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Crack The Record

Do albums still matter in the playlist era? Ben and Nick think so.

On Crack The Record, they break apart classic and not-so-classic albums and build them into unique playlists by discussing what works and what doesn’t work with each tracklist. There’s song analysis, background context, petty disagreements, and mostly great music.

Hosts Ben and Nick have decades of experience in the music and entertainment industries. They’ve also been friends since middle school and spent thousands of hours discussing music. Most importantly for Crack The Record, they still care about albums and think that you should too.

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20 episodes
Avg 1 hr 16 min
English

Episodes 20

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S2 · E22
Saturday · 1 hr 10 min
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
My Chemical Romance’s concept album The Black Parade is 20 years old and Ben and Nick are going to crack the record. First they had to listen to it. Why did neither of them pay attention to the album at the time? How were style and aesthetic important to the band’s popularity? Can Ben craft a different story from the album’s original concept? What makes the difference between a liked band and a favorite band? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E21
October 1 · 1 hr 14 min
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
Songs in the Key of Life is 50 years old, so Ben and Nick are going to crack Stevie Wonder’s legendary album. What were the expectations for the record? How is an album with 130 contributors clearly the work of one artist? Isn’t who lovely? Where does the saxophone go? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
September 22 · 43 min
2001
Ben and Nick decided that they didn’t want to crack a record, so instead they’ll discuss the music of 2001. Why aren’t they cracking an album? Are “xennials” and “zillennials” two different things? What are their favorite albums? Who would be in their fantasy band lineups? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E20
July 28 · 1 hr 28 min
Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American
25 years ago, Jimmy Eat World broke into the rock mainstream with Bleed American and now Nick and Ben are cracking the record. What makes the creation of this album a great story? Can a really good song get lost in the wrong spot on a track list? Would the Boss write “The Middle”? Is “Hear You Me” the best or worst song on the album? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E19
June 18 · 1 hr 2 min
Beck - Odelay
It’s the 30th anniversary of Beck’s landmark album Odelay, so Ben and Nick are cracking the record. Why did this album almost not happen? How did the Dust Brothers aid the creative process? What helps keep Odelay on greatest album lists? Where is “Where It’s At” at? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E18
May 31 · 1 hr 45 min
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Nick and Ben are cracking the record that inspired the podcast - Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2006 double album Stadium Arcadium. Can too much good material dull the impact of the individual songs? Why is this album John Frusciante’s masterpiece? Who was the Martian that died? Is Anthony Kiedis too creative for AI? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E17
April 30 · 1 hr 12 min
Nada Surf - Let Go
For a traditional 23rd anniversary retrospective, Ben and Nick crack Let Go by Nada Surf. How did the album alter the band’s career trajectory? Why did the band change the tracklist themselves? Does Nada Surf mean anything? How much time can Nick spend listening to one song? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
January 30 · 21 min
Grammy Preview?
Ben and Nick listen to a lot of music, but it doesn’t necessarily overlap with the Grammy awards. Who are the Grammy nominated artists they did listen to in 2025? How do the Oscars and Grammys compare? What is the benefit of award ceremonies for the artists? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E16
January 28 · 1 hr 17 min
Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
In 2025, Bloc Party commemorated the 20th anniversary of their debut album Silent Alarm and now Ben and Nick are going to crack the record. What is indie rock? Where do you find track 0? How does lyrical repetition and refrain drive the impact of the album? Why does production and engineering matter? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E15
Nov 30, 2025 · 1 hr 37 min
Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R
In the year 2000, Queens of the Stone Age released their second album Rated R. Now Ben and Nick are going to crack the record with Kenny, their first guest, good friend, and huge QOTSA fan. What is the album about? Can Nick decipher the complex metaphors? Will Nick’s new tracklist even be possible? Is this a Nick episode? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E14
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 32 min
Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The 1995 celebration continues with Ben and Nick cracking Smashing Pumpkins’ double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Did Ben start working on the episode 30 years ago? Why does it sound like this? What overlooked songs stand out on a single CD length album? Is the world a vampire? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E13
Sep 30, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
To reflect on the greatness of 1995 and the 30 years since, Nick and Ben crack (What's the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis. Where does it rank in their favorite albums of the year? Does Nick know how long CDs are? Can great be even greater? What is the deal with Oasis and helicopter sounds? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S2 · E12
Aug 31, 2025 · 58 min
Cage the Elephant - Neon Pill
With Cage the Elephant opening on the US leg of the massive Oasis Live '25 reunion tour, Ben and Nick take the opportunity to crack the band's 2024 album Neon Pill. When did Nick know that he wanted to crack this record? Had Ben even listened to the album before? How does a live performance set expectations for a new album? Does listening on streaming compare to how on album would be listened to on CD? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E11
Jan 27, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min
Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
With the biopic A Complete Unknown in movie theaters, Ben and Nick are taking the opportunity to discuss Bob Dylan and crack his classic double album Blonde on Blonde. Are they really dropping songs from one of the greatest albums of all time? How did Ben start working on his track list more than twenty years ago? What are some of the innovations that Bob Dylan has not been getting credit for? Must anybody get stoned? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E10
Nov 28, 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Nick and Ben are recognizing one of 2019's best selling albums by cracking Harry Styles' Fine Line. Does Harry get the artistic credit he deserves? What holds together the album's diverse styles and influences? How much California history and geography will Nick cover? What is the final tally for the fruit tracker? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E9
Nov 14, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
Oasis - Be Here Now
Just days before the huge Oasis reunion tour was announced, Ben and Nick got together to crack Be Here Now on the 27th anniversary of the album's release. Why shouldn't you write rock and roll records in shorts? Are they siding with Liam or Noel? How flawed is the album actually? Is anyone pro-whistling? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E8
Oct 25, 2024 · 1 hr 25 min
Taylor Swift - 1989
What do you get the pop star that has everything to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her biggest album? Ben and Nick are going to crack that record - Taylor Swift's 1989. How does the album fit into her career arc? Are there any Swifties on the podcast? What songwriting touches make these songs special? Will Nick fess up to a past criticism? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E7
Sep 21, 2024 · 1 hr 26 min
Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile
Ben and Nick crack The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails to celebrate the album's 25th anniversary. Is this a concept album? Is Nick a Trent Reznor rap apologist? How was the elaborate recording process of this double album tied to the era? Will Ben sell Nick on the importance of "La Mer"? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E6
Sep 13, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
A double album is getting cut in half as Ben and Nick crack In Your Honor by Foo Fighters. Everyone knows Dave Grohl, but who is Dave G. Rohl? Does the split of electric and acoustic songs work for this album? What wild accusations will Nick make based on Ben's tracklist? Do Ben and Nick even agree on the premise of their own podcast? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord
S1 · E5
Aug 23, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
The Darkness - Permission to Land
Celebrating the rock music of the 70s and 80s, Ben and Nick crack the 2003 album Permission to Land by the Darkness. Does Nick bum Ben out with a story about the recording of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"? Are there other bands as unique to their era as the Darkness? What dumb thing does Ben say about the lyrics? Do they somehow forget to mention Queen as a major influence on the band? Check out our playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/31vn5rxrwinadnzasqcpasmhea6m?si=KpNYuMSfTpGHDllWAGbJhg Find us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cracktherecord

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