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Listen on iTunes Listen on SoundCloud Listen on Stitcher On Episode 13 of Song Voyage we discuss Butterflies and Hurricanes from Muse's 2003 album, Absolution. We'll discuss how this song showcases all of the band's talents--especially front man Matt Bellamy and his incredible writing, arranging, and performing skills. This will be the first episode in which Todd and Mitch are both huge fans of the band we're discussing. We'll give you our Top 5 Muse songs and moments. We'll head all the way to Eastern Europe to talk to a super fan from Latvia who was at the group's legendary "by request" shows in London and Paris and we'll debate the band's set list choices as they travel the world. All that and more on Episode 13 of Song Voyage! Show NotesMuse WebsiteAbsolution on iTunesButterflies and Hurricanes on iTunesSimulation Theory (Super Deluxe) on iTunes including version of Pressure (feat. UCLA Bruin Marching Band)Official video for Butterflies and HurricanesVideo of Assassin at Shepherd’s Bush in London (crowd goes nuts!)Entire Shepherd’s Bush concertNCLA’s multicam of AssassinKnights Of Cydonia: Live At Wembley Stadium 2007Killer Queen isolated vocal with example of layered vocal tracksArticle discussing Supremacy and Bondr/Muse Community on RedditNina Simone’s Feeling Good on YoutubeThe Struts’ Tatler Magazine on YoutubeGreta Van Fleet’s Safari Song on YoutubeDeep Purple Live in Moscow from May 2018 on YoutubeFleetwood Mac’s Tusk with USC Trojan Marching Band on Youtube

On Episode 12 of Song Voyage, we tackle Wolf Like Me from New York's TV on the Radio. This band garners a lot of strong opinions from fans and critics, and this episode will be no different. Todd and Mitch are joined by Robert Weller--operator of the metal.txt Twitter handle and lover of all things loud and terrible. He will help the hosts explain how important this band really is. We'll discuss one of the greatest Rock legends of all time who was a huge fan of TVOTR and even made a guest appearance on one of their songs. We'll also discuss the sad ending for one of the band's members and the beautiful music he helped create while battling cancer. And what will be the reaction from big fans Mitch and Robert when Todd reveals his reaction to Return to Cookie Mountain? Find out on Episode 12 of Song Voyage. Show NotesTV on the Radio WebsiteReturn to Cookie Mountain on iTunesWolf Like Me on iTunesOfficial video of Wolf Like MeRobert Weller on TwitterWolf Like Me performance on LettermanFan made video with on screen lyricsLera Lynn’s cover of Wolf Like MeMoody cover by The HolidaysInteresting cover by Local HMitch likes this cover by Reverend Sean Keller (stripped down but captures energy of original)Jazzy cover by AaronWill Do from Nine Types of Light on YouTubeYou from Nine Types of Light video including several minutes of video of band meeting at a diner after having taken a year-long hiatusVideo segment of Killer Crane from promotional film for Nine Types of Light containing footage of Gerard SmithBeautiful fan made video of Killer Crane from Nine Types of LightQueen of Soul covering The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby in concertSPIN Magazine article on Dear Science 10th Anniversary Concert

The Danish band, Volbeat, may be the best band you've never heard of and one of Todd's all-time favorites. In Episode 11 of Song Voyage, Todd is going to introduce Volbeat to Mitch. We'll talk about the song, Lola Montez, find a way to work in 22 other Volbeat songs, and we still won't have scratched the surface on this incredible band. We'll discuss how Metallica has become a big supporter of this band, offering them opening spots on many of their recent tours. Todd will tell the story of how he was actually injured at a Volbeat concert a couple of years ago. We'll detail Michael Poulsen's amazing story telling abilities, including the sad tale of a husband and father who loses everything--played out through four songs over three albums ending with one of Todd's favorite's, Mary Ann's Place.  Show NotesVolbeat WebsiteOutlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies on iTunesLola Montez on iTunesFan made video for Lola MontezLola Montez with lyricsPhoto album of concert in Odense, Denmark from the guy who Todd gave his tickets toMary Ann's Place (this is Todd's favorite live version)Video of Thanks, with kids on stage (the song Volbeat plays for their fans)Cape of our Hero video (not discussed, but one of Todd's favorites

We are headed to New York City and CBGB's in the Punk era of the mid-Seventies talking about the band Television--a group that broke up after just two albums. The title track of their debut effort, Marquee Moon, is the focus today. We'll discuss why the album, which was a commercial flop, has become such a cult classic and the inspiration for dozens of bands that followed. We'll also talk about the repetitive music and vague lyrics and what story they might be trying to tell. And why the band's cofounding member was kicked out before they even recorded their first record. All that and more on Episode 10 of Song Voyage.  Show NotesTelevision WebsiteMarquee Moon (album) on iTunesMarquee Moon (song) on iTunesMarquee Moon (song with lyrics) on YouTubeCBGB Website"Bryan Eno Demo" of Marquee Moon on YouTube Note: After recording the episode, we located this version on YouTube and noticed a comment from Richard Lloyd of Television. He says: "This was NOT produced by Brian Eno. Richard Williams from Island wanted to record the band and described that he would like to bring Eno along because Richard didn't know anything about how to record in studios. So we said OK, but didn't use a single idea that Eno brought. And then listening back we realized that Richard Meyers:(Hell) couldn't play bass with Billy all over the place so he soon after left and we brought in Fred Smith, and the music got much more stable. This version is too fast."Early Rehearsal version of Marquee Moon, 1974Seven song set at CBGB's in 1976 (Marquee Moon is the last song at 36:15)Marquee Moon in Portland, Oregon, 1978Version of Marquee Moon at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, 1978Little Johnny JewelPitchfork article on Marquee MoonEarlier Pitchfork article on the "Eno Demo" (which includes the Lloyd comment we missed)Observer Music article, "How Television Made ‘Marquee Moon,’ the Best Punk Guitar Album Ever"Rolling Stone list of Top 100 Debut Albums (2013) with Marquee Moon at #40Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2003) with Marquee Moon at #130Pitchfork list of Top 100 Albums of the 1970s with Marquee Moon at #3(!)Uncut Magazine's 100 Best Debut Albums with Marquee Moon at #2VH1's Top 100 Greatest Albums of All Time (2001) with Marquee Moon at #83Google Books image of the 1989 SPIN magazine list ranking Marquee Moon #6 on its list of greatest albums of all timeWhoSampled page on Television listing The Breakup Song as having sampled Elevation (crowd-sourced page, no official songwriting credit given to Verlaine/Lloyd, so take this with a grain of salt)

We've got something special for Episode 9 of Song Voyage. Todd and Mitch are joined by SoCal TV Sportscaster and AC/DC fan Kyle Kraska to talk about the often overlooked song Overdose. In fact, this song is his choice and he'll explain why. We'll also discuss the lyrics, how they appear to have changed over the years, and perhaps--hidden deep within--the reason the band has never, ever played this song in concert. Also, Mitch responds to an angry listener who had a big problem with our last episode. Show NotesAC/DC websiteLet There Be Rock on iTunesOverdose on iTunesOverdose on YouTubeOverdose on YouTube with lyrics in descriptionAC/DC's "Can I Sit Next To You Girl" featuring Dave Evans before Bon Scott joined bandBon Scott as a backing vocalist with The Valentines in the 1960s (close-up of Bon at 1:25)Another clip of The Valentines doing their version of Build Me Up ButtercupBon Scott's other band, Fraternity, doing their "hit" Seasons of Change on Aussie TVBrian Johnson tells his story of trying to get Chuck Berry's autograph in 1975Cover version of Overdose by Exodus Our guest host, Kyle Kraska, was kind enough to provide some photographic evidence of his alleged escapades at the Providence Civic Center. 

In Episode 8 of Song Voyage, we are talking Bruce Springsteen and the final song off of his legendary album, Born To Run--Jungleland. We'll take a close look at the album as a whole, discuss the music and lyrics, and try to explain what appears to be a sad and tragic ending to the song. We'll also talk about Clarence Clemons legacy, his amazing two minute and ten second sax solo, and how Bruce continues to honor him to this day. Plus, find out which musician Todd absolutely has a man-crush on. Show NotesBruce Springsteen websiteBorn to Run on iTunesJungleland on iTunesJungleland on YouTubeJungleland on YouTube with onscreen lyricsSaying Goodbye to Clarence Clemons "The Big Man" - NBC Nightly News (June 20, 2011)Jon Stewart introduction - Kennedy Center Honors Bruce SpringsteenJungleland live performance in Madison Square Garden in 2009 at Rock Hall ConcertJungleland live at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, NJ on 9/20/78 (this is Mitch's favorite version of the sax solo)Another absolutely blistering version of the solo in Tempe, AZ in 1980Great version--again at MSG, this time in 2007 and a little more somberFirst time playing Jungleland after Clarence's passing (Gothenburg, Sweden in 2012)Finally a Jake Clemons version from 2016 at MetLife StadiumVictoria Clemons' Tribute to her late husband Clarence ClemonsA concert in The Netherlands less than a year after The Big Man's passing when Bruce talks about missing ClarenceJust nine months after Clarence passed, Tenth Avenue Freeze Out in Atlanta featuring the Big Man Tribute, but before they added the video montageThis version of Tenth Avenue Freeze Out includes the Big Man Tribute videoU2 performing Moment of Surrender and Jungleland on the day The Big Man passedBon Jovi the day after Clarence died performed Tenth Avenue Freeze Out in DenmarkThe Boss introducing ClarenceClarence talking with a rock historian about meeting Bruce SpringsteenBruce on Colbert talking about his Top 5 Bruce songsBruce speech inducting The E Street Band into the Rock HallWaiting on a Sunny Day with little girl in OsloWaiting on a Sunny Day compilationOfficial video for Dancing in the Dark featuring Courtney Cox dancingFinnish website debating Jungleland and New York Serenade2015 NJ.com ranking of all Bruce songs lists Jungleland at #1 (readers of the site ranked it #3 behind Born to Run and Thunder Road)Vulture.com did a similar ranking of every Bruce song and put Jungleland at #7

On Episode 7 of Song Voyage, we’ve got not one, but two songs for you. We’ll be discussing the heavy metal giants, Metallica. But not the band you may be familiar with. Instead of the thrashing sounds of Fight Fire with Fire, the epic Master of Puppets, or the jaw-dropping super speed of Battery, we’ll be tackling two songs off the controversial album that typically splits Metallica’s fan base in two--Load’s The Outlaw Torn and Bleeding Me. In the next hour we’ll debate which is better, the studio versions or the live performances from the legendary S&M concert. We’ll talk about the heavy influences that classical music has had on the metal genre. And you’ll hear why legendary bassist Cliff Burton is absolutely responsible for Metallica’s evolution into Load and Re-Load. Show NotesMetallica websiteS&M on iTunesLoad on iTunesS&M version of Bleeding MeLoad version of Bleeding Me with lyricsS&M version of Outlaw TornLoad version of Outlaw Torn with lyricsTemple of the Dog: Reach DownFavorite Cliff Burton clips:Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth): 1983For Whom The Bell Tolls (Day on the Green 1985) Greatest intro to a song ever, and Cliff is the greatest headbanger of all-time!Orion: Metallica playing this on 30 year anniversary of Cliff's death (Just an incredible song)Incredible bass isolated track of Orion (1:44 and 6:37 are the high points)Classical influences discussed:Yngwie's Evil EyeMozart's Symphony #25 in G Minor (fantastically featured in the movie Amadeus)

In 1987, Prince was a world-wide superstar. After disbanding his backing group, The Revolution, he set out to create a triple-album masterpiece. The result of which was the 16-song, pared down double-album classic, Sign o' the Times. The fourth song on the album, The Ballad of Dorothy Parker, is the simple and complex story of a man flirting with a waitress in a coffee shop. Coming up in the next hour, we'll break down the music and debate the meaning of the lyrics of this very creative song, discuss the classic album track by track, and delve into some of its obvious influences and the music that it would later influence. Todd is listening to this music for the very first time. Can Mitch guess the three songs that Todd, a Hard Rock and Heavy Metal junkie, really liked?  Show NotesPrince websiteSign o' the Times on iTunesLive version of The Ballad of Dorothy Parker from One Nite Alone...The Aftershow: It Ain't Over!Prince Vault (a great website with tons of info on Prince)Prince Vault article on The Ballad of Dorothy ParkerPrince on the art of songwritingPrince guitar solo on While My Guitar Gently Weeps at George Harrison's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (Prince solo starts at 3:28)Tom Petty on Prince guitar playing at Harrison Hall of Fame inductionPrince playing a solo at an afterparty in 80s (Just My Imagination cover, solo starts at 2:30)Eric Clapton on Prince's musical genius and him saving Rock and RollDave Grohl talking about jamming with Prince and being the greatest musician who ever lived Prince playing Creep by Radiohead at CoachellaPrince part on Rolling Stone list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All TimePrince engineer Susan Rogers on recording The Ballad of Dorothy ParkerPrince on Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2001 playing The Ballad of Dorothy ParkerWikipedia article on Sign o' the Times with link to section on Critical ReceptionPearl Jam on death of PrinceRather odd, but cool, rendition on ukulele by Will & Ali

In the mid-1980s, Queensrÿche was one of the most creative Heavy Metal bands in the world. In 1988, they released Operation: Mindcrime--a concept album that follows the rise and fall of a young drug user, Nikki, who gets caught up in revolution and political assassination, all while falling in love during the process. But his rise is very short-lived and the story comes to a crescendo in the song Suite Sister Mary as it all starts to fall apart for Nikki. We're gonna talk about this ten-minute epic and discuss some of the deeper hidden meanings of the lyrics. Also, why the political and psychological message of Operation: Mindcrime could still fit into the American political discussion almost 30 years later, the wild story of what happened to the band in the years that followed the album, and will this be the first episode where we have a strong disagreement over a song?  Show NotesQueensrÿche websiteSuite Sister Mary on iTunesOperation: Mindcrime on iTunesOperation: LIVEcrime on YouTube2013 performance with Pamela Moore and Todd La TorreAnarchy X as it was originally called "Rage for Order"Gonna Get Close To You - Lisa Dalbello versionSuite Sister Mary cover by SpinPhoenixQScott Rockenfield drum cam - Eyes of a Stranger

Many artists in the 1960s were using music to forward the fight for social justice and nobody was doing it better than Curtis Mayfield. By the time he released this song in 1970, he was already a civil rights icon. We are going to discuss this scathing commentary on life in the projects and Mayfield's place in American history.  Show NotesCurtis Mayfield website(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going To Go on iTunes(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going To Go on YouTubeThe Impressions - People Get ReadyLink to whosampled.com page comparing One Love by Bob Marley and People Get Ready by The Impressions.Bobby Womack - Across 110th StreetAntiseen versionA Tribute to Curtis Mayfield tribute album on YouTube(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going To Go tribute by Narada Michael WaldenNew World Order videoDarker Than Blue documentary about Curtis MayfieldStanding the Tests of Time documentary about Curtis Mayfield

This is the band Iron Maiden. Twenty-three different members. Thirteen different lineups. Thirty-eight albums including 16 studio releases. Over 90 million album sales. Twenty-five hundred live performances. And all single-mindedly driven by one man who formed the band in 1975. We'll explain why Steve Harris is the greatest Heavy Metal songwriter of all time, why Iron Maiden is the greatest band in the world, and why Phantom of the Opera is their greatest song.  Show NotesIron Maiden websitePhantom of the Opera on iTunesPhantom of the Opera on YouTubeLive with Paul Di'AnnoLive with Bruce DickinsonLive After Death versionSong with lyricsBass only versionNicko McBrain playing Phantom with a bunch of kids. Bless his soul trying his best to hold it together.Strong Bad Email #36 - GuitarStrong Bad Email #58 - Dragon

We'll talk about why this song represented a major shift in U2's musical direction. Why so many people have different interpretations of what the lyrics means. And why, even though the song is light on guitar, it helps make the case that The Edge belongs among the great guitarists of his generation. Show NotesU2 websiteA Sort of Homecoming on iTunesA Sort of Homecoming on YouTubePost Punk on WikipediaSunday Bloody SundayI Threw a Brick Through a WindowSteve Lillywhite on WikipediaBrian Eno on WikipediaDaniel Lanois on WikipediaTalking Heads-Artists OnlyUnforgettable Fire: Drawings by Atomic Bomb Survivors, 1977Paul Celan Quote on GoodreadsSongMeanings.com - A Sort of Homecoming"Go Home" concert video performed at Slane CastleA Sort of Homecoming performed on the 2017 Joshua Tree tourVertigoWhere the Streets Have No NameTranscript of Bruce Springsteen inducting U2 into the Rock HallIt Might Get Loud (Documentary with Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White)

Our first episode tackles this eight minute heavy metal masterpiece by Avenged Sevenfold. You'll hear why this song is a kindred spirit to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. We'll talk about the tragedy that soon followed the creator and architect of this amazing music. And find out why a song about homicide, necrophilia, zombies, and mass murder can be fun for the whole family!  Show NotesAvenged Sevenfold websiteA Little Piece of Heaven on iTunesA Little Piece of Heaven on YouTubeLyrics videoTodd's favorite live performance in their hometown Long BeachMaking of videoFunny prank the band pulledPretty good guitar lessonGreat drum cover

Our first episode talks about this podcast, why we're doing it, and what we hope you might get out of it.