Discord and Rhyme: An Album Podcast

Get jammed by Discord & Rhyme! This week, we spotlight British punk rockers The Jam, specifically their 1979 post-punk opus Setting Sons. John, Rich, Dan, and host Ben unpack Paul Weller's dark subject matter and make the case that it can still result in fun — and even uplifting — music. It doesn't hurt that the band's spare, crackling energy makes even the dourest songs danceable, and that the 20-year-old Weller's worldview — cynical and biting, but somehow still hopeful — transcends the grimy streets of late-1970s England. Join four Yanks (plus one expat in an edifying guest appearance) as we discuss how Paul Weller's message resonates with us — even 40 years later, even Over Here, and even in our decidedly un-punky mid-thirties.Cohosts: Ben Marlin, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Dan WatkinsComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/027-the-jam-setting-sons-1979 Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're 75% of the way through Nuggets. This episode includes a lengthy digression into the weirdness of J. Edgar Hoover, more questionable Shadows of Knight lyrics, a funny adolescent take on hallucinogens, and the return of Ted Nugent. Don't forget, you can get early access to these episodes through Patreon!Unrelated Segments - Story of My LifeThe Third Bardo - I'm Five Years Ahead of My TimeWe the People - Mirror of Your MindThe Shadows of Knight - Bad Little WomanThe Music Machine - Double Yellow LineThe Human Expression - Optical SoundThe Amboy Dukes - Journey to the Center of the MindOpening music: The Hector Collectors https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

This week, the Discord and Rhyme crew settle in for a breezy, fast ‘n bulbous chat about one of the most infamously impenetrable albums of the 20th century. Sure, we could have made it easy on ourselves and chosen one of Captain Beefheart’s shorter, more accessible records, but where’s the fun in that? On this episode, Dan guides Mike, Phil, and Rich through Beefheart (and the Magic Band)’s 1969 magnum opus Trout Mask Replica, a double (yes, double) album that, depending on who you ask, is either a hugely influential, groundbreaking masterpiece or completely unlistenable noise. Listen as we discuss the insane story behind how the album was made, list the dozens upon dozens of bands and artists who have scrapped the album’s sound for parts in the decades since, and break down why people who enjoy it aren’t just trying to prove how cool they are. Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil MaddoxComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/026-captain-beefheart-and-his-magic-band-trout-mask-replica-1969 Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In this episode: the dreaded return of the Sonics, a critique of punctuation in music, food synesthesia, and a learned discussion of balloon farms. Get early access to bonus episodes at patreon.com/discordpodThe Sonics - PsychoThe Lyrics - So What!!The Lollipop Shoppe - You Must Be a WitchThe Balloon Farm - A Question of TemperatureMouse & the Traps - Maid of Sugar - Maid of SpiceThe Uniques - You Ain't TuffThe Standells - Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear WhiteThe Mojo Men - She's My BabyOpening music: The Hector Collectors https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

It’s Discord & Rhyme’s 25th episode, and we’re celebrating by tackling not one, but two Yes albums (with more in common than they appear to have): The Yes Album from 1971 and Drama from 1980. In this double-length episode, Rich, Phil, and Amanda join forces with Prog John and (making a return appearance) with Washington Post reporter David Weigel, aka Prog Dave, aka The Man Who Wrote The Book On Prog. Yes has one of the craziest histories of any major band from the 1970s onward, marked by a willingness to replace anybody at any time, most notably demonstrated by the time that they responded to the departure of their singer and keyboardist by replacing them with The Buggles, and this episode features a deep dive into the history of Yes and the circumstances that led to one of the least likely lineups ever formed. Join us for a discussion of one of John’s very favorite bands, full of silly sing-alongs, ridiculous listicles of yesteryear, and one of the most scorching hot takes this show will ever produce.Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Amanda Rodgers, Dave WeigelComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/025-feat-dave-weigel-yes-the-yes-album-1971-and-drama-1980Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpodSupport the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In this episode: lamenting the decline of local journalism, the second song on the comp titled "Run, Run, Run," John's appreciation of preposterous '60s songs, and Rich comparing songs to movies again. Get early access to bonus episodes at patreon.com/discordpodThe Music Explosion - Little Bit o' SoulThe "E" Types - Put the Clock Back On the WallThe Palace Guard - Falling SugarThe Gestures - Run, Run, RunThe Rationals - I Need YouThe Humane Society - Knock, KnockThe Groupies - PrimitiveOpening music: The Hector Collectors https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

SURPRISE!!! We just thought we’d drop in, for an episode that’s truly a Discord & Rhyme party out of bounds. This week, Rich turns his watch back to late ‘70s Athens, GA, where you were either a student, a townie, or one of the artsy deadbeats in between. The B-52s fit into that last category, and the quintet had no artistic inspirations — they just sort of alternated between hanging out and crashing people’s parties, until a fateful encounter with a flaming volcano rum drink birthed the band proper. You most likely know the B-52s from their late ‘80s MTV comeback hits “Love Shack” and “Roam,” but we’re delving into their 1980 sophomore album Wild Planet, which captures every side of the band’s unique vibe, as well as how all five members contributed to their signature sound. And we’ve got a B-52s-sized panel for you: Rich is joined by Amanda, Phil, Ben, and special guest Libby Cudmore, who we hope will make a return visit to Discord & Rhyme’s wild planet. NOTE: We said some swears and discussed some adult issues, so maybe save this one for when the kids aren't around.Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, Libby CudmoreComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/024-the-b-52s-wild-planet-1980 Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

We're starting on the second half! In which we get very fussy about punctuation, express our relief that the Golliwogs changed their name, and wonder how the Sir Douglas Quintet didn't get sued for plagiarism. Also, TWO of these songs contain well-known rock stars in disguise!The Hombres - Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out)The Golliwogs - Fight FireThe New Colony Six - At the River's EdgeThe Daily Flash - Jack of DiamondsLyme & Cybelle - Follow MeThe Choir - It's Cold OutsideThe Rare Breed - Beg, Borrow and StealThe Sir Douglas Quintet - She's About a MoverOpening music: The Hector Collectors https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Discord & Rhyme’s panel is just a power trio this week of John, Rich, and host Producer Mike, but that didn’t stop them from covering an album with some of the headiest concepts in popular music. On 1982’s The Dreaming, Kate Bush opines on the futility of squeezing the totality of human knowledge into your puny brain; tells a tale of a heist caper that’s more about the anxiety of pulling off a heist; and puts you in the head of a Viet Cong soldier who’s about to throw a grenade — and that’s just the first three songs! Mike loves The Dreaming because the music sounds like it’s “happening in some non-Euclidean space inside Kate Bush’s head,”  and if you’re only familiar with her already out-there hits like “Running Up That Hill” and “Wuthering Heights,” the pure sonic experience of this album may be overwhelming. But if you sit back and let the weirdness in, this is music unlike anything else on this plane of reality.Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, John McFerrinComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/023-kate-bush-the-dreaming-1982 Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

In this round, we have another frat party song, an early effort from a very weird genius, some wildly obnoxious shrieking, and a surprisingly catchy song from a very bad movie. Also, you get Amanda and Rich freaking out at Will for mispronouncing "Live," one of the most hilariously insulting reviews any of us has ever heard, a surprise guest appearance by Will's cat, and a lengthy and irrelevant side discussion about The Big Lebowski. NOTE: Amanda mistakenly said there's not much live music in Tacoma these days. This was very stupid. There is great live music in Tacoma, particularly at Jazzbones on 6th Avenue. Go there, you won't regret it. Get early access to bonus episodes at patreon.com/discordpod. The Swingin' Medallions - Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)The Merry-Go-Round - LivePaul Revere & the Raiders - Steppin' OutCaptain Beefheart - Diddy Wah DiddyThe Sonics - StrychnineThe Syndicate of Sound - Little GirlThe Blues Magoos - (We Ain't Got) Nothin' YetMax Frost & the Troopers - Shape of Things to ComeOpening music: The Hector Collectors https://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/