The Sonic Collective

The Sonic Collective
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Join our team of music fans on a journey to determine if influential music from the past has withstood the test of time. Our panel listens for a month and then informs you of which classic albums are worth a revisit. Episodes released monthly.

  1. Guilty as Charged: Our Musical Guilty Pleasures

    JAN 23

    Guilty as Charged: Our Musical Guilty Pleasures

    Even the most obsessive music nerds have a few secrets they’re not eager to file under cool. In Guilty as Charged: Our Musical Guilty Pleasures, the four hosts of The Sonic Collective step into the confessional and own up to the songs and artists we love — even though critics, tastemakers, and sometimes our younger selves say we shouldn’t. From unexpected pop hits to unfashionable classics and deeply personal favorites, these are the tracks that refuse to leave our playlists, no matter how much side-eye they get. It’s a funny, honest, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about taste, nostalgia, and why the music that moves us doesn’t always need critical approval. Listener discretion advised… your own guilty pleasures may not survive this episode unchallenged. Visit us at https://TheSonicCollective.com for access to all our episodes and bonus content for each episode.

    43 min
  2. Album Review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It's Blitz!

    12/17/2025

    Album Review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It's Blitz!

    After more than a decade of digging into the albums that shaped modern music, The Sonic Collective returns with a thrilling reassessment of a record that deserves far more love. For our December 2025 episode, podcast member Scott Gregory throws down a bold pick: the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ electrifying 2009 release It’s Blitz!—an album that pushed the band beyond garage-rock swagger into sleek, pulse-driven art-pop. Some of the panel came in as newcomers, unsure of what to expect, but the verdict was overwhelmingly enthusiastic as the record revealed itself to be daring, emotional, and remarkably ahead of its time. Along the way, we unpack fascinating stories behind the album, explore why the Yeah Yeah Yeahs never quite received the same cultural coronation as peers like The White Stripes, LCD Soundsystem, or The Strokes, and argue passionately for It’s Blitz! as a modern classic that still hits hard today. If you’ve overlooked this album—or haven’t revisited it in years—this episode makes a compelling case for turning it up loud and giving it the attention it’s always deserved. For more content, show notes and access to our full scores, visit us at http://thesoniccollective.com

    39 min
  3. Album Review: Recoil - Liquid

    11/12/2025

    Album Review: Recoil - Liquid

    On this episode of The Sonic Collective, Alain brings us on a journey with Recoil's album, Liquid, released in 2000. Recoil is the passion project of former Depeche Mode member Alan Wilder, and his album Liquid offers a unique glimpse into a dark side of his psyche, partially inspired by a near-death experience he had. Liquid is unconventional, well crafted, and had us questioning our own senses this month. A truly dark, hauntingly enigmatic and downright spooky soundtrack, fit for an October review. As usual, we each explore the album from our own perspectives over the course of the month, and join up for a conversation about how we felt about it, concluding with our scores based on our overall enjoyment of the album, whether or not we'd recommend it, and whether or not it influenced our tastes. Don't miss this one!

    41 min
  4. Album Review: Nas - Illmatic

    11/10/2025

    Album Review: Nas - Illmatic

    On this episode of The Sonic Collective, Scott C brings us on a journey into rap history with Nas’s first studio album Illmatic (1994). Nas is frequently cited as an influence of other rappers, including his contemporaries, and contributed heavily to the 90s renaissance of east-coast rap. The west coast scene was dominating, and this album was on the vanguard of several releases that reset the balance and cemented the voice of a generation. The guys had various levels of experience and interest with the material and it turned out to be a very good conversation about not only our experience with the album when it came out, but the lasting impact it and Nas have had on Rap and the music industry. As always, we analyze the album itself as a whole and put it in context of when it was released. We also have our own favourite tracks to shout out. If you’re new to 90s rap or an old head looking to reminisce with, join us this month for a listen. Find this episode and more and get access to all our content at http://TheSonicCollective.com.

    42 min
  5. Album Review: Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown

    09/09/2025

    Album Review: Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown

    On this episode of The Sonic Collective, we dive into one of the most iconic albums in Canadian music history — Gordon Lightfoot’s Sundown (1974). Known for its title track, which became Lightfoot’s only U.S. #1 single, Sundown is an album that perfectly balances folk roots with a smooth country-rock polish. At the height of the 1970s singer-songwriter era, Lightfoot delivered deeply personal songs about love, jealousy, and restlessness, cementing his place as one of the greatest storytellers in music.As always on The Sonic Collective, we step back in time to experience this album as it was meant to be heard, while also asking an important question: does Sundown still hold up today? We’ll share our insights on the history, cultural impact, and sound of the album, while reflecting on how these songs resonate with modern listeners. From the radio-dominating hit “Sundown” to the hauntingly beautiful “Carefree Highway,” this record gives us plenty to discuss.If you’re new to our show, The Sonic Collective is a podcast where music lovers revisit classic albums to see if they stand the test of time — and if they’re worth adding to your playlist today. Whether you’re a lifelong Lightfoot fan or just discovering his music, join us as we explore what makes Sundown such a compelling piece of music history.Find this episode and more and get access to all our content at http://TheSonicCollective.com.

    45 min
  6. Album Review: MGK - Tickets To My Downfall

    08/21/2025

    Album Review: MGK - Tickets To My Downfall

    This month on The Sonic Collective, things got a little louder and a lot more divided. Our newest and youngest member, Owen Pearson, brought us Machine Gun Kelly’s 2020 album Tickets to My Downfall—a bold departure from the classic rock and older albums we often cover. Owen loved this album when it dropped, and he wanted to challenge the crew to revisit it and see if it holds up as a modern “classic.”The results? Well, let’s just say sparks flew. Some of us heard a lot of Blink-182 in the mix (no surprise with Travis Barker behind the production), while others felt the whole thing leaned too polished and pop-driven to really be called punk. Still, a few of the old guard gave MGK credit for picking up guitars and drums over laptops and synths, steering closer to rock than much of today’s mainstream sound.Love it or hate it, Tickets to My Downfall opened up a fresh conversation about what makes an album influential in today’s world. Is it raw energy? Is it radio appeal? Or is it simply connecting with a new generation of listeners? One thing’s for sure—Owen’s pick shook up the Collective, and we walked away with a better understanding of why MGK has such a passionate following.So plug in, crank it up, and join us as we debate whether MGK’s pop-punk pivot deserves a spot in the canon of influential albums—or if it’s destined to be more pop than punk.Listen to us on your favourite podcast platform and visit us at TheSonicCollective.com for more show notes, scores and media. You can also access any of our many episodes.

    51 min
  7. Classic Compilation Albums Review: Big Shiny Tunes 4 - 1999

    07/11/2025

    Classic Compilation Albums Review: Big Shiny Tunes 4 - 1999

    🎧 The Sonic Collective podcast is back with a nostalgic deep dive into one of Canada's most iconic compilation albums — Big Shiny Tunes 4! For over 10 years, our crew of passionate music lovers — Darren Scott, Scott Coates, Alain DuPuis, and Scott Gregory — have reviewed classic albums to see if they still hold up today. In this episode, we proudly welcome our newest member, Owen Pearson, as we revisit the MuchMusic-curated soundtrack that defined 1999 for a generation of Canadian rock fans. Packed with sharp insights, fun facts, and our signature scoring, this episode will take you right back to your CD binder days. Tune in now on your favourite podcast platform — and see if Big Shiny Tunes 4 still rocks like it used to!

    52 min
  8. Classic Compilation Albums Review: Spawn, The Album (Movie Soundtrack)

    06/13/2025

    Classic Compilation Albums Review: Spawn, The Album (Movie Soundtrack)

    This episode explores the original motion picture soundtrack of the 1997 action-horror movie, Spawn, based on Todd McFarlane's comic book of the same name. This album is unique in that it consists of all original music, with each song featuring a collaboration between some of the hottests artists of the day. Contributors of note include Korn, The Prodigy, Moby, Marilyn Manson, The Crystal Method, and more.We discuss the tracks we enjoyed, the tracks we didn't, and talked about just how unique this album is. At the end of the podcast, we attempt to quantify how much we each liked it by scoring the album out of five. Stay tuned till the end to hear what member Scott Gregory has selected as the album we review next month._____Welcome to the Sonic Collective, a music podcast that explores a different album or musical concept each month, diving deep into its history, context, and impact on the music industry. Join hosts Alain Dupuis, Scott Coates and Darren Scott, along with Scott Gregory, as they share their thoughts, insights, and personal connections to the music, inviting listeners to discover new perspectives and appreciation for some of the greatest albums of all time.

    37 min
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About

Join our team of music fans on a journey to determine if influential music from the past has withstood the test of time. Our panel listens for a month and then informs you of which classic albums are worth a revisit. Episodes released monthly.

Information

  • Creator
    The Sonic Collective
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    210
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Sonic Collective
  • Show Website
    The Sonic Collective