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. 3d ago

    1991...The Year in Music (Up To Nirvana's Breakthrough

    In which The Curmudgeons revisit the most popular and epic music from most of the year they both turned 16 years of age. Why most? Because on September 24,1991, a whole hell of a lot changed. That was the day Nirvana's Nevermind hit record-store shelves (remember those?). Before then, the world was inundated with diva pop from Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul, the embers of pop metal from the Scorpions, Skid Row and Guns N' Roses, a ton of mostly awful R&B slow jams, novelty hits from folks like Gerardo and MC Hammer and some actually great stuff from R.E.M., Gang Starr, My Bloody Valentine, Metallica, INXS, Londonbeat and others. We put our track shoes on in this episode to brave the rapids of these decidedly mixed and non-zeitgeist-ish first nine months of 1991...covering nearly 100 songs! Enjoy the ride...    Listen to all of this great (and not so great music) from 1991 by access our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3EdH6x0Uy5phuXOadoe2z1?si=7fa8ae32186c4562   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:05) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of the pre-Nirvana months of 1991   (04:04 - 22:29) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Mildred and Vince Staples   (23:27 - 01:31:19) - We rumble through songs that were either big or notable between January and May of 1991. Some names some of you may remember: Keith Sweat, Cath Dennis, Wilson Phillips, C+C Music Factory, Extreme, Color Me Badd, Roxette and Massive Attack.   (01:32:25 - 02:33:57) - We sprint through a whole bunch of other songs, this time focusing on June to September 1991. Other names you might remember: Seal, Big Audio Dynamite, EMF, Right Said Fred, Naughty By Nature and The Cult   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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  2. Jul 7

    The Parallel Universe All-Stars Present...Kurt Vile!

    In which The Curmudgeons share their reverence for one of modern indie rock's most singular and iconoclastic talents. Kurt Vile has worked hard from his native Philadelphia for nearly 20 years now to build for himself an idiosyncratic, shamanistic style that melds folk, psychedelic, classic rock and pure pop into something wholly his own. As Curmudgeon Arturo Andrade puts it, "Imagine Lou Reed and Tom Petty having a bastard child who smokes pot with Pavement and Dinosaur Jr., and the weed is provided by the Meat Puppets. Yeah, his shit is that good." Yet for as wacky as Vile may seem, he's a craftsman and a brilliant shaper of ideas and moods. And, hey, his name is actually Kurt Vile. So perhaps he was truly born to be great. Listen as we analyze Vile's work and, most especially, his vibe.   Listen to the music of Kurt Vile by accessing our special Spotify playlist:   https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6tvHBRaA2dgN7fZW1x5wU8?si=cf1a4d4ea7d44412   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 02:15) - Arturo Andrade sets the paramaters for our discussion on the music of Kurt Vile   (03:20 - 15:18) - We offer initial thoughts about what we think makes Kurt Vile so special and then offer up his origin story as a blue-collar guy working his tail off to get his music career and find his voice.     (16:16 - 32:18) - We analyze Vile's first three proper albums: Childish Prodigy, Smoke Ring For My Halo and Wakin' On a Pretty Daze.   (33:22 - 01:03:00) - We diver just as deep into the rest of Kurt Vile's catalog of albums, including 2026's urgent ode to gratitude and contentment, Philadelphia's Been Good to Me.    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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  3. Jun 23

    The Saga of Grunge Part 4 (1990)

    In which The Curmudgeons revisit the year before grunge exploded into the mainstream. And 1990 was indeed a really important year for the development of our beloved genre. Mother Love Bone was on the cusp of hitting it big until frontman Andrew Wood, a beloved figures in the Seattle scene, died of a heroin overdose. The band's album Apple, in the can but not yet released, was effectively tanked by its record label, robbing Wood of a posthumous star turn. But another enigmatic blonde guy started preparing for his own star turn in 1990, as Nirvana released a titanic single that signaled its pivot from sludgier sonics to a more commercial, song-driven approach. Another essential grunge band, Alice in Chains, also had its first leap toward superstardom in 1990 with the release of their downbeat glam metal juggernaut Facelift. By the end of this important year, the veritable stage was set for rock's last truly special phenomeon to become huge.      Enjoy the fantastic grunge and grunge-adjacent music of 1990 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2wAlMYcAn38MwZKXMHoEto?si=57fc9f65e9184ad4   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.    (00:52 - 2:57) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for ourdiscussion of the grunge rock of 1990   (03:53 - 17:10) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Genesis Owusu and Twisted Teens   (18:09 - 48:30) - Arturo laments the effect of heroin on the story of grunge. We then analyze 1990 grunge releases from Nirvana, Tad, Alice in Chains and Mother Love Bone   (49:31 - 01:09:05) - We analyze grunge-adjacent 1990 albums from L7, The Afghan Whigs, The Breeders and Sonic Youth    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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  4. Jun 3

    Kendrick Lamar - The Last Hip-Hop Genius Standing

    In which The Curmudgeons express deep appreciation for how Kendrick Lamar both honors and respects hip-hop as an artform and continues to move it forward--even as the rest of modern hip-hop stagnates, suffers and embarrasses. We cover the span of his entire career and analyze each of his official album releases musically and artistically. This includes discussion two absolutely staggering achievements in Good Kid, m.a.a.d City and To Pimp a Butterfly and a total of five albums built around a central literary theme. And, of course, we recall thoroughly Kendrick kicked Drake's rear end in their storied musical battle from 2024.   Check out the extraordinary musical output of Kendrick Lamar (including To Pimp a Butterfly in its entirety) by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Wu3GrqmxcJaiflYLjTga7?si=720b42881a0e49bc     Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - -03:52) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Kendrick Lamar   (04:21 - 15:39) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Kneecap and Weird Nightmare   (16:38 - 50:43) - First, Christopher O'Connor offers a not-so-great state of the union of today's hip-hop. Then we recall the origin story of how Kendrick Lamar established his career. Then we start discussing his albums, including Good Kid, m.a.a.d. City.   (51:49 - 01:46) - We discuss the rest of Kendrick Lamar's catalog, including To Pimp a Butterfly. We also revisit what Chris had to say about the Kendrick-Drake beef right as it was about to end two years ago--and then tell the rest of the story.   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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  5. Jun 2

    Fela Kuti...A Legacy

    In which the Curmudgeons express awe and amazement over the musical innovation and rebellious spirit of one Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti. Already an established jazz-fusion bandleader in his native Nigeria, a nearly year long stay in Los Angeles in 1969 exposed Kuti to the thrilling sounds of that era's soul and funk music and to the rage and purpose behind the politics of Black empowerment. Kuti returned home reinvigorated and over the course of the 1970s, he proceeded to fashion what we now call Afrobeat, writing and performing marathon-length compositions that spliced funk, R&B, jazz and Afro-Cuban music with the polyrhythmic Yoruba beats of his homeland. Kuti thrusted rousing horn punches, electric-piano sensuality and especially lush and glorious saxophone solos into the world's consciousness. And he became more furious and more targeted in his criticisms of African colonialism, imperialism and governmental corruption--to the point the Nigerian government burned down his commune and, later, imprisoned him on trumped-up charges. Kuti's resultant suffering and defiance through it all became a rallying cry for justice among the Western world, helping him transcend his status as a musical visionary into something entirely more heroic. We explore the best of Fela Kuti's music and meditate on his lasting influence during this episode.    Enjoy the music of Fela Kuti by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7jmPzVgNCI1252H9b19UhJ?si=3fcbe59f198346bb   Here is a handy navigational companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 03:37) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Fela Kuti   (04:11 - 14:21) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of new albums from Brother Wallace and Touch Girl Apple Blossom (and an amusing recitation mishap by Christopher O'Connor)   (15:20 - 49:18) - We discuss the musical and cultural legacy of Fela Kuti right up front. We also tell his origin story. And we begin an analysis of his best songs, starting with the nastily funky "Roforofo Fight."    (50:27 - 01:07:37) - We analyze more of Fela Kuti's best songs, including the James Brown-inspired vamp-up "Zombie" and the amazingly intense 24-minute classic "I.T.T. (International Thief Thief)"       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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  6. May 7

    The Saga of Grunge Part 3 (1989)

    In which the Curmudgeons meditate on the year in which grunge as a movement officially entered the universal rock consciousness. The Seattle rock scene in the mid-to-late 1980s was defined by a bunch of smart, ambitious wiseasses who were in a virtual competition with one another to find the truest sweet spot between punk and metal. However, it was not until the band Mudhoney found an enthusiastic and adoring fanbase in the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1989 that the rest of the world started to take notice. An inquisitive and diligent writer named Everett True, with help of storied Seattle record company Sub Pop, traveled to Seattle and cranked out an authoritative, lovingly crafted primer on grunge for the magazine Melody Maker that triggered a wave of buzz and set in motion the commercial forces that made grunge a cultural phenomenon two-plus years later. And True's timing was impeccable: Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone, Screaming Trees, Tad and this one "little brother" band named Nirvana all released exciting music in 1989. We cover that grungy waterfront during this episode.    Enjoy the awesome grunge music of 1989 by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7AKkKOtc1I4lCIcF6kp7Oz?si=c5dd28c7c3b940ed   Here's a handy navigation companion to this episode:   (00:52 - 03:43) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of grunge in 1989   (04:19 - 22:43) - The Parallel Universe, in which we review recent albums from Lime Garden and Los Thuthanaka   (23:42 - 52:19) - We tell the story of how Everett True helped put grunge on the global map. We also analyze 1989 albums from Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone and Screaming Trees.   (53:46 - 01:11:39) - WE discuss 1989 albums from Tad and Nirvana as well as "grunge-adjacent" albums from The Jesus Lizard and The Pixies   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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  7. Apr 22

    Van Morrison 1968-74...A Legacy

    In which the Curmudgeons revisit and marvel over one of the most amazing streaks a performer has ever had in the long history of this thing we love called rock 'n' roll. Belfast native Van Morrison enjoyed chart success early on in the mid-1960s with the hits "Gloria" and "Brown Eyed Girl" but then fell back into obscurity for a couple years before re-emerging with a mixture of bravado, introspection and poet's soul to embark on an extraordinary six-plus-year streak of artistic and eventually commercial mastery. He dropped one of the greatest albums of all time, the heavenly folk-jazz meditation Astral Weeks, in 1968. When the album bombed commercially, Morrison pivoted and spent the next several years blessing the world with a startling yet often rapturous brand of "blue-eyed" soul music that captured the world's imagination and propelled him to superstardom. We cover this whole period of Morrison's in detail--and with tremendous excitement.   Enjoy the music of Van Morrison by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5RE1t7yvh12UfRvmOam12W?si=30961af58cfc4a29   Here's handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 03:46) - Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Van Morrison   (04:42 - 26:03) - The Parallell Universe, in which we review new albums from Courtney Barnett and Angine de Poitrine   (27:02 - 57:23) - We tell Morrison's origin story and them explore his albums Astral Weeks, Moondance, His Band and the Street Choir and Tupelo Honey   (58:31 - 01:24:28) - We discuss the Morrison albums Saint Dominic's Preview, Hard Nose the Highway, ...It's Too Late to Stop Now...Vol. 1 and Veedon Fleece. We also contemplate Morrison's artistic legacy.   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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

  8. Apr 8

    Why Greta Van Fleet Is...Shit!!

    In which The Curmudgeons explore the work of the worst rock band of the 21st Century...so you don't have to do all the work yourself! Seriously, this is a public service we're doing here. Greta Van Fleet is a quartet from a small town in Michigan that did an admittedly great job of studying the style, technique and sound of the mighty Led Zeppelin. But then they mistook that for creative juice and served up a bunch of boring, comically vapid imitations of their heroes. When critics called them out on their uninspired mimicry, they tried their best to style themselves as a more prog-rock-leaning metal band...and became even more boring and vapid in the process. This prompts us here to ponder: Who the hell are the people that like this band and helped propel them to stardom and success?    We dare you to listen to, we guess, the best of Greta Van FLeet's music by accessing our special Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6ACdCuo9YcuAFKb8BDZcgF?si=a9f76057b3bc4b99   Here's handy navigation companion to this episode.   (00:52 - 03:43): Arturo Andrade sets the parameters for our discussion of Greta Van Fleet   (05:27-15:51) - The Parallel Universe, featuring reviews of recent music from Automatic and Grace Ives   (16:49 - 31:17) - We tell the origin story of Greta Van Fleet and marvel at the awfulness of their debut EP From the Fires, which won a Grammy for Best New Rock Album. Related: We trash the history of this particular Grammy.   (32:31 - 49:16) - We analyze Greta Van Fleet's three full-length studio albums, which grow worse and then worser as we reach them   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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curmudgeon-rock-report/id1551808911   https://open.spotify.com/show/4q7bHKIROH98o0vJbXLamB?si=5ffbdc04d6d44ecb   Co-written and co-produced by Arturo Andrade and Christopher O'Connor - The Curmudgeons

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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
    139
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Central Covenant, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Curmudgeon Rock Report

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