Bands Across America: Ohio
The Raspberries – Starting Over (1974) & Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral (1994)
Our summer road trip rolls into Ohio, the Buckeye State and a cradle of American music innovation. This week, we spotlight two albums that showcase Ohio’s extraordinary range: the power-pop brilliance of The Raspberries’ swan song Starting Over, and the industrial angst of Nine Inch Nails’ genre-defining The Downward Spiral. Join us as we dig into the legacies, standout tracks, and Ohio roots of these iconic records.
What’s Inside:
- The Raspberries’ melodic mastery, British Invasion flair, and bittersweet farewell to the Cleveland scene
- Nine Inch Nails’ sonic extremes, concept-driven descent into darkness, and the Cleveland underground’s global impact
- Our takes on each album’s vibe, production, and lasting influence—plus, which one best captures the spirit of Ohio
- Deep questions, click-bait headlines, and reflections on what makes these albums essential listening for any road trip through the Buckeye State
Diggin’:
- Pantera – Vulgar Display of Power (1992): Texas groove metal at its most ferocious, with Dimebag Darrell’s iconic riffs and Phil Anselmo’s raw vocals
- URNE – “Harken the Waves” (2025): Epic, 9-minute metal journey from London’s genre-blending trio, featuring Mastodon’s Troy Sanders
- Suede (The London Suede) – Antidepressants (2025): Britpop legends return with a post-punk exploration of modern anxiety and connection
- Pet Shop Boys – Hymn (In Memoriam Alexei Navalny) (2025): Synth-pop duo’s moving tribute to the late Russian opposition leader, blending protest and melody
Podcast Shout-Out:
Don’t miss our friends Jeremy and Jon at Polyphonic Press—a spontaneous, in-depth discussion of classic albums, randomly selected and passionately dissected. Find Polyphonic Press wherever you get your podcasts.
Join the Conversation!
What’s your favorite album from Ohio? What are you spinning lately? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, and Threads @albumnerds, or email us at podcast@albumnerds.com.
Thanks for listening—see you on the road!
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!