Crash Chords Podcast

Today we rejoice in the first guest appearance of our new writer, Tony Catalano! Answering up our earlier, less-refined analysis of Flying Lotus's Until the Quiet Comes (back in CCP Ep. #19), Tony thrusts us into the artist's latest project, You're Dead! — this time with the combined force of the entire Crash Chords think tank. But first, we kick-start the episode with Matt's detailed account of his journey to see the play Hamilton, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and presented by the Public Theater. This clever Hip-Hop narrative of Alexander Hamilton's life—and ultimate feud with Aaron Burr—runs until May 3rd. Finally, after the album, we talk to Tony about Tony, covering his background in jazz, his life as a copywriter, his ambitions for the website, and of course, the eternal theme of objectivity. Continue reading

Prepare yourself for the smoothest vibes from the punchiest band name. We have GUSTER for you today! Staples of the alternative community since 1991, Guster's craft is matched only by their humor and stage prowess. What should we be on the lookout for in their latest album, Evermotion? Listen in and join in the discussion! Also stick around for some topical thoughts on the impact of award shows, namely the Grammys. What distinguishes "awards" from "critical acclaim?" On what merits should we award... And who's looking? Continue reading

Harkening back to her first appearance in CCP Ep. #45, Kita St. Cyr makes good on her promise to deliver us something from the Far East with her much-awaited return. Her choice: Crush by the immensely popular K-Pop girl group, 2NE1. Then, a discussion on cultural diffusion, as stemming from K-Pop's relatively recent U.S. debut. From South Korea's Psy to Japan's Babymetal, what does it take to steal Western attention? Continue reading

Courtesy of Mark H., we welcome our first fan-pick of the year by taking a trip through the long-awaited Black Messiah by D'Angelo and the Vanguard. Breathing new life into R&B and blending it with modern themes, D'Angelo's re-emergence after a 14-year hiatus has appeared to pique critics' interest in just about every corner of the field. Following the album, we then say a few words on the oldest theme in the book: LOVE. In any form, the 'L'-word's thematic presence in music is so ubiquitous as to almost be shrugged off. What keeps "love" fresh, and why the compulsion to wear one's heart on their CD-sleeve? Continue reading

With the recent release of Yo La Tengo's Extra Painful (a bonus-happy re-release of their 1993 album Painful), we thought we'd use the opportunity to explore the '93 album as if they'd released it today — since, after all, they technically have. In doing so, we experience the prime of "Shoegaze" as a stylistic departure from the heavier rock of the era. Following that, we discuss another vestige from the past: the ever-substantial "double disc." Useless holdover? Artistic tool? Let's hear your thoughts! Continue reading

We're starting off the year by reviving a prominent electronic composer by the name of Aphex Twin. After a 13-year hiatus, the man behind Aphex Twin, Richard David James, has released a new album under the old namesake, titled Syro. Steeped in bizarre titles and technical flourishes, Syro keeps us on our analytical toes every step of the way. Join us in the challenge! And afterwards, join us for a light topic: our collective expectations from the new year. We mention our new writer Tony Catalano, share some informative fanmail, and finally reaffirm the project at large. Continue reading

Well, we hope you've enjoyed the holidays and soaked in the silliness of our last episode, but once again it's time to get serious. Welcome to the 2014 Year in Review! Last chance to consider all the music we've explored this year... last chance to place our awards. Join us in our annual summation and private awards ceremony before next year's batch rolls in. (Follow along with the CCP Archive.) Continue reading

Happy Holidays from Crash Chords! Our gift to you: pure nonsense. Our third annual montage takes us on a journey to absolutely nowhere by analyzing our toughest work yet: ourselves. On sugar, caffeine, or lack of sleep, we're hardly in top-form for these meddling, meandering, and maddening outtakes. Endure! Continue reading

For our final album of the year, we look at Sonic Highways, a special project by the Foo Fighters, featuring eight tracks recorded in eight studios in eight different cities, all to commemorate—you guessed it—their eighth album. The project also serves as a companion to their HBO television series, Foo Fighters: Sonic Highways, which debuted on October 17th, 2014. Also stick around for a followup conversation on music idolatry: the types of idols we venerate, and the responsibilities that go with it. Continue reading

What is Art Rock? Well, we won't be answering that question today, but we will be examining the latest work by a band to whom the genre has often been attributed. Listen in and hear how TV on the Radio's Seeds stacks up against the work that propelled them out of Brooklyn and into the public eye. Then, stick around for a discussion on the nature of "excusing" bands' artistic choices. What are the challenges that artists face deeper in their careers? Continue reading

As we're nearing the end of the year, we've made this week's episode a special one. For only the second time in CCP history, we devote an entire episode to a full-band interview in lieu of our usual album analysis. Peering deep into the local NYC rock scene, we unveil to you the vibrant and hair-raising ensemble known as Circadian Clock. With their trescendent melodies, backed by a formidable punch, Circadian Clock is poised to take NYC by storm, having released an EP last year called Someone Out There Loves You After All and a music video for their single, "Brightside". They are currently working on an LP, slated for release next year. Rarely confronted by a band with such extensive and expansive musical roots, join us in hearing how these veterans of live performance forged their tight and incomparable sound. Continue reading

Happy Thanksgiving from Crash Chords! (If today's album & analysis should find its way into your extra-long weekend, we'll be giving plenty of thanks indeed.) Ripe for the picking, we look at an album that debuted at #1 in the U.K. this September, the plaintive This Is All Yours by the English band Alt-J (or "∆"). Then, following the album, we briefly discuss the impact of varying an album's style as opposed to its mood. Continue reading

And then the orchestra met the synthesizer... and it was good. Today we feature a special fan-chosen album for our weekly analysis, courtesy of Heather S. (@wildflowerfever). The album is called In Conflict, by the composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, Owen Pallett. Then we take some time to discuss the particulars of an upper echelon rating system. Why are things harder to rate the closer they come to true exceptionalism? Continue reading

Today we find out what happens when Indi Power Pop goes electronic! However you choose to categorize them, the four-piece rock band OK Go is clearly dabbling into new areas with their latest album, Hungry Ghosts. Early in Crash Chords history, Matt had the priviledge of conducting an interview with OK Go's drummer, Dan Konopka, while also reviewing their previous release, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky. For their new album however, we administer the unadulterated CCP treatment, so hop on board and share your own opinions! Following that, we shift to a more lighthearted topic: quite simply, the nature of "rocking out!" Can this primal urge ever mingle freely with the stoic world of critical analysis? Continue reading

Death From Above 1979 rages on! For those who can recall their only LP back in 2004, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine didn't just hit the shelves -- it broke them. Conceived in the seamy cracks between Punk, Indi, Metal, and Noise Rock, the self-propelling bass/drum duo has returned a decade later to wreak more havoc on its fans. Their new album is called The Physical World; join us as we talk it out, break it down, and try to convey its fearsome nature. As such is the case, our final discussion touches upon the meaninglessness of "strength in numbers" when dealing with music. Continue reading

Weeezerrrrr! A staple band from the 90s that has continued to be a bridge between genres, Weezer's appeal is widespread, their albums anticipated, and their artistic choices hotly debated. Try to set all this aside (but keep it on the table) for our analysis of Weezer's brand new album, Everything Will Be Alright in the End. As an album that could be said to explain and reassure its listeners, it certainly proves that Rivers Cuomo's songwriting has firm footing for the next twenty years. Enjoy this hefty discussion, then stick around as we talk about fanship's impact on an artist's work. Continue reading

He's here. He's in your ears. Highly exalted and frequently referenced, he is: SCHAFFER THE DARKLORD. Yes, today we welcome the talented Hip Hop artist and third & final component of the EPIC PIEcast to our very own show. Schaffer, who has consistently regaled his fans with macabre subjects, nerdy adventures, and cerebral excursions, now takes a tip from the latter as he joins us to discuss a vital influence in his work, the 1992 Beastie Boys LP, Check Your Head. Let's help to turn the tables on it! Then we cut to an special "away"-interview where Schaffer explores Schaffer, with a little help from Matt. And do keep your ears open for some tastes of Schaffer's work, including a track from his provocative album Sick Passenger, a track from Remix Passenger, and something terribly appropriate to close us out. Continue reading

For our third fan request, courtesy of Jose (Nokjaw), we are pleased to analyze the album Ohio by [DARYL]. A throwback of about a decade, Ohio takes us back to the impassioned roots of Indi-punk. With its garage-born atmosphere, we explore the album's theme, style, and structure. Just another day on Crash Chords! Following that, we discuss the use of common sound effects and textural practices. Why do some things grow stale, while others stay timeless? And who gets away with it? Continue reading

A time warp has thrown us today, specifically to a time when "Pop Goddess" could only conjure up one name: Madonna. In welcoming today's special guest Rashmi, an actress and musician in her own right, she has us take a look at Madonna's breakthrough album, True Blue. And then we shift to Rashmi herself. Raised in Dallas, Texas, her music is a blend of country folk tinged with the pleasing lilts of traditional Indian ornamentation. Not only do we find out when her style took shape, but we get to hear it for ourselves — as do you! Ears open, everyone. Continue reading

Analyzing a free album may seem a bit harsh, but as Groucho Marx said: "Art is art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west, and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does." Case in point, we're doing it anyway. The altruistic album, by U2, is called Songs of Innocence and is available to all (with an Apple ID). Then, a few thoughts on a curious term: "Anthemic Pop." What's wrong with feelin' good all the time? Continue reading