Backtracking

Backtracking Studios
  • 4.7 (34)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Backtracking is the music podcast where three old friends, Dan, Raf and JW, take a second listen to influential albums, track by track. Season 1 covered the entire Rush catalog. Season 2 went deep on American Music Club. Season 3 is fifteen albums, from Ozzy's "Blizzard of Ozz" and Asia's "Alpha" to Sting's "The Soul Cages" and The Chameleons' "Strange Times," with guests including Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies of The Chameleons, Seth Tiven of Dumptruck, Nathan Larson, and Will Hodgkinson. Expect deep cuts, bad puns, and The Best and the Worst for every album. New episodes on Tuesdays.

  1. 6d ago

    Asia "Alpha" (1983), Side A: Don't Cry, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

    Asia's 1983 album "Alpha", Side A: "Don't Cry", "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes", "Never in a Million Years", "My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want)" and "The Heat Goes On". With JW away, Dan and Raf get into how Raf discovered Asia, prog's turn to pop, and a production debate over a crowded mix and a buried Steve Howe, plus the album as the soundtrack to an eighth-grade breakup in the Walden Galleria food court. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - Asia “Alpha” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: All Things Considered - 0:21: Two Old Friends Take a Second Listen - 1:24: The Asia Trilogy & a One Direction Advocate - 3:45: Housekeeping & Schedule Switch - 8:50: Underrated vs. Overlooked: A Subreddit Rebuttal - 18:19: How Raf Discovered Asia - 22:40: When Prog Went Pop - 29:40: The Basics - 30:48: Asia, Le Studio & Pop-Prog Dynamics - 38:57: Production, Wall of Sound & Geffen Pressure - 44:32: Overall Impressions & Lyrics - 48:46: The Walden Galleria Food Court - 50:46: Side A, Track 1: Don't Cry - 56:31: Side A, Track 2: The Smile Has Left Your Eyes - 1:04:20: Side A, Track 3: Never in a Million Years - 1:10:27: Side A, Track 4: My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want) - 1:18:29: Side A, Track 5: The Heat Goes On - 1:22:37: Until Side B, the Heat Goes On BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - Asia Official Website | Facebook | X (Twitter) Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. Don't cry, it's only an email: backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  2. Sep 23

    Asia "Alpha" (1983): Interview with Asia Producer Dax Kimbrough

    Asia's 1983 album "Alpha", with Dax Kimbrough, a producer on a number of Asia albums, on Wetton, Downes and 80s prog. We cover a brief history of Asia, how Dax discovered the band, "Alpha" and the 1980s prog rock transition, the John Wetton and Geoff Downes partnership, album and song sequencing, and a touching personal tale. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - Asia “Alpha” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: What happens to the heat again? - 0:18: Nihau, Asia! - 1:24: The Barenaked Asian Dynamic - 2:30: A Brief History of Asia, The Band - 4:01: Dax Kimbrough, an Asian Producer, Friend, & Guest - 7:05: How Dax Discovered Asia - 13:47: “Alpha” and the 1980’s Prog Rock Transition - 30:27: The Wetton and Downes Partnership - 34:45: A Teachable Moment - 39:45: Albums & Song Sequence - 47:10: A Touching Personal Tale - 59:36: Until the Sun Rises in the Far East BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - Asia Official Website | Facebook | X (Twitter) Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. It was the heat of the email: backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  3. Sep 16

    Barenaked Ladies "Gordon" (1992), Side B: If I Had $1000000, The Flag

    Barenaked Ladies' 1992 album "Gordon", Side B: "The King of Bedside Manor", "Box Set", "New Kid (on the Block)" and "If I Had $1000000". Plus "I Love You", "Blame It on Me", "The Flag" and "Crazy", JW's "Gordon: Dressed Up" retrack, and the best and the worst. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - Barenaked Ladies “Gordon” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: You Are What You Eat - 0:04: Excellent Editing, Not Technical Problems - 3:02: Michael Presents: Cover the Cover - 9:14: Side B, Track 1: The King of Bedside Manor - 12:50: Side B, Track 2: Box/Set - 17:53: Side B, Track 3: I Love You - 20:30: Side B, Track 4: New Kid (on the Block) - 26:40: Side B, Track 5: Blame It on Me - 31:06: Side B, Track 6: The Flag - 35:50: Side B, Track 7: If I Had $1,000,000 - 42:10: Side B, Track 8: Crazy - 46:10: “Gordon: Dressed Up,” A Backtrack Retrack® - 55:27: The Best and the Worst - 59:09: The Naked End BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - Barenaked Ladies Official Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. I love email: backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  4. Sep 9

    Barenaked Ladies "Gordon" (1992), Side A: Enid, Grade 9, Brian Wilson

    Barenaked Ladies' 1992 album "Gordon", Side A: "Hello City", "Enid", "Grade 9", "Brian Wilson", "Be My Yoko Ono" and more. We place BNL on the comedy music continuum, cover the production, get to "Wrap Your Arms Around Me" and "What a Good Boy", and survive a major technical error. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - Barenaked Ladies “Gordon” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: Herzog on Schwarzenegger - 0:18: Hello Podcast - 1:18: A Major Technical Error - 2:30: Nein Hauskeepen - 2:44: Barenaked Ladies, & the Comedy Music Continuum - 7:32: The Basics - 25:33: The Production & Overall Impressions - 36:33: Side A, Track 1: Hello City - 44:02: Side A, Track 2: Enid - 55:08: Side A, Track 3: Grade 9 - 1:01:25: Side A, Track 4: Brian Wilson - 1:12:35: Side A, Track 5: Be My Yoko Ono - 1:20:42: Side A, Track 6: Wrap Your Arms Around Me - 1:27:08: Side A, Track 7: What a Good Boy - 1:31:05: A Million Dollar Cliffhanger BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - Barenaked Ladies Official Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. If I had a million emails, I’d buy you a green dress (but not a real green dress, that’s cruel): backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  5. Sep 2

    The Chameleons "Strange Times" (1986), Side B: Swamp Thing

    The Chameleons' 1986 album "Strange Times", Side B: "Swamp Thing", "Time / The End of Time", "Seriocity", "In Answer" and more. Plus "Childhood" and "I'll Remember", why "Strange Times" is out of print, another Backtrack Retrack, and a eulogy for the Columbia House Record and Tape Club. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - The Chameleons “Strange Times” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: Social Cohesion - 0:48: Intro Cathedral - 1:51: Why is “Strange Times” Out of Print? - 4:23: Cover the Cover - 15:18: Side B, Track 1: Swamp Thing - 25:47: Side B, Track 2: Time / The End of Time - 34:10: Side B, Track 3: Seriocity - 39:45: Side B, Track 4: In Answer - 43:40: Side B, Track 5: Childhood - 49:50: Side B, Track 6: I’ll Remember - 56:00: Another Backtrack Retrack - 1:03:03: RIP Columbia House Record and Tape Club - 1:07:40: Die Bestenwurst - 1:12:00: The End of Time BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - The Chameleons Official Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. Alive in here, I’ll email in here: backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  6. Aug 26

    The Chameleons "Strange Times" (1986), Side A: Soul in Isolation

    The Chameleons' 1986 album "Strange Times", Side A: "Mad Jack", "Caution", "Tears" and "Soul in Isolation". Plus the basics, a Chameleons anecdote, and a post-mortem on our interview with Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - The Chameleons “Strange Times” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: Elias Was a Waterwalker - 0:16: Intro Delirium - 1:20: The Plagues of God - 3:33: The Basic Basics - 6:24: Housekeeping - 12:32: A Chameleons Anecdote - 18:50: An Interview Post-Mortem - 23:30: Overall Impressions - 1:00:05: Side A, Track 1: Mad Jack - 1:14:46: Side A, Track 2: Caution - 1:21:10: Side A, Track 3: Tears - 1:28:23: Side A, Track 4: Soul in Isolation - 1:38:25: Until Side B, You Will Be in Isolation BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - The Chameleons Official Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. Alive in here, I’ll email in here: backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  7. Aug 19

    The Chameleons' Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies on "Strange Times"

    The Chameleons' Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies join us to go through 1986's "Strange Times", track by track, from the source. We cover signing with Geffen and Tom Zutaut, pre-production and writing, guitar influences, the album covers, every song from "Mad Jack" to "I'll Remember", the tour and the breakup, Tony Fletcher's death, the reunion and "Arctic Moon." LISTEN TO THE ALBUM: - The Chameleons “Strange Times” CHAPTERS: - 0:00: Chamellionaires - 0:23: Enjoy This Week’s Theme Untrammeled - 1:31: Enjoy JW’s Intro Untrammeled - 3:57: Welcome Burgess and Smithies! - 6:06: The Chameleons Leading Up to Recording “Strange Times” - 9:28: Signing with Geffen - 12:48: Contemporary Influences? - 14:48: Geffen & Tom Zutaut - 17:10: Pre-Production & Writing - 19:56: Guitar Influences - 23:23: The Album Covers - 27:00: Side A, Track 1: Mad Jack - 31:43: A Lyrical Interlude - 32:26: Polarizing Fans - 35:10: Side A, Track 2: Caution - 38:55: Side A, Track 3: Tears - 42:25: Side A, Track 4: Soul in Isolation - 50:25: Side B, Track 1: Swamp Thing - 55:25: Side B, Track 2: Time / The End of Time - 1:08:12: Side B, Track 3: Seriosity - 1:11:08: Side B, Track 4: In Answer - 1:13:10: Side B, Track 6: Childhood - 1:17:17: Side B, Track 7: I’ll Remember - 1:20:17: The Release, the Tour, the Breakdown, the Breakup - 1:26:07: Tony Fletcher’s Death & the Tony Fletcher EP - 1:30:40: Reunion and “Arctic Moon” - 1:32:16: That’s it! On to Side A! BACKTRACKING SOCIALS: - Twitter: @backtrackingrox - YouTube: @backtrackingrox - Instagram: @backtrackingrox - Reddit: u/backtrackingrox BAND LINKS: - The Chameleons Official Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook Welcome to Backtracking – the podcast where three old friends take a second listen to influential bands' albums, track by track. For our third season, we've each selected five albums that we think deserve a good old Backtracking. He stalks the night with sonar emails: backtrackingrox@gmail.com

  8. Aug 12 ·  Bonus

    S3 Summer Break Announcement

    We're taking the week off, nerds! We'll be back next week to tackle The Chameleons "Strange Times." Go soak in the sun!

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4.7
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

Backtracking is the music podcast where three old friends, Dan, Raf and JW, take a second listen to influential albums, track by track. Season 1 covered the entire Rush catalog. Season 2 went deep on American Music Club. Season 3 is fifteen albums, from Ozzy's "Blizzard of Ozz" and Asia's "Alpha" to Sting's "The Soul Cages" and The Chameleons' "Strange Times," with guests including Mark Burgess and Reg Smithies of The Chameleons, Seth Tiven of Dumptruck, Nathan Larson, and Will Hodgkinson. Expect deep cuts, bad puns, and The Best and the Worst for every album. New episodes on Tuesdays.

Information

  • Creator
    Backtracking Studios
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Backtracking Studios
  • Show Website
    Backtracking

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