Podcasts Archive by category "Crash Chords Podcast" (Page 8)

Category: Crash Chords Podcast

The Crash Chords Podcast is an eternal war for artistic scrutiny. Follow along with our intensive album analyses by diving into the album yourself first — using our Spotify play buttons, when available — and then join us in asking the hard questions. Expect guest panelists, broader topics concerning music as an art form, episode specials, and surprise performances.

Sift through this archive more efficiently by checking out our “At-a-Glance” sub-menu, complete with episode hyperlinks, albums, topics, and our final rating chart.

CCP Ep. #181: FFS by FFS [Franz Ferdinand, Sparks]

This week’s album adventures are brought to you by listener Mark H. who has suggested we dive into the acronymic namesake of a curious collaboration: Glasgow-based Franz Ferdinand & Los Angeles-based Sparks. Together, they form the “supergroup” called FFS, sporting a sole self-titled debut (FFS). Join us in this intensive analysis and share your thoughts! (We even throw in the bonus tracks to honor the FFS deluxe version.) True to form, we also take a few moments at the end to expand on Ep. #179‘s “Bonus Tracks” discussion by adding some thoughts and theories on the thematic applications of bonus tracks.

CCP Ep. #180: Paper Gods by Duran Duran | Feat. Matt Holtzclaw

Today the Crash Chords Podcast welcomes the magician extraordinaire, sought-after special effects consultant, and delightfully entertaining Matt Holtzclaw! In an opening interview, Matt shares with us some tales from his long career, his stint on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and the essence of what magic means to him as an art form. But wait! For Matt’s last trick, he conjures up an album for our weekly group analysis. That album—Paper Gods by the synth/pop darlings of the 1980s, Duran Duran. So go ahead and join us on this magical journey and don’t forget to check out Matt’s upcoming shows (posted on the magician’s webpage).

CCP Ep. #179: The Great Unknown by Rob Thomas

Remember our ancient Matchbox Twenty episode? Well, as you may or may not know, the band’s frontman Rob Thomas has had a solo career for over a decade, and we just thought we’d check in to see what his latest solo excursion, The Great Unknown, is all about. Join us in today’s unsparing analysis, listen to our afterthoughts, and then share yours below! Also, don’t forget to check out our big discussion at 1:43:17 on the trials and tribulations of bonus tracks and exclusive media. Sick of it all yet? Can’t get enough? We want to know!

CCP Ep. #178: The Vice Quadrant by Steam Powered Giraffe

Yup… we’re back to Steam Powered Giraffe. And it’s a special double disc day! The Vice Quadrant, the fourth installment of the steampunk / “broadway”-esque act (chronicling the adventures of three antique malfunctioning musical robots) was released September 2015, and, as promised in their previous release MK III, they’re in spaaaace! Although today marks a rare third visit to an artist for us (after episodes 39 & 72), the “space” sales pitch was simply too tempting to resist. We will, however, bite the hook on one count: being a double disc, an unstreamable album, and an extra long episode, this one’s likely just for the SPG fans. If you count yourself in that crowd—but still have a critical ear—then join us in this hefty analysis and share your thoughts below! Hopefully our ‘Disc Two’ “bookmark” at 1:23:30 will help manage your time.

CCP Ep. #177: VEGA INTL. Night School by Neon Indian

Today we’re taking on a long-awaited “listener pick” from Doug Ferguson of the Music A to Z Podcast (one of the subjects of our 150th Episode Special‘s “music podcast” overview). Thanks to Doug, we’ll be diving into the album VEGA INTL. Night School by Neon Indian, a project of indie-electronic composer Alan Palomo. Neon Indian was also discussed in Music A to Z’s episode, “N Is For Neon Indian”, so give that a listen as well! Finally, we wrap up with a quick predictive experiment: The “thirty-year rule”… 2040s style! What elements of today’s music could potentially make their way into cultural rotation for a thirty-year resurgence? Hopes? Fears? Let’s hear ’em in the comments! And don’t forget to give Music A to Z a follow!

CCP Ep. #176: Vulnicura by Björk

Welcome to the first episode of 2016! Join us as we kick off the new year with a new microphone and Björk’s torrid divorce album, Vulnicura, released early last year. Afterwards, we dive into some more heavy material concerning music at large: how easy it is to grow “out of touch”, internet marketing, and postcapitalism! Should be a fun year…

CCP Ep. #175: The 2015 Year in Review

At last, we’ve arrived at the 2015 Year in Review! Join us in our annual barrage of categories, prizes, and tears (of all varieties) as we “shock” each other with our personal picks from the year’s analyses. If you’re having trouble following along, try out the CCP Archive, starting with episode #126… or just wing it. There’s always next year. In fact, hop on board with us next week (on our normal schedule) to be our 2016 companion! (Next year’s “Year in Review” will make much more sense, we promise.) And as always, a Happy New Year from Crash Chords!

CCP Ep. #174: The Outtakes (IV)

What significance could number “174” possibly have in your life? Wait… don’t answer that… There’s no time! It’s OUTTAKE TIME! Before the new year arrives — or even our hefty “year in review” — we ask that you imbibe our annual concoction of fumbles, foibles, follies, and foolishness. Abandon all hope, ye who download this podcast, for today we bestow unto you our refuse, our backwash, our inane impulses, and our ignominious blunders. (Sounds like a lark, right?) Happy Holidays!

CCP Ep. #173: Surf by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment

To close out this review season, we bring you the debut album by the most ambitious collaborators we’ve ever looked at… Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment. Although they began with a core of five members, the band’s debut album Surf certainly lives up to their name, The Social Experiment, by introducing MANY more musical minds to the table. Offering the album up for free (exclusively on iTunes), the band appears to be as magnanimous as they are community-driven. Enjoy this thorough analysis along with, lastly, some quick thoughts on contemporary music trends — verily on our minds as we fast approach the 2015 year in review.

CCP Ep. #172: Drones by Muse

Need something to muse on? Muse on us! (…Musing on Muse.) That’s right; since we’re returning to a band we haven’t touched since Ep. #16, we’ll of course be counting on some growth from both fronts for our analysis of Muse’s latest album, Drones. Finally, be sure to check out 1:27:48 for a special topic hosted by Jon & Steve—sans Matt due to travel plans—on the early stages of a Crash Chords “debate” series poised to begin in 2016. Suggestions? Reservations? Contentions? That’s the idea! Let’s hear ’em all in the comments section!

Music is Life… and Life is Good!