Bands Across America: Ohio (Raspberries & Nine Inch Nails)

Bands Across America: Ohio

The Raspberries – Starting Over (1974) & Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral (1994)

Our summer road trip rolls into Ohio, the Buckeye State and a cradle of American music innovation. This week, we spotlight two albums that showcase Ohio’s extraordinary range: the power-pop brilliance of The Raspberries’ swan song Starting Over, and the industrial angst of Nine Inch Nails’ genre-defining The Downward Spiral. Join us as we dig into the legacies, standout tracks, and Ohio roots of these iconic records.

What’s Inside:

- The Raspberries’ melodic mastery, British Invasion flair, and bittersweet farewell to the Cleveland scene

- Nine Inch Nails’ sonic extremes, concept-driven descent into darkness, and the Cleveland underground’s global impact

- Our takes on each album’s vibe, production, and lasting influence—plus, which one best captures the spirit of Ohio

- Deep questions, click-bait headlines, and reflections on what makes these albums essential listening for any road trip through the Buckeye State

Diggin’:

- Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power (1992): Texas groove metal at its most ferocious, with Dimebag Darrell’s iconic riffs and Phil Anselmo’s raw vocals

- URNE – “Harken the Waves” (2025): Epic, 9-minute metal journey from London’s genre-blending trio, featuring Mastodon’s Troy Sanders

- Suede (The London Suede) – Antidepressants (2025): Britpop legends return with a post-punk exploration of modern anxiety and connection

- Pet Shop Boys – Hymn (In Memoriam Alexei Navalny) (2025): Synth-pop duo’s moving tribute to the late Russian opposition leader, blending protest and melody

Podcast Shout-Out:

Don’t miss our friends Jeremy and Jon at Polyphonic Press—a spontaneous, in-depth discussion of classic albums, randomly selected and passionately dissected. Find Polyphonic Press wherever you get your podcasts.

Join the Conversation!

What’s your favorite album from Ohio? What are you spinning lately? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, and Threads @albumnerds, or email us at podcast@albumnerds.com.

Thanks for listening—see you on the road!