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Riffology: Iconic Rock Albums

Uncover the details behind the most iconic albums ever recorded.

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Extreme II: Pornograffitti – A Glam Metal Game-Changer extreme-extreme_ii_-_pornograffitti
9 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Extreme II: Pornograffitti – A Glam Metal Game-Changer

Neil Johnson 7 August 2024
Introduction In the landscape of early 1990s rock music, “Extreme II: Pornograffitti” by the band Extreme stands...
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Unveiling The Dark Side Of The Moon: Pink Floyd’s Timeless Classic pink_floyd-the_dark_side_of_the_moon
15 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Unveiling The Dark Side Of The Moon: Pink Floyd’s Timeless Classic

Neil Johnson 6 August 2024
Introduction Some albums seem to transcend their era, yet few have left a mark as deep as...
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The Making of Rancid: Punk’s Defining Album Rancid
13 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

The Making of Rancid: Punk’s Defining Album

Neil Johnson 1 August 2024
Introduction Few debut albums have the raw force and restless spirit of Rancidโ€™s self-titled release. Dropping in...
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Unraveling Sabotage: Black Sabbath’s Iconic Album black_sabbath-sabotage_(2014_remaster)
10 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Unraveling Sabotage: Black Sabbath’s Iconic Album

Neil Johnson 28 July 2024
Introduction Black Sabbath stands as a towering figure, their music both groundbreaking and influential. Released on 28...
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Ride The Lightning: Metallica’s Thrash Metal Revolution metallica-ride_the_lightning_(deluxe_remaster)
13 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Ride The Lightning: Metallica’s Thrash Metal Revolution

Neil Johnson 27 July 2024
Introduction Some albums do more than capture a momentโ€”they change the course of music. Metallicaโ€™s Ride The...
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All We Know is Falling: Paramore’s Iconic Debut paramore-all_we_know_is_falling
14 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

All We Know is Falling: Paramore’s Iconic Debut

Neil Johnson 26 July 2024
Introduction Some albums change everything, even if you do not see it at first. “All We Know...
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Back In Black: AC/DC’s Resurrection ac_dc-back_in_black
14 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Back In Black: AC/DC’s Resurrection

Neil Johnson 25 July 2024
Introduction Few albums in rock history have changed the course of music like Back in Black by...
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Alice Cooper’s ‘Trash’: A Glam Metal Revolution alice_cooper-trash
14 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Alice Cooper’s ‘Trash’: A Glam Metal Revolution

Neil Johnson 25 July 2024
Alice Cooper's album "Trash," released on July 25, 1989, marked a pivotal comeback in his career, blending...
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Unleashing Metallica’s ‘Kill ‘Em All’: A Thrash Revolution metallica-kill_'em_all
14 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Unleashing Metallica’s ‘Kill ‘Em All’: A Thrash Revolution

Neil Johnson 24 July 2024
Released on July 25, 1983, Metallica's Kill 'Em All revolutionized the music scene, defining the thrash metal...
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Podcast Episodes

Riffology: Iconic Rock Albums Podcast
Riffology: Iconic Rock Albums Podcast

Welcome to Riffology, where a GenX and a Millennial talk about the albums from their youth. Itโ€™s more fun than it soundsโ€ฆ

RIFF069 – Pixies – Doolittle
byRiffology

Pixies โ€” Doolittle (1994)

Hosts: Neil & Chris
Duration: ~79 minutes
Release: November 2025

Episode Description

Welcome to another episode of Riffology – the podcast where two mates dissect the albums that shaped music history. This week, Neil and Chris tackle the Pixies’ seminal 1989 masterpiece “Doolittle”, an album that bridged the gap between underground rock and the grunge explosion that would follow.

What You’ll Hear:

  • Personal Journeys: Neil’s honest confession about initially not “getting” the Pixies in the late 80s (he was more into Metallica and Slayer at 14), and his eventual conversion through teaching guitar
  • Musical Analysis: Deep dive into Kim Deal’s transformative bass work and backing vocals, the album’s revolutionary dynamics, and Gil Norton’s meticulous production
  • Cultural Impact: Discussion of the Pixies’ influence on Nirvana and the grunge movement, plus insights from David Bowie on what made them special
  • Biblical Themes: Exploration of Charles Thompson’s (Black Francis) Old Testament references and surrealist lyrics
  • Chart Performance: The fascinating contrast between UK success (#8) and initial US commercial failure (#98)

Featured Tracks & Analysis:

The hosts break down key songs including “Debaser,” “Here Comes Your Man,” and “Gouge Away” (with its Samson and Delilah references), examining the album’s signature quiet verse/loud chorus dynamic that would become a template for alternative rock.

Tangential Gold:

True to Riffology form, expect delightful detours into:

  • Terrifying 80s public safety campaigns (ozone layer hairspray demonstrations!)
  • Nuclear war nightmares and bedtime viewing choices
  • Vinyl collecting economics and the pain of ยฃ500 records
  • Boston geography and TV show references
  • The seven-minute AI apocalypse theory

Why This Matters:

“Doolittle” stands as a crucial evolutionary step in rock music – the missing link between 80s alternative and 90s grunge. The hosts make a compelling case for the album as the stepping stone that made Nirvana possible, with its innovative use of dynamics, melody, and controlled chaos.

Perfect for: Music history enthusiasts, Pixies fans, anyone interested in the genetics of alternative rock, and listeners who enjoy thoughtful analysis mixed with genuine friendship and occasional chaos.


You can find us here:

  • Blog: https://riffology.co
  • All Episodes: https://riffology.co/podcast
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  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LIU9mein7QMw346q20nyy
  • X: https://x.com/RiffologyPod
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  • Email: [email protected]

RIFF069 – Pixies – Doolittle
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RIFF069 – Pixies – Doolittle
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RIFF068 – Hole – Live Through This
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RIFF067 – Tool – Undertow
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RIFF066 – A Perfect Circle – Mer De Noms
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RIFF065 – Deftones – White Pony
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RIFF064 – Anthrax – Sound of White Noise
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RIFF063 – Anthrax – Persistence of Time
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RIFF062 – Soulfly – Soulfly
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RIFF061 – Sepultura – Beneath the Remains
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RIFF060 – Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
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