Honest & Unmerciful Record Review Podcast

Ep. 49 - Fiona Apple: "When the Pawn..."

Pete and Brian dive into Fiona Apple's unflinching, incisive, and emotionally charged second album, 1999's "When the Pawn...".  Apple's acrobatic vocalizations, clever lyrics and piano skills are on display, backed by a percussive, expressive band. For the young singer, this album was a response to the criticism from her stunning debut, "Tidal", full of fury and also self-reflection and unique takes on relationship dynamics.  How does it hold up 26 years later? Tune in to find out!

Ep. 48 - Weezer: "Weezer" (The Blue Album)

Join Pete and Brian as we discuss 1994's debut eponymous album by alternative rock band Weezer, commonly known as the Blue Album. Arriving on the scene with a powerfully produced record that spawned hits "Undone (the Sweater Song)", "Buddy Holly", and "Say It Ain't So", Rivers Cuomo and his bandmates defied expectations almost from day 1.  Embracing their geekiness while blasting power chords and tight harmonies, Weezer's debut was a critical and commercial success... but how does it hold up over 30 years later? Tune in as we uncover the album's secrets and give our honest, unmerciful review!

Ep. 47 - Boards of Canada: "Tomorrow's Harvest"

Pete and Brian share a listening experience that none should take lightly: Boards of Canada's fourth and last(?) studio album, "Tomorrow's Harvest" (2013).  The mysterious Scottish duo is renowned as vanguards of "intelligent dance music", but craft soundscapes and sonic experiments that cross genres.  "Tomorrow's Harvest" is a concept record in many ways, and we'll explore some of the lore and the emotions it conjures.  Be warned - it's not easy listening, but the challenges Boards of Canada throw can lead to revelations!  

Ep. 46 - Spoon: "Gimme Fiction"

Join Pete and Brian as they unravel the many sonic layers of Spoon's revered 2005 indie-rock album, "Gimme Fiction". We'll dig deep into the lyrics, themes, and music of this well-produced, oft-experimental record.  Do the experiments work?  Tune in to hear our Honest, Unmerciful appraisal!

Ep. 45 - Green Day: "Insomniac"

Know what the world needs now more than ever? An honest, unmerciful review of Green Day's 1995 album "Insomniac"...by none other than Skinny D and Jet Carlo, Pete and Brian's special guests this episode.  We'll dig into the punk-rock blast that is Green Day's fourth record, but also their important follow-up to their fame-making album "Dookie". Do they deliver the goods on "Insomniac"?  Tune in to find out!

Ep. 44 - Electric Light Orchestra: "El Dorado"

Pete and Brian return with a journey through "El Dorado", the 1974 concept album by Electric Light Orchestra. Jeff Lynne and Co. craft a record that's sometimes a cinematic throwback with its orchestration, and sometimes a progressive-leaning rock LP. Does the "concept" hold up and is the variety a feature or a bug? Tune in to find out! Episode originally released 2 February 2025. 

Ep. 43 - Tears for Fears: "Songs From the Big Chair"

Pete and Brian travel back to 1985 when Tears for Fears ruled the world, or at least the pop charts on the strength of "Songs From the Big Chair", their multi-million-selling second album. Featuring massive hits "Shout", "Head over Heels" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", the creative forces of Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal were on full display. But with such huge singles, how does the album hold up? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 27 May 2024.

Ep. 42 - The Black Crowes: "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion"

Join Pete and Brian as they revisit The Black Crowes' 1992 album "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion". The band topped the charts with their earnest revival of 70's-influenced rock, with aspects of blues and gospel, riding four hit singles in a time when hair metal was giving way to grunge on the FM dial. So how does it land all these years later? Tune in to find out!

Ep. 41 - King Crimson: "Discipline"

Join Pete and Brian as they discover the virtuosity of 1981's "Discipline" album by King Crimson. is it progressive rock, math rock, gamelan-inspired systems rock, new wave, or something altogether unique mixing all of that? Only bandleader and guitarist extraordinaire Robert Fripp knows for sure. But we'll aim to unpack the interlocking rhythms, melodies and styles of this incarnation of the influential, ever-evolving band.  Episode originally released 30 March 2024.

Ep. 40 - Hall and Oates: "Private Eyes"

For our big 40th episode, Pete and Brian rediscover Hall and Oates' "Private Eyes" from 1981. These soulful crooners scored #1 singes with the title track and "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)", but the record also holds some adventurous surprises, too... tune in to find out! Episode originally released 31 January 2024.