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 of bad folk puns and Dylan impressions.

• Joan Baez – Joan Baez (1960)
• The Kingston Trio – The Kingston Trio (1958)
• Bob Dylan – Bringing it All Back Home (1965)

Other Diggins

• The Red Clay Strays – Made By These Moments (2024)
• The Felice Brothers – Valley of Abandoned Songs (2024)
• Yacht Rock – A Dockumentary (2024)
• The Milk Carton Kids – Christmas in A Minor Key (2024)
• Uniform – American Standard (August, 2024)
• Living Colour- Vivid (1988)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite mid-century folk revival record? 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

New Wave music funneled together a diverse range of sounds from 70s punk, pop and electronic music to form something original and distinctively 80s. Join us as we discuss albums from this classic era of popular music.

• Blondie – Parallel Lines (1978)
• The Psychedelic Furs – Forever Now (1982)
• Devo – Freedom of Choice (1980)

Other Diggins

• Civerous – Maze Envy (2024)
• Megan Thee Stallion – Megan (2024)
• Mk.gee – Two Star & The Dream Police (2024)
• Duo Pleyel – Yuletide Treats (2024)
• Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness (2024)
• The Cars – The Cars (1978)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite new wave record? 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

From curated popular music selections to original works specifically created for a film, great soundtracks have the power to elevate scenes, guide audience emotions, and sometimes become enjoyable listening experiences on their own. Pull up a comfy chair, grab some popcorn and join us as we share some of our favorite movie soundtracks.

• Various Artists – Pulp Fiction Soundtrack (1994)
• Various Artists – Stand By Me Soundtrack (1986)
• Various Artists – The Crow Soundtrack (1994)

Other Diggins

• Mabe Fratti – Sentir Que No Sabes (2024)
• Rich Ruth – Water Still Flows (2024)
• Meat Puppets – Out My Way (1986)
• Mickey Thomas  – A Classic Christmas (2024)
• Linkin Park – From Zero (2024)
• Various Artists – Footloose Soundtrack (1984)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite movie soundtrack? 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

Growing up ain’t easy, but we all gotta do it. Luckily we have great music to get us through the trials and tribulations of coming of age. Join us as we discuss three albums that deal with the journey of youth to adulthood.

• Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012)
• Arcade Fire – The Suburbs (2010)
• Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair (1985)

Other Diggins

• Lupe Fiasco – Samurai (2024)
• Primal Scream – Come Ahead (2024)
• Mogwai – The Bad Fire (January 24, 2025)
• Ben Folds  – Sleigher (2024)
• Tears for Fears – Songs for a Nervous Planet (2024)
• The Killers – Pressure Machine (2021)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite album about growing up? 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

Feeling the need to break some stuff? Some classic punk rock might be just what you need. Raise a fist in the air and join us as we discuss 3 classic albums from punk rock’s beginnings.

• Buzzcocks – Another Music in a Different Kitchen (1978)
• Wire – Pink Flag (1977)
• Stiff Little Fingers – Inflammable Material (1979)

Other Diggins

• Villagers – That Golden Time (2024)
• Peter Perrett – The Cleansing (2024)
• The Cure – Songs of a Lost World (2024)
• Jimmy Fallon – Holiday Seasoning (2024)
• New Skeletal Faces – Until the Night (2024)
• The Clash – London Calling (1979)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite classic punk rock album? 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

Prince certainly has inspired his share of artists, but on this episode we dig into some of the artists and albums that inspired him. Besides the clear funk lineage, we also draw comparisons to folk and blues rock artists that Prince was a fan of. Join us as we pay homage to the forces that gave us the purple one.

• Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (1971)
• Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971)
• Santana – Santana (1971)

Other Diggins

• Better Lovers – Highly Irresponsible (2024)
• Goat – Goat (2024)
• Pixies – The Night the Zombies Came (2024)
• Kim Deal – Nobody Loves You More (November 22nd)
• Geese – Alive and in Person (2024)
• Zach Bryan – DeAnn (2019)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite Prince-inspired album? 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

Few genres have influenced rock music as much as the blues. From it’s humble beginnings in the 19th century American South, incorporation with R&B and Soul music in the 60s, to its strong influence on 70s rock, its hard to separate the blues from modern day music. Join us as we discuss 3 of our favorites from some of the all-time top blues albums.

• Magic Sam – West Side Soul (1968)
• The Rolling Stones – The Rolling Stones (1964)
• Otis Rush – Right Place, Wrong Time (1976)

Other Diggins

• Richard Thompson – Ship To Shore (2024)
• Thou – Umbilical (2024)
• Riffindots – Lockjaw Mountain (2024)
• Little Big Town – The Christmas Record (2024)
• Jerry Cantrell – I Want Blood (2024)
• Phil Ochs – I Ain’t Marching Anymore (1965)

Here’s the full list of top blues records we reference from Rate Your Music.

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite blues album? 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

The leaves are changing and pumpkin spice has infiltrated everything, so it must be time to scare ourselves with some sinister album selections. Join us as we discuss 3 of our favorite spooky albums to help get you in the Halloween spirit. Mwahahaha!

The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us (1980)
Duran Duran – Danse Macabre (2023)
Type O Negative – Bloody Kisses (1993)

Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown (2024)
Charli XCX – Brat and Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat (2024)
The Chesterfield Kings – We’re Still All the Same (2024)
Dwight Yoakam – Brighter Days (November 15th)
Unto Others – Never, Neverland (2024)
Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast (1982)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite Halloween-ish album? 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

The 80s were a definitive decade for hip-hop music. New production techniques and expanded lyrical content helped to push the genre towards the mainstream. Join us as we explore 3 albums from hip-hop’s golden era.

Dana Dane – Dana Dane with Fame (1987)
Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary (1988)
Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989)

The Mavericks – Moon & Stars (2024)
Mildlife – Chorus (2024)
Joe Jonas – Music for People Who Believe in Love (October 18th)
Steve Howe – Guitarscape (2024)
Hataałii – Waiting for a Sign (2024)
The Splatcats – Feelin Bitchy (1988)

What do you think of these records? What’s your favorite 80s hip-hop album? 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

AHHHH! Every once in awhile you gotta get it out. Music is a great release for anything that might make you angry. On today’s show we explore three albums that deal with anger in different ways. Scream into a pillow and join us for a little music therapy. Machine Head – Burn My Eyes (1994)Pink […]