All Time Top Ten

How do! All Time Top Ten's Brit Month is wrapping up in style with an overview of the best UK rock bands of the past 20 years. Those rockin' Brits have come a long way since Beatlemania blew things wide open 55 years ago. The bands of the past 2 decades feel like a culmination of everything we've heard all month long - great pop songwriting, moody introspection, tongue in cheek... uh cheekiness, and the sound of shimmering guitars over a mighty backbeat. Make no mistake, rock n roll isn't dead, we just need to be reminded of how awesome it can be and science has proven that it's human nature to want to rock out like a maniac from time to time. Hopefully, with the help of singer-songwriter, and mensch-in-chief Brandon Schott, we can help you get that primal release out by playing tunes from the best rock the Brits have had to offer so far this century. As always, Brandon is hard at work on more music, but in the meantime you can listen to his latest releases here: http://brandonschott.com Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3eNpFUepyNMw8xhURJZ68A?si=CeOpjriWRHC0dJ93up8ypg

ATTT's highly fashionable series Brit Month keeps on keeping on with a fascinating look at the bands that made the UK rock scene in the 90s. As we all know, the 90s brought the age of irony to an entire generation, and the Brits were more than receptive to it. There might have been "better" decades in British rock, but there was definitely no "cooler" decade than the 90s. All over England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, bands took the best of what came before - pop, rock, electronic, shoe gaze, "alternative" which really means "new wave", and more to inform a vibrant scene that was everywhere, from Top Of The Pops to the British tabloids. It was a moment in time, punctuated by great bands and great music and we're proud to welcome back the one and only Chrissy Olsen to help count down our favorites. Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7uwOuYZjmtTSksPG8465jp?si=EOduJdsSQxaE5zaKxoyddw

As Britain's Parliament goes through another week of pantsing themselves while giving themselves atomic wedgies, we here at ATTT are DETERMINED to cheer them up by reminding the world of just how rich their rock n roll history truly is. That's why we invented Brit Month, a semi-comprehensive look at the best UK rock n roll bands by decade. The 80s is where things got wonky, and styles of rock ran as far away from each other as possible, making for an incomprehensible stew of new wave, punk, post punk, metal, hair metal, new romantic, synth pop and MTV-ready arena rock & pop. In town from his teaching gig in China to say Ni Hao is beloved Pal O' The Pod Jeff Axelrod. We take a long (sorry possibly too long) and loving look at the greatest UK rock bands of the decade that went from big shoulder pads to big hair, but kept rock alive for another glorious ten years. Xie Xie (thanks) to Jeff for dropping by while on a break from his main gig teaching English in China. Find out more at his blog: http://adventures.chinateachingnewbie.com Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0gGNlmpFjQELSxEWccTtkl?si=c_cCBGElToy1_pmhY3bBUw

God knows what's happening over in Parliament these days, but around here we admire and respect the Brits for their uncanny ability to make some of the best rock n roll on the planet! Take for instance, UK Rock Bands Of The 1970s. Believe us, for this week's episode there were more great bands that DIDN'T make the list than great ones that made the cut. Spoiler: they're all great. The uncanny musician and producer Steve Deutsch joins the pod for a look at some of the best UK rock bands of the era, including some that he got a chance to see up close in their heyday. Listen in to hear some of the finest rock, prog, glam, punk, and more in this week's installment of #BritMonth. Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ScFAySpPDDFNJZTwxf2lf?si=WJZDTFQqS8exvnipkZS0Hw

We here at ATTT HQ are hardcore anglophiles, especially for their music. The UK has had an incredible track record for bringing the world great rock n roll, and given all of their recent, uh... troubles, we thought we'd pay tribute to the Brits by dedicating an entire month's worth of podcasts to the greatest rock bands to ever emerge from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We kick things off with the decade that defined the term British Invasion. The 60s were a great time for music in general, but the bands from the UK led the way to a musical revolution and ushered rock n roll into its greatest era. The fabulous Mrs. Eisen herself Elizabeth Eisen makes a surprise appearance with a podcast that was taped on the road from the great state of Illinois. Ben and Liz count down the best of the British Invasion from the only decade that can truly call itself that. Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2MkGuLzVCA9u4h2WMIFuoQ?si=mwutcDXAQBaMUm8Oi8-1pw

Once in a blue moon a song will come along that defies all expectations. A band or artist that is known and beloved for THIS is suddenly back and putting out THIS, THIS being that certain song that nobody saw coming. These are songs that changed music history, especially for the artists involved. The honorable David Daskal is back for another go-around with this fruitful topic. Top Ten Unexpected Hits From Unexpected Artists will get you thinking about the sheer randomness of fortune and how being in the right place at the right time, with the right song can alter the musical landscape in cool - and dare we say - unexpected ways. Stream this playlist on Spotify, if you please: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ldqfy5fitSX6j1icRIZhj?si=JqGcLsl-QjKMt1T8aZWyEA

Once a year we here at ATTT HQ have a little bit of fun at our listeners' expense. We always look forward to that annual tradition where we bring out the stinkiest songs known to the world and are so very terrible that they fill us with white hot rage. We're over the moon excited that the Rage-Inducing Numbers Girl herself Shannon Hurley was into doing Volume 5 of our Rage Series, and we thought it would make it an extra painful experience if we focused this volume squarely on cover songs. You know, sort of ruin your favorite song with a ragey version just for the sheer torture of it. This is what we call fun. Enjoy. Shannon and Ben's chill pop duo Lovers & Poets is celebrating the upcoming release of their new EP "Sugar High". Listen to some of their stuff at the brand new website: https://loversandpoets.com Stream this putrid playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0VREC1mZhJ0NkhCnQCkg8z?si=xqH9-17lRMuZA9UhmjaQBg For further rage-inducing fun, check out volumes 1-4 at the ol' archive page: https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/episode-155-top-ten-rage-inducing-songs-wdj-hostettler-dixie-jacobs-of-body-futures/ https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/episode-210-top-ten-rage-inducing-songs-volume-2-wmatt-dinan/ https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/episode-278-top-ten-rage-inducing-songs-vol-3-wdiane-stroud-adam-sears/ https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/episode-339-top-ten-rage-inducing-songs-volume-4-wvanessa-narad-axelsen-candi-bartlett/

50 years ago this week, the grandaddy of all music festivals was held at Yasgur's Farm in upstate New York. 400,000 people crashed the party, but it was all good, or mostly good. From Friday August 15th at around 5pm until way past sunrise on Monday August 18th, the crowd got their collective minds blown again and again by 32 incredible bands and artists, all playing at the top of their game in a culmination of all of the great things that generation did throughout the 60's. For 3 1/2 days there was nothing but peace, love and rock n roll. The astounding Bob Mutascio joins ATTT for a look at the best performances of the festival, from Jimi and Janis to Carlos, Sly and the Airplane. There will never be another Woodstock, no matter what the cynical money grubbers of the 90's will tell ya. The original is as good as it gets. Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2w5ZSyd2o4T0QIuAu1k5Wg?si=Qw0JzppVQ02sBuUmU4pENQ Bob's old Killradio show At The Show has archives and they're available here: https://www.facebook.com/BobAtTheShow/

We've painted this picture for you before. It's a lovely summer evening on the road. You hit a stoplight and a car pulls up next to you. "I Can't Wait" from Nu Shooz comes blaring out of your car speakers. What do you do? Do you roll up your windows in shame? Or do you crank it up like a rock n roll animal who can't get enough of Nu Shooz's only hit? Or do you roll up the windows but keep listening, because deep down you love that song, no matter how embarrassing it would be if people knew. The Wolffing brothers Chris and Justin know a thing or two about questionable music, as you'll hear, and the 80's are such a great decade for good bad songs, here we present Volume 2 of Top Ten Guilty Pleasures in all of it's stupefying glory. Coleflatch is an actual band. They have music you can listen to. Here: https://www.reverbnation.com/coleflatch Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZH7FuuOzzxTEWI8s8lF7C?si=1qNSZZc8TVayZa_lpCjyHw Can't get enough Guilty Pleasures Of The 80's? Dig on Volume 1 from 2016 with the great Frank Nicotero: https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/episode-204-top-ten-guilty-pleasures-of-the-80s-wfrank-nicotero/

As much as we love our rock n roll, the crew here at ATTT HQ have a deep abiding respect, admiration and maybe even an affinity for classical music. From the Baroque Era to the Great Romantics, there is little that can compare with music written by gods. The names of the composers on this week's list read like a who's who of some of the greatest artists to ever walk the planet. We are excited to bring in a first time guest, Mr Jacob Clarke, actor, musician, mensch and all around know it all, and he's ready to join the ATTT family by jumping directly into the deep end - the world of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and the greatest music ever conceived by man. Jacob is a first timer here at ATTT but he did make his Goodlist Studios debut over on our sister podcast, the short-lived but well-loved Pop Culture Worst To First. Listen, if you dare to NOTABLE CONSPIRACY THEORIES WORST TO FIRST over here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/popcultureworsttofirst/episodes/2019-03-18T06_00_00-07_00 Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4smxmntgpFHpD822dvjQt4?si=z7AMrRA2Rtyh97nrRoruNA

Anyone that knows anything about the history of the genre will agree that the 1980s were the golden years of heavy metal. This is the decade that defined it, that gave it staying power, that made it a legit art form in the eyes of fans and critics alike. Bands staked out their niches in the metalverse and became legends. Through these legends come the dozens and dozens of subgenres and sub-subgenres that we know today, and they all can be traced back to their defining moments in the 80s. Enter guitar wizard and metalhead-for-life Alex Dubovoy, who makes his in-person debut on ATTT in glorious fashion. Alex joins the pod for a look at a musical genre finding itself and churning out masterpiece album after masterpiece album. We counted down the best of the best and played some mind-blowing metal from the decade that made it. Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6cxyimuuatDyLdTfVSd0io?si=l8HIu0bzTZuV0_RqmVVLcA

As we looked back on 365 episodes of the podcast that won't die, The Old Boy Himself Ryan Blake and your humble host found that there were a surprisingly ridiculous number of great songs that for whatever reason have not made it onto any top ten list. We thought it might be fun to dig into the archives and the MASTER LIST (you have to say it like that) and pick out some songs that are so great they don't need a topic, they just need to be heard. Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4eDNz2GMCHpZtXFulw6mUL?si=LGC8AS52S_Wp7K1-oT_-Zg LA and OC people that are fans of 90s rock played by a bunch of dudes in flip flops and backwards baseball hats, we highly recommend you go see Il Destro live at a venue near you. Find out more about Orange County's #1 Greatest Dad Rock Band Of All Time here: https://www.instagram.com/il_destro_band/

All Time Top Ten has been around for a while and we've never done an episode that broke down the best from a specific record label until now. What better label to start a new tradition with than with the iconic Sub Pop Records? Sub Pop has had a huge hand in the evolution of rock n roll for over 30 years, and continues to be the tastemaker label that defines indie rock to this very day. Our guests this week Paul Larson and Ian McKinnon are intimately connected with Sub Pop, as you'll hear in our conversation about the history of the label, and we play some killer tunes from some of the best bands ever to have that quintessential logo on their albums. Paul has been involved in a number of bands with releases on Sub Pop. He was also in a band called The Minor Canon with your humble host on bass. People liked us! If you don't believe it, read this: https://www.passionweiss.com/2007/04/24/beards-blazers-glasses-the-minor-canon/ Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/238m7A15It9iixfUcP52f0?si=8S7qInPVRhis5n_EwAelKg

James Bond theme songs are a complete musical subgenre all their own. We can attempt to try to describe them - dramatic, over-the-top, cinematic, filled with danger, intrigue, surfy-guitar, creeping bass lines, horn stabs, swelling orchestras - basically you know 'em when you hear 'em. This week's special guests know a thing or two about Bond and Bond theme songs, as long time ATTT listeners know. Matt Dinan and Gabe Scalone are two of the biggest Bond fanatics in the universe, and we're taking this time to show some love to our favorite BOND-ESQUE songs. These songs fill all of the above criteria, and yet somehow are not actual James Bond theme songs, although they COULD be or perhaps should be. Let's get Bondy, shall we? Stream this playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5eNt5g91QdahZU2r0I7x3w?si=RiZIXi1rT3m21dsvBhUfig For more Bondy-ness consult your local All Time Top Ten archive to listen to James Bond Theme Songs Worst To First. Matt and Gabe helped to usher in the Worst To First Era in this classic episode: https://www.mixcloud.com/beneisen/episode-261-james-bond-theme-songs-worst-to-first-wmatt-dinan-gabe-scalone/

Sometimes you want to stretch out and play some multi-suite epic composition that's not only about aliens and time travel, but is an allegory for existence itself. Or sometimes you just want to rock out for a loooooong long time. Either way, there are some incredibly worthy songs that for whatever reason clock in at a hefty 10+ minutes. Fans of prog rock, like this week's guest Adam Sears, know it all too well - the expansive, mind-blowing 23 minute prog rock masterpiece that must be listened to among candles and little else. These types of opuses (or is it opusii?) are well represented here, as well as several non-prog masterworks all cocking in at over 10 minutes long. Viva the long ass song! Adam's space opera prog rock band Lobate Scarp are hard at work on their follow up album to 2012's Time And Space. Check out all of their cool shit at: http://lobatescarp.com Stream this lengthy playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7bdiMOMpCDXPqe9aoXcIrh?si=68FbgMfTS-6Bg4FZ-eX_sQ