Backwards Beats Podcast

In Episode 32 of Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl dive into the self-titled 1996 album Sheryl Crow, ranked #475 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. This sophomore record marked a decisive turn for Crow as a producer, songwriter, and artist determined to define herself beyond the massive success of Tuesday Night Music Club. The duo explores the album’s gritty production, thematic depth, and impressive musical r...

This week on Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl tackle Sparks’ 1974 glam-rock carnival ride, Kimono My House — ranked #476 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. This album introduced many to the chaotic genius of Ron and Russell Mael, the brothers behind Sparks, and inspired artists from Björk to Beck. With theatrical falsetto vocals, hyperactive arrangements, and lyrics that blend wit...

This week, Dan and Carl dig into the dark, gritty, and groundbreaking Moanin’ in the Moonlight by Howlin’ Wolf — ranked #477 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. With a growl like gravel and a presence like thunder, Howlin’ Wolf’s debut album isn't just blues — it's the blueprint for rock ‘n’ roll.

Originally released in 1958 as a compilation of previously recorded singles, this 12-track, 30-minute album is ...

In this episode, Dan and Carl dive into Something Else by The Kinks, #478 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Released in 1967 (UK) and early 1968 (US), this album shows The Kinks moving from garage rock into baroque pop, British folk, and psychedelic sounds, with Ray Davies taking complete creative control. The hosts explore sibling tension, touring bans, Beatles comparisons, wild harmonic shifts, and...

This week, Dan and Carl dive into Amor Prohibido, Selena's 1994 breakthrough and a landmark in Tejano and Latin pop. Positioned at #479 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, the album blends cumbia, pop, and Tejano styles with digital instrumentation and deeply emotional themes—though often delivered through upbeat, danceable grooves.

The hosts explore Selena’s unique vocal control, her genre-defining influen...

In episode 1, season 2 of Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl dive deep into Miranda Lambert’s emotionally charged double album The Weight of These Wings (2016). Released in the wake of her public divorce from Blake Shelton, this sprawling 24-track project is divided into two thematic discs: The Nerve and The Heart. The hosts explore the album’s sonic risks, lyrical introspection, and Lambert’s evolving artistic voice, praising her fearl...

In this final episode of our Sidetrax bonus series, Dan takes us deep into the land of fire, ice, and... Beyoncé?

Dan’s Icelandic Soundscape is part travelogue, part personal audio diary, and part homemade soundtrack — recorded across 13 days of hiking, kayaking, glacier climbing, and river crossings in one of the most surreal places on Earth.

From snorkeling in the Silfra fissure to nearly summiting Rjúpnafell in Þórsmörk, this ep...

In this "Convince Me" sidetrax episode, Carl challenges Dan with Journey Inwards, the immersive double album from UK drum & bass pioneer LTJ Bukem. Known for his lush atmospheres, jazz-inflected harmonies, and meticulous production, Bukem's 2000 release is both a vibe and a craft lesson.

Dan—unfamiliar with the genre—dives into the world of liquid drum & bass, navigating breakbeats, live instrumentation, sampling, and sur...

This week on Backwards Beats, we're on a mid-season break – but not really. Dan kicks off our first ever Convince Me Sidetrax episode by assigning Carl an album he’s never heard and would likely never seek out on his own: Alice Cooper’s 1973 shock rock epic Billion Dollar Babies. Known for theatrical excess, guillotines, and glam-goth energy, this album challenges Carl’s deep-rooted skepticism of make...

In this episode of Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl tackle Harry Styles’ 2022 album Harry’s House. But not before they confess to accidentally reviewing the wrong Harry Styles album first — because why make it easy? Along the way, they unpack Harry’s House track by track, dive into Harry’s evolution from One Direction heartthrob to solo superstar, and discover just how many legends quietly contributed to this pop powerhouse.

In this special BONUS Sidetrax episode, Dan and Carl explore the ultimate breakup anthems from each decade—spanning the 1970s through the 2020s. Inspired by their not-so-loving take on Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye, the duo softens their edge to reveal their emotional (and still hilarious) sides. With personal rules, heartfelt justifications, and a few sharp jabs, they each select one breakup song per decade that defines heartbreak,...

In this milestone 20th episode—and the wrap-up to Season 1—Dan and Carl dive into If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle and Sebastian, the Scottish indie-pop group that emerged in the mid-90s with delicate arrangements, soft-spoken vocals, and sharp lyrical themes. With no prior exposure to the band, both hosts approach this album with fresh ears and an open mind.

As always, this episode blends honest reactions, deep musical insight,...

Dan and Carl ride the rollercoaster that is Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, the kaleidoscopic debut from L.A.’s most eccentric hip-hop quartet. Between hilarious skits, jazz-laced beats, and outlandish rhymes, the duo dives into a '90s rap record that defied the gangsta template of its era. Along the way, they unpack the group's roots in dance, Jay Swift’s genius production, and why this album still slaps decades later.

In Episode 18 of Backwards Beats, Dan, Carl, and the podcast's first-ever guest, Lee McAdams from @squatchsounds, dive deep into the iconic blues legacy of Muddy Waters through the expansive 50-track compilation The Anthology (1947–1972). With decades of music to explore, they abandon the usual track-by-track format for a broader, decade-spanning approach, picking personal favorites and discussing Muddy’s profound influence on rock...

In this high-energy episode of Backwards Beats Podcast, Dan and Carl dive into Lady Gaga’s bold and eclectic 2011 album, Born This Way (Rolling Stone’s #484). Recorded during a sleepy spring evening, the hosts bring humor, insight, and deep musical analysis to Gaga’s electronic, dance-driven celebration of identity, empowerment, and defiance. They explore Gaga's musical fandom, theatrical flair, and fearlessness in confronting soci...

In this episode, Dan and Carl dive deep into I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, the 1974 debut collaborative album by British folk-rock icons Richard and Linda Thompson. The duo explores the album's rich musical textures, varied instrumentation, and emotional range, offering technical insight and personal reactions. From Celtic-tinged folk ballads to moody rock moments, the album’s instrumentation (featuring mandolins, tin wh...

In Episode 15, Dan and Carl finally hit a record they both adore—John Mayer’s Continuum, ranked #486 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The fanboying is real, but so is the deep analysis. This episode covers Mayer’s transition from pop darling to a serious blues craftsman, from subtle production choices to guitar tone breakdowns and harmony dives. With legendary players like Steve Jordan and Pino ...

In this episode of Backwards Beats, Dan and Carl tackle Black Flag's ferocious 1981 debut, Damaged — an album that defines hardcore punk with raw energy, cathartic aggression, and DIY ethos. Coming in at #487 on Rolling Stone's list, Damaged is an iconic record that helped shape the sound and spirit of American punk. The guys also kick things off by recapping their weekend trip to the GroundUP Music Festival in Miami and all the in...