If I Had A Hifi

Jackson & The Major butt heads about the legacy of Doug Yule, the utility of a band like the Velvets recording specifically for radio, and the validity of spoken word sections in songs as they discuss the Velvet Underground swan song, "Loaded" 

The Major & Jackson discuss the Irish folk punk record Rum, Sodomy & The Lash by the Pogues. Who the hell is Cuchulain? Why is he sick? Why is Richard Tauber singing by his bed and Frank Ryan bringing him whiskey? Who on earth is Richard Tauber and Frank Ryan? And that's just the first dang song! 

The Major & Jackson discuss the quirky nerdrock hit, the brand new album for 1990, Flood! How did the Johns spend all their newfound major label money? What kind of weird things got sampled to create all the album's unique sounds? What the heck is up with "Minimum Wage" anyway?" Listen and learn

Jackson & The Major discuss the R&B pop megahit CrazySexyCool. What rappers did TLC give a start with the record? Why did Lisa Lopes have a complicated relationship with the album and its reception? Find out within along with a sick Diddy burn, enjoy! /!\ Caution /!\ While this episode has a clean rating it does acknowledge that sex jams are about sex.  Be forewarned. 

The Major & Jackson discuss the masterpiece of the "American Beatle", Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Schmilsson". What 60s megastar shot the iconic cover photo? What drew Nilsson to the song "Without You"? What the hell is a mellotron even? Find out within!

Jackson & The Major discuss the punk masterpiece, LondonCalling, deciphering Joe Strummer's gibberish, fretting aboutproducer Guy Stevens' disregard for furniture, and coming tocollective realizations about the origins of ska band names. Comefor the punk, stay for the awkward but wonderful white ska, it'sLondon Calling!

The Major & Jackson celebrate the life of our dearly departed purple majesty and his best selling record, Purple Rain.  How weird is the reported subject of "The Beautiful Ones"? What's the unlikely inspiration for "Let's Go Crazy"? What part of the song "Purple Rain" was improvised as it was played? Find out within. 

The Major & Jackson discuss the poet-punk-damaged brilliance of the Libertines' second / self titled album. What on earth does the lyrics sheet mean when it asked "ask Mick Jones"? Who had a bigger influence on the song "What Katie Did", Kate Moss or retro-vaudeville act Chas & Dave? What on earth does "Albion" even mean? Find out inside!

The Major & Jackson discuss Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott's classic Under Construction. Find out what Disney Channel star got her start on the set of the "Work It" video. Who was Missy's uncredited duet partner in Pussycat? Who's more misogynistic, rap press or indie rock press? All this and more inside.   Find Jackson's reference playlist here. 

The Major & Jackson discuss the godfather of alt-country, Gram Parsons and his final posthumous release, Grievous Angel. What was the nature of Gram & Emmylou Harris's relationship? What track's title is an out and out lie? Why did Gram end up in the desert after his death? Find out within! 

Jackson & The Major discuss the classic "serious" pop record commonly known as "Rhythm Nation", but in fact actually titled "Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814".  Why 1814? What kind of drum machine defined this album and indeed this era? Who refused to appear in the video for "Alright"? Listen to the episode and find out!

Jackson & The Major discus the art-funk of Talking Heads' fourth album Remain In Light. Find out about David Byrne's communications difficulties, how Chris Franz's side gigs led to unlikely inspiration, and Brian Eno's cut-and-paste composition style.