The Great Albums

Latest Episodes:

Neko Case - Blacklisted (w/ guest Jim Laczkowski) Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

Bill is joined by musician and podcaster Jim Laczkowski (nowplayingjim.com) to discuss Neko Case's Blacklisted (2002, Bloodshot/ANTI-). This week's sponsors: For Hims and ZipRecruiter!

Robert Palmer - Clues (w/ guest Jeff Fiedler) Jun 04, 2018

Show notes

Musician, blogger, and label head Jeff Fiedler joins Bill and Brian to discuss Robert Palmer's Clues (1980, Island).

The Walkmen - Heaven (w/ guest Chris Fox) May 28, 2018

Show notes

Bill and Brian are joined by musician Chris Fox (rubybonesband.com) to talk about the Walkmen's Heaven (2012, Fat Possum Records)!

Paul McCartney & Wings - Band on the Run May 21, 2018

Show notes

Bill and Brian discuss Paul McCartney & Wing's Band on the Run (1973, Apple). Brian talks about listening to this album while driving around the American Southwest. Then we get into the criticisms of this album (that we disagree with), the band recording in Nigeria, Linda McCartney's musicianship, Denny Laine's contributions, Tony Visconti's arrangements, Macca's craftsmanship and our own songwriting, and more as we make our way through the album track by track!

Liner Notes - Mail Bag May 18, 2018

Show notes

Bill and Brian open their hearts and open the mail bag and read some emails from our fine listeners.

High Fives - Top 5 Songs Sung by the Other Person May 14, 2018

Show notes

Bill and Brian have a little fun by resurrecting the format of Bill's old podcast, High Fives, and count down their top 5 songs sung by the other person in the band. We make sure to not repeat any past songs already covered on the show (no "39" by Queen, no Dan Bejar, no Ringo, etc.), but we think we've got some pretty good tunes featured in their stead. Check it out!

Aerosmith (w/ guest Jim McGee) May 07, 2018

Show notes

One of Bill and Brian's favorite musicians and storytellers Jim McGee returns to the podcast to take us on a journey through 10(-ish) great songs from one of his favorite bands, Aerosmith. We start at the beginning with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry writing songs on a water bed, make our way through the drug fueled 70s and their initial success into Perry and Brad Whitford's leaving the band, and then back in the saddle. Jim talks about his inability to play like Joe Perry, showcases his vocal skills as a Steven Tyler sound-alike, and shares the story about how he had to buy Just Push Play 3 times. That and more as Jim shares his favorite Aerosmith songs! This week's sponsor: ZipRecruiter!

The Posies - Frosting on the Beater (w/ guest Tom Losito) Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

Bill and Brian are joined by musician Tom Losito (www.thevaughns.info) to discuss the Posies' Frosting on the Beater (1993, DGC). Tom tells the gents about discovering the band via a LastFM deep dive. Then Bill, Brian, and Tom discuss what "power pop" means to Tom, the Posies' lack of a signature sound and evolution through the years, Jon Auer's cool guitar tones, Ken Stringfellow's pop sensibility, the band's signature harmonies, Mike Musburger's killer drums, and more as we make our way through the album track by track! This week's sponsor is the very lovely Blind Tiger Record Club. Check'em out!

Big Star - Radio City (w/ guest Jack Linden) Apr 23, 2018

Show notes

Musician Jack Linden (Rose Boulevard, Karma Gambit) joins Bill and Brian to discuss Big Star's second album Radio City (1974, Ardent). Jack talks about his "power pop" phase and how influential this sound has been on him as he starts his new project, Karma Gambit.Then Bill, Brian, and Jack discuss the absence of Chris Bell and that influence on Alex Chilton and the band, Andy Hummel's songwriting chops, Jody Stephen's underrated drum skills, and much more as we make our way through the album track by track! And support this week's sponsor: Blind Tiger Record Club!

Paul Simon - Graceland (w/ guest Jesse Jackson) Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

Podcaster Jesse Jackson (Set Lusting Bruce, Next Stop Everywhere) joins Bill and Brian to discuss Paul Simon's Graceland (1986, Warner Bros.). Bill, Brian, and Jesse talk about the world-spanning influences on the music like zydeco, isicathamiya, and mbaqanga, the political difficulties and possible faux pas Simon faced with apartheid South Africa, Ray Phiri's take on that and his great guitar riffs, that bass fill Bakithi Kumalo knocked out of the park, the King of the Bayou Clifton Chenier, maybe a few name drops for the Boss himself, and much more as we make our way through the album track by track! And, of course, check out this week's sponsor: Blind Tiger Record Club!

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