Polyphonic Press - Classic Album Reviews

By 2004, the indie rock scene was dominated by loud, sprawling collectives, but Leslie Feist stepped away from the noise of Broken Social Scene to release a delicate, intimate masterpiece that completely defied expectations. Let It Die traded the chaotic indie-rock energy of her peers for a smoky, Parisian mix of bossa nova, folk-pop, and jazz lounge covers. This week, the Random Album Generator gives us the international solo breakthrough of one of Canada's most beloved songwriters—an 11-track journey through romance, heartbreak, and undeniable vocal charm.
Inside This Episode:
First Half Reaction: We’re splitting this 11-track indie-pop gem down the middle. If you're listening with us, hit pause after track five, "Leisure Suite." Jeremy and Jon react to the breezy, acoustic perfection of "Mushaboom" and the devastatingly beautiful title track, "Let It Die," and discuss how Feist manages to make whispered, intimate vocals feel incredibly commanding.
5 Fast Facts: We uncover the tiny Nova Scotia village that gave "Mushaboom" its name, the magic of her Parisian studio sessions with Chilly Gonzales, and how she effortlessly transformed a forgotten Bee Gees disco track into a sultry lounge anthem.
Second Half & Final Thoughts: We hit play on the back half of the record and dive into the cover-heavy section of the album, exploring tracks like her take on Ron Sexsmith's "Secret Heart" and the traditional "When I Was a Young Girl." Does the shift from original compositions to jazz standards and covers disrupt the album's flow, or does it perfectly cement its smoky, late-night atmosphere?
The Verdict & Standout Tracks: Jeremy and Jon lock in their 3 essential tracks. Is this the absolute pinnacle of 2000s indie-folk lounge pop?

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By 1994, the Seattle grunge explosion was starting to fracture, but Soundgarden responded by releasing a massive, hour-plus behemoth that completely defied expectations. Superunknown traded the straight-ahead aggressive metal of their earlier work for a dark, sprawling mix of weird time signatures, heavy Black Sabbath-style riffs, and Beatlesque psychedelia. This week, the Random Album Generator gives us the commercial peak of the grunge era—a 15-track journey through depression, isolation, and undeniable sonic genius.
Inside This Episode:
First Half Reaction: We’re splitting this 15-track 90s CD down the middle. If you're listening with us, hit pause after track seven, "Black Hole Sun." Jeremy and Jon react to the punishingly heavy grooves of "My Wave" and "Fell on Black Days," and discuss how the band managed to make odd-meter time signatures sound like stadium anthems.
5 Fast Facts: We uncover the hilarious misread that gave the album its title, the real-life street performer behind "Spoonman," and the hidden image inside the distorted album cover art.
Second Half & Final Thoughts: We hit play on the back half of the record and dive into the darker, slower, and more experimental tracks like "4th of July" and "Like Suicide." Does the album justify its massive runtime, or does it drag at the end?
The Verdict & Standout Tracks: Jeremy and Jon lock in their 3 essential tracks. Is this the absolute pinnacle of 90s alternative rock?

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Before rock and roll became completely polished and stadium-ready, there was the Faces. In 1971, they captured the absolute pinnacle of sloppy, joyous, blues-soaked rock with A Nod Is as Good as a Wink... to a Blind Horse. It’s a record that sounds exactly like what it was: five immensely talented guys having the time of their lives in the studio, fueled by camaraderie and an endless supply of alcohol. This week, the Random Album Generator pulls up a barstool for one of the most fun, freewheeling albums of the 1970s.
Inside This Episode:
Side A Reaction: We’re splitting this 9-track party right down the middle. If you're spinning this with us, hit pause after track five, "Stay With Me." Jeremy and Jon react to the raw, loose energy of Ronnie Wood's guitar riffs, Ian McLagan's barrelhouse piano, and that unmistakable raspy swagger of Rod Stewart.
5 Fast Facts: We uncover the story behind the controversial, recalled album poster, the internal friction caused by Rod Stewart's exploding solo career, and the hotel chain that permanently banned the band.
Side B & Final Thoughts: We flip over to Side B and discuss Ronnie Lane's heartbreaking, soulful contributions, including the gorgeous ballad "Debris." Does the loose, unpolished nature of the record make it a masterpiece, or just a beautiful mess?
The Verdict & Standout Tracks: Jeremy and Jon lock in their 3 essential tracks. Is this the definitive snapshot of early 70s British rock?

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Nick Lowe is the unsung hero of the late-70s British music scene. As the legendary in-house producer for Stiff Records, he helped launch the punk and new wave movements, but on his 1979 solo album Labour of Lust, he perfected his own blend of infectious, hook-heavy power pop. Backed by the pub-rock supergroup Rockpile, Lowe delivered a slick, sneering, and endlessly catchy record. This week, the Random Album Generator spins the masterpiece that gave us "Cruel to Be Kind" and proved that "Basher" Lowe was a pop genius in his own right.
Inside This Episode:
Side A Reaction: We’re splitting this 11-track classic right down the middle. If you're listening with us, hit pause after track six, "Skin Deep." Jeremy and Jon react to the bouncing, buoyant energy of the opening tracks and how Lowe seamlessly blends 1960s pop sensibilities with a punk-rock attitude.
5 Fast Facts: We uncover the wild story behind the "two albums recorded at once" studio sessions, the hidden cameos by Elvis Costello and Huey Lewis, and the bizarre tracklist switch-ups between the UK and US releases.
Side B & Final Thoughts: We flip to Side B and discuss the back half of the record, diving into whether Lowe's tongue-in-cheek humor and clever wordplay overshadow the genuine musical chops on display.
The Verdict & Standout Tracks: Jeremy and Jon lock in their 3 essential tracks. Is this the definitive power-pop album of the 1970s?

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In 1972, Curtis Mayfield was tasked with scoring a gritty blaxploitation film. Instead of just providing background music, he delivered a socially conscious, funk-driven opus that completely eclipsed the movie it was written for. Super Fly is a cinematic triumph of lush orchestration, biting commentary, and unstoppable grooves. This week, the Random Album Generator drops us into the gritty streets of 1970s soul with one of the greatest soundtracks ever recorded.
Inside This Episode:
Side A Reaction: We are splitting this tight 9-track masterpiece right down the middle. If you're spinning this with us, hit pause after track four, "Junkie Chase." Jeremy and Jon react to Mayfield's soaring falsetto, the incredible wah-wah guitar work, and the undeniable swagger of "Pusherman."
5 Fast Facts: We uncover how Mayfield essentially argued against the movie's message through his lyrics, the staggering financial success of the record, and the groundbreaking business moves behind the scenes.
Side B & Final Thoughts: We flip to Side B and discuss the legendary title track and the lush, romantic arrangements of "Give Me Your Love." Does Super Fly stand alone as a perfect album even if you've never seen the film?
The Verdict & Standout Tracks: Jeremy and Jon lock in their 3 essential tracks. Is this the absolute pinnacle of 70s soul music?

Join the Polyphonic Press Community:
Love collecting classic vinyl and want to talk about? Reach out and let us know!

Website | Join the community on Patreon | Contact