Shows
Finest Worksongs102. The Sundays – Reading, Writing & ArithmeticIf it seemed like England's The Sundays came out of nowhere in the early 1990s it's because, well, they sorta did. The dreampop quartet didn't start out with the idea of being major music stars -- they just wanted to have a little fun and make some music. But there were a couple problems with this: Harriet Wheeler and David Gavurin. Harriet's lilting, songbird voice made her one of the most distinctive female voices in pop music; and the gorgeous guitar work by David made The Sundays alternative rock gold. Their 1990 debut, "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic," was released in 1990...2023-12-0145 min
Finest Worksongs101. Garth Brooks – Ropin’ The WindFew artists have had as much crossover success as Garth Brooks. The Okie not only took the country world by storm in the early-to-mid-1990s, but he was a certified mega pop star as well. And in doing so, Brooks redefined how country music was perceived -- and performed. Brooks made country music arena-friendly. His songs were radio friendly as well, as his 1991 album "Ropin' The Wind" proved. The album would go on to sale more than 14 million copies and produced hits (and Brooks standards) like "Rodeo," "What She's Doing Now," "The River" and "Shameless" -- a Billy Joel...2023-11-1642 min
Finest WorksongsWhitney Houston - Our 100th Epipod!Long before there was a TV singing competition called "The Voice," there was Whitney Houston -- aka "The Voice." But there really was no competition. Houston's power and range was second to no one else of her generation. In fact, the term of "The Voice" was something of an insult; it suggested that she was given a gift of singing from above, that it had little to do with talent. But to those who heard "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" or "Greatest Love of All" Or "I Will Always Love You" or any of the other chart-topping hits, it di...2023-11-0342 min
Finest Worksongs99. Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms
Early computer animation. Sports bloopers. Pastel sport coats. And "I want my MTV." On the surface, it's hard to get more "1980s" than Dire Straits during their "Brothers in Arms" era. But peak MTV era was also quite superficial, and with Dire Straits, there was always more just below the surface. Even with mega radio and music video hits like "Walk of Life" and "Money For Nothing," 1985's "Brothers in Arms" is yet another album with frontman and guitar god Mark Knopfler weaving stories about the world's castaways, about blue collar workers, and war. (In fact, almost all of side 2...2023-10-2649 min
Finest Worksongs98. Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels on a Gravel RoadLucinda Williams' fifth album, released in the summer of 1998, not only cemented the artist as a bonafide songwriting juggernaut, but it solidified her place among America's best storytellers. "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" would go on to be named The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop (critics) Album of the Year, and to date it is among Rolling Stone's top 500 albums of all time. And for good reason. Williams bemoans (and even moans) about love and loss in songs like "Right In Time," Lake Charles" and "Can't Let Go." And she brilliantly illustrates pain in the title track and also...2023-10-0943 min
Finest Worksongs97. Weezer – Weezer (Blue Album)In 1994, heavy metal and hard rock were on the way out and grunge ruled supreme. But that mattered not to a young, quick-witted songwriter named Rivers Cuomo. Raised on KISS, Iron Maiden and the rest, Cuomo and his band Weezer brought forth an amalgamation of rock that embraced the angst of grunge with the chops of metal -- all framed by the disposition and perspective of a loner. Weezer's self-titled debut (aka "The Blue Album") set the music world on fire with radio and MTV hits "Buddy Holly," "Say It Ain't So" and "Undone - The Sweater Song." But...2023-09-2936 min
Finest Worksongs96. Van Morrison – MoondanceHow does a young songwriter come back from releasing a mega hit that EVERYBODY knows? For Van Morrison, he followed the success of "Brown Eyed Girl" with two different approaches. First came "Astral Weeks," an album built on and around Morrison's jazz upbringing. Next came "Moondance," which bridged the gap (eventually) between his love of various genres of music with a nod to a more pop-friendly format. It worked. Like "Brown Eyed Girl," the title track has since become a standard, but the album is so much more than that. "And It Stoned Me" tells the nostalgiac story of...2023-09-1942 min
Finest Worksongs95. Listener’s Choice – The Allman Brothers"With the help of God and true friends, I come to realize / I still had two strong legs and even wings to fly."
Those are among some of the first lines of the first song ("Ain't Wastin' Time No More") from "Eat a Peach," the double album by the Allman Brothers Band, which was released in early 1972. The lines and the song -- heck, SEVERAL of the songs -- underscore a lot of what the Allman Brothers were all about throughout their career -- but perhaps never more so than at this point. They were a brotherhood -- but one th...2023-07-1444 min
Finest Worksongs94. Missy Elliott – Under Construction
Few musical genres have the level of deep-seated appreciation for its forefathers (and mothers) like rap and hip hop. And Missy Elliott's 2002 album, "Under Construction" is a wonderful homage to "the good old days" when it was about "British Knights and gold chains," as Elliott raps on "Back in the Day." But for all the looking back, this was also an album where Elliott continued to put her stamp on music. While the single "Work It" continues to be one of the Virginia-born Elliott's biggest and best-known hits, the album itself remains an important one from the early 2000s. "Under Con...2023-07-0641 min
Finest Worksongs93. Rage Against The Machine – self-titled debutSure, prior to 1992 there had been combinations of rap and rock. But they were mostly of the novelty variety - a way to offer a safe crossover of different genres and audiences. When Rage Against the Machine unloaded their debut album in 1992, they kicked the crap out of the novelty and drew a line in the sand that told the world that playtime was over. This wasn't "Walk this Way" or "I'm the Man." Tom Morello, Brad Wilk and Tim Commerford laid down some of the heaviest, grooviest music around -- which was perfect for Zack de la Rocha's...2023-06-0144 min
Finest Worksongs92. Violent Femmes – Violent FemmesPerhaps no band benefited from the beauty of the mix tape better than the Violent Femmes. However, you could argue that no other band led to the proliferation of the art form of creating a mix tape more than the Femmes. The simpleness of song structure (and production) and the adolescent lyrical content (one reviewer calling it "uber-elementary sing-alongs") were absolutely {chef's kiss} to represent frustrated, angsty teenagers of the 1980s and '90s. It makes sense -- chief songwriter Gordon Gano began writing much of these tunes when he was 15, after all. Their debut 1983 album includes classics like "...2023-05-2343 min
Finest Worksongs91. Dolly Parton – JoleneFew artists have enjoyed a resurgence in appreciation over the past decade like Dolly Parton. But in the 1970s, she fought against the perception that she was just a sidekick to Porter Wagoner ... or just a pretty face. It also goes without saying that a lot of people think of other things first when thinking about Dolly, instead of thinking about her talents as a songwriter, singer and musician. But Dolly has remained true to her roots and to herself, and in recent years, she has begun to enjoy an elevated level of respect as an icon, a musician and...2023-05-0545 min
Finest Worksongs90. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going OnWith his 1971 album, "What's Going On," Motown staple Marvin Gaye turned the R&B world -- and the pop music world for that matter -- upside down, smashing conventional ideas about pop songs, album topics and even song themes. It's an album -- and one you really should listen to from start to finish -- about a Vietnam vet returning from war to find an America weighted down by racism, drugs, hatred and injustice. Not surprising, Gaye had to fight hard to have his vision come to life. It was deemed to be a concept album without any radio...2023-04-1345 min
Finest Worksongs89. Matchbox Twenty – Yourself Or Someone Like You"And I said baby ... it's 3 a.m., I must be lonely." If you were anywhere within earshot of a radio or MTV in the mid-to-late 1990s, that little slice of earworm was no doubt getting stuck in your head. The culprits? Rob Thomas and his band mates in Matchbox Twenty, whose debut album, "Yourself or Someone Like You," took pop radio by storm. Hits like the aforementioned "3AM," "Push," "Real World" and more pushed the sales of this album upwards of MILLIONS of copies. (It sold just over 600 copies in its first week; today, it has sold more than 15...2023-03-2939 min
Finest Worksongs88. Elvis Presley – From Elvis in MemphisFirst, let's get something out of the way. This is an album podcast. It always will be, first and foremost. Therein lies some limitations around how to talk about some of the early pioneers of rock and roll and pop music. Many of them "released" albums that were nothing more than a collection of disparate singles. Or they loosely put together a collection of songs, threw a cover on it and called in an "album." Elvis Presley was no different. However, with "From Elvis in Memphis," The King had an opportunity to present a new version of himself...2023-03-2044 min
Finest Worksongs87. Pulp Fiction: Music From the Motion Picture"Hooray for Hollywood / That screwy ballyhooey Hollywood ..."
Just in time for this year's Academy Awards, Finest Worksongs is offering up our first-ever Oscars Edition where we feature a movie soundtrack. And what a doozy. The &#%!@ album we chose is so &#%!@ good, so innovative and clever, that we just had to &#%!@ talk about it. "Pulp Fiction" was such a game-changer of a film; however, you can't talk about the movie without talking about how methodical the song choices were for the soundtrack. Quentin Tarantino's choice of surf music, funk, country, love songs and more – not to mention the decision to...2023-03-0346 min
Finest Worksongs86. Oasis - (What’s The Story) Morning GloryNo one knows you quite like a sibling. That can result in a familiarity and a closeness that results in beautiful things. It can also result in sibling rivalries and infighting -- as in the case of the Gallagher brothers in Oasis. Noel and Liam, the creative centers of the British band, aren't exactly the closest of brothers these days. But back in their peak, they created some music magic that still resonates to this day -- even if their relationship doesn't. On "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?," Oasis took over the pop world with an album full of...2023-02-1944 min
Finest Worksongs85. Tracy Chapman – self-titled debutSmack dab in the middle of the decline of hard rock and the rise of grunge (and in the rising tide of hip hop), Tracy Chapman threw a folk music haymaker on mainstream music beginning in 1988. And boy did she land the punch. Chapman burst on the scene with her huge hit single, "Fast Car," which painted a picture of desperation, of longing for more from a world of loss, darkness and despair. (Spoiler alert: We never really find out if the protagonist gets to experience anything more in life.) With really just a guitar and a voice that...2023-02-0252 min
Finest Worksongs84. Listener’s Choice – Dave Matthews BandOnce again, we close out our season with the “Listener’s Choice” epipod. And once again, Finest Workfan Kyle Hipp comes out on top with this year’s submission of Dave Matthews Band’s “Busted Stuff.” This album rose from the ashes of the now legendary “Lillywhite Sessions,” of which the band was not happy. So Dave and his band regrouped and re-recorded the tunes (and added a couple others), resulting in “Busted Stuff,” the stripped-down 2002 album that spawned the hit “Where Are You Going?” and a number of other fan faves like “Bartender,” “Grey Street” and “Grace Is Gone.” Despite being something of a...2023-01-0650 min
Finest Worksongs83. Christmas 2022It’s our fourth annual Christmas epipod! And we’re getting mellow this year with two beautiful albums. The syrupy soft rock of The Caepenters’ “Christmas Portrait” has become holiday radio staples thanks to Karen Carpenter’s voice and brother Richard’s orchestral arrangements. Equally poignant is Hiss Golden Messenger’s 2021 “O Come All Ye Faithful,” which is almost like a non-traditional prayer for the lost and seeking. The album is a mix of standards, traditional songs and even holiday-esque covers … including CCR. All in all, these are two albums that could tug at the holiday heartstrings.
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Finest Worksongs82. Frightened Rabbit – Pedestrian VerseWith his band Frightened Rabbit, Scottish songwriter Scott Hutchison created anthems for the lonely and the cynical -- yet they were songs of hope. Hutchison took his own life in May 2018, yet his legacy -- and impact -- lives on. The band's 2013 album, "Pedestrian Verse," captures the essence of what made the group so spectacular. (It was also the first offering by the band to include songwriting efforts by all of its members.) Songs like "Backyard Skulls" and "Late March, Death March" continue to tackle darker themes -- but with Hutchison's knack for cheekiness and cleverness, while "Nitrous Oxide"...2022-12-0647 min
Finest Worksongs81. Radiohead – OK ComputerIt's exceedingly rare to enjoy the 1-2-punch of creating an album that is instantaneously both a critical and commercial success, but in 1997 Radiohead accomplished such a feat with OK Computer. To create something so different, so .... "odd" yet so beautiful -- especially in the midst of such chart-topping offerings as the Spice Girls, LeAnn Rimes and Mariah Carey -- speaks to what a pivot OK Computer truly was. The album has remained a critical favorite -- and even one that seemed to predict a future of humans beholden to technology while drifting away from one another. The songs...2022-11-1749 min
Finest Worksongs80. Tina Turner – Private DancerFor decades people have debated over who had the best crossover. While Allen Iverson's NBA crossover may have been lethal, it was nothing compared to Tina Turner's iconic crossover into the pop mainstream. After years in partnership with an abusive and overbearing Ike Turner, Tina stepped out on her own to find her own voice. And boy, did she ever. Ike could only sit back and watch Tina step right over him as she created some of the most monstrous hits of the 1980's. And like Tyronn Lue, Ike never saw it coming. And we're still talking about it...2022-10-2846 min
Finest Worksongs79. Fleetwood Mac –RumoursFor as famous as Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" is -- and it IS -- just as famous was the drama and infighting that was going on between band members when it was recorded. The inter-band dynamics were insane at the time: band members divorcing and breaking up from one another, "diss" track after diss track recorded -- and directed at one another, and drugs. SO many drugs. For better or worse, the result is one of the most widely revered albums of all time. The 1975 album boasts Mac classics like "Dreams," "Go Your Own Way," "Don't Stop," "The Chain" and...2022-10-1339 min
Finest Worksongs78. Shania Twain - Come On OverBoasting arguably the most famous midriff of the 1990s, Shania Twain rose out of Canada (and poverty) and reinvented country music and even the notion of what constitutes a female superstar. And she did it on her (and her producer-husband's) terms. Her 1997 album, "Come On Over," was a country and crossover tour de force, boasting eight singles including "Still the One," "From This Moment On," "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" and "That Don't Impress Me Much." In doing so, Twain dominated a male-dominated industry, empowered a new generation of female country stars, and became the biggest-selling female solo...2022-10-0247 min
Finest Worksongs77. Listener’s Choice – Foo FightersDave Grohl is like the Forrest Gump of the rock'n'roll world. From Scream to Nirvana to Foo Fighters, he's traversed not only the country but the globe, making friends and funny videos along the way. The winner of our sixth Listener's Choice contest, Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace had us rocking the suburbs this summer (literally, it took us all summer to finally record this one, not to mention the slow edit!). This album was full of surprises - the story of trapped Australian miners for Matt, and the mere existence of the song "The Pretender" for Also Matt. It w...2022-08-0539 min
Finest Worksongs76. Bob Marley – LegendThere's more than a 50/50 chance you actually own this album – or did at some point in your life (Especially if you're a kid of the 80s/90s and the CD/cassette clubs like BMG or Columbia House). There's a good reason why Bob Marley and the Wailers' "Legend" was in so many disc changers back in the day and continues to be in regular rotation for many. As far as greatest hits compilations go, this one may be the greatest of them all. It contains 10 of Marley's UK top 40 hits including and features classics like "No Woman, No Cry," "I...2022-06-2251 min
Finest Worksongs75. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from MarsDavid Bowie, according to U2’s Bono, was “like a creature falling from the sky.” America may have put a man on the moon, but “we had our own British guy from space.” Bono is referring to when, in 1972, Bowie performed “Starman” on “Top of the Pops,” a seminal moment for young, inspired musicians everywhere. “Starman” was a single on Bowie’s sci-fi/apocalyptic/androgynous concept album, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” and the album propelled Bowie into the stratosphere as one of the clear giants of music. (Even if the album didn’t set the record sales...2022-06-0142 min
Finest Worksongs74. TLC – CrazySexyCoolThe title of TLC’s 1994 album “CrazySexyCool” was appropriate as it defined the three members of the group individually and collectively. The group – made up of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas – lays claim as arguably (still) the most successful girl group of all time. And this album is one major reason why. It’s a fierce collection of strong, confident and even risky songs that, quite frankly, female artists weren’t doing at the time. “Creep” and “Waterfalls” are still radio standards to this day; the latter of which addressed dark themes such as drug/gang warfare and the AIDS...2022-05-2644 min
Finest Worksongs73. AC/DC – Back in BlackAsk someone to name some of the best-selling albums of all time, and there’s a very good chance they will overlook AC/DC’s “Back in Black.” In some ways, it’s easy to dismiss the band as overly simplistic .. or even stuck in time. But that would be a mistake to discount the impact that the band has had on the trajectory of rock and roll. “Back in Black” came out in summer of 1980, and it’s such a great summer party album. (Or course, you could probably say that about every AC/DC album.) “Back in Black” came out ju...2022-05-0446 min
Finest Worksongs72. Phoebe Bridgers – PunisherShe may be petite and blonde, but don't let that fool you. Phoebe Bridgers is a GIANT. A songwriting giant. And her mid-2020 album "Punisher" was not only the perfect accompaniment to Covid quarantine, but it solidified the Californian as a bona fide commercial and critical star. Her ability to weave in angst, anger, humor and indifference into compelling, catchy, layered songs resulted in a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album, while "Kyoto" was also nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance. Other highlights of the album (of which there are many) are "Garden Song" and "...2022-04-2246 min
Finest Worksongs71. Midnight Oil – Blue Sky MiningMidnight Oil burst onto the TV screens all over America in 1987 with the videos to "Beds Are Burning" and "The Dead Heart." It was like they were from another world. Well, they kinda were. They were from the other side of the world, at least: Australia. But their follow-up album, 1990's "Blue Sky Mining," proved the Oils were more than just a one- (or two-)hit wonder, or just a vehicle to showcase the frenetic dancing of the tall, lanky, and bald lead singer Peter Garrett. "Blue Sky Mining" brought a rich album across the oceans, an album full...2022-03-2941 min
Finest Worksongs70. Arrested Development – 3years, 5 months, and 2 days in the life of...Sometimes the albums we discuss are deemed classic by the masses; sometimes they are deemed classic by a Matt (singular). Sometimes those albums are classic ...question mark? In the case of Arrested Development's debut album, "3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of ..." (so-called because that was how long it took the group to land a recording contract), the question is not really whether it's a classic album or not. It's not. But it is an important album. When it was released in 1992, it was unleashed on a world that was coming to grips with gangsta rap. White America...2022-03-0941 min
Finest Worksongs69. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex MagikReleased on the exact same day as both Nirvana’s “Nevermind" and A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Low End Theory,” the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Blood Sugar Sex Magik” took radio and MTV by storm thanks to massive hits like “Give It Away” and especially “Under the Bridge.” The Rick Rubin produced album was a crossover hit for a band largely known for funk, punk, and wild on-stage antics. The antics continued, but now to much larger, mainstream audiences. And while the album is full of things that long-time Peppers fans had grown to love, it also gave a glimpse of a more melo...2022-02-1444 min
Finest Worksongs68. James Taylor - Greatest Hits, Volume OneIt’s an amazing story, really. A well-born son of New England (and thus AMERICAN) heraldry battles drugs and romances only to find solace in songwriting. On a whim, the young man heads oversees and finds himself auditioning for Beatles. Not only do they love his music, they end up signing him to their label, playing on his debut album, and – in the case of George Harrison – being “inspired” by one of the young man’s songs enough to write arguably HIS greatest ever song. This is the story of James Taylor. Massachusetts born. Carolina bred. Some would argue one of Ameri...2022-02-0850 min
Finest Worksongs67. Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the HeadIf ever there was a band that has come close to "out-U2ing" U2, it is Coldplay. Think about it: four good friends from their school days form a band – led by a charismatic lead singer – and create atmospheric, emotional, sing-along stadium anthems. And with "A Rush of Blood to the Head," Chris Martin & Co. culled together the quintessential Coldplay "sound": chiming piano, uncluttered (and occasionally ringing) guitar, driving bass and drum parts that fill the space and complement the mood. The album starts with "Politik," a 9/11-inspired song that hints that this isn't the same band that JUST used...2022-01-2740 min
Finest Worksongs66. Boyz II Men – Cooleyhighharmony"Not too hard and not too soft." That phrase personifies, in many ways, the music AND appeal of R&B hitmakers Boyz II Men. They could sing the harmonious, emotional acapella high points with songs like "End of the Road" and "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" but they could also bring the heat. (See "Uhh Ahh.") However, there was nothing soft about their success. When their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, hit in 1991, it hit HARD. Fueled by the Michael Bivins-produced "origin story" "Motownphilly," Boyz II Men were on a path of mega superstardom that would show them...2022-01-1250 min
Finest Worksongs65. Christmas 2021It’s been … one year since the last Finest Worksongs Christmas epipod. But Matt & Matt are back to offer up a couple of Yuletide faves ….and both are quirky and fun - in their own special ways. Barenaked Ladies’ “Barenaked for the Holidays” is quintessential BNL: moments of musical brilliance combined with moments of inane levity. “A Very Special Christmas 3” once again brought music’s top heavy hitters together to put their own, uh, unique spins on holiday classics — and a couple (then) new ones. Giggle your way into the season with our season-ending epipod. And Merry Christmas from Marshmallow and the...2021-12-2049 min
Finest Worksongs64. Listener‘s Choice: Taylor Swift‘s folkloreThis Listener's Choice epipod stays "in the family" as the boys discuss Taylor Swift's 2020 album folklore, which was chosen by Matt Stevens' daughter MC. The adoration and sheer respect for Swift shines through in the discussion – from hosts and guest alike. After all, this was not just a career-defining album for T. Swift, but also a life-changing musical experience for many. The stripped-down and introspective songs were the perfect sounds to arrive during quarantine. And with assistance from the likes of Jack Antonoff, Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver), and The National's Aaron Dessner, Swift created a masterpiece that showed he...2021-12-0946 min
Finest Worksongs63. Def Leppard - PyromaniaIn 1983, Def Leppard emerged from the burgeoning British hard rock/metal landscape as, arguably, the biggest cats around. On the strength of mega hits (and fantastically "1980s-esque" videos) like "Photograph," Rock of Ages," "Foolin'" and "Too Late For Love," the boys from Sheffield were able to become MTV darlings while still leaning into the spike bracelets and fist-pumping ethos. Their third album, "Pyromania," was a break-out success. Their ascension hit a slight bump when drummer Rick Allen was significantly injured in a car accident (and thus lost an arm), but they would reach even greater heights with 1987's "Hysteria." But...2021-11-2345 min
Finest Worksongs62. Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair1985 was a big year in pop music. The list of Billboard-topping albums is like a "who's who" of 80s powerhouses: "Born in the USA" ... "Purple Rain" ... "No Jacket Required" .... "We Are the World" ... "Like a Virgin" ... and so on. But one album that made a splash that summer was Tears For Fears' "Songs from the Big Chair." All of a sudden, with hits like "Shout," "Head Over Heels" and "Everybody Wants to Rule The World," Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal were punching above their class with the likes of Bruce, Prince and Madonna. It didn't hurt that the songs...2021-11-1137 min
Finest Worksongs61. Fugees - The ScoreTwenty-five years ago, a hip-hop album hit the scene so hard – and so somewhat unexpectedly – that it is still amazing to reflect on the remarkable impact that it had. In a time where gangster rap was shouting the loudest, "The Score," the second album by Fugees, resonated with virtually everyone, scoring Grammys, selling millions of copies, and being the soundtrack to dance clubs for years to come – while underscoring many of the same issues that their more bombastic contemporaries were also rapping about. Of course, it never hurts to have Lauryn Hill's wordplay and sensual voice; however, the musicality and vi...2021-11-0344 min
Finest Worksongs60. Adele - 21When most people turn 21, they celebrate by going out drinking with their friends. Adele used her life experiences as a 21-year-old to create one of the best-selling (and critically acclaimed) albums of all time. It's an album that shares the kind of heartbreak and loss that many young women have dealt with. However, the difference is Adele was able to channel that emotion and turmoil into a complete, beautiful -- and sometimes cleverly vicious -- album. "21" spurred three No. 1 songs: "Rolling in the Deep," "Someone Like You" and "Set Fire to the Rain" -- and "Rumour Has It" was...2021-10-2645 min
Finest Worksongs59. Alabama Shakes - Sound & ColorAlmost out of nowhere, Alabama Shakes' 2015 album "Sound & Color" took the music world by storm. Fueled by Brittany Howard's Janice-meets-Aretha soulful treatise on love, loss and longing, "Sound & Color" brings together blues, rock, soul, R&B, Southern rock -- and so much more. And the world was here for it all. Fueled by the gritty and thumping "Don't Wanna Fight," the album was loved by music fans and music critics at the same time -- a novelty, for sure. It would go on to be nominated for six Grammys, including Album of the Year. "Don't Wanna Fight" would take...2021-09-2941 min
Finest Worksongs58. Rush–Moving PicturesAir drummers of the world, UNITE! This seminal album by the classic Canadian prog rock band Rush has been a long time coming for one Matt and a bitter pill to swallow for the other Matt. Clocking in at a concise (for them) 40 minutes, "Moving Pictures" was the album that took the trio from the world of mystical, dystopian rock operas to certified radio stars -- while retaining street cred to the nerds. "Tom Sawyer" is an undeniable classic rock titan. "Limelight" tells the story of a superstar who doesn't want to be a superstar -- all the while...2021-09-2345 min
Finest Worksongs57. Underrated Albums: Roman Candle, Queen Sarah SaturdayOn our first "Underrated Albums" epipod, we're sharing two albums that are scandalously under-appreciated. This is the opposite of the pretentious indie rocker touting an album no one would understand even if they could find it. These are albums we're dying for the world to hear. For whatever reason, these gems didn't make it into everyone's CD catalog or playlist, but it's never too late.
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2021-09-0744 min
Finest Worksongs56. Counting Crows - August and Everything After"We all wanna be Bob Dylan." In the midst of grunge and new punk, Adam Duritz and Co. were a throwback, not just to folk/pop music, but to the singer-songwriter era. Duritz's poetic narratives offered a deep look into his soul and psyche, to his desire for belonging and fame. He would get at least the latter thanks to beautiful, pop hits like "Round Here," "Rain King" and, of course, "Mr. Jones, which remains a radio staple. But the album, "August and Everything After" is a complete piece, often overlooked as a whole due to the momentous success o...2021-08-2643 min
Finest Worksongs55. Prince - Purple RainPrince was already an enigmatic superstar before the movie (and soundtrack) for "Purple Rain" was released in 1984. But this outing catapulted him into superstardom -- where he orbited the likes of Michael and Madonna (and often surpassed them). "Purple Rain" is Prince at his creative, clever and naughty best. Standard classics like "Let's Go Crazy" and "When Doves Cry" are teased with gems like "Darling Nikki" and "I Would Die 4 U." And the anthemic title track is the type of masterpiece by which other songs are measured. The album "Purple Rain" is a bonafide classic. And Prince was just...2021-08-1743 min
Finest Worksongs54. Listener's Choice - Cage The ElephantHow on earth does a group of high school buddies from Bowling Green, Kentucky win multiple Grammy awards for internationally popular rock music? For this listener's choice epipod, Matt and Matt dig in to find out what makes this band so beloved. While Cage The Elephant wear their influences on their sleeves, you'll see that these talented boys from the Bluegrass State are much more than the sum of the bands that came before them.
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2021-06-2243 min
Finest Worksongs53. Anderson .Paak - VenturaEasily one of the most versatile and collaborative performers in music these days, Anderson .Paak's 2019 album "Ventura" is perhaps the one that feels the most true to who he is. "Ventura" includes all the elements that the artist himself embraces: old-school soul, hip-hop, R&B and even rap from some of the world's greatest. Paak's gravitas as a drummer, producer and collaborator shines through with contributions from the likes of Andre 3000 ("Come Home"), Smokey Robinson ("Make It Better"), Lalah Hathaway ("Reachin' 2 Much"), Brandy ("Jet Black") and the late Nate Dogg ("What Can We Do?"). In every case, the collaborations w...2021-06-0844 min
Finest Worksongs52. Van Halen - 1984The alchemy that was the original Van Halen lineup would be almost impossible to replicate. On one end of the spectrum was the late, great Edward Van Halen, an introverted, virtuoso Guitar God who redefined the instrument and never seemed to put it down. On the other side was front man David Lee Roth, The Ultimate Entertainer who never seemed to slow down. The group was balanced out with steady bassist (and underrated backing vocalist) Michael Anthony and drummer Alex Van Halen. These four toured relentlessly in the 1970s and early '80s, opening for -- and more often...2021-05-1144 min
Finest Worksongs51. Matthew Sweet - GirlfriendIn a time where pop music was dominated by dance-fueled R&B, slick hard rock, and a burgeoning alternative scene, Matthew Sweet's 1991 major label breakthrough album "Girlfriend" was a refreshing throwback to Beatles-esque recording techniques and guitar-jangle melodies inspired by the Byrds. And, boy, did it resonate. Sweet's songs about heartache and longing, combined with an all-star backing band led by Television's Richard Lloyd, resulted in songs like "Girlfriend" and "I've Been Waiting" undoubtedly finding their way on to a ton of mix tapes. Throw in some faith-questioning tunes like "Divine Intervention" and "Evangeline," and you had an album t...2021-05-0441 min
Finest Worksongs50. The Police - SynchronicityLooking back now, it's easy to think that from 1983 and for the next couple of years, Michael Jackson singularly ruled the music world. But to think that would disrespect The Police and how massive their fifth album, "Synchronicity" was. And looking back now -- with almost 40 years(!) to reflect -- it's even more remarkable what a juggernaut Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers produced. Think about it: It's an album whose title is based on the writing of Arthur Koestler (sure) with songs referencing domestic troubles (ok), the atomic bomb (sure, but everyone was), the Loch Ness Monster (huh...2021-04-2748 min
Finest Worksongs49. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of LifeIf Stevie Wonder had never released "Songs in the Key of Life," we'd still be talking about him as one of the greatest -- if not THE greatest -- musician the United States ever produced. But, thankfully, he did. Look at any "best albums of all time list," and this double-album masterpiece is guaranteed to be close to the top. And for good reason. Yes, it contains hits and standards that we all know ("Isn't She Lovely?" and "Sir Duke" come to mind), but even those are layered with intricate mixes; instrumentation; percussion; new, innovative (for the time) instruments...2021-04-1348 min
Finest Worksongs48. Ben Folds Five - self-titled albumOne of the most unique and also most successful fans to come out of the Research Triangle area of North Carolina in the early- to-mid-1990s was Ben Folds Five. Led by Ben Folds, this three-piece (yes, just three of them) crafted clever, cynical jabs at mainstream society — as well as at themselves. But the songs were beautiful, catchy, and well-crafted, and were pulled from pop, punk, jazz and even classical music. They would find major success on their next album (and Folds would go on to a stellar critical and commercial solo career) but their debut offers us a...2021-03-2341 min
Finest Worksongs47. Amy Winehouse - Back to BlackLike others in the cursed "27 Club," Amy Winehouse burned bright and hot ... only to snuff out too soon. But what an impression she left, particularly with her "Back to Black" album. The Grammy-winning album is as autobiographical as they come -- and no less haunting. From her signature "Rehab" (where she gives an emphatic "no, no no!" when the idea is suggested to her), to "You Know I'm No Good" and "Tears Dry on Their Own," the album is Winehouse completely bearing all and putting all her warts out for the world to see and hear in her beautiful...2021-03-1739 min
Finest Worksongs46. Lionel Richie - Can't Slow DownIn the mid-80s. Lionel Richie didn’t just operate in the same orbit as Michael Jackson and Prince — Richie was his a superstar of his own right. And nothing solidified his place on the charts like “Can’t Slow Down.” At a tidy 8 songs, the album still manages to fuse genres: pop, R&B, rock, Calypso, dance and even country. And it was a pop music juggernaut, solidifying Richie (and his sweet ‘stache) among the biggest of the bigs ... at least for a while.
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2021-03-0247 min
Finest Worksongs44. Nirvana - NevermindVery few musical “events” transform the pop music landscape – and pop culture – overnight. But Nirvana’s “Nevermind” absolutely did just that. Coming seemingly out of the blue (but really from the Pacific Northwest), Nirvana gave power to the disillusioned children of the ‘80s, the latchkey kids and wannabe punks who were just searching for authenticity. In the blink of an eye, the hair metal, glam and slick production of the late-1980s and early-‘90s became silly and passe’. Cardigans, corduroys and dirty hair was where it was at. But it wasn’t just a look. Oh no. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” remain...2021-02-1642 min
Finest Worksongs43. Emmylou Harris - Wrecking BallIt's only natural that Matt & Matt kick off Season 4 of Finest Worksongs with a non-charting song of covers by a country artist, right? But Emmylou Harris' 1995 album "Wrecking Ball" deserves any and all recognition. It was a vast departure for the seasoned country songstress; that's gonna happen when you partner with Daniel Lanois. "Wrecking Ball" -- which includes collaborations with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch and others, did for Emmylou what Johnny Cash's "American" recordings did for the Man In Black: it rejuvenated a career and opened a whole new audience to the splendor o...2021-02-0940 min
Finest Worksongs42. The Killers - Hot FussMatt & Matt close out Season 3 with another "Listener's Choice" epipod. Finest Workfans voted for The Killers' debut album "Hot Fuss" to be the album du jour. Though they may have been caught up in the mix of other similar-sounding bands like the Strokes, Franz Ferdinand and Interpol, The Killers have managed to put together a long and inspired career. And this is the one that started it all. And what a strong (if front-loaded) debut it is! Brandon Flowers & Co. deliver pure pop goodness on hits like "Mr. Brightside," "Somebody Told Me," "Smile Like You Mean It" and the...2020-12-2242 min
Finest Worksongs41. Christmas 2020For our second annual Christmas epipod, Matt & Matt discuss two albums that — each in their own way — set the standard for holiday collections. Phil Spector’s “A Gift for You” changed altogether how Christmas albums were created. Initially a flop, it is now essentially against how all Christmas albums are compared. Conversely, “A Very Special Christmas” introduced the idea of the philanthropic holiday album. It is a hodgepodge of hits and misses, masterpieces and head-scratchers alike. If nothing else, both albums capture their respective eras perfectly.
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2020-12-0147 min
Finest Worksongs40. Willie Nelson - Red Headed StrangerIt's the classic "full creative control" story. Artist earns the respect (and the right) to do things as he wants. He goes against the grain to bring his vision to light. But upon hearing the final product, the record executives can't believe it's actually final. Sorry, bub. Creative control means creative control. And in this case, Willie Nelson's 1975 album, "Red-Headed Stranger," not only proved to be one of the most successful country albums of all time, but also one of the most successful -- and celebrated -- ALBUMS of all time. It's a sparsely-produced, under-budget, concept album about a...2020-11-2446 min
Finest Worksongs39. The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money MakerWith a rock and soul sound reminiscent of the Stones, the Black Crowes are timeless. But when they broke — and BIG — in 1991, they occupied a space and time all of their own. “Shake Your Moneymaker” is Southern rock mixed with 60s soul at its best. Chris Robinson’s anguished vocals and brother Rich Robinson’s songmaking abilities resulted in a slew of hits like “Hard to Handle, “Jealous Again” and “She Talks to Angels.” It’s a sound that works in 1961, 1991 and even (almost) 2021.
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2020-11-1746 min
Finest Worksongs38. Teenage Fanclub - BandwagonesqueWhen one thinks of the top rock albums of 1991, undoubtedly certain classics come to mind. Nirvana's "Nevermind." Pearl Jam's "Ten." "Achtung Baby" by U2. Metallica's so-called "Black Album." Guns'n'Roses even released "Use Your Illusion I & II" that year. But when Spin magazine unveiled its best album of the year, that honor went to Scotland's Teenage Fanclub for their "Bandwagonesque." And for good reason. Combining early-90s crunch and distortion with odes to the pop goodness of the likes of Big Star, "Bandwagonesque" is as complete and inspiring as anything else that came out that year. We dare you to...2020-11-1046 minFinest Worksongs37. R.E.M. - Green, Part TwoFor cynics and critics, "Green" was supposed to be the beginning of the end for R.E.M. After all, the Athens, Ga., band had culled a following throughout the country by essentially touring nonstop and bringing their DIY ethos to college radio -- a medium they practically helped create. "Green" was their first album with Warner Bros. Records -- and their deal with WB was (at the time) the most lucrative recording contract in US history. But most important to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe was the freedom and artistic control it provided. "Green" reflects a band at its...2020-10-2737 min
Finest Worksongs36. R.E.M. - Green, Part OneFor cynics and critics, "Green" was supposed to be the beginning of the end for R.E.M. After all, the Athens, Ga., band had culled a following throughout the country by essentially touring nonstop and bringing their DIY ethos to college radio -- a medium they practically helped create. "Green" was their first album with Warner Bros. Records -- and their deal with WB was (at the time) the most lucrative recording contract in US history. But most important to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe was the freedom and artistic control it provided. "Green" reflects a band at its...2020-10-2046 min
Finest Worksongs35. Drivin' N Cryin' - Mystery RoadThere’s a very good chance that if you’ve set foot in a random bar in the South over the last 25 years, you've heard the song “Straight to Hell.” This song has all the makings of a prototypical country song: twang; heartache; self-loathing; a catchy, singable chorus to raise a beer to. But it’s a song about a latchkey kid with a somewhat loose, disinterested mother. The song, off Drivin’ N Cryin’s 1989 “Mystery Road” album, gives you a great glimpse of the mystery that is the Georgia band: you probably know the song, but you probably didn’t know it was...2020-10-1341 min
Finest Worksongs34. Tom Petty - WildflowersIn many ways, Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” – which turns 25 years old this month – was the un-“Full Moon Fever.” When it was released, “Wildflowers” seemed sparse and stripped down, especially compared to his previous offering. But it not only featured Petty’s hit-making skills – the album produced bona fide Petty radio and MTV hits like “You Wreck Me” and “ You Don’t Know How it Feels” – but it gave the world a chance to for Petty to pour out his soul in a way that still haunts today. With Rick Rubin’s get-out-of-the-way production, “Wildflowers” is (sadly) Petty’s autobiographical epitaph --- one that he j...2020-09-2239 min
Finest Worksongs33. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End TheoryAs forerunners of alternative hip-hop, A Tribe Called Quest helped set the standard. They led a movement of thoughtful rap, fused by music inspired by their parents and lyrics inspired by their lives in Queens. Led by Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, Tribe’s second album, “The Low End Theory” pays homage to jazz and bebop while dropping insightful rhymes about the shadiness of the music business, poseur rappers and injustices all around them. It also introduced the world to Busta Rhymes. To this day, songs like “Scenario,” Excursions,” “Buggin’ Out” are considered masterpieces – and the album can still get a house party jumpin...2020-09-1541 min
Finest Worksongs32. The Connells - Fun & GamesBefore they reached international stardom thanks to the song "'74-'75," The Connells were something of a regional favorite to music fans along the Eastern seaboard. Man, could they pack a house. The band composed some of the most pop-centered, unforgettable, singalong songs of the late-'80s and '90s -- ANYWHERE. It also didn't hurt that they came across -- even on stage -- as just normal dudes. They even looked the part. Nowhere was this devotion to catchy melodies more emphasized than on their third album, "Fun & Games." Mention The Connells today to someone of a certain a...2020-09-0840 minFinest Worksongs31. Listener's Choice - NSyncIn our second ever "Listener's Choice" epipod, we take the Wayback Machine to 1998 when boy bands ruled the world. More specific, NSYNC took the pop world by storm with their debut album. This was the world's first glimpse of Justin Timberlake, but NSYNC was more than just JT. In fact, they were a perfectly constructed boy band of the finest ilk -- even if the group didn't reach its full potential until later offerings. But "NSYNC" is a 13-song "how to" album chock-full of the boy band formula: pop gold ("Tearin' Up My Heart" and "I Want You Back"...2020-07-1447 min
Finest Worksongs30. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us BackIt’s an album full of rage caused by racial injustice. It’s an album borne out of the voices of the oppressed. It’s a musical masterpiece of dope beats, thumping bass and intellectual rhymes that spotlight police brutality, racial undercurrents and the promise of a pyrrhic breaking point. The album is also 32 years old. The fact that Public Enemy’s seminal “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” is as timely and current today as when it was released is a sad testament to America’s progress in race and socioeconomic progress. However, one reason “It Take...2020-07-0342 min
Finest Worksongs29. Metallica - ...And Justice For AllNo album brought heavy metal into the mainstream quite like Metallica's "... And Justice For All." It didn't hurt that in the golden age of MTV, the anti-war video for "One" was on HEAVY rotation and turned James Hetfield and the rest of the band into household names. But this was still a heavy metal album with all the boxes checked: dark, brooding lyrics; growling vocals; speed-metal guitar riffs; and even double kick drums courtesy of Lars Ulrich. But unlike a lot of previous metal albums, which tended to dive into the dark and sinister for the sake of being...2020-06-2340 min
Finest Worksongs28. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You"We are headed north."
It's all right there in the first verse of the first song of the first major label album by the Avett Brothers. This band of foot-stomping, string-breaking renegades from Concord, NC, were moving on up -- creatively, artistically and, yes, commercially. But "I and Love and You" is not a sell-out album. It's a growth album. All the emotionalism is still there; but the boys -- Seth & Scott Avett, Bob Crawford and Joe Kwon -- are maturing, and asking their fans to mature with them with "I&L&Y." This beautifully-crafted and produced album -- Rick R...2020-06-0942 min
Finest Worksongs27. Radiohead - The BendsYou couldn’t get away from Radiohead’s radio hit “Creep” when it was released on the world in 1992-93. Not even the band could escape the clutches of such a megahit. So they did what any self-respecting band – a band inspired by the DIY ethos the likes of R.E.M. – would do with their next album, which was released in 1995. “The Bends,” the follow-up to “Pablo Honey,” is a tour de force album that 25 years later holds up as perhaps one of the most complete and wonderful albums of all time. The guitar virtuosity of Jonny Greenwood is complemented by t...2020-05-2844 min
Finest Worksongs26. Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
If we told you a member of the Jackson family produced an album in the 1980s that produced eight singles and multiple top 5 hits, you would likely assume it was Michael. However, younger sister Janet's "Rhythm Nation 1814" was a behemoth of a hit-maker, with dance-able hits like "Escapade," "Black Cat," "Miss You Much" and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)." The album itself was a concept album meant to address loftier themes. But the videos were peak MTV-era goodness. You couldn't escape Janet. But why would you want to?
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2020-05-1243 min
Finest Worksongs25. The Beatles - Rubber SoulWhen The Beatles returned to Abbey Road to record their sixth album, they were exhausted from constant touring and releasing at a pace of two albums a year. They also had virtually no songs prepared. But when it was completed, their sixth album was Rubber Soul, arguably the first actual album, not just a collection of songs. This was the turning point; it’s the album that bridges the British Invasion Beatles to Revolver and Sgt. Pepper. It’s the album that turned the music world on its heels, forcing the band’s rivals and contemporaries like the Beach Boys an...2020-04-2840 min
Finest Worksongs24. The Cure - DisintegrationThirty years after it was released, “Disintegration” by The Cure remains a Goth masterpiece. It was Robert Smith’s answer to critics that his band (and, let’s be clear: it was HIS band) could still do moody, dark epics as well or better than anyone. No one was a bigger critic of Robert Smith than himself. So he brought it. It’s all there in its “Cure-iness.” Simon Gallup’s bass is the omnipresent driving low-end of the album. But it’s Smith’s lyrics about creepy lullabies, red-light districts, spidermen and, yes, even love that make “Disintegration” the masterpiece it remai...2020-04-1744 min
Finest Worksongs23. Live - Throwing CopperHow does a band reach the pinnacle of both commercial and critical success, dominate the airwaves for a handful of years, only to disintegrate into the ether? That’s probably the question that has haunted the members of Līve for two decades now. The band’s second major album, “Throwing Copper,” was omnipresent on both pop and alternative radio. The video for “Lightning Crashes” was an MTV staple. And then? Poof! After some 8 million albums sold (and a couple of moderately successful follow-ups), they were seemingly gone from the radar. (It could have to do with the fact that in this...2020-03-3143 min
Finest Worksongs22. The Smiths - Strangeways, Here We ComeIt would be the album that would break up The Smiths, but not before encapsulating all that was SO ... Smiths about them. “Strangeways, Here We Come” combines the brilliance of Johnny Marr and the poetic, charming violence of Morrissey into a final testament of one of the most influential — if short-lived — bands of all time.
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2020-03-2445 min
Finest Worksongs21. The Cranberries - No Need To ArgueYoung people all around the world were drawn to the angsty lyrics and lilting voice of Dolores O’Riordan when her band The Cranberries were EVERYWHERE in 1993 and 1994. But whereas their debut album featured beautiful pop hits like “Linger” and “Dreams,” their sophomore effort, “No Need to Argue” built upon the passion of relational anguish while shining a light on the horrors and plight of The Troubles in Ireland. Nowhere was that more evident and dramatic than in “Zombie,” which would be The Cranberries’ best-charting song of all time.
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2020-03-1747 min
Finest Worksongs20. Jimmy Eat World - Bleed AmericanWhat does a band do when the record label shelves their album and ignores them? If you're Jimmy Eat World, you strike out on your own, save your money, and release a platinum album. With their ability to blend pop-punk, rock, and emo, Jimmy Eat World produced such ear candy as Sweetness, A Praise Chorus, and the perfect anthem in The Middle. Good luck not singing along, and if you happened to be in high school when this album came out? Well done, you!
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2020-03-1045 min
Finest Worksongs19. U2 - Achtung BabyFrom the opening notes of “Zoo Station,” one quickly realizes “Achtung Baby” is not your mother’s U2. When the band released the album almost 30 years ago, they were not only the biggest band in the world, but the most important. But the stress of living up to those monikers almost broke them. The resulting album was a masterpiece built on the strains of love, stardom, and alienation. With classic hits like “One,” “Even Better Than The Real Thing” and even the monster radio hit “Mysterious Ways,” “Achtung Baby” was the band doubling down on its power and creativity – and may be their best album o...2020-03-0345 min
Finest Worksongs18. Dillon Fence - RosemaryHailed as "the grandchildren of the Beach Boys" by one reviewer, this soulful Chapel Hill band was also able to do rock, funk, and blues with impeccable harmonies. The band's first full-length album, "Rosemary," brought them incredible acclaim -- if mostly on a regional level. But for a while there, they were the headliners while a lesser-known band from Columbia, S.C., was the opener. (Hint: it was Hootie.) "Rosemary" remains a delightful work of art that illustrates why North Carolina's music scene has always been among the best in the land. And it clearly has lasting power, even...2020-02-2541 min
Finest Worksongs17. The Postal Service - Give UpFor our inaugural Valentine's Day epipod, we take a listen to an album full of passion and want, an album full of self-reflection and obsession. With just one album (and really just 2.5 band members), The Postal Service gave us "Give Up" back in 2003 -- an album that meant so much to so many people, and one that exemplifies the extremes of love and lost. Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello's masterpiece album struck a chord -- one that still strikes hard 15 years later.
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2020-02-1349 min
Finest Worksongs16. Hootie and the Blowfish - Cracked Rear ViewAt the end of the day, Hootie and the Blowfish may have just been four good dudes from South Carolina who hit lightning in a bottle (of probably Bud Light) and offered a pop-heavy, feel-good answer to grunge. But give Darius Rucker & Co. their due: “Cracked Rear View” is one of the best debut albums of all time and it gave us memorable, catchy hits — many of which are way deeper than you may have originally noticed.
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2020-02-0443 min
Finest Worksongs15. Guns N' Roses: Appetite for DestructionThey were like nothing we had seen or heard before. From the opening growls of "Welcome to the Jungle" to the pop sensibilities of "Sweet Child O' Mine" and the anthemic "Paradise City," Guns N' Roses was the next generation's answer to Led Zeppelin. And "Appetite for Destruction" pulled back the curtain on the debauchery and insanity that was L.A. and the Sunset Strip in the mid-1980s. Sure, they used hairspray ... but mainly just to light a Molotov cocktail to set fire to hair metal. Axl, Slash, and the boys would go on to sell a mere 30...2020-01-2843 min
Finest Worksongs14. Run The Jewels: RTJ 3In our inaugural “Listener’s Choice” episode and final epipod of Season 1, we tackle the third album from Run the Jewels. RTJ combines the best attributes of rap and hip hop: fierce and insightful lyrics that make you think from a different point of view, and insane beats and production that transport you to dystopian, apocalyptic streets. Wrapped up within the fierce fire of RTJ’s lyrics are humor, vulnerability, and a sincere desire to make things better. That sincerity comes through by the fact that this group has made every one of its albums available as a free download...2019-12-1751 min
Finest Worksongs13. Christmas 2019!The Beach Boys and Kacey Musgraves both produced quintessential Christmas albums – they just happened to be generations and decades apart. The similarities are striking: both albums are a mix of well-known holiday standards plus original compositions – and all are true to the artists’ unique sounds. Both albums make you excited for all of the “Ribbons and Bows” of the season and the coming of “Little Saint Nick.”
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2019-12-0343 min
Finest Worksongs12. Elbow - The Seldom Seen KidIt’s frankly one of the great mysteries in music: Why isn’t the English band Elbow more popular in the United States? After all, this band of longtime friends has produced some of the most captivating sounds and albums for more than two decades. Their 2008 album, “The Seldom Seen Kid,” even won the Mercury Prize for best album in the UK – topping giants such as Radiohead, Adele, and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. Singer Guy Garvey’s poetic longing is fully embraced by the sonic backing of the rest of Elbow, resulting in anthemic and haunting masterpieces such as “Starlings” and...2019-11-1947 min
Finest Worksongs11. Bob Dylan - Blood on the TracksIt’s the quintessential breakup album, full of heartache and remorse, remembrance and longing. “Blood on the Tracks” is quintessential Bob Dylan at his most poetic — and beautiful.
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2019-11-1245 min
Finest Worksongs10. Green Day - DookieGreen Day's "Dookie" brought punk rock to the masses in the mid-90s -- yet resulted in the band being ostracized from the punk community due to its mainstream success. It transcends punk rock, and 25 years later this album is still full of fist-pumping hits like "When I Come Around," "Longview," "Welcome to Paradise" and more.
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2019-11-0537 min
Finest Worksongs9. Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the CityGeographic name-dropping, songs about Saabs and golf courses, and of course questions of love and faith. Vampire Weekend’s third album, “Modern Vampires of the City” showcased the band’s songwriting and song content growth – and was considered by many as the best album of 2013. But don’t fret: there’s still plenty of catchy hooks, popped collars and high-fallutin’ themes – the things we all tend to love Vampire Weekend for anyway.
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2019-10-3043 min
Finest Worksongs8. INXS - KickIt was an album that record execs and studio heads initially rejected. But “Kick” by INXS would go on to produce a slew of top 10 hits worldwide, turning the band - led by charismatic frontman Michael Hutchence - from Australian heroes to the people’s choice in rock and roll, putting them on par with U2 and R.E.M.
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2019-10-1541 min
Finest Worksongs7. The National - AlligatorFor some, “The Boxer” is The National’s greatest album. However, in this epipod of Finest Worksongs, we take a look at what be their most quintessential album, “Alligator." It’s an album of both confidence and introspection, of colorful characters and average Joes. All sung with a sound unique to The National.
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2019-10-0845 min
Finest Worksongs6. Feist - The ReminderAt the time it was released, this album was overshadowed by Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and even some monsters from Sesame Street. But a dozen years later, “The Reminder” by Feist holds up as an accomplishment of an artist with a clear vision, a bevy of talented friends, and a voice like none other.
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2019-10-0238 min
Finest Worksongs5. Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The SeaIt’s a tale as old as time: Man reads Ann Frank’s “The Diary is a Young Girl.” Man weeps for three days straight. Man dreams of building a time machine to go back and save her. Man writes arguably one of the greatest Indy rock albums of all time. Can you say “cliche?”
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2019-09-2439 min
Finest Worksongs4. Dave Matthews Band - Under The Table And DreamingIf you were anywhere near a college campus in the mid-1990s, you were probably going to hear the Dave Matthews Band – either coming out of a dorm stereo, or being played by a guy with an acoustic guitar. Before too long, though, the DMB was everywhere. The mix of guitar, horns, violin, and impeccable drumming – along with Matthews’ unique vocals – was a revolutionary sound in mainstream rock music. But is it still?
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2019-09-1744 min
Finest Worksongs3. Michael Jackson - ThrillerThe red leather jacket. The single white glove. The “Moonwalk.” The “Thriller” Dance. Of the 9 songs on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” 7 would be Top 10 hits. The album would go on to sell 66 million copies worldwide — and counting. And music would never be the same again.
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2019-09-1041 min
Finest Worksongs2. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese DreamFor our second epipod we dive into Smashing Pumpkins’ second album, Siamese Dream. This is Billy Corgan’s masterpiece – an album so over-budget and so mind-boggling perfect that it led to drug abuse, infighting and innuendo – and arguably one of the most successful albums of the 1990s.
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2019-08-3035 min