Bill and Brian are very lucky to be joined by, not one, but TWO very special guests to discuss what we love about the Promise Ring's Very Emergency (1999, Jade Tree). First up is long time friend of the podcast Jim Hanke from the spectacular Vinyl Emergency podcast. Jim shares his experiences discovering the band while coming up in Milwaukee (Algonquin for "the good land") and loving the band all through its evolution from emo to power pop and beyond. Then, Jim got us hooked up with the Promise Ring's very own Dan Didier. Dan joins us to share stories about recording the album with J. Robbins in Washington, DC. Check it all out!

Did you know the Great Albums has a Patreon with exclusive bonus content? Here's a sample of our first bonus episode in which Bill, Brian, and our good buddy Bill Greenwood discuss Jimmy Eat World's Stay on My Side Tonight (2005, Interscope), a companion EP to the previous year's Futures. You get a nice little taste of what we do, but to check out the full track-by-track review go to patreon.com/thegreatalbums and sign up for the Exclusive Content membership!

Bill and Brian dive into what they love about the Beth's debut album Future Me Hates Me (2018, Carpark) with a track-by-track review, awarding the album with the kudos we believe it justly deserves, and really just gushing about how absolutely great it is!

Bill and Brian discuss Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut (XL, 2008). We talk about what makes this album great, hand out some "awards," revisit what critics said, and do so much more as we share our first track-by-track review in 7 years!

You heard it here first! Bill and Brian will be returning with all new episodes, a fresh format, and the same great taste on June 1st. Listen in for all the details!

Bill pulls up Spotify's curated 2019 playlist and sits down to talk about what he enjoyed (or just listened to) in 2019. Bill talks about the Weakerthans, the National, the Hold Steady, Craig Finn, the Beths, PUP, Ex Hex, Charly Bliss, the Extensions, Frightened Rabbit, Wilco, the New Pornographers, and maybe more?

Bill and Brian hang out with thegreatalbums.com blogger Jeff Fiedler as he counts down his favorite albums from 2019. Listen to find out where he ranked albums from: Lana Del Rey, Bruce Hornsby, Jonas Brothers, Jenny Lewis, New Pornographers, Thomas Rhett, Raphael Saadiq, Sturgill Simpson, Vampire Weekend, and Kanye West!

Brian lists his favorite albums of 2019! Bill listens. Listen in to find out where Brian ranked albums from: Black Belt Eagle Scout, Lana Del Rey, King Princess, Jenny Lewis, Lizzo, Angel Olsen, Purple Mountains, Tyler the Creator, Jamila Woods, and Nilufer Yanya!

Bill and Brian give thanks, list our top 10 episodes, and read a bunch of emails in the midst of our indefinite hiatus.

In our final episode that'll be part of a regular release schedule, we take a look back at the first album we ever discussed, the Replacements' Let It Be (1984, Twin/Tone). Bill and Brian use the skills they've honed during their years of podcasting experience to see what a conversation revisiting the first album would sound like. Enjoy!

It's finally happening! As we reach the penultimate episode to be part of our weekly releases, Bill and Brian take the time to talk about what's great about Radiohead's OK Computer (1997, Parlophone/Capitol). Bill spends a little time talking about what happens when fans say things like they can't get into an artist or album and how it can be perceived. Then we get to the track by track review, focusing on what we enjoy in the tunes!