Episodes

  • 1996 - November: Matchbox 20 “Yourself or Someone Like You”

    1996 - November: Matchbox 20 “Yourself or Someone Like You”
    Sep 8 2025

    Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from Matchbox 20 “Yourself or Someone Like You” on the charts in November of 1996 (3AM / Push / Real World / Long Day). STAFF PICKS: “Big Chair” by Reacharound — Wayne. “Rewind” by Better than Ezra — Rob. "When You Love a Woman” by Journey— Clint Barrett. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Space Jam” by Quad City DJ's (from the motion picture "Space Jam").

    **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • 2003 - September: Jet "Get Born"

    2003 - September: Jet "Get Born"
    Sep 1 2025

    Wayne riffs on the debut studio album by Jet, Get Born, released in September 2003 (Rollover DJ /Are You Gonna Be My Girl / Get Me Outta Here / Cold Hard Bitch).

    STAFF PICKS: Weak and Powerless by A Perfect Circle — Lynch. In Da Club by 50 Cent — (Fan of the Show )Clint Barrett. One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket — Rob.

    INSTRUMENTAL/ENTERTAINMENT/LAUGH TRACK: Main theme from the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

    Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • 2000-March: Disturbed “The Sickness”

    2000-March: Disturbed “The Sickness”
    Aug 25 2025

    Friend of the show, Greg Lyon riffs on the debut album by Disturbed, “The Sickness” from March 2000 (The Sickness / Voices / The Game / Stupify). STAFF PICKS: "Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit — Wayne. “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down — Rob. "Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon — Lynch. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Final Destination Suite” from the motion picture "Final Destination". **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • 1995-November:Oasis “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”

    1995-November:Oasis “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”
    Aug 20 2025

    Bruce riffs on the second studio album from Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory? on the charts in November 1995 (Champagne Supernova / Wonderwall / Morning Glory / Don't Look Back in Anger). STAFF PICKS: "Name” by Goo Goo Dolls — Wayne. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette— Lynch. "See You On the Other Side” by Ozzy Osbourne — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “The Memory of Trees” by Enya. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • 2004 - September: R.E.M. “Around the Sun”

    2004 - September: R.E.M. “Around the Sun”
    Aug 11 2025

    Rob riffs on the 13th studio album from R.E.M. “Around the Sun” from September of 2004 (Leaving New York / Wanderlust / Aftermath / Around the Sun). STAFF PICKS: “1985” by Bowling for Soup — Bruce. "Float On” by Modest Mouse— Lynch. “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney — Wayne. COMEDY TRACK: “Goofy Goober Rock” by SpongeBob SquarePants.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • 1995 - OCT: Smashing Pumpkins ”Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”

    1995 - OCT: Smashing Pumpkins ”Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”
    Aug 4 2025

    Lynch riffs on the third studio album from the Smashing Pumpkins, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” from October 1995 (1979 / Bullet with Butterfly Wings / Zero / Tonight, Tonight).

    STAFF PICKS: “Downtown” by Neil Young — Rob. “Lump” by The Presidents of the United States of America — Wayne. “Hard as a Rock” by AC/DC — Gregg.

    L/E/I TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Strange Days".

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • 1970 - April: Crosby Stills Nash & Young “Deja Vu”

    1970 - April: Crosby Stills Nash & Young “Deja Vu”
    Jul 5 2025
    We covered the self-titled debut album from Crosby, Stills & Nash in episode 137. Deja Vu is considered the second Crosby, Stills & Nash album, but it is actually the first album by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, with Canadian songwriter Neil Young turning the trio into a quartet. While the album continues to feature the signature harmonies associated with Crosby, Stills & Nash, it has a harder, more rocking edge to it. Some of this is undoubtedly due to the addition of Neil Young to the album, but it also reflects the challenges the group members were facing. Both Stephen Stills and Graham Nash had gone through break-ups in their relationships, and David Crosby tragically had lost his girlfriend Christine Hinton in a car accident. The album was highly anticipated, generating $2 million in pre-sales before its release. It became a gold record only 14 days after release, and was on the Billboard 200 album chart for 88 weeks. Contemporary critics provided mixed reviews, but the album has only grown in stature over time, with many reviews considering it amongst the top albums ever produced. Deja Vu was inducted into the Grammy Hall of fame in 2012. After its release, each of the principal members of the group would record solo albums, and the success of Deja Vu contributed to the individual success of these four solo projects. Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes Young) would continue to produce albums over the decades with their last collaboration occurring in 2015. The death of David Crosby in 2023 ended the possibility of full reunions. Wayne brings us this soft rock singer-songwriter live album for this week's podcast. Carry On The opening track to the album was penned by Stephen Stills who also provides lead vocals. It is a medley of two songs edited together with a jam session connector, and came together surprisingly fast during a time when most songs were taking a long time to finish. The lyrics encourage the band members to keep going through times of struggle in relationships both within and outside the band. Teach Your Children Graham Nash wrote this song in 1968 when he was with The Hollies, but had not recorded it with that group at the time. Nash has associated the song with a photograph exhibit showing a child playing with a toy hand grenade, and the lyrics encourage parents to be careful in how they teach their children. Neil Young does not play on this song, but the steel guitar is provided by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Woodstock Unlike the other tracks on this album, this song was not written by any of the band members, but was penned by Joni Mitchell. Mitchell had not attended the Woodstock festival, but was inspired to write this song told from the perspective of a concert goer after hearing her then-boyfriend Graham Nash relay the account. It has become a signature song for the group and a staple of the 60's counter-culture. Our House Graham Nash wrote this song as a description of a day spent with then-girlfriend Joni Mitchell and her two cats in their Laurel Canyon home. The song was written in an hour on Mitchel's piano. It went to number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from the motion Picture "Patton" This epic starring George C. Scott was playing in the theaters in 1970. It won seven Academy awards, including Best Picture. STAFF PICKS: Let It Be by The Beatles Lynch starts the staff picks with a song inspired by a dream. Paul McCartney's mother, Mary Patricia McCartney, died of cancer with Paul was 14. In the dream, his mother encourages her son by saying, "It's all right, just let it be." This single and title song from the final Beatles album debuted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 before topping those charts. Cecilia by Simon & Garfunkel Rob brings us the third single from the fifth and final album by Simon & Garfunkel, "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It was developed in a late night jam when the duo and friends were banging on a piano bench and recording the sound with a tape recorder. The lyrics depict the heartbreak of a boy delivered from Cecilia his unfaithful lover. The Rapper by The Jaggerz Bruce features the most successful single from the band whose guitarist and primary songwriter would go on to be Donny Iris. The song is a warning to the ladies not to be taken in by a smooth talking man telling them lies. It went to number 2 on the charts. Superlungs My Supergirl by Terry Reid Wayne's closes out the staff picks with a cover originally written by Donovan about a 14-year old groupie. Terry Reid was Jimmy Page's first pick to be lead singer of Led Zeppelin, but was unavailable at the time due to his touring schedule with Cream and the Rolling Stones. Reid would acquire the nickname of Superlungs. NOVELTY TRACK: Pineapple and the Monkey by The Faces This instrumental from The Faces debut album takes us out for this week.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • 1970 - June: The Beatles “Let it Be”

    1970 - June: The Beatles “Let it Be”
    Jul 2 2025

    Bruce riffs on the twelfth and final studio album from the Beatles “Let It Be,” on the charts in May 1970 (Two of Us / I Me Mine / I've Got a Feeling / Get Back). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Kelly's Heroes" STAFF PICKS: "Question” by The Moody Blues — Lynch. “Proper Stranger” by The Guess Who— Rob. "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain” by Ten Years After — Wayne. “Baby Hold On” by The Grass Roots — Bruce. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Genesis” by Tangerine Dream.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins