Music Talk

Nearly halfway into 2021 and Riff and Rock has finally cleared out its cache of 2020 episodes.  Listen as Kris and Alex discuss some late in the year releases. The Flaming Lips - American HeadTrickfinger - She Smiles Because She Pushes the ButtonNihiloxica - Kaloli

Alex discusses some recent listens and muses about his disdain for late 80's early 90's rock music. Orb - BirthOrb - NaturalityOrb - The Space BetweenParliament - Funkentelechy vs. The Placebo SyndromePlini - Handmade CitiesRick James - Bustin' Out of L SevenRick James - Garden of LoveRick James - Street SongsRick James - Fire it UpThe Time - The TimeThe Sugarcubes - Stick Around For JoyThe Sugarcubes - Life's Too GoodThe Sugarcubes - Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!Tom Petty - Full Moon FeverThe Tragically Hip - Road Apples

It's been a while since Alex has done one of these.  Listen as he goes over some of his 2020 listens.   Listen as he reviews The Aquabats - Kooky Spooky....In Stereo! Bartees Strange - Live Forever Dai Khat - Dai Kaht II Deantoni Parks - Silver Cord Parks/Hunt - Lightlike Christian Scott - Axiom Gia Margaret - Mia Gargaret Emily A. Sprague - Hill, Flower, Fog Irreversible Entanglements - Who Sent You? James Brandon Lewis Quarter - Molecular Shabaka and the Ancestors - We Are Sent Here By History  

Alex, Ryan, and Teangelo were talking about music back in October....or was it September?  Either way, enjoy their discussion of three albums that have been out for a minute.  On this episode they discuss Glass Animals - Dreamland, Bright Eyes - Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, and Nas - King's Disease.  

On this episode, Alex and Kris will delve deep into the synth-filled world of Progressive rock in the 80s. They will discuss the cultural impact of three iconic albums: Moving Picture by Rush, 90125 by Yes, and A Momentary Lapse of Reason by Pink Floyd.

A small clip of Alex, Ryan, and Teangelo discussing Kanye's strange political rally.  

Of course they did.....Alex and Kris talked about the once new Clouds Hill sessions by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez.  Is it a contractual obligation?  Who knows at this point.

In this brief cut clip Alex regales everyone with a story of when him and Teangelo moved into together.  

When was this recorded?  Who knows.  Alex, Teangelo, and Ryan review three albums that were new about half a year ago.  Look, the year was rough on all of us.  Run The Jewels - RTJ4 NNAMDÏ - Brat Snoh Aalegra - Ugh Those Feels Again

Another great non-sequitur from Teangelo, Ryan, and Alex that was just a hair too tangential for the main episode.

Ryan, Teangelo, and Alex decide to each pick an album for the other host in an effort to get them to enjoy a style of music they typically dismiss.  Will their efforts be successful?  Find out as they review Yes - Close To The EdgeDrake - Dark Lane Demo TapeHarry Styles - Fine Line

You may not know, but many of our hosts are massive movie fans as well as music lovers.  Before we got started with a recent episode we discussed what we have been watching recently.  

Kris and Alex talk about 3 atypical Prince releases and learn to appreciate the finer details of his career. Loring Park SessionsOriginalsPiano & A Microphone 1983

Music.  Opinions.  Music.  Opinions.  Music. Opinions.  Round-up   Le Butcherettes - Kiss & KillLe Butcherettes - Live at Clouds Hillclipping. - The DeepBusRatch - Split Series #001Gangsta Boo & La Chat - WitchJackey Yoshikawa & his Blue Comets - Blue Comets Original Hits Vol 2Mother Mother - Oh My HeartNNAMDÏ - DroolRobert Plant - Dreamland

In celebration of Taylor Swift's new album Evermore enjoy Ryan and Alex's review of Folklore because one thing you will always get with Music Talk is timeliness.  

Once again Alex has a thought on something and couldn't wait to share it.  This time he is reflecting on what we can take from 2020 to make life better for musicians.  

Alex and Kris decide to venture into the vast world of Sun Ra, exploring three different albums representing three different parts of his career.  Listen in as they discuss Sun Ra - My Brother The Wind Volume IISun Ra - CosmosSun Ra - On Jupiter

While you are still recovering from Thanksgiving enjoy my opinion on some leftover music. Apryl Fool - Apryl FoolDamien Jurado - Visions of Us on the LandJet Set Siempre 1° - Clive Tanaka y su orquestaThe Fall - DragnetThe Fall - Hex Enduction HourThe Fall - Perverted by LanguageThe Fall - This Nation's Saving GraceParliament - Mothership ConnectionMadlib - Madlib Medicine Show #7: High JazzRobert Wyatt - Nothing Can Stop UsRobert Wyatt - Theatre Royal Drury Lane 8.09.1974

Sometimes bands create an album they hate so much or that is so far removed from their iconic sound they disown it.  On this episode Kris and Alex look at 3 albums that have been largely ignored or disowned.   Listen as they Discuss Can - Out of ReachKraftwerk - Ralf und FlorianThe Doors - Other Voices

You know the drill.  New albums.  New opinions. Smoke Fairies - Through Low Light and TreesSam Hunt - SouthsideTalking Heads - Live In Plattsburg 09.30.1983Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - ReunionsUS 3 - Hand On The TorchRobert Wyatt - Rock BottomRobert Plant - Shaken 'N' StirredThe Stooges - Fun HouseVarious Artists - B-Music - Cross Continental Record Raid Road TripAndy Votel - Cock Diesel Andy Votel - Futen KarmenAndy Votel - Hindi HardcoreAndy Votel - Raising HelelyosAndy Votel - Plight of the Hunter

In a rare team-up Kris, Ryan, and Alex are talking about four albums.  In reality we talk about 3 albums and viciously mock Danzig for a while. Listen as this trio reviews The RZA - Guided ExplorationsThundercat - It Is What It IsLe Butcherettes - DON'T BLEEDDanzig - Sings Elvis

For the 30th time in audio form Alex has some opinions on albums. Dam-Funk - ToeachizownThe Fall - The Real New Fall LP (Formerly 'Country on the Click')Guillaume Perret - FreeLone - LevitateMadlib - Madlib Medicine Show #2: Flight To BrazilMadlib - Madlib Medicine Show #5: History Of The Loop Digga, 1990-2000Popol Vuh - Letzte Tage ~ Letzte Nächte4 Non Blondes - Bigger, Better, Faster, More!Various Artists - France Chébran - French Boogie 1981-1985Robert Wyatt - The End of an Ear

Some time in the Spring Alex and Kris listened to more albums in John Zorn's Book Beri'ah, "Yesod", from his Masada series.  This time you can hear them discuss. Banquet of the Spirits - Yesod Abraxas - Gevurah Secret Chiefs 3 - Malkhut

I recorded this when the shit heap that was 2020 was at really peaking.  Don't mind me being a complete morose lump.  Everything is trash. Laura Nyro and Labelle - Gonna Take A MiracleDonny Hathaway - Everything is EverythingKevin Ayers - Shooting at the MoonKevin Ayers - WhatevershebringswesingKing Crimson - Heaven & Earth Boxset  

Kris and Alex decided to get a little spiritual and review some Christian albums.  Listen as they review Rev. Louis Overstreet - An Evening with Rev. Louis OverstreetThat's Why - The Best of That's WhyThe 4th Movement - the 4th Movement

Kris wanted to share some information about super heroes he learned about and Alex is here to listen.

Kris was eager to explore some releases from Daptone Records, and Alex was not going to object.  Listen as they explore three albums from this unique label. The Frightnrs - Nothing More To SayCharles Bradley - Black VelvetThe Olympians - The Olympians

Happy late Spring.  More listens, more conversations.   Alice Coltrane - A Monastic TrioAndy Votel - ANDY VOTEL'S MIDLIFE CRISIS DISCO MIXTAPEBruford Levin Upper Extremities - Bruford Levin Upper ExtremitiesCaetano Veloso And David Byrne - Live At Carnegie Halldaoko - 私的旅行David Byrne - American Utopia on Broadway (Original Cast Recording)David Byrne - "...The Best Live Show of All Time"

Alex, Teangelo, and Ryan get together to answer a fundamental question about music: How many times can you honk a car horn on a song?  Do you they answer this question?  Perhaps, and more as they review. Justin Bieber - ChangesGrimes -  Miss AnthropoceneJay Electronica - A Written Testimony

Alex heard more music. You know what that means! Quick bites and hot takes!   The Budos Band - The Budos Band IIFour Tet - Sixteen OceansHoly Fuck - CongratsJaga Jazzist - PyramidKyle Bobby Dunn - From Here to EternitySquarepusher - Be Up A HelloChance The Rapper - 10 Day

Kris and Alex decided it was time to go back to some Hungarian albums from yesteryear.  This time we explore Piramis - PiramisSarolta  Zalatnay - Hadd Mondjam ElNagy Feró és a Bikini - Hova Lett....

I can't believe it has been this long since we have done a round-up.  Nearly a third of the year has passed and we are just getting to one.  Don't worry, there are more in the hopper, or perhaps do worry, there are more in the hopper. 

Recorded in the doldrums of Winter Alex, TeAngelo, and Ryan are on the scene with three album reviews.  Y'know the thing we've been doing for seven years now. Holy Fuck - DeleterTory Lanez - Chixtape 5Eminem - Music To Be Murdered By

Anytime Alex goes to the bathroom mid-podcast you get extra special mini movie reviews.  Fortunately for all Alex had a bit too much coffee earlier in the year which gave Kris a chance to talk about some of his recent cinema viewings.

It is time for Kris and Alex to do their annual bad albums episode.  I may be getting ahead of myself, but this may be their best selection yet with a mix of apathy, overblown egos, and sheer perfect.  Listen as they reviewEmerson Lake & Palmer - Love BeachLil B - Choices and FlowersViper - You'll Cowards Don't Even Smoke Crack

Ever see those Shen-Yun billboards and wonder what the show is actually like?  Well, worry no further because Kris did just that!  Hear about his experience seeing Shen-Yun in this new mini-episode!

Winter vacation is over in podcast land and Alex and Kris are back in the virtual studio to talk two releases. Frank Zappa - The Hot Rats Sessions Flying Lotus - Presents INFINITY “Infinitum” - Maida Vale Session

It is a new year which means Alex addresses the Riff and Rockverse about how the year went and where we are heading.  Don't worry, it is only 10 minutes long

It's that time of year again!  Kris, Ryan, Teangelo, and Alex are all in the virtual studio giving their hot takes for 2019. Listen as they give their opinions on: Best Album of the YearWorst Album of the YearBiggest SurpriseBiggest LetdownBest ComebackBest DebutBest Album of the DecadeWorst Album of the Decade

Alex takes a quick bathroom break and Kris attempts to electrocute himself "For the content"

It certainly has been a while, but you may recall when Music Talk first started it was a two person operation of Ryan and Alex. Well, if you are itching for the good 'ol days look no further as the duo is back as they review two albums from 2019 (recorded in 2019!). clipping. - There Existed An Addiction To BloodBig Thief - Two Hands

Sadly cut for time this strange digging through Moby's Instragram should not be missed!

Slabs is the theme of this episode, big honking chunks of music, but fortunately Kris and Alex have no fears as they review these beastly creations. Frank Zappa - Orchestral Favorites (40th Anniversary)Tangerine Dream - The Royal Albert Hall Concert (Live From The Royal Albert Hall, Uk / 1975 )Brian Eno With Daniel Lanois & Roger Eno - For All Mankind

Oh boy, Alex made an attempt to record a round-up and ended up talking about how much he loves physical media, owning things, and having his home taken up by stuff.

Alex, Ryan, and Teangelo are in the virtual studio talking three more 2019 releases.  Listen as they review Bon Iver - i,iJidenna - 85 To AfricaMaxo - LIL BIG MAN

If you all keep chanting "Clear that queue" it will actually happen!Billy Preston - That's The Way God Planned ItDoris Troy - Doris TroyJackie Lomax - Is This What You WantJames Taylor - James TaylorMagma - Archiw I & IIMagma - Live In Geneve L'Alhambra 03.08.2017Kolsimcha, London Symphony Orchestra - CrossoverTrent Reznor & Atticus Ross - The Vietnam War (Original Score)Various Artists - Cowboy Bebop OST Vol. 1 & Vitaminless

Kris and Alex are in the virtual studio reviewing three album from lesser known artists.  Listen as they review these 2019 indies. Kaleta & Super Yamba Band - MèdahoJonathan Scales Fourchestra - Mindstate MusicReid Anderson, Dave King, Craig Taborn - Golden Valley is Now

In an attempt to keep cleaning out his pre-2019 queue Alex has a few more albums to talk about...then a few more! Boredoms - Live at Fondation Cartier Paris 07.12.2002Daughters - You Won't Get What You WantThe Fall - The Wonderful & Frightening World of The FallHoly Fuck - Holy FuckGal Costa - Recanto Ao VivoKing Crimson - Live In Pforzheim 03.31.1974Sia - We Are Born

Well it's finally here.  Alex and Kris reviewed the new Tool....oh and some other albums, but you don't care about that do you. Tool - Fear InoculumOh Sees - Face StabberKing Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Infest The Rats' Nest

Alex talks how a band can reinvent itself in the live space multiple times during his review of Battles in Chicago on December 8th 2019.  

I promise this isn't a joke about how long it takes us to post episodes!  Rather, Kris and Alex are reviewing three albums that contain material that was once new, but now is not...or sometimes it is new....it's complicated.  On Episode 125 we review: Magma: Zess King Crimson: The ReconstruKction of Light Blarf: Cease & Desist