Say What You Will Podcast

Say What You Will Podcast
  • 4.9 (8)
  • Music History
  • Updated Monthly

Dive headfirst into the world of 1980s rock music with the Say What You Will Podcast, the ultimate time machine for audiophiles and rock enthusiasts alike. Each episode takes you back exactly 40 years to relive and reassess the groundbreaking albums of the decade that defined an era. From deep dives into legendary releases like Scorpions’ Blackout to the epic power of Dio’s Holy Diver, the hosts unpack the stories behind the music, the artists, and the cultural shifts that made the 80s unforgettable. Blending sharp musical critiques, personal anecdotes, and a dash of humor, the podcast bridges the gap between nostalgia and discovery. Whether you’re an 80s music veteran or a curious newcomer, the Say What You Will Podcast is more than a trip down memory lane—it’s an invitation to experience these albums anew. Are they still as groundbreaking as they felt back then, or has time dulled their edge? Join the conversation, challenge your favorites, and rediscover the albums that shaped a generation.

  1. Sep 18

    EP: 50 - Now 40 Years Later: RATT, Black 'n Blue and Vinnie Vincent Invasion (August 1986)

    August 1986 dropped three very different hard rock records within weeks of each other. Forty years on, we put them back on the turntable and ask the only question that matters: do they still hold up? RATT – Dancing Undercover Album number three in three years, with producer Beau Hill back at the board. The band put themselves on the cover instead of a model and went for a heavier sound with no power ballad in sight. "Dance" showed up on Miami Vice and "Body Talk" landed in The Golden Child, while "Slip of the Lip" kept the video rotation going. It went platinum but got a lukewarm reception from critics. Was the album underrated or just rushed? Black 'n Blue – Nasty Nasty Gene Simmons produced this one, with Tommy Thayer (who later joined Kiss) on guitar and Jaime St. James out front. Jonathan Cain has a credit on "I'll Be There for You" and Peter Criss and Ron Keel guest on "Best in the West". It's a record with a big personality. Does it still deliver or is it more of a curiosity? Vinnie Vincent Invasion – Vinnie Vincent Invasion Fresh off his run in Kiss, Vincent put together his own band with Robert Fleischman on vocals, Dana Strum on bass and Bobby Rock on drums. The songs came out of demos Vincent had been sitting on for years. The guitar playing got the attention, but the album never found the audience it seemed built for. Was it ahead of its time or stuck in the middle? Three albums and forty years of hindsight. Give it a listen and tell us where you land. Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill

    EP: 50 - Now 40 Years Later: RATT, Black 'n Blue and Vinnie Vincent Invasion (August 1986)

  2. Aug 10

    EP 49: July 1986 in Review Release — Eat ’Em and Smile & Lightning Strikes (hold up?)

    This month, Say What You Will travels back 40 years to July 1986—a pivotal moment in hard rock history. First up, we examine David Lee Roth’s debut solo LP, Eat ’Em and Smile. Backed by a phenomenal virtuoso band featuring Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, and Gregg Bissonette, Roth set out to prove his artistic identity outside of Van Halen. Four decades later, we re-evaluate the musicianship, songwriting, and dynamic energy of this record to see how it stands the test of time. Next, we dive into Loudness and their landmark sixth studio album, Lightning Strikes. As Japanese heavy metal pioneers breaking through to international acclaim, Akira Takasaki and company delivered precise guitar work and powerful arrangements. We discuss the album's impact, production, and place in the mid-80s hard rock canon. Plus: July 1986 Music News & Context: A deep dive into the major headlines, release schedules, and industry shifts happening forty years ago this month. Original or Cover? Trivia: We put Mark and Dennis to the test in a end-of-episode challenge to see if they can distinguish famous 80s tracks from their original roots. Albums Covered: David Lee Roth – Eat ’Em and Smile (Released July 1986) Loudness – Lightning Strikes (Released July 1986) Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill

    EP 49: July 1986 in Review Release — Eat ’Em and Smile & Lightning Strikes (hold up?)

  3. Jun 30

    EP 48: Icons of ’86: Triumph, Cinderella, & Queensrÿche

    This month, we are diving deep into 1986—a legendary year for heavy rock and metal. We breakdown three massive, yet completely distinct albums that shaped the landscape: Triumph’s anthemic Sport of Kings, Cinderella’s gritty glam debut Night Songs, and Queensrÿche’s futuristic, progressive masterpiece Rage for Order. Whether you’re a fan of high-octane stadium rock, bluesy hair metal, or cerebral, dark sci-fi metal, this episode has something for you. Which album holds up the best, and which one belongs in a time capsule? Triumph – Sport of Kings: Can the Canadian power trio balance commercial '80s pop-rock production with their classic hard rock roots? We break down the hits like "Somebody's Out There" and the hidden gems. Cinderella – Night Songs: Is this the ultimate 1986 debut? We discuss Tom Keifer’s unforgettable raspy vocals, the blues-infused riffs of "Shake Me" and "Nobody's Fool," and why this album stands out from the standard glam metal crowd. Queensrÿche – Rage for Order: A massive leap forward into progressive, gothic, and high-tech metal. We talk about the chilly synths, Geoff Tate’s operatic range, and tracks like "Screaming in Digital" and "Walk in the Shadows." Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill   #HardRock #80sMetal #HairMetal #ProgressiveMetal #VinylCommunity #Queensryche #CinderellaBand #TriumphBand #ClassicRockPodcast #RockMusic

    EP 48: Icons of ’86: Triumph, Cinderella, & Queensrÿche

  4. May 31

    EP 47: Poison, Europe, & Rainbow: Do They Still Hold Up? (1986 & 1976)

    Welcome back! This month, we're changing the game. We're doing our classic 40-year rewind back to May 1986 to see if Europe's The Final Countdown and Poison's Look What the Cat Dragged In still have that magic, dow they hold up? But we couldn't ignore the roots. We’re bending the rules and tracking back 50 years to May 1976 to look at the god-tier influence of Rainbow’s Rising—the album that practically built the foundation for the entire scene. Three monumental albums, one big question: Do they hold up today? Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill #rainbow #poison #europe

    EP 47: Poison, Europe, & Rainbow: Do They Still Hold Up? (1986 & 1976)

  5. May 2

    EP 46: 1986 Retrospective: Judas Priest, Keel, & Accept - Do they hold up?

    Like we do on every podcast, we are heading back 40 years to a pivotal moment in metal history. It feels like 1986 was the year hard rock was  heavily influence of MTV and the sounds of Synthesizers. We dive into three albums that dropped in this era and their shift toward the commercial—and the bands that fought against it. The Albums Judas Priest – Turbo  Keel – The Final Frontier  Accept – Russian Roulette  SWYW Verdict Does the mid-80s "poppy" shift still resonate, or are these records better left in the recycled bin? We discuss the riffs, the production fails, and the tracks that still make us crank the volume in 2026.   Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill   #JudasPriest #AcceptBand #Keel

    EP 46: 1986 Retrospective: Judas Priest, Keel, & Accept - Do they hold up?

  6. Mar 29

    EP 45: 1986 Unleashed: Master of Puppets / 5150 / Waiting For The Roar - Do they hold up?

    Grab your phones and dial in your tone. In this episode, lets go back to March 1986. A year where the heavy metal landscape shifted forever...MASTER!, MASTER! We break down the absolute peak of thrash with Metallica’s Master of Puppets, debate the seismic shift of the "Van Hagar" era on 5150, and revisit the soft and polished Fastway’s Waiting for the Roar. Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill

    EP 45: 1986 Unleashed: Master of Puppets / 5150 / Waiting For The Roar - Do they hold up?

  7. Feb 14

    EP 44: 1986 vs. 2026: Do Bon Jovi, Great White, and Fastway Still Hold Up?

    Welcome to the Say What You Will Podcast. Do these 80's Rock albums still hold up today?  Great White | Shot in the Dark Are blues-rockers from L.A. are finally finding their stride?  We’re breaking down the transition from their heavy metal roots to that soulful, gritty sound that’s starting to define them. Fastway | Trick or Treat (Soundtrack) Is Fast Eddie Clarke is back, providing the sonic backbone for the ultimate heavy metal horror flick?  It’s raw, it’s crunchy, and it’s unapologetically loud. Bon Jovi | Slippery When Wet Have the Jersey boys officially arrived? This album is currently detonating across the airwaves, shifting the landscape of rock from the club to the stadium.   Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill

    EP 44: 1986 vs. 2026: Do Bon Jovi, Great White, and Fastway Still Hold Up?

  8. Feb 1

    EP 43: January 1986 Hard Rock Review. Do they hold up?

    Is it a "Classic" or just "Classic Rock"? This month, we’re hopping in the IROC and heading back exactly 40 years to January 1986. The synths were creeping in and the legends were at a crossroads. We’re deep-diving into three major releases that defined the era: Ozzy Osbourne – The Ultimate Sin: Does Shot in the Dark still hit as hard without Daisley? Black Sabbath – Seventh Star: Was it a Sabbath album or a Tony Iommi solo project, or something else entirely? Quiet Riot – QR III: Can the kings of the Sunset Strip keep the momentum going? We’re asking the tough question: Do these records still hold their weight in the modern era, or are they better left on the shelf? Join us as we settle the debate on whether these 1986 staples actually hold up today. Please leave a review and subscribe on your podcast platform. Corrections: Disagree?? Send your comments and corrections, and we will read them on the next podcast. https://www.saywhatyouwillpodcast.net/ NEW: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/say.what.you.will.podcast/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/saywhatyouwill_ Join the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/1425817651592700/ Show some love and help with the cost: https://ko-fi.com/saywhatyouwill

    EP 43: January 1986 Hard Rock Review. Do they hold up?
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4.9
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About

Dive headfirst into the world of 1980s rock music with the Say What You Will Podcast, the ultimate time machine for audiophiles and rock enthusiasts alike. Each episode takes you back exactly 40 years to relive and reassess the groundbreaking albums of the decade that defined an era. From deep dives into legendary releases like Scorpions’ Blackout to the epic power of Dio’s Holy Diver, the hosts unpack the stories behind the music, the artists, and the cultural shifts that made the 80s unforgettable. Blending sharp musical critiques, personal anecdotes, and a dash of humor, the podcast bridges the gap between nostalgia and discovery. Whether you’re an 80s music veteran or a curious newcomer, the Say What You Will Podcast is more than a trip down memory lane—it’s an invitation to experience these albums anew. Are they still as groundbreaking as they felt back then, or has time dulled their edge? Join the conversation, challenge your favorites, and rediscover the albums that shaped a generation.

Information

  • Creator
    Say What You Will Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Say What You Will Podcast