Spin It! The Record Ranking Podcast

Episodet

• Pacific Daydream - Weezer | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 255 29.05.2026 1h 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.
• Sunrise City - Sub-Radio | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 254 22.05.2026 1h 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.
• Exodus - Bob Marley & The Wailers | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 253 15.05.2026 1h 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.
• Band On The Run - Wings | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 252 08.05.2026 1h 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.
• Emotion - Carly Rae Jepsen | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 251 01.05.2026 1h 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.
• Moving Pictures - Rush | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 250 24.04.2026 1h 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.
• Stop And Smell The Roses - Mac Davis | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 249 (Connor's Pick) 17.04.2026 1h 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.
• Arrival - ABBA | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 248 10.04.2026 1h 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.
• Hallelujah, I Love Her So - Ray Charles | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 247 03.04.2026 1h 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.
• Rio - Duran Duran | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 246 27.03.2026 1h 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.
• Rascal Flatts (2000) - Rascal Flatts | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 245 20.03.2026 1h 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.
• A (Movie) Score To Settle - March Madness 2026: Episode 244 13.03.2026 1h 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.
• Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G. | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 243 06.03.2026 1h 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.
• London Calling - The Clash | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 242 27.02.2026 1h 35min

  Hello? It's London Calling, the revolutionary third record by British punk pioneers The Clash! Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, the band writes on everything from nuclear meltdown to consumerism to the harsh realities of addiction, backed by a raw edge and a reggae-infused beat. We'll learn how Joe Strummer & co. rose to meet the musical moment, taking cues from friends and rivals like the Sex Pistols and The Ramones. From staples like Lost In The Supermarket to Train In Vain (a cut that almost missed the album altogether), find out what makes The Clash and their legacy such a force to be reckoned with.We'll talk about our favorite Clash hits as we Rock The Casbah! Then The Hateful Mixtaper is bringing The Clampdown once more during Fact Or Spin, where we discover a marathon disappearance, child labor, and pogo grandmas... Rudie Can't Fail, but can our resident Dastard? Then we get Lost In The Supermarket with each track on this expansive double album as we explore everything from Spanish tourism to Over The Hedge! Curl up with your favorite Montgomery Clift movie and take a listen to this episode. Find out whether London Calling achieves Death Or Glory!Is this double album worth the listen? What's the worst place to practice the drums? Should you stay or should you go?! (The answer is GO... but go to our socials and www.spinitpod.com for more!)Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:49 About The Clash14:03 About London Calling22:40 Awards & Accolades23:13 Fact Or Spin24:23 Joe Strummer's Marathon Disappearing Act27:39 They Gave Two Kids Career Opportunities29:25 Topper Had A Unique Practice Space33:23 Mick Jones Missed A Soundcheck To Teach Grandmas How To Pogo39:54 Album Art43:26 London Calling48:55 Brand New Cadillac50:23 Jimmy Jazz51:56 Hateful53:45 Rudie Can't Fail55:37 Spanish Bombs57:22 The Right Profile1:00:18 Lost In The Supermarket1:05:19 The Clampdown1:08:31 The Guns Of Brixton1:10:13 Wrong 'Em Boyo1:11:30 Death Or Glory1:13:33 Koka Kola1:16:10 The Card Cheat1:17:41 Lover's Rock1:19:07 Four Horsemen1:21:05 I'm Not Down1:22:23 Revolution Rock1:23:51 Train In Vain (Stand By Me)1:26:09 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• GNX - Kendrick Lamar | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 241 20.02.2026 1h 14min

  Tell 'em Kendrick did it... We're back to talk about Compton's own Kendrick Lamar and his 2025 record GNX! After we explored Damn back on episode 72, James felt like this Pulitzer Prize winner deserved a better score from Connor. We're back (reincarnated) in the Year Of Redemption to break down his shortest record yet (but one of his most expansive). After decimating Drake in a years-long feud with the astounding Not Like Us, GNX is Kendrick's attempt to move his career forward with songs of the confrontational, the introspective, and the catchy. He wrote more than 80 songs for the project, but only a dozen made the cut. Will it be the perfect combo to redeem his score?James & Connor will debrief on our last Kendrick episode and get to the bottom of why we're back again. We relive the backwards concept album and catch up on our Kendrick listening habits. The Mixtaper is ready to Squabble Up with a new round of Fact Or Spin, featuring comfy socks, vault tracks, and a baffling reskin of a classic crunchy conundrum. From the vintage car on the cover to the final twist of Gloria, we'll touch every corner of this Album Of The Year nominee. Ain't no legends if his legends end, so find out why we think K Dot does (or doesn't) deserve the Greatest Of All Time!Is this album a step up or a step back after Damn and Mr. Morale? Is SZA a dominant force for Favorite Feature or can one of the 9 other voices on this record compete? If you woke up lookin' for that broccoli, turn the TV Off and head to our socials or spinitpod.com for more!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro0:25 Last Time: Damn.4:55 About Kendrick Lamar7:31 Not Like Us / Drake Feud11:48 About GNX16:12 Awards & Accolades17:25 Fact Or Spin20:03 He Has An Interesting Rider24:00 He Has An Unreleased Track With Prince26:20 Kendrick Has A Supernatural Connection To Tupac29:47 He Needs A Shepherd's Pie For Every Show39:40 Album Art40:53 Wacced Out Murals43:36 Squabble Up45:52 Luther (with SZA)48:55 Man At The Garden50:10 Hey Now (feat. Dody6)51:47 Reincarnated54:20 TV Off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)56:26 Dodger Blue (feat. Wallie The Sensei, Siete7x, Roddy Ricch)57:47 Peekaboo (feat. AZChike)59:52 Heart Pt. 61:01:32 GNX (feat. Hitta J3, YoungThreat, Peysoh)1:03:58 Gloria (with SZA)1:05:50 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Bewitched - Laufey | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 240 13.02.2026 1h 4min

  It Must Be Love this Valentine's Day as we review and rank Bewitched, the second studio album by jazz-pop sensation Laufey! With timeless melodies, lush instrumentation, and heart-filled lyrics, this "love album" blends the traditional and the trendy effortlessly. We'll see Laufey's career through From The Start, including her run on The Voice Iceland and her solo cello appearance with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra at age 15! From jazz standards like Misty to the powerful Lovesick, Bewitched is a record that lives up to its title track!James & Connor talk Valentine plans, jazz affinity, and more, all while trying to remember what little we know about Icelandic pronunciation. The Mixtaper is back to introduce us to a new alter ego and sidekick in Mei Mei the Bunny in a cozy knit sweater! Then he teaches us about sugar-sweet clapbacks, a fairytale moment, and Laufey's secret (fifth?) language! Then we break down this record top to bottom, exploring the stories behind Letter To My 13 Year Old Self, Promise, California And Me, and more! It's a Grammy-winning album with its own kind of pizzazz, but how will it fare amongst Jazzy Connor's other rankings?Are you rocking with jazz pop? Do you prefer the vocals or Mei Mei's newly-unearthed instrumental versions? If you inadvertently insulted Laufey in a coffee shop... what do you think she'd say? Let us know in the comments and on social media! Tune in next week for an episode on another (very different) album! Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:22 About Laufey10:03 About Bewitched15:20 Awards & Accolades16:13 Fact Or Spin18:18 She Has An Alter Ego & Sidekick25:31 She Gave A Sugar-Sweet Clapback29:28 She Had A Cinderella Moment32:28 She And Her Twin Have A Secret Musical Language35:48 Album Art37:23 Dreamer38:38 Second Best39:46 Haunted41:00 Must Be Love41:39 While You Were Sleeping43:07 Lovesick44:07 California And Me45:37 Nocturne (Interlude)46:41 Promise47:59 From The Start49:55 Misty52:31 Serendipity52:58 Letter To My 13 Year Old Self56:02 Bewitched57:13 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS - Bad Bunny | 2026 Grammy Award Special: Episode 239 06.02.2026 1h 54min

  ¡Hola! In our annual Grammy Special, we're reviewing and ranking the Album Of The Year: DeBÍ TIRAR MáS FOTOS by Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny! This reggaeton fusion record is a love letter to Benito's roots and homeland, from plena and dembow beats to vibrant traditions. With diverse instrumentation, nostalgic lyrics, and his signature swagger, Bad Bunny delivers on his promises and takes us straight to the Enchanted Isle (and El Clúb)! After a near-miss at the 2023 Grammys, find out how this award-winning album rose above all the competition!It all kicks off with our Grammy recap. We'll reveal the results of our predictions, debrief about the night's biggest winners, and talk ceremony highlights. Then we discover our (somewhat minimal) experience with Spanish and discuss various influential rabbits as we explore Bad Bunny's unique rise to the top of the global charts! The Mixtaper is back in Fact Or Spin to bestow new Awards For The Shellbound, spanning conservation, soap operas, and gastroparesis. Find out which of these 17 tracks Bad Bunny loves, and get ready for his Super Bowl LX halftime show with this special episode!!¿Entiendes español? Was Bad Bunny your AOTY champion, or did you make other predictions? What did you think of the Grammys? Let us know in the comments or on socials, and stay tuned for another album next week!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:29 68th Grammy Awards Predictions Results13:54 Ceremony Highlights Recap20:29 About Bad Bunny31:19 About DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS37:02 Awards & Accolades38:27 Fact Or Spin40:30 The Turtle Conservation Award44:03 The Bubble Bath Betrayal Award48:56 The Gastroparesis Award55:23 Fast Fire Awards: Chaotic Concerts1:01:48 Album Art1:03:47 NUEVAYoL1:07:00 VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR1:09:56 BAILE INoLVIDABLE1:12:55 PERFuMITO NUEVO1:15:18 WELTiTA1:16:57 VeLDÁ1:18:29 EL CLúB1:20:46 KETU TeCRÉ1:22:13 BOKeTE1:23:49 KLOuFRENS1:25:16 TURiSTA1:26:50 CAFé CON RON1:28:32 PIToRRO DE COCO1:30:40 LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii1:33:54 EoO1:35:54 DtMF1:40:14 LA MuDANZA1:41:12 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Predicting Every 2026 Grammy Winner: Bonus Content 31.01.2026 50min

  BONUS CONTENT! It's Grammy Week once again and we're gearing up for our special episode by predicting the winners of ALL 95 categories! After Connor's big win last year, who will walk away the winner? James & Connor will talk about the new categories for 2026 and discover some oddities-- a father & son competition, 8-bit jazz, stacked categories for Best Rap Album and Best Pop Vocal Album, and some humous hopefuls. There are artists we've covered (like Doechii, Cody Fry, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few) and even more new names to consider. See how many picks we make in sync again, and then find out who we predict will be our next Album Of The Year! Every nominee from Bad Bunny to Leon Thomas would be a first-time AOTY champion, so this year's ceremony will certainly be one for the record books!Find all our Grammy picks on our Official Ranking Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NV92dyhk2KfdSpSzx9avIAHrWzrFo5wMsg7Lf_-TxvY/edit?gid=409464286#gid=409464286And tune in on the Friday after the Grammys for our annual Grammy Special to learn how we did with these picks and see who reigns supreme with the Album Of The Year!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:17 Changes To The Categories4:59 Field 11: Classical8:11 Field 10: Production, Engineering, Composition, & Arrangement9:56 Field 9: Package, Notes, & Historical12:45 Field 8: Children's, Comedy, Audiobooks, Visual Media, & Music Video/Film20:40 Field 7: Latin, Global, Reggae & New Age, Ambient, or Chant22:38 Field 6: Gospel & Contemporary Christian Music23:39 Field 5: Country & American Roots Music29:28 Field 4: Jazz, Traditional Pop, Contemporary Instrumental & Musical Theater32:32 Field 3: R&B, Rap, & Spoken Word Poetry35:35 Field 2: Rock, Metal & Alternative Music37:12 Field 1: Pop& Dance/Electronic Music40:24 General Field45:51 Predicting Album Of The Year48:10 Wrap-Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Highwayman - The Highwaymen | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 238 30.01.2026 1h 6min

  Happy Gopher Day! Join James and Connor (aka the Country Road Kid) as we rank and review Highwayman, the debut studio album by country supergroup The Highwaymen! In an attempt to stay relevant in an ever-changing country music landscape, four legends came together to create something different: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. After collaborating and admiring each other's work for decades, the Mount Rushmore of rugged outlaw country took to the studio, armed with ten hits like Against The Wind, Deportee, and Cash's own Big River. Would this Hail Mary effort jumpstart their iconic careers?We'll talk about the four episodes that led us here -- one about each individual Highwayman-- and learn about the holiday specials and films that brought them all together in the first place. We'll explore their group dynamics and talk about the ways music had changed around them between their debuts and 1985. All the while we'll reminisce about panning for gold in the sandbox, hearing these songs as kids, and more. The Mixtaper has facts (or spins) about hotel horses, midwife pranks, and a suspiciously Bill-Murray-adjacent Midnight Breakfast fact. Turn those suits inside out and get ready to ride with some of the genre's greatest.What do you think about the Highwaymen supergroup? Is this album over- or under-ambitious, and is it the best of their three records to cover in an episode? How do you think the Groundhog Day time loop mechanics work? Let us know in the comments or on socials, and be sure to follow for our Grammy Special coverage next week!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro2:05 Relevant Past Episodes5:20 About The Highwaymen9:10 About Highwayman17:48 Awards & Accolades18:41 Fact Or Spin21:39 Waylon And Willie Rode Horses In A Hotel24:36 Waylon And Cash Used Dynamite As Entertainment26:58 Willie Tricked Kris Into Thinking He Was Delivering A Baby30:52 Waylon and Cash Loved To Make Midnight Breakfast37:17 Album Art38:02 Highwayman41:19 The Last Cowboy Song42:23 Jim, I Wore A Tie Today44:36 Big River46:55 Committed To Parkview48:08 Desperados Waiting For A Train49:20 Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)51:30 Welfare Line52:20 Against The Wind54:55 The Twentieth Century Is Almost Over56:58 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• Brat - Charli XCX | Album Review & Ranking: Episode 237 23.01.2026 1h 21min

  We're just living that life, Von Dutch, cult classic, as we rank Charli XCX's hyperpop club record Brat! Its danceable melodies, carefree bite, and minimalist neon green aesthetic sparked a cultural movement in Brat Summer, and hits like 360, Apple, and Sympathy Is A Knife turned into certified Club Classics. Inspired by her early days in London's underground illegal rave scene, Brat sees Charli showing off striking vulnerability through crisp, energetic songs with memorable melodies. From relationships to generational trauma to impending motherhood (or even to just a good party song), this record really does it all.James & Connor are ready to Talk Talk about Charli's unique path to superstardom, from I Don't Care and Boom Clap to Wuthering Heights. The Mixtaper is so Julia as we ponder her homecoming coup, a sentimental vault track, Bratcoin, and even more VERY passionate fans during Fact Or Spin! Then we Rewind to 2024 and reminisce about Brat Summer as we work through these bite-sized pop beats. Where will Connor score Charli XCX compared to her fellow Album Of The Year nominees? James might even go so far as an on-the-spot redemption for this one!Did you catch the main metaphor in Apple? What foods would you make into footlongs? Are we your favorite reference? Tell us all about it in the comments or on socials! Follow for more next week as we go for a supergroup during our Gopher Day Special!!Keep Spinning at www.SpinItPod.com!Thanks for listening!0:00 Intro3:01 About Charli XCX13:13 About Brat19:10 Awards & Accolades20:03 Fact Or Spin21:17 She Crashed A High School Homecoming Dance25:45 Hardcore Fans Are Obsessed With Her Unreleased Song28:52 She Has Passionate Fans35:16 She Launched Her Own Cryptocurrency39:58 Album Art44:21 36047:27 Club Classics49:11 Sympathy Is A Knife51:39 I Might Say Something Stupid52:31 Talk Talk54:50 Von Dutch58:00 Everything Is Romantic59:04 Rewind1:00:18 So I1:02:05 Girl, So Confusing1:04:23 Apple1:07:40 B2B1:09:25 Mean Girls1:10:14 I Think About It All The Time1:12:06 3651:13:18 Final Spin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.