Honest & Unmerciful Record Review Podcast

Ep. 39 - Echo & The Bunnymen: "Ocean Rain"

Pete and Brian revisit Echo & The Bunnymen's "Ocean Rain", released in 1984 and hailed (by the band) as "the greatest album ever made". We'll analyze that claim. It it a high-water mark for the post-punk/new-wave band, incorporating orchestration, eastern music, and atmospheres aplenty, riding the crest of classic track "The Killing Moon"? Or does the album spring some leaks? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 11 January 2024.

Ep. 38 - John Cougar Mellencamp: "Scarecrow"

Join Pete and Brian as they revisit the Heartland rock of John Cougar Mellencamp's "Scarecrow" from 1985. Mellencamp presents us with a record full of earnest lyrics and no-frills rock and roll that will take you back in time and back to the small towns listening on AM radio! A chart-topper and Big Statement Record of the 80's, how does "Scarecrow" stand up after all these years?  Tune in to find out! Episode originally released 14 November 2023.

Ep. 37 - My Bloody Valentine: "Loveless"

Join Pete and Brian as they explore a monumental album of the shoegaze scene, My Bloody Valentine's "loveless" from 1991.  Kevin Shields and company crafted an unmistakably, oft-imitated sonic identity and changed the way guitar could sound and songs could be structured, relying on distortion, odd tunings, tremolo techniques and painstaking production tricks. Add on layer of ambiguous vocals, and the result is a groundbreaking, sometimes challenging listening experience. So does "loveless" get all our love, or less? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 1 September 2023.

Ep. 36 - Steely Dan: "Katy Lied"

Join Pete and returning guest host Jet Carlo (subbing in.out with Brian) as they debate the merits of Steely Dan and their 1975 album "Katy Lied". Known as perfectionists with a unique jazz/rock fusion sound, Steely Dan have polarized fans and critics throughout their career. We'll explore why that may be as exemplified by "Katy Lied". Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 10 August 2023.

Ep. 35 - Counting Crows: "Recovering the Satellites"

Join Pete and Brian as they rediscover Counting Crows' 1996 album "Recovering the Satellites". The band found huge fame and critical/public backlash after their multi-million-selling debut, so stakes were high for this sophomore release. Vocalist Adam Duritz's plaintive lyrical delivery and musical influences both current and vintage make for a distinctive listen.  But does it hold up to the test of time? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 12 July 2023. 

Ep. 34 - The Beatles: "Abbey Road" Side B!

Pete and Brian flip the record and revisit Side B of The Beatles' 1969 classic, "Abbey Road". Featuring gorgeous atmospheres, then transitioning to the 8 part Medley, this album side is absolutely stuffed with ideas, moods and movements. How does a collection of short tracks combine as a cohesive suite? How does Side B compare/contrast with Side A (see our episode 33)? And overall, how does "Abbey Road" rank on the warm, tasty burrito scale? Tune in to find that out and a LOT more!  Episode originally released 26 May 2023.

Ep. 33 - The Beatles: "Abbey Road" Side A!

We've finally arrived at The Beatles, taking on their 1969 album "Abbey Road".  The influential status of the band and the complexities of the record mean we'll tackle each side as its own episode. Side A's six tracks pace the way, but are they a cohesive, classic collection, or the leftovers of a band pulling in separate directions? Maybe both? Tune in to find out! Episode originally released 11 May 2023.

Ep. 32 - Metric: "Fantasies"

Pete and Brian uncover Metric's "Fantasies" (2009). Featuring Emily Haines' gifted vocals and thought-provoking lyrics, this indie rock/synth band has carved out a huge following, largely doing it their own way, and becoming one of Canada's most successful independent bands. With hooks aplenty, "Fantasies" adds a well-produced gloss to Metric's sound. How do they measure (ha!) up on our scale of warm, tasty burritos? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 25 March 2023.

Ep. 31 - Special Two-Year Retrospective!

Join Pete and Brian as they look back at the Best (and Worst) of two years and thirty episodes of the Honest & Unmerciful Record Review Podcast! Which albums got a perfect 5 out of 5 warm, tasty burritos on our trademarked scale? Which records were most hotly debated? Remember those wonderful and sometimes wacky guest hosts? Take a trip back with us as we remember our favorite moments, share some new music news, and ponder what we'd change and why we love doing this podcast for you, dear listeners!  Episode originally released 3 February 2023.

Ep. 30 - Billy Joel: "Glass Houses"

Join Pete and Brian as they revisit Billy Joel's hugely successful 1980 album "Glass Houses", which saw the Piano Man largely forgo the keys and ballads in favor of a cool rock sound. Does he nail it, or is this a rock record wrapped in cellophane? Tune in to find out!  Episode originally released 16 January 2023.