Bill & Tony’s Excellent Adventure In Music

Bill Fraser & Tony Sarthou

Lifelong friends discuss the best albums from the most recent Rolling Stone top 500 album list. Interesting facts, figures, and anecdotes along with our own take on where the albums should rank.

  1. JAN 17

    S4 Ep.37 Top 20 Classic Rock Songs - SideTracked

    🎧 SideTracked: Top 20 Classic Rock Songs of All Time (1965–1999) SideTracked: When the conversation takes a detour worth following. Bill and Tony are officially SideTracked. For this special offshoot episode, we put the album format on pause and take a hard left turn into one of rock’s most dangerous debates: What are the Top 20 Classic Rock Songs of All Time? Inspired by SiriusXM’s year-end Classic Rock countdown and armed with decades of listening, arguing, and rewinding cassette tapes, we did what we always do when a list doesn’t quite sit right. We made our own. We enlisted friends and family, gathered rankings, combined the results, and then debated the fine points until the list finally felt right. The final list spans 1965–1999 and is revealed five songs at a time, counting down to number one. You’ll agree with some picks. You’ll question others. You’ll definitely have opinions. Which is exactly the point. Episode Format Why this list needed to exist Countdown discussion: #20–16 #15–11 #10–6 #5–1 Final thoughts 🎸 Another excellent adventure Connect with Bill & Tony Website: https://billandtonypod.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billandtonypod/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/BillandTonypod Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/billndtonypod Email: bill@bntexcellent.com  |  tony@bntexcellent.com Playlists Spotify – Top 20 Classic Rock Songs (1965–1999): https://bit.ly/4jOKyV0 Apple Music – Top 20 Classic Rock Songs (1965–1999): https://apple.co/4t0Wur0 Interesting Links (Classic Rock Context) SiriusXM Top 1000 Classic Rock Songs: https://bit.ly/4r1wfyJ Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: https://bit.ly/3YOuB7A Collider Top 25 Classic Rock Songs: https://bit.ly/4qZg1WX Ultimate Classic Rock Top 100 Songs: https://bit.ly/3YKhWm8

    31 min
  2. 06/21/2025

    S3 Ep.36 Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair – Album Review

    Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair – Album Review Bill & Tony head back to the ‘90s to unpack Exile in Guyville, Liz Phair’s raw, fearless, and game-changing 1993 debut. Part confessional, part confrontation, and all attitude, this album shook up indie rock, challenged expectations, and made some guys in “Guyville” squirm. Was this a track-by-track response to Exile on Main St. or something even bolder? How did a lo-fi demo from a Chicago bedroom become one of the most celebrated albums of the decade? And does this brutally honest record still hit as hard in 2025?   In this episode: Our personal memories of discovering Liz Phair A look at what else was happening in music and culture in ’93 The making of Exile, 4-track tapes, Matador Records, and indie DIY energy Track-by-track breakdown and the Song Draft Final thoughts: Is Guyville still a must-listen? 🎙️ Candid, clever, and completely unfiltered, Liz Phair kicked the door open with Exile in Guyville, and we’re here to celebrate every gritty, glorious minute of it.   📱 Connect with Bill & Tony: Website: https://billandtonypod.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billandtonypod/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/BillandTonypod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billndtonypod Email: bill@bntexcellent.com | tony@bntexcellent.com   🎧 Listen to the album: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/exile-in-guyville-2018-remaster/1589236833 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7sCpW2cLGcRk1zf9zi0Yqd Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B07BFKHYHW   🔗 Bonus Links for Liz Phair Fans: 1993 in History: https://www.history.com/a-year-in-history/1993 Exile in Guyville Album Page: https://www.lizphair.net/discography/albums/exile-in-guyville/ Pitchfork’s Review Retrospective: https://bit.ly/4kIRTo7 Liz Phair Look-Back Interview: https://bit.ly/3HirGyx Girly Show: The History of Exile in Guyville: https://bit.ly/43NM4PM The Story of Exile in Guyville: https://bit.ly/3SZHUyX

    1h 10m
  3. 05/26/2025

    S3 Ep.35 Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses – Album Review

    Guns N' Roses – Appetite for Destruction Welcome to the jungle, baby! Bill & Tony are diving headfirst into Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction — the 1987 debut that exploded onto the scene with grit, swagger, and some of the most unforgettable riffs in rock history. We’re talking Paradise City dreams, Nightrain rides, and the firestorm behind a band that made chaos look cool. What made Appetite such a game-changer? And does this album still hold up after nearly four decades? In this episode: Our teenage memories of discovering Appetite What else was everyone playing on repeat  in 1987 Behind-the-scenes madness, trivia & GNR lore Track-by-track breakdown and our epic song draft Final thoughts: Is this still the most dangerous debut in rock? 🎸 Big guitars. Big attitude. Big trouble. Join us as we revisit the album that made the Sunset Strip shake and gave rock its edge back. 📱 Connect with Bill & Tony: Website: https://billandtonypod.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billandtonypod/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/BillandTonypod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billndtonypod Email: bill@bntexcellent.com | tony@bntexcellent.com 🎧 Listen to the album: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/appetite-for-destruction/1377813284 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/28yHV3Gdg30AiB8h8em1eW Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B07CQ8B47B 🔗 Bonus Links for GNR Fans: 1987 in History: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/year/1987 16 Appetite Facts: https://bit.ly/3EbHWQu 30 More Appetite Facts: https://ihr.fm/3DZkB4w Axl ‘Out Ta Get Me’: https://bit.ly/3DU0yod Erin Everly Story: https://bit.ly/3Rr5zYo Original Cover Art: https://bit.ly/3ZAD9zw Vocal Ranges: https://www.concerthotels.com/worlds-greatest-vocal-ranges “It’s So Easy” Video: https://youtu.be/FMbl1ntpIXQ?si=wGaUTbqj0ooO3Wih

    1h 18m
  4. 03/29/2025

    S3 Ep.34 'Hysteria' by Def Leopard - Album Review

    Bill and Tony are ready to pour some sugar on Def Leppard's Hysteria! It's not just another album review; it's a 'Rocket' ride through the 1987 masterpiece that defined an era. We're sharing our 'Animal' instincts, uncovering long-forgotten stories, and exploring if this album truly deserves 'Love and Affection'. From the dueling guitar magic of Phil Collen and Steve Clark to the 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' tales, we're unpacking the album that topped the charts and rocked the world. Join Bill and Tony as they crank up the volume to explore the Hysteria album legacy. Another rockin' adventure awaits! Connect with Bill & Tony:  Website: https://billandtonypod.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billandtonypod/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/BillandTonypod Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/billndtonypod Email: bill@bntexcellent.com  |  tony@bntexcellent.com Interesting Links: 1987 - This Year in History: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/year/1987 Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’: 10 Things You Didn’t Know: http://bit.ly/4hLEdXD Def Leopard Seekis Enlightenment on Hysteria: https://bit.ly/43PNaw3 7 Facts About Def Leppard You May Not Have Known: https://bit.ly/4hU7nnM Beavis and Butthead - Animal: https://youtu.be/UndLd9hbGRI?si=gCga9gR0cygCKKgd Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott: My Life in 15 Songs: https://bit.ly/4caELFf Album Links Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hysteria/1440903625 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/album/1ja2qzCrh6bZykcojbZs82 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B078VS76QV

    1h 14m
  5. 03/15/2025

    S3 Ep.33 '5150' by Van Halen - Album Review

    Bill and Tony are ready to find out 'Why Can't This Be Love' for Van Halen's '5150'! It's not just another album review; it's a 'Best of Both Worlds' deep dive into the Hagar era. We're sharing our 'Dreams' of 1986, uncovering studio secrets, and exploring if this was truly a 'Summer Nights' triumph. Did the shift to Sammy Hagar 'Get Up' and redefine Van Halen, or was it a natural evolution? From Eddie's guitar magic to the 'Love Walks In' stories, we're unpacking the album that topped the charts. Join Bill and Tony as they crank up the volume to explore the '5150' album legacy. Another rockin' adventure awaits! Connect with Bill & Tony:  Website: https://billandtonypod.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billandtonypod/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/BillandTonypod Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/billndtonypod Email: bill@bntexcellent.com  |  tony@bntexcellent.com Interesting Links: 1986 - This Year in History: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/year/1986 Van Halen: How Millions United, Then Destroyed: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adammorganstern/2017/07/21/van-halen-how-millions-united-then-destroyed-americas-biggest-rock-band/ 20 Interesting Facts about Van Halen’s 5150: https://933theeagle.iheart.com/content/2017-03-24-20-facts-to-celebrate-31-years-of-van-halens-5150/ Van Halen Sammy Hagar Era Begins: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/van-halen-5150/ Replacing David Lee Roth: https://www.loudersound.com/features/van-halen-sammy-hagar-5150 Daryl Hall Turned Down Van Halen: https://loudwire.com/daryl-hall-turned-down-van-halen-david-lee-roth-replacement/ Tonechaser Book: https://www.tonechaserbook.com/ Album Links Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/5150-remastered/1708662989 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/album/1HzO2LvKXM5xnLbACyZ0EO Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CJMWR5X4

    59 min
4.9
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Lifelong friends discuss the best albums from the most recent Rolling Stone top 500 album list. Interesting facts, figures, and anecdotes along with our own take on where the albums should rank.