The Curmudgeon Rock Report

The Curmudgeons
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A loud-mouth retired rock critic and a cranky expat rock obsessive discuss, analyze and just plain old argue about rock ‘n‘ roll: the old stuff, the new stuff and why it all still matters.

  1. FEB 12

    The Saga of Grunge, Part 1 (1985-87)

    In which The Curmudgeons revisit the goofy yet ambitious and thrillingly original dawn of grunge music. Unbeknownst to some, the story of what became the dominant mainstream brand of rock 'n' roll in the 1990s dates back to 1984, back when the Seattle area was cold, rainy, gloomy and also a sleepy outpost that was surprisingly actually skipped by major artists of the time. So what you do you when no one's really watching and there isn't a whole lot to do? You mess around wiht your friends and bond over a love for 1970s classic rock, punk, metal, prog rock and other various forms of guitar-driven rock. And you started bands and shared ideas and worked to one up another in finding a way to meld all you loves into one sonic package. And that's exactly what the innovators of grunge did: found a sweet spot in between the fury of punk on the one hand and the grandeur and theatricality of metal on the other. Here. we discuss the first wave of bands that figuratively--and literally-put grunge on the map. We cover Green River, the Melvins, Soundgarden and more...   Listen to all of this awesome proto grunge from the 1980s by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3IcoNHpnt15muKt4cg8CLy?si=6c1adf065eb44519   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 04:23) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of early grunge   (06:13 - 23:56) - The Parallel Universe, featuring discussions of music of recent vintage from The Men and Cameron Winter   (24:55 - 58:07) - We discuss the origin in story of grunge by providing context about the Pacific Northwest scene in the 1980s. We also analyze great albums from Green River, the Melvins and Sound Garden   (59:02 - 01:18:41) - We analyze a number of great "grunge-adjacent" albums from Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and The Pixies. And we cover the last great volley from Green River before its members went on to found Mudhoney and Pearl Jam in later years.   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com/    Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 20m

  2. JAN 26

    Al Green...A Legacy

    In which the Curmudgeons celebrated the 1970s output of one of soul music's loveliest and most powerful voices. Yes, Al Green could sing his ass off. His falsetto may be one of the most mimicked in all of popular music. But there was a depth to Reverend Al that stops us both in our tracks. His expressions of making up, breaking up, loneliness, fearless masculinity, spiritual vulnerability and pure joy were awe-inspiring. And that was made more so by the incredible production and arrangement work behind him of partner Willie Mitchell and the Hi Records Rhythm Section. From "I'm a Ram" at the beginning of his classic run to "Belle" at its end, when Green penned his break-up with R&B is favor of gospel music, we cover all things Al in the '70s.    Listen to the music of Al Green by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08kzflsz7tjGBbGfTDue9k?si=d76f76f2ceaa4eb3   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:41): Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Al Green   (02:51 - 17:29) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent music from Sleaford Mods and Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band   (18:27 - 48:18) - We discuss Al Green's origins as, at first, a Memphis outsider. Then we cover the first part of his brilliant run of albums in the 1970s, featuring analysis of masterpieces I'm Still In Love With You and Call Me   (49:55 - 01:17:58) - We analyze the latter half of Al Green's storied '70s run, including the oddly titled Al Green Explores Your Mind and his swan song as a mainstream R&B performer, The Belle Album   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Edited with an assist from Descript! web.descript.com/    Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 20m

  3. JAN 7

    Memphis Soul in the 1960s

    In which the Curmudgeons go way back--all the way back to 1960 for starters--to celebrate the sounds, the innovations and the incredible legacy of the musicians--and the labels--that created and performed Memphis's soul music. Stax/Volt, as the production house was known as, originated as a source for a kind of counterprogramming to what Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and others were launching into cultural relevance across town. For Stax/Volt, R&B, blues and soul were the thing man. And they lined up an incredible roster of artists to help them introduce their Memphis swing to the world. Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Albert King, Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave, Booker & the M.G.s, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas soothed, titillated and entertained tremendously all throughout the 1960s. It was glorious run, one we describe and analyze in detail during this episode.    Enjoy the wonderful music of 1960s Memphis by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0TZ5YELmBVZAuv0YVCFgkK?si=cdcbdc35f7eb4e1c   Here's a handy navigation companion for this episode:   (00:52 - 04:00) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of 1960s Memphis soul   (04:02 - 22:10) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent albums from Upchuck and YHWH Nailgun   (23:10 - 01:03:54) - We tell the tragicomic story of Stax/Volt's rise and fall, and celebrate songs and albums by Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, William Bell, the Mar-Keys, Booker T. & the M.G.s and Otis Redding   (01:05:34 - 01:33:41) - We celebrate songs and albums by Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd, Albert King, Johnnie Taylor and Isaac Hayes   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 35m

  4. 12/23/2025

    Presenting...The Best Albums of 2025

    In which The Curmudgeons out-list all of the other lists and show you the way to the REAL best albums that hit shelves in this grand year of 2025. Christopher O'Connor's list leans heavily toward power-pop and indie rock and features Geese's incredible Getting Killed as his number one album of the year. Arturo Andrade's own list veers generally in a weirder, more experimental direction, though he tops his list with the best pure punk album either of us heard this year--Lambrini Girls' Who Let the Does Out. We discuss these albums and other really good to great records from artists such as Wet Leg, Big Thief, Greentea Peng, Benjamin Booker, Mdou Moctar and the Tubs. Dig it!   Access the full Geese and Lambrini Girls albums and choice cuts from our other selections by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/63v34yLnkffxWAvJjs9pTc?si=95092bcf41b94b3b   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 15m

  5. 12/11/2025

    Why Creed Are...Shit!

    In which The Curmudgeons take a gigantic, cathartic dumpola on one of the worst bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s, namely the insufferable post-grunge Christian rock quartet Creed. We'll give the band credit for one thing: They proved there was still a market for grunge well after the luster of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and other bands had faded. But, see, that was the problem. Creed could do an impression or orthodox grunge band, but they did so without the soul, the spirit or the fire or the depth of the real thing. Instead, they served up bland, safe, corny paeans to self-pity and phony sacrifice. And worse, they did it by shallowly and incompletely evoking Christianity. Here was a Christian band with a lead singer who emoted a lot about shame and related subject matter but never got around to actual redemption of sanctification. What a bunch of cynical nonsense! We hold our noses and dive into this steaming pile to meditate on the sheer crappiness of it all.   Check out, if you dare, the music of Creed by accessing our special Spotify playlist. Why the fuss? Here you go: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wCfm2Jd0m624rZuuGkxCC?si=4dc779f8ad384e23   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 04:07) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Creed   (04:14 - 17:23) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Noura Mint Seymali and Die Spitz   (18:23 - 33:59) - Arturo shares the origin story of Creed, while Chris offers a primer of modern Contemporary Christian Music and why Creed fits into its most self-absorbed and misguided wing    (34:40 - 01:07:52) - We marvel at the awfulness to be found in Creed's four-album catalog. Thankfully, they only did four albums.   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 10m

  6. 11/24/2025

    The Parallel Universe All-Stars Present...The Brian Jonestown Massacre!

    In which The Curmudgeons pay homage to one of the most storied--and notorious-indie-rock bands of their era. Starting in 1995, the Brian Jones Massacre unleashed a brand of retro-futuristic trance-rock that expanded the possibilities of the rock idiom. The band, led by enigmatic and perhaps troubled frontman Anton Newcombe, initially dabbled in the shoegazer genre defined by bands like My Bloody Valentine. But The Brian Jonestown Massacre soon embraced 1960s British psychedelia to drive Newcombe's extraordinary gift for finding a song's most meditative center. By the end of the 2000s, the band was exploring European dance music while maintaining that special, incredibly absorbing BJM "thing." We revisit and analyze the band's first 15 years of recorded output in this episode.   Enjoy the best of The Brian Jonestown Massacre's music by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZQ0UA6v4MQZTZJGhWfFPt?si=7c845bee93554ce1    Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:11) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of The Brian Jonestown Massacre   (05:33 - 19:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent albums from Sprints and Geese   (20:20 - 58:43) - We offer thoughts on the complicated nature of Anton Newcombe and analyze The Brian Jonestown Massacre's albums released in the 1990s   (59:43 - 01:26:09) - We analyze BJM's albums released between 2000 and 2010 and explore the band's legacy    Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 29m

  7. 11/06/2025

    In Defense Of...ABBA!

    In which The Curmudgeons take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on ABBA, one of the most endearing pop bands of its era. This Swedish quartet has taken its lumps from critics and snarky scenesters over the years, being labeled cheesy, or inauthentic, or too corny to be taken seriously. We think all of that flak nonsense. We love this band, who lit up the universe with their charming, smile-inducing, dance-up-a-storm hits. ABBA served up something for everyone--empathetic ballads, disco anthems, earnest love songs and way-too-happy-sounding pop nuggets about heartbreak and divorce. We defend them mightily on this episode, and also meditate on their wonderful run of singles over the course of the 1970s.    Enjoy the awesome music of ABBA by accessing our special Spotify playlist" https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4MtuWgQaSSSsunw5nKLDO3?si=68ab2ebe29a847f0   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:53) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for defense of ABBA   (03:07 - 16:48) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music from Julia Mestre and Sam Fender   (16:47 - 43:46) - We snicker at lame, misguided critiques of ABBA and dispel five myths that aim to taint their legacy   (45:10 - 01:28:23) - We explore ABBA's origin story as a sort of Swedish supergroup, and then we analyze a string of extraordinary ABBA singles   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 30m

  8. 10/22/2025

    Fugazi...A Legacy

    In which The Curmudgeons honor one of the fiercest--and most fiercely independent--rock bands of all time. Fugazi erupted from the Washington, D.C., punk scene in the late 1980s.  They fashioned a brand of passionate, politically charged post-hardcore music that deftly weaved two guitars with a dub reggae-inspired rhythm section. Beyond the music, the band was known for an uncompromising vision: the music stayed with the people for good. No major labels. No ticket prices more than ten bucks. No radio singles. No videos. No age restrictions on their audience. Fugazi exerted control, which together with their awesome music, made them thrilling. We meditate on it all during this episode.    Listen to the amazing post-hardcore music of Fugazi by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0GfyH9j01AFa16kkWNVOYD?si=ae72ef3b27914455   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:37) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Fugazi   (09:42 - 22:38) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new music by Greg Freeman and Wednesday   (23:36 - 01:00:53) - We expound on Fugazi's philosophy. discussing their origins and analyze their first two EPs and first three studio albums, including the amazing Repeater   (01:02:11 - 01:29:56) - We analyze Fugazi's final three studio albums and then also contextualize their rock 'n' roll legacy   Join our Curmudgeonly Community today! facebook.com/groups/curmudgeonrock   Hosted on Podbean! curmudgeonrock.podbean.com   Subscribe to our show on these platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5fea16f1-664e-40b7-932e-5fb748cffb1d/the-   Co-produced and co-hosted by The Curmudgeons - Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor

    1h 31m
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A loud-mouth retired rock critic and a cranky expat rock obsessive discuss, analyze and just plain old argue about rock ‘n‘ roll: the old stuff, the new stuff and why it all still matters.

Information

  • Creator
    The Curmudgeons
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    128
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Central Covenant, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Curmudgeon Rock Report