MusicMusic Commentary

The Great Albums

Two indie rock musicians, Bill Lambusta and Brian Erickson, dive into great rock and pop music through the lens of the medium they care for most - the album. Every episode features a track-by-track review, discussions about the sounds they love, and their own stories. Guests include musicians, podcasters, and journalists who are fellow deep-dive music nerds.

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25 episodes
Avg 1 hr 25 min
English

Episodes 25

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November 1 · 1 hr 51 min
Chris Bell - I Am the Cosmos
Bill and Brian welcome author Rich Tupica to the podcast to discuss Chris Bell's I Am the Cosmos! Rich literally wrote the book on Chris Bell (There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star), so listen in to his unique insights to a special album.
October 15 · 35 min
Mail Bag - October 2026
In this mail bag episode, Bill and Brian read some emails and messages from listeners. We talk about why we aren't on Spotify, what's the Millennial "Smells Like Teen Spirit," great pickle ball movies, get some input from European listeners on what the Are You Experienced track list is over there, and much more!
October 1 · 1 hr 13 min
The Go-Go's - Beauty & the Beat
Bill and Brian get into all the things that make the Go-Go's Beauty & the Beat (1981, I.R.S. Records) a great album! Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey's songwriting, the band's punk rock attitude, what's the problem with Robert Christgau, and much more as we make our way through this album track by track!
September 15 · 22 min
Meet the Team (w/ Ryan Hanratty and Bill Greenwood)
Bill and Brian welcome Ryan Hanratty and Bill Greenwood. Ryan and Bill have been handling all the cool social media content everyone's been seeing recently. Ryan edits videos that make us look funny and Bill has been getting our names out in the press. Find out what music they love, the first albums they bought, and what was the best sandwich to get at the Rider University diner. Full episode at patreon.com/thegreatalbums
September 1 · 1 hr 7 min
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced
Bill and Brian talk about what makes Are You Experienced by the Jimi Hendrix Experience great! We examine how the power trio's debut expanded the possibilities of rock guitar, pairing blues and rock & roll foundations with psychedelic experimentation, unusual effects, and a wide emotional range. Working through the original 11-track U.S. edition, we dig into Hendrix's virtuosity and songwriting talent, Mitch Mitchell's kinetic drumming, the album's idiosyncratic production and stereo mix, and the way the album moves between enduring songs like "Purple Haze," "Hey Joe," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Fire," and "Foxey Lady."
August 1 · 1 hr 33 min
The Promise Ring - Very Emergency (w/ guests Jim Hanke, Dan Didier)
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!
July 22 · 25 min
Jimmy Eat World - Stay on My Side Tonight
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!
July 1 · 1 hr 6 min
The Beths - Future Me Hates Me
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!
June 1 · 1 hr 6 min
Vampire Weekend - Self-Titled
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!
May 1 · 30 min
Announcement - We're Back! A Podcast's Story
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!
Dec 30, 2019 · 38 min
Liner Notes - Bill's Listening Habits in 2019
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?
Dec 16, 2019 · 1 hr 18 min
Top 10 Albums of 2019 (Jeff)
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!
Dec 9, 2019 · 1 hr 27 min
Top 10 Albums of 2019 (Brian)
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!
Sep 9, 2019 · 1 hr 32 min
Liner Notes - All Good Things...
Bill and Brian give thanks, list our top 10 episodes, and read a bunch of emails in the midst of our indefinite hiatus.
Jul 1, 2019 · 1 hr 48 min
The Replacements - Let It Be (Reprise)
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!
Jun 24, 2019 · 1 hr 52 min
Radiohead - OK Computer
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!
Jun 23, 2019 · 2 hr 3 min
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Let Love In (w/ guest Doug Robertson)
Author and educator Doug Robertson, AKA the Weird Teacher, joins Bill and Brian to discuss Nick Cave and the Bad Seed's Let Love In (1994, Mute Records).
Jun 9, 2019 · 2 hr 9 min
The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday (w/ guest Sean Barna)
Musician Sean Barna drops by to discuss the Hold Steady's sophomore effort Separation Sunday (2005, Frenchkiss).
May 27, 2019 · 1 hr 50 min
Sonic Youth - Murray St. (w/ guest Scott Sylvester)
Musician Scott Sylvester (Meeko Brando) hangs out with Bill and Brian while we discuss Sonic Youth's Murray St. (2002, DGC Records).
May 20, 2019 · 2 hr 8 min
The Police - Synchronicity (w/ guest Maureen Zahn)
Writer, blogger, and vlogger Maureen Zahn joins Bill and Brian to discuss the Police's Synchronicity (1983, A&M). *There's a part in the show where we reference Synchronicity and Thriller being out in the same year. Thriller was actually released in November 1982 with this following in June 1983. However, it's worth noting that in that time period they were both eligible for the same Grammy awards ceremony in 1984.

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