They're Playing Our Song

This week we kick some teeth in talking about the Dead Kennedys' "Riot".  Special guest Matt Summers and I flagrantly violate the law--noise ordinances, mostly--to break down the steps of rioting in your neighborhood, punk-rock suing your former bandmates, and appreciating the muscianship of the Dead Kennedys.  All this and poetry!Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

In honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Professor Aaron Cain joins us to literally school me on the aria "Es Ist Vollbracht" from J.S. Bach's St. John Passion.  And he brings his own materials!  Aaron does his best to share his knowledge of early music, Bach's grumpy, beer-related missives, and one of the best personal anecdotes about a song ever heard on this show.  Rob ends the term with an "F" for German pronunciation and must make up the work this summer.  Luckily, you're all getting an "A" for "awesomeness"! Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

Christien Murawski from the Quarter to Three Movie Podcast gives "Pitseleh" two thumbs up.  Except that's not really how they rate things on the show.  And they usually rate movies, not songs.  Anyhoo, we dive deep into the poetry of this one to discuss the intermingling of love and fear, the strange relationship between ourselves and our favorite artists, and every emotion in between.   Plus a bonus movie review of "Keeping the Faith" and a fabulous tangent into Fountains of Wayne territory.Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Mp3

Because this is the podcast you probably most associate with religion, we have an episode to complement the upcoming Easter holiday as we discuss the aria "Es Ist Vollbracht" from the St. John Passion by J.S. Bach. My special guest, Aaron Cain, was kind enough to provide an Mp3 of the Portland Baroque Orchestra performing this piece for our audience.  He even checked with the members including featured viola da gamba soloist, Joanna Blendulf, and countertenor, Matthew White, for permission so you can download and listen without fear of legal recourse.  Thanks, Aaron and the Portland Baroque Orchestra! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element If you need a visual, YouTube has a nice clip of the performance as well.And, with the original German and the English translation, the lyrics:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Es Ist VolbrachtAria AltoViolino I/II, Viola, Viol

Here's the sad, penultimate chapter of Robruary in which I talk, alone, about Death Cab for Cutie's "A Lack of Color" and how it made me the man I am today.  There will be tragedy.  There will be heartache.  There will be copious moments of sad-sackery.  I solemnly swear that this episode is well within the FDA limits of wracking man-sobs.  Barely within the limits.Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

So, what are we talking about this week, special guest Chris Hornbostel? "Last Day That We're Young?" by Game Theory? Could you please recount the fascinating story of how this album came to be, break down the musical arrangement and mastering process that makes the song so excellent, and then drop an awesomely prescient interpretation of the lyrics whilst tying them into a personal theme of aging, life, and death? Ok, thanks.  I'll be over here looking up "opalescent".Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

And so another Robruary has come and gone.  But not before I drag my poor wife, Diana, into the studio to talk about "Big Sur" by the Thrills.  I share my heartfelt memories of how this song represented one of the happiest periods of my life.  Diana just wants to talk about the Monkees.  Spot on musical renditions ensue.Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

It's the final of the "I'm Recording In a Car" trilogy with special guest, Brendon and special song, Blink-182's "What's My Age Again?"  Much like the Star Wars prequels, this episode comes first chronologically and has a lot of terrible CG effects.  It also features the next chapter of Robruary in which a college-aged Rob finds Blink-182 depressing--not depressing depressing--Brendon opines his lack of blankets in the cold New England nights, and everybody has more fun.  MORE FUN!!!Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Robruary goes big with writer, Tom Chick, joining me to share his thoughts on "Where Is My Mind?".   You won't believe your ears as we discuss our mutual love of "Fight Club", how much Tom and Black Francis have in common, subliminal genitals, and the eternal question: what happens to our pee during outdoor music festivals? You're listening to this episode at a very strange time in my life.Remember to check out Tom's site, Quarter To Three and be sure to donate to their movie podcast fund drive and vote for the crew to watch "The Goonies".  It's a great way to support their awesome work and a simple way to get a birthday gift for me!Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Barring show tunes "Jagged Little Pill" by Alanis Morisette was the first CD I ever owned.  I received it as a birthday present when I was 16.  Finally, I could listen to Ironic, Head Over Feet, and You Oughta Know from the comfort of my own home.This week Carolyn Brillon stops by over Skype to share her thoughts about You Oughta Know because it's the only tune that rocks as hard as Robruary.  We review the pros and cons of scratching other people's backs, if it's worth going down on a sticky movie theater floor to retrieve candy, and a whole bunch of other shenanigans that kept us up past bedtime.Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

This is not the most touching tribute to icon and rock star, David Bowie.  It might not even be the best discussion of Space Oddity in the past week.  But it is the only podcast that:a) is taped in a car with special guest Brendonb) features songs from "Labyrinth"and c) has a twist ending that everyone will be talking about Wednesday morningPlease very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Take a pleasant car ride with me and special guest Brendon as we travel the information superhighway of our minds to discuss "A Girl Worth Fighting For" from the Disney film Mulan.  You may notice you're also on a literal car ride with us as we recorded this on an actual superhighway.  The government hasn't taken away our right as Americans to podcast and drive yet.  Vote beef, pork, chicken in 2016!Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Here's an episode for all you lovebirds out there featuring newlyweds Mark and Carolyn Brillon.  We discuss why their first dance was to Vanessa Carlton's "Home", how Vanessa Carlton does a curtain call without a curtain, and who does the best impression of playing piano on a truck.  Please be sure to get up and dance as the episode ends.  And don't tell me you're driving...it's no excuse for lack of dancing.Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Rob talks to himself about comparing current New York to baseline New York and whether LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy is reporting accurate data.  Everyone who listens to this podcast gets a participation trophy!Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Who is "Free Fallin'"? Hopefully special guest Diana Parry-Cruwys knows because I sure didn't.  We discuss the timelessness of Tom Petty's rock and roll, the horror of day-glo spandex, and our detailed business plans for licensing snappy jingles.  Anyone in the market for some free trawlin'?Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

With the triumphant blaring of a Gungan choir, we bring you this: a discussion of Duel of the Fates from The Phantom Menace.  Mark Brillon returns with his Star Wars cred in tow to regale us with the power of John Williams' bombast while Rob regales us with stories of defeating his kids in fake lightsaber duels.  If only they knew the power of the Dark Side.Remember to come back on Friday for a BONUS Star Wars episode!Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

I grab the mic to preach the gospel of Yub Nub (a.k.a. Ewok Celebration) while special guest Mark Brillon has to choose which Ewok is his favorite.  Will it be Wicket? Chief Chirpa? Logray? The answer will forever be out of your grasp as we don't actually talk about that this episode.  But we do make our Star Wars VII predictions about cameos we'd love to see. So, please very much enjoy this bonus episode as you wait in line for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and remember to share the gospel of Yub Nub with your friends and loved ones. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

Bringing everyone together for the holidays is a Christmas tradition.  So that's what we did for this week's podcast.  Join me, Diana, Jackie, Matt, and two new guests, Brendon (last name withheld) and Heejean Parry.  We enjoy a round table discussion of our favorite Christmas songs while reminiscing about Home Alone and Paul McCartney.  And maybe, if we're all very good, Santa can bring me a second microphone and a mixer for Christmas.Please very much enjoy! If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Subscribe on Download Mp3

While walking home on a snowy evening, you stop to catch your breath.  It's hard to see with such strong gusts of wind and you fear that you have become lost.  Your curse yourself for trying this shortcut through the woods and brusquely rub your tingly fingers, desperate to regain some feeling in them.As you wonder whether you should continue on to your family's home to celebrate Christmas or surrender to your panicked mind and rush back to your lonely, one-bedroom apartment, you hear a sweet melody coming from the trees.  You head towards the siren call of music and, walking into a small clearing, you find yourself staring at a cozy little cabin.  Peering into the windows you see a warm fire; seated in an opulent computer chair is a dashingly handsome man wearing a fine set of headphones and speaking into a silver microphone.   On the verge of collapsing into a snow drift, you grasp the small, brass handle, open the door, and enter the cabin...(Special thanks to Bob Mackey at Retrona

Like a phoenix from the ashes, we resurrect the now non-canon Ewok Celebration or, as everyone else knows it, "Yub Nub".  For those of you who didn't see or don't remember the 1983 theatrical release of Return of the Jedi, the film ended with a tribal melody by John Williams to emphasize the awesomeness of a party in the Ewok village.  When re-released in theaters as the Special Edition in 1997, this scene was heavily edited including the removal of Ewok Celebration for the more somber Victory Celebration.  Less fuzzy puppets chanting is not a good thing! You can read a bit more about the change here. Well, I say that the updated version is non-canon.  Long live Yub Nub!! And, for you, the loyal listeners, you can now download the original ending music to your hard drive where George Lucas can never find it.  And hey, while you're at it, check out the actual scene from the movie.  I still get chills every time I watch it.  Interested in knowing what the E