Double Album Reviews: Are You Experienced? By Jimi Hendrix & Malibu By Anderson. Paak

Double Album Reviews of The Velvet Underground & NIco (1967) and Elvis Costello's My Aim Is True (1977)

The "2 & 1/2 Hippys Podcast #42" features hosts Alex and Jack discussing various topics, starting with bizarre product launches (0:00) and then delving into a lengthy conversation about podcasting and its origins, crediting Tom Green as a major inspiration for Joe Rogan (1:12-2:42). They also mention their own podcasting inspirations, like The Makeshift Project, and their goal to review music that is often overlooked (3:08-4:44).

The main segment of the podcast is an in-depth review of two albums: Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (4:45-26:45) and Labi Siffre's "Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying" (27:00-39:57).

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (4:45-26:45):

• The hosts discuss how they chose to review this album due to its connection with Labi Siffre's music (5:00-5:10).
• They provide background on Simon & Garfunkel, highlighting their long-standing friendship and musical partnership (6:58-8:28).
• They debate whether Simon & Garfunkel can be considered "pop stars" (8:31-9:19).
• The album's massive success, selling 35 million copies, is noted (9:20-9:36).
• They praise the title track, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," for its angelic and emotionally moving qualities, noting it was recorded in LA and New York with The Wrecking Crew and that the vocals were recorded in a church (14:15-16:40). This song was a huge hit, reaching number one on Billboard in 1970 (15:56-16:16).
• They discuss other songs on the album, including "Cecilia," "Keep the Customer Satisfied," and "The Only Living Boy in New York" (17:25-21:00).
• A "blind rank" of five songs from the album is conducted (23:37-25:00).
• The album cover, featuring Paul Simon covering Art Garfunkel's mouth, is discussed, with Alex jokingly theorizing it reflects tension between the duo (25:12-26:10).

Labi Siffre - Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying (27:00-39:57):

• Jack explains how he discovered Labi Siffre through sampling, specifically Kanye West's use of "My Song" in "I Wonder" (27:44-28:57).
• They discuss Labi Siffre's song "Saved," an a cappella track with ironic religious undertones (30:00-31:16).
• The hosts touch on the possible impact of Labi Siffre's openly gay identity on his fame, comparing it to other artists of the era (31:20-33:10).
• They emphasize Labi Siffre's musical genius, noting he wrote, produced, arranged, and played most of the instruments on the album (35:58-36:28).
• The song "It Must Be Love" is highlighted, which was famously covered by the band Madness in the 80s (38:52-39:16).

They kick off by debating the greatest Pixar movie of all time, with one host advocating for Ratatouille (0:26) due to nostalgia and the other preferring The Incredibles (0:41) for its mature themes and strong villain. They also touch upon Wall-E (1:16), Up (1:21), and the Toy Story franchise (1:38), including the fourth movie (1:43) and the upcoming fifth installment (1:38).

Later, the conversation shifts to Nickelodeon shows, where they humorously rank Victorious (3:57), Zoey 101 (4:53), Big Time Rush (5:35), and iCarly (5:50), with Drake & Josh (6:06) being their number one pick.

The latter half of the podcast involves two game segments:

• NBA Player Game (6:57): The hosts challenge each other to name an NBA player who has played for two different specified teams. They go back and forth, fact-checking each other's answers.
• Alphabet Game (10:42): They play a variation of the alphabet game, initially with famous people whose first and last names start with a given letter, then switching to just first names of celebrities (16:40), and finally to last names of football players (20:03).
• Wavelength-style Game (21:26): The hosts play a game similar to Wavelength, where one person rates a given prompt on a scale of 1 to 10, and the other tries to guess the number based on a related word or phrase. They discuss various topics, from pizza chains (21:40) and golf courses (21:58) to hypothetical situations (25:25) and professions (28:57).

• CD Collection Review (1:28-8:58): The hosts go through a collection of burnt CDs from their cousin, reminiscing about the music popular in the late 90s and early 2000s. They discuss artists like 50 Cent, Outkast, Blink-182, Green Day, Usher, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, and Eminem. They also touch upon past music formats like cassettes and the shift to streaming services.
• Defining Grunge and Band Comparisons (10:48-14:00): The hosts attempt to define "grunge" and discuss the differences in sound between Nirvana and Pearl Jam, noting Pearl Jam's more classic rock influence and Nirvana's punk elements. They also mention other Seattle grunge bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains.
• Pearl Jam's Ten Album Review (14:23-18:51): They highlight Ten's slow rise to commercial success and its impactful singles like "Even Flow," "Jeremy," and "Black." They praise Eddie Vedder's vocals and the album's overall strong, polished sound.
• Nirvana's Nevermind Album Discussion (20:23-24:06): While acknowledging Nevermind's significant cultural impact and mainstream success, they suggest that the album's impact might have overshadowed its musicality. They discuss how Nirvana's rise challenged hair metal and brought a new "rebel music" to the mainstream.
• Music Industry and Cultural Impact (24:06-38:51): The conversation broadens to include discussions about other influential artists like Eminem, the impact of Dr. Dre on Eminem's career, and various music conspiracy theories. They conclude by reiterating their preference for Ten's polished production and mature themes over Nevermind's unpolished sound, despite recognizing Nevermind's immense historical significance.

The podcast features a discussion between two hosts about various topics related to music and sports.

The first segment (0:00-5:50) is dedicated to NFL Pro Bowl selections, with the hosts guessing and discussing the roster for both the NFC and AFC conferences. They go through various positions, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, sharing their predictions and reactions to the actual selections.

The second part of the podcast focuses on album reviews and music discussions (15:30-40:00):

• ​UGK's "Ridin' Dirty" (15:30-29:00): The hosts review UGK's third studio album, discussing its origins in Houston southern rap, its influence on the "chopped and screwed" subgenre, and its place among the greatest rap albums of all time. They highlight specific songs like "One Day" and "Murder" and praise the album's soulful musicianship.
• ​SG Lewis's "Times" (29:00-40:00): The discussion shifts to SG Lewis's debut album, "Times." They talk about SG Lewis as a producer and DJ, his unique blend of electronic and live instruments, and his collaborations. They highlight tracks like "Chemicals" and "Feed the Fire," noting the album's approachable sound for those not typically into dance music. They also discuss his status as an "underground" artist despite having millions of monthly listeners.

This podcast from the 2 & 1/2 Hippys Podcast features a discussion about Arizona, including its culture, cities, and popular music artists. The hosts also delve into a review of the Gin Blossoms' album New Miserable Experience.

Here are some key highlights:

• Fantasy Football Talk (0:00-5:22): The hosts open the podcast by discussing fantasy football rankings for tight ends and wide receivers, debating player performance and top contenders.
• Arizona Culture and Identity (13:14-18:22): They explore what makes Arizona unique, touching on its Mexican influence, heavy drinking and restaurant culture, golf scene, casinos, and the "valley-southern" Arizona accent.
• Notable Arizona Music Artists (18:23-21:10): The conversation shifts to Arizona-bred musical talent, listing artists like Gin Blossoms, Stevie Nicks, Alice Cooper, Jimmy Eat World, and Linda Ronstadt.
• Most Populated Cities in Arizona (21:11-23:51): The hosts play a game naming the most populated cities in Arizona in order, including Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Peoria.
• Obscure Arizona Cities (24:14-26:40): They then list some of Arizona's more obscure cities, such as Miami, Tuba City, Bumblebee, and Gypsum.
• Arizona Capitals and "Five C's" (26:41-27:58): The discussion covers the historical capitals of Arizona (Phoenix, Prescott, Tucson) and the "five C's" that represent Arizona's economy: Citrus, Climate, Cotton, Cattle, and Copper.
• Top Arizona Golf Courses (27:59-33:30): The hosts share their picks for top private and public golf courses in Arizona, including Silverleaf, Scottsdale National, Dino Mountain, and The Phoenician.
• Gin Blossoms Album Review: New Miserable Experience (33:31-38:34): The main event of the podcast begins with a review of Gin Blossoms' 1992 album, highlighting their origins in the Mill Avenue music scene in Tempe and the iconic status of their hit single "Hey Jealousy." They discuss the band's "middle-of-the-road" alternative rock sound.

• ​Andre 3000's Integrity and Career (0:00-1:55): The hosts discuss Andre 3000's career, highlighting his decision to step away from the music industry at the peak of his success, similar to Dave Chappelle. They praise his artistic integrity and refusal to "sell out" (4:05).
• ​Chappelle's Impact and Return (1:56-6:47): The conversation shifts to Dave Chappelle's impact on media and his return to television after a 10-year hiatus, particularly his hosting of Saturday Night Live (SNL) with A Tribe Called Quest (4:20). They discuss his influence on hip-hop and his unique approach to featuring underground artists on his show (5:50).
• ​Andre 3000's Musical Evolution and Influence (6:48-9:27): The hosts delve into Andre 3000's musical evolution, specifically his shift to singing in the album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (7:30). They discuss his impactful guest verses on other artists' tracks and his status as one of the greatest rappers of all time, despite not releasing a solo rap album (8:10).
• ​Andre 3000's Fashion and Outkast Dynamics (9:28-16:29): The hosts humorously blind-rank five of Andre 3000's unique outfits (10:18) and discuss the narrative of a beef between Andre 3000 and Big Boi, attributing it to their creative differences rather than personal animosity (13:30). They highlight Big Boi's respect for Andre 3000's artistic daring (15:10).
• ​Andre 3000's Legacy and Influence on Kendrick Lamar (16:30-23:10): The discussion touches on Andre 3000's influence on contemporary artists, particularly Kendrick Lamar, noting similarities in their musical style and approach (20:15).
• ​Stevie Wonder's Innervisions Album Review (25:28-38:40): The hosts review Stevie Wonder's Innervisions album, comparing it to Songs in the Key of Life and discussing its experimental nature and blend of genres (36:20). They highlight specific tracks like "Living in the City" (30:14) and "Mr. Knowit All" (36:01), sharing their personal opinions on each song.