Sad Dad Radio Hour

In the second episode of season two, the guys talk about the last album that Pitchfork gave a 10/10-- Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Released in 2010, Ye was fresh off of causing controversy at the 2009 VMA after interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech. Middle America was appalled and horrified, and so, in order to regain his composure West and company fly out to Honolulu where they work around the clock crafting a breathtaking, magnum opus. It's sleek. It's opulent. It's one hell of an album.

In the first episode of season two, the guys explore the self-titled debut from folk punk icon, Paul Baribeau. Released in 2004, it was a marquee release for Plan-It-X-Records and a crucial album for the midwest folk punk scene of the 00's. Emotionally raw, decidedly sad, and in many respects, a shockingly honest record.

In the final episode of season one, the guys bring three of their favorite albums from 2018 to the table. From Daughters to Soccer Mommy, Kamasi Washington to Sleep, the Sad Dad Radio Hour yaks on about their likes and dislikes of the various projects. They also look back and touch upon the various trends of the year. So sit back, and enjoy our season one finale.

Today the guys embark on a magical journey, full of delightful surprises, family-friendly lessons, and unforgettable characters, as we breakdown the “Summer in Abaddon” by Pinback. The album, released by Touch and Go Records in October of 2004, and was one of the many indie rock albums that was released during the in-between-times. The dark forces of illegal downloading had all but prevailed, but the forces of good were coalescing, much like the Rohirrim at the conclusion of The Battle of Hornburg. White people music was making a come back, or so it seemed, thanks to the growing popularity of indie music blogs, and the increased hiring of liberal arts school graduates by car commercial producers. Among that new wave of indie records was this album, Pinback’s third. The album fused math rock precision with pop sensibility, and served as the most refined example of the band’s sound to-date. Alas, the good days do not last forever. Joy is only a momentary absence of sadness, which is the true fabric of ex

In this episode, the guys are taking it back to 1972, as they talk about Lou Reed’s Transformer. Two years after quietly walking away from the Velvet Underground, and on the heels of his first solo album which was widely considered to be a commercial flop, Lou (alongside Mick Ronson and David Bowie) delivered Transformer. It’s an album about identity, staged in the heart of New York.

In episode sixteen, the guys try to stay positive while breaking down The Hold Steady's "Stay Positive". Released in 2008, the Craig Finn and co. explore the idea of aging gracefully and what happens to the youth of today after "they [get] a bit older, more adult with more adult problems." There's plenty of “woahs”, “ooohs”, and “sha la las”-- so grab a double whiskey coke (no ice)and kick back as we discuss one massive album and its killer parties.

In episode fifteen, the guys are still mourning the breakup of LVL Up and decide to break down their second album-- Hoodwink'd. Released as a DIY project in 2014 on Double Double Whammy, they explore the pains of their early 20s. Recorded when Mike, David, Nick, and Greg were fresh out of college at SUNY, the group paints a landscape that truly encapsulates the day to day hardships that they would eventually triumph over. While the four-piece New York band recently broke up, their music still lives on in our hearts! Oh yeah, "KRILL FOREVER!!!"

In episode 14, the guys discuss indie rock giants, Death Cab For Cutie's Something About Airplanes. The album, which was released in 1998 as their first studio album, set the tone for a band which become synonymous with the latest iteration of the "quiet guy" archetype that emerged in the early 2000s. At the same time, and perhaps as would be expected, the album can be quite apart from the band's later albums-- particularly Transatlanticism and Plans-- that would propel Death Cab to mega-stardom.

In episode thirteen, the guys break In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by the legendary indie rock group Neutral Milk Hotel. In the words of journalist, Kim Cooper, it’s “weird, beautiful, absorbing, difficult, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is a surrealist text loosely based on the life, suffering and reincarnation of Anne Frank.” Throw in a two-head boy, a siamese twin, and a flying phonograph--and you got yourself an album. In addition, they talk about the time they met the man himself-- Jeff "Motherfuckin" Mangum. So sit down, and relax; it's sure to be a wild ride as we go up and over each track, trying to figure out what the hell makes this album so special.

In episode twelve, the guys tackle Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's "The Nashville Sound". The album is the latest release from alt. country royalty-- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. If you didn't know, Jason is from the legendary, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. After a stink with the Drive-by Truckers, Isbell left to pursue his solo career with the band, The 400 Unit, comprised mainly of session musicians from his home town. The album comes across as rich, introspective, and at times vulnerable as Jason and the band tackle issues from all spectrums of life. It covers achy ballads, real "classic" country, and even some songs that wouldn't be completely remiss from a conversation about hard rock. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

In episode eleven, the guys break down Nirvana's MTV Unplugged in New York. Recorded back in 1993, and released just months after Kurt Cobain's passing, this album is a huge part of the band’s mythology and excellent overview of the group’s career and influences. It’s a study in contrasts, often hilarious and achingly sad, a tribute to Cobain’s heroes as well as a confident showcase of his own songwriting prowess. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.

In episode ten, the guys discuss Diary by Sunny Day Real Estate. Take a second to Google “Best Emo Albums” and you’re guaranteed to find this bad boy at the top of that list. It’s chock full of angst, emotional power, and was instrumental in setting the parameters for the next decade of emo music. So crack a cold one, and buckle up.

In episode nine, the guys honor the recently deceased Scott Hutchison, with Frightened Rabbit’s Midnight Organ Fight. Released in 2008 on Fat Cat Records, the album delivers a punch to the gut of roughly 48 minutes of emotionally charged indie rock. It’s a classic breakup album, as the songs on Midnight Organ Fight recount the days surrounding Scott dissolving relationship with his former highschool and college sweetheart. It’s lush, it’s dynamic, and it’s a damn good album.

In episode eight, the guys dive into Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties' 2014 debut, "We Don't Have Each Other". Originally written as a series of journal entries by Dan "Soupy" Campbell, frontman for the punk band, the Wonder Years--we are introduced to the tale of the fictional character of Aaron West and his journey to the American South in search for a way to deal with loss and his own demons.

In episode seven, the guys talk shop about the Silver Jews 1998 classic American Water. Recorded on the heels of the band’s tumultuous second record The Natural Bridge which saw frontman David Berman have a near mental breakdown, American Water reunited him with his friends Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich of the band Pavement and finally brought together all the disparate elements that made previous records so special. We also talk about what's more important 9/11 or Dale Earnhardt's dead...so yeah.

In this episode, the guys bullshit around for an hour. They talk about Kanye, The Thermals, Sleep, School House Rock, Stephen Hawkings, and some other bullshit band that Ben listens to. It's Derby time, so get a glass of bourbon, little bit of ice, a bottle of Ale 8, and make yo' self a Kentucky Swamp Ass.

In this episode, the guys talk about Tegan and Sara's The Con. On that album, Tegan and Sara mix insecurity with boldness, guitars with electric keyboards, and 2007 emo sensibilities with timeless reflections on love and loss. Plus, it’s the album that spawned the best haircut of the decade. So sit back, relax, and join us for the 4th or 5th best hour of your day.

In episode four, the guys tackle Strand of Oak’s first album Leave Ruin. Released in 2009, this project revolves around front man, and only band member at the time, Timothy Showalter’s devastatingly personal narrative about loss and heartbreak. Forget Justin Vernon breaking up with his girlfriend and moving to a cabin in the woods. Prior to the release of this album, Timothy had his high school sweetheart break off their engagement, literally saw his house burn down to the ground, and was left with virtually nothing but the ashes. Forced to sleep on park benches as he coped with the loss, he took that grief and anguish, and transformed it into the album that we are discussing today.

In episode three, the guys talk about the Pennsylvanian punk-rockers: the Menzingers. In 2017, the band released their latest record, "After the Party", as a love letter to their 20's. It's the closest thing we've discussed to a Sad Dad concept album. So relax, crack a Miller, and enjoy.

In episode two, the guys tackle The Cure’s 1989 classic Disintegration. Recorded in 1988 amidst longtime drummer Lol Tolhurst’s descent into alcoholism and singer/guitarist/songwriter Robert Smith’s near-constant LSD abuse... talk about a lush, gloomy, whirlpool of a record.