The Album of Record Craig Lyndall

Summary
In this episode, Craig Lyndall and Andrew Schnitkey discuss the greatest American rock bands of all time. They start by talking about Taylor Swift and her impact as a pop phenomenon. They then dive into the question of whether a song like Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' could happen today, given the changes in the music industry and how people consume music. They then move on to the main topic of the episode, ranking the top American rock bands. They discuss bands like Rage Against the Machine, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Aerosmith, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM, and Foo Fighters. In this conversation, Craig and his guest discuss the top American rock bands. They cover bands like Foo Fighters, Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, and Pearl Jam. They discuss the peak, longevity, and cultural impact of each band, sharing personal preferences and experiences. They also mention the omission of Green Day and acknowledge that there may be other bands that should have been included.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Taylor Swift
09:50 Ranking the Greatest American Rock Bands
23:25 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
26:45 Aerosmith
29:09 Prince
32:47 Red Hot Chili Peppers
38:52 REM
43:33 Foo Fighters
44:03 Foo Fighters: Consistently Good or Nebulous Mesh?
47:46 The Beach Boys: More Than Surf Songs
52:00 Bruce Springsteen: The Coolest September 23 Birthday
56:26 Nine Inch Nails: Iconic Imagery and Cultural Impact
01:00:16 Nirvana: The Explosive Impact of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'
01:06:49 Guns N' Roses: The Most Dangerous Band in the World
01:12:04 Metallica: The Last Great Rock Band
01:20:46 Green Day: The Omission That Should Have Been Included

In this conversation, Craig Lyndall and Andrew Schnitkey discuss Pearl Jam, 'Dark Matter,' a week later, as well as the latest release from Cloud Nothings, Final Summer. They reflect on their initial reactions to 'Dark Matter' and how their enthusiasm for the album has grown. They also discuss the album reviews, including a mixed review from Pitchfork. The conversation then shifts to Cloud Nothings and their history as a band. They discuss the evolution of their sound and the impact of their album 'Attack on Memory.' Cloud Nothings is a band that has evolved and experimented with their sound over the years. They have released several albums, each with its own unique style and energy. From their self-titled album to Attack on Memory, they showcased their edginess and catchy vocal melodies. Life Without Sound marked a shift towards a more melodic sound, while Last Building Burning brought back their aggressive rock sound. Their latest album, Final Summer, blends elements from their previous albums and delivers a consistent and enjoyable listening experience. Cloud Nothings' ability to consistently produce great albums is a testament to their talent and dedication as a band.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties Last Episode
14:01 Reviewing the Reviews: Pitchfork and 'Dark Matter'
35:26 The Importance of Listening to New Music
42:28 Exploring Cloud Nothings' Discography
49:12 The Consistency of Cloud Nothings' Albums

In this episode, Andrew and Craig dive into Pearl Jam's latest release, "Dark Matter," offering track-by-track insights. They kick off with a look at the band's collaboration with Andrew Watt, noting how it ignited a creative resurgence and influenced the album’s production, especially the nuanced use of compression.
They start by examining the album's fresh direction and its deviation from Pearl Jam's traditional sound. Special attention is given to tracks 'Scared of Fear' and 'React Respond,' sparking a lively debate over their contributions to the album's narrative. The song 'Wreckage' is then singled out for its emotional depth, earning high praise as a standout piece in Pearl Jam’s recent discography.
The hosts share their affection for 'Wreckage' and dissect 'Dark Matter,' the track, for its intense homage to the band’s rock roots. 'Won't Tell' stirs a split verdict due to its chorus, with discussions also covering 'Upper Hand’s' nod to rock legends through its compelling guitar work. Additionally, the episode highlights the album's drumming excellence and the impactful vocals on 'Waiting for Stevie,' culminating in its anthemic close.
Overall, "Dark Matter" is portrayed as a pivotal Pearl Jam album that showcases Eddie Vedder's iconic vocals and the band's evolved songwriting prowess. Featuring gems like 'Wreckage,' 'Waiting for Stevie,' and 'Setting Sun,' the album marks a significant point in the band's journey, blending their signature rock sound with a newfound vibrancy. Essential listening for fans, "Dark Matter" promises to leave a lasting impression with its memorable tracks.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overall Album Review
12:19 Chapter 1: Pearl Jam's New Album: A Departure and a Creative Spark
31:53 The Emotional Impact of 'Wreckage'
41:28 Mixed Opinions on 'Won't Tell'
53:37 Exceptional Drumming on the Album
01:00:02 The Triumphant Finish of 'Waiting for Stevie'
01:14:39 The great ending with 'Setting Sun'
01:27:46 A culmination of something long-awaited and believed

Dive into the rich history of MTV Unplugged with Craig Lyndall and Andrew Schnitkey in this deep-dive episode. From the series' beginnings with icons like Eric Clapton to the emotionally charged performance by Alice in Chains, explore how Unplugged shaped musical legacies and offered fans an intimate glimpse into the souls of their favorite artists. Featuring discussions on Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and a special look at the influence of the series on the music world. Join us for a nostalgic journey through some of the most memorable acoustic sets in MTV's history.
Chapters with Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction & Overview of MTV Unplugged's Impact
1:14 - Thursday's Surprising Comeback after 13 Years
5:22 - The Genesis of MTV Unplugged in 1989
6:20 - Eric Clapton's Unplugged Success and Its Influence
8:43 - Mariah Carey and the Pop Influence on Unplugged
9:54 - The Grunge Era: Nirvana and Pearl Jam's Iconic Sets
14:34 - The Unique Case of Alice in Chains' 1996 Performance
19:32 - The Emotional Depth of Layne Staley's Final Years
24:19 - Remembering Other Notable Unplugged Performances (Alanis Morissette, The Eagles, etc.)
29:02 - The Lasting Legacy of MTV Unplugged and Its Influence on Modern Music
34:58 - Conclusion & Final Thoughts on MTV Unplugged's Cultural Significance

Summary
In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss their favorite albums from the first quarter of 2024. They cover a range of genres, including punk, hardcore, and black gaze. The albums discussed include Pissed Jeans' 'Half Divorced,' Glitterer's 'Rationale,' Cosmic Joke's self-titled album, and Infant Island's 'Obsidian Wreath.' Each album is praised for its unique sound and songwriting, with particular attention given to the craftsmanship and cohesion of the records. Overall, the hosts express their excitement for the new music released in 2024 and look forward to discovering more throughout the year. In this episode, Craig and Andrew discuss several albums released in the first quarter of the year. They start by talking about Mannequin Pussy's album and the freedom artists have in choosing provocative names in the digital age. They then discuss Waxahatchee's latest record and its solid songwriting. Next, they dive into Stay Inside's album, which features soundscapes and layers of instrumentation. Finally, they explore Meatbodies' album, which combines influences from the 90s and 70s to create a unique sound. They end the episode by sharing their anticipation for upcoming releases in the second quarter of the year.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Baseball Opening Day
02:00 Introduction to New Music in 2024
03:21 Reviewing the First Quarter of 2024
09:28 Pissed Jeans - Half Divorced
14:48 Glitterer - Rationale
24:16 Infant Island - Obsidian Wreath
31:34 Mannequin Pussy and Waxahatchee
40:29 Stay Inside
45:43 Meatbodies
59:01 Looking Forward to Quarter Two