Backwards Beats Podcast

In Episode 87 of the Backwards Beats Podcast, hosts Carl and Dan dive into LCD Soundsystem’s critically acclaimed 2007 release, Sound of Silver—ranked #433 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. The hosts explore the history and mastermind behind the project, James Murphy, detailing his path from New York studio builder and DJ to founding DFA Records and creating dance-punk. Throughout the track-by-track breakdown, Carl and Dan discuss the record's unique balance between live instrumentation and electronic looping, its heavy New York identity, and its thematic reflections on aging, anxiety, and urban life.
Key Points
James Murphy & LCD Soundsystem's Origins: Dan breaks down Murphy's early background—from playing in punk/new wave bands to mistakenly turning down a writing opportunity for Seinfeld—before establishing DFA Records alongside Tim Goldsworthy and releasing the breakout single "Losing My Edge."
Genre Fusion & Production: The hosts highlight how Sound of Silver bridges the gap between punk, disco, house, and indie rock, featuring real drums, live percussion, and vintage synths rather than relying purely on electronic loops.
This episode also features the song "Up In Smoke" by Indie artist Ben Dearie. You can check his music out at https://bendeariemusic.com/
 
Music References
Shit Robot
Loretta Lynn
Cooked Rain, Crooked Rain by Pavement
Pavement
Pet Shop Boys
2Pac
Blur
Gorillaz
James Brown
James Murphy
Beck
Lenny Kravitz
nine inch nails
A Flock of Seagulls
Bow Down to the Exit Sign by David Holmes
David Holmes
rapture
Juan McLean
Can
ESG
Liquid Liquid
Fat Boy Slim
Dig Your Own Hole by Chemical Brothers
Chemical Brothers
Moby
Tiesto
Avalanches
Stealy Dan
Train in Vain by the clash
the Clash
David Bowie
talking heads
Pixies
Kim deal
TV on the radio
Arcade Fire
Reggie Watts
The Killers
The Strokes
Julian Casablanca's
Bob Dylan
Ben Deere
Partners in Crime by Rupert Holmes
Widescreen by Rupert Holmes
Escape by Rupert Holmes
Partners in Crime by Rupert Holmes
widescreen by Rupert Holmes
Lunch Hour by Rupert Holmes
Rupert Holmes
Jim Croche
something by Beatles
Beatles
Rachel Price
Vulfpec
Cake
beds are burning by midnight oil
Midnight Oil
Trent Reznor
Jimmy Hendrix
Empire State of mind by Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Storm&Stress by Storm & Stress
Storm & Stress
Kevin Shea
Join us next week when we dive into Confessions by Usher.

Welcome to Episode 86 of the Backwards Beats Podcast! Hosts Carl and Dan dive deep into Pavement’s landmark 1994 sophomore album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Rated #434 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, this record is the quintessential slacker-rock masterpiece of the '90s. From the pristine indie-pop hooks of "Cut Your Hair" to the dissonant, loose charm of "Stop Breathin," Carl and Dan break down the album's dual identity, debating whether the band is truly a group of apathetic slackers or secret musical geniuses. They also share their final verdicts on the album's place in history, chat about what’s currently in their ears, and preview next week's record.
Music References
Purple Rain by prince
dump truck
Helmut
Gary Young
black flag
circle jerks
Mark Ibold
Bob Nostasovic
sublime
blue album by Weaser
Weaser
Rivers Cuomo
Rick Ocasic
Flea
Jeff Ament
Stone Temple Pilots
David Bowie
scar tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Cut the cake by average white band
average white band
smashing pumpkins
Jimmy Chamberlain
Sham
dinosaur Jr.
Linda Ronstadt
queens of the Stone Age
Walk Me Home by Pink
Pink
Pomplamoose
Alice in Chains
Take five by Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
Soul Asylum
the Velvet Underground
Lou Reed
Billy Squire
wilco
Bryce Goggen
red hot chili peppers
Radiohead
butthole surfers
Frankie Valley
the way you make me feel by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
blame on the boogie by Jackson's
Jackson's
Soulive
Corey Glover
Reggie Watts
joyful girl by Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews
Krunbin
The Doctrine of Love by Jalen Nganda
Jalen Nganda
Silksonic
chunky by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars
Liam Bridges
Michael Kiwinaka
the dip
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Join us next week as we endulge in all that is Sound of Silver by LCD Sound System.f21brLKjXcDQD1iX7XS1

In this episode of the Backwards Beats Podcast, hosts Carl and Dan dive deep into the 435th album on Rolling Stone’s top 500 list: Pet Shop Boys’ sophomore album, Actually (1987).
What follows is an entertaining, technical, and highly opinionated debate on the merits of 80s synth-pop. Carl brings heavy critiques against the duo’s flat dynamic range, mechanical loop production, and Neil Tennant’s deadpan vocal delivery. Dan, on the other hand, finds charm in their understated vulnerability, clever harmonic modulations, and deep-cut storytelling. Despite their clashing viewpoints on the front half, both hosts find themselves pleasantly surprised by the cinematic arrangements of the album's back half—featuring legendary collaborations with Ennio Morricone, Dusty Springfield, and Angelo Badalamenti.
Key Points
The Vocal & Production Debate: Carl and Dan face off over Neil Tennant's signature deadpan vocals. While Carl finds the delivery flat and lacking breath support, Dan defends it as an intentional stylistic choice that perfectly serves the duo's themes of apathy and social critique. They also discuss the stark differences between the thin 1987 original mix and the much-needed low-end boost of the 2018 remaster.
Music References
Crazy train by Ozzy Osbourne
Nick Lowe
Neil Tennant
Chris Lowe
Smashmouth
Bobby O Orlando
Steven Hague
Diplo
Julian Mendelssohn
Daft Punk is playing at my house by LCD sound system
LCD sound system
James
Discovery by Daft Punk
around the world by Daft Punk
Daft Punk
Animals by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
we like it here by snarky puppy
snarky puppy
always on my mind by Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
always on my mind by Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Chris Stapleson
Warner Williams
always on my mind by Wayne Carson
Wayne Carson
always on my mind by Johnny Christopher
Johnny Christopher
always on my mind by Mark James
Mark James
What have I done to deserve this by Dusty Springfield
Son of a preacher man by Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Al Green
BTS
John Legend
Janelle Monet
hot to go by chappel roan
chappel roan
Odelay by Beck
Beck
Maroon Five
ACDC
Jan Hommer
chemical brothers
fatboy Slim
L.T.J. Bookham
black holes and revelations by muse
Madness by muse
city of delusion by muse
Knights of Cydonia by muse
muse
Lonely Island
Freddie Mercury
MGMT
Barbara Streisand
Tina Turner
walking on sunshine by Katrina and the waves
Katrina and the waves
INXS
shopping by Barenaked ladies
Barenaked ladies
the clash
Mikey Free
the Ecstacy of Gold by Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone
Angela Badalamenti
Julie Cruise
Crazy On You by Hart
Hart
wild world by Steven
Steven
Tied Away of Mystery by Capital Cities
Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
Capital Cities
heartbeat city by cars
Drive by cars
cars
Frank Moody
Love Stinks by The J. Giles Band
The J. Giles Band
Peter Wolf
pavement
Enzlo
Alice Cooper
Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Floyd Dixon
wagon wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show
Old Crow Medicine Show
I will survive by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor
ABBA
Killing me softly by Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Join us next week when we dive into the slacker genre with Crooked Rain by pavement

Welcome back to the Backwards Beats Podcast! After a month-long Northeast hiatus filled with $43 roadside lobster rolls, Carl and Dan are back in the studio. In Episode 436, the guys tackle Tupac Shakur's monumental, diamond-selling 1996 double album, All Eyez on Me.
Rather than wading track-by-track through all 2 hours and 12 minutes of this 27-track epic, Carl and Dan build their ultimate 12-song "Dream Album" (plus one mandatory "Gimme" track) out of the collection. Along the way, they explore Tupac's activist roots in the Black Panther movement, his brilliant but paranoid persona, and the tragic sequence of events leading up to his untimely death. They also break down the record's legendary sample histories, debate the highest highs and lowest lows, and close things out with some stellar music recommendations.
Key Points
The Dream Album Formula: Rather than reviewing all 27 tracks, the hosts filter the double disc down to a tight, 12-song tracklist, revealing a surprising amount of consensus with eight matching songs between them.
The "California Love" Remix Tragedy: A passionate breakdown of why the original radio cut of California Love (built on Joe Cocker's "Woman to Woman" riff) is an S-tier masterpiece, while the album's sluggish remix feels like an absolute disaster.
Poetry vs. Paranoia: An examination of Tupac's complex dual nature—his brilliant storytelling and clever internal rhyming structure contrasted against the paranoia and aggressive posturing that defined his final months.
What's in Your Ears: The guys share what they've been listening to lately, featuring Vulfpeck's incredible live Montreal performance (with Lewis Cato stepping in), The Bird and the Bee's Hall & Oates cover project, the Chick Corea Trio, and the Chemical Brothers' ultimate coding EP, Loops of Fury.
This episode also features a contribution from Christine Kahn with Skin Vehicles (Dex Hannon) and their song "I Know Your Scars". You can learn more about them on Christian's Website or buy their song on Band Camp.
Music References
Sinéad O'Connor
Howlin' Wolf
Muddy Waters
Phil Spector
Miranda Lambert
The White Album by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Wall by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Digital Underground
Jada Pinkett
Woman to Woman by Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
Snoop Dogg
Nate Dogg
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Black Star
Big Boi
André 3000
Outkast
Katy Perry
Regulate by Warren G
Warren G
Yaki Kadafi
Outlawz
Tha Dogg Pound
Dr. Dre
Ice Cube
The Roots
Eminem
Natasha Walker
CPO Boss Hogg
KC & JoJo
Drake
DMX
Let's Get Together by Al Green
Al Green
Rhythm of the Night by DeBarge
A Dream by DeBarge
DeBarge
No Diggity by Blackstreet
Don't Leave Me by Blackstreet
Blackstreet
Danny Boy
Kanye West
Richie Rich
Usher
Gorillaz
SZA
Kendrick Lamar
Daughter by Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
777-9311 by The Time
The Time
Morris Day
Darling Nikki by Prince
Prince
Parliament
Average White Band
Johnny J
Big Syke
Chali 2na
Jurassic 5
Michael McCary
Boyz II Men
Maceo Parker
Fred Wesley and the Horny Horns
James Brown
Richard Pryor
Vitamin C
Brandy by The O'Jays
The O'Jays
Frankie Teardrop by Suicide
Suicide
Good Mood by Adam Levine
Adam Levine
Sugar by Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Sherry by Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli
I Ain't Worried by OneRepublic
OneRepublic
Back Pocket by Vulfpeck
Dean Town by Vulfpeck
Animal Spirits by Vulfpeck
Vulfpeck
Charles Jones
Louis Cato
Jacob Collier
Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates by The Bird and the Bee
The Bird and the Bee
Nataly Dawn
I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) by Hall & Oates
Maneater by Hall & Oates
Rich Girl by Hall & Oates
Sara Smile by Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Trilogy 2 by Chick Corea Trio
Chick Corea Trio
Brian Blade
Christian McBride
Return to Forever
John McLaughlin
Loops of Fury by The Chemical Brothers
Hey Boy Hey Girl by The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers
West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys
Join us next week when we discuss, Actually by Pet Shop Boys.

In Episode 83 of Backwards Beats, hosts Dan and Carl dive into Gorillaz’s acclaimed 2005 release, Demon Days, which comes in at No. 437 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. The hosts unpack the album's rich, layered production crafted by Damon Albarn and Danger Mouse, as well as its iconic roster of collaborators including MF Doom, De La Soul, Dennis Hopper, Booty Brown, and Neneh Cherry.
Beyond the technical production, the discussion explores the project's conceptual lore, its underlying themes of environmental collapse, industrialization, and societal apathy, and how Albarn shed his personal ego to fully embrace his cartoon persona, 2D.
Key Points
Production & Listening Experience: The hosts analyze the album’s introverted vs. extroverted nature, noting that while some tracks can easily blend into the background, a high-fidelity or high-volume listen reveals incredible texture, deep sub-bass, and nuanced woodwind/orchestral layering.
Damon Albarn’s Ego Shift: The discussion covers how Demon Days marked a turning point where Albarn fully stepped behind his virtual avatar 2D, casting aside his British alternative rock ego to lean into the concept of a cartoon band created alongside artist Jamie Hewlett.
Next Week's Album: The hosts tease their upcoming double-album review of 2Pac’s classic 1996 release, All Eyez on Me.
Music Referenced
Damon Albarn
Del the Funky Homosapien
Deltron 3030 by Deltron 3030
Parklife by Blur
Bernard Herrmann
The Pharcyde
Dennis Hopper
MF Doom
De La Soul
Danger Mouse
Gone Daddy Gone by Gnarls Barkley
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
CeeLo Green
Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Let It Be by The Beatles
Katy Perry
Tupac Shakur
Neneh Cherry
The Slits
Sun Ra
Foster the People
Booty Brown
Crazy in Love by Jay-Z
Hihache by Lafayette Afro Rock Band
J Dilla
Jurassic 5
Chali 2na
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Black Star
A Tribe Called Quest
Three 6 Mafia
Morgan Nicholls
M83
Something About Us by Daft Punk
Melodrama by Lorde
Ike Turner
Lil Jon
Martina Topley-Bird
Simon Tong
Shaun Ryder
Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
Basement Jaxx
Lady Gaga
Madonna
Lenny Kravitz
Jim James
My Morning Jacket
The Beach Boys
London Community Gospel Choir
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) by David Bowie
Young Americans by David Bowie
Fashion by David Bowie
Young Americans by David Bowie
Fame by David Bowie
Maddie Ashman
Angine De Poitrine
Home Is by Jacob Collier
Michael Mayo
The Wow Signal by Muse
Knights of Cydonia by Muse
Join us Next week for the epic, All Eyez on Me by 2Pac.

In this episode, Carl and Dan turn their attention to "Parklife" by Blur (1994), ranked at 438 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. The hosts, dive into this album that serves as a cornerstone of the 90s Britpop movement. Throughout the review, they explore the band's shift from debt-ridden alternative rock to chart-topping success, their satirical take on British culture, and the album's unexpected musical diversity.
Key Points
Musical Style & Influences: The album is noted for its experimental production and wide array of influences, including The Kinks, The Beatles, XTC, David Bowie, and Talking Heads. The hosts highlight the album's use of varied instrumentation, such as organs, harpsichords, and woodwinds, which adds a unique texture to the tracks.
Satirical Storytelling: Blur draws inspiration from satirical observations of British working-middle class life. Songs like "Parklife" and "Tracy Jacks" are discussed as character sketches that utilize witty, observational songwriting.
This episode also features the song Realign by Som Som an independant artist from Roterdam, Netherlands. Check them out, buy their music or stream them on any streaming platform.
Music Referenced
Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden
Eight Days a Week by The Beatles
Small Faces
XTC
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie
Talking Heads
The Smiths
(What's the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis
Wonderwall by Oasis
The Kinks
Men at Work
The Bad Touch by Bloodhound Gang
The Clash
INXS
They Might Be Giants
Barenaked Ladies
The Beach Boys
Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Breaking the Girl by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Beat It by Michael Jackson
The Point! by Harry Nilsson
Phil Daniels
Black Flag
Fugazi
Dead Kennedys
Sham 69
(Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult
The Doors
Time of the Season by The Zombies
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn by Pink Floyd
Scarecrow by Pink Floyd
The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Butthole Surfers
J Dilla
MF DOOM
Laura Nyro
New Order
Pet Shop Boys
Stereolab
Coldplay
Gary Numan
Love Shack by The B-52's
Rock Lobster by The B-52's
Primus
R.E.M.
Surrender by Cheap Trick
DARE by Gorillaz
Boyz II Men
Cans
Bad Bunny
Buttered
Baby Come Back by Ocean Alley
Dirty Loops
The Doobie Brothers
Chapter 1 by SAULT
Inflo
CeeLo Green
Beck
Join us next week when we continue our Damon Albarn journey with Demon Days by Gorillaz.

Get on up! This week, Dan and Carl dive into James Brown’s monumental 1970 double album, Sex Machine (Live). Sitting high on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums list, this record is a legendary, high-energy masterclass in the evolution of funk.
The guys break down the album’s unique hybrid structure—from the "live" studio tracks on Sides 1 and 2 (complete with hand-mixed fake crowd noise) to the raw, sweat-soaked energy recorded live in Augusta, Georgia on Sides 3 and 4. They dissect James Brown’s unmatched bandleader instincts, the incredible precision of a teenage Bootsy Collins on bass, Clyde Stubblefield’s mind-blowing drum pockets, and how this exact record basically served as the DNA for the golden era of hip-hop sampling.
Key Points
The "Live" Illusion: We pull back the curtain on the album's first half, exploring the production decisions to sweeten tight studio recordings with artificial crowd noise and heavy reverb.
The Master of the Groove: An in-depth appreciation of the rhythm section—specifically Bootsy Collins' foundational, melodic basslines and Clyde Stubblefield’s legendary, intricate 16th-note drum patterns.
The Blueprint for Hip-Hop: How this record became a goldmine for producers, with practically every track on the tracklist being sampled by the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Ice Cube, and beyond.
The "Licking Stick" Tangent: Dan shares a ridiculous, legendary IT workplace story involving his own custom-made "licking stick" (aka the office "Widow Maker").
Separating the Art from the Artist: A candid, real-talk discussion about James Brown's deeply volatile personal life, legal troubles, and domestic abuse, contrasted against his undisputed genius as a musical innovator.
Music Referenced
In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry
Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield
Chicago
Frank Zappa
Prince
David Byrne
Bootsy Collins
James Jamerson
Rocco Prestia
Business Time by Flight of the Conchords
Luther Vandross
A Tribe Called Quest
Footsteps in the Dark by The Isley Brothers
Shout by The Isley Brothers
Who's That Lady by The Isley Brothers
Sissy Strut by The Meters
Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat & Tears
If I Ruled the World by Leslie Bricusse
Aretha Franklin
Otis Redding
Buddy Rich
Steely Dan
Jacob Collier
The Ronettes
Michael Jackson
Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter
Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
Little Richard
Chinese Wall by Philip Bailey
Easy Lover by Philip Bailey
Reasons by Earth, Wind & Fire
Easy Lover by Phil Collins
Reminiscing by Little River Band
Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder
Song 2 by Blur
Damon Albarn
Rubber Soul by The Beatles
Funk Overload by Maceo Parker
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
Join us next week when we cover, Parklife by Blur.

Welcome to the Season 4 premiere of the Backwards Beats Podcast! Hosts Carl and Dan kick off the season by diving into album number 440 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list: Loretta Lynn's 1971 classic, Coal Miner's Daughter. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes across 11 songs, this landmark release delivers straight-down-the-middle traditional country fare backed by an elite Nashville session crew. Carl and Dan break down the album’s technical production—from the brilliant engineering of plate reverbs and pre-delays to the stark, hard-panned stereo mixing of the era—while tracking the dramatic thematic arc of small-town pride, marital betrayal, and revenge.
Key Points
Elite Instrumentation: The record features stellar backing work from Lynn's "wrecking crew," including legendary background harmonies from The Jordanaires, Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano, and standout pedal steel work.
The Mechanics of Plate Reverb: Dan breaks down the iconic live-tracking environment at Bradley’s Barn, detailing how engineers utilized a 600-pound EMT 140 plate reverb and tape-head pre-delay to keep Loretta's vocals incredibly present yet deeply spacious.
What’s In Your Ears?:
Carl: Highly recommends Spinning Plums, a Japanese progressive rock band blending minimalism, shoe-gaze vocals, and clean Fender Jazzmaster tones.
Dan: Shares his immersion in a Japanese experimental/drone project (The Gerogerigegege lineup featuring Kenji Hino) while taking a mental break from his intensive work composing a supernatural horror film score.
Music References
Linda Ronstadt
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Crystal Gale
Tammy Wynette
Miranda Lambert
Jason Isbel
Hello Darlin by Conway, Twitty
Conway, Twitty
rhinstone cowboy by Glenn Campbell
Glenn Campbell
Elvira by Oak Ridge boys
Oak Ridge boys
Cheryl Crow
Lorraine Allen
Christophe
Ray Price
Peggy Sue
Pig Robbins
Amory
Van Halen
Spinning Plums
Sungazer
Shita Susha
Kenji Hino
Join us next week when we jump into the epic Sex Machine by James Brown.

In this solo Sidetrax episode, Dan pulls back the curtain on the brutal, agonizing ten-year journey behind one of the most famous songs in human history: Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah." We trace its roots from Cohen’s deep personal and professional collapse in the late 1970s following his disastrous collaboration with Phil Spector and the painful end of his relationship with Suzanne.
Beyond the history, this episode goes deep into the music itself. Dan breaks down the actual song structure, explores the ancient myth of King David's lyre, and analyzes the specific musical harmony to see if we can finally decode what Cohen meant by "the secret chord."
 

It's that time again! Carl rolled the 20 sided die and pulled none other than David Bowie's Album Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps). What song will he choose to butcher this time? Listen to find out this on this weeks Sidetrack episode!