Spin It! The Record Ranking Podcast

Afleveringen

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  Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 261 17.07.2026 1u 32min

  Welcome To The Jungle! We've got fun and games, and an Appetite For Destruction with Guns N' Roses powerful debut album! From the green grass of Paradise City to the screaming energy of the Night Train, the record features some of the band's biggest hits. We'll learn about their Guns AND Rose beginnings (it's more literal than you think), get into their endless bad ideas, and explore everything from Slash's iconic top hat to the decade-long making of Chinese Democracy. This album features gripping guitar solos, lyrics that are the essence of sex, drugs, & rock n' roll, and authentic moans... How will one of Connor's favorite metal bands score?James & Connor talk about our GNR history, from marching bands to Guitar Hero. We criticize apostrophes, "ta," and more. The Mixtaper has an Appetite For Deception, as he's Out Ta Get Us with facts about a home zoo, a famous bedtime story, and the Mind-Boggling Tale Of Buckethead. Get your pooper scoopers ready. Our way, Axl Rose's way, Anything Goes on this wild episode as we kick off the Year Of Missing Pieces! Do you like the Guns side or the Roses side of the album better? Does Sweet Child O' Mine get stuck in your head? Will you ever be able to listen to Rocket Queen the same way again?? Let us know what's in your Paradise City on social media or at www.SpinItPod.com, and follow for more episodes (now biweekly)!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:25 The Year Of Missing Pieces3:40 About Guns N' Roses9:49 About Appetite For Destruction24:13 Awards & Accolades25:07 Fact Or Spin26:27 Fast Fired Facts: ApPETite For Destruction35:59 Slash Got A Famous Bedtime Story39:19 Porn, Poop, And Chicken Coops: The Mind-Boggling Tale Of Buckethead45:30 Someone Lost A Seat On A Plane To A Hat53:07 Slash Is A Bit Of An Artist56:30 Album Art59:26 Welcome To The Jungle1:03:46 It's So Easy1:05:19 Nightrain1:07:05 Out Ta Get Me1:09:19 Mr. Brownstone1:10:28 Paradise City1:13:44 My Michelle1:15:09 Think About You1:16:08 Sweet Child O' Mine1:19:05 You're Crazy1:20:42 Anything Goes1:21:56 Rocket Queen1:24:01 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  A Spin It Special Announcement - We're Going Biweekly! 10.07.2026 5min

  We have an announcement to make! After five straight years without missing a Friday release, we're making a change: we're going biweekly and releasing new episodes every other week. It'll still be the same podcast you know and love, just on a different schedule. We're hoping it will free us up to keep doing deep research and solid editing, while giving us some breathing room for big changes in our personal lives. And who knows, with more energy we might just be able to crank out more bonus content this year, too! Thanks for five great (nonstop) years, and we can't wait to see what the next era of Spin It has in store!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 260 03.07.2026 1u 23min

  So you think you can tell Heaven from Hell? The Year Of Redemption comes to an epic conclusion this week as we review and rank Wish You Were Here, the sprawling concept album of absence by the ever-innovative Pink Floyd! After founding member and creative engine Syd Barrett had to step away from the band due to acute mental health concerns, the band processed their grief in the best way they knew how: through song. WWYH has gone down as one of the band's best, so we decided to find out why.In our early days we explored Dark Side Of The Moon. Connor gave it a surprisingly low score... with five years of music and score calibration under our belts, will this record take the band to new heights? We'll talk about our expanding Pink Floyd fandom, learn about the tension that divided Gilmour and Waters, and more. We'll Have A Cigar with the Mixtaper as we learn about the 4-story hog that got away, a floating studio, and mesmerizing magma. Then we'll be Welcomed To The Machine with this iconic record! (Oh, and by the way.. which one's Pink?)Shine On, You Crazy Diamond! Which part of the 20-minute suite is your favorite? Would you have a cigar with Pink Floyd? Have you ever seen a pig at 35,000 feet? Let us know in the comments and on socials! Be sure to follow or subscribe wherever you listen for the next era of Spin It!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:25 Last Time: Dark Side Of The Moon7:32 About Pink Floyd18:16 About Wish You Were Here28:42 Awards & Accolades30:29 Fact Or Spin31:35 Pink Floyd Tried To Shoot Down A Flying Pig... And Failed38:42 Syd Barrett and David Gilmour Were Arrested41:36 David Gilmour Has A Unique Recording Studio50:50 They Spent Entire Evenings Staring At Lava56:05 Album Art58:51 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5)1:02:54 Welcome To The Machine1:04:46 Have A Cigar1:07:29 Wish You Were Here1:09:53 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 6-9)1:12:43 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  All Things Must Pass - George Harrison | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 259 26.06.2026 1u 19min

  Sunrise doesn't last all morning, but maybe it'll stay around a bit longer for our episode on All Things Must Pass, the trailblazing triple album by former Beatle George Harrison! The Beatles passed up on a hefty number of George's songs over the years, and with their breakup he was free to create like never before! His proper debut solo record blends genres, explores spirituality, and piques interest like few records can. With Phil Spector's wall of sound production style backing up folk- and Hindu-inspired rock, All Things Must Pass is George at his finest.This week we're learning British slang, asking What Is Life, and Letting It Down! Will this solo record rise above Connor's Beatles score? If you really wanna know George, we'll cover his musical past (all the way back to the womb), his beloved Friar Park home, and his final message to the world. The Mixtaper is back with George Harrispins about thieving monkeys, botanical inquest, and trap shooting! Then we'll get a little Wah-Wah and a LOT of slide guitar as we focus up on this record, right down to the special Apple Jam ending!Which gnome are you? What's your favorite ex-Beatle solo album? Have you ever used the term "flumbertyjack" before? Let us know! And be sure to follow for the shocking end to the Year Of Redemption next week! Thanks for five great years and counting!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:32 About George Harrison11:29 About All Things Must Pass21:32 Awards & Accolades22:21 Fact Or Spin23:34 George Harrisunflower28:19 George Harrison Of A Gun31:35 George Harrigibbonson35:45 George Harripython42:52 Album Art44:11 I'd Have You Anytime46:31 My Sweet Lord49:17 Wah-Wah51:38 Isn't It A Pity53:15 What Is Life55:28 If Not For You56:20 Behind That Locked Door56:38 Let It Down57:45 Run Of The Mill, I Live For You58:02 Beware Of Darkness58:43 Apple Scruffs1:01:26 Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll), Awaiting On You All1:02:03 All Things Must Pass1:05:01 I Dig Love1:06:16 Art Of Dying, Isn't It A Pity - Version Two1:06:59 Hear Me Lord1:08:39 Apple Jam1:11:49 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Hot August Night - Neil Diamond | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 258 (Connor's Pick) 19.06.2026 1u 39min

  Good times never seemed so good this week! We're taking it back to a Hot August Night in 1971, when Neil Diamond delivered an iconic performance at LA's Greek Theatre! The show produced a live double album packed with his early career's greatest hits, from the pining Red Red Wine to the powerful I Am... I Said (and of course, a prerequisite dose of Sweet Caroline). We'll learn how his pre-med career evolved from the Brill Building to the stage and find out what made him such a compelling arranger and performer. Can Connor's gamble rise above James' previous ranking of Stones?We'll dwell on previous Diamond experience, explore the jukebox musical centered around his life, and lament an expensive divorce or two. The Mixtaper (a Solitary Man) keeps Connor en garde with facts on swordplay, birdsmithing, and bad actors during Fact Or Spin! Then we focus in on a handful of the 29 tracks on this massive record, from Crunchy Granola Suite to Holly Holy Holly (... Holy) and beyond. Find out if this Easy Listening artist can live up to his genre, and see if this clean collection of live hits can bolster his standing in our official rankings!What do YOU think is going on with that cover photo? Is this album "live" enough for you? And can you even IMAGINE this guy winning fencing championships? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and on socials! Like and follow for more next week!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro4:37 About Neil Diamond8:56 About Hot August Night20:54 Fact Or Spin24:18 Neil Diamond Is An Award-Winning Actor30:03 He Became A Birdsmith36:23 An Interlude38:15 He's An Award-Winning Fencer42:33 He Made An Interesting Cameo48:14 Album Art49:54 Prologue51:01 Crunchy Granola Suite53:25 Done Too Soon54:42 Dialogue56:03 Solitary Man57:51 Cherry Cherry1:01:57 Sweet Caroline1:06:21 Porcupine Pie, You're So Sweet1:08:14 Red Red Wine1:09:19 Soggy Pretzels, Gitchy Goomy1:11:59 And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind1:12:21 I Think It's Going To Rain Today1:12:42 Shilo1:13:54 Modern Day Version Of Love1:14:20 Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon1:15:08 Walk On Water, Kentucky Woman, Stones, Musician Intros1:16:13 Play Me1:17:50 Canta Libre, Morningside1:18:07 Song Sung Blue1:19:54 Cracklin' Rosie1:20:40 Holly Holy1:22:12 I Am... I Said1:25:03 Soolaimon / Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show1:27:21 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Human Clay - Creed | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 257 12.06.2026 1u 20min

  Can Creed take us Higher? Find out as we talk about Human Clay, the 1999 album full of Scott Stapp's unique vocals, and post-grunge, (lovingly) butt rock style laced with introspective religious overtones. From grief to death to fatherhood, Creed doesn't shy away from big questions. We'll explore the band's number-fudging beginnings, meteoric rise, and sudden unravelling through record-setting feats, ubiquitous hits, and nostalgia-fueled comeback tours. They're proving that they'll truly Never Die!James & Connor are approaching our analysis With Arms Wide Open. We'll talk about our past Creed collections, reminisce on crappy art class pottery, and learn all about homophones, homonyms, and homographs as we're molded into Human Clay! There's a little Mixtaper Inside Us All with facts about stolen guitars, crossover weddings, and death-defying spy antics during Fact Or Spin! It's an episode full of glorious, unplanned bedlam... Are You Ready?What days of school did you miss? Are you a fan of Scott Stapp's enunciation? Where do you fall in the great With Arms Wide Open vs. Higher debate?? Let us know on socials and be sure to follow for more wherever you listen! Or, so Say I, at least!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:52 About Creed9:58 About Human Clay22:12 Awards & Accolades22:42 Fact Or Spin23:33 Tremonti's Stolen Guitar29:29 The ACreed/DCreed Baseball Wedding Crashers34:38 Scott Stapp Was Saved By A Rapper38:52 They Signed Their First Contract... In BLOOD!45:44 Album Art47:09 Are You Ready?49:04 What If51:56 Beautiful53:22 Say I55:12 Wrong Way57:32 Faceless Man58:53 Never Die1:00:27 With Arms Wide Open1:03:42 Higher1:07:08 Wash Away Those Years1:11:25 Inside Us All1:13:17 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes - Jimmy Buffett | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 256 05.06.2026 1u 12min

  Jimmy Buffett is making Landfall on the podcast this week! We're wasting away again with Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes, a career-defining album that features the ultimate beach drinking song, Margaritaville! We'll talk about Buffett's coastal upbringing and how he got his start in Nashville (as an author!) before a trip to Key West changed his life. Changes is the culmination of half a lifetime at sea, with a guitar (and a margarita) in hand.James & Connor will talk about the Mt. Rushmore of tropical anthems, learn about Buffett's billion-dollar business empire, and talk about our own Parrothead status. The Mixtaper puts us to the test with reptile attacks, matinees (ya know, sea cows), and a grounded airplane. We'll talk Coral Reefer Band, country classification, and discover whose dang fault that lost shaker of salt really was! Don't wonder-- from Biloxi to Jamaica, find out why we ever go home this week!What's your favorite Buffett song? Favorite Buffett restaurant? Favorite Buffett retirement community?? It's Friday Somewhere, so make sure to follow wherever you're listening so you don't miss our next episode!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:44 About Jimmy Buffett11:18 About Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes20:38 Awards & Accolades21:54 Fact Or Spin22:25 He Was Attacked At Margaritaville27:23 He Was A Fan Of A Good Matinee31:39 A Bird Named His Birds37:33 He Lost His Seat To A Hat46:28 Album Art47:25 Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes49:17 Wonder Why We Ever Go Home50:37 Banana Republics52:37 Tampico Trauma53:54 Lovely Cruise56:03 Margaritaville58:55 In The Shelter1:00:02 Miss You So Badly1:01:17 Biloxi1:03:22 Landfall1:05:16 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pacific Daydream - Weezer | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 255 29.05.2026 1u 18min

  Yeah, it Feels Like Summer! We're back for another Happy Hour with Weezer! After their debut Blue Album left Connor with a puzzle he just didn't want to put together, we're trying again with their sun-soaked, beachy experiment, Pacific Daydream! It's a clear departure from their signature style, complete with complicated spreadsheet-crafted compositions, but crankin' them Beach Boys might be enough to redeem a low score!James & Connor revisit all the special moments from Episode 26 (pigeon racing included) before diving back into the Weezer-verse with a deeper look at the band's history and the decisions that led up to one of their most controversial records. We'll check in on their tours, SZNZ, and speculate about what they're up to next. The Mixtaper is bringing four Karlificated facts about coloring books, vegeterrorism, and more straight from Weezerpedia.. Will this be his QB Blitz? Find out if James' nostalgia pick can Get Right and swing Connor's expectations this week.Is any friend of Diane's a friend of yours? Do you like the coastal vibes, or was the classic Weezer sound more your speed? Be honest, would you ever go pigeon racing? We have it on good authority that there are clubs across the nation. Like and follow for more!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:25 Last Time: The Blue Album6:21 About Weezer11:35 About Pacific Daydream19:38 Awards & Accolades20:33 Fact Or Spin21:57 They Have A Coloring Book28:22 Today Is A Special Anniversary32:04 Rivers Cuomo Is A VegeTerrorist35:04 They Have Their Own Encyclopedia40:30 A Surprise Fifth Fact: The Mixtaper Has Gone Pigeon Racing44:13 Album Art45:29 Mexican Fender51:03 Beach Boys53:24 Feels Like Summer55:36 Happy Hour57:49 Weekend Woman59:31 QB Blitz1:03:26 Sweet Mary1:04:52 Get Right1:05:54 La Mancha Screwjob1:07:57 Any Friend Of Diane's1:09:29 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sunrise City - Sub-Radio | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 254 22.05.2026 1u 8min

  We've been having more dreams lately.. Welcome to Sunrise City, the feel-good sophomore record from "soft" indie guys Sub-Radio! This band of middle-school friends went viral as they got down bad for Stacy's Dad, and by broadcasting on Reddit during the pandemic they were able to generate a significant fanbase. Sunrise City is a saccharine nostalgia trip from teenage nights on the beach to Summer's End. Can their hooky record full of nuggets of gold carry them to a strong ranking?James & Connor reminisce on hard times and strong men before giving this audience-recommended album a listen. The Mixtaper has a Better View and a few facts about tricky fae (who can play a mean recorder), the short-lived Reddit Public Access Network, and Monkey. Monkey? Monkey. We'll talk about the nuances of Pink Lemonade and Tiger's Blood and find out if WE'RE IN LOVE (!!) with this album... and whether Sub-Radio is Onto Us. What's your favorite snow cone flavor? Are you in a good time or a hard time? Think you could take down Sub-Radio in a game of Mario Kart?? Let us know in the comments and on socials, and tune in next week for a Year Of Redemption feature that will knock your sweater off.Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:17 About Sub-Radio9:53 About Sunrise City12:25 Awards & Accolades12:34 Fact Or Spin13:56 They May Have Encountered A Trickster Fae18:00 They Were The First Musicians On The RPAN23:00 They Channel The Spirit Of The Monkey26:08 John Fengya Has Never Lost A Game Of Mario Kart30:03 Album Art31:00 Sunrise City32:17 Pink Lemonade34:32 I'M IN LOVE!!37:08 Onto Me39:08 Sleep On The Beach44:26 Dimension46:17 Don't Cry47:59 Burden49:28 Spin50:59 Better View52:04 Nothing's Broken54:12 Pretty Boy55:22 2257:00 Friends (Summer's End)58:28 heavenheavenheaven1:00:06 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Exodus - Bob Marley & The Wailers | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 253 15.05.2026 1u 12min

  This week we've got So Much Things To Say as we review and rank Exodus, the gripping reggae album by Jamaica's own Bob Marley! After pushing rocksteady boundaries with his childhood friends Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, Bob's career made a strong pivot to pop and rock crossover music, riding the reggae wave to superstardom! A failed assassination attempt sent Marley overseas, where he crafted his ninth studio album, charged with Rastafarian theology and themes of love and freedom. We'll learn the effect it had on his legend, and how the Marley mythos has evolved over time.James & Connor recount our previous Bob Marley experiences (both torturous and fishy). The Mixtaper has an aviary of little birds this week with facts about the House Of Dread FC, palm reading, and an unusual prison break during Fact Or Spin. Then we'll get to Jamming about the album, from the restrained intensity of The Heathen to the chill optimism of Three Little Birds! So kick back, relax, and don't worry about a thing... There's a Natural Mystic blowing through this episode!Are you a bigger fan of the intense half or the chill half of Exodus' sound? What's your favorite bird? Was your first Bob Marley experience as drastic as James'? Let us know on socials, and tune in next week to smile with the rising sun yet again!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro6:16 About Bob Marley16:27 About Exodus23:42 Awards & Accolades25:56 Fact Or Spin26:52 The Secretary Bird: Bob's Soccer Obsession30:33 The Raven: He Was A Palm Reader33:09 The Jailbird: Bob Marley Was Part Of A Prison Break37:08 The Baby Chick: He Kidnapped The Easter Bunny45:18 Album Art46:56 Natural Mystic48:38 So Much Things To Say50:12 Guiltiness52:13 The Heathen53:15 Exodus55:53 Jamming58:27 Waiting In Vain59:57 Turn Your Lights Down Low1:01:12 Three Little Birds1:03:43 One Love/People Get Ready1:05:27 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Band On The Run - Wings | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 252 08.05.2026 1u 24min

  Stuck inside those four walls? We're making our escape with Band On The Run, the 1973 record by Wings! After a tough Beatles breakup, a burnt out Paul McCartney was struggling to stay relevant in the music world. He started Wings alongside his wife Linda and guitarist Denny Laine, and after a few tough outings, Band On The Run proved to be their major breakthrough! Despite a tumultuous recording process in Lagos, Nigeria, hits like JET (!), Let Me Roll It, and Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five have become catalog staples. We're catching up on our personal Beatles history and learning about the foundation of Wings! We trace the band's Lagos trip through cholera outbreaks, broken equipment, and knifepoint robberies, but learn why Paul needed this record so badly. The Mixtaper relies on James' fear of "jelly babying" himself with another round of McCartney facts! We'll break down jailbreak ambience, investigate a holiday hostage, and drink a drink with Lily The Pink in Fact Or Spin. We might have No Words... but what's the use in worrying?How's your Scooby Doo impression? What would your last words be? Do you forget when Picasso was alive? Which of the sections of Band On The Run stands above the rest? Let us know your Wings takes in the comments and on socials!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:27 About Wings12:48 About Band On The Run25:58 Awards & Accolades26:50 Fact Or Spin28:09 Paul Insisted On A Jailbreak Ambience Check31:07 Paul Kidnapped The Easter Bunny35:22 Paul Guest Starred In A Comedy Production40:13 Paul Is Related To The Inventor Of The Woman's Tonic49:23 Album Art52:42 Band On The Run57:03 Jet1:00:31 Bluebird1:02:15 Mrs. Vandebilt1:06:38 Let Me Roll It1:08:29 Mamunia1:09:52 No Words1:11:04 Picasso's Last Words1:14:24 Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five1:17:29 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Emotion - Carly Rae Jepsen | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 251 01.05.2026 1u 18min

  We're Making The Most Of The Night as we review and rank Emotion, the 80s-infused pop record from Canadian songwriter and actress Carly Rae Jepsen! After we just met her (and that was crazy) back in 2011, Carly was struggling to shed the bubblegum pop reputation she gained with Call Me Maybe. After retreating from the spotlight, acting on Broadway, and writing a scrapped folk record, Emotion was her attempt to make something different. It proved to be a critical success and paved the way for the next era of her career with big singles like Run Away With Me and I Really (Really Really Really Really Really) Like You... but is this album Our Type?Let's Get Lost in her Canadian Idol roots! James & Connor talk about previous opinions of her work (can't judge her for that), celebrate CRJ's 40th and 44/100ths birthday, and give these songs a powerful listen. The Mixtaper is giving us Boy Problems in Fact Or Spin, where we'll learn about her growing collection of weaponry, a secret Maybe List, and a deceptive signature from "the boss man." Between the pop anthems and powerful ballads, find out if this record can stir up our E•MO•TIONS and redeem our premature opinions of her music.Did you wish CRJ a Happy Birthday? Do you have Boy Problems too? Would you ever try to trick the Boss Man? Let us know how you felt about Call Me Maybe in the comments or on socials, and tune in next time for another high-flying episode!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:29 About Carly Rae Jepsen9:15 Call Me Maybe12:42 About Emotion26:04 Awards & Accolades26:50 Fact Or Spin28:19 The Fandom Armed Her34:44 Carly Rae Jepsen Armed The Fandom40:35 She Has A "Maybe List"45:11 She Takes Her Contracts To The Boss Man51:12 Album Art52:14 Run Away With Me56:10 Emotion58:10 I Really Like You1:00:58 Gimmie Love1:01:44 All That1:03:02 Boy Problems1:05:01 Making The Most Of The Night1:06:02 Your Type1:07:27 Let's Get Lost1:08:35 LA Hallucinations1:09:40 Warm Blood1:10:53 When I Needed You1:12:00 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Moving Pictures - Rush | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 250 24.04.2026 1u 21min

  For our 250th episode, we're stepping into the Limelight to revisit Rush! In Ep. 121, we discovered how 2112 earned the trio creative control with their sci-fi rock opera gamble... Now we're back to learn about Moving Pictures, the band's most commercially successful album and home to enduring hits like Tom Sawyer and YYZ! The band aims to strike the perfect balance between unique identity and mass appeal. With the addition of more synth undertones and a shift in Neil Peart's lyricism, Moving Pictures was able to punch up and future-proof their ever-changing style, and sunset their lengthy prog epics with The Camera Eye. How will this record move US? Can it live up to its counterpart episode (pun intended)?James & Connor revel in the unexpected Year Of Redemption for Geddy and Alex in the form of their 50-Something reunion tour. We walk through the eras since our last episode and trace their evolution, and talk about why this might be a more Connor-friendly pick. The Mixtaper is back on a Witch Hunt, with dastardly (and suspicious) facts about youth crime, rusty coconuts, and frozen follies. Are biographies and past knowledge enough to save James from defeat? Connor learns about the triple pun on the album cover, we learn limited Morse Code, and we definitely don't repeat any jokes in this major milestone episode!What do you consider to be Rush's magnum opus? What's our signature work? Do you agree that everybody needs to deviate from the norm? Do you get your hockey arenas mixed up? (Me too.) Let us know in the comments and on socials! We'll be back with a surprise recommendation next week. Follow for more! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:27 Last Time: 21124:25 About Rush12:10 About Moving Pictures24:11 The 50-Something Tour26:13 Awards & Accolades26:55 Fact Or Spin29:03 They Are Officers34:25 Geddy Lee Is A Rusty Coconut39:41 Neil Peart Went Back To School42:47 Alex Lifeson Made A Chilly Mistake47:32 Album Art50:30 Tom Sawyer54:45 Red Barchetta57:30 YYZ1:00:21 Limelight1:03:48 The Camera Eye1:07:20 Witch Hunt1:11:12 Vital Signs1:13:00 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Stop And Smell The Roses - Mac Davis | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 249 (Connor's Pick) 17.04.2026 1u 43min

  You've got to stop... and wish Connor a happy birthday! We're celebrating with a special episode reviewing Mac Davis' hit-packed 1974 record Stop And Smell The Roses! After making a name for himself as a songwriter with Elvis cuts like In The Ghetto, Mac established himself as a recording artist and TV personality. His fifth record crosses over from country to folk to soft pop seamlessly, and tentpole tracks like Burnin' Thing and Texas In My Rear View buoy clever-ish album cuts like Lucus Was A Redneck and Two Plus Two for a solid album by our favorite jean-wearing song painter!James & Connor look back on the Birthday Curse, talk about getting Hooked on Mac Davis back in Episode 15, and learn more about the road that took Davis from Lubbock, Texas straight into songwriting legend. The Mixtaper finds it Hard To Be Humble as he introduces us to quirky backup singers, crowdsourced cowriters, and a fudged proposal. Will Connor's lifelong fandom pay off? We'll talk about questionable narrators, his surprising use of slurs, and the versatility that turned him into a crossover hit as we break down the record.Did you ever watch The Mac Davis Show? Did you vote for our favorite son back in 1992? Did YOU remember Duke Ellington's birthday? Let us know in the comments and on socials! Follow and stay tuned for EPISODE 250 next week!!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:33 Previously: The Birthday Curse8:01 About Mac Davis21:18 Fact Or Spin23:19 Mac Davis Fudged A Proposal30:44 He Worked With Some Difficult Backup Singers36:23 He Had Some Interesting Cowriters41:08 Fast Fired Facts: Mac Davis Show Guests45:00 Mac Davis Ran For President52:22 Album Art55:05 Thoughts On I Believe In Music56:47 Stop And Smell The Roses1:02:38 Soft, Sweet Fire1:05:47 The Sweetest Song1:07:37 Two Plus Two1:10:39 The Birthday Song1:12:56 One Hell Of A Woman1:15:17 A Poor Man's Gold1:17:58 Lucus Was A Redneck1:21:03 Kiss It And Make It Better1:22:36 Burnin' Thing1:24:12 It's Hard To Be Humble1:26:32 Texas In My Rear View Mirror1:28:11 Rock 'N Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life)1:29:52 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Arrival - ABBA | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 248 10.04.2026 1u 20min

  You can dance, you can jive! We're having the time of our lives this week as we review and rank Arrival, the 1976 breakout record for Europop sensation ABBA! After winning Eurovision (4th time's the charm), the band had to prove to the world they were more than a One-Hit Waterloo Wonder. Their hooky melodies and intricate vocal harmonies led to the band's most important record yet, from royalty-approved Dancing Queen to Money, Money, Money. Learn how Arrival cemented the legacy of one of Sweden's biggest bands and turned ABBA into a household name, even decades after their heyday.Here we go again.. James & Connor talk Mamma Mia opinions and ABBA faves before exploring the band's history. We'll learn all about Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid, discover why the B is backwards, and talk about how exciting helicopter rides can be. From quirky exhibits in the ABBA museum to Voyage, the band's swansong virtual residency made of digital ABBAtars, this episode truly has it all. The Mixtaper is back to Take A Chance on Fact Or Spin as he teaches us about a mysterious benefactor, shy mics, and the tux tax. Tune in, because there's something in the air tonight!Are you on Team Happy Hawaii or Team Why Did It Have To Be Me? What do you think the Tiger is? Are we WRONG about Mamma Mia?! Let us know your hottest ABBA takes in the comments or on socials. Follow for another record next week!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro5:57 About ABBA19:56 About Arrival33:07 Awards & Abbalades35:28 Fact Or Spin36:58 Their Songs Are Fit For Royalty39:02 They Turned Down The Chance To Become Billionaires41:46 They Used An Interesting Tax Loophole43:50 They Had A Strict No-Eye-Contact-With-Mics Rule46:22 Bjorn Took A Chance On Working Out49:14 Album Art52:04 When I Kissed The Teacher54:17 Dancing Queen58:01 My Love, My Life59:25 Dum Dum Diddle1:01:56 Knowing Me, Knowing You1:03:27 Money, Money, Money1:05:15 That's Me1:06:17 Why Did It Have To Be Me?1:08:14 Tiger1:09:33 Arrival1:10:39 Fernando1:13:26 Happy Hawaii1:14:44 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Hallelujah, I Love Her So - Ray Charles | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 247 03.04.2026 1u 21min

  Hallelujah, We Love Him So! We're doing the Mess Around back to the earliest days of soul music with The Genius, Ray Charles, and his self-titled 1957 debut LP! After a childhood marked by tragedy, Ray Charles learned to read braille sheet music and arrange songs. After moving from coast to coast and back again to find work, Ray's intuition for melody and his passionate vocals finally started to land him on the charts and earn record deals. His eponymous album (later reissued as "Hallelujah, I Love Her So) features fourteen of his biggest early hits, from the wailing Drown In My Own Tears to the zip and pep of I've Got A Woman! He would change the course of music as we know it... but how does this early record compare?After learning all about Charles' past, we invite The Mixtaper back for some Fact Or Spin! He'll teach us about Ray's affinity for chess, an improvised scramble that turned into a crossover pop hit, and we'll explore the fascinating world of limited edition postage stamps. Then we break down the album track by track and discover what exactly about his music makes him a legend. We'll talk nostalgia, famous covers, and anagrams as we learn to Care Rashly about Ray Charles this week!Are any of these tracks sleeper hits for you? Did you look up all the interesting new stamps after the episode (like we did)? Had you ever heard the word "philatelic" before? Be honest. Like, subscribe, rate, comment, follow... do all the things and we'll see you next week for another album!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:17 About Ray Charles11:34 About Hallelujah I Love Her So18:40 Awards & Accolades20:20 Fact Or Spin21:13 He's A Chess Grandmaster30:54 He Ran Out Of Songs35:05 He Has Memory Expansion37:58 He Has A Unique Stamp47:44 Album Art50:49 Ain't That Love52:29 Drown In My Own Tears55:12 Come Back Baby56:57 Sinner's Prayer58:12 Funny (But I Still Love You)59:44 Losing Hand1:01:05 A Fool For You1:02:02 Hallelujah, I Love Her So1:04:08 Mess Around1:06:06 This Little Girl Of Mine1:07:09 Mary Ann1:08:16 Greenbacks1:10:09 Don't You Know1:11:15 I've Got A Woman1:13:38 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Rio - Duran Duran | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 246 27.03.2026 1u 11min

  We're dancing on the sand this week as we rank and review Rio, the sophomore album by Duran Duran and a staple of the early '80s New Romantics movement. Featuring some of the band's biggest hits in Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, and the title track, this record also includes some cult classics like the ambient soundscape of The Chauffeur! Learn how the Fab Five leveraged provocative music videos to dominate MTV and lead the charge for the Second British Invasion. Rio is a meticulously constructed record, with a vibrant energy and a cigar-inspired aesthetic to match. How will they fare in our ratings?James & Connor will talk about their love for early '80s music. Then we get into the band's sci-fi name origins, Girls On Film, and the three unrelated Taylors. The Mixtaper Mixtaper is back for Fact Or Spin, where we set sail on Drum The Cursed Yacht, flee some non-imminent bulls, and talk about the 1987 hit movie Mannequin. We learn all about the dangers of shooting videos in Antigua and Sri Lanka, discover the role Hungry Like The Wolf played in a grisly murder trial, and explore the loving intervention behind Hold Back The Rain. It's a one-of-a-kind episode for a one-of-a-kind band!Would you ever wear such sharp earrings? How hungry do you think a wolf can get? Do you prefer the band's energetic new wave sound or the sweeping soundscape of The Chauffeur? Let us know in the comments and on social media!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:31 About Duran Duran8:55 About Rio19:03 Awards & Accolades19:40 Fact Or Spin21:09 Duran Dudrum29:34 Duran Duryachtin'33:51 Duran Durunning With The Bulls36:29 Duran Durannequins42:20 Album Art44:31 Rio47:36 My Own Way50:00 Lonely In Your Nightmare51:30 Hungry Like The Wolf56:03 Hold Back The Rain57:39 New Religion59:07 Last Chance On The Stairway1:00:07 Save A Prayer1:02:42 The Chauffeur1:04:17 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Rascal Flatts (2000) - Rascal Flatts | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 245 20.03.2026 1u 15min

  If you've been Waiting All Your Life for a follow-up to our Rascal Flatts episode (18), this is your time!! With the band officially re-formed and on their own redemption tour, we figured the Year Of Redemption was the perfect time to check out their self-titled debut album! After Me And My Gang pierced our nostalgic rose-colored glasses, we'll learn if getting right down to the DNA of Rascal Flatts' boy band-esque country sound can recalibrate our perceptions. After a fortuitous founding in a Nashville club, Jay, Gary, and Joe Don introduced themselves to the world with memorable tracks like Prayin' For Daylight, This Everyday Love, and I'm Movin' On. With sleek harmonies, hooky choruses, and a family-friendly polish, find out what's made the band so unreplicatable over the decades.James & Connor will talk about why Me And My Gang went sideways and dive deeper into the band's founding. A lot has changed since Episode 18! We'll revisit Hot Chicken Takeover (RIP) and the creation of Spinny, and then talk about what Rascal Flatts has been up to for the last five years (and why reunion seemed so out of reach)! Then The Mixtaper shocks us during Fact Or Spin as we learn the expensive REAL origins behind the band's name, visit a secret supper club, and learn to Walk The Llama Llama... it's truly deep-cut, must-see Rascal Flatts lore. Some Say it's a redemption, I say... take a listen and decide for yourself this week.Do you feel the Rascal Flatts nostalgia? Are you more into the rock-leaning Me And My Gang, or the sleek polish of their 2000 debut? Did you ever imagine they'd collab with the JONAS BROTHERS?! Let us know your rascaliest, flattest thoughts in the comments and on social media! Like and subscribe for more next week! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:26 Last Time: Me & My Gang6:24 About Rascal Flatts (The Band)8:44 About Rascal Flatts (The Album)16:56 The Reunion!19:50 Awards & Accolades20:57 Fact Or Spin22:22 They Are Rascal Flatts 2.027:46 Gary's Secret Supper Club31:27 They Were Almost In The Emperor's New Groove37:55 Jay DeMarcus Got Electrocuted43:46 Album Art44:19 Prayin' For Daylight46:43 This Everyday Love49:23 While You Loved Me52:29 Some Say54:03 See Me Through56:28 One Good Love57:59 It's Not Just Me59:22 Waiting All My Life1:00:41 From Time To Time1:02:44 Long Slow Beautiful Dance1:05:25 I'm Movin' On1:07:42 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  A (Movie) Score To Settle - March Madness 2026: Episode 244 13.03.2026 1u 52min

  Lights, camera, action! March Madness is in full swing, and this year we're breaking down a bracket of 36 iconic MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS! With four quadrants representing different genres and showcasing four facets of a meaningful soundtrack, this lineup is guaranteed to set the scene, get your adrenaline pumping, and tug at your heartstrings. Our audience had the opportunity to rank and score each song to determine our winners, and James and Connor are here to see how their personal brackets held up to public opinion.From the rich worlds of Middle Earth to a galaxy far, far away, from action heroes like Indiana Jones to James Bond, and from shark attacks to shower scares, this bracket has it all. We'll talk briefly about our experience with each movie and get to the bottom of what makes each score so special. We'll learn about iconic composers like John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Alan Silvestri along the way! Each head-to-head matchup is a VERY close race, and every round is a chance at elimination. Who will rise to the top? Can we settle the score in 2026?!Did the audience's votes match your own bracket? What movies did we over/underhype and what else would you like to see represented? Let us know in the comments and on socials! Happy March Madness! Find playlists for each of these songs here:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Ni4rnoeOp4DePi0mvzVeL?si=355aa17a8be64ea7YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYumnChiw_I-rd015bWlwULcKuxx-mbhX&si=q9Z79YAcUCH93hsEKeep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro4:20 This Year's Bracket: Rules, Regions, And Voting9:40 Opening Ceremony12:57 Region One: Epic Worlds13:46 Epic Worlds Round 1.1: Binary Sunset (Star Wars) vs. Test Drive (How To Train Your Dragon)20:06 Epic Worlds Round 1.2: Welcome To Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park) vs. Now We Are Free (Gladiator)24:48 Epic Worlds Round 1.3: Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter) vs. The Medallion Calls (Pirates Of The Caribbean)30:52 Epic Worlds Round 1.4: Concerning Hobbits (Lord Of The Rings) vs. Ripples In The Sand (Dune)34:32 Epic Worlds: Round 2.137:22 Epic Worlds: Round 2.238:10 Epic Worlds: Round 3.140:08 Region Two: Action & Adventure40:11 Action & Adventure Round 1.1: Desert Chase (Indiana Jones) vs. Komodo Dragon (James Bond: Skyfall)45:08 Action & Adventure Round 1.2: Time (Inception) vs. Stairs And Rooftops (Mission Impossible: Fallout)49:36 Action & Adventure Round 1.3: Portals (Avengers Endgame) vs. Storm Is Coming (Mad Max Fury Road)54:01 Action & Adventure Round 1.4: Like A Dog Chasing Cars (The Dark Knight) vs. The Clock Tower (Back To The Future)57:47 Action & Adventure: Round 2.158:35 Action & Adventure: Round 2.21:00:59 Action & Adventure: Round 3.11:03:28 Region Three: Tear Duct Titans1:03:42 Tear Duct Titans Round 1.1: Rose (Titanic) vs. Flying Theme (E.T.)1:08:05 Tear Duct Titans Round 1.2: No Time For Caution (Interstellar) vs. The Feather Theme (Forrest Gump)1:11:06 Tear Duct Titans Round 1.3: The King Of Pride Rock (The Lion King) vs. Going The Distance (Rocky)1:15:13 Tear Duct Titans Round 1.4: Married Life (Up) vs. Immolation (Schindler's List)1:18:08 Tear Duct Titans: Round 2.11:19:12 Tear Duct Titans: Round 2.21:19:57 Tear Duct Titans: Round 3.11:21:07 Region Four: Fear & Tension1:21:14 Fear & Tension Round 1.1: The Shark Approaches (Jaws) vs. Beau's Death Theme (A Quiet Place)1:24:51 Fear & Tension Round 1.2: Supermarine (Dunkirk) vs. In Motion (The Social Network)1:28:13 Fear & Tension Round 1.3: Trinity (Oppenheimer) vs. The Beast (Sicario)1:31:03 Fear & Tension Round 1.4: The Murder (Psycho) vs. Tubular Bells (The Exorcist)1:36:28 Fear & Tension: Round 2.11:36:59 Fear & Tension: Round 2.21:38:23 Fear & Tension: Round 3.11:39:54 The FINAL FOUR1:40:11 Round 4.11:41:40 Round 4.21:44:04 The FINAL SHOWDOWN1:47:37 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G. | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 243 06.03.2026 1u 24min

  The Notorious B.I.G. lived his life Ready To Die, and he set out to prove it to the world with his 1994 debut album... Ready To Die. After walking away from a straight-A career to enter the world of drug dealing and rap, Christopher George Latore Wallace (or, as you may know him, Biggie Smalls) became THE dominant force in the thriving East Coast hip-hop scene. His music was unfiltered, witty, and raw. It didn't glamourize or sugarcoat his lifestyle, but also highlighted his lighthearted side. Crossover hits like Big Poppa and Juicy set Biggie up for incredible success... and then the unthinkable happened.James & Connor will explore Biggie's role in the infamous East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry, his decaying friendship with Tupac Shakur, and the pair of unsolved murders that devastated the music world. We'll hear the story unfold through tracks like Things Done Changed and Who Shot Ya? The Mixtaper is back to tell us about some unfortunately realistic sound effects, a personal diss he took to heart, and some spoiled "mashed potatoes" during an Unbelievable round of Fact Or Spin. From opening heartbeat to final thud, we'll cover the clever lyrics, soulful samples, and unstoppable attitude that make up the only LP released during Biggie's abbreviated lifetime. Learn how he achieved rap immortality and Life After Death this week!Are you a fan of the harder tracks or the pop crossover sounds? Will you ever hear Respect the same way? Where do you stand in the Biggie/Tupac rivalry? Let us know in the comments and on socials! Follow, like, and check out our website for more!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:01 About Biggie Smalls10:51 About Ready To Die16:55 Later Career19:07 East Coast Vs. West Coast Rivalry21:27 Tupac Murdered23:35 Biggie Murdered26:14 Awards & Accolades27:02 Fact Or Spin28:23 A Public Service Announcement28:59 You Can Hear His... Explicit Activities31:47 He Signed A Rapper While In Bed34:12 Biggie Dissed His Teacher36:49 His Mom Threw Out His Mashed Potatoes39:29 Biggie Had His Own Restaurant43:36 Album Art44:36 Intro46:13 Things Done Changed47:19 Gimme The Loot50:12 Machine Gun Funk51:18 Warning52:53 Ready To Die54:04 One More Chance57:00 F Me (Interlude)59:05 The What1:00:12 Juicy1:04:24 Everyday Struggle1:05:29 Me And My B****1:07:04 Big Poppa1:09:21 Respect1:10:33 Friend Of Mine1:12:00 Unbelievable1:12:35 Suicidal Thoughts1:14:57 Who Shot Ya?1:16:47 Just Playing (Dreams)1:18:12 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.