Interviews are hit or miss for sure, but VG is right that the good ones really add something.
I hit my first "backfire" episode. Previously my feelings about Counting Crows consisted of mild unexamined nostalgic affection, but now I think they're legit terrible and Duritz is an all-time awful singer and irritating whiner. I still enjoyed the ep though! I didn't bother with the Simmons interview; his Pumpkins appearance was one of the early ones that made me think the interviews were a waste of time.
― rob, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 16:30 (one year ago) link
Feel free to toss out good eps in this thread, at this point I've listened to most of the ones that I was drawn to, but you never know which ones are going to be surprisingly good based on the tangents and other artists he pulls in for background.
― change display name (Jordan), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 16:40 (one year ago) link
Yeah, same here!
I listened to the Oasis one, and it was ... OK. Oasis is innately funny, so there's that. But it's one where I made it through the whole thing (well, not much of the interview) without ever figuring out if Harvilla is at all a fan. Same thing with the New Radicals one, come to think of it. He just spends the whole time amusingly making fun of the group (however fair or good natured he may often be), but when he emerges on the other side I have no sense where he really stands. I'm not sure it matters, of course, just some cognitive dissonance on my end when he seems to have more affection for, say, Limp Bizkit than he does for an equally (or, more likely, less) shitty band. I listened to the Tool one, too, and he seemed to show some actual legit enthusiasm for the group, but right now it's an outlier among the ones I have heard.
I do like how each individual episodes sometimes seems to only glance at the state theme of the podcast, but taken as a whole they appear to be amounting to a good portrait of a period of time I remember well, even if I have no nostalgia for any of it, at least not in a "remember the '90s?" sense.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 16:47 (one year ago) link
The most reliable ones, imo, are the rap and rnb episodes. I don't think I've disliked any of those so far and moreover they tend to be peak eps for me (out of my recent listens, the DMX and Bone Thugs ones were both great), though I also find the whole project remarkably consistent so ymmv.
I liked the Oasis one, because I am embarrassed by my own brief but intense teenage love for them, so that tone worked. But that plus the Pulp one suggests he's maybe better off focusing on American music (Spice Girls ep wasn't bad though iirc?); all three of those were a little too focused on the UK music press. Compare to the Tori and Fiona Apple eps, where the (heinous) US media coverage is important but not quite as dominant in the analysis.
― rob, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:04 (one year ago) link
I thought the Alice in Chains one was good. Definitely made me appreciate the band more than I ever have, and I thought Chuck Klosterman was a fine guest.
― alpine static, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:05 (one year ago) link
I bet Bone Thugs one is great, got the Ohio connection! I think my problem is that the ones I have been looking forward to the most I have, ironically, been saving for later (like Missy, or Tori, NIN - more Ohio!, or Fiona, or Aaliyah, or Pearl Jam, or "Torn").
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:10 (one year ago) link
NIN was great, "Torn" was really good for the backstory and different versions (all the more so since I've never liked that song).
― change display name (Jordan), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:18 (one year ago) link
"Macarena" also fun for backstory and tracking the versions.
― got it in the blood, the kid's a pelican (Doctor Casino), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:19 (one year ago) link
For sure, same for Whoomp! There It Is.
― change display name (Jordan), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:24 (one year ago) link
listened ages ago so memory may not be reliable but I enjoyed the guests on Billy Ray Cyrus and Brandy/Monica episodes v much - didn't see how he could get lots of mileage out of either song but they added a new dimension
― verhexen, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:36 (one year ago) link
have only listened to a few of these but i highly recommend the one on "mind playin' tricks on me"
― deadmauZedong (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 17:46 (one year ago) link
xp yeah the guest for Billy Ray was really great
― rob, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 18:34 (one year ago) link
I have actually found that I like the episodes more for songs I don't like very much compared to songs I do enjoy.
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 18:36 (one year ago) link
Yeah, using Whoomp to talk about the whole history of Miami bass and 2 Live Crew was really good and interesting.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 18:46 (one year ago) link
Same, that's why I haven't listened to the Missy, Aaliyah, etc. eps and I'll probably listen to Limp Bizkit before those.
― change display name (Jordan), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 18:51 (one year ago) link
fwiw, the Missy and Aaliyah episodes are both good.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 18:54 (one year ago) link
my favorites for either Rob’s telling, the guest’s input, or both Mary J Blige -Real LoveWhitney Houston - I Will Always Love YouGin Blossoms -Hey JealousyTom Petty - It’s Good To Be KingHootie - Only Wanna Be w YouErykah Badu - Tyrone Bonnie Raitt - I can’t make you love meHole - Doll Parts i’ve missed a bunch but these are the one’s immediately to mind
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 19:41 (one year ago) link
I said upthread that I really liked the Sinead O'Connor and Tori Amos episodes, can't remember exactly why now though
― nate woolls, Wednesday, 22 March 2023 19:57 (one year ago) link
And Alanis Morrisette
oh yes! Sinead & Tori both A++ episodes
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 22 March 2023 20:29 (one year ago) link
Tori Amos one was great (didn't listen to the interview).
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 23 March 2023 21:03 (one year ago) link
Fiona Apple one is even better, even liked some of the discussion.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 24 March 2023 20:14 (one year ago) link
Whoa, what a way to come back (have not listened yet).
― Random Restaurateur (Jordan), Wednesday, 17 May 2023 15:39 (eleven months ago) link
Wow. I figured he was saving Teen Spirit for the final run, but it worked out because it gave time for Courtney to become a "60 Songs" fan. Looking forward to listening!
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 17 May 2023 16:27 (eleven months ago) link
So I'm about 20 minutes into the interview, and I'm finding it... rather hard to listen to, in the most literal sense. Love is talking a mile a minute but mumbling like Juliette Lewis on Yellowjackets, and her Skype connection from England isn't the greatest. Nothing really revelatory so far -- more of the conversation so far has been about Billy Corgan than Kurt Cobain -- I think I might have to bail on this one, and maybe I'll come back and listen to the rest in small doses.
― The king of the demo (bernard snowy), Wednesday, 17 May 2023 22:15 (eleven months ago) link
INCOHERENT
― The land of dreams and endless remorse (hardcore dilettante), Thursday, 18 May 2023 03:51 (eleven months ago) link
I went into her interview with Marc Maron a short while ago with the best of intentions, but I lasted less than 10 minutes.
― ⓓⓡ (Johnny Fever), Thursday, 18 May 2023 04:05 (eleven months ago) link
I started to slag her without listening earlier but deleted because I thought that seemed a little shitty. But I wonder if he tried to get Grohl and couldn't. I would much, much, much rather listen to him talk about the song than Courtney Love.
― alpine static, Thursday, 18 May 2023 06:43 (eleven months ago) link
I've made it through a decent chunk of the interview, and I mean, Courtney's is Courtney, but, I mean, Courtney Love is a force of nature and national treasure, right? She's a walking study in demonology! I think it's a good interview. Rob did a decent job trying to keep from getting thrown off this bucking bronco of pontification. I wish he had pulled out his bass when Courtney was trying to get him to accompany her on the Smells Like Teen Spirit draft lyrics. He has made no secret on this podcast of being a bass player in a former life.
― peace, man, Thursday, 18 May 2023 17:06 (eleven months ago) link
"You know that thing, imposter syndrome?""Yeah.""I've never had one day of it."
― peace, man, Thursday, 18 May 2023 17:16 (eleven months ago) link
I would much, much, much rather listen to him talk about the song than Courtney Love.
Borrrrrrring. J/k but not really, I don't know that I've heard Grohl say anything especially interesting in all of his talking head appearances. I wasn't really bothered by rolling with Courtney's stream of consciousness in the WTF interview, at least with her you'll get some surprises.
― Random Restaurateur (Jordan), Thursday, 18 May 2023 21:43 (eleven months ago) link
Incomprehensible. But in the end I’m reasonably glad I stuck with it. I found the endless namedropping and the pinball ricochet from topic to topic — often with no context at all — maddening, but by halfway through I was rolling with it, not trying to follow any of these little sidequests, taking them like random interruptions from a separate feed. I’ve never spent any time “with” Love, so this glimpse of her was sort of illuminating. I don’t 100% buy her re-framing of Kurt and her insistence that he never, ever told anyone the truth, but it adds a colour, a new layer of depth, to the mental image I have of that scene. I feel like Rob threaded the needle about as well as anyone could there — not 100% humouring her, but playing along just right, the goldilocks balance of respect and irreverence/skepticism.And Rob’s essay/performance was, as always and maybe moreso, excellent.
― The land of dreams and endless remorse (hardcore dilettante), Thursday, 18 May 2023 21:56 (eleven months ago) link
xp: couldn't disagree more, but so be it!
I usually find Grohl to be interesting and authentic when I hear him speak, especially when he's telling stories from those times, talking about Kurt, admitting to ripping off funk drummers, etc.
Stream-of-consciousness, endless-namedropping, topic-ricocheting Courtney Love sounds like a nightmare to me.
I'll listen, though. Def wanna hear Rob's essay.
― alpine static, Thursday, 18 May 2023 22:16 (eleven months ago) link
The only time I've heard Dave Grohl speak at length was on his episode of WTF which was - holy shit - over ten years ago now. I remember it being a good chat.
― peace, man, Friday, 19 May 2023 00:20 (eleven months ago) link
He was good on one NPR show or another after his book came out, very engaging dude. I would definitely listen to him. But I love Courtney, so I'm sure I'll enjoy this even if it's a mess. (How could it not be a mess? That's her brand. But a smart mess.)
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Friday, 19 May 2023 01:08 (eleven months ago) link
I'm really enjoying the first 20 mins so far and guessing the Wesley Willis and Daniel Johnston dives are more fun than 2 hours with Courtney.
― billstevejim, Friday, 19 May 2023 14:59 (eleven months ago) link
It actually settles down and gets better in the last 45 min or so, with Courtney singing the unused lyrics to Teen Spirit, talking more directly about Kurt, etc.
― Random Restaurateur (Jordan), Friday, 19 May 2023 21:27 (eleven months ago) link
Interview was a bit wild but absolutely worth it for that section. Asking Rob to play the guitar part and listening to him squirm was surreal and fantastic. Glad show is back.
― Enumerated funks of Walsh, Joe. (Sufjan Grafton), Friday, 19 May 2023 22:58 (eleven months ago) link
Here’s the thing:With this Courtney conversation - and his lovely essay - for 2 hours and 45 minutes, Kurt was alive. He wasn’t past tense, he wasn’t in pain, he wasn’t od’ing. Rob & Courtney kept him alive as a songwriter, as her then-boyfriend, as a person and not a myth and for me it was fucking magic. It made me happy. Think whatever you want about Courtney but she understood the assignment and I love her for it. And I don’t think she does that with just anyone. I think Rob being genuine & open & unjudgemental made that possible.
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 20 May 2023 04:56 (eleven months ago) link
the eurypides medea NYT bit was v funny
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 20 May 2023 05:14 (eleven months ago) link
oh and her brief Jeremy cover lol
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Saturday, 20 May 2023 05:33 (eleven months ago) link
god damn Rob's "Teen Spirit" essay was unbelievably good
― alpine static, Sunday, 4 June 2023 08:01 (ten months ago) link
otm
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, 4 June 2023 14:53 (ten months ago) link
when he said something like "we can protect Kurt by not leaving this room" i started crying
― alpine static, Sunday, 4 June 2023 17:37 (ten months ago) link
I really enjoyed the uncharacteristically focused "Regulate" episode (maybe Rob's mind switched into book mood?). When they started talking about how Nate Dogg's delayed solo album impacted his eventual legacy, I was hoping they might mention the "Nate in '08" greatest hits megamix by 1der / DJ Steve1der, which has become for me -- and I'm guessing I'm not the only one -- the go-to Nate Dogg listen.
It looks like the original Mixcloud page (with the extremely 2008 Shepard Fairey parody cover art) is still live, but I can't get the audio to play :/ Fortunately it's been mirrored (remember mirroring??) on every platform you can think of, e.g https://soundcloud.com/littleg818/nate-dogg-the-best-of-nate-dogg-ultimate-compilation-hd-by-1der
― The king of the demo (bernard snowy), Friday, 7 July 2023 10:58 (nine months ago) link
I had given up on the podcast after binging many episodes, but actually listened to that one yesterday and it was great.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 7 July 2023 11:57 (nine months ago) link
I'll probably pick it back up at some point, but non-ironically I ran out of steam on this podcast right around episode #60
― rob, Friday, 7 July 2023 14:54 (nine months ago) link
The "Birdhouse In Your Soul" episode ruuuuuuuuuuules.
― got it in the blood, the kid's a pelican (Doctor Casino), Friday, 21 July 2023 22:22 (nine months ago) link
it really does, loved it so much.
― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 21 July 2023 22:55 (nine months ago) link
Yup. Same.
― alpine static, Saturday, 22 July 2023 06:57 (nine months ago) link