60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Today, Rob explains how even after five successful studio albums, Spoon still felt vengeful enough to write the most triumphant song about being the underdog. He reflects on how Spoon's major label dropped the Austin rockers and became the opposite of a muse for the band, shaping their swaggery image. Finally, he is joined by music critic Ryan Dombal who greatly appreciates the snobbery of Spoon and the rockstar frontman energy of Britt Daniels.

(00:00) Intro: The three phases of major-label rock stardom

(21:23) This week’s song: “The Underdog” by Spoon

(25:39) Britt Daniel’s origins and ‘Telefono’

(34:56) How Spoon got dropped from Elektra Records

(40:48) Spoon’s evolution as the 21st century's most consistent band

(56:44) “The Underdog,” the ultimate mouth-horn song

(01:02:28) Interview with Ryan Dombal

(01:33:02) Outro

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Guest: Ryan Dombal

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We should have known that, despite the irony, the kid from New Jersey who defended the purchasing of serial killer comics would grow up to become the defender of the broken, beaten, and damned. Today, Rob recollects the discovery of his emo phase with the enduring anthem “Welcome to the Black Parade,” by My Chemical Romance. He recounts the rise of the young band in a post-9/11 New Jersey and the pinnacle of their success with the grandiose showmanship of the 'Black Parade' album. At the end, he is joined by former My Chemical Romance producer and mentor Geoff Rickly, lead singer of the band Thursday, who knew early on that the band would be a global phenomenon.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Guest: Geoff Rickly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/60songsthatexplainthe90s/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

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We’re going back to our roots this week—back to our Toyota Corollas and Chrysler LeBarons or whatever other shitty cars we drove back in the ’90s—to blast some Bush. Rob ponders whether frontman Gavin Rossdale is a good lyricist and extends some empathy in the age of Nirvana, when no alt-rock band could compare, especially those singing about their “willies.” Finally, Rob is joined by national treasure and Rob’s daughter Yasi Salek, who comes to defend the lyricism of cheekbone himbo Gavin Rossdale.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Julianna Ress, Olivia Crerie, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Yasi Salek

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This episode is for the ladies up in here tonight! Before her hips became internationally renowned, Shakira was making Spanish rock music from the age of 14. Today, Rob looks back at her crossover album 'Laundry Service,' which was released as other Latin American artists were also starting to make music in English. Later, he is joined by music journalist Suzy Exposito, who talks about why Shakira deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, her initial disappointment when Shakira dyed her hair blonde and started singing in English, and what it was like getting to interview her.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Julianna Ress, Olivia Crerie, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Suzy Exposito
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Imagine, you’re on the road with an indie sleaze band making sock puppets sing obscenities when Sesame Street gives you a call. Leslie Feist’s career can most similarly be compared to the life of Benjamin Button with her most successful and youthful song, “1234,” coming later in her colorful and previously raucous music career. Rob breaks down Feist’s magical ability to bring new perspectives to covers and sing emotion into numbers before he is joined by Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack. They discuss the role Feist’s music played in soundtracking Chandler’s college years and how this affected her most recent film, Mile End Kicks, which follows a young music journalist becoming increasingly more involved in the music scene she’s documenting.

Listen to the songs from the episode: '00s #44 Feist "1234"

Host: Rob Harvilla

Producers: Olivia Crerie, Julianna Ress, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles

Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler

Guest: Chandler Levack

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