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Riffology: Iconic Rock Albums

Uncover the details behind the most iconic albums ever recorded.

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Exploring Radiohead’s Kid A: A Sonic Revolution 2937_album_art
7 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Exploring Radiohead’s Kid A: A Sonic Revolution

Neil Johnson 10 February 2025
Radiohead’s “Kid A”: A Revolutionary Leap in Music Radiohead’s Kid A stands as a landmark in music...
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The Essential Story of Skunk Anansie’s Stoosh Stoosh
8 min read
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The Essential Story of Skunk Anansie’s Stoosh

Neil Johnson 10 February 2025
Introduction Released on 7 October 1996, Stoosh by Skunk Anansie stands as a significant work in the...
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Exploring Radiohead’s Evolution with ‘The Bends’ 2939_album_art
10 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Exploring Radiohead’s Evolution with ‘The Bends’

Neil Johnson 9 February 2025
Introduction Radiohead’s second studio album, “The Bends,” marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career. Released on...
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Van Halen’s 1984: A Rock Revolution 3603_album_art
8 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Van Halen’s 1984: A Rock Revolution

Neil Johnson 8 February 2025
Introduction Van Halen’s album “1984” stands as a landmark in rock history. Released on January 9, 1984,...
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The Prodigy: The Fat Of The Land the_prodigy-fat_of_the_land
8 min read
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The Prodigy: The Fat Of The Land

Neil Johnson 3 February 2025
Introduction In the summer of 1997, The Prodigy unleashed their third studio album, The Fat of the...
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The Making of Yourself or Someone Like You – Matchbox Twenty’s Breakthrough 7893_album_art
7 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

The Making of Yourself or Someone Like You – Matchbox Twenty’s Breakthrough

Neil Johnson 30 January 2025
Introduction Released on 1 October 1996, Yourself or Someone Like You by Matchbox Twenty is a seminal...
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Exploring Binaural: Pearl Jam’s Experimental Journey 5016_album_art
6 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Exploring Binaural: Pearl Jam’s Experimental Journey

Neil Johnson 29 January 2025
Introduction In 2000, Pearl Jam released Binaural, an album that marked a significant moment in their musical...
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Unveiling Rumours: Fleetwood Mac’s Emotional Journey 8608_album_art
10 min read
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Unveiling Rumours: Fleetwood Mac’s Emotional Journey

Neil Johnson 17 January 2025
Introduction Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” is more than just an album; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has captivated...
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Soundtoys: Pioneering Creative Audio Effects Soundtoys Logo
6 min read
  • Tech

Soundtoys: Pioneering Creative Audio Effects

Chris Baldwin 17 January 2025
In the world of music production and audio engineering, Soundtoys has earned a reputation as a pioneer...
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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
  • iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-riffology-iconic-rock-alb-176865775
  • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/riffology-iconic-rock-albums-podcast/id1691556696
  • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LIU9mein7QMw346q20nyy
  • X: https://x.com/RiffologyPod
  • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/riffology.co
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riffology
  • 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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