Author: ernopepper

749. Atomic Rooster

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(October 2026) Episode 749 is ATOMIC ROOSTER, a UK progressive rock band from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Initially, their organ-heavy sound is not so different from contemporaries Deep Purple. But while Deep Purple branched into heavy rock, Atomic Rooster influenced prog rock. As evidence, their first drummer was Carl Palmer, who went on to prog-godhood with Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. To my ear, I find little inherent in the music that would make me want to visit it, although it is an interesting historical note for the development of prog and organ-dominated rock.

Favourite album: Death Walks Behind You

Favourite song: Break the Ice

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: The first three albums are OK. Their two 80s albums, and the 2025 reunion, offer nothing.

748. Carl Nielsen

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(September 2026) Episode 748 is CARL NIELSEN, the most famous classical composer from Denmark, which is where I was when I started this episode. Composing from the late 1800s to early 1900s his style ranges from neo-classical and post-romantic to modern with progressive tonality. His most celebrated works are his six symphonies, and the concerto and chamber music is also notable. Nielsen wrote a ton of songs, some of which became associated with Danish patriotism and identity.

Favorite piece: Symphony No. 4: Det Uudslukkelige

Favorte chamber piece: String Quartet No. 4: “Piacevolezza”

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: Symphonies 4-6, the Oboe and Clarinet Concertos, Wind Quintet and Strong Quartets 3 and 4

747. Joe Tex

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(September 2026) Episode 747 is JOE TEX. A southern soul singer whose early (1950s) recordings demonstrate how soul, R&B and country are all woven with the same fabric.  He deployed his raspy voice with versatility, including through the funk and disco (and even early rapping) phases. But at times it comes off as derivative — although Tex claims that early collaborator James Brown stole HIS dance moves and microphone tricks – and maybe that helps explain why he didn’t see the broad crossover success as others.

Favorite song: The Love You Save

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: There is no album that stands out, but there are a ton of greatest hits collections that will be fine.

746. Dark Funeral

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(September 2026) Episode 746 is DARK FUNERAL. I was in Sweden when I started this this Swedish black metal band, because one is supposed to listen to this music while in Scandinavia, right? The titles, lyrics, imagery, and costumes characteristically invoke Satan and Hell as you would expect. The music is an unyielding sonic assault, with vocals delivered in the typical death growl. But the guitar lines are merely speed-picking lines on a single string, which gets tedious after a while, resulting in a same-ness to the music across albums. It lacks the punch and power of more technically oriented metal genres. Note: I did listen to Dark Funeral while walking through a cemetery in Denmark.

Favorite album: The Secrets of the Black Arts

Favorite song: My Dark Desires

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: The first two albums, The Secrets of the Black Arts, Vobiscum Satanas

745. ABBA

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(September 2026) Episode 745 is ABBA. I began this episode in Stockholm where we visited the ABBA museum. It was craptacular. I learned HOW the group became a global sensation but still do not know WHY they did; why them and not any other Eurovision winner? Admittedly, their big hits are catchy, and while their sound is of the 1970s it does not suffer to become dated. Deeper into their albums, especially the earlier ones, there is more song diversity (yes, the men do sing). It’s mostly pleasant pop, but there is a decent amount of schlock too.

Favorite album: Arrival

Favorite song: Dancing Queen

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: The compilation ABBA Gold (one of the top 25 best selling albums of all time) will do you right.

744. Melt-Banana

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(September 2026) Episode 744 is MELT-BANANA. Call it avant-punk. This Japanese group (later a duo) start with a punk foundation of minute and half songs with fast-paced guitar/bass/drums and shouted vocals. The distinctiveness is Yosuka Onuki’s piercing, unequivocal delivery, done in English (although hard to tell) narrating absurdist song titles. Several albums in, they lengthen the songs, add electronics and elevate Ichiro Agata’s guitar wizadry, creating a hyper-energized blast of frenetic noise. I love music where I cannot imagine how anyone could come up with this stuff, and Melt-Banana is all that.

Favorite album: 3+5

Favorite song: Shield for Your Eyes, A Beast in the Well on Your Hand

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: It won’t be to everyone’s taste. Try “Cactuses Come in Flocks” for the earlier simpler material, Teeny-Shiny for a turn to the more complex, or 3+5 for a peak return after a decade off.

743. Jóhann Jóhannsson

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Episode 743 is JÓHANN JÓHANSSON. This Icelandic composer blended classical, ambient and electronic elements to create sounds and moods that are as much defined by restraint as they are by content. It seems apt that he had success in the soundtrack production, such as for Sicario, The Theory of Everything, and Arrival, as the music seems to want to accompany rather than drive the listener. Minimalism is generally Jóhannsson’s approach in his solo works too, although he offers experimentation in form and orchestration. Sadly, he died at the relatively young age of 48.

Favorite album: Englabörn & Variations

Favorite soundtrack: Arrival

Favorite song: Good night, day

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: The soundtracks listed above are good background music, but also try his solo works Englabörn, Fordlandia and IBM 1401, A User’s Manual.

741. Mercyful Fate

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(September 2026) Episode 742 is MERCYFUL FATE, arguably the most famous metal band out of Denmark, which is where I was when I started this episode. With imagery and lyrics focused on the occult, they were among the first wave of black metal bands. Their sound tended closer to hard rock than the speed/thrash that others were going for. While I like King Diamond’s banshee wails, I got turned off by his regular singing style. To be honest, I got bored after a while.

Favorite album: Don’t Break the Oath

Favorite song: A Dangerous Meeting

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: Their first two albums are the influential ones, although the several after re-forming don’t stray from the sound.

741. The Kingston Trio

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(August 2026) Episode 741 is the KINGSTON TRIO. If parody is the highest form of flattery, then it explains why I can’t help but think of the Folksmen from the mockumentary A Mighty Wind when I hear the Kingston Trio. All the elements are there – the railroad song, the vagabond song, the Spanish ballad, the shanty, the kinda racist Caribbean song. Indeed, the Kingston Trio played a major role in popularizing folk music in its revival, with all due credit. That said, I get the sense that they were sort of the Coldplay or Nickelback or their time – they sold a ton a records but were also looked down on by snobs and purists. I appreciate it, but it’s not the kind of folk music I return to.

Favorite album: Here We Go Again!

Favorite song: Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Compared to expectations: same

Recommendation: A greatest hits collection is enough; the first five albums provide their core output.

740. Louis Jordan

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(August 2026) Episode 740 of the “opus project” is LOUIS JORDAN. With his band the Tympany Five, the ebullient singer and sax player delivered an energetic blend of jazz and jump blues that bridged the swing and R&B eras, helping lead the way for the explosion of R&B and rock & roll in the 1950s. But his fame was experienced in real time with numerous hits from the late 1930s to early 1950s. It’s sad that he’s not more known today. The music is lively and gets you off your seat; you can tell the performers are having fun.

Favorite song: Choo Choo Ch’Boogie

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: The “Let the Good Times Roll” 2-disc anthology is a good offering.