Advertise on podcast: The Great Albums

In this mail bag episode, Bill and Brian read some emails and messages from listeners. We talk about why we aren't on Spotify, what's the Millennial "Smells Like Teen Spirit," great pickle ball movies, get some input from European listeners on what the Are You Experienced track list is over there, and much more!

Bill and Brian get into all the things that make the Go-Go's Beauty & the Beat (1981, I.R.S. Records) a great album! Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey's songwriting, the band's punk rock attitude, what's the problem with Robert Christgau, and much more as we make our way through this album track by track!

Bill and Brian welcome Ryan Hanratty and Bill Greenwood. Ryan and Bill have been handling all the cool social media content everyone's been seeing recently. Ryan edits videos that make us look funny and Bill has been getting our names out in the press. Find out what music they love, the first albums they bought, and what was the best sandwich to get at the Rider University diner. Full episode at patreon.com/thegreatalbums

Bill and Brian talk about what makes Are You Experienced by the Jimi Hendrix Experience great! We examine how the power trio's debut expanded the possibilities of rock guitar, pairing blues and rock & roll foundations with psychedelic experimentation, unusual effects, and a wide emotional range. Working through the original 11-track U.S. edition, we dig into Hendrix's virtuosity and songwriting talent, Mitch Mitchell's kinetic drumming, the album's idiosyncratic production and stereo mix, and the way the album moves between enduring songs like "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Fire," and "Foxey Lady."

Bill and Brian are very lucky to be joined by, not one, but TWO very special guests to discuss what we love about the Promise Ring's Very Emergency (1999, Jade Tree). First up is long time friend of the podcast Jim Hanke from the spectacular Vinyl Emergency podcast. Jim shares his experiences discovering the band while coming up in Milwaukee (Algonquin for "the good land") and loving the band all through its evolution from emo to power pop and beyond. Then, Jim got us hooked up with the Promise Ring's very own Dan Didier. Dan joins us to share stories about recording the album with J. Robbins in Washington, DC. Check it all out!

Did you know the Great Albums has a Patreon with exclusive bonus content? Here's a sample of our first bonus episode in which Bill, Brian, and our good buddy Bill Greenwood discuss Jimmy Eat World's Stay on My Side Tonight (2005, Interscope), a companion EP to the previous year's Futures. You get a nice little taste of what we do, but to check out the full track-by-track review go to patreon.com/thegreatalbums and sign up for the Exclusive Content membership!

Bill and Brian dive into what they love about the Beth's debut album Future Me Hates Me (2018, Carpark) with a track-by-track review, awarding the album with the kudos we believe it justly deserves, and really just gushing about how absolutely great it is!

Bill and Brian discuss Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut (XL, 2008). We talk about what makes this album great, hand out some "awards," revisit what critics said, and do so much more as we share our first track-by-track review in 7 years!

You heard it here first! Bill and Brian will be returning with all new episodes, a fresh format, and the same great taste on June 1st. Listen in for all the details!

Bill and Brian give thanks, list our top 10 episodes, and read a bunch of emails in the midst of our indefinite hiatus.

In our final episode that'll be part of a regular release schedule, we take a look back at the first album we ever discussed, the Replacements' Let It Be (1984, Twin/Tone). Bill and Brian use the skills they've honed during their years of podcasting experience to see what a conversation revisiting the first album would sound like. Enjoy!

It's finally happening! As we reach the penultimate episode to be part of our weekly releases, Bill and Brian take the time to talk about what's great about Radiohead's OK Computer (1997, Parlophone/Capitol). Bill spends a little time talking about what happens when fans say things like they can't get into an artist or album and how it can be perceived. Then we get to the track by track review, focusing on what we enjoy in the tunes!

Author and educator Doug Robertson, AKA the Weird Teacher, joins Bill and Brian to discuss Nick Cave and the Bad Seed's Let Love In (1994, Mute Records).

Musician Sean Barna drops by to discuss the Hold Steady's sophomore effort Separation Sunday (2005, Frenchkiss).

Musician Scott Sylvester (Meeko Brando) hangs out with Bill and Brian while we discuss Sonic Youth's Murray St. (2002, DGC Records).