Spin It! The Record Ranking Podcast

James & Connor
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

The Record Ranking Podcast for people who would rather be listening to music. Each week James and Connor give their spin on a popular album. James has listened to each one dozens of times, but Connor's only heard them once. Come check out our unprofessional insights and learn a little more about the music you love from every genre, artist, and era! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Sep 25

    Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 266

    The sun is shining in the sky, there ain't a cloud in sight, and we're spending this beautiful new day with Out Of The Blue, the sweeping, shimmering double-LP by Electric Light Orchestra! In their attempt to bring light orchestra arrangements to the rock music world as a spiritual successor to The Beatles, the record features a diverse array of instruments and effects on big hits like Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin' Woman, and the infamous Mr. Blue Sky! It's also one of the first prominent musical appearances of the vocoder. Find out if Jeff Lynne, Bev Bevan, and company can harness harmony, brass, and strings to win us over. James & Connor talk about our own limited ELO experience, discover the difference between ELO 2 and ELO Part II, and clap our hands (if we're happy and we know it). We find out how the band dominated the live touring circuit with their special effects and million-dollar UFO, and The Mixtaper has explosive facts about fruity cello solos, pigs, and the longest bathroom break in rock history (if we can Believe Him Now). From its rhythmic opening to the Concerto for a Rainy Day and beyond, learn all about ELO with us! What do YOU hear at the end of Mr. Blue Sky? Did you know what OK stood for? What songs would be your most under- and appropriately-rated? Let us know in the comments and on socials, and be sure to like and follow for more next time! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 4:59 About Electric Light Orchestra 11:47 About Out Of The Blue 16:08 The ELO Spaceship Stage 22:16 Awards & Accolades 22:56 Fact Or Spin 24:01 ELO Had An Alien Encounter 29:03 Knock Knock... An Orange Cello Solo 34:25 They're The Least Dangerous Rock Band In Britain 38:29 Emergency Pig Cellists 41:34 Bev Bevan Temporarily Joined Another Band 43:22 The Longest Bathroom Break In Rock History 47:20 Album Art 48:14 Turn To Stone 50:52 It's Over 52:21 Sweet Talkin' Woman 54:13 Across The Border 55:46 Night In The City 56:34 Starlight 58:02 Jungle 59:12 Believe Me Now 59:22 Steppin' Out 1:00:32 Standin' In The Rain (Concerto For A Rainy Day) 1:02:02 Big Wheels 1:02:34 Summer And Lightning 1:03:22 Mr. Blue Sky 1:06:26 Sweet Is The Night 1:07:43 The Whale 1:09:07 Birmingham Blues 1:10:12 Wild West Hero 1:12:26 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 266

  2. Sep 11

    Hit Me Hard And Soft - Billie Eilish | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 265

    We want you to stay, and this week we're all Bittersuite and Blue with Billie Eilish's monumental 2024 album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT! After Ocean Eyes took the whisper-pop world by storm, and after setting various "youngest artist ever to..." records, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas crafted a rollercoaster of an album that features Grammy-winning hits like Wildflower and the nostalgic Birds Of A Feather! Will this album change preconceptions and win over our hesitant ballad guy?? James and Connor discuss our typical music ecosystems and emo-pop sensibilities, learn about the origin of her middle name(s), and figure out how many Phinneases we know. We'll cross paths with major hits like What Was I Made For?, get Spirited Away into Ghibli movies, and more! Our resident Bad Guy, The Mixtaper, is back with facts about llama dimensions, celebrity misconceptions, and Michael Scott for Fact Or Spin. Then, we'll explore the record end to end-- and maybe we could eat it for Lunch. What would you change your middle name to if the options were unlimited? Where does this roller coaster record corkscrew for you? And can you think of any other Phineai we forgot to mention?! Let us know in the comments and on socials! Like and follow for more music soon! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 3:40 About Billie Eilish 19:02 About Hit Me Hard And Soft 26:44 Awards & Accolades 28:04 Fact Or Spin 29:20 Maurice The Executive Producer 33:57 She Was Baffled By Bono 37:07 She Thought The Spice Girls Were Not Real People 40:59 She Had To Fulfill A Special Request For My Strange Addiction 44:47 Album Art 47:14 Skinny 52:01 Lunch 55:54 Chihiro 58:25 Birds Of A Feather 1:01:48 Wildflower 1:03:53 The Greatest 1:06:31 L'amour De Ma Vie 1:09:46 The Diner 1:12:05 Bittersuite 1:13:53 Blue 1:16:06 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hit Me Hard And Soft - Billie Eilish | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 265

  3. Aug 28

    Darlin' Oh Darlin' - The Hunts | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 264

    Darlin', we'll take care of you Along The Way with the audience-recommended album Darlin' Oh Darlin', by contemporary folk family The Hunts! These seven Virginia siblings got their start playing the fiddle in a family band (Von Trapp style), and evolved into an atmospheric, instrumentally-diverse powerhouse of love songs written by committee. Tracks like the half-title track and Peace Be Still turned into significant hits for the group! Find out how this band (new to both of us) fares in our respective rankings! James & Connor learn about the family's rich history, from touring to engineering degrees. We'll talk about the merits and evolution of "stomp clap hey" music in the early 20-teens, discover the Victorian home studio the band used for the record, and their breakthrough placement on Starbucks' nationwide playlist. Heaven Knows what The Mixtaper has in store, with royal facts about the Queen, the Hunts Parliament, and a good old-fashioned county fair salmon toss. You've got to hear it to believe it! Be honest, how far do you think you could throw the salmon?? Are we just overconfident? Are there enough Darlin's on this album? Too many? Let us know in the comments and on social media! Be sure to follow for more riveting shutter insights next time! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 2:10 About The Hunts 9:03 About Darlin' Oh Darlin' 12:49 Awards & Accolades 13:10 Fact Or Spin 14:46 A Riverdance For The Queen 19:40 By Royal Decree: Cheese And Crackers 27:48 The House Of Hunt 31:00 The Wimbledon Salmon-Tossing Win 41:05 Album Art 42:42 Darlin' 47:43 Along The Way 49:27 Peace Be Still 51:02 Heaven Knows 52:18 Travel 54:01 Far 55:04 Love Of Mine 56:14 Standing Small 56:55 Flowers And Jars 58:09 Years 58:39 Oh Darlin' 1:00:38 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Darlin' Oh Darlin' - The Hunts | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 264

  4. Aug 14

    True Blue - Madonna | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 263 (Connor's Pick)

    Where's the party? Look no further than Connor's latest pick: True Blue by one of pop music's biggest legends, Madonna! After the Material Girl shook the music world with Like A Virgin, her 1986 "love album" delivered significant hits like Papa Don't Preach and La Isla Bonita! From her humble beginning to her musical theater days, we'll learn how Madonna Opened Her Heart to stir up controversy, evolve culture, and make straight-up dance bops. It's a piece the podcast has been missing. How will James compare her score with his previous Madonna rankings? The Mixtaper is squaring off against Connor again with riveting facts about disastrous deliveries, dragons (amphitheres? wyrms? Whatever.), desecration, and a special round of Cher Bingo! Then we'll compare songs to video games, analyze vapidity, and learn about the film White Heat as we break down this record in all its '80s pop glory! Love Makes The World Go Round, and we love Madonna, so... maybe Spin It Makes The World Go Round after all.  Is this a strong Madonna album? Does it stir up enough controversy, or is it a reasonable follow-up to the iconic LaV? Let us know your hot takes in the comments, or pop on over (Papa on over!) to our social media for more! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 7:13 About Madonna 17:29 About True Blue 24:37 Awards & Accolades 26:25 Fact Or Spin 27:25 Madonna Is A Material Girl (Who Can't Live In A Material World) 31:32 Madonna Doesn't Need Anyone To Rescue Her 37:46 She Disrespected La Isla Bonita 42:23 Cher Bingo: Who's That Girl? 52:23 Album Art 55:57 Papa Don't Preach 58:18 Open Your Heart 1:00:34 White Heat 1:02:39 Live To Tell 1:04:23 Where's The Party 1:06:46 True Blue 1:08:36 La Isla Bonita 1:11:26 Jimmy Jimmy 1:13:49 Love Makes The World Go Round 1:15:03 True Blue (The Color Mix) & La Isla Bonita Extended Remix 1:16:09 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    True Blue - Madonna | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 263 (Connor's Pick)

  5. Jul 31

    Funeral - Arcade Fire | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 262

    The power's out in the hearts of man.. We're attending a Funeral with Arcade Fire's ice-cold concept album about life, death, change, and memory. From the opening Neighborhood suite (about devastating blizzards, space dogs, and time marching on), to mournful ballads like Crown Of Love and Haiti, we'll learn about the real-life events that inspired this album and explore the intricate symbolism that weaves throughout each track. It kicked off an incredibly successful career in the world of experimental, artsy indie rock, but how will it land on the Spin It score sheet? James & Connor are talking birthday episodes! We walk through our familiarity (or lack thereof) with the band, find out why the original lineup quit mid-show, the band's activism, and more. The Mixtaper is a danger to arcades everywhere as we go house hunting through each neighborhood, with bobblehead thievery, a vertically inconvenient show, and hot dog girls. You won't want to miss this episode, so get In The Backseat and come along with us! Which neighborhood are you living in? What elements of this concept album work the best for you? Do you think you could handle a personal travelling mariachi band? Let us know in the comments and on socials! Connor's picking our next record, so get ready for another special episode next time! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 3:56 About Arcade Fire 7:25 About Funeral 17:04 Awards & Accolades 18:35 Fact Or Spin 20:18 Neighborhood #1 (Bobblehead Theivery) 24:12 Neighborhood #2 (A Vertically Inconvenient Show) 28:02 Neighborhood #3 (A Night Of Neckties, Hotdog Girls, and Magic) 32:39 Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) 38:27 Album Art 41:50 Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) 44:44 Neighborhood #2 (Laika) 47:22 Une Année Sans Lumière 48:48 Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) 51:40 Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles) 52:48 Crown Of Love 54:00 Wake Up 56:51 Haiti 58:58 Rebellion (Lies) 1:01:38 In The Backseat 1:04:02 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Funeral - Arcade Fire | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 262

  6. Jul 17

    Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 261

    Welcome To The Jungle! We've got fun and games, and an Appetite For Destruction with Guns N' Roses powerful debut album! From the green grass of Paradise City to the screaming energy of the Night Train, the record features some of the band's biggest hits. We'll learn about their Guns AND Rose beginnings (it's more literal than you think), get into their endless bad ideas, and explore everything from Slash's iconic top hat to the decade-long making of Chinese Democracy. This album features gripping guitar solos, lyrics that are the essence of sex, drugs, & rock n' roll, and authentic moans... How will one of Connor's favorite metal bands score? James & Connor talk about our GNR history, from marching bands to Guitar Hero. We criticize apostrophes, "ta," and more. The Mixtaper has an Appetite For Deception, as he's Out Ta Get Us with facts about a home zoo, a famous bedtime story, and the Mind-Boggling Tale Of Buckethead. Get your pooper scoopers ready. Our way, Axl Rose's way, Anything Goes on this wild episode as we kick off the Year Of Missing Pieces!  Do you like the Guns side or the Roses side of the album better? Does Sweet Child O' Mine get stuck in your head? Will you ever be able to listen to Rocket Queen the same way again?? Let us know what's in your Paradise City on social media or at www.SpinItPod.com, and follow for more episodes (now biweekly)! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 0:25 The Year Of Missing Pieces 3:40 About Guns N' Roses 9:49 About Appetite For Destruction 24:13 Awards & Accolades 25:07 Fact Or Spin 26:27 Fast Fired Facts: ApPETite For Destruction 35:59 Slash Got A Famous Bedtime Story 39:19 Porn, Poop, And Chicken Coops: The Mind-Boggling Tale Of Buckethead 45:30 Someone Lost A Seat On A Plane To A Hat 53:07 Slash Is A Bit Of An Artist 56:30 Album Art 59:26 Welcome To The Jungle 1:03:46 It's So Easy 1:05:19 Nightrain 1:07:05 Out Ta Get Me 1:09:19 Mr. Brownstone 1:10:28 Paradise City 1:13:44 My Michelle 1:15:09 Think About You 1:16:08 Sweet Child O' Mine 1:19:05 You're Crazy 1:20:42 Anything Goes 1:21:56 Rocket Queen 1:24:01 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 261

  7. Jul 10 ·  Bonus

    A Spin It Special Announcement - We're Going Biweekly!

    We have an announcement to make! After five straight years without missing a Friday release, we're making a change: we're going biweekly and releasing new episodes every other week. It'll still be the same podcast you know and love, just on a different schedule. We're hoping it will free us up to keep doing deep research and solid editing, while giving us some breathing room for big changes in our personal lives. And who knows, with more energy we might just be able to crank out more bonus content this year, too! Thanks for five great (nonstop) years, and we can't wait to see what the next era of Spin It has in store! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jul 3

    Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 260

    So you think you can tell Heaven from Hell? The Year Of Redemption comes to an epic conclusion this week as we review and rank Wish You Were Here, the sprawling concept album of absence by the ever-innovative Pink Floyd! After founding member and creative engine Syd Barrett had to step away from the band due to acute mental health concerns, the band processed their grief in the best way they knew how: through song. WWYH has gone down as one of the band's best, so we decided to find out why. In our early days we explored Dark Side Of The Moon. Connor gave it a surprisingly low score... with five years of music and score calibration under our belts, will this record take the band to new heights? We'll talk about our expanding Pink Floyd fandom, learn about the tension that divided Gilmour and Waters, and more. We'll Have A Cigar with the Mixtaper as we learn about the 4-story hog that got away, a floating studio, and mesmerizing magma. Then we'll be Welcomed To The Machine with this iconic record! (Oh, and by the way.. which one's Pink?) Shine On, You Crazy Diamond! Which part of the 20-minute suite is your favorite? Would you have a cigar with Pink Floyd? Have you ever seen a pig at 35,000 feet? Let us know in the comments and on socials! Be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you listen for the next era of Spin It! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com! Thanks for listening! 0:00 Intro 0:25 Last Time: Dark Side Of The Moon 7:32 About Pink Floyd 18:16 About Wish You Were Here 28:42 Awards & Accolades 30:29 Fact Or Spin 31:35 Pink Floyd Tried To Shoot Down A Flying Pig... And Failed 38:42 Syd Barrett and David Gilmour Were Arrested 41:36 David Gilmour Has A Unique Recording Studio 50:50 They Spent Entire Evenings Staring At Lava 56:05 Album Art 58:51 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5) 1:02:54 Welcome To The Machine 1:04:46 Have A Cigar 1:07:29 Wish You Were Here 1:09:53 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 6-9) 1:12:43 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 260
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Record Ranking Podcast for people who would rather be listening to music. Each week James and Connor give their spin on a popular album. James has listened to each one dozens of times, but Connor's only heard them once. Come check out our unprofessional insights and learn a little more about the music you love from every genre, artist, and era! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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