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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

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All Episodes

00:43:45

1970 - October - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/12/24

“Led Zeppelin III” by Led Zeppelin Brian presents this CLASSIC album, “Three” — by Led Zeppelin. Giants of the rock genre and precursors to the heavy metal sound, Led Zeppelin would set the standard for decades as one of the big four (along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who) super groups of Rock and Roll. Powered by Jimmy Page on guitar, John Paul Jones on bass, Robert Plant on vocals, and John Bonham on percussion, Led Zeppelin was a household name in the rock world by 1970 when

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00:41:47

1988 - August - Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/12/17

“Nothing’s Shocking” by Jane’s Addiction Wayne presents this album, “Nothing's Shocking,” — the first studio album by Jane's Addiction. This alternative rock band from Los Angeles had released a self-titled live album in 1987. Perry Farrell was the lead singer and writer for the group. The group would break up in the early 90's over how to split the money. Although tensions in the band would drive the split, their heavy, angry, wall-of-sound approach would lead the way for the grunge music to

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00:39:11

1978 - June - The Cars - The Cars

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/12/10

“The Cars” by the Cars This was one of the first albums Rob bought after he got his first Stereo System. The Cars are from Boston and clearly evolved out of the NEW WAVE trend. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr met in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1960s, and released this hit-filled debut album in June of 1978. It reached 18 on the Billboard Charts, and the band was rewarded by Rolling Stone Magazine fans as “Best New Artist” that same year. Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr take turns on vocals on these

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00:45:20

Episode 27: Christmas Songs that Rock

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/12/03

Episode 27 — Christmas Songs that ROCK We're trying something new in this podcast, folks. As Christmas approaches, we're highlighting some of the Rock and Roll Christmas songs we've heard over the years. From the sublime to the slightly corny, covers to originals, Rock music has lent its voice to the Advent season. Join us this week as we review some of the classics and deeper cuts that have made for a Rock and Roll Christmas season. Bing Crosby and David Bowie - Peace on Earth/Little Drummer

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00:41:24

1981 - July - Escape - Journey

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/11/26

JULY of 1981 “Escape” by Journey Brian hosts this seventh album from JOURNEY — Escape, which catapulted the rock group into the stratosphere on the strength of Steve Perry's soaring vocals, Neal Schon's hook-laden guitar riffs, and newcomer Jonathan Cain's keyboards and songwriting. The album artwork featured a stylized scarab spaceship breaking out of a sphere. This album transitions from a straightforward hard rock vibe with "Keep on Runnin'" to a more mellow rock sound with Perry's

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00:44:46

1976 - April - 2112 - Rush

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/11/19

APRIL of 1976 “2112” by Rush Bruce brings us one of his all-time-favorites. This album is the one where Rush became RUSH. In the wake of "Caress of Steel" their third album which was neither a commercial nor a critical success, Mercury Records considered dropping the band. Ray Daniels, manager for Rush, negotiated to have the group make one more album. The label wanted them to make more accessible songs — shorter— with more singles. NOPE. Instead, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil

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00:43:58

1982 - July - Pictures at Eleven - Robert Plant

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/11/12

JULY of 1982 “Pictures at Eleven” by Robert Plant With drummer John Bonham's death in 1980, Led Zeppelin disbanded. “Pictures at Eleven” was Zeppelin front man Robert Plant's debut solo album — one that Rob appreciated even more than Zepplin. Plant put together an excellent collection of talent to help out, including Genesis drummer Phil Collins and ex-Rainbow drummer Cozy Powell, session guitarist Robbie Blunt, and Black Sabbath keyboardist Jezz Woodroffe. “Pictures at Eleven” was released in

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00:38:03

1971 - June - One World - Rare Earth

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/11/05

JUNE of 1971 “One World” by Rare Earth Detroit-based Rare Earth brought a funk rock fusion sound to the scene. Motown was looking to expand its repertoire and signed Rare Earth to a yet-to-be-named record label more focused on white rock acts. When members of Rare Earth suggested that they name the record label "Rare Earth," Motown surprisingly decided to do so. Rare Earth had a string of successes in the late 60's and early 70's, and this fourth album entitled One World was one of

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00:43:39

1982 - March - Asia - Asia

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/10/29

MARCH of 1982 “Asia” by Asia In early 1981 with the apparent demise of prog-rock supergroups Yes and Emerson Lake & Palmer, a new supergroup began. With Jon Wetton (King Crimson) on vocals and bass guitar, Steve Howe (Yes) on lead guitar, Geoff Downes (Yes and The Buggles) on keyboards, and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake, and Palmer) on drums, Asia began work on this self-titled debut album which would rocket up the charts with a combination of complex musicality and tight, accessible tracks. The

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00:44:21

1978 - July - Some Girls- The Rolling Stones

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/10/22

“Some Girls” by the Rolling Stones By the time that “Some Girls” was released The Rolling Stones were a household name. This was their 14th British and 16th Studio album, and was both a commercial and critical hit. Many reviewers consider this the best album since "Exile on Main Street." Rock music was taking a back seat to punk rock and glam rock, and the late '70's was dominated by disco. “Some Girls” represents a return to Rock's roots, and focuses on the vibe of New York. We hope

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00:38:27

1994 - May - Dulcinea - Toad the Wet Sprocket

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/10/15

“Dulcinea” by Toad the Wet Sprocket This fourth album by Toad the Wet Sprocket takes its name, “Dulcinea,” from Don Quixote's love interest in the Cervantes novel. “Toad the Wet Sprocket” was formed in 1986, and takes ITS name from a Monte Python sketch. Consisting of Glen Phillips on guitar and vocals, Todd Nichols on guitar, Dean Dinning on bass, and Randy Guss on drums, Toad the Wet Sprocket was one of the flagship bands of the alternative rock movement of the 90's. While the group broke up

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00:31:06

1967 - JULY - The Doors - The Doors

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/10/08

“The Doors” by The Doors With their self-titled debut, The Doors burst onto the late 1960's scene on the strength of Jim Morrison's poetry and psychedelic style. There's a dark element to the group. The band takes its name from a book by Aldous Huxley called "The Doors of Perception," and took inspiration from concepts of altered perception. Jim Morrison could not read music or play an instrument but was a poet as well as a singer. His poetry infiltrates all of The Doors music. We hope

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00:47:12

1985 - JUNE - Dream of the Blue Turtles - Sting

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/10/01

“Dream of the Blue Turtles” by Sting This is the first solo album from Sting - formerly known as Gordon Sumner - formerly the front man of the ultra-successful band, “The Police.” The title, “The Dream of the Blue Turtles” was based on a dream Sting had while recording in Barbados. He was sitting in his walled garden at his home, and the wall crumbled down as a crowd of giant blue turtles invaded and destroyed the garden. This album garnered a bunch of Grammy nominations, including Album of the

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00:40:05

1981 - APRIL - Fair Warning - Van Halen

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/09/24

“Fair Warning” by Van Halen Eddie and Alex Van Halen moved to America from the Netherlands as children of a musician father. Eddie and Alex formed their band along with front man and perennial showman David Lee Roth and bassist/vocalist Michael Anthony, and were known as a hard working band in Pasadena. It wasn't long before they developed a following of several thousand in the area, and Gene Simmons of Kiss fame connected them with a record label. Join us as Brian brings us this hard charging

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00:37:20

1992 - DEC - Gordon - Bare Naked Ladies

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/09/17

“Gordon” by The Bare Naked Ladies Some groups take themselves way too seriously. That is an accusation that could never be leveled against the Barenaked Ladies. Rob shares that Ed Robertson and Steven Page began the group after getting bored at a Bob Dylan concert. They made up a list of imaginary bands for music critics...and a few years later entered a local music festival under the name of one of them: “The Bare Naked Ladies.” Their album “Gordon” is the debut studio effort on a major label,

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00:27:23

1965 - SEPT - Animal Tracks - The Animals

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/09/10

“Animal Tracks” by The Animals Wayne hosts this episode on The Animals. Formed in 1962 as an electric blues/rock band, The Animals followed a trend amongst many British Invasion groups of the day in arranging blues songs in a rock format. They would later get more psychedelic, but the album Animal Tracks is from their earlier, blues-focused era. Eric Burdon fronts the group, and The Animals would become Eric Burdon and the Animals after some of the original members left in 1966. Join us as we get

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00:41:00

1993 - AUG - Grave Dancer's Union - Soul Asylum

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/09/03

** GRAVE DANCER'S UNION by Soul Asylum ** Wayne shares this great album by 90s sensation, Soul Asylum. Black Gold Somebody to Shove Get on Out April Fools ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from “Frazier.” STAFF PICKS: "Believe" by Lenny Kravitz — Bruce. “Fields of Gold” by Sting — Brian. “Come Undone” by Duran Duran - Rob. “Not Quite Sonic” by Mother Earth — Wayne. LAUGH TRACK: "Three Little Pigs" by Green Jelly. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”NOTE: To adjust the loudness of

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00:38:43

1974 - Sept - Crime of the Century - Supertramp

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/08/27

CRIME OF THE CENTURY by Supertramp Rob brings us Supertramp — with their commercial breakthrough, Crime of the Century, their third studio album. Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson rebuilt the group after their first two unsuccessful albums, adding Bob C. Benburg on drums, Dougie Thomson on bass, and John Helliwell as their woodwinds player. Although not a concept album, Crime of the Century loosely follows themes involving loneliness, struggles with conformity, and mental struggles. This album

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00:51:36

1981 - Allied Forces - Triumph

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/08/20

ALLIED FORCES by Triumph. Brought to us by Bruce, Triumph was a great band out of Canada that tended to be in Rush's shadow. They hit their greatest commercial success in 1981 with their fourth album Allied Forces. Featuring Gil Moore on drums and vocals, Mike Levine on bass and keyboards, and Rik Emmett on the high vocals and the flying "V" guitar, Triumph wrote stunning anthems and driving rock pieces with a bent to the prog rock and classical styles. This podcast features this

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00:39:33

1994 - DECEMBER - Second Coming - Stone Roses

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2018/08/13

SECOND COMING by The Stone Roses. The Stone Roses burst on the scene in 1989 with their self-titled debut album. However, legal wrangling with their record label, combined with slow progress on new material caused their next album to be delayed for years. That second album entitled “Second Coming” was finally released in December 1994. The Stone Roses are out of Manchester, England, and showed up during a time when Manchester was a musical hotbed. After their first album, hailed by critics as

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