Sad Dad Radio Hour

Latest Episodes:

Episode 31: Sun Kil Moon's Benji Aug 09, 2019

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In the latest episode, the Dads discuss what could easily be argued as the best album of 2014 with Sun Kil Moon’s Benji. Frontman Mark Kozelek is no stranger to the indie rock scene due to his years with the Red House Painters, solo material, side projects, and cover albums (we’re looking at you Tiny Cities). Yet, despite the success of his previous works, Benji was an important milestone which relaunched Mark’s career in the public eye. The album serves as a continuation of his first foray into stream-of-conscious lyrics that were heavily featured on his previous album--Among the Leaves. On this album in particular, Mark returns to his Ohio roots and explores his fragile family tree. It’s an album filled with death and despair, as Mark reflects upon the recent passing of his second cousin, Clarissa, and the history of his hometown.

Episode 30: Wolf Parade's Apologies to the Queen Mary Jul 04, 2019

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Today, the guys are "shining a light" on one of critics' favorite indie rock albums to come out of the early aughts with Wolf Parade’s studio debut-- Apologies to the Queen Mary. Released in 2005 on Sub-Pop records, and produced by none other than Modest Mouse’s own Isaac Brock--the Victoria, B.C. band crafts a sonic ruckus that summons a fusion of indie pop and prog. rock. In fact, in the words of Sub-Pop’s own press release, they make “music that sounded like burnt toast, or like two pinball machines in a slow motion bareback horserace." So, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Episode 29: Everclear's So Much For The Afterglow Jun 21, 2019

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In the tenth episode of season two, the Duke Boys are at it again as they break down Everclear's So Much For the Afterglow. Released in 1997, the Portland based act, headed by Art Alexakis, was trying to prove that they were no one hit wonder after their previous album-- Sparkle and Fade. Briefly produced by Jim Rondinelli (Weezer's Pinkerton and Wilco's Being There) who was quickly replaced, and after having the original draft of the album deem "half baked" by the label, the band returned to the studio and crafted their most successful album to date. The rest, as we say, is history.

Episode 28: Galaxie 500's On Fire Jun 07, 2019

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In the ninth episode of season two, the guys discuss Galaxie 500's 1989 record-- On Fire. The Harvard indie rock band released this project just one year after their 1988 debut, “Today” (which Thurston Moore dubbed "the guitar record of 1988"). With the help of their producer, Kramer, this album in particular double downs on dazed and dreamyness of their first album with great results despite the interpersonal drama that always haunted the band. In fact, if you didn't know, Pitchfork ranked it as the 6th best album of the 1980s. Needless to say, it’s an album with a great history. So sit back, and relax.

Episode 27: Songs: Ohia's The Lioness May 17, 2019

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In episode eight of the second season, the Sad Dad Radio Hour discusses the tragic history of Jason Molina with Songs: Ohia’s “The Lioness”. Originally released on Secretly Canadian back in 2000, Molina’s voice delivers a powerful sermon over love and work. In addition, on this particular project, Jason’s unique delivery is bolstered by relatively sparse instrumentation provided by the members of Arab Strap. Needless to say, the albums is powerful, haunting, and unique as the man that made it.

Episode 26: Bright Eyes' I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning Apr 19, 2019

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In the seventh episode of the second season, the guys tackle one of the best albums to come out within the past twenty years with Bright Eye’s 2005 release— I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning. It’s an album that begs to be heard again and again, as Conor Oberst and Company deliver an intimate and introspective take as they explore the struggle of what it means to be human in this beautiful, terrible world that we all find ourselves surrounded by. As Andy Dufraine says in Shawshank Redemption, “there are places in this world that aren't made out of stone. That there's something inside... that they can't get to, that they can't touch. That's yours.” Clearly, this is one of those albums.

Episode 25: The Mountain Goats's Tallahassee Apr 05, 2019

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The guys are back with their latest release over John Darnielle and The Mountain Goats’ first studio album, Tallahassee. To jump right in, this is a concept album over a couple’s doomed relationship. In fact, the main artist behind the Mountain Goats, John, at one point would say, “The album was about these characters I’d dreamed up a long time ago; their broader story involved an alcohol-soaked trek from California through Nevada and then bottom-crawling across the country until they wound up in northern Florida”. Seriously, album pulls no punches. I mean, after all this album takes place in Tallahassee, and if inland Florida doesn't scream depressing, we don’t know what does.

Episode 24: Waxahatchee's Cerulean Salt Mar 15, 2019

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In the fifth episode of season two, the guys cover Waxahatchee’s 2013 sophomore record-- Cerulean Salt. The album is a stripped back and emotionally exposed indie rock record that was one of the first and finest examples of the indie boom happening in Philadelphia during the 2010’s. Building on her evocative lofi debut, American Weekend, Katie Crutchfield delivered a record that contained all of the emotional gravitas of the previous album, but encapsulates it in a more mature and sophisticated look at how relationships with family, friends, and significant others change as we age.

Episode 23: Wilco's Summerteeth Mar 01, 2019

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In the fourth episode of season two, the guys talk about Sad Dad Legends-- Wilco. Headed by frontman, Jeff Tweedy, Summerteeth is their third studio album(not counting a Woody Guthrie tribute of sorts with Billy Bragg). It's the first album where the band’s alt-country tentacles begin reaching towards an expanding psychedelic direction. It’s a mixture of dark lyricism and eclectic instrumentation which was fueled by American Spirits, Diet Coke, and opioids. Its very sad… and it’s very dad. So join us on another hour long adventure as we talk about what Jeff Tweedy describes as the “hyper-sexual nature of Wilco’s music”.

Episode 22: blink 182's Enema of the State Feb 15, 2019

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In the third episode of season two, the guys talk about blink 182's third studio album-- Enema of the State. Released in 1999, the project is a soufflé of California Pop-Punk scene of the time. Layered over power chords and palm muting the band’s lyrics combined sincere feelings with sophomoric humor. And while now it might seem like baby’s first pop punk album, each song is a expression of desperation and anxiety, as our hormonal heros fumble their way through life.

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