Honest & Unmerciful Record Review Podcast

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

Join Pete and Brian as we discuss 1994's debut eponymous album by alternative rock band Weezer, commonly known as the Blue Album. Arriving on the scene with a powerfully produced record that spawned hits "Undone (the Sweater Song)", "Buddy Holly", and "Say It Ain't So", Rivers Cuomo and his bandmates defied expectations almost from day 1.  Embracing their geekiness while blasting power chords and tight harmonies, Weezer's debut was...

Pete and Brian share a listening experience that none should take lightly: Boards of Canada's fourth and last(?) studio album, "Tomorrow's Harvest" (2013).  The mysterious Scottish duo is renowned as vanguards of "intelligent dance music", but craft soundscapes and sonic experiments that cross genres.  "Tomorrow's Harvest" is a concept record in many ways, and we'll explore some of the lore and the emotions it conjures.  Be warned ...

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

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

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...

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...

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, som...

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!  Epis...

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 burr...

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 fin...

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...