Podcasts Archive by category "Crash Chords Podcast" (Page 9)

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. #171: Static by Huntress

Thanks to the suggestion of listener & “Scoop Cruise” traveler Jessica Votaw, this week we had a nice long sit with Static, the latest album by the metal band Huntress. A revealing work, skirting some personal challenges, Static certainly tests our “mettle” as we analyze it top to bottom (music, structure, lyrics, & all) and express our feelings along the way. Opinions of your own? Comment below! Finally, to close out the episode, at 1:31:56 we step over to our topic: HYPE. Can’t get enough of that sweet marketing goodness? Or, are you feeling sorely overpumped — just to be deflated in an instant? Let’s cover the pros & cons together, all on the Crash Chords Podcast!

CCP Ep. #170: Songs for Your Future [EP] by The Dreamstalks | Feat. Killy Dwyer

Prepare yourself for the music & antics of special guest Killy Dwyer, comic musician and singer-songwriter of Kill the Band. (You’ll be hearing some of their work throughout the episode, so ears open!) And after a hefty interview with Killy herself — covering themes in her songwriting, her background, her studio work, her live act, and the state of the arts in NYC — we finally “lighten” the load at 1:01:44 with a discussion on Killy’s album choice, a short and cheery EP called Songs for Your Future by The Dreamstalks. (And of course, by “lighten” we mean “weigh it down” again with subjects of a fancifully child-scarring nature.) Enjoy!

CCP Ep. #169: No No No by Beirut

Today we’re tackling No No No by Beirut. Negative much? With an album called No No No, that might be a required state of mind going in. Then again, the music seems to conflict with that idea. Confused yet? Don’t be. I’m just the show notes, what do I know? Press play already! As for the topic, head to 1:15:11 for a discussion on the foreground/background nature of lyrics. Do they slap you in the face or fade into the instrumentation? Does the music steer the message or does the message steer the music? We even grapple with the nature of the subliminal, and much, much more in today’s episode of the Crash Chords Podcast.

CCP Ep. #168: Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots

Today’s album, Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots, explores the many ugly heads of ‘insecurity’. Fun times! But there’s a catch… The artist (the author and musician) is very much a part of the tale, which leads to a rather — wait for it — “meta” plot-structure. Yes, that label, “meta” (as groan-worthy as it has become in pseudo-academic culture), adds a strong dimension to Blurryface. That being the case, starting at 1:34:55 we take some time to explore the use of “meta” elements in other pieces of music, as well as some common fallacies that have erupted from the word itself.

CCP Ep. #167: Higher Truth by Chris Cornell

This week we seek something HIGHER! Perhaps we’ll find it in Chris Cornell’s solo album, Higher Truth? Won’t know until we dive in. Climb aboard won’tchya? Afterwards, stay on board for a giant discussion on the concept and usage of the ‘Extended Play’, i.e., the EP. Not too big and not too small… why is this thing still around?! How did it start? How was it used? How IS it used? How SHOULD it be used?! Enjoy!

CCP Ep. #166: California Nights by Best Coast | Feat. Rachel Schenk

Remember Afterbirth Monkey’s visit back in Episode #95? No? Well, luckily your memory only has to be half that good to welcome back our guest, Rachel Schenk: a.k.a. actress extraordinaire, burlesque artist, & 1/2 of Afterbirth Monkey. So, with all of THAT to deal with, we immediately launch into all the inns, the outs, and the split-ends of her exciting career(s), including her current role in The Restaurant, directed by Eric T. Ford. Finally, for the featured discussion, tune in at 21:10 as we dive straight into Rachel’s album pick of the week: California Nights by Best Coast. Join us for the long haul! We won’t bite.

CCP Ep. #165: Nothing More by Nothing More

This week, we thank listener Jessica Ferraro for her submission: Nothing More… by the band, Nothing More! Released last year, the San Antonio / New Orleans-based band’s self-titled “major label” debut, Nothing More (with Eleven Seven Music) builds upon their earlier albums and is an eclectic mix of surprises. Join us as we tackle this 17-track monster and see what it offers from start to finish. Finally, at 1:32:48, we hash out the subject of ‘track count’ and its impact on how we experience albums.

CCP Ep. #164: Stereotypes by Black Violin

Come witness what many would call the junction point of two repelling magnets (Hip-Hop and Classical) with the newest album by Black Violin, called Stereotypes. Its core members (violinist Kev Marcus and violist Wil B) might argue this point however, as they approach their unique brand of genre fusion as a marriage made in… Florida. Give the album a listen (the duo’s first LP under the Universal Classics label) and then come give us a listen! Or, skip to 1:31:26 for a roundtable discussion on whether Hip-Hip can claim the title of “most versatile.” We’ve got our opinions, let’s hear yours!

CCP Ep. #163: Run by Awolnation

Try to keep pace as we have some fun with Run, the latest release by the electronic rock band Awolnation (fronted by Aaron Bruno). Poke around the album yourself first and then join us in the analysis! Or, go ahead and fast forward to 1:36:05 for a great conversation on the impact of ‘vagueness’ in music. (We’ll try to keep this as specific as possible.) Enjoy!

CCP Ep. #162: So There by Ben Folds

This week we wrestle with the latest project by Ben Folds, this time a solo work (as a follow-up to our much earlier review of the same artist, then with the re-formed Ben Folds Five). In his latest album, So There, the famed pianist is working in two new arenas: the chamber ensemble and the orchestra. Join us in an analysis of the first eight tracks, where he supplements his pop stylings with the incredible talents of yMusic—a New York-based ensemble known for their intensive composer collaborations—and then for the final three tracks, each one a movement from Ben Folds’ much-awaited piano concerto (recorded with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra). Afterwards, stick around for a recap of the vinyl resurgence, as discussed in CC: Autographs Ep. #28…. but this time with Jon!

Music is Life… and Life is Good!