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Rose-Colored HeadphonesDoo Bop by Miles DavisMiles Davis made a hip-hop record. This should be an easy episode to do, right? I mean, we like Miles Davis. We like hip-hop. But… we also read Miles Davis’ autobiography. This wasn’t the episode we set out to make, but here we are. We’ve got some stuff to tangle with. And it’s been brewing for some time. Our experience with music is shaped by our ideas about the people who make that music. Your mileage may vary, of course, but we’ve got a lot to unpack here. Bear with us. 2025-08-1244 minRose-Colored HeadphonesRisk by MegadethMegadeth sure did a thing here. And Megadeth fans sure didn’t like it. But why not? Calibrate your expectations and let us help you find a way to enjoy this thing! Also in this episode: Ralph and Michael attempt to banter like normal podcasters. And they talk about that movie Highlander, for some reason. But it’s more on-topic than you would think. Is Risk the perfect album for a day by the pool? Maybe. And maybe that’s the problem: Megadeth fans don’t go swimming enough. Plus, we read listener mail and Ra...2025-07-291h 03Rose-Colored HeadphonesChalkmark In A Rainstorm by Joni Mitchell (with Ann Powers, author of Travelling: On The Path of Joni Mitchell)Ann Powers is here to share her insight into the creative life of Joni Mitchell in the 1980s. We delve into the influence of new musical technology, a shifting musical landscape, and Joni’s romantic and creative partner Larry Klein. Don’t you think it’s time you checked out some of those Joni Mitchell albums you haven’t heard yet? Start here. Also, check out Ann’s wonderful book Travelling: On The Path of Joni Mitchell. And welcome back, listener. Thanks for joining us! This is going to be a really good season. We can already...2025-07-151h 00Rose-Colored HeadphonesStay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney FilmsRalph and Michael have been assigned a Disney tribute album featuring Sun Ra, Tom Waits, Garth Hudson, one of The Beatles, Sinead O'Connor, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Stipe, Herb Alpert, The Replacements, and more. Hear us out. It's... eerie. Later, a response from a Disney Adult and the return of Saucy Walter. Thanks for listening to our second season. We liked making it, and we'll be back soon with our third season. In the meantime, circle back to the episodes you missed and tell your friends about us. This epi...2025-01-2746 minRose-Colored HeadphonesFodder On My Wings by Nina SimoneIn the eighties, Nina Simone recorded one of her most eclectic and personal albums. It’s also one of her best, and Ralph and Michael are here to tell you all about it, doing our best to understand her as a musician, as a person, and as a political figure. (Michael says this is his favorite album we've covered on this show so far. What do you think, listener?) Later, Ralph performs a Nina Simone original in the style of Radiohead. Find us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social 2025-01-1439 minRose-Colored HeadphonesOne Hot Minute by the Red Hot Chili PeppersThis is another one of those episodes where Michael struggles to get into the album, and Ralph has to take the wheel. What is it about the Red Hot Chili Peppers that Michael doesn’t get? Seriously, what crawled up that guy’s butt? First Lil’ Wayne and now this. It’s like he hates fun or something, that Scrooge. Don’t worry, listener; empathy and open-mindedness will win in the end. (In this episode anyway. Not sure about real life.) Remember in the Bob Dylan episode when we promised our podcast wouldn’t be weird anymore? How are we d...2024-12-3151 minRose-Colored HeadphonesA Twisted Christmas by Twisted Sister (with Dee Snider)Dee Snider drops by to talk about Christmas music, his time as a choir boy, and the making of a yuletide metal classic on our first annual Holiday Spectacular! Yeah, we do holiday specials now, like Doctor Who! And don't worry, listener; we ask him about that book and he's got news about it. Also in this episode, Michael is visited by ghosts and he and Ralph grapple with complicated feelings about the holidays and uncertainty about the future. But mostly they talk about Twisted Sister. Happy Holidays, everyone! (Even you, Derek.) This episode is de...2024-12-1754 minRose-Colored HeadphonesLet’s Face It by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (with Aaron Carnes, author of In Defense of Ska)Aaron Carnes drops by to educate Ralph and Michael about the wide world of Ska. Why is “Third Wave Ska” a misleading term? Where do the Bosstones fit into the larger story of the genre? Plus more listener mail from Michael’s arch-nemesis Derek. Ugh. Later, Ralph is joined by drummer Elwood Bond as he brings a Bosstones anthem back to the roots of ska. Be sure to check out the new expanded edition of Aaron’s fantastic book In Defense of Ska. It makes a great gift for ska-enthusiasts and an even better gift for ska-ha...2024-12-0347 minRose-Colored HeadphonesJesus Freak by DC TalkRalph and Michael dive into the Christian-Rock equivalent of Thriller and weigh DC Talk’s evangelical credentials against DC Talk’s counter-cultural inclinations. To whom is this album speaking? What is being said? Is it more than a collection of 1990s pastiche with religious lyrics? Maybe this album isn’t what you remember. (Well, it probably is in a lot of ways, but there’s more to it than that.) Also, is there a DC Talk group-chat where these guys argue about politics? (We will not find an answer to that question, but if you were once a member...2024-11-261h 00Rose-Colored HeadphonesThe Diary by J Dilla (with Dan Charnas, author of Dilla Time)Ralph and Michael are on their best behavior as Dan Charnas stops by to detail the history of J Dilla’s shelved-and-then-resuscitated should-be classic. What happens when a legendary hip-hop producer decides to rap over beats by other producers? More importantly, why would he decide to do this? Plus, Ralph explores the relationship between hip-hop and bossa nova by performing “Diamonds.” If you haven’t already, be sure to get a copy of Dan’s book Dilla Time. Find us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social Or send...2024-11-1251 minRose-Colored HeadphonesMusic From “The Elder” by KissRalph and Michael put on full KISS makeup (trust us) to contemplate this heady concept album that Michael keeps calling “Music FOR the Elder,” which is not the actual title. (Get it together, Michael.) Turns out there’s more to Gene Simmons than most people realize, and we’re going to convince you of that. Along the way, Ralph tries to define “butt rock,” Michael rethinks his concept of heroism, and they take a call from someone with an unusual proposition. Later, Ralph performs “I.” This episode is dedicated to all of our listeners, except for Derek. 2024-10-2951 minRose-Colored HeadphonesTo The 5 Boroughs by Beastie BoysRalph and Michael dive into the Beastie Boys Album That Time Forgot and reminisce about the hostile political climate that surrounded it. The Unhinged Lunatic who forces us to do this podcast likes giving us these trips down Painful Memory Lane. Anyway, how are you? Still profoundly uneasy about everything? Us too. Maybe just forget about it for a while and listen to these knuckleheads talk about some Beastie Boys music. Plus, upsetting listener mail and Ralph’s Tom-Waits-ian cover of “Crawlspace.” This episode was brought to you by The Towel Emporium. Find u...2024-10-1545 minRose-Colored HeadphonesSelf Portrait by Bob DylanRalph and Michael dig into the original “everybody hates it” album and try to unpack the incredibly negative reaction it received back in 1970. And wouldn’t you know it? It’s actually pretty dope! That’s right, Rose-Colored Headphones is back! Season Two is going to be so good, you guys. We’re definitely not as weird as before. This is a respectable show now. Maybe we’ll even find out why that Unhinged Lunatic is forcing us to do this. But probably not. Anyway, this is a podcast episode about Bob Dylan, which is… maybe something...2024-10-0148 minRose-Colored HeadphonesPure Moods by Various ArtistsImagine a season finale where time drifts slowly… a world where music carries you away. Experience our episode about Pure Moods: the perfect soundtrack for your way of life. Also, Ralph and Michael talk about Twin Peaks and the Butthole Surfers. Later, they present an original song in the style of Pure Moods and the unhinged lunatic who forces these guys to make this podcast finally breaks his silence. Thanks for listening to our first season; we will return! We don't have a choice! Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-07-0954 minRose-Colored HeadphonesTrans by Neil YoungYou know we couldn’t make a show like this and not talk about Trans, right? So here we go: Ralph and Michael think you should circle back to Neil Young’s synth-heavy early-eighties opus, and they’d like to raise questions about the nature of “folk” music, lycanthropy, and Neil Young’s reaction to Blade Runner. Also, this podcast’s interstitial music has a mind of its own, Michael uses a vocoder to cover a Neil Young classic, and we end on a cliffhanger! Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-06-2542 minRose-Colored HeadphonesTales From Topographic Oceans by YesIt’s a prog-stravaganza as Ralph and Michael dive into a polarizing double album by Yes. Michael remembers an overheard comment that saved him from music snobbery, while Ralph extols the virtue of being a dork and learns some surprising trivia about The Buggles. Later, Ralph performs some prog-rock! Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-06-1149 minRose-Colored HeadphonesIdlewild by OutkastOn this episode of your favorite PodKast, Ralph and Michael daydream about an MF DOOM movie, plan a Stevie Wonder heist, wonder if Andre 3000 likes King Crimson, and eventually get around to making a case for why you should give OutKast’s final album (and the accompanying film) another chance. Also, Michael misremembers dialogue from the Sun Ra movie and Ralph performs “Idlewild Blue.” Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-05-2740 minRose-Colored HeadphonesPath Of Totality by KoRnRalph and Michael think nu-metal and electronic music are a perfect match. With whom should Korn collaborate if they get on this path again? Ralph and Michael have some ideas. Plus, Michael tangles with lyrics he finds profoundly off-putting and Ralph performs “Narcissistic Cannibal.” Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-05-1442 minRose-Colored HeadphonesUmmagumma by Pink FloydLearn the (in)correct pronunciation of a Pink Floyd roadie’s term for coitus as we delve into this space-rock opus by a band Michael loved in middle school. Plus, divergent timelines, Shrek, a corny joke about the Alan Parsons Project, and “Grandchester Meadows” like you’ve never heard it before. Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-04-3044 minRose-Colored HeadphonesThe Rainbow Children by PrinceRalph and Michael can barely contain their enthusiasm as they untangle Prince’s jazz-fusion concept album and talk you through the things about it you might find alienating. Plus, Ralph explains how to perform a 2001 Prince song in the style of 1980s Prince. Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/ Or send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com2024-04-1644 minRose-Colored HeadphonesTwo Virgins by John Lennon & Yoko OnoJohn and Yoko made a recording of the weirdest foreplay ever. All we are saying is give it a chance. And while you’re at it, give it an interpretive dance. Should you listen to this album on a first date? Ralph and Michael will tell you. Plus, the exclusive world premiere of “Let’s Get a Pizza, Yoko” and an improvisation in the spirit of John and Yoko. Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-04-0252 minRose-Colored HeadphonesRebirth by Lil WayneRalph and Michael dive into the Lil’ Wayne version of rock music. (Michael needed a little bit of convincing on this one.) Plus, Ralph plays “Waynes of All Sizes.” Will he win Michael’s voice on his answering machine? You’ll have to listen to find out. Later, Ralph performs “I’d Die for You.” Send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com 2024-03-1955 minRose-Colored HeadphonesPop by U2Ralph and Michael are pro-Bono, but they know the world wasn’t ready for Pop in 1997. Is intransigence still all around? Also, Michael models his collection of replica Bono glasses and Ralph performs “Wake Up Dead Man.” send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com2024-03-0548 minRose-Colored HeadphonesSt. Anger by MetallicaRalph and Michael listen to St. Anger, watch the making-of documentary (Some Kind of Monster), and try to convince you to give this era of Metallica another chance. Then, after the inaugural installment of “Six Degrees of King Crimson,” they interview Lars Ulrich’s snare drum and Ralph performs “Some Kind of Monster.” Find us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social Or send us an email: rosecoloredheadphonespodcast@gmail.com2024-02-2053 min
Rose-Colored HeadphonesSeason One TrailerThe inagural season of Rose-Colored Headphones premiers in 2024. Join Ralph and Michael as they make a case for much-maligned music that deserves a second chance. 2023-12-1000 min