The Great Albums14 Mars 2016

The Notorious BIG - Ready to Die (w/ guest Adam from Driving in the Dark)

A few weeks ago, Adam from the Driving in the Dark podcast kindly sent us an intriguing and convincing email on the virtues of rap music, pointing to The Notorious BIG's Ready to Die (1994, Bad Boy) as a great example of a singular vision executed with precision that would definitely benefit from the Great Albums treatment. So we immediately invited him to join us in a discussion. Adam turned out to be a well of knowledge about rap artists and the history of the genre's development over the last 40 years. On this podcast, we chronicle Adam's first experiences with rap music and this album before recounting how Christopher Wallace (AKA Biggie Smalls) went from teenage hustler to one of rap's most respected icons. Adam spends a lot of time kindly explaining the art of rap to Bill as the latter challenges himself with an album from a genre he doesn't have much experience with. During our track by track review of Ready to Die, we also discuss the function of narrative in rap, the evolution of Biggie's deep, smooth flow, the glorification of violence, literal interpretations of what rappers do on their albums, Brian's taste in rap music, Biggie's humor, his development as a pop songwriter, the unique choice of shout outs, the hypocrisy and contradictions present on the lyrics all throughout the album, juvenile sex skits, Biggie meeting Michael Jackson, and make sure to listen the fatigue we all push through as we have one of our longest conversations ever!

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The Promise Ring - Very Emergency (w/ guests Jim Hanke, Dan Didier)

Bill and Brian are very lucky to be joined by, not one, but TWO very special guests to discuss what we love about the Promise Ring's Very Emergency (1999, Jade Tree). First up is long time friend of t...

1 Aug 1h 33min

Jimmy Eat World - Stay on My Side Tonight

Did you know the Great Albums has a Patreon with exclusive bonus content? Here's a sample of our first bonus episode in which Bill, Brian, and our good buddy Bill Greenwood discuss Jimmy Eat World's S...

22 Juli 25min

The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

Bill and Brian dive into what they love about the Beth's debut album Future Me Hates Me (2018, Carpark) with a track-by-track review, awarding the album with the kudos we believe it justly deserves, a...

1 Juli 1h 6min

Vampire Weekend - Self-Titled

Bill and Brian discuss Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut (XL, 2008). We talk about what makes this album great, hand out some "awards," revisit what critics said, and do so much more as we share our...

1 Juni 1h 6min

Announcement - We're Back! A Podcast's Story

You heard it here first! Bill and Brian will be returning with all new episodes, a fresh format, and the same great taste on June 1st. Listen in for all the details!

1 Maj 30min

Liner Notes - Bill's Listening Habits in 2019

Bill pulls up Spotify's curated 2019 playlist and sits down to talk about what he enjoyed (or just listened to) in 2019. Bill talks about the Weakerthans, the National, the Hold Steady, Craig Finn, th...

30 Dec 201938min

Top 10 Albums of 2019 (Jeff)

Bill and Brian hang out with thegreatalbums.com blogger Jeff Fiedler as he counts down his favorite albums from 2019. Listen to find out where he ranked albums from: Lana Del Rey, Bruce Hornsby, Jonas...

16 Dec 20191h 18min

Top 10 Albums of 2019 (Brian)

Brian lists his favorite albums of 2019! Bill listens. Listen in to find out where Brian ranked albums from: Black Belt Eagle Scout, Lana Del Rey, King Princess, Jenny Lewis, Lizzo, Angel Olsen, Purpl...

9 Dec 20191h 27min