sex jokes and Homestar Runner references.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Chris Willie Williams, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/041-radiohead-hail-to-the-thief-2003

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Our new miniseries of compisodes features Never Mind the Mainstream: The Best of MTV's 120 Minutes! In this episode: Ben describes his childhood rebellions and skewers Anthony Kiedis, Dan struggles to comprehend the Stone Roses' career choices, and Will turns everyone into Bob Mould fans.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground
Soul Asylum - Sometime to Return
The Stone Roses - Fools Gold
The Mission UK - Wasteland
Bob Mould - See a Little Light

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Benjamin Marlin, Dan Watkins 

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Pink Floyd is not exactly obscure, but it’s true that their pre-Dark Side of the Moon albums don’t get as much attention as they deserve. Rather than simply being the lead-up to their more well-known material, their first few albums are fascinating, groundbreaking, and democratically weird. Pink Floyd was a band that just wanted to make cool, interesting sounds that nobody had ever made before, and with Meddle, they succeeded spectacularly - in fact, this is where you’ll find some of their very best material. Come along with us as we fearlessly cut this album into little pieces.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/040-pink-floyd-meddle-1971

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

The Grateful Dead are such a ubiquitous cultural institution that many people don’t engage with their music - it’s frequently written off as slow, lazy music for stoners. Well, Phil isn’t a stoner at all, and he’s here to tell you all about why the Grateful Dead are great. While the group is perhaps best known for their marathon live sets and endless catalog of concert recordings, Phil decided to focus on 1970’s American Beauty - the album generally considered to be the band’s best studio LP. Short on jams and long on great songs and fantastic harmony vocals, American Beauty is a folk-and-country tinged masterpiece and is a wonderful entry point for beginning your voyage into the world of the Grateful Dead.

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/039-the-grateful-dead-american-beauty-1970

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the last episode from the first Motown disc! In which we make fun of Mick Jagger and David Bowie, criticize Smokey Robinson's songwriting ability, and Amanda makes Ben cry.

Stevie Wonder - Uptight (Everything's Alright)
The Temptations - Get Ready
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas - Dancing in the Street
Marvin Gaye - How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved By You)
The Isley Brothers - This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
Marvin Gaye - Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Benjamin Marlin, Mike DeFabio
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

HO-HO-HO, we’re HU-HU-HUNGRY like the wolf! Discord & Rhyme has held off on its namesake album for far too long, so Rich, Amanda, Phil, and returning guest Libby Cudmore are throwing a festive ‘80s holiday party with Duran Duran’s 1982 album Rio. The British music and fashion press were obsessed with the emerging glitter-and-puffy-shirts New Romantic scene when Duran Duran first hit the stage with their self-titled debut in 1981. The quintet was immediately branded as a “haircut band” and written off by the critical elite, and a series of exotic videos filmed in Antigua and Sri Lanka only reinforced this vapid public image. But Rich argues that their second album Rio, recorded during a hot streak for the band, is musically sophisticated, artistically triumphant, and makes for a fun discussion with some mulled wine. 

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers, Libby Cudmore

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/038-duran-duran-rio-1982

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In this episode: Rich and Amanda report on their field trip to the Motown museum! Also the reason why the R&B chart disappeared for a while, much raving about Marvin Gaye, and comparing the Supremes to the Beatles in terms of hypothetical drug use.

Jr. Walker & the All Stars - Shotgun
The Supremes - Stop! In the Name of Love
Marvin Gaye - I'll Be Doggone
The Supremes - Back in My Arms Again
The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
The Supremes - I Hear a Symphony
Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar
 
Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

There are plenty of love albums out there and plenty of breakup albums, but apart from Marvin Gaye's fascinating Here, My Dear, how many romantic spite albums can you think of? It's a tough balance to strike, but Mountain Goats frontman John Darnielle has created likely the ideal such creature on Tallahassee: a schadenfreude- and gin-sodden indie-rock epitaph for the Alpha Couple, two characters he'd been working with for years and whose relationship only got less healthy with time. Join Will, Dan, Rich, and returning guest B. Heard, won't you, as we don our emotional headlamps and rotgut-protection boots and investigate the open throat of the Alpha Couple's cellar door?

WARNING: This album contains mature subject matter and also there are a few bad words, so listener discretion is advised.

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins, Brent Heard

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/037-the-mountain-goats-tallahassee-2002

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Continuing our celebration of one of the greatest record labels in music history! In this episode: Ben's favorite Motown song, the last appearance of Mary Wells on this comp, and the debuts of two groups who will dominate the rest of these episodes.

Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - Heat Wave
The Temptations - The Way You Do the Things You Do
Mary Wells - My Guy
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
The Supremes - Baby Love
The Supremes - Come See About Me
The Temptations - My Girl
 
Cohosts: Benjamin Marlin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors

https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

Once one of the biggest bands in the world, Def Leppard is now a bit of a joke among “serious” rock fans. But do they deserve that? Amanda thinks not, and does her best to convince Rich, Mike, and Phil that Hysteria is a truly excellent album. Even if you’re not on board with Mutt Lange’s super-shiny production, this is a terrific bunch of songs, and very much worth any music fan’s time. Yes, even “Pour Some Sugar On Me.” Especially “Pour Some Sugar On Me.” 

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/036-def-leppard-hysteria-1987

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the first episode of our new series covering Motown's Number 1 hits! This is an amazing compilation that includes every single Motown song that ever hit number 1 on any chart. Obviously this is an amazing batch of songs, and we love talking about them. In this episode: a brief history of the label, much gushing over the amazing Motown sound, and many references to our 1980s childhoods. NOTE: Amanda misspoke badly when talking about the Miracles, who broke up in 1972, not 1992.
 
The Miracles - Shop Around
The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
The Contours - Do You Love Me
Mary Wells - You Beat Me to the Punch
Mary Wells -  Two Lovers
The Miracles - You've Really Got a Hold on Me
Stevie Wonder - Fingertips
 
Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers
 
Get early access to bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Theme music: "The Motown Song" by Rod Stewart feat. the Temptations

Closing credits music by Kenneth Kraylie, originally composed by Andy Partridge with new lyrics by Adam Smith of the Hector Collectors
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/

In this episode, Ben leads everyone through an album nobody would have pegged him as loving (since it's not by Elvis), 1967's The Velvet Underground and Nico. Produced (sort of) by Andy Warhol and featuring singing (sort of) by German model Nico, the album's noisy, abrasive rock music - sweetened by Lou Reed's reliable pop instincts - has influenced generations of bands. But is it any fun to listen to? Ben says heck yes, Will rolls his eyes, and Amanda and Phil bring some sorely needed nuance to the table. There's definitely Discord here - probably inevitable whenever Lou Reed is involved.

WARNING: This episode contains some adult themes and naughty language. Listener discretion is advised. 

Cohosts: Benjamin Marlin, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie Williams

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/035-the-velvet-underground-the-velvet-underground-and-nico-1967

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

ULLA!!! Discord & Rhyme tackles an art-rock/disco musical based on the 1898 H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds and which John posits as the most ‘70s album ever made. Featuring an unforgettable spoken word performance by Richard Burton, as well as an absolutely fascinating who’s who collection of prominent late-’70s vocalists from the worlds of rock music and musicals, this album has gone down in history in the United States as a cult obscurity, but is one of the 40 best-selling albums of all time in the United Kingdom. In this episode, John leads Amanda, Phil, and Rich in a deep-dive examination of this album, with particular focus on the various leitmotifs used in creating the music, but also focuses on the question of how such a strange album, made by somebody best known for writing British advertising jingles and television themes, became such a lasting cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking nations outside the United States and Canada.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/034-jeff-waynes-musical-version-of-the-war-of-the-worlds-1978

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This is the last of our miniseries on Pure Moods! In this episode: more soundtracks, some critiquing of Twin Peaks, and a surprise Eurythmic. (Also some technical difficulties - please forgive our less-than-stellar audio quality in this one.)

Angelo Badalamenti - The Theme from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
Geoffrey Oryema - Makambo
Mark Isham - My Wife With Champagne Shoulders
Michael Nyman - The Promise
Candy Dulfer & Dave Stewart - Lily Was Here

Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

This week on Discord & Rhyme, we strap in for another ride through ’90s indie rock as we discuss Pavement’s beautifully messy third album, Wowee Zowee. Released right as the band was positioned for a possible mainstream breakout, this sprawling, stylistic tour de force was apparently the last thing MTV’s Buzz Bin was looking for in 1995. Over the years, however, fans and critics have come around to the album’s wild, unpredictable twists and turns through gorgeous soundscapes, tossed-off blasts of punk fuzz, country-rock ballads, big power-pop hooks, and stoned weirdness. Special guest (and fellow music podcaster himself) Jeff Blehar joins Dan, Phil, and Rich for a deep dive into Pavement’s eclectic masterpiece.

(NOTE: We said some swears in this one, but nothing too terrible.)

Co-hosts: Dan Watkins, Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, Jeff Blehar

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/033-feat-jeff-blehar-pavement-wowee-zowee-1995

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the next set of Pure Moods! In this episode: more mispronounced words, a couple of soundtrack excerpts, and...David Byrne?

Enigma - Sadeness, Part 1
Karl Jenkins - Adiemus
Jan Hammer - Crockett's Theme
Ennio Morricone - Theme from The Mission
David Byrne - Main Title Theme from The Last Emperor
Sacred Spirit - Yeha-Noha (Wishes of Happiness and Prosperity)
 
Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

This week on Discord & Rhyme: witty, unpredictable talent and natural game. In the early ‘90s, Bobby Diggs, aka Bobby Digital, aka the RZA, served as de facto leader for a nine-piece Staten Island (or Shaolin) collective that changed the face of hip-hop. The Wu-Tang Clan’s rhymes were clever, aggressive, filled with pop culture references, and came at you from all sides, paired with production from the RZA, who preferred to sample empty space and dissonance over conventional hooks. Between 1994 and 1996, the members of Wu-Tang unleashed a whole volley of classic solo albums, and 1995’s Liquid Swords by the GZA, alias the Genius, might be the greatest of all of them. On this episode Rich leads Mike, Ben, and Phil through RZA’s chaotic sound landscapes and GZA’s murderous rhymes tight with genuine craft, both of which helped him realize that hip-hop is one of the greatest things in the entire world.

NOTE: This episode is marked Explicit, which you may or may not be able to see in your podcatcher, due to some strong language and violent imagery (i.e., we said a bunch of swears). Don't say we didn't warn you! 

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/032-geniusgza-liquid-swords-1995

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Our new series of compisodes is covering Pure Moods, the New Age collection that you saw one million commercials for back in the '90s! This episode includes many mispronounced names, lots of reminiscing about our teenage years in the 1990s, and a surprising number of video game references. Enjoy! 

Enigma - Return to Innocence
Enya - Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)
Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby
Jean-Michel Jarre - Oxygène Part IV
DJ Dado - The X-Files Theme (DADO Paranormal Activity Mix)
Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells Part 1
 
Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

Opening music: The Hector Collectors
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

My, my, my! Brian Eno is the producer’s producer, so it only makes sense that Producer Mike would eventually get around to him. Eno is renowned for producing classic albums for U2 and Talking Heads, pioneering and naming the genre of ambient music, and composing the seven seconds that comforted Windows 95 users as they learned how to use the Start button. Today, Mike guides Dan, John, and Rich through Here Come the Warm Jets, Eno’s 1974 solo debut, released shortly after Roxy Music proved too small to house both his ego and Bryan Ferry’s. Warm Jets was composed and produced piecemeal in the studio, which Eno saw as its own instrument, and the result is a taped-together masterpiece filled with overdubs (one song contains 27 tracks of piano). It can take some time for the noisy blur of Warm Jets to coalesce into identifiable, hummable pieces, but we’re hoping to help ease you into the madness.

Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/031-brian-eno-here-come-the-warm-jets-1974

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

You guys were knocking at our door with a thousand million questions, so we thought we'd give you some answers! In this episode, you'll find out what albums we'll probably never discuss, our desert island discs, our favorite music books, and why Rich hates bananas. 

Theme music: The Moody Blues - Question

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

WE DID IT! We've reached the very end of the Nuggets box set! In the final episode: a truly astonishing number of Simpsons jokes, young idiots who want to be shocking, a great struggle to find new things to say about Nuggets songs, and the big reveal of our next compilation. And Amanda, who writes these descriptions, gets the last word on the Sonics.

Get early access to the next set of This Is Comp episodes at http://www.patreon.com/discordpod.

The Rumors - Hold Me Now
The Underdogs - Love's Gone Bad
The Standells - Why Pick On Me
The Zakary Thaks - Bad Girl
GONN - Blackout of Gretely
The Bees - Voices Green and Purple
Davie Allan & the Arrows - Blues' Theme

Theme song based on "This Is Pop," written by Andy Partridge, with new lyrics by Adam Smith
 
Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Progressive metal titans Dream Theater are one of those “love them or hate them” bands that everybody seems to have an opinion on. Phil firmly falls into the “love them” category. On this episode, he and the crew take on one of Dream Theater’s most well-known albums, 1999’s “Metropolis Pt. 2 - Scenes From A Memory”, and get into the nitty gritty about what they like about it and what they don’t like about it. There’s a lot more discord on this episode of Discord And Rhyme than average, as the crew ranges from lovers (Phil) to the more skeptical (everyone else).

Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins, Shivam Bhatt

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/030-dream-theater-metropolis-part-ii-scenes-from-a-memory-1999 

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're nearly at the end! In this episode: the dreaded second return of the Sonics, a cover of "Open Up Your Door" by Will's dad, a proto-Fall song, and a baffling but very cool record company mistake. Early access to these episodes is available at http://www.patreon.com/discordpod

The Sonics - The Witch
The Electric Prunes - Get Me to the World on Time
The Other Half - Mr. Pharmacist
Richard and the Young Lions - Open Up Your Door
Paul Revere and the Raiders - Just Like Me
We the People - You Burn Me Up and Down
The Lemon Drops - I Live in the Springtime
Fenwyck - Mindrocker

Hear "Open Up Your Door" by the Lost Cause here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXAvTSJTeWo

Theme song based on "This Is Pop," written by Andy Partridge, with new lyrics by Adam Smith

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Arguably the rock-geekiest band of all time, Hoboken indie-rockers Yo La Tengo have internalized seemingly every album they've ever heard, and they mix these diverse influences into distinctive and tasty musical stir-fries. Sometimes they're noisy and deliberately sloppy, sometimes they're gorgeous and pensive, but they're almost always engaging, and I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One is simultaneously their most accessible and their most eclectic album to date. It also happens to be Will's favorite album ever, so get ready for a heapin' helpin' of superlatives as he hosts this in-depth look at its 16 songs, along with fellow YLT fans Dan, Mike, and Rich.

PLEASE NOTE: We said some swears in this one. We just thought you should know.

Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/029-yo-la-tengo-i-can-hear-the-heart-beating-as-one-1997

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

A short and sweet one for you today! This episode features a batch of really great songs by bands no one has ever heard of. We're mostly rhyming here, but saved some discord for the end.

The Wailers - Out of Our Tree
The Harbinger Complex - I Think I'm Down
The Dovers - What Am I Going to Do
Charlatans - Codine
The Mystery Trend - Johnny Was a Good Boy
Clefs of Lavender Hill - Stop - Get a Ticket
The Monks - Complication

Theme song based on "This Is Pop," written by Andy Partridge, with new lyrics by Adam Smith

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

We are commemorating the 50th anniversary of two world-changing events: the Apollo 11 moon landing and the release of To Our Children’s Children’s Children, the Moody Blues album it inspired. Dense but accessible, spine-chillingly beautiful, and toweringly ambitious, To Our Children’s Children’s Children pushed the band’s sound as far as it could possibly go. The five of us on this episode think it's their very best creation, and we tried hard to convey why we love this music with all our hearts. We can't fully explain what it means to us in a mere two and a half hours, but we sure tried.

Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, John McFerrin, Chris Willie Williams

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/028-the-moody-blues-to-our-childrens-childrens-children-1969

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're in the home stretch! In this episode: the most 1967 title ever, a shockingly good song by a completely unknown band, one of the coolest song intros ever recorded, and the primordial garage-rock classic we've been training for this whole time.

The Chocolate Watchband - Are You Gonna Be There (At the Love-In)
The Leaves - Too Many People
The Barbarians - Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs - Wooly Bully
The Strangeloves - I Want Candy
The Kingsmen - Louie Louie
The Knickerbockers - One Track Mind

Theme song based on "This Is Pop," written by Andy Partridge, with new lyrics by Adam Smith

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Get jammed by Discord & Rhyme! This week, we spotlight British punk rockers The Jam, specifically their 1979 post-punk opus Setting Sons. John, Rich, Dan, and host Ben unpack Paul Weller's dark subject matter and make the case that it can still result in fun — and even uplifting — music. It doesn't hurt that the band's spare, crackling energy makes even the dourest songs danceable, and that the 20-year-old Weller's worldview — cynical and biting, but somehow still hopeful — transcends the grimy streets of late-1970s England. Join four Yanks (plus one expat in an edifying guest appearance) as we discuss how Paul Weller's message resonates with us — even 40 years later, even Over Here, and even in our decidedly un-punky mid-thirties.

Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Dan Watkins

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/027-the-jam-setting-sons-1979 

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're 75% of the way through Nuggets. This episode includes a lengthy digression into the weirdness of J. Edgar Hoover, more questionable Shadows of Knight lyrics, a funny adolescent take on hallucinogens, and the return of Ted Nugent. Don't forget, you can get early access to these episodes through Patreon!

Unrelated Segments - Story of My Life
The Third Bardo - I'm Five Years Ahead of My Time
We the People - Mirror of Your Mind
The Shadows of Knight - Bad Little Woman
The Music Machine - Double Yellow Line
The Human Expression - Optical Sound
The Amboy Dukes - Journey to the Center of the Mind

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

This week, the Discord and Rhyme crew settle in for a breezy, fast ‘n bulbous chat about one of the most infamously impenetrable albums of the 20th century. Sure, we could have made it easy on ourselves and chosen one of Captain Beefheart’s shorter, more accessible records, but where’s the fun in that? On this episode, Dan guides Mike, Phil, and Rich through Beefheart (and the Magic Band)’s 1969 magnum opus Trout Mask Replica, a double (yes, double) album that, depending on who you ask, is either a hugely influential, groundbreaking masterpiece or completely unlistenable noise. Listen as we discuss the insane story behind how the album was made, list the dozens upon dozens of bands and artists who have scrapped the album’s sound for parts in the decades since, and break down why people who enjoy it aren’t just trying to prove how cool they are.

Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/026-captain-beefheart-and-his-magic-band-trout-mask-replica-1969

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In this episode: the dreaded return of the Sonics, a critique of punctuation in music, food synesthesia, and a learned discussion of balloon farms.

Get early access to bonus episodes at patreon.com/discordpod

The Sonics - Psycho
The Lyrics - So What!!
The Lollipop Shoppe - You Must Be a Witch
The Balloon Farm - A Question of Temperature
Mouse & the Traps - Maid of Sugar - Maid of Spice
The Uniques - You Ain't Tuff
The Standells - Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White
The Mojo Men - She's My Baby

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

It’s Discord & Rhyme’s 25th episode, and we’re celebrating by tackling not one, but two Yes albums (with more in common than they appear to have): The Yes Album from 1971 and Drama from 1980. In this double-length episode, Rich, Phil, and Amanda join forces with Prog John and (making a return appearance) with Washington Post reporter David Weigel, aka Prog Dave, aka The Man Who Wrote The Book On Prog. Yes has one of the craziest histories of any major band from the 1970s onward, marked by a willingness to replace anybody at any time, most notably demonstrated by the time that they responded to the departure of their singer and keyboardist by replacing them with The Buggles, and this episode features a deep dive into the history of Yes and the circumstances that led to one of the least likely lineups ever formed. Join us for a discussion of one of John’s very favorite bands, full of silly sing-alongs, ridiculous listicles of yesteryear, and one of the most scorching hot takes this show will ever produce.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers, Dave Weigel

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/025-feat-dave-weigel-yes-the-yes-album-1971-and-drama-1980

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In this episode: lamenting the decline of local journalism, the second song on the comp titled "Run, Run, Run," John's appreciation of preposterous '60s songs, and Rich comparing songs to movies again.

Get early access to bonus episodes at patreon.com/discordpod

The Music Explosion - Little Bit o' Soul
The "E" Types - Put the Clock Back On the Wall
The Palace Guard - Falling Sugar
The Gestures - Run, Run, Run
The Rationals - I Need You
The Humane Society - Knock, Knock
The Groupies - Primitive

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

SURPRISE!!! We just thought we’d drop in, for an episode that’s truly a Discord & Rhyme party out of bounds. This week, Rich turns his watch back to late ‘70s Athens, GA, where you were either a student, a townie, or one of the artsy deadbeats in between. The B-52s fit into that last category, and the quintet had no artistic inspirations — they just sort of alternated between hanging out and crashing people’s parties, until a fateful encounter with a flaming volcano rum drink birthed the band proper. You most likely know the B-52s from their late ‘80s MTV comeback hits “Love Shack” and “Roam,” but we’re delving into their 1980 sophomore album Wild Planet, which captures every side of the band’s unique vibe, as well as how all five members contributed to their signature sound. And we’ve got a B-52s-sized panel for you: Rich is joined by Amanda, Phil, Ben, and special guest Libby Cudmore, who we hope will make a return visit to Discord & Rhyme’s wild planet.

NOTE: We said some swears and discussed some adult issues, so maybe save this one for when the kids aren't around.

Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, Libby Cudmore

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/024-the-b-52s-wild-planet-1980

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're starting on the second half! In which we get very fussy about punctuation, express our relief that the Golliwogs changed their name, and wonder how the Sir Douglas Quintet didn't get sued for plagiarism. Also, TWO of these songs contain well-known rock stars in disguise!

The Hombres - Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out)
The Golliwogs - Fight Fire
The New Colony Six - At the River's Edge
The Daily Flash - Jack of Diamonds
Lyme & Cybelle - Follow Me
The Choir - It's Cold Outside
The Rare Breed - Beg, Borrow and Steal
The Sir Douglas Quintet - She's About a Mover

Opening music: The Hector Collectors 
https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/
 
Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie 
https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/
https://casinos.bandcamp.com/