Discord and Rhyme: An Album Podcast

Even if you’ve never heard the music of Richard D. James, alias Aphex Twin, you’ve probably heard music that bears his stamp: he’s influenced artists as wide-ranging as Radiohead, Björk, Skrillex, and Billie Eilish, and his warped approach to electronica has become part of the fabric of popular music writ large. Every Aphex Twin album is a little different from his others, including the airy soundscapes of Selected Ambient Works Volume II and the ear-splitting tinnitus of I Care Because You Do, and his eponymous 1997 release Richard D. James Album features an intriguing mix of ethereal strings layered over dirty drum-and-bass beats. An expert knob twiddler himself, Producer Mike has long admired Aphex Twin’s skill at conjuring up sounds and textures you’ve never heard, and he’s invited Rich, Phil, and returning guest Shivam Bhatt to discuss Cornish geography, the milkman and his wife, and snare drums that go BRRRRRRRRR!Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Shivam BhattComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/113-aphex-twin-richard-d-james-album-1996Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Time for the closing arguments in our defense of progressive rock! And they are some very convincing arguments indeed. How will the jury rule?Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Dan Watkins, Amanda RodgersThe complete playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02jupsEliJfqmLY4fPkkAA?si=a14f83512c48419cTracks: Henry Cow - Bittern Storm Over UlmEgg - I Will Be AbsorbedGoblin - SuspiriaVan der Graaf Generator - The SleepwalkersOther clips: Slapp Happy - Casablanca MoonJohn Zorn and Fred Frith - The LadderThe Yardbirds - Got to HurryThe Fall - WarEgg - Seven Is a Jolly Good TimeEgg - While Growing My HairVan der Graaf Generator - Lemmings (Including Cog)Robert Fripp - DisengageGet early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpodDiscord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane has one of the most varied and rewarding discographies in any genre of music. Because of that variety, though, it can be hard to find an entry point into his music. Ben makes the case that your entry point should be Trane's 1960 classic Giant Steps. Giant Steps features Coltrane's trademark musical innovations and rich, emotional playing - but packaged in a series of energetic songs with catchy themes and accessible, poppy structures. And in sharing a detailed, multi-part history of Coltrane's artistic development, Ben argues that Giant Steps should only be the first stop on your long Trane journey. He's joined by John, Phil, and Mike, who share their own stories of discovering jazz and falling in love with John Coltrane's music. Cohosts: Ben Marlin, John McFerrin, Phil Maddox, Mike DeFabioComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/112-john-coltrane-giant-steps-1960Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpodSupport the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Remember how Mike said this is where he put all the weird stuff? He wasn't kidding. The trial continues, with two new witnesses for the defense: Amanda, who is unreliable and inconsistent, and returning guest Dave Weigel, who is the best witness for this case anybody could ask for. He's the author of The Show That Never Ends: The Rise and Fall of Prog Rock, an excellent book that you all should read, and an unshakable expert witness.Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Amanda Rodgers, Dave Weigel, Rich BunnellTracks:Atomic Rooster - Friday the 13thGong - Flying TeapotMagma - KobahPremiata Forniera Marconi - Per Un AmicoHawkwind - MagnuAdditional clips:Hawkwind - Sonic AttackHawkwind - Time We Left This World TodayThe Crazy World of Arthur Brown - FireAtomic Rooster - Tomorrow NightAlice Cooper - He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)Gong - Flute SaladInsane Clown Posse - Who Asked YouCan - Vitamin CMagma - KobaïaKing Crimson - Waiting Man (from Absent Lovers)Elton John - Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies BleedingHawkwind - MotorheadPink Floyd - Interstellar OverdriveHawkwind - Space Is DeepClosing credits music: Kenneth Krayliehttps://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpodDiscord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

The New Pornographers winkingly call themselves an “indie rock supergroup,” even though none of their members were performing before crowds larger than 200 when they formed. Since then, they’ve grown into critical darlings with a cult following and an intimidating spread of studio albums and solo releases, but they were never scrappier, hungrier, and more fascinating than on their 2000 debut, Mass Romantic. Buoyed by bandleader Carl “A.C.” Newman’s sturdy pop songwriting, Dan Bejar’s looser, more whimsical compositions, and Neko Case’s superhuman vocals, the album packs six or seven hooks into every song. The results are both exhilarating and exhausting, and that ebullient energy is exactly why Rich has loved them for more than two decades. If you’ve never listened to the New Pornos before but enjoy great pop music, we hope this becomes a new favorite – because, after all, hope grows greener than grass stains.Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin, Mike DeFabio, Dan WatkinsComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/111-the-new-pornographers-mass-romantic-2000Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

You know we can't stay away from prog rock for long. This time we've brought in a witness for the prosecution: cohost Ben Marlin, who is famously impatient with prog's excesses! Surprisingly, he likes most of this, but there are plenty of awesomely hot takes in here.Tracks:Pink Floyd - One of These DaysThe Moody Blues - GypsyAphrodite's Child - The Four HorsemenProcol Harum - ConquistadorElectric Light Orchestra - DaybreakerOther clips:Aphrodite's Child - Seven TrumpetsAphrodite's Child - AltamontThe Tornados - TelstarAphrodite's Child - Rain and TearsThe Verve - The Rolling PeopleBeck - ChemtrailsAphrodite's Child - ∞Procol Harum - Conquistador (studio version)Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, Rich Bunnell, Ben MarlinClosing credits music: Kenneth Krayliehttps://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/Get early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpodDiscord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

In 1977, Marvin Gaye divorced Anna Ruby Gordy (against his wishes), and as part of the divorce settlement he agreed to pay Anna a portion of the royalties of his next album. Marvin responded by recording and releasing Here, My Dear, a 72-minute double album about his divorce, his feelings about his ex-wife, and a lot of other topics weighty and otherwise. The album was initially a critical and commercial dud, but over time the album gained a reputation as a classic and possibly Gaye's best. In this episode, John (as host) stakes a position in favor of the album and its improved reputation, while Ben stakes a position that maybe listeners and critics got it right with their initial skeptical reaction (Rich takes a middle position, generally in favor of the album but with some reservations), and this makes for a spirited conversation about an album that can't help but prompt strong emotional response. Everybody needs love, and everybody needs to hear us talk about this complicated album from one of the most complicated men ever to sing beautifully into a microphone.Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Ben Marlin Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/110-marvin-gaye-here-my-dear-1978Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Did you hear? Discord & Rhyme is continuing our holiday tradition of discussing bands who despise each other, and this year it’s the legendary Fleetwood Mac. After their foundation as a British blues band, they went through years of unbelievable turmoil before hiring a couple of Americans to add some sunny California rock to their sound. The result of all this was 1977’s Rumours, famously one of the best-selling albums of all time and inescapable to this day on classic rock radio. We’re taking a close look at this very famous album to see whether all that hype is truly deserved, and it turns out (spoiler alert) it totally is. So come along with us. We have some dreams we’d like to sell.Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Ben Marlin, Amanda RodgersComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/109-fleetwood-mac-rumours-1977Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This week, we get busy in a Burger King bathroom and close out our coverage of Weird Al's 1992 polka medley. In this final set (for now), Janet Jackson levels up into new jack swing superstar, we discuss metal of both the hair and thrash varieties, and the Ice Man cometh.Co-hosts: Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, Phil MaddoxMetallica - Enter SandmanDigital Underground - The Humpty DanceWarrant - Cherry PieJanet Jackson - Miss You MuchDivinyls - I Touch MyselfMötley Crüe - Dr. FeelgoodVanilla Ice - Ice Ice BabyOther clips:Mariah Carey - EmotionsMegadeth - I'll Get EvenMetallica - FranticMadonna - VogueParliament - Flash LightDigital Underground - DoowutchyalikeParliament - Let's Play HouseParliament - Theme from the Black HoleSly and the Family Stone - Sing a Simple SongDigital Underground - Same SongWarrant - HeavenJanet Jackson - EscapadeJanet Jackson - Black CatJanet Jackson - Love Will Never Do (Without You)Janet Jackson - Rhythm NationHi-Five - I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)Cathy Dennis - Touch Me (All Night Long)Divinyls - Pleasure and PainVanilla Ice - Ninja RapGet early access to bonus episodes on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/discordpodDiscord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Wipe that illegal smile off your face! Phil has been immersed in the music of John Prine for his entire life, and he’s brought along John and Ben to discuss the Maywood, IL, singer/songwriter, who unfortunately was one of the earliest victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Prine recorded his 1971 debut, industry execs saw him as a Midwestern rube, to the point of posing him on top of a hay bale on the album cover, even though hay bales are in short supply in the Chicago suburbs. But he’s a witty, intelligent, insightful, and empathetic songwriter with the ability to make listeners laugh and cry in the space of a single line, and his songs have been covered by legends including Johnny Cash and Bonnie Raitt. Prine’s passing led to a surge of interest in his music, to the point where this album charted higher in the spring of 2020 than it ever had in the previous five decades, so if he’s has flown under your radar to this point, this episode is a great opportunity to learn all about a true genius of American folk music.Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin, John McFerrinComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/108-john-prine-john-prine-1971Discord & Rhyme merch: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod