It's Not Scary, It's Just Music!

Welcome to 2003!This year gave us a limited number of Essentials, but they were some of the most profound of the entire decade. Why was 2003 the year of so many iconic hit albums? I have no idea!We saw breakthroughs in the Rock, Metal, Pop, Rap, R&B, and J-Pop spaces this year, giving other artists all kinds of potential inspiration on where to take these genres next. Let's go on the journey together to really figure out what all this inspiration means and where it might lead us into the rest of the decade!⁠⁠⁠Link to the Essential List!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to the Big List!⁠

Welcome to 2002!We are officially beginning to fully leave behind the vibe of the 90s and step in to what so many in the listening world consider to be quintessential music of the new millennium! On tap for today's episode both the east and west are pushing boundaries with their own varieties of genre alchemy, giving audiences more to love, more to explore, and more to question as the future of music.A limited quantity of Essential Albums and Conspicuous absences in today's episode, we still dive deep on many of them.Come enjoy as we explore a beginning of UK Garage, Japanese Popular Rap, KPop and J-R&B's official bridge moment, and early signs that Rock is on the verge of its next great shift.⁠⁠Link to the Essential List!⁠⁠⁠⁠Link to the Big List!⁠

Welcome to 2001!The decade feels like it's fully in swing now, giving us about a thousand million ways to define what Pop music is this year. We have Neo Power Pop, Electro-Pop, Avant-Pop, Indie Pop, Garage Pop, Neo Synth Pop, Neo Dream Pop, Neo Jangle Pop...the list goes on and on and on!While we try not to drown in all these delightful, artful hooks, we stumble in to fertile ground across the Rock and Metal spaces, R&B, and Rap; and even get a lucky video game soundtrack in the mix this year. We hit just about every genre in some way, if you can believe it!The 2000s alchemy is already cooking, so let's see what this year dishes out!⁠Link to the Essential List!⁠⁠Link to the Big List!

Welcome to 2000!We are officially in the new millennium of music! Suddenly the 90s have fallen away and the musical world is opening itself to new and different ideas!...only in some cases. In many respects, the turn had been coming for some time, but we can still happily pretend that it's a brand new era just when the clocks clicked over and the Y2K bug didn't end us all.Today we ring in the new millennium with a wide array of ambitious Essential Albums and possibly some surprising conspicuous absences. We are officially in the era when 80s sounds are beginning to find their way back to the fold in retro movements, creating a nice overlap for us with Season 1, and bands are still trying to figure out how to untether themselves from what the 90s bestowed upon us. It's a busy moment!Join us as we explore this new world of the 2000s, giving us exploratory 80s sounds, 90s sounds that were just on the cusp of getting big, and some ancient sounds that are having a solid third run. This era has layers!Link to the Essential List!Link to the Big List!

Welcome to first episode of Season 3 for the "It's Not Scary, It's Just Music" Podcast!We begin the 2000s era with a brand new introduction episode to the podcast, SJ, his music listening journey, and how he decides what music to keep, toss, spotlight as essential, or give the honorable mention title of "conspicuous absence."Come hear about all we have learned coming away from the dense, often overwhelming 90s era of music as we slide in to this next, glorious world of the new millennium.And, if you're brand new to the podcast, feel free to check out SJ's existing playlists ⁠here!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Punk!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Punk that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Neo Punk and Pop Punk!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for R&B!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within R&B that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Neo Solo R&B and Trip Hop!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Underground Rock of the West!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Underground Rock that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Alternative Rock, Garage Rock, Indie Rock, and Slowcore/Sadcore/Shoegaze!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Video Game Music!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Video Game Music that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Japanese Role Playing Game themes (Battles, Characters, Dungeons, and Towns) and Platformers!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Metal!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Metal that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, and Nu Metal!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Popular Rock of the West!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Popular Rock that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Grunge, Post-Grunge, Neo British Rock, Retro and Neo Roots Rock, and Neo-Psychedelic Rock!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Rap!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Rap that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Alternative Rap, East Coast Gangsta Rap, West Coast Gangsta Rap, Central Coast Rap, Trap, Empire Rap, and Pop Rap!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for JPop and little KPop!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within JPop that impacted the 90s, and the tiniest bit about KPop we have to share as well. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through City Pop, Dance JPop, Indie JPop, Shibuya-Kei, Neo Shibuya-Kei, and KPop!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Country!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Country that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Alternative Country and Neo-Traditionalist Country!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Girl Groups and Boy Bands in the US!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinction between Girl Groups and Boy Bands in the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through both sub-genres!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Pop music of the US and Europe!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Western Pop that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through Dance Pop, Euro Dance Pop, Jangle Pop, Dream Pop, Alternative Pop, and Indie Pop!

Welcome to the 90s Recap for Electronica!As part of our 90s Recap series, today we will be going from one end of the decade to the other, discussing the distinctive subgenres within Electronica that impacted the 90s. We will start with how we recapped the 1980s in this genre, then move right into the next decade and how these genres grew up, evolved, and concluded the 90s on the way to what comes next in the 2000s.Join us as we walk through House, Jungle / Drum 'n Bass, Trance, and Techno!

Welcome to the prologue to the novel that is to come where we recap the entirety of the 90s, genre by genre!In today's episode, we review at a high level all that we experienced across the 1990s in music, bridging from what we learned coming out of the 1980s, and a bit about what we can expect going into the 2000s. There is so much music to talk about, though, that rather than drop a marathon episode on you all, we are going to drop a series of smaller episodes to lay all the juicy details out for you one at a time.So, come join us for the beginning of the end in which we talk about all the work ahead for SJ in bringing the quality and clarity to you for the decade, and what you can expect from here.This is the 1990s final challenge -- let's go through it together!

Welcome to 1999!The end of this whirlwind of a decade is officially coming to a close! After countless years of dense, deeply creative moments, I am thankful to breathe a sigh of relief as we slide into its inevitable conclusion. Yet again, we find ourselves not hitting the maximum number of Essentials for the year, continuing to signal that the overall trend of music is beginning to level out. Though, it makes me deeply excited for what the 2000s will shortly bring as we get ready for Season 3!Give yourself some time to appreciate this end we are experiencing, because trust me when I say our forthcoming season finale will be a tropical storm moment requiring you to hold on for dear life! Come enjoy the deep dive into the greats for this capstone year -- I hope it's getting you as excited for the decade recap to come as I am.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1998!We're just two years away from the end of the decade! Things are starting to slow down a bit, thankfully, as we slide gently into the last couple episodes of the season. For the first time in ages, we have fewer than the maximum number of Essential Albums and Conspicuous Absences, so please enjoy this respite.Indie Rock, now being the ruler around the genre, has swiftly left its perch to begin shifting and changing with confidence, while honoring the sounds of the 80s more so now than ever before. Major strides in Pop, Rap, Country and JPop also hit this year, giving us some revitalized directions to take the genres as we consider what the next decade might hold in store.A shorter episode than the epic run of 90-minuters we've had for nearly the entire season, hopefully I didn't miss anything critical!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1997!The end of the 1990s is beginning to be in sight! And, much as the rest of this decade, 1997 comes with entirely iconic albums from across the musical landscape. How many more jam-packed years will this decade offer us before the end?Commercial Rap continues to evolve and proliferate across the entire genre, while Electronica spread its Pop wings even further this year. Rock hit some truly amazing heights, as well Video Game Music, too! Bands are starting to find new inspiration in old ideas, as trends we saw build up at the beginning of the podcast are already starting to come full circle. Are you starting to get ready for some deja vu?Come join us for another dense year of greats as we hit our maximum number of Essentials yet again! Hopefully we didn't leave anything critical off the list...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1996!We're already getting toward the end of the decade! With the last several years of pushing and testing genres across the musical landscape, some fresh ideas are firming into place. Indie Rock and Pop are continuing to grow their influence while what came before begins to leave the stage. The early 90s are a distant memory now as we look toward what comes next.Rap, Electronica, and Punk all had milestone releases this year, shoving the genres into their next iterations, while R&B and Rock keep mining the depths of fruitful new ideas; and Metal even rediscovers its voice! While we expectedly slide past a ton of 1996 radio music, let's dive into tons of quality you might or might not have known at the moment.It's another jam-packed year as the 1990s deliver up yet another bounty of unbridled creativity and inspiration. Join us for the great heights, undeniable heartbreaks, and potential disappointments!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1995! The second half of the 90s begins here! So many genres are being tested and pushed this year, as Indie Rock and Pop crash upon our shores. Rappers are challenging the status quo too, asking listeners if anything in the genre is truly sacred.  It seems like every bit of the music world found a voice this year as artists continue to take hold of new ideas and better leverage old ones. We are starting to gently navigate toward the 2000s now -- can you feel it? Whatever was being explored in 1990 seems like a distant memory now. Join us for another dense year of amazing music from every corner of the world. These 90s artists can't be stopped! With such stiff competition to get into the Essentials, I wonder what didn't make it this year... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1994! We're halfway through the decade already! These years are really ramping up with hit record after hit record, making it especially tough to pick out only 20 to name Essential for the year. 1994 is no different, giving us some real groundbreaking first records, amazing follow-ups, and all new directions to take several genres. Not only did Retro Roots Rock find its next evolution into the actual realm of Alt Rock, but Punk all over the world had a seismic shift this year, and we neared ever closer to Indie music. We're only a few steps away from reaching some new major milestones -- can you feel it? Join us for some of the greatest albums to come out of the 90s this year, and bask in their collective glory. I wonder if my conspicuous absences will cause some heartbreaks again this year. *UPDATE* It was noted to me in the comments that I do hilariously refer to Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish as Hootie, so I will just own that momentary insanity. Darius if you do see this, I humbly apologize. :) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1993! While the storms of Rock have settled for the moment, this year we welcome new waves of Gangsta Rap from both sides of the country. Taking ideas from all over, Rap has begun to follow the bigger trend across music in the 90s, pulling every conceivable concept and structure together to make brand new things. We had some truly amazing single-genre albums come out this year across Avant-Garde, Country, Electronica, Video Game Music, and more! No new trends to speak of -- just great quality in thriving genres everywhere you look. Join us for all of the fantastic hits and hidden treasures to be had this year; and hopefully my conspicuous absences don't start a war. Let's enjoy the controversy together! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1992! Now on the other side of last year's storm to end all storms, we're starting to see tons of major and minor genres find their voice for the decade. While some are incorporating retro ideas, others are tearing apart existing conventions in service of the next great sound. And, we hop right into KPop this year, as promised! Electronica is very much in the spotlight this year, so let's spin through all the different permutations as DJs continue to discover their audiences and all the potential opportunities the genre holds in store for us. What will be the next major genre to have their defining year in this decade that cannot possibly slow down? Join us for the major milestones and underground gems --  maybe you're about to meet your new favorite artist this year. Come find out! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1991! We have arrived at one of the most consequential years in the modern history of music. As followers and avid music fans may know, 1991 brought us groundbreaking, critical albums from some of the most iconic artists of all time. But, amid all of these earth shattering pivots in the musical journey this year, let's not forget about the small but meaningful incremental wins too! We have a super-sized episode today to try and cram in every bit of greatness imaginable into today's episode. Some true heartbreaks were left by the essential list wayside the year, but we must march forward! Join us as we listen to the well-known greats, the underground heroes that might have been previously lost in the noise, and some surprises! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1990! We are officially in the 90s! The memory of the 1980s is now in the rearview mirror, disappearing around the hard corner we just took to get here. Today we kick off the new decade with a bang, talking about everything we just left behind in the last decade, begin to see big and small hints about what this new era will offer us, and how artists decided to aggressively evolve out of the trends that held firmly in place in the 80s. Join us as we explore this new strange world of the 90s, crossing old genres, splicing others, and discovering all new sounds in a decade that is bound to please, surprise, and shock us all! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Episode 0 of Season 2 for the "It's Not Scary, It's Just Music" Podcast! Much like in our Season 1 Episode 0, SJ walks you through the brief history of his music listening project that led to this podcast's creation, a bit about his methodology, and a little about what we can expect from Season 2. Come hear about all the successes and things we learned from doing Season 1 and what you can expect next as we traverse the 1990s! And, if you're brand new to the podcast, feel free to check out SJ's existing playlists here!

SURPRISE! It's yet another special episode! We got Chuck Askerneese of The Untouchables back for a Part 2! Following our amazing first conversation, we found there was a bounty of things we missed, and more wild stories to tell about the LA counterculture scene of the 70s and 80s, the Wild Child European tour, and more! Please join us where we dig into the growing underground scene in LA back in the 70s, the unbelievable circumstances that The Untouchables found themselves in during their initial run, and a bit about how their sound influenced the 90s ska movement that hit pop culture heights. The Untouchables have and always will be fundamental to American music history, and we have the honor and privilege to hear more about how their story took shape and influenced others. Let's give Part 2 a listen!

Welcome to the Season One finale for the "It's Not Scary, It's Just Music" Podcast!! In today's episode, SJ walks through all the major genres that had their moment in the 1980s, highlighting milestone tracks that helped carry us from one end of the decade to the other. From Avant-Garde to Punk, Pop to Rock, JPop, New Wave, Metal...you name it! Join us as we bask in the glorious creativity and ambition of the 80s, with eyes and ears soon turning to what comes just over the next ridge in the 90s. Check out the Essential List here! Check out the Big "Greatest Hits of the Decade" List here!

Surprise Surprise Surprise! It's another special episode! I had the great honor of interviewing the amazing lead singer of The Untouchables, Chuck Askerneese. During our conversation we chat about his experience first discovering music; how he, his brother, and their friends entered the counterculture scene of LA in the late 70s; the early beginnings of The Untouchables; and their inevitable creation of Wild Child, one of our essential albums from 1985. Please join us where we dig into the ska genre itself, the burgeoning ska scene in LA in the late 70s and early 80s, how they found their unique sound, and eventually become one of the very first, and most foundational, ska bands in the United States. The Untouchables have been a force in the American counterculture movement for decades and have collaborated with and influenced so many of the greats in musical history. Let's all come round and listen to this bounty of amazing stories!

Welcome to 1989! The end of the 80s has come! Can you believe it? We're here already! Today we discuss all the final thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that this decade has to offer. Many genres we've been discussing these last several years disappear off the map entirely, while others are making big plays to become the sound of the 90s. Pop, Rap, R&B, Rock, and Metal are all vying for their spots at the top for what's to come next. Join us as we explore the final few steps along one of the most creatively volatile decades in music history, and discuss how what happens this year bridges into the 1990s! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1988! Gangsta Rap has officially reached the top of the mountain with authority! Public Enemy is joined by NWA this year to not only announce the new standard, but to do so enough to separate from all other Rap styles. Plus, we're starting to see rock begin to crystalize into the sounds we all know and love from the 90s. Retro 60s and 70s ideas are weaving through the sounds of the moment, while the new era of Alternative continues to challenge every convention previously held dear. Pop has quieted considerably across the board -- I wonder what is stepping forward to fill the void? The decade is ALMOST OVER! Can you feel the winds changing? I sure can! Join us as we near the end of this highly transformative era in music as we prepare for what comes next! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Surprise again! It's another special episode! I had the great honor of interviewing the visionary lead singer of The Chameleons, Mark Burgess During our conversation we chat about his childhood journey of discovering music as well as his voice; the beginnings of The Chameleons, and the creation of 1983 Essential Album, Script of the Bridge; the aftermath of its debut; and the winding road that has led him and The Chameleons here today. Please join us where we dig into the challenges in owning their creative vision, advocating for their identity, and playing the kinds of music that connected most deeply with them. Script of the Bridge is a timeless bounty of creative genius that gave rise to incalculable Brit Rock influence for decades. Come enjoy the conversation!

Welcome to 1987! The REM-era of Alternative Rock is coming to a close, and behind it is a whole new wave of creativity, genre blending, and retro influences. And, the Golden Age of Rap has officially ended, and in its wake, Gangsta Rap's peak is just around the corner. 1987 made us question the state of R&B, what "Alternative" truly means, and how exactly this decade is going to end! Twenty years ago we started to see the emergence of Roots Rock and Psychedelic Rock -- which means the retro movements are incoming as well. Finally, I'm about ready for some more up-tempo electronica -- what about you? 1987 gives us our first video game music check-in, are you ready? Join us as we dive deep into the abyss of an uncertain and complex tail-end to the 1980s. Let's go! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Surprise Surprise! It's another special episode! I had the incredible honor of interviewing the incomparable front man of Fang, Sammy "Sammytown" McBride. During our conversation we chat about his life before Fang; the coming together of their groundbreaking debut album, and 1982 Essential Album, Landshark; and how that album changed the direction of punk and its offshoots for years to come. Please join us where dive in to the counter culture scene of the late 70s and early 80s, all the ways in which Landshark influenced the birth of genres like 90s Punk, Grunge, and a variety of Metal sub-genres, and how Sammytown is exploring and supporting the counter culture movements of today. Fang changed the direction of Punk forever, fearlessly questioning any hints of conformity, and activating the inspiration for future counter culture greats and rock royalty alike. Come enjoy our most explicit episode yet as me and Sammytown jump right in!

Welcome to 1986! As promised, the eye of the 1980s storm has passed us in 1985, and the winds have officially kicked back up! With a jam-packed list of essentials this year, we've got a lot of work to do. From Gangsta Rap trying to knock the Golden Age off its perch, to a new era of R&B, Neo-Traditionalist Country moving to the mountaintop, and the first signs that the current era of Alternative Rock is coming to a close, 1986 seems to have had it all! And, let's not forget that coming next year we start the video game music check-in! I promised you a storm of the century in 1986, and it did not disappoint; so let's make sure we strap in tight and enjoy the ride! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1985! We are officially in the eye of the 1980s storm! It's a little quiet this year, but some of the shifts just around the edges are powerful, so let's hold on! 1985 gave us some tremendous leaps forward with new, established, and waning genres; from City Pop's forthcoming exit, to Neo-Psychedelic Rock announcing itself as the inevitable successor to the beginnings of the Alternative Rock movement. And, let's not sleep on the huge wave rolling up in the distance: Electronica! Join us for a shorter episode this week, diving in deep to a select few Essentials and Conspicuous Absences. 1985 was a bit quiet, but the storm is going to pick right back up again in 1986, so get ready! Check out the Essential List here! ⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Surprise! It's a special episode! I had the great honor of interviewing the tremendously talented Richard Barone of The Bongos! During our conversation we discussed the coming together of The Bongos, the creation of 1982 Essential Album "Drums Along the Hudson," the half-decade tour to follow, his musical journey since, and all the wonderful projects he is creating today. Please join us where we talk about the fearlessness of genre blending back in the 80s, the limitless opportunities of new technology afforded to artists at that time, and how kindness in the industry is an incalculable resource for up-and-comers. Richard has been a shining beacon in the industry for over four decades -- let's come together and listen to what he has to say!

Welcome to 1984! So excited to say this, that the Golden Age of Rap is officially upon us! While the world of Pop continued to shift and move beneath our feet, Rap was finding several new ways to entertain the masses; from Beatboxing, to Rap Battling, the industry was just starting to realize its own potential. Join us as we bop our heads to all that this year has to offer, hitting us with eternal Pop hits, cutting Rap bars, some down-home Country goodness, and even more early signs that Electronica is not as far away as we might have thought. The field is getting a little bit tough to navigate, so be sure to hold a hand or two as we wade through! Check out the Essential List here! ⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to 1983! It's a truly small but mighty year in music, giving us so many paths forward in popular music. Maybe you know some of the future megastars that blasted onto the scene this year -- maybe not! Join us for a little bit of a short episode this week, walking through all the amazing ideas that were birthed in this year, and not just from Pop music! Alternative Rock in all its shapes emerges this year as a dominant sound, and Heavy Metal continues to splinter off. I declare the 1980s officially awake and screaming its message into our faces. What do you think it's telling us? Let's find out together! ⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here! ⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠

Welcome to 1982! Three years into the 80s! We can start to see the edge of New Wave's time on top in the distance, and R&B is making a huge push into Popular culture. 1982 is a year of major transition in which the music world is asking itself how much more New Wave can give us before we've heard enough. And, in that void of curiosity, R&B explodes onto the scene, giving us some truly iconic records and artists. Finally, let's not forget that where New Wave is seeing its decline, something else is waiting in the wings to take its place! The 1980s is really starting to wake up, and I am here to listen to what it has to say. Let's get going! ⁠ Check out the Essential List here! Check out the Big List here!⁠

Welcome to 1981! We're already two years into the 80s! The synth keyboards and electric guitar solos are really starting to take over! 1981 was such an amazingly prolific year in Punk history. There was such an explosion of new ideas taking shape this year, revealing the markers for countless sub-genres in the near future. It's any wonder that we are STILL living in this post-Punk era even in 2024. Today, I'll be stepping us through many, many "big bang" moments in music history, so strap yourself in! 1981 ignited a TON of fires in the world of rock music! Let's not forget about Contemporary R&B, though! Some pretty seismic shifts were made this year. I'm so excited to groove through together! As always, I walk through my trend impressions (what's moving in, out, and officially reaching the summit); my essential albums; and the atrocities of what I left off the essentials list this year. I think I'm actually learning some stuff as we move along here! I hope you are too. Let's keep rolling! ⁠Check out the Essential List here! Check out the Big List here!⁠

Hey there! How's it going? Busy? Yeah, me too. Let me be the first to welcome you to the 1980s! Yay! 1980 is such a fun year where the world of on-trend music and revivals seemed to absolutely explode! I'm so excited for us to walk this strange, dark path together. Today, I'll be officially ushering us ever-so-gently into the 80s with its first, surprisingly-dense year. We know a little bit more than last year, but there's still a lot to learn! As always, I walk through my trend impressions (what's moving in, out, and officially reaching the summit); my essential albums; and the devastation of what I left off the essentials list this year. We're more confident, but does that confidence translate to wisdom? Or am I just as biased and untethered as ever? Listen and find out! ⁠Check out the Essential List here! Check out the Big List here!

Hi! How are you? Good? Me too. Welcome to the first year of my music listening journey - 1979! In today's episode, I will be officially kicking this thing off and getting excited about how little I know about music as of this moment in my musical time traveling extravaganza. Curious why I started in 1979, when there was so much great music beforehand? I guess you'll have to listen and find out! As always, I'll also walk through my interpretations of trends moving in, moving out, and rooting themselves in this year; my essential albums and why; and albums conspicuously left off my essential list and why. Come get passionate about all my biased opinions! Check out my Essential List for this year here! Check out the full list that I kept for this year here!

Hi! It's good to see you. Welcome to the thing before the thing! In Episode 0, I walk through the history of my music project, my personal history with music listening that led me to the inevitable project, some thoughts on what I've learned so far (to include a lengthy history of how musical trends work), and what you can expect going forward. Join me for some light rambling and only a touch of my highly biased opinions.