Every Album Ever with Mike Mansour & Alex Volz

This week we're discussing every album by TOOL. This band needs no introduction, considering they're one of the most famous metal bands in existence. This is, however, Mike's first deep dive into the band. Some controversial takes here, some not so controversial. But even if you aren't the biggest TOOL fan in the world, there is simply no denying what they do well. 

Intro/Band Overview 00:00

Undertow 37:24

AEnima 53:04

Lateralus ...

This week we're discussing every album by Creedle. If you haven't heard of this band, don't worry, no one has. However, we urge you to change that today. Creedle is one of the most criminally underrated and underappreciated prog bands that exists. If you're a fan of Mr. Bungle, King Crimson, Secret Chiefs 3, or just crazy music in general, then they are an absolute m...

This week we're discussing Lucro Sucio, the latest album by The Mars Volta. It's been three years since the Volta surprised us with their self-titled reunion album in 2022, and now Lucro Sucio shows the band even less predictable than ever. This easily has some of their most deep and psychedelic production. However, we still have problems with the album as a whole.

This week we're discussing every remaining album by legendary prog rock band King Crimson. This episode tackles 1981 - 2003, where KC mainstays Adrian Belew and Tony Levin first join the group. Despite some moments that are a bit dated (specifically in the production), Robert Fripp and company continue to surprise us with their sheer audacity in their songwriting. Maybe these albums aren't perfect, but they sure are impressive.

I...

This week we're discussing Birthing, the latest album by Swans. Our history guy and interviewer Tom Osman is filling in for Alex this week to reflect on our recent interview with Michael Gira, as well as take a deep dive into the final massive Swans album we're likely ever going to get. Birthing is as intense as it gets for Swans, so fans will be in for a treat, desp...

This week we're interviewing Michael Gira: leader, vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter for the legendary Swans. Swans' latest album, entitled Birthing, releases on May 30 and is reported by Gira to be the band's final large-sounding, expansive album. Michael was generous enough to have a phone conversation with Mike and Tom to talk all about it, as well as his creative process as a whole. Swans are a band like no other and if ...

This week we're discussing every album by Eyehategod. From New Orleans, Eyehategod are one of the most quintessential sludge metal bands that exists. Led by vocalist Mike IX Williams and guitarist Jimmy Bower, this band has been through hell since their formation in 1988. But they're still going strong after being wrecked with drug abuse, incarceration, and death.

This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing the world is still here and so are we, the reunion album by mclusky. This is a reunion neither of us saw coming, but is shaping up to be one of the most memorable musical moments of the year. If you're a mclusky fan, chances are you won't be disappointed by this album. It's as fun, wild, and unpredictable as we'v...

This week we're discussing every album by Green on Red. Let's not beat around the bush here. We hated this band and if we had any idea what they sounded like before this episode, we wouldn't have agreed to do it. It's our fault, honestly. But we listened to every album thoroughly regardless. They're a country rock band led by Dan Stuart and that's about all you need ...

This week we're discussing Lonely People with Power, the latest album by Deafheaven. We've been massive fans of Deafheaven for years, but 2021's Infinite Granite had us split down the middle. Lonely People with Power shows the band returning to black metal in a massive way, shattering any assumptions people may have had that they are now a full-blown shoegaze band. O...

This week we’re discussing Thunderball, the latest album by Melvins. Technically, this was released as Melvins 1983, which has the band’s very first drummer, Mike Dillard, on drums instead of Dale Crover. Thunderball also features experimental musicians Void Manes and Ni Maitres lending electronic contributions. If you’re a fan of the early 90s sludge era of Melvins, then this is the album for you...

This week we’re discussing every album by Tragic Mulatto. Truly one of the strangest and most unique punk bands who can’t even be described as punk music. Led by saxophonist, tubist, and vocalist Gail Coulson and bassist Alistair Shanks, Tragic Mulatto is dirty, silly, deranged, and shockingly talented. Any fan of the Butthole Surfers should seek them out ASAP.

This week we’re discussing Lower, the latest album by Benjamin Booker. After an 8 year hiatus, Booker is back with an album completely unlike his previous outings and one that’s incredibly hard to narrow down to a single genre. However, it offers an excitingly diverse, emotionally resonant, and brilliantly produced (thanks to the collaboration of Kenny Segal) set of s...

This week we’re discussing every album by Donnie and Joe Emerson. The Emersons recorded one album in the late 70s as teenagers in a hilariously expensive home studio built by their father. The result was a charmingly rough collection of songs obviously written by kids. They quickly faded into obscurity until they were discovered in the 2010s and miraculously gifted a ...

This week we’re discussing every album by King Crimson from 1969 to 1974. Led by the legendary (and partially insane) Robert Fripp, King Crimson is one of the pioneers of prog rock, as well as one of the wildest and most influential bands of all time. This era of the band chronicles some of the most memorable albums in all of prog rock. But be warned, this is not a ba...

This week we’re discussing Waiting Room, the latest album by Kathryn Mohr. Put out on The Flenser (one of our favorite labels), Waiting Room is lonely, bleak, and terribly atmospheric. Written and recorded by Mohr by herself, the minimalism is the album’s most notable asset. But while it is unsettling and executed well, it might not be for everyone.

This week we're discussing every album by Hum. While they can technically be considered a one-hit-wonder with their song "Stars" from 1995's You'd Prefer an Astronaut, Hum did way more and influenced so many more than they get credit for. Equal parts grunge, indie, and chunky post-hardcore--Hum has a style and personality so distinct, you can hear how much they influe...

This week we’re discussing the latest album by Venamoris entitled To Cross or To Burn. Venamoris is the side project of Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Dead Cross) and his wife Paula, and boy did it catch us off guard. No way were we expecting one of the most prolific and respected metal drummers to put out a genuinely good goth record. An unexpected deli...

This week we're tying up some loose ends by discussing Bird Machine, the presumed final album by Sparklehorse. Shortly before his death in 2010, Mark Linkous recorded the foundation for these tracks with Steve Albini. Since then, Matt and Melissa Linkous took the tracks and completed them, giving them a proper release. While Mike and Alex generally weren't huge fans o...