The Curmudgeon Rock Report

STP was pegged as a phony grunge band, and then it was minimized as its lead singer publicly battled drug addiction. The Curmudgeons think that was unfair, and on this episode, we make the case for what we think was one of the best bands of its era.

Songs discussed during this episode include:

Sturgill Simpson, "Juanita"

Calexico, "Quattro (World Drifts In)"

Robert Plant & Allison Krauss, "That Don't Bother Me"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Dead & Bloated"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Sex Type Thing"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Vasoline"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Big Bang Baby" 

Stone Temple Pilots, "Art School Girl"

Stone Temple Pilots, "Sour Girl"

Velvet Underground, "Sister Ray"

The Beatles, "The Long and Winding Road"

In which the Curmudgeons discuss all things Pearl Jam...and do not do it alone. Author Ronen Givony joins us to talk about the band, his book Not For You: Pearl Jam and the Present Tense, fan communities, and more. (Interview starts at 23:57.)

Entering the 1990s, Prince and Michael Jackson were made eccentric pop music men. As the decade unfolded, however, eccentricity devolved into just plain weirdness as the spotlights dimmed and both guys fought for control--and then relevancy.    

In which the Curmudgeons tear down beloved jewels from the Beastie Boys, Hole, Drake, Jeff Buckley, and others.

In which the Curmudgeons take turns speaking glowingly of eight albums, while the other takes a dump on all eight. Artists covered include David Bowie, Tori Amos, The Flaming Lips and Jay-Z.

Who gets to induct acts into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anyway? Whoever it is, they sure do whiff a lot. The Curmudgeons make the case for why Joy Division, Soundgarden, the Smiths and 10 others have been criminally ignored by these folks.

What does a megastar do after the whole megastardom thing peaks? It was a quality problem for Michael Jackson and Prince to have in the late 1980s. The Curmudgeons discuss and debate each legend's output during the era.

In which the Curmudgeon reveal their list for the 20 best "forgotten" bands in modern music. Starring: Ty Segall, Kurt Vile, Metz--and many Australians.

Nirvana launched a revolution in 1991. By 1997, that revolution had become a trend. A very bad trend. The Curmudgeons hold their noses while examining Creed, Nickelback, Bush and other lousy bands of the post-grunge era.

Bob Dylan might be 80 years old now, but his music stays forever young. Because the rock universe can't stop, won't stop covering his songs. The Curmudgeons present 10 interesting Dylan covers for discussion, with artists ranging from Eddie Vedder to Elvis Presley.

In which we consult with special guest Chan Hyeon Park, an actual Korean person, to analyze the international phenomenon known as K-Pop. Hint: It's not just about BTS.

In which the Curmudgeons survey the rotting bodies left on the rock 'n' roll battlefield after the rise of Nirvana in late 1991. No, we;re not just talking about Skid Row and Guns 'n' Roses here. Join us as we recount the demise of Genesis, Van Halen, Queensryche and others.  

The Strokes and Guns 'n' Roses were the stuff, and then they weren't. What the hell happened? It's a question the Curmudegeons ponder as we revisit 10 earth-shaking debut albums from 10 great artists...who never came close to making the same impact ever again.

Some people think 1974 sucked, but the Curmudgeons think it was a wonderful year. Patti Smith, the Jacksons, Neil Young and more, plus we review new music by the Sleaford Mods and Ghetts.

In which the Curmudgeons welcome Johns Hopkins COVID-19 beat writer Michael Eisenstein to contemplate how exactly live music might return to popular culture following the pandemic. How to do it safely? Will people actually come back? Will the touring artists and venues actually be okay? Will trust be restored? And where are we with the virus and the public health? 

In which the Curmudgeons celebrate the majesty of the concert film. Rock 'n' roll has built its legacy visually as much as audibly. Listen to our take on films featuring The White Stripes, Oasis, Talking Heads and others. Yes, we include The Last Waltz, too.  

You want the best, but the Curmudgeons give you our favorites instead. Life on pandemic lockdown has us wistful for the concert experience. Here, then, is a run through fascinating live albums, from an R.E.M. bootleg to, yes, Kiss's Alive!

Not all of rock's old cows are ready for those great big meadows in the sky. In this final installment of the Bovine Trilogy, the Curmudgeons marvel at the staying power of Dinosaur Jr., Drive-By Truckers, Wilco, Run the Jewels and...AC/DC?! Yes, miracles are real.   

In which the Curmudgeons take 10 beloved, very old artists to the slaughterhouse to put us out of our misery. Has The Who become The Why? Does Bob Dylan have anything left after his Sinatra phase? Let us rant. 

In which the Curmudgeons take down 10 artists whose iconography and undying devotion from fans and other critics is really, really hard to understand. All of these acts are great...but they're not that great. That's just our opinion, man. Listen for these grand takedowns and other rock 'n' roll musings.  

Introducing the maiden voyage of The Curmudgeon Rock Report, wherein Christopher O'Connor and Arturo Andrade, longtime friends and unabashed rock 'n' roll nerds, introduce themselves and introduce the worldview that will govern this podcast. It's a love letter and break-up letter all at once.