MODERN MUSICOLOGY

The Wall ... Tommy ... Sgt Peppers ... The Lamb Lies Down ... We delve into the world of concept albums. We talk about what makes a successful concept album and name some of our most and least favorites. Let us know your thoughts! Did we not mention one that you love? Do you disagree with our summation of one that we discussed? Let us know by dropping us a line at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or by leaving a comment on our post! 

In this episode we're joined by author Nick Griffiths, whose new book DeadStar: Who the Hell Was Garth Tyson? was released January 2022. We also discuss some of our favorite music books, fiction and non-fiction, that we've read in recent years.
About DeadStar: 
Garth Tyson wanted to be the next David Bowie. He fell short. Waaaay short. Burnt out, he fled the stage at Glastonbury '85, having been pelted with mud, and was never seen again. Decades after Garth's disappearance, former bandmates, friends, relatives, lovers, music-biz execs and two fans (you try finding more) reunite to tell Garth's compelling, tragicomic tale.
https://www.amazon.com/DeadStar-Who-Hell-Garth-Tyson/dp/1803690135/ref=sr_1_1?crid=232EJPV5ROOMP&keywords=deadstar+nick+griffiths&qid=1645476442&sprefix=nick+griffiths%2Caps%2C336&sr=8-1
 
 

We tackle a tricky topic in this episode. We all know artists who have either done awful things or who turn out to be awful people in general. Does that affect the way you listen to their music? Do you no longer monetarily support that artist? How bad is too bad? We do our best to discuss the situation from all angles. 
Let us know what you think of this one, and if there are any artists that you have disowned because of their words or actions. 

The Modern Musicology team takes on two of the biggest news stories in recent weeks! First we review the list of 2022 nominees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Second, we break down the very interesting situation of the current wave of artists selling off the rights to their catalogs. We'd love to hear your feedback! What do you think of this year's Rock Hall nominees? Who do you think are shoe-ins to be inducted? What are your thoughts about artists selling rights to their music? Let us know! 

Co-Hosts Anthony and Alan talk two Heavy Metal classics -- the 40th Anniversary of Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast and the 30th Anniversary of WASP's The Crimson Idol! Let us know your thoughts about these two great albums\! Email us at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or comment on our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/modernmusicology). 

Anthony, Rob and Alan take chisel and hammer in hand to add five (no, six!) faces to their own personal Mt. Rushmore of ROCK. Who do they each select as their representative guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, vocalist, drummer and producer? Which Deep Purple line-up does Anthony prefer? Who is the big curveball that Rob throws in the vocalist category? And what does Alan really think of Topographic Oceans? All the answers await you! 
We'd love to hear your picks for your Mt Rushmore faces! Email us at modernmusicology1@gmail.com or comment on our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/modernmusicology). 

We weren't able to record a new episode this week because of power outages (thanks a lot, snow), so we're presenting a show from the archives. This show comes from November 2021 (originally on our YouTube Channel) on the weekend of the release of "Red (Taylor's Version)'. We review the new version 'Red', talk about the reasons that she has launched the massive project to re-record her first six studio albums, and discuss the other things around the release -- the new 15-minute short film, her SNL performance, late-night appearances, and more. 

Rob, Anthony and Alan drive like demons from station to station to talk about their love of David Bowie on what would have been his 75th birthday. 

This week Anthony and Alan talk their love of both classic and modern progressive rock, from our roots in Genesis, Rush and Yes into later bands like Porcupine Tree, Marillion, and Spock's Beard. 
This show was originally recorded on October 17, 2021, right after the first show of Genesis' farewell tour. 

In this episode Anthony, Rob and Alan list their top picks from 2021 -- albums, music documentaries and books that were released in 2021 that we enjoyed most -- as well as some things we're looking forward to in 2022. Our picks are all over the place, ranging from Iron Maiden, Styx and Nancy Wilson to Idle, Battle Beast, The Umbrellas, Sea Power and Alestorm! 

This week on Modern Musicology we discuss the Rolling Stone list of the Top 80 Albums from 1980 before offering tributes to Michael Nesmith of the Monkees, Steve Bronski of Bronski Beat, Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie, and Anne Rice, all of whom passed away this week. But first we cover some music news and new releases (Dean Martin, Beach House, Billie Eilish, Bowie, Darkness, and more).

After a long wait, we finally have the Peter Jackson-edited documentary The Beatles: Get Back! Two of the hosts of Modern Musicology (Rob Levy and R. Alan Siler) along with guest Ashley Raburn share thoughts about this historic document. What parts impressed us the most? What surprised us the most?