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1990

The Making of Persistence Of Time – Anthrax’s Thrash Evolution anthrax-persistence_of_time_(30th_anniversary_remaster)
18 min read
  • Album Deep Dive
  • Podcasts

The Making of Persistence Of Time – Anthrax’s Thrash Evolution

Neil Johnson 21 August 2024
Anthrax's Persistence Of Time, released on August 21, 1990, signifies a pivotal moment in thrash metal with...
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Rust In Peace: Megadeth’s Defining Thrash Legacy megadeth-rust_in_peace
13 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Rust In Peace: Megadeth’s Defining Thrash Legacy

Neil Johnson 11 August 2024
Introduction Every so often, an album emerges that reshapes the boundaries of its genre. In 1990, Rust...
Read More Read more about Rust In Peace: Megadeth’s Defining Thrash Legacy
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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Cowboys From Hell: Pantera’s Metal Revolution pantera-cowboys_from_hell
13 min read
  • Album Deep Dive

Cowboys From Hell: Pantera’s Metal Revolution

Neil Johnson 20 July 2024
Introduction When Cowboys From Hell crashed onto the scene in July 1990, the metal world changed forever....
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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

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RIFF069 – Pixies: Doolittle

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
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  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riffology
  • Email: [email protected]

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RIFF069 – Pixies – Doolittle
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RIFF069 – Pixies – Doolittle
Episode Description
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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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