Analog After Dark

Michael Esposito
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Music Commentary

Analog After Dark explores the latest vinyl releases, physical media news, collector stories, rare finds. Celebrating the sound, culture, and community of records, and more.

Episodes

  1. Oct 23

    Analog After Dark - RSD Black Friday Picks, $4,000 Blade Runner & Metallica at the Sphere EP.9

    Mike and Leland are back for Episode 9 of Analog After Dark — and after a few weeks off there's a lot to get through. The RSD Black Friday 2026 list is out and the guys go through what they're actually lining up for, Electric Recording Company drops a $4,000 Blade Runner that has everybody asking the same question, Billy Idol's Rebel Yell gets the Definitive Sound Series One-Step treatment, and Mike comes back from Metallica at the Sphere with a trunk full of records and a story about how it happened.This week:- RSD Black Friday 2026: is the list weak, or better than it looks? Our picks — The Doors, Prince 3121, Blue Mitchell Out of the Blue, the all-analog Rolling Stones Aftermath, Billy Idol Live at the Roxy, Cecil Payne, the B-52s and more- Why you never know what's going to sell on Record Store Day (Chappell Roan, Wicked, Taylor Swift)- What RSD should be doing instead — and why so many stores get the day wrong- ERC's $4,000 digital Blade Runner: is this jumping the shark?- Billy Idol Rebel Yell on the Definitive Sound Series — and why DSS is winning right now- Talk Music: Metallica at the Sphere — $5,000 floor tickets, the rail, and the Sphere-exclusive splatter variants nobody was talking about- Leland at Jack White — the no-phone show, the rail, and the Third Man release party- What we're listening to: Leaf Hound Growers of Mushroom (Thousand Club), Metallica Sphere exclusive, Rubber Soul 2026 stereo remix, The Temptations Sing Smokey, and the all-analog Charlie Brown Christmas OJCChapters:0:00 Intro: Analog After Dark EP.90:21 RSD Black Friday 2026 list is out — mixed reactions2:22 Our picks: The Doors, Prince, Blue Mitchell, Stones Aftermath, Billy Idol, B-52s13:22 You never know what sells: Chappell Roan, Wicked & Taylor Swift17:35 What RSD should be doing — and how The 'In' Groove runs Record Store Day25:40 ERC's $4,000 Blade Runner: jumping the shark?33:44 Billy Idol Rebel Yell gets the Definitive Sound Series One-Step37:29 Talk Music: Metallica at the Sphere — $5,000 tickets, the rail & splatter variants1:00:54 Leland at Jack White & the Third Man release party1:08:23 What we're listening to: Leaf Hound, Rubber Soul remix, Temptations, Charlie Brown OJCJoin our Whatnot live auctions: https://whatnot.com/invite/theingrooveShop the store online: http://theingroove.comeBay: https://www.ebay.com/str/theingrooveDiscogs: https://www.discogs.com/seller/theingrooveContact us: https://www.theingroove.com/contact-us#AnalogAfterDark #Vinyl #RecordStoreDay #RSDBlackFriday #Metallica #Sphere #ERC #BillyIdol #Audiophile #TheInGroove

  2. Sep 14

    Analog After Dark - Doors ERC Blind Shootout, Impex Boston & Mr. Wonderful Discovers Records EP.8

    Mike and Leland are back for Episode 8 of Analog After Dark — and this week Mike is part of the news. From the bench at The 'In' Groove in Phoenix, AZ, the guys run through the latest audiophile reissue announcements, then get into a wild week at the store.This week:MoFi announces DEVO's "Duty Now for the Future" — and why a MoFi/AP 45 is usually the tell that a Rhino Hi-Fi is coming (or vice versa).Fidelity Record Pressing is quietly making the best-sounding records out there right now, plus the confusing world of who presses what where.The GZA "Liquid Swords" comment that turned into a tiff — Mike on hip-hop, 90s samples, and the biggest hip-hop section in Arizona.Black Sabbath on reel-to-reel, and Mike finally finds a guy in Arizona to fix the ATR.Impex announces Boston's self-titled with no sourcing and a 2027 date — and the 33 + bonus EP model that could beat 45 RPM.Talk Music: the ERC Doors listening party & blind shootout at the store — where Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World walked in and got on camera.The Johnny D collection video going viral, how a $250,000 collection actually gets priced, and the logistics nobody sees.Mr. Wonderful discovers records, Cards HQ's Jeff Wilson shows up at Vinyl Con, and why slabbed records don't hurt anyone who actually listens.New segment: what we're listening to this week — Death From Above 1979, Ralfi Pagan, The Cramps' "Gravest Gravy," Jacob Wentz's "The Gallery," and Violet Grohl.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:25 News: MoFi's DEVO "Duty Now" & the Rhino Hi-Fi tell2:43 Fidelity is pressing the best records right now9:04 The GZA comment tiff — Mike & hip-hop18:05 Black Sabbath reel-to-reel & the ATR repair guy21:22 Impex announces Boston (no source, 2027)27:38 Talk Music: the ERC Doors listening party & blind shootout36:59 The Johnny D collection video went viral52:58 Mr. Wonderful, AMG & records as an alternative asset1:04:19 What we're listening to this weekSign up for Whatnot through my link https://whatnot.com/invite/theingroove and get $15 credit on your first purchase!Check us out online at - http://theingroove.comeBay Store - https://www.ebay.com/str/theingrooveDiscogs - https://www.discogs.com/seller/theingrooveSelling a Record Collection? You can just hit us up on our contact page, which can be found here. https://www.theingroove.com/contact-us#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #audiophile #TheDoors #JimmyEatWorld #MoFi #RhinoHiFi #Impex #recordstore

  3. Aug 24

    Analog After Dark - Jethro Tull Box, R.E.M. Reckoning One-Step & Blue Note's $20 Records EP.7

    Mike and Leland are back for Episode 7 of Analog After Dark — and after three weeks off, the vinyl news is piled up. From the bench at The 'In' Groove in Phoenix, AZ, the guys run through the biggest audiophile reissue announcements, then get into some music talk and a recap of Leland's LA record run.This week:Rhino Hi-Fi announces a Jethro Tull box set (first five albums, all-analog Kevin Gray) plus an Aqualung reel-to-reel — and why Mike still buys great records that aren't "hi-fi" recordings.R.E.M.'s "Reckoning" gets a One-Step (5,000 copies) and it's selling like Pet Sounds — proof the late-'80s/'90s catalog is what people want now.Cohearent's new Terry Callier record, and the case for taking audiophile vinyl more modern (Lana Del Rey, Adele).Why the Vinyl Files series is so poorly executed, and Blue Note's clever new $20 Essentials series taking aim at Doxy and Waxtime.Rhino Rocktober lands with 50+ titles and a fresh batch of Rhino Reserves (B-52s, Alice Cooper, Randy Newman & more).Talk Music: the ERC Doors record FedEx left cooking on the porch for 13 hours, and Leland's LA trip + Vinyl Con.Viewer Q&A: the records Mike and Leland reach for every time they swap gear.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:44 News: Rhino Hi-Fi Jethro Tull box set & Aqualung reel-to-reel14:23 R.E.M. "Reckoning" One-Step & the late-'80s/'90s catalog boom19:02 Cohearent's Terry Callier & pushing audiophile vinyl modern21:01 The Vinylphyle series problem (direct-to-consumer)28:15 Blue Note's $20 Essentials series35:08 Rhino Rocktober & the new Rhino Reserves40:15 Talk Music: the ERC Doors record FedEx cooked on the porch44:49 Leland's LA trip & Vinyl Con56:45 Viewer Q&A: what to spin when you swap gearSign up for Whatnot through my link https://whatnot.com/invite/theingroove and get $15 credit on your first purchase!Check us out online at - http://theingroove.comeBay Store - https://www.ebay.com/str/theingrooveDiscogs - https://www.discogs.com/seller/theingrooveSelling a Record Collection? You can just hit us up on our contact page, which can be found here. https://www.theingroove.com/contact-us#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #audiophile #JethroTull #REM #RhinoHiFi #BlueNote #MoFi #recordstore

  4. Aug 3

    Analog After Dark - Beatles Rubber Soul Super Deluxe, Fremer vs. Rhino & Shatner Goes Metal EP.6

    Mike and Leland are back for Episode 6 of Analog After Dark. From the bench at The 'In' Groove in Phoenix, AZ, the guys run through the week's biggest audiophile reissue news — then wander well past the turntable into some music talk.This week:The Beatles finally announce the Rubber Soul Super Deluxe box set (Oct 2) — plus the mystery of whether the mono disc is really cut from the analog tape.Michael Fremer's scathing Superfly review reignites the "cut from the master tape" wording fight with Rhino Hi-Fi — and why Mike thinks Rhino is actually in the right.Kacey Musgraves gets a DSS, and what it says about where audiophile vinyl is heading.MoFi jumps on DEVO's "Are We Not Men?" and — the exciting one — Rodriguez's "Cold Fact."Talk Music: the Morrissey vs. Johnny Marr feud that kills any Smiths box-set dream, plus William Shatner's headline-grabbing metal festival and his criminally underrated music career.Viewer Q&A: how the MoFi scandal changed the way Mike buys records, and how Record Store Day should evolve.Sign up for Whatnot through my link https://whatnot.com/invite/theingroove and get $15 credit on your first purchase!Check us out online at - http://theingroove.comeBay Store - https://www.ebay.com/str/theingrooveDiscogs - https://www.discogs.com/seller/theingrooveSelling a Record Collection? You can just hit us up on our contact page, which can be found here. https://www.theingroove.com/contact-us#vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #audiophile #TheBeatles #RubberSoul #RhinoHiFi #Rodriguez #MoFi #recordstore0:00 Intro0:14 News: Beatles Rubber Soul Super Deluxe box set16:03 Fremer vs. Rhino Hi-Fi's "master tape" wording28:13 Kacey Musgraves DSS & where audiophile vinyl is heading40:25 MoFi does DEVO & Rodriguez "Cold Fact"42:35 Seeing Rodriguez & Brian Wilson live47:03 Talk Music: Morrissey vs. Johnny Marr50:05 William Shatner's metal festival & his music career56:16 Viewer Q&A: the MoFi scandal's personal fallout1:02:13 How Record Store Day should evolve

  5. Jul 20

    Analog After Dark - The Who UHQRs Incoming, MoFi Rush Reissues, Led Zeppelin Petition Madness EP.5

    Episode 5 of Analog After Dark. Mike and Leland break down a packed run of audiophile reissue news: Analogue Productions' UHQRs of The Who (Who's Next, Tommy, plus 45 RPM Live at Leeds and My Generation), the Funkadelic Maggot Brain 'In Groove exclusive, Rhino Hi-Fi's Crosby, Stills & Nash real-to-reel, Universal's Definitive Sound Series and Beck's simultaneous One-Step, and MoFi's return to form with Rush. Then it's Talk Music — the Led Zeppelin reissue petition and Jimmy Page documentary, Taylor Swift's star-studded MSG wedding, and why the new Rolling Stones album is a genuine legacy-act standout. Plus a viewer question about the mysterious 5:59 clock. Recorded at The 'In' Groove in Phoenix, AZ.

  6. Jun 30

    Analog After Dark - Bob Marley UHQR Mishap, Rhino Real-to-Reels, Madonna Turns Store Into Club EP.4

    In Episode 4 of Analog After Dark, Mike and Leland dive into the latest vinyl news: Kevin Gray’s new Coherent Records release with Jacob Wentz hard bop jazz, Rhino Hi-Fi dropping killer real-to-reel tapes (Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top & more), the Bob Marley UHQR pressing mishap, and the brand new Claudio 200U ultrasonic cleaner.They also recap an absolutely wild Madonna listening party that turned the store into a full-on club, share the records they’re spinning the most right now (Them Crooked Vultures, Herbie Hancock, Lana Del Rey, Roger Waters & more), and talk about records they regret selling.A fun, laid-back episode full of vinyl talk, hi-fi gear, and store stories.

  7. Jun 16

    Analog After Dark - $600 ERC Doors, MoFi Recalls Van Halen 1984, Slabbing Records EP.3

    Mike from The 'In Groove in Phoenix is back for episode three of Analog After Dark, digging into all the latest in vinyl, audiophile gear, and record collecting. This episode, the guys break down the Electric Recording Company's surprise announcement of The Doors' LA Woman — Mike's favorite record of all time — and whether a $600 boutique reissue can finally live up to ERC's price tag, plus the usual master-tape sourcing questions. They get into Mobile Fidelity recalling the Van Halen 1984 SACD for a remaster with beefier low end (and why it's been the oldest preorder stuck in the store's system for five years), Rhino's growing reel-to-reel lineup, and Clearaudio's new multi-size ultrasonic cleaning machine. Then it's on to the most hated topic in the entire vinyl community: slabbing and grading records. Mike shares his experience sending Sex Pistols and Stones records off to AMG, why graded music is still the bottom of the collectibles totem pole, and how a $3.2M sealed Super Mario Bros. cartridge stacks up against Ringo's personal copy of the White Album. The guys also dig into Discogs finally letting sellers upload photos and what the platform still gets wrong. Plus, viewer Q&A: the truth about eco/bio vinyl and whether it actually sounds worse, and why a record store owner doesn't lose sleep over Record Store Day flippers. New episodes drop regularly — drop your questions in the comments for a shot at the next Q&A segment.

  8. May 31

    Analog After Dark - Michael Fremer Loses His Mind, Mofi DSD, Paul McCartney Release Party EP.2

    In Episode 2 of Analog After Dark, Mike from The In Groove (Phoenix, AZ) sits down with longtime friend and regular customer Leland. They kick things off with personal stories — including their unforgettable Metallica concert experience — before diving into the biggest topic of the week: the ongoing Michael Fremer and Mobile Fidelity (MoFi) controversy. Mike shares his thoughts on Fremer’s shifting statements, runs the original drama through AI for an interesting analysis, and reflects on how the scandal affected trust in the vinyl industry. The conversation also covers life at the record store, customer culture in Phoenix, and the importance of preserving history in the audiophile community. A laid-back, honest chat between two passionate music lovers.

  9. May 18

    Analog After Dark - Music & News Podcast - Vinyl Summit, Michael Fremer Drama & Rhino Hi-Fi - EP.1

    Join Mike (owner of The ‘In’ Groove in Phoenix, AZ) and his buddy Leland for the debut episode of Analog After Dark — a laid-back, music-obsessed podcast for vinyl collectors, audiophiles, and anyone who lives and breathes music. In this first episode, Mike and Leland dive into: The Vinyl Summit in Salina, Kansas — Acoustic Sounds’ massive 40th anniversary event featuring Chico Freeman, Mud Morganfield, Taj Mahal, a huge record fair, and eye-watering VIP packages up to $6,290. Is it worth the trip from Phoenix?The latest high-end audio drama — Michael Fremer vs. Jay’s Audio Lab over $780,000 Wilson Audio speakers and a $114,000 paint job.New Rhino Hi-Fi releases — Dusty in Memphis, Cher’s 3614 Jackson Highway, and Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark. Which ones are must-buys?Collector stories — Mike scores a sealed Velvet Underground & Nico from the legendary Easy Street Records haul in Seattle.Recent concerts — David Byrne shows, Coachella memories, Brian Wilson, and more.Record Store Day pickups — Leland’s favorite finds including Dada, Billie Eilish live, and Blink-182.Plus, they answer listener questions about mispronouncing album titles on purpose and buying tickets just for the opening act. Raw, honest, and full of shop talk — this is the vinyl and music podcast you’ve been waiting for. Drop your questions in the comments — they might get answered on the next show!

  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Analog After Dark explores the latest vinyl releases, physical media news, collector stories, rare finds. Celebrating the sound, culture, and community of records, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Esposito
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael Esposito
  • Show Website
    Analog After Dark

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