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HIM ‘Razorblade Romance’ (2000)
If you religiously watched CKY back in the day like I did it was inevitable you were going to listen to a pair of bands courtesy of Bam Margera. The first of course was his brother’s band of the same name, a story that we covered a few months ago. The second was the band…
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Senses Fail ‘Let It Enfold You’ (2004)
One of my buddies was a huge Senses Fail fan back in high school and while I never really got too deep into their discography, I certainly listened to a ton of Let It Enfold You. Their hit single “Buried A Lie” was everywhere during the emo heyday, a real mainstream success, which in retrospect…
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Neil Diamond ‘Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show’ (1969)
If you’ve been to a sporting event or wedding in the past 20 years you’re probably pretty familiar with “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond. The song frankly needs no introduction. But what you probably don’t know about that song is that it actually didn’t have a home on the original pressing of Brother Love’s Travelling…
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Travis Tritt ‘Down The Road I Go’ (2000)
Travis Tritt is one of those artists that is pretty steady in my Sunday morning rotation. I think the best part about the album cover is that although this was released in 2000 it looks like Tritt hadn’t changed his hairstyle since 1982.
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The Offspring ‘Smash’ (1994)
From the road rage glorifying “Bad Habit” to the sloppy vocal intro and self depreciation of “Self Esteem”, The Offspring always had a great sense of bringing dark humor to the seedier parts of life and turning them into massive anthems. I’ll always appreciate them for that.
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Related to Strangers ‘GHOST’ (2025)
Today we cover the creative process behind the debut album of my band Related to Strangers. You’ll get an inside look at what the songs are about and the process we took to write the album. Hope you enjoy.
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Thrice ‘The Artist in the Ambulance’ (2003)
To say this The Artist in the Ambulance is one of my favorite albums of all-time might be an understatement. This is one of the best post-hardcore heavy rock albums of all time. Today we explore why.
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Elvis Costello ‘My Aim Is True’ (1977)
Juggling a day job as a data clerk at Elizabeth Arden, Elvis Costello squeezed recording sessions for My Aim Is True into six four-hour sessions, tracked on a shoestring budget with little time for polish. The urgency bleeds through in every note. Backed by the American country-rock band Clover—who were blissfully unaware of the sardonic…
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Flatt & Scruggs ‘Foggy Mountain Jamboree’ (1957)
Earl Scruggs’ banjo playing would forever change the way the instrument was played, elevating it from a rhythmic backup to a main focal point of the bluegrass genre.
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Alabama Shakes ‘Boys & Girls’ (2012)
Boys & Girls is steeped in the fuzz and feel of Southern soul, garage rock, and classic R&B. But what really sets the band apart is Brittany Howard’s spectacularly raw and emotive vocal performance.
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They Might Be Giants ‘Flood’ (1990)
They Might Be Giants’s Flood is sort of this mad scientist pop rock experiment, one that’s equal parts absurdist theater, brainy satire, and manic energy. The album is most certainly a complete nerdfest, but it’s rewarding in its relative absurdity.
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Echo & the Bunnymen ‘Heaven Up Here’ (1981)
I’ve been on a bit of a sad boi kick lately which means Echo & the Bunnymen’s Heaven up Here is an obvious choice to take for a spin. This album is the sound of a band abandoning jangly romanticism for something murky and introspective.
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The Cure ‘Pornography’ (1982)
By 1982 The Cure had reached a breaking point. Pornography was the final installment in their so-called goth trilogy from the early 80’s and it sure as hell sounds like a band clawing its way through darkness while barely holding it together.
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Phil Ochs ‘I Ain’t Marching Anymore’ (1965)
Phil Ochs’ album I Ain’t Marching Anymore, released during the Vietnam War, features protest songs addressing war, racism, and social injustice, blending satire with emotional depth and capturing a pivotal time in American history.
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The War On Drugs ‘LIVE DRUGS’ (2020)
The War On Drugs “LIVE DRUGS” is a celebration of the live performances from a band who has brought the nostalgic beauty of heartland rock to the masses. Today we dive deep into what makes this band so incredible.
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Portugal. The Man ‘Woodstock’ (2017)
Portugal. The Man’s album Woodstock emerged from a creative reset after discovering a 1969 ticket stub. Featuring slick production and punchy grooves, the band went global with the success of hit single “Feel It Still”.
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Frank Zappa ‘Apostrophe’ (1974)
Frank Zappa was part composer, part comedian, part critic of American culture, and fully unbothered by whether or not you cared. On “Apostrophe” Zappa refined his weirdness into commercial appeal.
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Snoop Dogg ‘Doggystyle’ (1993)
Snoop Dogg’s transition from gangsta rap icon to mainstream celebrity is remarkable. Originating as Calvin Broadus, his partnership with longtime friend Dr. Dre, culminated in the success of his debut album Doggystyle in 1993.
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Shenandoah ‘The Road Not Taken’ (1989)
Late 80’s country music revels in storytelling, celebrating everyday life with sincerity, gentle melodies, and harmonious vocals. Shenandoah’s album The Road Not Taken embodies that comforting nostalgia.
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SKATERS ‘Rock and Roll Bye Bye’ (2017)
SKATERS’ Rock and Roll Bye Bye sounds like a scrappier, sunnier cousin to early 2000s New York garage rock, sort of like what The Strokes Is This It would have sounded like if they spent less time in dive bars and more time riding skateboards by the beach. There’s a loose, surfy charm running through…
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Fiddlehead ‘Between the Richness’ (2021)
Between the Richness explores the stickiness of trauma without ever getting lost and succumbing to the overbearing weight of grief. A blast of hardcore energy filtered through the melodic shine of ‘90s alternative and the heart-on-sleeve intensity of emo from the mid-80’s.
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The Forms ‘The Forms’ (2007)
The Forms blend intricate indie rock with art-inspired elements, complex time signatures and captivating vocal arrangements. The band has created a puzzle-like quality that challenges listeners while maintaining a clear sense of purpose.
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Sammy Davis Jr. ‘Starring Sammy Davis Jr.’ (1955)
Sammy Davis Jr. was a multifaceted entertainer, known for his work as a singer, dancer, actor, and comedian. His debut album in 1955 kicked off his career of captivating audiences with his remarkable talent and charm.
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Patti Smith ‘Horses’ (1975)
Patti Smith’s Horses was a pivotal punk album that blended poetry, garage rock, and performance art. Recognized for its raw energy and influence on punk, it echoes The Velvet Underground’s artistic expression. Today we explore its impact.
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L.A. Guns ‘Cocked and Loaded’ (1989)
L.A. guns came up in the grimey glam metal scene of 1980’s Los Angeles and has an interesting family tree connection with Axl Rose and hard rock heavyweight Guns N’ Roses. Cocked and Loaded is their magnum opus.
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JR JR ‘JR JR’ (2015)
Spring is one of my favorite seasons– flowers blooming, glorious sunshine, and a sense of renewed purpose. JR JR’s bright pop rock is an ideal pairing for relaxed mornings drinking coffee on the porch.
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The Days of Stillness ‘The Days of Stillness’ (2006)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today we’ll be covering my high school band The Days of Stillness. We re-released our old recordings this week onto the world wide web, and as part of the process I got together with the guys to reminisce about those golden days of our late teenage years and what it was like playing…
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Leatherface ‘Mush’ (1991)
One of my favorite part of writing about an album every single day for the past two and a half years (this is #844 for the record) is when you stumble upon a band that you’ve never heard of before but one that still sounds so incredibly familiar. And about halfway into the second song…
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Bodyjar ‘How It Works’ (2000)
Hearing How It Works first song “Not The Same” always manages to bring me back to the glory days of middle school. I was a pretty religious video game player back in the day and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was an absolute go-to. That series was a defining part of my childhood and digging back…
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Boston ‘Don’t Look Back’ (1978)
Don’t Look Back isn’t nearly as good as the pretty-much-perfect debut album from Boston they dropped in 1976, due in part to how quickly the band churned this record out due to pressure from their label to write a quick follow up. There’s an old adage in the music business that you spend your entire…
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Webbed Wing ‘What’s So Fucking Funny?’ (2021)
Taylor Madison, best known for his work with Superheaven, leans deep into 90s nostalgia with his project Webbed Wing in all the best ways. Thicc-ass guitar tones, sharp songwriting, and a real warmth to the production that makes you feel like you’re sitting in a beat up couch in your parent’s living room watching Home…
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Naughty By Nature ‘Naughty By Nature’ (1991)
Naughty by Nature pulled off what most couldn’t—massive pop hits without losing an ounce of street cred. Formed in East Orange, NJ by three high school friends, the group started out playing talent shows as New Style before catching the right ears and signing with Tommy Boy Records. Their 1991 breakout single “O.P.P.” lit up…
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Rosanne Cash ‘Seven Year Ache’ (1981)
Growing up as the daughter of Johnny Cash meant Rosanne Cash was born into country music royalty, but that kind of legacy casts a long shadow especially with the turbulence of her childhood. Johnny separated from Rosanne’s mother Vivian in 1962, remarried amidst countless affairs, had significant substance abuse issues, and faced high-profile legal run-ins…
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Turnstile ‘Step 2 Rhythm’ (2013)
Formed in Baltimore by veterans of the local hardcore circuit Turnstile came up playing packed basements and DIY shows and developed a pretty devoted cult following for the energy they brought live. Their debut EP captures that early energy, featuring raw breakdowns, gang vocals, and a sense of self-expression that feels less like aggression and…
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Jawbreaker ’24 Hour Revenge Therapy’ (1994)
24 Hour Revenge Therapy is one of those records that echoes far louder than its initial release might suggest. Dropping in 1994, it helped shape what punk would become over the next decade, offering a version of hardcore that was emotional without being soft, smart without being smug. Blake Schwarzenbach’s lyrics read like scuffed-up poetry,…
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Mouth Culture ‘Mishaps Of My Mid Twenties’ (2023)
There is something happening in Britain right now and I’m all about it. A new wave of rock bands is emerging from our brothers from across the pond, filled with piss and vinegar and a real penchant for plugging in guitars with the sole focus of blowing out your eardrums. Mishaps of My Mid Twenties…
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About the Author
Jason Matthew Plank listens to copious amounts of music and writes about one album each day. He is currently active in the bands Related to Strangers (post-hardcore) and Kindergarten Cartel (punk covers of children’s nursery rhymes).
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