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Accelerated Culture

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2024 WEBBY AWARDS HONOREE FOR BEST INDIE PODCAST! Accelerated Culture: The Rise of Alternative Music in the 80s and Beyond is a walk through an often-ignored bit of music history. We explore how new wave stormed the airwaves in the early 80s and gave way for the rise of alternative music. Find us on the web at AcceleratedCulturePodcast.com.

Please note: The music clips included in this podcast fall under the ”Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, and news reporting.

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#84
October 31 · 1 hr 31 min
Episode 84: Scott & Laurie’s Halloween Mixtape
Back from the dead (well, from summer hiatus), just in time for Halloween, Scott & Laurie depart from the usual album deep-dives to celebrate the season in classic Gen X form: by making a mixtape! Join us as we talk mixtape technique and trade spooky songs. And after this episode, be sure to listen to the actual mixtape: Side 1 - Complete playlist mixed by DJ Rob Wondervox on MixCloud Side 2 - Complete playlist mixed by DJ Rob Wondervox on MixCloud Playlist on Spotify (music only, minus the EON song) Also mentioned in this episode: Who Will Save Generation X EP 53: "Stranger Danger" Halloween Special Episode Laurie Vs MaryBeth Content warning: This episode includes references to suicide. Listener discretion advised. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING, SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT, AND EARLY EPISODE RELEASES! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#83
June 26 · 1 hr 53 min
Episode 83: The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Siamese Dream” (1993)
By 1993 the Grunge movement had peaked, and the music industry was looking for the next Seattle. In recent years the Chicago scene had borne multiple power-pop and rock bands, but Smashing Pumpkins’ hard-hitting, psychedelia-infused debut album, “Gish,” had something entirely new. Expectations for their sophomore effort were high, and on July 19, 1993, Billy Corgan, producer Butch Vig, and (to a lesser extent) the band delivered. Suddenly, the Pumpkins were everywhere, darlings of MTV and alternative radio. But behind the scenes things, were going less than smashingly. Laurie and Scott do some “Siamese Dream” analysis. Content warning: This episode includes references to suicide. Listener discretion advised. Same show, better timing: new episodes on alternating Fridays at 10 a.m. ET (or whenever we get it edited, LOL) ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING, SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT, AND EARLY EPISODE RELEASES! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#82
May 29 · 1 hr 32 min
Episode 82: ...And the Rest (1992)
So many great albums in 1992, but not enough weeks in 2026 to deep-dive them all. What’s the solution? “Episode 82: ...And the Rest (1992),” in which Scott Free & Laurie each pick five albums, select one or two songs from each, and give them the accelerated Accelerated Culture treatment. Alternative hip-hop, Riot Grrrls, space rock, industrial psychobilly, Icelandic weirdo-pop: this episode has it all. If you like the music featured in this episode, be sure to listen to our (almost) complete Episode 82 playlist on Spotify. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#81
May 1 · 1 hr 57 min
Episode 81: R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People” (1992)
Just last year you released your biggest-selling album to date. What do you do for a follow-up? Release your second-biggest-selling album to date, of course, and your most critically beloved. (In this scenario, by the way, it's 1992, you’re R.E.M., and the follow-up album in question is Automatic For The People. Congratulations on your massive success.) Join co-hosts Laurie and Scott Free as they dig into the album that spawned six singles, and that NME put at the top of their Best Albums of 1992 list. Laurie loved it, Scott Free slept on it, and now you get to listen to it with fresh ears. Hey, kids: rock and roll! Same show, better timing: new episodes on alternating Fridays at 10 a.m. ET. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND EARLY EPISODE RELEASES! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#80
April 3 · 1 hr 27 min
Episode 80: The Lightning Seeds’ “Sense” (1992)
In this episode, Laurie and Scott Free dig into “Sense,” the second album by The Lightning Seeds, with all its hooks, synths, and samples. This album catches Ian Broudie mid‑process, still treating the Lightning Seeds as a solo project and still testing how far the songs and production could go. Confused? Give this episode a listen and it will all make “Sense.” Same show, better timing: new episodes on alternating Fridays at 10 a.m. ET. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND EARLY EPISODE RELEASES! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#79
March 20 · 1 hr 22 min
Episode 79: Sugar’s “Copper Blue” (1992)
Scott Free and Laurie return with a track-by-track deep dive into NME magazine’s Album of the Year for 1992. “Copper Blue” was the debut album by Sugar, the power-pop trio led by former Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould. The conversation traces Mould’s post-Hüsker Dü arc, the band’s formation, and the album’s place in the early ’90s alternative explosion, revealing “Copper Blue” as both brutally loud and meticulously crafted—proof that power pop could hit hard, grow up, and still soar. Same show, better timing: new episodes on alternating Fridays at 10 a.m. ET. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND EARLY EPISODE RELEASES! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#78
February 1 · 1 hr 36 min
Episode 78: Lush’s “Spooky” (1992)
We’re back after a longer‑than‑expected hiatus with our first episode of 2026, and we’re diving track‑by‑track into Lush’s “Spooky” (1992). This episode traces how the album braids shoegaze swells with dream pop shimmer: reverb‑drenched guitars, gauzy atmospheres, and the velvet‑sharp vocal interplay of Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson. We’ll unpack the sequencing, textures, and the way its melodies blur into something both weightless and emotionally precise. Along the way, we spotlight the singles “Nothing Natural” and “For Love,” exploring what makes them the record’s anchors: those chiming hooks, gliding basslines, and lyrical undercurrents that keep you hitting repeat. Whether you’re revisiting a favorite or discovering Spooky for the first time, this episode maps the moments where noise turns to glow and haze becomes heart. Content warning: This episode includes references to suicide. Listener discretion advised. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast ******************** PLEASE NOTE: We have changed our episode release schedule. New episodes will now be released on Sundays at 1pm eastern time.
#77
Dec 7, 2025 · 1 hr 45 min
Episode 77: The Jesus & Mary Chain’s “Honey’s Dead” (1992)
Following the modest success of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s 1989 album “Automatic,” Glaswegian brothers and fuzz pedal virtuosos Jim and William Reid went into the studio with the usual arsenal of effects, some new dance-rock beats, and a top-notch top-notch team. The result was JAMC’s 1992 album, “Honey’s Dead,” and expectations were high. Did they pay off? Scott Free and Laurie fill you in. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast ******************** PLEASE NOTE: We have changed our episode release schedule. New episodes will now be released on Sundays at 1pm eastern time.
Nov 22, 2025 · 23 sec
Coming soon! Episode 77
Hello, Accelerated Culture fans! Laurie & Scott are taking a little time off for Thanksgiving. We will be back on Sunday, Dec. 7, with a new episode on "Honey's Dead" by The Jesus and Mary Chain. Stay tuned!
#76
Nov 9, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Episode 76: Stone Temple Pilots’ “Core” (1992)
In this episode, we dive into the raw energy of 1992’s “Core,” the debut album that catapulted Stone Temple Pilots into rock history. Selling over 8 million copies and spawning three massive hit singles, this record defined an era of grunge-infused alternative rock. We’ll explore its impact, the band’s meteoric rise, and the unforgettable voice of the late Scott Weiland that made “Core” a timeless classic. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast ******************** PLEASE NOTE: We have changed our episode release schedule. New episodes will now be released on Sundays at 1pm eastern time.
#75
Oct 25, 2025 · 1 hr 36 min
Episode 75: Sloan’s “Smeared” (1992)
In our milestone 75th episode, we dive into Sloan’s 1992 debut album “Smeared,” a swirling blend of shoegaze haze, grunge grit, and powerpop sparkle. Often overlooked, this Canadian gem delivers poppy genius with fuzzed-out guitars and melodic hooks that still resonate. Join us as we unpack the textures, tones, and legacy of an album that dared to smear genres together. ******************** Mentioned in this episode: Detroit Chamber Music Society (for donations in memory of Eduardo Arciniegas) Sloan: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1769 ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#74
Oct 4, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
Episode 74: The Soup Dragons’ “Hotwired” (1992)
Following the monster success of 1990’s “Lovegod,” Scottish wunderkinds The Soup Dragons were free to do what they wanted… any old time (you see what we did there). But following backlash back home, what they wanted to do was go to America and record a dance rock album full of big riffs, slide guitars, and sing-along-able choruses. That’s exactly what they did, and “Hotwired” was the result. It was a winning formula, one that Laurie and Scott Free dive deep into. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#73
Sep 20, 2025 · 1 hr 36 min
Episode 73: Stereolab’s “Peng!” (1992)
After the breakup of British indie pop band McCarthy, Tim Gane and Læitia Sadier blazed new trails with avant-pop band Stereolab. Jangly guitars, vintage synths, and mesmerizing female vocals deliver lyrics tackling topics that transcend conventional pop: Surrealism, Situationism, philosophy, French Modernist poetry. Stereolab is the smartest band out there, and “Peng!” is the album where it all began. Scott and Laurie unpack this post-rock/indie classic. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
Sep 13, 2025 · 42 min
Special Crossover Episode: Who Will Save Generation X with host Zabe
Greetings, Accelerated Culture vultures! Scott and I need a little more time to finish our next episode. We’ll be back with Episode 73 on Stereolab’s “Peng!” in one week. In the meantime, we’d like to share this episode of our friend Zabe’s podcast, Who Will Save Generation X? It’s a fun trivia game show, and I got to make a guest appearance in the last 15 minutes. So, check it out, and thank you for your patience. We’ll be back in one week! –Laurie ************************************************************************* Who Will Save Generation X Challenging Stage #16: “Nice Beaver” The Naked Gun (feat. Laurie of “Accelerated Culture Podcast”) Here is the next episode of our 3rd format of the show that we call: Who Will Save Generation X: Challenging Stage. We have created this mini-game format to meet the needs of those who have asked for it. Give it a listen and let us know what you think on our website "Answering Machine" feature. In the bottom left corner of the website there is a blue microphone icon. Just tap on that and leave us a message. It’s free to use and your voice might be used on an upcoming episode of the show. We want to hear from you no matter what you have to say, but we are looking for YOU to ask us some GenX trivia questions that we can feature on upcoming shows. So, let's hear what you have to say. :) In this episode of the Challenging Stage we play in round 1 a game called “Second Guessing”, round 2 is our spotlight trivia round on the topic of "The Naked Gun", and we welcome guest-host Laurie of "Accelerated Culture Podcast" (https://acceleratedculturepodcast.com/), to take over the Captain's Chair in round 3 for some trivia questions featuring trivia on the movie "Hackers". There is something here for everyone that we hope you'll "especially like". Show Notes Check out our website: https://www.whowillsavegenx.com/
#72
Aug 30, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Episode 72: INXS’ “Welcome to Wherever You Are” (1992)
In this episode, we explore INXS’s bold and underrated 1992 release, “Welcome to Wherever You Are.” Coming off the massive global success of the X Factor tour, the band took a creative left turn, trading glossy arena rock for experimental sounds, orchestral touches, and a rawer edge. From the sultry beauty of “Not Enough Time” to the sweetness of “Beautiful Girl,” we’ll explore how this album captured a band at the peak of their confidence, willing to reinvent themselves while still delivering the hooks that made them international icons. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#71
Aug 2, 2025 · 1 hr 34 min
Episode 71: Stereo MCs’ “Connected” (1992)
Scott Free and Laurie dig into a record that you may not even know you know. Don’t let the band’s name fool you: the Stereo MCs weren’t just another English hip-hop act. Bringing together elements of funk, soul, rap, and acid jazz, this album is full of dance-floor bangers and chillout-room grooves. A deeply underrated record (and one of Scott’s low-key favorites), “Connected” is far more than its smash-hit title track. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#70
Jul 19, 2025 · 1 hr 51 min
Episode 70: Shakespears Sister’s “Hormonally Yours” (1992)
This week we give the Accelerated Culture treatment to “Hormonally Yours,” the 1992 genre-bending gem by Shakespears Sister. In this track-by-track exploration, we dive into the theatrical pop, gothic glam, and bittersweet balladry that define Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit’s second album. From the cosmic melancholy of “Stay” to the sly humor of “Are We in Love Yet,” we unpack the record’s dramatic flair, lush production, and unapologetically weird charm, proving once again that the ’90s had room for the bold and the beautifully strange. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#69
Jul 5, 2025 · 59 min
Episode 69: The Beastie Boys’ “Check Your Head” (1992) part two
In part two of our deep dive into “Check Your Head,” the Accelerated Culture crew picks up where we left off, wading deeper into the Beastie Boys’ fuzzed-out soundscape of punk riffs, jazz breaks, and rhymes about everything from pop culture ephemera to spiritual awakening. We break down the tunes that make this double LP more than just a 90s alt-rap classic—it’s a cultural time capsule. Join us as we celebrate the joyfully chaotic genius of a band that refused to be boxed in. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#68
Jun 21, 2025 · 1 hr 32 min
Episode 68: The Beastie Boys’ “Check Your Head” (1992) part one
The Accelerated Culture team dives into 1992 with an album so ambitious, so varied, so way out, that it’ll take two episodes to do it justice: The Beastie Boys’ “Check Your Head.” After topping the charts with their debut LP and blowing minds with their sophomore effort, Mike D, MCA, and Ad-Rock spent three years returning to their punk rock roots, jamming on a funky tip, and just plain goofing. The result is one of Scott Free’s favorites: a sprawling, groovy, raw, riotously fun sonic adventure that pushed the boundaries of both hip-hop and alternative. Word. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast
#67
Jun 7, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min
Episode 67: The Ocean Blue’s “Cerulean” (1991) with special guests David Schelzel & Peter Anderson
Set a course for The Ocean Blue: Laurie and Scott Free interview singer/guitarist/songwriter David Schelzel & drummer Peter Anderson, and explore the band’s sophomore effort, “Cerulean.” It’s the final album deep-dive of 1991, and it be well worth the wait. Yarr. ******************** SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON FOR ADS-FREE LISTENING AND SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT! If you like what we do at Accelerated Culture Podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon for only $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/AcceleratedCulturePodcast

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