the best rock music podcast

Have you ever NOT bought an album based on a poor review?  You’re not the only one!  Would it shock you to learn that the critics likely know less than you about music? 

This episode, we look at how often (supposed) expert critics got it so wrong with some of the best albums of our time.  Victims of such poor efforts include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and The Beatles! 

We also start a new segment we think we’ll call, “The Crazy World of the Rock Gods”, where we look at things rock stars have done that are so absurd, you couldn't possibly make them up! 

Enjoy. 

References: Billy Idol, Keith Moon, James Brown, Rolling Stone, Led Zeppelin, “Abbey Road”, The Beatles, “Something”, George Harrison, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, “Wish You Were Here”, AC/DC, “High Voltage”, “Ram”, Paul McCartney, “Exile on Main St.”, The Rolling Stones, “Low”, David Bowie, “Harvest”, Neil Young, “Blood on the Tracks”, Bob Dylan, “Never Mind the Bοllocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols”, Sex Pistols, “Pretty Vacant”, “Bad”, Michael Jackson, “The Kick Inside”, Kate Bush, The Velvet Underground and Nico


Playlist - Brilliant albums Badly Reviewed

This week, we talk about successful artists who blew it all with dumb decisions.  Youth, fame and amazing amounts of money – what could go wrong? 

Our “Album You Must Hear Before You Die” is the wonderful Aladdin Sane, by David Bowie. The cover artwork, featuring a lightning bolt across his face is one of the best-known images in rock, while the album marks Bowie’s tougher, heavier attempt to conquer America.   

In Rock News, we hear about Gene Simmons, The Eagles, Iron Maiden, Journey, Judas Priest, Kansa, Lynard Skynyrd and ZZ Top, and raise the age-old question, “Why can’t the members of KISS just get along?” 

Enjoy 

References:  David Bowie, “Aladdin Sane”, Ken Scott, The Jean Genie, Globite bag, George Best, MC Hammer, David Crosby, TLC, 50 Cent, Lauryn Hill, Fugees, “Killing Me Softly”, Meat Loaf, “Bat Out of Hell”, Ted Nugent, Billy Joel, Leif Garrett, Willie Nelson, Mick Fleetwood, Harry Nilsson, Michael Jackson, Peter Green, Bill Nighy, Billy Mack, Love Actually, Warren Zevon 

Episode Playlist - Fame is no guarantee against stupidity

Nickelback album ranking

 Nico – one-time member of The Velvet Underground - is an enigma in modern rock music.  

Despite her wide-ranging influence, her music is not for the faint-hearted.  Mick saw Nico at the Sydney Trade Union Club in 1986 and it was a concert unlike any other. She's not for everybody, or even most people, but have a listen, you’ll hear something new and might just broaden your view on the rest of the music you listen to. 

We discuss why we don’t play actual music on our podcast (licensing laws!) and why we put a curated playlist to help you get a feel for what we talk about.  We like to think of our podcast as journalism for your ears! 

Our album "You Must Hear Before You Die” is Too-Rye-Ay by Dexy’s Midnight Runners, featuring the single, “Come On Eileen”, the only single from the album to be a hit.  Adding strings (violin, viola and cello) to the band's existing horn section created a joyous riot of Irish music-influenced pop and soul, with a potent mix of S-E-X! 

Enjoy! 

References:  Martin Mull, TripleJ, APRA, 1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die,  Robert Dimery, Too-Rye-Ay, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Kevin Rowland, Come On Eileen, Van Morrison, Velvet Underground, Songs They Never Play on the Radio, Chelsea Girls, John Cale, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Eno, June 1, 1974, Sydney Trade Union Club, Christa Paffgen, Andy Warhol, The Factory,  Andrew Loog Oldham, I’m Not Saying, Gordon Lightfoot, The Plastic Exploding Inevitable, I’ll Be Your Mirror, All Tomorrow’s Parties, Femme Fatale, Desertshore, The Marble Index, Janitor of Lunacy, Nico, Cale and Lou Reed, Bataclan ‘72, Heroes, Bowie, The Blue Angel, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Morrissey, Iggy Pop, Elliot Smith, Bjork, Peter Hook, Marianne Faithfull 

Books 

You Are Beautiful, and You Are Alone – Jennifer Otter Bickerdike 

UPTIGHT!  The Velvet Underground Story – Victor Bockris (Reed, Cale, Stones) 

 Nico, Songs they never play on the radio - James Young

The Playlist
The Love Boat with Andy Warhol