In 1967, the country was captivated by a mystery: "Why did Billie Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge?" The fictional suicide of a teenage boy in the Mississippi Delta had everyone talking about this song by southern songstress Bobbie Gentry - knocking even the Beatles off the #1 spot on the Hot 100. But is "Ode to Billie Joe" one of the all-time great songs?
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Just in time for the holidays, we conclude our Phil Spector Spectacular with Disc 4 from 'Back to Mono,' which features the entirety of Spector's 1963 Christmas album, A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector. Also, we finally dig into the details of Phil Spector's murder of Lana Clarkson as well as some of his other various crimes and controversies.
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Our Phil Spector Spectacular continues with disc 3 from Back to Mono. As the popularity of the girl group sound wanes, Spector begins working with other types of artists, including the Righteous Brothers and Tina Turner.
Album Recommendations
- Eccentric Soul : The Capsoul Label - The Numero Group
- We Are The Pipettes - The Pipettes
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Our Phil Spector Spectacular continues with Disc 2 from Back to Mono, covering songs from 1963-1964 - mostly by The Ronettes, but we also get some more from Darlene Love as well as a cover of a Beatles song that is significant for all the wrong reasons.
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Cover Art: Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Before he murdered actress Lana Clarkson in 2003, Phil Spector was known as a legendary producer in the music industry, famous as the "Tycoon of Teen," launching the careers of multiple girl groups and developing his trademark "Wall of Sound" recording techniques. Pat and Derek discuss Spector's early career as documented on the first disc of the four-disc compilation Back to Mono, covering songs from 1958 to 1963.
Cover Art: Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
In honor of the movie Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Pat and Derek conclude Rocktoberfest 2025 by discussing the Boss's landmark album, Nebraska.
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
We kick off Rocktoberfest II: A Hayride Through a Pumpkin Patch of Autumnal Albums by celebrating the harvest season with, what else, Neil Young's landmark 1972 album Harvest. But is Harvest as great as a flannel sweater on a crisp fall day or is it nothing more than a pile of wet leaves?
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Santana’s Abraxas is a wild fusion of Latin rock, blues, and jazz that's packed with hypnotic rhythms, and blistering guitar solos. Tracks like “Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen” and “Oye Como Va” aren’t just classics; they’re the kind of songs that define an era. But does its genre-blending brilliance earn it a spot among the 500 greatest albums of all time?
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Funky Kingston by Toots and the Maytals is one of those records that feels like a bridge between worlds: part raw reggae groove, part soul-drenched funk, and all good vibes. You can hear the roots of reggae exploding into something bigger, as this became one of the first albums to make the rest of the world sit up and take notice of the music coming out of Jamaica. The real question is: does that mix of influence, innovation, and good vibes earn it a spot among the 500 greatest albums ever made?
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill dropped in 1998 and instantly felt like a cultural event—blending hip-hop, soul, reggae, and R&B into something that was both deeply personal and universally resonant. The album covers everything from love and heartbreak to spirituality and identity, all with Hill’s unmatched mix of sharp lyricism and raw emotion. It’s the kind of record that defined an era but still feels timeless every time you put it on. The big question is: does its legacy and influence justify Rolling Stone ranking it as the #10 greatest album of all time, or is that placement more about the mythos around Lauryn’s one-and-done masterpiece?
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
"Promised Land" is a fast-paced rock 'n' roll travelogue where the narrator hustles his way from Virginia to California. It's full of motion, rhythm, and clever references to the civil rights movement. It’s the American road trip as a metaphor for the fight for equality, all set to a killer guitar riff. But is it one of th greatest songs of all time?
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
The B-52s’ debut album is a wild, campy ride that dropped in 1979 and still feels like a dance party from outer space. With surf rock guitars, retro-futuristic vibes, and absurdist lyrics, it introduced the world to the band’s totally unique sound. It’s kitschy, chaotic, and somehow still cool as hell, but is it one of the greatest albums of all time?
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Cover art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Carole King's Tapestry is a landmark album that masterfully weaves introspective lyrics with unforgettable melodies, creating a deeply personal yet universally resonant listening experience. Given its immense cultural impact, enduring popularity, and influence on generations of musicians, Tapestry obviously deserves a high ranking on the Rolling Stone Album List, but is #25 too high, too low, or just right?
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Lorde’s Melodrama is basically the soundtrack to being 19, heartbroken, and feeling everything way too much. It’s full of glittering production, devastating lyrics, and the kind of self-aware drama that somehow makes crying on the dance floor feel empowering. But does this coming-of-age album belong on the "Supercut" of Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time, or is it a "Liability?"
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
With Pat out of the studio, Derek welcomes Andy Pierce, David Mucci, and Russell Gonzalez to the show to play some music-themed trivia games.
Listen to OTR Debate on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
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Cover Art: Katherine Evans
Closing Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Shakira’s Dónde Están los Ladrones? captures a young artist on the edge of global stardom, grappling with identity, love, and corruption. But at #496, it finds itself just barely holding on to it's spot on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time. Does it deserve to be higher or should this album on the bubble have its bubble burst?
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Hall and Oates’ “She’s Gone” is a soulful breakup anthem packed with raw emotion, smooth harmonies, and one of the all-time great vocal performances. The song captures the bitter ache of lost love with lyrics that are both heart-wrenching and oddly catchy. It’s a masterclass in blue-eyed soul and a standout track from their early catalog. Should it have a spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time? We think it’s definitely worth the debate.Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Hüsker Dü’s New Day Rising is a blistering, emotional ride through melodic punk that helped define the sound of underground rock in the '80s. With raw energy and surprising hooks, the band pushes past hardcore into something more personal and sonically adventurous. It's loud, fast, and messy—in the best possible way. But should it be on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums list?
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Tears for Fears' song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is a catchy ‘80s anthem that taps into themes of power, control, and the state of the world. With its dreamy synths and surprisingly deep lyrics, it’s a song that’s stuck with listeners for decades. But does it really deserve a spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time? In this episode, we break down what makes it so memorable—and whether it truly earns that iconic status.
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Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton
Released in 1998, Neutral Milk Hotel’s album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has become a cult classic in the indie rock genre, known for its raw emotion and distinctive lo-fi sound. The album, led by frontman Jeff Mangum, weaves surreal lyrics with themes of love, loss, and historical tragedy, particularly drawing inspiration from Anne Frank’s life. Over the years, its enigmatic storytelling and unique instrumentation have sparked passionate discussions and interpretations among fans and critics alike.Album Recommendations:
- Beat the Champ by The Mountain Goats
- City Slicker by Ginger Root
- Hot Thing for a Minute by Smart Objects
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Cover Art by Katherine Evans
Theme Music: "Tagalong" by Blaise Gratton