Discord and Rhyme: An Album Podcast

On her junior album Homogenic, Björk (pronounced “Bjerk”) dumped the playful genre-bending of her earlier albums for a consistent palette of strings and volcano-like, almost proto-dubstep beats, and the result is almost universally considered the pièce de résistance of her career. But even more than that, the album is a mature, unique expression of Björk’s inner life, at a time when the press often treated her as more a quirky headline in a swan dress and less a human being. Well, Discord & Rhyme will have none of that! Returning guest Shivam Bhatt has a limitless ability to gush over Björk, and he joins Rich, John, and Mike for an episode best described as “groveling at the feet of a deity.” There are so many things we love about Björk, from her truly outside the box lyricism to her absolutely otherworldly voice, and we hope this episode conveys the unpredictable joy of getting to know her music.Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Shivam BhattComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/bjrk-homogenic-1997Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpodSupport the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Sly & the Family Stone was in many ways the quintessential American band (and John’s pick as the greatest American band), a rags-to-riches-to-rags story of a San Francisco group that rose from obscurity to worldwide popularity and acclaim, only to implode from intraband conflicts and the excesses of fame. The 1973 album Fresh captures the band right before collapse, after it had survived a transformation from an optimistic 60s psychedelic soul act to a top-notch 70s cocaine funk act, and it’s both an excellent album in its own right and a fascinating prism through which to examine the band’s career as a whole. Join John, Rich, Phil, and Ben as they examine an album adored by George Clinton, Miles Davis, and Brian Eno alike, and an album that even makes "Qué Será, Será" sound cool.Cohosts: John McFerrin, Rich Bunnell, Phil Maddox, Ben MarlinComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/sly-and-the-family-stone-fresh-1973Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

It's the final segment of our Africa playlist! This one features artists from Niger and Nigeria, and ended up being very accessible to our rock-trained ears.Mdou Moctar - AdouniaMdou Moctar - TarhatazedBombino - AmidinineMamar Kassey - KarmaPrince Nico Mbarga - Sweet MotherKing Sunny Ade & His African Beats - Ja FunmiFela Kuti & Africa 70 - ZombieComplete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022Further reading:Mdou Moctar: The Hendrix of the Sahara (Esquire): https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a29817515/mdou-moctar-interview-2019/His biggest hit sold more copies than any of the Beatles'. So why haven't you heard of him? (Narratively): https://narratively.com/his-biggest-hit-sold-more-copies-than-any-of-the-beatles-so-why-havent-you-heard-of-him/Cohosts: Rich Bunnel, Mike DeFabio, Amanda RodgersOpening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique KidjoClosing credits music: Kenneth Krayliehttps://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/ Get early access to bonus episodes at https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

The song “Black Sabbath” on the album Black Sabbath by the band Black Sabbath is one of the rare occasions where the beginning of a new genre can be traced to one specific moment. We’re here to present the case that this is one of the most important records ever made, without which there would be no Iron Maiden, no Judas Priest, no Metallica, and no Def Leppard, and nobody wants to live in that world. Not only is it one of rock’s most influential albums, it still holds up incredibly well after 50 years. Just listen to that opening riff and try to say that isn’t one of the coolest things you’ve ever heard.Cohosts: Mike DeFabio, John McFerrin, Phil Maddox, Amanda RodgersComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/059-black-sabbath-black-sabbath-1970Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod 

The latest installment of our Africa playlist, concentrating on Senegal!Orchestra Baobab - Bul Ma MiinYoussou N'Dour - Immigres/Bitim RewYoussou N'Dour - 7 Seconds (feat. Neneh Cherry)Baaba Maal - Lam TooroMumford & Sons and Baaba Maal - There Will Be TimeToure Kunda - EmmaToure Kunda - Emma SalsaComplete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Amanda Rodgers, Chris Willie WilliamsOpening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Surprise! Due to some scheduling conflicts and the fact that we are all humans with lives, we weren’t able to record our scheduled episode in time. But luckily, back in April 2020, we decided it would be a good idea to record an emergency backup episode for just such an event! (Such is our dedication to you, the listener.) So we decided to tackle Revolver, an album that could only have been made by the Beatles, and only in 1966. John, Ben, and Amanda spent a couple of hours chatting about an album that blows our minds, makes us deliriously happy, and changed the course of rock music forever. Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Ben Marlin, John McFerrinComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/058-the-beatles-revolver-1966Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpodSupport the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Round 2 of the Africa playlist, this time concentrating on Mali! Ali Farka Toure — Gomni (feat. Ry Cooder) Ali Farka Toure — Debe (feat. Toumani Diabaté) Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabaté — Queen Bee Rokia Traoré — Laidu Tinariwen — Tenere Taqqim Tossam Ernest Ranglin — D’Accord Dakar Complete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022Cohosts: Rich Bunnell, Chris Willie Williams, Mike DeFabioOpening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/ https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Discord & Rhyme gets the Halloween season started with spine-tingling tales of animals, air, and paper! Well, okay... admittedly, these topics sound a bit more unsettling in the hands of Talking Heads on their 1979 opus to paranoia, Fear of Music. Dan guides a packed panel of Phil, John, Mike, and Rich through Talking Heads’ weird, transitional album that bridges the gap from the band’s early new wave style to its more eclectic flirtations with funk and world music. This ain't no party. This ain't no disco. This is Discord & Rhyme!Cohosts: Dan Watkins, Rich Bunnell, Mike DeFabio, John McFerrinComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/057-talking-heads-fear-of-music-1979Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

This is the start of our next comp series, and it's a homemade one! You'll hear the whole story in the episode, but in a nutshell, this is our chance to get acquainted with some popular music from the African continent, mostly in West Africa. We're really excited to dive into this, and we hope you enjoy it too! Gigi - Gud Fella Gigi - AdwaHamza El Din - Your Love Is Ever YoungAmr Diab - Nour el AinAlpha Blondy - Brigadier SabariAlpha Blondy - Cocody RockComplete playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cs1jq3CaAI2ivZXTuBpnk?si=4018d6cd5b044022Cohosts: Amanda Rodgers, Rich Bunnell, Chris Willie WilliamsOpening music: "Houses in Motion" by Angelique Kidjo Closing credits music: Kenneth Kraylie https://kennethkraylie.bandcamp.com/ https://casinos.bandcamp.com/

Get ready for an Elvis podcast that doesn’t contain “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” or “All Shook Up.” Come on, you’ve already heard those songs on a hundred movie soundtracks and diner mini-jukeboxes. Instead, Phil is leading Elvis obsessee Ben and utter Elvis novice Rich through From Elvis in Memphis, the 1969 album that briefly put him back in the spotlight after almost a full decade of starring in terrible movies. Buoyed by his hit comeback special, the King adopted a “country soul” sound that blends country songwriting with the sonic palette of gospel, soul, doo-wop and R&B. Elvis has a truly frustrating discography where the iconography often overshadows the actual music, but From Elvis in Memphis is one for us album nerds, and one for the ages.Cohosts: Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, Ben MarlinComplete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/elvis-presley-from-elvis-in-memphis-1969Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpodSupport the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod