176 - AidaIn this episode, we cover the Elton John/Tim Rice musical that wasn't made to be a movie! Based on the Verdi opera of the same name, it garnered an adult contemporary hit for Elton with "Written in the Stars", but the critical response was widely negative after the previews. Was it worth the hate? Let's find out with 'Aida'!Jul 15, 202441:00174 - Bob Dylan: Bringing it All Back HomeOne of the single-most important albums of all time, it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath more as albums like its better sibling 'Highway 61 Revisited', and even 'Sgt. Pepper's' and 'Nevermind'. But remembering the last time we covered Dylan, what will the theater kids think of it? This is Bob Dylan, bringin' it all back home with 'Bringing it All Back Home'!Jul 09, 202440:00173 - Pretenders: PretendersThis 1980 new wave debut is a true diamond in the rough. Jangling post-punk guitars and Chrissie Hynde's beautiful voice mesh greatly with her lyrics, which are much more than meets the eye and invite further examination. And the theater kids are here for it. It's the self-titled debut by (the) Pretenders!Jul 08, 202437:30172 - Funkadelic: Maggot BrainAlright, vacation time's over, time to release a new batch of episodes! Theres three more coming after this and we'll be caught up after an extended break of not editing and relaxing for a change. First up we got one of the defining funk albums of the 1970s, one that is surely great to introduce to a theater kid if you don't start them with the title track! It's Funkadelic, "Maggot Brain"!Jul 07, 202437:30168 - PJ Harvey: Rid of MeIn honor of the recently deceased producer legend Steve Albini, we decided to check out one of the albums he produced. This one was with the acclaimed alt-rock singer/songwriter PJ Harvey. The album is highly acclaimed for its confrontational sound and lyrics. So does it make for music that theater kids would like? Let's find out with "Rid of Me"!May 20, 202437:00167 - Rush: Permanent WavesCanada's biggest band enters the 1980s on one of their strongest albums yet. And whilst they add some newer influences to expand their sound, they never abandon their prog roots. But are catchy singles and killer guitar hooks enough to hook in the theater kids? It's Rush, "Permanent Waves"!May 12, 202441:00166 - Black Sabbath: ParanoidOne of the band's greatest albums, one of the genre of metal's greatest albums, one of the greatest albums of all time. Do the theater kids share that same sentiment with Black Sabbath's "Paranoid"? Let's find out!May 06, 202447:15165 - Kinky BootsCyndi Lauper? Really? Not that she did anything bad but...it's still perplexing.Based on the 2005 film based on the true story, this musical won six Tonys in 2013, including Best Musical. It's Kinky Boots!May 05, 202436:15164 - The Kinks: The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation SocietyA critical success upon release yet a commercial disaster, this album has since been vindicated by history and is now seen as one of the greatest albums of all time. And spoilers, this episode on The Kinks is *considerably* nicer than our previous episode on The Kinks. So let's talk "The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society"!Apr 22, 202429:30163 - Weezer: Weezer (The Blue Album)Critically praised yet publicly reviled at its release, the self-titled debut of Weezer has since seen a resurgence of appreciation thanks to its presence in internet meme culture. That and the fact it's just a damn good album. Join the theater kids as they traverse the Blue Album!Apr 15, 202401:05:00162 - The Cars: The CarsOne of the most important debuts in new wave and pop rock, this album delivers with all the killer hooks and tightness you'd hope from an album like this! And the theater kids are here for it! Let's drive with The Cars!Apr 07, 202432:30161 - 100 gecs: 1000 gecs / 10,000 gecsApril Fools description: Welcome to Hyperpop of Ages! Where we discuss a hyperpop album on each episode! And on this special first episode we take a look at the two albums by arguably the most famous hyperpop project making music right now, 100 gecs! With a few cross-tangents about Beyonce and Fox News getting in the way, of course.Regular description: When 100 gecs made their presence known in 2019, many were outraged by what they saw as horrible music. But their kids are gonna love it. In the five years since, the average reaction to the gecs has softened a little, mostly due to their second album which included more rock influences. And we're looking at both those albums, 1000 gecs and 10,000 gecs, right here!Apr 06, 202401:11:00160 - Heart: Dreamboat AnnieWe cap off March, Women's History Month, with this seminal debut album by one of the best female-led classic rock groups of all time! The theater kids might just know it from the one song from Guardians of the Galaxy 3, but it's still some good stuff. Let's hop onto "Dreamboat Annie" by Heart!Mar 31, 202435:30159 - The Cranberries: Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?Happy St. Patrick's Day to all who celebrate it! And this year to apologize for covering the Lizzie Borden musical we're taking a look at Ireland's best rock band to ever come out of the 90s, if not ever even, with a lead singer while dearly departed still shines through after all these years! The theater kids are diving into the debut of the Cranberries, "Everybody Else is Doing it, So Why Can't We?"!Mar 18, 202435:45158 - Kate Bush: The DreamingKate Bush time, baby! The Dreaming!Mar 10, 202453:45157 - Tom Waits: SwordfishtrombonesTom Waits is not a name most theater kids know, but he still has certainly made a name for himself as a music artist. In the 70s he was the barfly's barfly, making songs for the drunken heartbroken saps he knew. But in the 80s things changed. He met his wife Kathleen Brennan who turned him on to the music of Captain Beefheart, Harry Partch, and many more. In turn, his music turned rapidly experimental and dissonant, to the point where no record company wanted to release this album when it was finished. But it was eventually released and now it's the theater kids' turn to react to it! This is Tom Waits' "Swordfishtrombones"!Mar 09, 202434:30156 - Eagles: One of These NightsThe fourth entry in the Eagles canon is this album, One of These Nights. It's not as big as Hotel California but it's still especially important to them because it launched them into the mainstream with three hit singles. Will the theater kids like it? Or will they not? And will they enjoy my Eagles concert story more?Feb 26, 202440:00155 - PreludesAt the start of the 20th century, Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov was at his lowest point. His first symphony was a disaster and he believed he would amount to nothing in the world of music. But through the help of therapy, hypnosis, and self-perseverance, he pulled through and made some of the best classical pieces of the century.Over a hundred years later, Broadway genius Dave Malloy made a musical about that period of time. How does it hold up? Lets find out with "Preludes"!Feb 25, 202442:00154 - King Crimson: In the Court of the Crimson King"The plus is because Pete Townshend likes it. (...) Beware the forthcoming hype. This is ersatz sh*t."-Robert Christgau in his D+ review of King Crimson's debut album "In The Court of the Crimson King""A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic."-Jean SibeliusMe and the theater kids agree. This is prog rock.Feb 11, 202446:00153 - The B-52s: The B-52sThe zany energy from this band on their debut album still holds to this day. It's campiness in all the right ways, authentic in all of its approaches, and it's just darn fun to listen to. The theater kids are gonna have fun with the debut album by The B-52s!Feb 05, 202443:15151 - Nirvana: NevermindHow ironic that our previous episode was an album that kickstarted the glam metal scene, and this episode is an album that *killed* it! The album wasn't meant to become the global juggernaut it is, but if it didn't the musical landscape might look a little worse. And the theater kids are (mostly) in agreement! So let's look at Nirvana's "Nevermind"!Jan 22, 202401:01:00150 - Van Halen: Van HalenFrom the ashes of the slow-running classic rock train, rises a new hard rock act with a massive-sounding debut album that ushered in a new sound for rock in the 1980s up until the early 90s. And while many of the acts it inspired sound of their time and dated, somehow this album remains fresh and relevant with each passing year. And could it be because of their amazing guitarist? The theater kids sure do think so! So let's talk about the self-titled debut by Van Halen!Jan 14, 202433:45149 - WaitressSara Bareilles' musical based on the 2007 indie film of the same name was not one I expected to be so popular, and yet it is. And this is not to deny the quality of the musical, which both smells and tastes as good as a marshmallow pie! Let's look at 'Waitress'!Jan 07, 202437:30Rock of Ages Roundtable (2023)At the end of each year, we like to go around and discuss our favorite and least favorite albums we covered, along with some hopes for what the next year will bring. And on this third year of the podcast, there is a lot of good stuff to be covered! So join us as Rock of Ages says goodbye to 2023 and looks forward at 2024!Jan 06, 202441:30148 - Billy Joel: TurnstilesAfter ditching Los Angeles and its singer-songwriter scene for good, The Piano Man penned some of the greatest tunes of his career at that point and decided to throw out Columbia Records' assigned producer and band in favor of producing it himself with his own backing band. It was a risky gambit, and one that didn't work, as this album peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200.But I never said the album was bad because of it.Let's talk Billy Joel, "Turnstiles"!Also sidenote I forgot to give my rating at the end (8.5)Dec 31, 202343:45147 - The Pogues: If I Should Fall From Grace With GodOriginally recorded December 23, 2023.It's a Christmas season miracle. We are all caught up with editing episodes! And just before the end of the year! And so to celebrate, here is our Christmas episode! It's not an album centered around the holiday, but it does have one of the greatest modern Christmas songs ever. And it also has the dearly missed Shane MacGowan (1957-2023), whom this episode is dedicated to. So let's talk about The Pogues' "If I Should Fall From Grace With God"!Sidenote I accidentally referred to "Thousands are Sailing" as a song by Shane, when it's actually a song by the guitarist Phillip Chevron, I am very sorry to both of them for this mistake.Dec 29, 202347:00146 - The Clash: The ClashOriginally recorded December 16, 2023.In early 1977, punk was merely seen as a passing phase, just another loud and stupid genre by and for people who don't like anything. But that changed when a band who would later earn the moniker "The Only Band That Matters" released their debut, one of the only debut albums that matters. This album has everything. Power, style, sharp lyrics, focus. And do the theater kids like it after their middling reception towards Ramones? Well let's find out as they listen to the self-titled debut by The Clash!Dec 29, 202353:00BONUS - Ultimate Classic Rock’s Top 20 Worst Rock LyricsShortly after releasing their list on the Top 40 greatest lyrics in rock, Ultimate Classic Rock is back at again with the Top 40 *worst* lyrics in rock! Ok Top 20 actually because all the lyrics are just so good man. But once again it's up to us and only us to see how accurate this list is!The list: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/worst-rock-lyrics/Dec 23, 202321:30145 - Sleater-Kinney: The WoodsOriginally recorded December 5, 2023.Yea we recorded out of order, so? The point is we are so close to finally catching up with editing all the episodes! And this episode is Jamie's birthday episode, and she chose a wonderful album with raw aggression and emotions! Not exactly a theater kid's cup of tea, but certainly still worth their time. So let's talk Sleater-Kinney's "The Woods"!Dec 23, 202349:00144 - Bring it On: The MusicalOriginally recorded December 9, 2023.Before "Hamilton", Lin Manuel Miranda achieved Broadway success through musicals like "In The Heights" and this one based on a 2000 comedy that I never heard of. And the fact I knew this musical but not the movie and that my parents knew the movie really shows my age I think. But anyway, let's bring on "Bring it On"!Dec 22, 202334:00143 - David Bowie: Diamond DogsOriginally recorded December 2, 2023.Part one of the Cocaine Trilogy, this confused rock opera inspired by George Orwell's 1984 was released at the height of Bowie's glam period, and boy does it show and not in the best way. It's so out there that not even the theater kids can fully enjoy it. Let's talk about Bowie's "Diamond Dogs"!Dec 20, 202338:00142 - U2: WarOriginally recorded November 18, 2023.While it was "The Joshua Tree" that turned U2 into overnight rock icons, it was this third album of theirs that announced to the world that they meant business and that they had songs and messages to fight for. And the theater kids are still into it 40 years later! So let's look at U2's "War"!Dec 19, 202343:45141 - Ginger Root: City Slicker / NisemonoOriginally recorded November 11, 2023.That's right it's time for another birthday episode! Paul, who joined the Rock of Ages family this year, picked two EPs as his first birthday album because they could easily be combined as one full-length album. Both are concept EPs - not concept albums so haha I win, and both are absolute vibes. So let's dive into Ginger Root's "City Slicker" and "Nisemono"!Dec 18, 202334:30140 - Pink Floyd: The Piper at the Gates of DawnOriginally recorded November 4, 2023.1967 was an important year for the evolution of rock music, as it saw albums rooted in psychedelia that hinted at coming genres, especially progressive rock. The debut album by Pink Floyd, one of the greatest prog bands of all time, is no different. But does it still hold up after 56 years? More importantly does it hold up with theater kids? Let's find out with "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn"!Dec 17, 202341:30BONUS - Ultimate Classic Rock's Top 40 LyricsAbout a year and a half after we did a bonus episode on UCR's Top 40 Rock Singers, they've done another list and its up to us to see how accurate it is! That's right, only us. Enjoy these 30 minutes of us rambling on top of each other about what should have been on there.The list: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/best-classic-rock-lyrics/Dec 16, 202334:00139 - Murder BalladOriginally recorded October 28, 2023.The last installment of our first Halloween Month, and judging by the staggering length, you could tell I was cookin with this one! We got a special guest returning after little while, and the musical has a lot of things worth discussing! No it's not Nick Cave's "Murder Ballad*s*", this is "Murder Ballad"!Dec 15, 202301:07:30BONUS - Tribute to Jimmy Buffett / Discussion of 'Equal Strain on All Parts'This bonus episode is dedicated to Jimmy Buffett (1946-2023).While we don't review his final posthumous album in the traditional sense how we do on most of our episodes, we do look at its elements to hype ourselves for when we do cover it for real on Rock of Ages one day. We also discuss how Jimmy Buffett makes his way into our lives a little bit, and what we have planned for the future. Bubbles up, to Jimmy, and to those listening.Nov 08, 202326:30136 - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetOriginally recorded October 7, 2023.Our first episode of our first Halloween month! In November. Oh well, November's just October Part 2 anyway. But anyway we start off with one of the most spookiest and most acclaimed musicals written by the ever magnificent Sondheim, featuring one of the scariest things anyone can fathom-- Bri'ish people. This is Sweeney Todd!Nov 07, 202334:45135 - The Who: TommyOriginally recorded September 30, 2023.The chances are that if it weren't for the success of this album, Pete Townshend's rock opera about a dead, dumb, and blind boy who becomes the face of a worldwide cult because of his pinball wizardry, the many musicals we have covered or will cover on this podcast would not exist, or exist in a many different way.It's got its flaws, but the theater kids definitely recognize the importance of The Who's "Tommy"!Nov 03, 202344:00134 - The Rolling Stones: Sticky FingersOriginally recorded September 22, 2023.In this episode me and the theater kids dissect on whether or not this is the most powerful weapon in The Rolling Stones' arsenal, or the "hydrogen bomb of blues rock" to quote a specific rateyourmusic review. Let's dive right into "Sticky Fingers"!Oct 31, 202338:30133 - Come From AwayOriginally recorded September 16, 2023.We are here at the start of a moment.Our back-to-back Christopher Ashley directed musical arc concludes with a show that was praised unanimously for its portrayal of the human spirit's triumph over adversity. There's not enough words to describe here so let's just say it's "Come From Away"!Oct 30, 202343:40132 - Escape To MargaritavilleOriginally recorded September 9, 2023.The day before we recorded our Pet Sounds episode, I was received the shocking and tragic news that singer-songwriter, and beloved part of my childhood, Jimmy Buffett, passed away at 76. For the first 20 years of my life, his music was there to help my love for music grow. And his legacy will not be soon forgotten.To honor his career, I thought it would be fitting to cover a Jimmy Buffett related album on here, and since Pet Sounds is in many circles considered a concept album, I figured why not cover the jukebox musical on the podcast. I can not promise the musical comes out with perfect scores, but whatever we may say about it does not detract from Jimmy's life. This is "Escape to Margaritaville".Oct 25, 202344:30131 - The Beach Boys: Pet SoundsOriginally recorded September 3, 2023.Nothing much can be said about this album, and the mind behind it, Brian Wilson, that hasn't already been said in the following years since its release. But we don't care so we said some more anyway! The theater kids loved it, I loved it, and you might too, just listen to The Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds"Oct 21, 202344:30
