(January 2026) Episode 704 is THE BOOMTOWN RATS. I also started this episode while in Ireland. You may recognize their one U.S. hit, the piano ode “I Don’t Like Mondays.” Americans will likely recognize frontman Bob Geldof from his humanitarian activism through Band Aid and Live Aid, and for starring as Pink in the movie version of The Wall. The Dublin-based group came up in the 70s punk era, and their first album has an angular, snotty, post-punk feel. But their direction was pointing to the mainstream, and subsequent albums offer serviceable but unremarkable 80s pop/rock songs.

Favourite album: The Boomtown Rats

Favourite song: Lookin’ After No. 1

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: The first two albums have some post-punk/new wave energy, but I found nothing interesting in the rest.

(January 2026) Episode 700 is THE TUBES. When asked which band I would like to have seen live, I list The Tubes near the top, given their reputation for wildness, role playing and parody. Unsurprisingly, their first albums reflect this theatrical quality, often with lampooning lyrics and song titles, epitomized by “White Punks on Dope.” It evokes the stuff Zappa was putting out in the mid-1970s. As the 1980s approached, they shifted to strive for radio/MTV hits, with successes like “Talk to Ya Later” and “She’s a Beauty.” (This was probably the first time in 40+ years I’d heard “Sushi Girl” and “Tip of my Tongue,” but I still sang along!). All in all, they don’t leave much of a legacy. The energy they gave to live shows doesn’t well translate to album, and the later albums are unremarkable 80s pop/rock.

Favorite album: The Tubes

Favorite song: What Do You Want From Life

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: The first two albums provide some parodic moments and maybe pull up some of those singles for nostalgia, but that’s it.

(November 2025) Episode 691 is The FRATELLIS. This Scottish indie rock’s first two albums from the 00s offer poppy, peppy songs full of melodic hooks. You may recognize “Chelsea Dagger” from its get-the-crowd-singing use by sports teams, including as the goal song for the Chicago Blackhawks. But thereafter, each successive album gets less interesting, devolving into typical 2010s shiny pop-rock where over-production substitutes for creativity.

Favourite album: Here We Stand

Favourite song: Babydoll

Compared to expectations: ↓

Recommendation: The first two albums Costello Songs and Here We Stand are a fun listen

(September 2025) Episode 682 is THE PEANUT BUTTER CONSPIRACY. Sometimes I think about repurposing the Project into a completist obsession to listen to every recording released between 1965-69. Doing an episode on The Peanut Butter Conspiracy serves that goal as well. They were a short-lived group from the L.A. scene that gets labelled psychedelic, although in the hippy/groovy California sense. I might call it sunshine pop with a fuzz guitar edge. With male and female vocal leads, they have a Mamas and the Papas sound, with a bit of Jefferson Airplane too. Their first two albums are perfect period pieces, as is having a three-word nonsense name.* Their third album, reflecting both personnel changes and 1968’s big shift in musical attitudes, is forgettable.

Favorite album: The Great Conspiracy

Favorite song: Living, Loving Life

Compared to expectations: ↑

Recommendation: The first two albums are an enjoyable dip into what’s-happenin’-now groovy tunes.

* Quicksilver Messenger Service, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Chocolate Watchband, 13^th Floor Elevators, etc.