The Vinyl Curriculum
The Vinyl Curriculum is a music podcast where Logan and Jim explore a different theme or era in music history. Each episode, Jim plays songs from before Logan was born in an effort to introduce him—and listeners—to amazing tracks worth revisiting. Jim shares some background of each song, while Logan listens with fresh ears and gives each track a grade. Originally broadcast live on WRLA, Lewis University’s radio station, the podcast version includes the commentary—but only parts of the music (thanks, licensing rules). Follow the linked playlist in the show notes to hear the music for yourself!
Episodes
This week on The Vinyl Curriculum, Jim and Logan take center stage as they explore the magic, music, and storytelling of Broadway. From timeless classics to modern hits, the duo dives into what makes show tunes so powerful—how they blend character, emotion, and spectacle into unforgettable performances.
They discuss the evolution of musical theatre, highlight iconic composers, and share how Broadway has influenced pop culture, film,...
This week, Logan and Jim dive into the world of collaboration in music. From legendary duets and powerhouse supergroups to behind-the-scenes partnerships that shaped entire genres, the guys break down how working together has sparked creativity and changed the course of music history.
Expect stories, laughs, and of course, tracks that highlight the magic of two (or more) voices, minds, and sounds coming together. Whether it’s unexpe...
🎙️ In this week’s episode of The Vinyl Curriculum, Jim and Logan are joined by special guest Harold McCay, a true connoisseur of 1960s folk music. Together, the guys dive into a hand-picked Late 60s folk playlist, unpacking the stories behind the songs, the cultural movements that shaped the era, and the lasting influence of folk on today’s music. Harold brings his deep knowledge and passion for the genre, sparking fresh insights ...
This week on the Vinyl Curriculum Podcast, we’re digging into the world of cover songs—the art of taking someone else’s music and making it your own. Logan and Jim break down some of the most iconic covers in music history, from reinventions that became bigger than the originals to bold takes that divided fans. Along the way, they’ll explore why certain covers work, how artists put their own stamp on familiar tracks, and the moment...
The Vinyl Curriculum is turning up the energy with a trip back to the 1990s dance floor. From Eurodance anthems to house beats and radio-ready club tracks, the decade delivered infectious grooves that still make people move today. In this episode, Logan and Jim dig into the biggest dance hits, the artists who defined the sound, and the cultural wave that made 90s dance music unforgettable. Expect memories, fun stories, and plenty o...
This week on The Vinyl Curriculum, we’re flipping the script—Logan takes the reins and picks the music. From hidden gems to tracks that have shaped his own taste, this episode is a personal playlist full of stories, surprises, and the kind of variety you’ve come to expect from the show. Tune in for fresh takes, fun facts, and a deeper dive into the songs that make up Logan’s soundtrack.
🎧 Catch the conversation, the music, and the ...
This week on Vinyl Curriculum, we’re turning up the groove and diving into the funky side of the 1970s. From Parliament-Funkadelic’s spacey jams to Stevie Wonder’s groundbreaking sounds and Earth, Wind & Fire’s unstoppable energy, the decade redefined rhythm and soul. We’ll explore how funk shaped not just the music charts but also culture, fashion, and the dance floor. Tune in as we spin some of the funkiest records of the era...
This week, on episode 8 of The Vinyl Curriculum, we travel back to the early 80s. Before they were icons, these artists were just fresh faces dropping their very first albums—and wow, did they make a splash. From U2 to Madonna, Stevie Nicks to R.E.M., these records didn’t just start careers… they rewrote the rules. Hear the songs that launched legends.
Listen to the Spotify Playlist
Listen to the Apple Music Playlist
...
In this episode of Vinyl Curriculum, Logan and Jim dive into the vibrant world of modern indie music. From basement bands to festival headliners, they explore the genre’s evolution, DIY spirit, and genre-bending sounds that are redefining the music scene today. Expect fresh picks, unexpected gems, and a conversation that unpacks what makes indie feel so personal, and so powerful, in today’s streaming era. Whether you're a longtime ...
Southern Rock is raw, loud, and unapologetically full of attitude, and in this episode of Vinyl Curriculum, Logan and Jim dig into the genre’s roots in the American South. From the Allman Brothers’ jam-band brilliance to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s anthemic swagger, the two explore what made Southern Rock explode in the ’70s and why its influence still lingers today. Expect guitar riffs, storytelling, and maybe even a debate or two about what...
In Episode 5 of The Vinyl Curriculum podcast, we take a humorous and critical look at some of the biggest musical mistakes in history.
From cringe-worthy lyrics to questionable production choices, we dive into songs that should never have been made and definitely should never be repeated.
Join us for a fun and opinionated discussion, as we highlight the tunes that missed the mark and explore what went wrong along the way.
Set sail with The Vinyl Curriculum as Jim takes Logan aboard the smoothest genre of them all—Yacht Rock. It's all about tight harmonies, slick production, and breezy vibes from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Think soft rock with a captain’s hat.
This week, we drift through hits from Toto, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, and more. Logan tries to figure out what actually qualifies as Yacht Rock, while Jim defends the genre’s unsinkable c...
This week on The Vinyl Curriculum, Jim introduces Logan to the sound that stormed America in the '80s—the Second British Invasion. Fueled by synths, stylish hair, and the rise of MTV, British bands took over U.S. charts with a sound that was sleek, strange, and unforgettable. From New Wave to New Romantic, we explore what made this era so explosive—and whether these hits still hold up today.
Featuring tracks from The Cure, Depeche M...
Back in the late ’70s, albums weren’t just built around radio hits, they were full journeys meant to be played from start to finish. In this week’s episode of Vinyl Curriculum, Jim and Logan dig into the deep cuts from 10 legendary album rock records. From Queen to Boston, Meat Loaf to Pink Floyd, these tracks may not have topped the charts, but they helped define an era.
Listen to the Spotify PlaylistWelcome to the very first class of The Vinyl Curriculum! In this episode, Jim takes Logan back to the glory days of flannel, fuzz, and fiery vocals with a lesson on the alternative music scene of 1995—a year packed with raw emotion, rising legends, and radio hits that defined a generation.
We originally recorded this episode live on WLRA Radio, so we can’t include the full songs here due to copyright restrictions.
🎵 But don’t worry—...
Welcome to The Vinyl Curriculum—where the needle drops, generations meet, and opinions definitely clash. In this weekly podcast, Logan teams up with Jim, his older (and possibly wiser?) musical guide, to explore the legends, deep cuts, and iconic sounds from before Logan was even born. Jim brings the songs, the stories, and the memories; Logan brings the reactions—and some pretty ruthless grades.
This Syllabus Edition sets the tone ...
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