We are back and getting crazy with the Cheez Wiz! This week we are taking on the smorgasbord of sounds and genres contained within Beck's "Midnite Vultures." Hilary and Cody jump headfirst into this amalgamation that somehow sounds like the weirdest party album you'll hear. Beck is in full control of the show, and the result is a fascinating look into the mind of a musician feeling themselves. This album wears its influences on its sleeves, relishing in them, and sometimes chuckling at them...

Ho-ho-holy good grief, we have a truly special one this week! Hilary and Cody unwrap the story behind a legendary holiday album - A Charlie Brown Christmas. Ever wonder who those kids are on the recording? They're just kids, of course! Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson understood the necessity for authenticity. This soundtrack has transcended beyond just the music to a classic television special; many would put this as the definitive soundtrack to their holiday season. Full of quiet...

Holy buckets and holly jolly everyone, we made it to episode twenty! Sharon Jones & tTe Dap-Kings usher in our first holiday season with their brilliant, groove-filled album "It's A Holiday Soul Party."  This album is set in a very specific, interesting period of time for the group, and for Miss Sharon Jones personally. The result is a record full of life, soul, and joy that encourages us all to let the goodwill flow toward our fellow man. Hang the big bulbs on the tree, string the...

Surpriiiiiiissssse!!! We are back with a fury, and there's hardly a better album to get back into the swing of things than this absolute groove. Cody and Hilary dive into the B-52s second album, and man does it go in. "Wild Planet" takes no prisoners, tackling topics from a poodle abandoning its owner for another dog, to tips on how to save a flailing party, to the happenings on a dirty back road. The B-52s are a staple for relishing in yourself, owning the parts of you that others want to...

Hurry, hurry, step right up and follow us into an episode filled with beats, bars, and the God MC himself. This week's episode sees Hilary and Cody marveling over the second album from Eric B. & Rakim.  We flip out over the exquisite samples (shout out Bob James!) and Rakim's mastery of flow and rhymes. Studios get blacked out, there's a feud over cereal...it gets in tense. This is a landmark record in the evolution of hip-hop. "Follow the Leader" put everyone on notice that these guys...

What have we here? A two...or one and a half-for one deal this week! Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine" is a masterclass in melody and weaving styles together. With folks such as Jon Brion, Questlove, and Mike Elizondo contributing, this album really shows us an artist stepping into and owning their artistry. Cody and Hilary explore the story behind this record's genesis, death, and rebirth - thanks in large part to a fanbase that would not take no for an answer! "Extraordinary Machine"...

Get yourself right for this one, we're headed into the wild world of punk funk, the 80s, and Rick James. Hilary and Cody wade through the legend of Rick James, touch on the storied history of Motown, and chat about an album that is simply a masterclass in groove. Street Songs is the album most representative of Rick James's vision. Bombastic, opulent, and pretty much every superlative that can be applied to him, you can apply to this record! Thanks for listening! Check out everything we...

We've made it to our 15th episode, and our spooky season selection is frightfully good. Cody and Hilary tackle "Murder Ballads" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. An album full of betrayal, mayhem, and plenty of murder, it also has a sense of humor about itself. The total body count is into the dozens, and we had a great time trying to keep a running tally while listening. "Murder Ballads" provides a fairly contemporary gateway into a realm of songs that have been around for hundreds of years....

"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: those with loaded guns, and those who dig."  Maaaan have we got one for you all this week. Our first venture into soundtrack territory, and you know we were gonna swing for the fences. How about some Morricone mixed with some Clint Eastwood to make everyone feel like a badass? Hilary and Cody talk about the depth of collaboration between Sergio Leone and Morricone, the way the music brilliantly functions as its own character,...

*Please imagine the following description being in crisp, three part bluegrass harmony. The Chicks are the focus of this week's episode, and wow is it a ride. Riding the success of two monster records, "Home" was poised to keep pace, or even outpace, everything they had done to that point. However, their momentum was brought to an abrupt halt on the opening night of the tour for this record, when lead singer Natalie Maines spoke out against the looming US invasion of Iraq. Listen as Cody...

"My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud." - Henry Rollins Brace yourself, we're headed into the hardcore scene this week. Hilary and Cody keep their heads on a swivel as they navigate the early 80s, and Black Flag's "My War." Anger, defiance, and intention coarse through this album's veins. Two years of turmoil explodes from the title track and carries through to the brutal Sabbath-esque closer, Scream. Black Flag went out of their way to confront and challenge their audience, refusing...

Let's head to the Mississippi Delta for episode 11! Hilary and Cody peel back the curtain on one of music's most mythological figures - Robert Johnson. Behind the legends and stories existed a very real, very human musician. With a spirit that drove him to roam, and a vision on achieving greatness, Robert Johnson developed a style and sound that would influence generations of rock, blues, and soul players for decades to come. Many a rock titan owes their legacy in no small part to the...

We have made it to ten episodes! Let's celebrate with some of the cleanest grooves and smoothest jams you're gonna hear in rock - Steely Dan. Cody and Hilary dive into the Dan's debut, and chat about everything from a Thin Lizzy soundalike track, to a song that maybe-but-not-definitely-although-most-likely was a scathing criticism of a member of the Fab Four. "Can't Buy a Thrill" sets the table for the Steely Dan to come - esoteric, cynical lyrics backed with their smooth version of...

We are back with another one of those block rockin' beats! This week, Hilary and Cody charge head first into a nonstop jam. The Chemical Brothers' second album is a force to be reckoned with. Boasting appearances by Noel Gallagher and Beth Orton, drum tracks twisted and warped into club beats, and plenty of electronica and hip-hop influence, this album will leave you totally spent. From DJ Kool Herc to Ringo Starr, this record wears its influences on its sleeve. We're excited to share some...

This week's record is packed with venom, darkness, and plenty of ass-kicking - Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Juju." Siouxsie and the Banshees' influence is irrefutable, and their fingerprints are all over the advent of goth rock (whether or not they dig that idea is another story haha). Cody and Hilary discuss the addition of two key members, bringing the Banshees to arguably their most formidable lineup. From their thoughts on the idea of voodoo, to a track revolving around a serial killer,...

"I was born at Newport." - Duke Ellington The power of a single performance can alter any artist's trajectory, even for the most legendary musicians. This week, Hilary and Cody flash back to Newport, Rhode Island, in 1956. Duke Ellington and His Orchestra are gearing up for a make or break headlining show. That night's set, and the record that followed, would change Ellington's fortunes and set him on track for a historic third act in an career whose influence is difficult to...

"It's almost required with major artists that there's some duality. And I've got duality everywhere." - George Michael Some folks have an otherworldly ability to craft pop music, and George Michael undoubtedly has a seat at that table. In this episode, Cody and Hilary explore the record that served as his most complete artistic statement. Meticulously crafted, the making of Faith is George Michael elbowing his way into the pop auteur conversation alongside the likes of Prince, Michael...

What makes a genre...a genre? When does an album move from one genre to another? Or, more importantly, does any of that really matter? Cody and Hilary delve into Deafheaven's "Sunbather" in our fifth episode. An album exploding with self-reflection, frustration, and power, it catapulted Deafheaven into the spotlight. Ten years after its release, its blast beats and washing guitars continue to spark conversations about classification, "tradition" within genre, and fandom in general. Thanks...

"Beep beep, who got the keys to the jeep?...Vrooom!" Our first venture into hip-hop covers a true titan of the genre. With her debut solo record "Supa Dupa Fly," Missy Elliott's confidence and willingness to bet on herself paid off many times over.  Hilary and Cody discuss Missy Elliott's partnership with Timbaland, the groundbreaking music videos, and how they forged their own lane in a time when hip-hop was coming off its most polarized era. Missy Elliott is an innovator and originator. ...

"I don't know where he comes from, but I've got a good idea where he's going." - Kris Kristofferson about John Prine Let us fill in those blanks on our third episode! Hilary and Cody dive into John Prine's debut, self-titled record. From losing a staring contest to oatmeal to an unflinching look at the reality for many soldiers returning from combat, Prine tapped into an unassuming gentleness and empathy far beyond his years. Come listen to what we have to say about a true Amoeba darling,...

"Take me on a journey..." Oh, we're about to do just that! On the inaugural episode of EarWax, hosts Hilary and Cody give the rundown on who we are, the framework for the show, and what we hope to accomplish with Amoeba Music's very first podcast. For our first Album of the Week, we're looking at Donna Summer's "Bad Girls." Full of bangers and ballads, this record is a window into a turning point in both musical history, and our culture at large. Thanks for listening! Check out everything...

We're back for round two! Cody and Hilary examine the beginnings of DEVO and their inimitable first album - "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are DEVO!" (Cody fumbles the title in the intro. Don't worry, we're pointing and laughing too!) DEVO's debut put the world on notice of something uncompromisingly different. From a wild Stones cover to crashing a Sun Ra show, DEVO has always - unapologetically - been themselves. We'll peek a bit behind the curtain to see how this record was rooted in a pivotal...

Introducing EarWax, Amoeba Music's first podcast! Hosts Hilary and Cody chat about new releases and in-store events, so you are always up to date on the goings on of the world's largest independent record store. Each week, we tell the story of one particular album. How was it made? Where does it exist in our history? What effect did it have then, and how does it affect us today? EarWax is two longtime record store clerks doing what we do best - learning about and sharing the stories behind...