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We kick off the new year debating whether music before 1996 truly hits harder and why easier tools may not equal better songs. Then we switch gears for a spirited soundtrack trivia run, crowning the top five best-sellers and arguing about Grease, Dirty Dancing and the Bee Gees.

• tech lowering barriers while raising noise
• the lost magic of bands in garages
• why friction and scarcity shaped taste
• record stores, ticket lines and shared rituals
• AI tools like Suno and creative shortcuts
• rock’s roots in regional sound migrations
• the new Black Crowes and Stones comparisons
• the highest selling movie soundtracks since 1970

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What makes a Christmas song timeless? We set ourselves a deceptively hard challenge: pick the single most iconic holiday track from each decade, starting with the 1960s and ending in the 2010s, then fuse them into one perfect album side. Right away a pattern emerged—so many beloved songs weren’t immediate smashes. They took years to climb, re-entered charts as rules changed, and found new life through radio, TV specials, movies, and, later, streaming.

We start with Darlene Love’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), released on the day of JFK’s assassination and later crowned by time, then square it against Burl Ives’ Holly Jolly Christmas, seared into memory by Rankin/Bass. In the 70s, Lennon and Ono’s Happy Xmas reframed the “Christmas song” as purposeful protest while McCartney’s Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time perfected the carefree synth sleigh-ride. The 80s deliver spectacle and sentiment: Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas birthed charity supergroups and Live Aid, while Wham’s Last Christmas kept quietly climbing until it nearly topped the chart four decades later.

The 2000s were a tougher hunt, but they showcase platform power. Faith Hill’s Where Are You Christmas rides the Grinch soundtrack into perennial status as Britney’s My Only Wish (This Year) evolves from TRL-era fluff to streaming favorite. Then the 2010s give us precision nostalgia: Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath The Tree, crafted with Greg Kurstin to echo Phil Spector’s wall of sound, stands shoulder to shoulder with Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, the modern juggernaut that finally reached No. 1 decades after release and returns every year like clockwork.

By the end, we’ve got a front-to-back holiday playlist with a story: how classics are born, forgotten, revived, and ultimately adopted as tradition. Hit play, then tell us your decade winners, the sleepers we missed, and the holiday deep cuts you swear by. If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners find their new favorite December soundtrack.

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One idea. Six songs. Infinite possibilities...

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Windham & Steve weigh the moments that launched rock into the mainstream, from Elvis and the Beatles on TV to Woodstock, Michael Jackson’s moonwalk, and the rise of digital streaming. Then we stress-test rock mythology with the “couch test,” deciding which bands would make good house guests.

• Elvis and the Beatles making TV a rock megaphone
• Woodstock as the festival blueprint and its lasting imprint
• MJ’s Motown 25 moonwalk and live spectacle escalation
• Digital music’s access vs ritual tradeoffs
• Bad Company tribute highlights and cover craft
• New supergroup buzz featuring Rucker, Mills, and more
• The couch test for bands: chaos vs courtesy
• From Motley Crue to Hootie: who gets a yes
• KISS side-roads, nostalgia, and pinball lore
• Tease: building the perfect album side of 2011

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Some songs don’t wait for the chorus to hook you—they grab you from the very first word. In this episode of The Perfect Album Side, we explore the magic of vocal hook intros: those unforgettable openings where the human voice alone sets the stage, commands attention, and makes the song instantly recognizable. From haunting whispers to soaring shouts, we dig into why these moments leave such a lasting mark, how they’ve shaped decades of music history, and what makes a vocal hook intro so powerful. It’s a journey through the art of making a first impression—music that doesn’t just start, it arrives.

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Finally an episode worth my time and talents! This week on the Perfect Album Side Podcast we get real big focusing on the iconic bass intro riffs! Yes, it’s about damn time. We scour decades of great music to find those intro rhythms with some serious bottom. Those first few notes are unmistakable and unforgettable! Join us this week as we take the PAS All The Way To The Bass!!!

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Steve and Wyndham delve into the legacy of iconic rock pianists, debating which legends deserve a place on the Mount Rushmore of keyboard players who shaped rock history.

• Tribute to recently departed Rick Derringer, known for "Hang On Sloopy," "Rock and Roll Hoochie Coo," Hulk Hogan's entrance music, and his work with Weird Al Yankovic
• Discussion of a recent classic rock countdown that surprisingly placed Metallica's "Enter Sandman" at #1 over traditional classics
• Billy Joel and Elton John considered piano rock royalty with both hosts ultimately choosing Billy Joel for Mount Rushmore status
• Little Richard unanimously selected as a foundational figure who "started it all" for rock piano
• Heated debate between Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder for the final spot on the piano Mount Rushmore
• Brief consideration of other influential pianists including Chuck Lavelle, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Freddie Mercury
• Announcement of next week's episode focusing on iconic opening bass riffs titled "All the Way to the Base"

Join us next week for "All the Way to the Base" - an exploration of the most iconic opening bass riffs in rock history!

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“Vocals Only: Six Mouths. No instruments.”

This week we toss the instruments and let the human voice run wild. From Motown’s silky legends to the boy-band meme that returns every April 30th, we crown the ultimate all-vocal Perfect Album Side—and try (badly) to hit those high notes ourselves.

You’ll learn:

• Why one diva hand-gesture stopped the world in 1965.
• How five Texans turned “Hallelujah” into a 750-million-view a cappella anthem.

Crank it up, clear your throat, and join us for an hour of pure, unfiltered harmony.

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