Sometimes (more so in recent years) country albums are so beloved they find appeal not only with country music fans, but also with a larger pop audience. On today’s episode we discuss three albums that were able to make that leap.

• Glen Campbell – Rhinestone Cowboy (1975)
• The Chicks – Home (2002)
• Florida Georgia Line – Dig Your Roots (2016)

Other Diggins

• Tunng – Love You All Over Again (2025)
• Anna B Savage – You and I are Earth (2025)
• The Vapors – Wasp In a Jar (2025)
• Basia Bulet – Basia’s Palace (2025)
• Warlung – The poison Touch (2025)
• Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison (1968)

What do you think of these records? What country crossover albums do you enjoy? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Does Elton John’s Captain Fantastic and the The Brown Dirt Cowboy belong in the Album Nerds Hall of Fame? Cast your vote on our website, albumnerds.com/#vote.

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Besides snow and cold, the winter months can also bring along a dose of malaise and depression. Luckily, music can help shake off those sad feelings and remind us that happier (and warmer) times aren’t that far off. Join us as we discuss 3 albums that we use as winter antidepressants.

• Mavis Staples – Livin’ on a High Note (2016)
• The Lightning Seeds – Cloudcuckooland (1990)
• Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)

Other Diggins

• FKA Twigs – EUSEXUA (2025)
• Rose City Band – Sol Y Sombra (2025)
• Michigander – Michigander (Feb 7, 2025)
• Peter Murphy – Silver Shade (May 9, 2025)
• Bartees Strange – Horror (2025)
• Asia – Asia (1982)

What do you think of these records? What album do you put on to brighten your mood? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Does Elton John’s Captain Fantastic and the The Brown Dirt Cowboy belong in the Album Nerds Hall of Fame? Cast your vote on our website, albumnerds.com/#vote.

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

With Valentines Day right around the corner, we thought it might be fun to listen to some favorites from our spouses’ music collections. Music is after all, a great way to get to know a person a deeper level. Join us as we discuss our luv-ahs favorite records and try to keep ourselves out of the doghouse.

• Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (1995)
• Night Ranger – Midnight Madness (1983)
• Elton John – Captain Fantastic and the The Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

Other Diggins

• Krokofant – 6 (2025)
• Ela Minus – Dia (2025)
• Cymande – Renascence (2025)
• Lucy Dacus – Forever is a Feeling (Mar 2025)
• Wunderhorse – Midas (2024)
• Kaal Akuma – In the Mouth of Madness (2021)

What do you think of these records? What album does your luv-ah love? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Does Elton John’s Captain Fantastic and the The Brown Dirt Cowboy belong in the Album Nerds Hall of Fame? Cast your vote on our website, albumnerds.com/#vote.

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

The “sophomore slump” is an all too common phenomena in the music industry. Following up a break-through record with one equally as successful requires talent and dedication. Join us as we discuss 3 successful sophomore albums.

• Led Zeppelin – II (1969)
• A Tribe Called Quest – Low end Theory (1991)
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream (1993)

Other Diggins

• Lauren Mayberry – Vicious Creature (2025)
• Franz Ferdinand – The Human Fear (2025)
• Bob Mould – Here We Go Crazy (Mar 2025)
• Flipturn – Burnout Days (2025)
• DITZ – Never Exhale (2025)
• Warren Zevon – Excitable Boy (1978)

What do you think of these records? What great sophomore albums do you love? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Certain albums serve as a crossroads in an artists career, opening a path towards a new sound or a new audience. Occasionally these records are so impactful, they shift entire genres. On today’s show we discuss 3 albums that reshaped an artists career and the musical landscape of the time.

• Beck – Odelay (1996)
• Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis (1969)
• Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever (1989)

Other Diggins

• Skinner – New Wave Vaudeville (2025)
• Moonchild Sanelly – Full Moon (2025)
• The Devil Makes Three – Spirits (Feb 2025)
• Ringo Starr – Look Up (2025)
• Tremonti – The End Will Show Us How (2025)
• Mink DeVille – Coup De Grace (1981)

What do you think of these records? What great albums redefined the career of an artist you love? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Popular music often finds itself in the midst of social controversy. Something about it works well when it comes to challenging norms and pushing boundaries. On today’s show we discuss records that stirred-up plenty of controversy.

• Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar (1996)
• N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton (1988)
• W.A.S.P. – W.A.S.P (1984)

Other Diggins

• Warpstormer – Warpstormer (2024)
• Caixa Cubo – Modo Aviao (2024)
• Paul Heaton – The Mighty Several (2024)
• Ethel Cain – Perverts (2025)
• Lambrini Girls – Who Let The Dogs Out (2025)
• VANT – Dumb Blood (2017)

What do you think of these records? What controversial albums do you love? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Time to laugh – or at least to give it a good try. On today’s episode we explore music albums focused on making you chuckle. As we quickly find out, combining music and comedy is easier said than done.

• Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords (2008)
• “Weird Al” Yankovic – “Weird Al” Yankovic in 3-D (1984)
• Spinal Tap – This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Other Diggins

• Ka – The Thief Next to Jesus (2024)
• Father John Misty – Mahashmashana (2024)
• Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd (2023)
• Matt Pond PA & Alexa Rose – The Ball of the Natural Lines (Feb 27, 2025)
• Opeth – The Last Will and Testament (2024)
• The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards (2024)

What do you think of these records? What albums do you turn to for a good laugh? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Today’s psychedelic music might not be covered in peace signs and flower petals, but it does owe plenty to the sounds of the 60s. On today’s show we explore 3 new-ish psychedelic albums that are sure to get you in the right headspace.

• Tame Impala – Lonerism (2012)
• XTC – Skylarking (1986)
• The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1989)

Other Diggins

• Geordie Greep – The New Sound (2024)
• Laura Marling – Patterns in Repeat (2024)
• King Diamond – Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920 (2025)
• Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (2023)
• Early Moods – A Sinner’s Past (2024)
• Jesse Ray And the Carolina Catfish – Live at Off The Record (2024)

What do you think of these records? What are psychedelic albums do you dig on? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Well we made it to the end of 2024! Join us as we take a moment to look back on the year that was and our favorite records that came along with it.

• Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South
• The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
• Fontaines DC – Romance

Other Diggins

• Shabaka – Perceive It’s Beauty, Acknowledge It’s Grace (2024)
• Soft Play – Heavy Jelly (2024)
• The The – Ensoulment (2024)
• Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – Woodland (2024)
• Lunar Effect – Sounds of Green and Blue (2024)
• Mac Leaphart – Motel Breakfast (2024)

Check out our full new release lists for all the gory details:

Don – https://albumnerds.com/donnie-likey-ten-of-2024/
Dude – https://albumnerds.com/dudes-top-albums-of-2024/
Andy – https://albumnerds.com/andys-new-release-rankings-2024/

What do you think of these records? What are you favorite albums of 2024? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Ho, ho, ho Nerds! Pour yourself some eggnog and join us for a nostalgic look back on a trio of records that we grew up listening to during the holiday season. Hope you’re having a fun, safe and warm holiday!

• Alvin and the Chipmunks – A Chipmunk Christmas (1981)
• Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song (1960)
• Richard and Karen Carpenter – A Christmas Portrait (1978)

Other Diggins

• Hamish Hawk – A Firmer Hand (2024)
• Nala Sinephro – Endlessness (2024)
• Clay Aiken – Christmas Bells are Ringing (2024)
• The Pogues – If I Should Fall From Grace With God (1988)
• Panzerballet – X-Mas Death Jazz (2017)
• Merle Haggard – Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present (1973)

What do you think of these records? What holiday albums do you remember from childhood? Let us know on our website, albumnerds.com or email us, [email protected].

Listen to more episodes and suggest topics for the Wheel of Musical Discovery on albumnerds.com. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook.

Thanks for listening!!!

Songs From The Episode

Folk music does a great job of telling the stories of people of a particular time and place. That’s likely why it had a resurgence in the 1950s and 60s during times of social and political unrest. On today’s show we explore influential albums of the mid-century folk revival and of course sprinkle in plenty […]