Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

Thanks to our most recent Requested Review, we're tackling the sophomore release by Dallas, Texas power-pop quartet Bobgoblin, 1997's The 12 Point Master Plan. Big guitars and big hooks make the Bobgoblin sound, but they've got to some hidden tricks up their sleeves thanks to a nimble rhythm section and tastefully used synths. Is The 12 Point Master Plan the best album you haven't heard? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Climb3:02 - History of the Band7:56 - One Down, One Across10:50 - Standing Up (to the Voice of America)17:36 - Close Your Eyes, KidOutro - Nine Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Thanks to a listener, this week we're checking out the 1999 debut album Three Hundred by The Stereo. Big hooks and loud guitars dominate this pop-punk record, with an occasional piano detour to mix things up. It was the right sound released at the right time, so why isn't The Stereo mentioned along side early 2000's successes like Fall Out Boy and New Found Glory - was it merely the public overlooking a hidden gem, or is this worth passing up? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - She Would Never4:52 - History of the Band14:48 - Ramona21:20 - DevotionOutro - Divine Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week's request review takes us to the unexplored world of Mars Accelerator, and their sophomore release from 1998, Frankfurt: Telephonics. Exploring the mathematical side of indie rock, Mars Accelerator aren't afraid to incorporate long sections of noise and dissonance paired with Built To Spill and Polvo-esque guitar riffage. Frankfurt: Telephonics is an interesting album, but is it for everyone? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Starlxt2:17 - History of the Band10:30 - Spites Are Looming14:13 - Zeroes And Ones17:08 - 1040 mOutro - Id Et Mien Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We're back with another listener review, this week week exploring the quirky power-pop of The Sugarplastic on their sophomore 1996 release, Band The Earth Is Round. The Sugarplastic combine the twisted pop of XTC and the Pixies with clear Beatles influence, occasionally detouring into They Might Be Giants and Presidents of the United States goofy-pop territory. The album works in places, but does it make for a cohesive listen? Tune in to find out.Songs in this Episode: Intro - Another Myself 2:35 - History of the Band 11:37 - Another Myself 16:29 - Polly Brown 19:04 - Sheep Outro - Transworld Modal Operator Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Grab a beverage, find a comfortable seat, or hop in the car for a road trip, because this is a long one. We take in an in-depth look at the history of one our favorite bands, The Afghan Whigs, with special guest Lee Heidel, proprietor of SummerKiss.com, the longest running and most comprehensive Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers, Gutter Twins and all-things Greg Dulli website on the planet. Then, we go off into uncharted territory and review a new album! Do To The Beast is the first Afghan Whigs album in sixteen years, but did the beast slay our expectations? The results may shock you, tune in to find out.  Songs in this Episode: Intro - Gentlemen 15:27 - Retarded 21:47 - Come See About Me 35:05 - Stage Banter/Never Take The Place of Your Man 42:33 - 66 1:06:23 - Matamoros 1:17:16 - Algiers 1:47:30 - Royal Cream 1:55:42 - These Sticks Outro - Miles Iz Dead Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We're back again to Australian for this week's requested review - the 1998 album Play With Love by Crow. Dark and ominous, with comparison to Girls Against Boys and Nick Cave, Crow shift gears throughout the album, from an industrial grind one track to a samba swing on the next - a dangerous combination in the wrong hands. Does Crow have what it takes to pull it off? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - A Broken Machine4:49 - History of the Band13:03 - Hate Need16:55 - Swollen Venus21:27 - Bobby PinOutro - Press On Let Go Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our run of Requested Reviews continues with the 1997 debut album Elsewhere for 8 Minutes by Australia's Something for Kate. On the surface this band sounds like a slightly edgier Bush, but dig deeper (as we always do) and a more complex and interesting band appears. But what made Bush successful, besides Gavin Rossdale's beautiful hair, were the radio-friendly vocal hooks. Does SFK produce the same results? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Prick2:41 - History of the Band11:54 - Captain (Million Miles An Hour)17:39 - Prick22:10 - Working Against MeOutro - Strategy Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week's Requested Review provides us with one of heaviest and loudest bands we've ever covered, Karp, and their third and final album, Self Titled LP. At only eight songs and barely thirty minutes, Self Titled LP is still a challenging album to get through thanks to plenty of abrasive mid-level frequency guitar, tempos that move from Melvins-eque sludge to frenetic punk, with a screaming vocal on top of it all. How can we not love this combination? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Bacon Industry3:00 - History of the Band10:22 - Bacon Industry17:18 - Forget the Minions25:25 - D+D FantasyOutro - J is for Genius Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

A listener suggestion takes us into previously unexplored territory - namely the ambient trip-hop of Bowery Electric, and their 1996 album Beat. Simple is an understatement, as Bowery Electric takes minimalism to near Brian Eno levels, experimenting with two-note songs and lyric-less vocals. You might expect a hate-fest from two rock lovers, and you'd be wrong. Tune in to find out where the surprises lie on Beat. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Without Stopping4:57 - History of the Band8:35 - Beat23:20 - Fear of Flying29:18 - Inside OutOutro - Coming Down Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week we're tackling the one and only release by Seattle punk band 10 Minute Warning, their 1998 self-titled album. The story of 10MW is long and troubled, taking over 20 years to release their only album, but what really matters is the music. This slab o' grunge sounds more appropriate for 1988 than 1998, but thanks to the combination of musicians and producer, 10MW sounds much more like an originator than an imitator. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Buried,3:06 - History of the Band18:01 - Face First22:21 - Buried31:26 - ErtheOutro - Pictures Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

A listener suggestion brings us the sixth studio album by King's X, their 1996 release Ear Candy. Respected and admired by musicians and a legion of dedicated fans, King's X may be the quintessential overlooked and under-appreciated Dig Me Out band. Despite heavy riffs, immaculate production and layers of harmonies, Ear Candy never made an impact on commercial radio. We try to figure out why. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Sometime3:40 - History of the Band12:49 - The Train20:08 - American Cheese (Jerry's Pianto)29:53 - Mississippi MoonOutro - Picture Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Thanks to a listener suggestion, we're finally getting a chance to revisit Ministry, and their 1992 release Psalm 69. Much like the band, we cover a lot of ground with a lengthy discussion on this important and influential album, with special guest (and suggestor) Matthew Sleightholme joining us from the UK to tackle the sounds, politics and narcotic indulgences of Al Jourgenson and crew. Songs in this Episode: Intro - N.W.O.7:52 - History of the Band21:34 - Just One Fix46:11 - Jesus Built My HotrodOutro - Corrosion Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

#162: 30 Something by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine Our first Requested Review of the year gives us a chance to check out Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, and their 1991 sophomore album 30 Something. Carter USM run the proverbial gamut of music history, from orchestral waltzes to Pet Shop Boy-esque dance anthems to Ministry and Sex Pistol vitriol, but with a bevy of digital help. Does the 1991 keyboard and drum programming stand the test of time? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Bloodsport for All 2:42 - History of the Band 7:32 - A Prince in a Pauper's Grave 14:51 - Billy's Smart Circus 20:12 - Surfin' USM Outro - Anytime Anyplace Anywhere Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

With a new Cibo Matto album out this week, it's a perfect time to revisit the oddball band from the 90s and their sophomore album Stereo Type A from 1999. Expanding their band and sound allows the band to bring in a variety of elements and genres not heard on their debut release, but does that equal too much of a good thing? Tune into find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Spoon6:38 - History of the Band20:29 - Moonchild30:05 - Speechless43:42 - StoneOutro - Sci-Fi Wasabi Follow on Twitter / FacebookRequest A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Although 90s Britpop is best known for Oasis and Blur, plenty of bands skirted the edges of stardom, among those are Ash. This week we revisit their 1998 sophomore album Nu-Clear Sounds. Dabbling equally in Britpop and American alternative, Nu-Clear Sounds bounces from delicate ballads to fuzzed-out rave-ups in an instant. Is it genius, or jarring? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Jesus Says 3:50 - History of the Band 8:54 - Projects 16:49 - Wild Surf 27:50 - Fortune Teller Outro - Folk Song Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

It’s time to bring the rock, Grand Rock that is, in the form of Sweden’s The Hellacopters, and their 1999 album. Borrowing equally from the Motown garage rock of the MCS, Stooges and Sonic Rendezvous Band, as well as stadium rockers like KISS and The Who, The Hellacopters combine it all into one big, bombastic record. While the stripped down garage rock of The White Stripes and Strokes would kick-off the '00s, The Hellacopters among a slew of other Swedish acts would put their own high-octane spin on it. We explore their game-changing third album, and discuss why Grande Rock wasn't a Grande Hit. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Move Right Out of Here4:12 - History of the Band17:42 - Welcome to Hell22:57 - Paul Stanley32:51 - LonelyOutro - The Devil Stole the Beat from the Lord Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We've talked about Catherine Wheel many times throughout the years, finally we're getting around to reviewing an album - their 1995 release Happy Days. Although their sophomore album Chrome hinted at a heavier sound from the band, their earlier shoegaze influences were still evident. Not so on Happy Days, which amps up the volume and dips into the New Wave of British Heavy Metal the same way Billy Corgan would on the Smashing Pumpkins 'Gish' and 'Siamese Dream.' Many fans were caught off guard while the band attracted a whole new audience thanks to a pair of semi-successful singles. Does Catherine Wheel's embrace of metal riffage stand the test time? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Judy Staring at the Sun6:34 - History of the Band12:12 - God Inside My Head24:37 - Heal32:15 - My ExhibitionOutro - Receive Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our second review of 2014 takes us to Knoxville, Tennessee to revisit the major label debut album Regretfully Yours by Superdrag. Released in 1996, the same year Alanis Morissette topped the charts while bands like The Verve Pipe, Dave Matthews and Rage Against the Machine followed closely behind, the retro power-pop of Superdrag seems radically out of place. Though they managed to breakthrough with Sucked Out, a minor hit, the band never crossed over into mainstream consciousness. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Sucked Out4:03 - History of the Band8:52 - Slot Machine12:49 - Phaser22:41 - Destination Ursa Major31:02 - N.A. KickerOutro - Rocket Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our first review of Season 4, we're revisiting the 1998 sophomore album Villa Elaine by Remy Zero. Comparisons at the time to Radiohead were common, but time reveals other influences creeping in from track to track, making what some would call a diverse, other inconsistent, listen. Is it a worthy album, or does the variety sink Villa Elaine? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Prophecy3:22 - History of the Band10:14 - Hermes Bird21:54 - Problem26:24 - Gramarye33:20 - FairOutro - Goodbye Little World Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our third season is a wrap, so it's time to recap. We've found our favorite tunes of the past season, and picked our album discovery of the year. Surprises? Maybe. Disagreement? Possible. Tune in to find out, to hear who received our Request a Review Thank You drawing, and for news about the upcoming 2014 season. Songs in this Episode - you have to listen to find out! Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review