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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

39:46

2002 - September: Porcupine Tree “In Absentia”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/11/24

Bruce riffs on the seventh studio album by Porcupine Tree, “In Absentia,” from September 2002 (Wedding Nails / Trains / The Sound of Muzak / Blackest Eyes).STAFF PICKS: “Anger Rising” by Jerry Cantrell — Rob. “Fine Again” by Seether — Lynch. “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne — Bruce. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Ballad of Serenity” (from the television series Firefly).

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36:41

2002 - December: Audioslave “Audioslave”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/11/10

Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from Audioslave, eponymously entitled “Audioslave”from December 2002 (Cochise / Like a Stone / I am the Highway / Show Me How to Live). STAFF PICKS: " “Weathered” by Creed — Bruce. “ “Bullitproof” by Pacifier — Wayne. “When I'm Gone” by 3 Doors Down — Rob. ENTERTAINMENT/LAUGH TRACK: “Evenstar” (from the motion picture "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers").

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29:20

2025 Halloween Episode

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/10/27

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34:25

1999 - March: Collective Soul “Dosage”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/10/20

Rob riffs on the fourth studio album by Collective Soul “Dosage” from March 1999 (Tremble for My Beloved / Heavy / Slow / Run).STAFF PICKS: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals — Lynch “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim— Bruce Why I'm Here” by Oleander — Wayne ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Main Title/Trinity Infinity” (from the motion picture "The Matrix"). **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn

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36:12

2000 - October: Mark Knopfler “Sailing to Philidelphia”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/10/13

Bruce riffs on the second solo studio album by Mark Knopfler “Sailing to Philadelphia” from October 2000 (What It Is / Silvertown Blues / Do America / Sailing to Philadelphia).STAFF PICKS: "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” by Nine Days — Lynch. “Hangin Around” by Counting Crows — Rob. "Beautiful Day” by U2 — Wayne. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Frolic” by Luciano Michelini (from the TV Series "Curb Your Enthusiasm").

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30:41

2002 - August: Bowling for Soup “Drunk Enough to Dance”

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/09/29

Wayne riffs on the fourth studio album by Bowling for Soup, Drunk Enough to Dance, from August 2002 (I Don't Wanna Rock / Girl All the Bad Guys Want / Running from Your Dad / Emily).STAFF PICKS: “Without Me” by Eminem — Bruce “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age — Rob "Downfall” by Trust Company — Lynch ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "Feuer Frei!" by Rammstein (from the motion picture "XXX"). **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from

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00:30:54

2004 - September: R.E.M. "Around the Sun"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/08/11

R.E.M. put out a multitude of hits in college, modern, and alternative rock genres in the 80's and 90's. By the time that Around the Sun, the group's 13th studio album was released, the band was experiencing changes in personnel and struggles with focus. Drummer Bill Berry retired in 1997 and was replaced by Bill Reiflin. While Reiflin would be the regular percussionist for the band until their dissolution in 2011, he would not be considered a member of the band like Peter Buck (guitar), Mike

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00:32:49

1995 - October: Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Collie and...

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/08/04

The Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most successful bands of the 1990s, both commercially and critically. Their 30 million album sales worldwide makes a strong case for their importance to the alternative rock movement. The band was formed in Chicago by guitarist James Iha, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, percussionist Jimmy Chamberlin, and frontman/guitarist Billy Corgan. Corgan writes much of their material and has been the sole member to be continuously present in the group since their formation.In

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00:45:07

What the Riff?!? Close-Out Episode for 1965-1995

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/07/28

What the Riff!?! has finished covering every month from January 1965 to December 1994, and we are thrilled that you have listened with us as we review the great bands, songs, and happenings of this 30-year time span. In this episode, we bring back Brian Dickhute, one of our co-founders of the podcast, and review what we have learned, experienced, and enjoyed about this period of songs and podcast. We also feature a number of songs that were either missed in our coverage of the times, or that were

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00:43:20

1971 - October: Elton John "Madman Across the Water"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/07/21

Although this album was the fourth Elton John studio album, it was also the third album released in 1971. John had released a film soundtrack album and a live album previously in the year. Madman Across the Water is a more progressive album than his previous outings, containing nine tracks with all but the final track exceeding four minutes. Elton John also had Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman sit in on the sessions for two of the tracks, playing Hammond organ. Although it went to number 8 on the

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00:34:35

1972 - September: Carpenters "A Song for You"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/07/14

While this album is a bit soft for our typical rock and roll podcast, you just can't talk about music in the early 70's without giving some attention to the Carpenters. The dual of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter would have a multitude of hits based on their close harmonies and melodic pop sensibilities. They began as a jazz group in 1966 when Karen was still in high school, and would eventually sign to A&M Records as the Carpenters in early 1969. Richard Carpenter was the keyboardist and

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00:34:00

1970 - April: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young "Deja Vu"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/07/07

We covered the self-titled debut album from Crosby, Stills & Nash in episode 137. Deja Vu is considered the second Crosby, Stills & Nash album, but it is actually the first album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with Canadian songwriter Neil Young turning the trio into a quartet.While the album continues to feature the signature harmonies associated with Crosby, Stills & Nash, it has a harder, more rocking edge to it. Some of this is undoubtedly due to the addition of Neil Young to the album, but

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00:40:16

1970 - June: The Beatles "Let It Be"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/06/30

By the time The Beatles released their twelfth and final studio album, Let It Be, the ban had already broken up. Their official break-up was in April 1970, and this album was released in May.Much of the recording dates back over a year, and a project that Paul McCartney developed in an attempt to save the band. The Beatles went into the studio in January 1969 to begin an album, document the development on film, and showcase the band as they return both to a simpler rock 'n' roll style and to live

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00:32:34

1972 - January: America "America"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/06/23

Surprisingly, America was formed in London. The trio of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek met in London where their fathers were stationed at the United States Air Force base at RAF South Ruislip. The three attended London Central High School and began playing together on borrowed acoustic guitars. The name came from the Americana jukebox in the mess hall, and a desire to distinguish themselves from the British musicians around them who were trying to sound more American.America is also

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00:29:04

1966 - February: The Sonics "Boom"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/06/16

Before the grunge movement of the 90's, and before the punk movement of the 70's, there was the garage band phenomenon of the 60's. One of the forerunners of both punk and grunge from this garage band period is Tacoma Washington's The Sonics. Their classic lineup consisted of Rob Lind on harmonica, vocals, and sax, Gerry Roslie on organ, piano, and lead vocals, Larry Parypa on lead guitar and vocals, Andy Parypa on bass, and Bob Bennett on drums. The Sonics had a fast, hard-edged sound similar to

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00:42:23

1990 - June: Poison "Flesh & Blood"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/06/09

Flesh & Blood, the third studio album by Poison, finds the group at the top of their form. The team of Bret Michaels on lead vocals, C.C. DeVille on lead guitar, Bobby Doll on bass, and Rikki Rockett on drums had been quite successful in the glam metal genre of the mid-80's, and had developed a reputation for a "work hard, play hard" mentality. While they had a legendary stage presence, they also were plagued with fights both within and outside of the band. A number of lawsuits in various cities

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00:38:51

1972 - October: Delaney & Bonnie "D&B Together"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/06/02

One of the more underrated - some might say virtually lost - bands of the early rock era is Delaney & Bonnie. This singer-songwriter duo is made of session guitarist/vocalist Delaney Bramlett and his wife and former Ikette Bonnie Bramlett. Just as important as this founding couple is the number of talented musicians they brought into their recordings, with albums often being referenced as recorded by "Delaney & Bonnie and friends." These "friends" included luminaries such as Leon Russell, Eric

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00:33:55

1966 - January: The Yardbirds "Having a Rave Up"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/05/26

When you explore the music of The Yardbirds you are really observing the evolution of what would become hard rock. This group started in 1963 and over its time would engage the talents of three of the greatest guitarists of the rock world: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Additional musicians in the group through 1968 were Keith Relf on vocals and harmonica, Jim McCarty on drums, Chris Dreja on rhythm guitar, and Paul Samwell-Smith on bass. The group was founded in the blues, but over

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00:34:29

1972 - December: Neil Diamond "Hot August Night"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/05/19

Neil Diamond is one of the best-selling singer-songwriters of all time. In August 1972 he performed a series of 10 sold-out shows at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Recordings from this concert would be released as a live double-album entitled Hot August Night later that year in December. Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York, the child of a Jewish family. At the age of 16 he was inspired by seeing folk singer Pete Seeger perform at a camp for Jewish children in upstate New York, and

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00:30:07

1968 - September: Aretha Franklin "Aretha in Paris"

What the Riff Next Gen ·

2025/05/12

Aretha Franklin got her start at an early age in Gospel music. As the granddaughter of Gospel great Mahalia Jackson and the daughter of a prominent Baptist preacher, Franklin was heard on her father's "gospel caravan" tours at the age of twelve. By the time she became an adult in 1960 she had decided that she wanted to go into more pop music, and moved to New York for this purpose. She signed a deal with Columbia Records, in 1960, but her career would not really take off until moving to Atlantic

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