Loading...

PODCAST

What the Riff Next Gen

Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were

music music commentary

All Episodes

00:38:21

1987 - November: Bruce Springsteen “Tunnel of Love”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/10/03

After the overwhelming success of his “Born to Run” album, Bruce Springsteen's next studio album would take a dramatically different approach. First, Tunnel of Love would be a solo project, and the E. Street Band was not credited as a contributor, though many members of the E. Street Band would be credited individually. Springsteen plays many of the instruments himself, and made use of drum machines and synthesizers on the tracks. Second, the lyrics look inward as Springsteen explores aspects of

en-us

00:37:55

RECAST 1973 - SEPT - Elton John “Goodbye Yellow Brick...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/09/26

RECAST: ( Episode #45) Elton John — “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”September, 1973Elton John's seventh studio release is considered his best by many. The double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road contains many well known hits including the title track, the Marilyn Monroe-inspired “Candle in the Wind,” and the 11-minute epic “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding.” Elton John initially intended to record this album in Jamaica, but political instability and the upcoming Frazier/Foreman boxing match caused

en-us

00:40:14

1982 - May: 38 Special “Special Forces”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/09/19

We've covered a number of underrated bands and albums, but perhaps the most underrated band of the 80's is 38 Special. Formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1974 by Donnie Van Zandt and Don Barnes, 38 Special had a string of hits in the late 70's through the 80's including "Hold On Loosely," "Rockin' Into the Night," and "If I'd Been the One." Special Forces is their fifth and most successful studio album, hitting number 10 on the Billboard 200.In addition to Van Zandt and Barnes, 38 Special's

en-us

00:35:05

1990 - January: They Might Be Giants “Flood”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/09/12

They Might Be Giants is an alternative rock band that formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. They are known as an absurdist, surreal alternative band popular on modern rock charts and college radio. They are also known in the DIY music genre and in children’s music. Flood is their third studio album and has been certified platinum. It is their best selling album, and considered their signature work. During the 80’s Flansburgh and Linnell started recording their songs onto an

en-us

00:32:07

1968 - March: The Electric Flag “Long Time Comin’”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/09/05

The Electric Flag was the brainchild of guitarist Mike Bloomfield, and Long Time Comin' was their debut studio album. The core of the band was formed by Mike Bloomfield on guitar, Barry Goldberg on keyboards, and Buddy Miles (soon to be with Jimmy Hendrix's Band of Gypsies) on drums. Additionally, Nick Gravenites would sing lead on several tracks.With "Long Time Comin'" Bloomfield wanted to create a sound that would feature what he called "American music." He would draw inspiration from many

en-us

00:44:15

1983 - April: Zebra “Zebra”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/08/29

Zebra is one of the great underrated bands of the 80's. Randy Jackson (lead vocals, guitars, synthesizers, piano), Felix Hanemann (bass, keyboards, backing vocals) and Guy Gelso (percussion, backing vocals) formed Zebra in 1975 in New Orleans before moving to Long Island. They were originally a cover band, playing rock with a prog rock bent from groups like Led Zeppelin, Yes, and Jethro Tull. The band took the name Zebra after seeing a Vogue magazine cover featuring a model riding a zebra. It

en-us

00:46:08

1972 - March: Jethro Tull “Thick as a Brick”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/08/22

For it's fifth studio album, Jethro Tull decided to satirize the concept album which was popular amongst prog rock acts like themselves, Yes, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Thick as a Brick is a single piece of music spread across two album sides, and takes inspiration from Monty Python, poking fun at the critics, the audience, and the band itself. Ian Anderson wrote much of the album, but the entire band contributed to the songs. The "concept" of this concept album is that the lyrics are written by

en-us

00:46:48

1985 - January: Tears for Fears “Songs From the Big...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/08/15

Tears for Fears comes from Bath, England, and were formed by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Their first album, "The Hurting" was released in 1983 and was successful with songs like "Mad World" and "Pale Shelter." However, their second album entitled Songs from the Big Chair, a title taken from the motion picture "Sybil" would be the one to propel them to super-stardom. It peaked at number 2 in the UK and number 1 in the US. In addition to Orzabal and Smith, Ian Stanley is on keyboards, and Manny

en-us

00:36:12

1986 - December: The Georgia Satellites “Georgia...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/08/08

Atlanta, Georgia's own The Georgia Satellites released their debut and self-titled album in 1986. Dan Baird was their primary songwriter and lead vocalist on most songs. Guitarist Rick Richards, bassist Rick Price, and dummer Mauro Magellan complete the band. Originally formed as Keith and the Satellites in 1980, the band saw a number of personnel changes and a name change to The Georgia Satellites soon thereafter. They honed their craft playing at a Buckhead bar called Hedgens on Monday

en-us

00:34:56

1972 - May: Uriah Heep “Demons and Wizards”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/08/01

Formed in London in 1969, Uriah Heep released their fourth and (to this point) most successful album, Demons and Wizards in May 1972. This album would also see the debut of what is considered the classic lineup of Uriah Heep as bassist Gary Thain and drummer Lee Kerslake joined vocalist David Byron, guitarist Mick Box, and keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Ken Hensley to form the group for this album. While the album cover and title suggest medieval fantasy, Hensley has stated

en-us

00:48:51

1987 - February: Steve Winwood “Back in the High Life”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/07/25

Steve Winwood was a well known vocalist and guitarist throughout the rock era due to his contributions to the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith. His solo career would hit its high water mark with his fourth studio album, Back in the High Life. It was originally released in June 1986, and we are featuring it in February 1987 when the last single, “The Finer Things” was released and was headed up the charts.Winwood had seen success as a soloist previously, but his last US album hit had

en-us

00:35:35

1982 - August: Judas Priest "Screaming for Vengeance"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/07/18

One of the founding groups of heavy metal is Judas Priest, and their eighth studio album entitled Screaming for Vengeance would be their commercial breakthrough album for North America. In addition to the distincive vocals of Rob Halford, the Judas Priest lineup for this album included K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton on guitars, Ian Hill on bass, and Dave Holland on drums.Judas Priest was formed in 1969, but did not issue a record on a major label until 1977 and their third studio album. Their sixth

en-us

00:46:08

1991 - June: Van Halen “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/07/11

For their ninth studio album and Sammy Hagar's third album as lead singer, Hagar suggested Van Halen title it F*CK (... only the * was a letter). Censorship in rock music was a controversial topic at the time, and Hagar wanted to push limits. The name changed to For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge when Hagar was told by Ray "Boom Boom” Mancini that the vulgarity was actually an acronym for this phrase. For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge was intended to be a return to the rock roots of Van Halen after a

en-us

00:40:17

1970 - November: Derek and the Dominos “Layla and...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/07/04

Today Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is considered Eric Clapton's best work. However, at the time that this double album debut by Derek and the Dominos came out it was considered both a commercial and critical failure. Clapton met fellow Derek and the Dominos band members Bobby Whitlock (keyboards), Carl Radle (bass) and Jim Gordon (drums) when working with Delaney & Bonnie. Whitlock and Clapton got together at Clapton's house and composed most of what would become the original songs on the

en-us

00:40:54

1989 - May: The Cult “Sonic Temple”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/06/27

Some of the most popular songs from The Cult come from Sonic Temple, their fourth studio album. They garnered some attention in 1985 when the single “She Sells Sanctuary” off their second album hit the US charts, and they had established a solid following as a “post punk” or “goth rock” band, but Sonic Temple would put them over the top with its more hard rock appeal.The band lineup for this album consisted of Ian Astbury on vocals and percussion, Billy Duffy on guitar, Jamie Stewart on bass and

en-us

00:35:47

1968 - February: The Moody Blues “Days of Future...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/06/20

One of the earliest examples of a prog rock record was Days of Future Passed, the second studio album by The Moody Blues. Originally a rhythm and blues band, The Moody Blues were in difficult financial straits when they convinced the record company to combine their music with orchestral elements and interludes in a single album. The group recorded much of their sessions first, then provided these to conductor Peter Knight, who directed the London Festival Orchestra (the house orchestra for Decca

en-us

00:42:46

1993 - May: Brother Cane “Brother Cane”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/06/13

At a time when most music was coming out of the Seattle grunge scene or the Athens, Georgia college environment, Alabama's own Brother Cane is a reminder that good rock music can originate anywhere. The band was formed by front man and guitarist Damon Johnson and bassist Glenn Maxey, and they were joined by guitarist Roman Glick and drummer Scott Collier. Their self-titled debut album would peak at number 14 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.Johnson wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on the

en-us

00:38:19

1973 - April: James Gang "Greatest Hits"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/06/06

The James Gang originated in Cleveland, Ohio, and is best known as a power trio consisting of Jim Fox on drums, Dale Peters on bass (Tom Kriss on bass for their first album) and Joe Walsh on guitars and lead vocals. This Greatest Hits album captures work done on the first three James Gang albums where Joe Walsh is the principal songwriter and is front and center of the band.Walsh joined the group just prior to their signing with a record label. They produced "Yer' Album" in 1969. This would be

en-us

00:28:54

1966 - May: Beach Boys “Pet Sounds”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/05/30

Pet Sounds was the eleventh studio album by the Beach Boys. The album revolutionized music production, helped establish the album as the dominant form of music, and made the recording studio an instrument. The Beach Boys at this time are Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Al Jardine, and Mike Love.Some consider Pet Sounds to be a Brian Wilson solo project. He stopped touring with the Beach Boys a year prior to producing this album, and most of the Beach Boys had not heard

en-us

00:39:02

1992 - January: Nirvana “Nevermind”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2022/05/23

The album that would bring grunge into the mainstream is Nevermind by Nirvana. While it was Nirvana's second album, it would be their first on a major label. It would also see the introduction of Dave Grohl to the band as drummer joining Krist Novoselic on bass, and the iconic and troubled Kurt Cobain who was front man, guitarist, and songwriter for the band.“Troubled” could be a good description of the album as well. While more polished than their debut album, the songs exhibit a raw emotion,

en-us

410 results

Similar Podcasts

The Austin Young Show

Revolver Podcasts, Austin Young

Typical Tuesday Night || A Taylor Swift Podcast

Karli + Jess

Norah Jones Is Playing Along

iHeartPodcasts

Rose-Colored Headphones

Ralph Mangeno and Michael Stohrer

Rockin" the Suburbs

Rockin" the Suburbs