Please No Moss

To mark the end of Season 2, we re-rank all 47 albums we've covered on the podcast so far. We also decide which albums should be removed from the list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and which albums that we've recommended should be added.Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art: Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

It's our Season 2 Finale! In honor of the MJ biopic Michael, coming out on April 24th, we're covering the Jackson's breakthrough solo album which redefined him as an artist and set the stage for him to become the King of Pop. Album Recommendations:Step II - SylvesterFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

“Jump” by Van Halen is the band at their most accessible, trading in Eddie’s usual guitar heroics for an iconic synth-driven hook. In this episode, we get into the song’s massive pop appeal, its role in redefining the band’s sound in the ’80s, and why it still feels like pure adrenaline decades later. But does “Jump” deserve a spot among the greatest songs of all time?Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

With its woozy melodies, surreal lyrics, and that instantly recognizable guitar line, "Black Hole Sun" feels like a sun-baked fever dream that still hits hard decades later. The song is peak Soundgarden, blending grunge heaviness with psychedelic weirdness in a way that’s both catchy and deeply unsettling. So the big question is: should “Black Hole Sun” be considered one of the greatest songs of all time?Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Aja is Steely Dan at their slickest and most obsessive, blending jazz chops, studio perfectionism, and impossibly catchy hooks into a record that somehow feels both laid-back and insanely precise. From the smooth glide of “Peg” to the dark, cinematic sprawl of the title track, it’s the sound of a band firing on all cylinders and refusing to waste a single note. So… is Aja one of the greatest albums of all time, or just the ultimate example of immaculate ’70s studio rock?Album Recommendations:Tower of Power - Tower of PowerFeels So Good - Chuck MangioneThe Royal Scam - Steely DanFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Otis Blue is Otis Redding at full throttle: raw, sweaty, no-frills soul that sounds like it was cut live in the room, complete with blistering covers and some of his most iconic originals. The whole album feels loose, urgent, and impossibly confident, like a singer who knows he can out-sing, out-feel, and out-groove just about anyone. By the end, you’re left wondering whether this is merely a great soul record or if it truly deserves a permanent spot among the 500 greatest albums of all time.Album Recommendations:Radiodread - Easy Star All-StarsBye Bye 17 - Har Mar SuperstarFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

With the Super Bowl coming up, we'd thought we take a look at this year's halftime show headliner, Bad Bunny, and his debut album from 2018. Album Recommendations:Barrio Fino - Daddy YankeeDeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS  - Bad BunnyIt's Album Time - Todd TerjeFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

“Toxic” is breathless, string-stabbed tune where Britney sounds both dangerously in love and fully aware it’s a terrible idea. It’s slick, dramatic, and somehow still unusual for a pop hit. But is the Grammy-winning song of Britney's career one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time?Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Robyn’s Body Talk is basically the moment she perfected sad bangers: icy, minimal pop songs that somehow make crying on the dance floor feel empowering instead of embarrassing. It’s stacked with tracks like “Dancing On My Own” and “Call Your Girlfriend” that hit way harder emotionally than you expect, especially for music that goes this hard.Album Recommendations:La Roux - La RouxPeriod - KeshaFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In 1967, the country was captivated by a mystery: "Why did Billie Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge?" The fictional suicide of a teenage boy in the Mississippi Delta had everyone talking about this song by southern songstress Bobbie Gentry - knocking even the Beatles off the #1 spot on the Hot 100. But is "Ode to Billie Joe" one of the all-time great songs?Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Just in time for the holidays, we conclude our Phil Spector Spectacular with Disc 4 from 'Back to Mono,' which features the entirety of Spector's 1963 Christmas album, A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector. Also, we finally dig into the details of Phil Spector's murder of Lana Clarkson as well as some of his other various crimes and controversies.Album Recommendation:Ready For This? - Tim MinchinSongs for Christmas - Sufjan StevensFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Our Phil Spector Spectacular continues with disc 3 from Back to Mono. As the popularity of the girl group sound wanes, Spector begins working with other types of artists, including the Righteous Brothers and Tina Turner.Album Recommendations- Eccentric Soul : The Capsoul Label - The Numero Group- We Are The Pipettes - The PipettesFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Our Phil Spector Spectacular continues with Disc 2 from Back to Mono, covering songs from 1963-1964 - mostly by The Ronettes, but we also get some more from Darlene Love as well as a cover of a Beatles song that is significant for all the wrong reasons.Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art: Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Before he murdered actress Lana Clarkson in 2003, Phil Spector was known as a legendary producer in the music industry, famous as the "Tycoon of Teen," launching the careers of multiple girl groups and developing his trademark "Wall of Sound" recording techniques. Pat and Derek discuss Spector's early career as documented on the first disc of the four-disc compilation Back to Mono, covering songs from 1958 to 1963.Cover Art: Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In honor of the movie Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Pat and Derek conclude Rocktoberfest 2025 by discussing the Boss's landmark album, Nebraska.Album Recommendations:All Hail West Texas - The Mountain GoatsSongs from Suicide Bridge - Eric Caboor & David KauffmanFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

We kick off Rocktoberfest II: A Hayride Through a Pumpkin Patch of Autumnal Albums by celebrating the harvest season with, what else, Neil Young's landmark 1972 album Harvest. But is Harvest as great as a flannel sweater on a crisp fall day or is it nothing more than a pile of wet leaves?Album RecommendationsBryter Layter - Nick Drake1984 - Van HalenFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Santana’s Abraxas is a wild fusion of Latin rock, blues, and jazz that's packed with hypnotic rhythms, and blistering guitar solos. Tracks like “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Como Va” aren’t just classics; they’re the kind of songs that define an era. But does its genre-blending brilliance earn it a spot among the 500 greatest albums of all time?Album Recommendations:Mint Jams - CasiopeaMalo - MaloFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Funky Kingston by Toots and the Maytals is one of those records that feels like a bridge between worlds: part raw reggae groove, part soul-drenched funk, and all good vibes. You can hear the roots of reggae exploding into something bigger, as this became one of the first albums to make the rest of the world sit up and take notice of the music coming out of Jamaica. The real question is: does that mix of influence, innovation, and good vibes earn it a spot among the 500 greatest albums ever made?Album Recommendations: Free the Universe - Major LazerDance Cleopatra Dance - Prince BusterFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill dropped in 1998 and instantly felt like a cultural event—blending hip-hop, soul, reggae, and R&B into something that was both deeply personal and universally resonant. The album covers everything from love and heartbreak to spirituality and identity, all with Hill’s unmatched mix of sharp lyricism and raw emotion. It’s the kind of record that defined an era but still feels timeless every time you put it on. The big question is: does its legacy and influence justify Rolling Stone ranking it as the #10 greatest album of all time, or is that placement more about the mythos around Lauryn’s one-and-done masterpiece?Album Recommendations:Black on Both Sides - Mos DefGoodies - CiaraFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

"Promised Land" is a fast-paced rock 'n' roll travelogue where the narrator hustles his way from Virginia to California. It's full of motion, rhythm, and clever references to the civil rights movement. It’s the American road trip as a metaphor for the fight for equality, all set to a killer guitar riff. But is it one of th greatest songs of all time?Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

The B-52s’ debut album is a wild, campy ride that dropped in 1979 and still feels like a dance party from outer space. With surf rock guitars, retro-futuristic vibes, and absurdist lyrics, it introduced the world to the band’s totally unique sound. It’s kitschy, chaotic, and somehow still cool as hell, but is it one of the greatest albums of all time?Album Recommendations:Talking Heads: 77 - Talking HeadsThe Budos Band - The Budos BandFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Carole King's Tapestry is a landmark album that masterfully weaves introspective lyrics with unforgettable melodies, creating a deeply personal yet universally resonant listening experience. Given its immense cultural impact, enduring popularity, and influence on generations of musicians, Tapestry obviously deserves a high ranking on the Rolling Stone Album List, but is #25 too high, too low, or just right?Album RecommendationsGive It Up - Bonnie RaittLive at the Troubadour - Carole King and James TaylorFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Lorde’s Melodrama is basically the soundtrack to being 19, heartbroken, and feeling everything way too much. It’s full of glittering production, devastating lyrics, and the kind of self-aware drama that somehow makes crying on the dance floor feel empowering. But does this coming-of-age album belong on the "Supercut" of Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time, or is it a "Liability?"Album Recommendations:Emotion - Carly Rae JepsenWintersaga - Wind RoseFollow Please No Moss on Instragram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

With Pat out of the studio, Derek welcomes Andy Pierce, David Mucci, and Russell Gonzalez to the show to play some music-themed trivia games.Listen to OTR Debate on Spotify or Apple PodcastsFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art: Katherine EvansClosing Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Shakira’s Dónde Están los Ladrones? captures a young artist on the edge of global stardom, grappling with identity, love, and corruption. But at #496, it finds itself just barely holding on to it's spot on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time. Does it deserve to be higher or should this album on the bubble have its bubble burst?Album Recommendations:Re - Café TacubaLogos - Dos SantosIsolation - Kali UchisListen to OTR Debate on Spotify!Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Hall and Oates’ “She’s Gone” is a soulful breakup anthem packed with raw emotion, smooth harmonies, and one of the all-time great vocal performances. The song captures the bitter ache of lost love with lyrics that are both heart-wrenching and oddly catchy. It’s a masterclass in blue-eyed soul and a standout track from their early catalog. Should it have a spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time? We think it’s definitely worth the debate.Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Hüsker Dü’s New Day Rising is a blistering, emotional ride through melodic punk that helped define the sound of underground rock in the '80s. With raw energy and surprising hooks, the band pushes past hardcore into something more personal and sonically adventurous. It's loud, fast, and messy—in the best possible way. But should it be on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums list?Album Recommendations:Prescription for Sleep: Game Music Lullabies - GENTLE LOVEDavid Comes to Life - Fucked Up⁠Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Tears for Fears' song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a catchy ‘80s anthem that taps into themes of power, control, and the state of the world. With its dreamy synths and surprisingly deep lyrics, it’s a song that’s stuck with listeners for decades. But does it really deserve a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time? In this episode, we break down what makes it so memorable—and whether it truly earns that iconic status.Follow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Released in 1998, Neutral Milk Hotel’s album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has become a cult classic in the indie rock genre, known for its raw emotion and distinctive lo-fi sound. The album, led by frontman Jeff Mangum, weaves surreal lyrics with themes of love, loss, and historical tragedy, particularly drawing inspiration from Anne Frank’s life. Over the years, its enigmatic storytelling and unique instrumentation have sparked passionate discussions and interpretations among fans and critics alike.Album Recommendations:- Beat the Champ by The Mountain Goats- City Slicker by Ginger Root- Hot Thing for a Minute by Smart ObjectsSmart Objects WebsiteFollow Please No Moss on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In this episode, we turn up the temperature as we explore the history of Martha and the Vandellas’ 1963 hit “Heat Wave.” Pat and Derek discuss how this song launched a new era of dance music and helped define the legacy of the legendary songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland. Follow us on Instagram!Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Pat and Derek discuss Clipse and the Neptunes' 2002 hit song "Grindin'," the evolution of Pharrell Williams as a producer, and NBA player salaries.Follow us on InstagramCover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Following the death of Joy Division's lead singer, the remaining musicians formed a new group: New Order. It took them a little bit to find their footing, but once they did, they released two of the biggest hits of 1980s electronic dance music: "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle." "Blue Monday" will be the topic of a future episode of Un Poquito Moss, but today we're find out if BLT is more than just a sandwich.Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

D'Angelo waited fourteen years after his landmark album Voodoo to release his next album, Black Messiah. Pat and Derek discuss whether this album was worth the wait or if Black Messiah is a false prophet.Album RecomendationsThe Reality of My Surroundings - FishboneAn Evening with Silk Sonic - Silk SonicFollow us on Instagram!Leave a comment and rate us five stars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In 2002, Missy Elliott put her thing down, flipped it, and reversed it. Pat and Derek talk about the kind of beat that go ra-ta-ta ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta. This song's so good, we say blah-blah-blah.Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

After a meteoric rise with The Fame and The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga became known for her over-the-top persona, clothing, and performances. Her second (third?) album, Born This Way, would be no exception. In addition to experimenting with a wider variety of genres and instrumentation, the album's title track became an instant anthem for the LGBTQ community.Album Recommendations:British Steel - Judas PriestOil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides - SophieCover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In 1972, a troubled folk singer from Texas released a ballad about two bandits south of the border. It didn't receive much recognition when it was first released, but would go on to be covered numerous times, including a version that would become a #1 country hit over decade later. But is the original version one of the 500 greatest songs of all time?Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton"

Many artists have drawn ties between jazz and hip hop, but on their sophomore album A Tribe Called Quest became the first group to fully blend the two genres together, complete with an guest appearance from legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter. Andy Pierce joins Pat and Derek to discuss the partnership of The Abstract Poet and the Five-Foot Assassin.Album Recommendations:Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) by Digable PlanetsDeadringer by RJD2Me Against the World by 2Pac"Ducky" a short film by Andy PierceCover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Steven Tyler was just 18 years old when he penned the lyrics "Every time I look in the mirror, all these lines on my face getting clearer." Still, the song's message has inspired listeners to dream until their dreams come true for over fifty years. This week, Pat and Derek discuss Aerosmith's first-ever single.Cover Art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In 1971, the Rolling Stones found themselves at a crossroads. Guitarist Brian Jones had recently passed away and was replaced by Mick Taylor, the band was reeling from the infamous incident at Altamont, they were launching their own music label, and they were tight on cash. The band needed a hit album to re-establish themselves as the world's greatest rock band. This week, Pat and Derek unpack, or rather unzip Sticky Fingers.Album Recommendations: Aladdin Sane by David Bowie (1973) Street Songs by Rick James (1981)Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In this episode of Un Poquito Moss, Pat and Derek journey to the dark continent and attempt to unravel the meaning behind Toto's "Africa." Is about a long-distance relationship, one man's love of a continent, or werewolves? Either way, it turns out you don't need to have visited Africa to write a #1 hit song about it.Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In 1965, Brian Wilson listened to the Beatles' Rubber Soul, and set out to make something even better. Pet Sounds would be the Beach Boys' masterpiece, revolutionizing pop music forever and influencing countless artists to this day. Pet Sounds didn't just move the needle, it launched the needle out of a cannon and musicians have been trying to catch it ever since. But since Rolling Stone first debuted their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time, it's always been #2: first behind The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's and then behind Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. What do those albums have that Pet Sounds doesn't? Pat and Derek get into all of it and more, including the Wrecking Crew, Charles Manson, and the "hamburger sessions." Album Recommendations: Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes (2008) Illinois by Sufjan Stevens (2005) Cover Art by Katherine Evans Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

On our first episode of our series about Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time, we dive into the Marvin Gaye classic, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine."Cover art by Katherine EvansTheme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Pat and Derek re-rank the 25 albums covered in season one and then decide which of those albums should be removed from the list and which albums should be added in their place. Cover art by Katherine Evans Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

After the failure of his debut album, Bob Dylan got to work writing another album that would come to define the 1960s, establishing him as the voice of his generation. Now, over 60 years later, Timothee Chalamet is set to portray Dylan in the biopic A Complete Unknown, detailing Dylan's rise from obscure folk musician to America's greatest songwriter. In honor of the new film, Pat and Derek discuss The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. Cover art by Katherine Evans Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Everybody knows "Bohemian Rhapsody," but what about the other songs on Queen's landmark fourth album? Are they enough for the album to merit inclusion on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, or are they just riding the coattails of Freddie Mercury's masterpiece? Cover art by Katherine Evans Theme music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In 1996, plunderphonics pioneer DJ Shadow set out to make the first-ever full-length album composed entirely of samples. Not only did he achieve his goal (or did he?), Endtroducing..... would become one of the most quietly influential albums of the decade. But is sampling art or theft, and does it deserve a spot on among the 500 greatest albums of all time? Cover art by Katherine Evans Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

In honor of the upcoming release of her 50th studio album, join Pat and Derek as they wander back through the years, back to the seasons of Dolly Parton's youth to discuss her 8th album, Coat of Many Colors.

On a special Halloween episode of Please No Moss, Pat and Derek talk about vampires and Ezra Koenig's thoughts on religion. Cover art by Katherine Evans Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton

Pat and Derek dive into Jason Isbell's breakthrough album, Southeastern and discuss everything from the country star's sobriety to the 30-50 feral hogs in your yard.

Public opinion on Coldplay has shifted in the two decades since the release of their sophomore album, but in the early 2000s, they were arguably the biggest band in the world. Are Coldplay haters just cynical snarks or is Coldplay really "the most insufferable band of the decade?" Cover art by Katherine Evans Theme Music: “Tagalong” by Blaise Gratton