Episodios

  • 2003 - September: Jet "Get Born"

    2003 - September: Jet "Get Born"
    Sep 1 2025

    Wayne riffs on the debut studio album by Jet, Get Born, released in September 2003 (Rollover DJ /Are You Gonna Be My Girl / Get Me Outta Here / Cold Hard Bitch).

    STAFF PICKS: Weak and Powerless by A Perfect Circle — Lynch. In Da Club by 50 Cent — (Fan of the Show )Clint Barrett. One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket — Rob.

    INSTRUMENTAL/ENTERTAINMENT/LAUGH TRACK: Main theme from the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

    Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.
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    30 m
  • 2000-March: Disturbed “The Sickness”

    2000-March: Disturbed “The Sickness”
    Aug 25 2025

    Friend of the show, Greg Lyon riffs on the debut album by Disturbed, “The Sickness” from March 2000 (The Sickness / Voices / The Game / Stupify). STAFF PICKS: "Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit — Wayne. “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down — Rob. "Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon — Lynch. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Final Destination Suite” from the motion picture "Final Destination". **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
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    31 m
  • 1995-November:Oasis “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”

    1995-November:Oasis “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”
    Aug 20 2025

    Bruce riffs on the second studio album from Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory? on the charts in November 1995 (Champagne Supernova / Wonderwall / Morning Glory / Don't Look Back in Anger). STAFF PICKS: "Name” by Goo Goo Dolls — Wayne. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette— Lynch. "See You On the Other Side” by Ozzy Osbourne — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “The Memory of Trees” by Enya. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
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    42 m
  • 2004 - September: R.E.M. “Around the Sun”

    2004 - September: R.E.M. “Around the Sun”
    Aug 11 2025

    Rob riffs on the 13th studio album from R.E.M. “Around the Sun” from September of 2004 (Leaving New York / Wanderlust / Aftermath / Around the Sun). STAFF PICKS: “1985” by Bowling for Soup — Bruce. "Float On” by Modest Mouse— Lynch. “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney — Wayne. COMEDY TRACK: “Goofy Goober Rock” by SpongeBob SquarePants.
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    31 m
  • 1995 - OCT: Smashing Pumpkins ”Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”

    1995 - OCT: Smashing Pumpkins ”Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”
    Aug 4 2025

    Lynch riffs on the third studio album from the Smashing Pumpkins, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” from October 1995 (1979 / Bullet with Butterfly Wings / Zero / Tonight, Tonight).

    STAFF PICKS: “Downtown” by Neil Young — Rob. “Lump” by The Presidents of the United States of America — Wayne. “Hard as a Rock” by AC/DC — Gregg.

    L/E/I TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Strange Days".

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    33 m
  • 1970 - April: Crosby Stills Nash & Young “Deja Vu”

    1970 - April: Crosby Stills Nash & Young “Deja Vu”
    Jul 5 2025
    We covered the self-titled debut album from Crosby, Stills & Nash in episode 137. Deja Vu is considered the second Crosby, Stills & Nash album, but it is actually the first album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with Canadian songwriter Neil Young turning the trio into a quartet. While the album continues to feature the signature harmonies associated with Crosby, Stills & Nash, it has a harder, more rocking edge to it. Some of this is undoubtedly due to the addition of Neil Young to the album, but it also reflects the challenges the group members were facing. Both Stephen Stills and Graham Nash had gone through break-ups in their relationships, and David Crosby tragically had lost his girlfriend Christine Hinton in a car accident. The album was highly anticipated, generating $2 million in pre-sales before its release. It became a gold record only 14 days after release, and was on the Billboard 200 album chart for 88 weeks. Contemporary critics provided mixed reviews, but the album has only grown in stature over time, with many reviews considering it amongst the top albums ever produced. Deja Vu was inducted into the Grammy Hall of fame in 2012. After its release, each of the principal members of the group would record solo albums, and the success of Deja Vu contributed to the individual success of these four solo projects. Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes Young) would continue to produce albums over the decades with their last collaboration occurring in 2015. The death of David Crosby in 2023 ended the possibility of full reunions. Wayne brings us this soft rock singer-songwriter live album for this week's podcast. Carry On The opening track to the album was penned by Stephen Stills who also provides lead vocals. It is a medley of two songs edited together with a jam session connector, and came together surprisingly fast during a time when most songs were taking a long time to finish. The lyrics encourage the band members to keep going through times of struggle in relationships both within and outside the band. Teach Your Children Graham Nash wrote this song in 1968 when he was with The Hollies, but had not recorded it with that group at the time. Nash has associated the song with a photograph exhibit showing a child playing with a toy hand grenade, and the lyrics encourage parents to be careful in how they teach their children. Neil Young does not play on this song, but the steel guitar is provided by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Woodstock Unlike the other tracks on this album, this song was not written by any of the band members, but was penned by Joni Mitchell. Mitchell had not attended the Woodstock festival, but was inspired to write this song told from the perspective of a concert goer after hearing her then-boyfriend Graham Nash relay the account. It has become a signature song for the group and a staple of the 60's counter-culture. Our House Graham Nash wrote this song as a description of a day spent with then-girlfriend Joni Mitchell and her two cats in their Laurel Canyon home. The song was written in an hour on Mitchel's piano. It went to number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the motion Picture "Patton" This epic starring George C. Scott was playing in the theaters in 1970. It won seven Academy awards, including Best Picture. STAFF PICKS: Let It Be by The Beatles Lynch starts the staff picks with a song inspired by a dream. Paul McCartney's mother, Mary Patricia McCartney, died of cancer with Paul was 14. In the dream, his mother encourages her son by saying, "It's all right, just let it be." This single and title song from the final Beatles album debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 before topping those charts. Cecilia by Simon & Garfunkel Rob brings us the third single from the fifth and final album by Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It was developed in a late night jam when the duo and friends were banging on a piano bench and recording the sound with a tape recorder. The lyrics depict the heartbreak of a boy delivered from Cecilia his unfaithful lover. The Rapper by The Jaggerz Bruce features the most successful single from the band whose guitarist and primary songwriter would go on to be Donny Iris. The song is a warning to the ladies not to be taken in by a smooth talking man telling them lies. It went to number 2 on the charts. Superlungs My Supergirl by Terry Reid Wayne's closes out the staff picks with a cover originally written by Donovan about a 14-year old groupie. Terry Reid was Jimmy Page's first pick to be lead singer of Led Zeppelin, but was unavailable at the time due to his touring schedule with Cream and the Rolling Stones. Reid would acquire the nickname of Superlungs. NOVELTY TRACK: Pineapple and the Monkey by The Faces This instrumental from The Faces debut album takes us out for this week.
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    34 m
  • 1970 - June: The Beatles “Let it Be”

    1970 - June: The Beatles “Let it Be”
    Jul 2 2025

    Bruce riffs on the twelfth and final studio album from the Beatles “Let It Be,” on the charts in May 1970 (Two of Us / I Me Mine / I've Got a Feeling / Get Back). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Kelly's Heroes" STAFF PICKS: "Question” by The Moody Blues — Lynch. “Proper Stranger” by The Guess Who— Rob. "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain” by Ten Years After — Wayne. “Baby Hold On” by The Grass Roots — Bruce. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Genesis” by Tangerine Dream.
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    40 m
  • 1972 - January: America ”America”

    1972 - January: America ”America”
    Jun 23 2025
    Surprisingly, America was formed in London. The trio of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek met in London where their fathers were stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip. The three attended London Central High School and began playing together on borrowed acoustic guitars. The name came from the Americana jukebox in the mess hall, and a desire to distinguish themselves from the British musicians around them who were trying to sound more American. America is also their self-titled debut album released in the States in January 1972. The album originally was released without “A Horse With No Name,” but when that single garnered significant commercial success it was added to a re-release of the album in early 1972. The re-released album would top the US album charts and produce two top-10 singles. The band would be a force in the folk-rock and soft rock genres for a generation. With close harmonies similar to Crosby, Stills & Nash, and complex acoustic guitar arrangements, their first seven albums would be in the top 50 on the album charts, though this first debut would be their lone chart topper to date. Their compilation album “History: America's Greatest Hits” was released at the end of 1975. America produced albums of original material up through 2015. In 1977 Dan Peek left the group to pursue music in the Contemporary Christian genre. Speculation regarding a reunion of the original members continued through the years until Peeks death in 2011. Rob brings us a great debut folk rock album in this week's podcast. Riverside The lead off track is a good example of the original America sound. It has a laid back message: I don't want to take anything from you, and I don't want you to take anything from me. It is a “live and let live” message using a metaphor of life on two sides of the river. A Horse with No Name This is the track that put the band on the map. Originally entitled “Desert Song” the track takes inspiration from a Salvador Dali painting and an M.C. Escher painting. Writer Dewey Bunnell created lyrics loosely based on his travels as a child with family through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. Three Roses Bunnell paints a picture of both a quiet life and romantic uncertainty in this song inspired by his girlfriend, soon to be wife. “Three roses were bought with you in mind.” Dan Peek takes lead vocal duties on this one with subdued but complex chords and harmonies. I Need You The second single from the album was written by Gerry Beckley when he was 16 years old. Beckley also takes lead vocals on this ballad which went to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. You can sense the similarity to bands like the Beatles and Alan Parsons in this track. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main theme from the television series “Emergency!” This first responder action series focused on Squad 51 in Los Angeles saw its debut in January 1972. STAFF PICKS: Family Affair by Sly & the Family Stone Bruce begins the staff picks with the most successful hit from Sly & the Family Stone. This song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and the R&B Singles chart for five. This track is a little different for the group, as the guitars are toned down, and the electric piano (with Billy Preston on keyboard) is brought up. The lyrics talk about the ways a family can go wrong. Roundabout by Yes Lynch brings us a song written by singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe. The song originated from a trip the group took in Scotland in which they encountered a number of roundabouts. The line, “in and around the lake” came from one of the lochs they passed. This opening track from Fragile was drastically edited to produce a single coming in at 3:27 rather than the over 8-minute original. It reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, the group's highest charting single until 1983's “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” Doctor My Eyes by Jackson Browne Wayne's staff pick is a single off Browne's debut and self-titled album. The lyrics discuss the feeling that the singer is becoming jaded about life by seeing all the wrong in the world, and now being unable to cry about it. David Crosby and Graham Nash provide backing vocals to this song which went to number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Misty Mountain Hop by Led Zeppelin Rob features a song which was the B-side to Zeppelin's “Black Dog.” The lyrics take their inspiration from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, as well as the “Legalize Pot Rally” held in Hyde Park in July 1968. It appeared on the massive Led Zeppelin IV album. As Rob says, it is a “mixture of stoner idealism and Tolkien nerdery.” COMEDY TRACK: Pigeon Song by America We exit with a little double dipping, and with gratefulness that none of us is a pigeon named Fred. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust ...
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    33 m