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Know Your Writes!

Know Your Writes

A podcast featuring two supposed songwriters critiquing/praising/geeking out over famous artists. Each week, we'll discuss the discography of a new band/songwriter to discuss what makes these songs and records tick. Along the way, we'll invite some of our own musician friends to help us figure out what it means to Know. Your. Writes.

New episodes every other Friday!

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20 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 42 min
English

Episodes 20

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#88
Thursday · 1 hr 43 min
88: Bad Books by Bad Books
To download: podcast episode. Never listened to. So it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton beg everything and get lost at the race track as they wade into Bad Book's self-titled debut album. Our hosts will dissect each track by the group composed of pod stalwarts Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra. Other topics include: - Colton dream-writes a song for Ben Gibbard - our hosts prepare for the misery and joy of fantasy football - Did Robb and Colton see Bad Books in concert together?
#87
August 10 · 1 hr 38 min
87: "American Pie" by Don McLean
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack Flash hit subscribe 'cause it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, our hosts pack up the Chevy and discuss Don McLean's 1971 opus "American Pie". Other topics include: - Robb "accepts" the definition of a song - Colton's dislike for vocal jazz - our hosts pay their taxes - and more! "Something New" Segment: "A Different Kind" by Rakim
#86
July 27 · 1 hr 51 min
86: Touch Up by Mother Mother
"Tick-tick-tock, ticky-ticky-tock, ticky-ticky-tock" goes the clock and I sit and I watch the hours go until it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton re-apply their foundations as they wade into Mother Mother's debut album Touch Up. Other topics include: - our hosts San Francisco shenanigans - Robb's response to the Colton/Kacy episode - what even is a song?
#85
July 11 · 1 hr 17 min
85: "With or Without You" by U2 (w/ Kacy!)
On a bed of nails she makes me wait until it's time for Know Your Writes! Robb is out on vacation, meaning Colton is joined by a very special guest: his wife Kacy! Together, this couple breaks down the iconic "With or Without You" by the legendary U2. Other topics include: - The Newlywed Game: Know Your Writes edition - Kacy and Colton's In-N-Out saga - Colton learning to hate T.I. and Bruce Springsteen
#84
July 1 · 1 hr 34 min
84: "Mother" by Danzig
Mother, tell your children not to hear our words unless it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, our hosts bang heads, get taken out, and shown the world as they explore Danzig's 1988 classic "Mother". Other topics include: - Lord of the Rings memories - A ColtroRobbus recap - Preparation for Robb's pilgrimage to the Bay Area - And more! "Something New" Segment: "Punching at Flowers" by Death Cab for Cutie
#83
June 15 · 2 hr 1 min
83: Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Is she perverted like me? Would she tell you it's time for Know Your Writes?! This week, our hosts dive head over feet into Alanis Morissette's 1995 masterpiece Jagged Little Pill. Other topics include: - Colton's imaginary list of "Best Bassists of All Time" - ColtraRobbus: NBA Finals Edition - addressing the Dave Coulier/Jagged Little Pill references
#82
May 31 · 1 hr 37 min
82: "Stan" by Eminem
But your picture on my wall, it reminds me that it's time for Know Your Writes! On another Song Spotlight episode, Robb and Colton bleach their hair and jottle down some thoughts on Eminem's 2000 classic, "Stan". Other topics include: - Colton brags about owning thick books - A reappraisal of the cultural response to The Marshall Mathers LP - Did Stan really expect Eminem to page him? New Music Segment: "Third Side of the Moon" by Modest Mouse
#81
May 18 · 1 hr 52 min
81: The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
Money, so they say, is the root of all evil today, but if you ask for a rise, it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton breathe deep and take their time with Pink Floyd's 1973 masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon. Other topics include: - discovering the second best-selling album of all time - a long talk about the New York Times' "30 Greatest Living American Songwriters" list - the dangers and rewards of passing tracks
#80
May 4 · 1 hr 40 min
80: "That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain
Okay, so you’re a songwriting podcaster? It must be time for Know Your Writes! On another Song Spotlight episode, Robb and Colton lace up their boots and talk about Shania Twain’s 1997 classic “That Don’t Impress Me Much”. Other topics include: -Colton listens to the wrong Shania Twain song -A re-evaluation of podcast mascot Weezer -A survey of 1990s country radio New Music Segment: “Shine Again“ by Weezer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4TQy2ChfI
#79
April 19 · 1 hr 53 min
79: Worship and Tribute by Glassjaw
Yeah, it's over, and you can bet by mid-October it'll still be time for Know Your Writes! Our hosts are back to business as usual and ready to tip their bartenders and give their (pink) roses to hardcore stalwarts Glassjaw. Listen as Robb and Colton dive into the the band's 2002 opus Worship and Tribute. Other topics include: - a long overdue Sports Talk! - Daryl Palumbo and dadaism - Colton throwing shade at a ton of 2000s screamo bands for no reason! (that was a good one, Bob)
April 6 · 1 hr 46 min
Tool Re-dux (w/ Foreword)
Know. Your Writes is. Re-posting. Their Tool episode. Robb still hates Fear Inoculum. Colton likes it though. Please enjoy!
March 21 · 2 hr 2 min
The Decemberists Redux (w/ Foreword)
We are two podcasters, and this is Know Your Writes! Due to technical and scheduling difficulties, Robb and Colton are re-posting some of their favorite early episodes with brand new forewords and remastered audio. First up is a redux of our hosts' deeep dive into The Decemberists!
#78
March 9 · 1 hr 40 min
78: "Untitled (How Does It Feel" by D'Angelo
Say, if you get a feeling then won′t you come closer? Because it's time for Know Your Writes! For this week's Song Spotlight, Robb and Colton take down the walls and dive into D'Angelo's 2000 masterpiece "Untitled (How Does It Feel)". Other topics include: - DeFault American's Write-A-Record Challenge experience - the complicated legacy of the "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" music video - time signature madness New Music Segment: "Beadie" by Sleuce https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/tracks/sluice-beadie-community-belonging-time-stood-still DeFault American's new record: https://defaultamerican.bandcamp.com/album/montauk
#77
February 20 · 1 hr 43 min
77: The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit
I'll be your Emmylou, and I'll be your June if you'll be my Robb and my Colton too because it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, our hosts discuss The Lion's Roar by Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit. Listen to Robb and Colton debate the merits of this 2012 release, from its pristine vocal harmonies to its (according to one host, at least) questionable lyric choices. Other topics include: - fighting the Monday blues - Colton's official remark on Kid Rock - our hosts conspiracy theories regarding "King of the World"
#76
February 9 · 1 hr 25 min
76: "Old Man" by Neil Young
I've been first and last; look at how it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton get lost, tossed, and rolled into Neil Young's 1972 classic "Old Man". Other topics include: - discussing the new Arctic Monkeys single - confirming how many years are in a decade - Colton trash talks the opening verse to "Lose Yourself" New Music Segment: "Opening Night," The Arctic Monkeys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR1rgLFnGOE
#75
January 25 · 1 hr 52 min
75: Dog Problems by The Format
Can we take the next 1 hour, 52 minutes, and 40 seconds, and talk about The Format? Good, because it's time for Know Your Writes! In our first official "album spotlight" episode of the new year, our hosts dive into Dog Problems, the 2006 release from Arizona's The Format. Other topics include: - coming to terms with the podcast's new release schedule - a sad history of our hosts tortured food metaphors - marveling at the staying power of Three Day's Grace and All Time Low
#74
January 11 · 1 hr 30 min
74: "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead
Please, could you stop the noise? Because it's time for Know Your Writes! On the first episode of 2026, Robb and Colton break out the Gucci and the pig skin as they dive into Radiohead's 1997 opus "Paranoid Android". Other topics include: - Colton rants about hop water - Robb and Colton's Christmas vinyl record haul - the return of the New Music segment! New Music Segment: Dogpark, "75$72" https://www.youtube.com/@dogparkband
#73
Dec 28, 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
73: Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics
Hooooowdy ho! It's time for Know Your Writes! Christmas isn't over 'til we say it's over, and...well, it's over. But to close it out, Robb and Colton chat about the South Park Christmas Classic that is "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics". Other topics include: - Robb and Colton's South Park memories - New Year's resolutions for the podcast - a visit from a very special guest! Merry Christmas!
#72
Dec 12, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
72: Christmas Song Gift Exchange
Wash the black from your fingertips and mount those bridge rails because it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton begin their Christmas celebration with their first annual Christmas Song Gift Exchange. Our hosts give each the gift of music with deep dives into Murder By Death's "That Crown Don't Make You a Prince" and The Mountain Goats' "Damn These Vampires". Other topics include: - A live capture of Colton's tragic fantasy football defeat - how our hosts get into the holiday spirit - bands with "gimmick" instruments Bands mentioned in this episode: - Yellowcard - The Dear Hunter - Cursive - Modest Mouse
#71
Nov 28, 2025 · 2 hr 1 min
71: Bright Eyes
Can I get a g*ddamn episode description? To start this g*ddamn podcast episode? Tonight, it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton send their discography episodes into the sunset with a gigantic deep dive into six albums from the pride of Omaha: Bright Eyes. From Fevers and Mirrors (2000) to the under-appreciated The People's Key (2011), our hosts explore what makes Conor Oberst one of our greatest living lyricists. Other topics include: - the current state of the "album" - the lost beauty of the CD - Robb and Colton hash out a fight from their teenage years Bands mentioned in this episode: - Death Cab for Cutie - Bob Dylan - Rilo Kiley - Tool - Leonard Cohen - Tom Waits

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