Discord and Rhyme: An Album Podcast

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/

Yeah, yeah, we know, I got a fever, yadda yadda. At this point, Blue Öyster Cult are probably best known for the 2000 Saturday Night Live sketch “More Cowbell,” where Christopher Walken repeatedly demands that the band play up the faint cowbell in their 1975 hit single “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” and we all had a good laugh. But the sketch barely scratches the surface of the fascinating, strange depths of BÖC’s music. The band started off as basically a vessel for the vision of rock critic Sandy Pearlman, who filled their lyrics with convoluted mythology and gave the band rock music’s very first decorative umlaut. And despite their goal of being “the American Black Sabbath,” BÖC didn’t really sound like any rock music of the time, to the point where Eric Bloom could call his rhythm guitar “stun guitar” and nobody would think to ask why. In this episode, Phil leads Dan, Mike, and Rich through Secret Treaties, the pinnacle of the band as a cohesive vision, featuring a lyrical cameo by Patti Smith and the story of a U.S. Supreme Court justice who steals people’s eyeballs. You know, like people do. Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Dan Watkins, Mike DeFabio, Rich BunnellComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/022-blue-oyster-cult-secret-treaties-1974Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpodSupport the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Several really excellent songs, and one example of extreme plagiarism - only Amanda didn't notice it and had a nervous breakdown when Phil pointed it out. Plus a love song to a speckled egg. You won't want to miss this one. For early access to these bonus episodes, visit https://www.patreon.com/discordpod!(Warning: The first artist on this set was a sexual predator, and we discuss it a bit, though not in detail. If that is not the kind of thing you want to listen to, skip from about 2:30-3:15. Also, his song sucks.)Kim Fowley - The TripThe Seeds - Can't Seem to Make You MineThe Remains - Why Do I CryThe Beau Brummels - Laugh, LaughThe Nightcrawlers - Little Black EggThe Gants - I WonderThe Five Americans - I See the LightThe Woolies - Who Do You LoveOpening music: The Hector Collectorshttps://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Krayliehttps://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

The Magnetic Fields' fastidious idea-geyser Stephin Merritt decided to preempt anyone else's attempts to pay tribute to his music by doing it himself. The result was 1995's indie-pop classic Wasps' Nests, recorded under the tongue-punishing name the 6ths, for which Merritt wrote and recorded all original songs, but recruited the cream of the who's-who of mid-'90s indie-rock to sing each of the tracks. On this episode of D&R, Will plays tour guide, herding Amanda, Dan, and Rich through Merritt's menagerie of indie-rock icons, exploring how their own musical styles react and fluoresce when combined with his singular, synth-heavy indie-pop backdrops. And holy every-profanity, Barbara Manning, Will's musical heroine, stops by to tell us about her experience contributing to this album and hanging out with Merritt in general!Cohosts: Chris Willie Williams, Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Dan WatkinsComplete show notes: http://discordpod.com/listen/the-6ths-wasps-nests-1995 Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This is a fantastic batch of songs, including both Love and Strawberry Alarm Clock. We're getting good and psychedelic in this one! (For any listeners who might be a bit confused at the radio station talk, Amanda and John both grew up in the Chicago area. John is still there, but Amanda has defected to Canada.) For early access to these bonus episodes, visit https://www.patreon.com/discordpod.  The Chocolate Watchband - Sweet Young ThingStrawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and PeppermintsThe Brogues - I Ain't No Miracle WorkerLove - 7 and 7 IsThe Outsiders - Time Won't Let MeThe Squires - Going All the WayThe Shadows of Knight - I'm Gonna Make You MineOpening music: The Hector Collectorshttps://thehectorcollectors.bandcamp.com/ Closing credits music: Kenneth Krayliehttps://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/