Music Reviews Episodes
March 1, 2021
E42 Death By Rock & Roll: The Pretty Reckless and Life at 27
Within a single year, Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless was faced with the deaths of both her rock hero and her musical muse. Her downward spiral and climb back from the brink led to Death By Rock and Roll , one of the fir...
Feb. 8, 2021
Rock 'n' Rasslin' (Extended)
When Dan went on vacation last year, KC and Aaron found the perfect topic to talk about while their Itch brother was gone: Rock 'n' Rasslin' . In fact, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we had to cut the episode down to keep ...
Jan. 25, 2021
E40 Season Finale: Top 20 Rock Albums of 2020 (Part 2)
It's the season 1 finale of Rock Matters! The Itch is ready to reveal our top 10 albums of 2020, as well as the winners of the Itch Awards as voted on by you! We've loved creating this season and we thank you for being part o...
Jan. 18, 2021
E39 Top 20 Rock Albums of 2020 (Part 1)
The Itch has been building to this episode all season, and it's finally here! (Well, half of it.) We're counting down our top 20 rock albums of 2020, based on a collective vote. Find out who endorsed what (and who didn't) and...
Jan. 11, 2021
E38 The Itch Awards: Celebrating the Best Rock of 2020
It's time! Since institutions like Pitchfork, the Grammys, and the even the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame struggle to define, much less always honor rock, The Itch has taken it upon ourselves to nominate artists for prestigeless...
Dec. 21, 2020
E35 Rapid Fire Reviews: Nothing But Thieves, From Ashes to New, Local H, Saul
In this episode, The Itch catches up on some albums that we couldn't let slip through the cracks. Enjoy FOUR Flavors of the Week as we discuss Nothing But Thieves ' Moral Panic , From Ashes to New 's Panic , Local H 's Lifers...
Dec. 14, 2020
E34 Building an Empire: Hollywood Undead Bookends the Year
In this episode, The Itch discusses two 2020 releases from Hollywood Undead , a band that brought in the new year and is now seeing it out (thank goodness). Join us for a discussion about guest rappers, fun band member names,...
Nov. 30, 2020
E32 Death of an Optimist: Grandson's Grand Debut
In this episode, The Itch discusses Death of an Optimist , the upcoming debut album from grandson . We've been snacking on every grandson single, EP, and guest spot for the past few years, and now we're ready to feast on his ...
Nov. 9, 2020
E28 Humored Condition: Black Stone Cherry and Music That Makes Us Happy
In a bit of unintentional forward thinking, The Itch knew that, one way or another, people would need some happy music this week. So in this episode, we're checking out Black Stone Cherry 's new album The Human Condition and ...
Oct. 26, 2020
E26 No Place Like Ohms: How Deftones Redeemed Themselves (and 2020)
In this episode, The Itch dissects one of the most anticipated rock releases of the year: Deftones ' Ohms . Join us to discuss Stephen Carpenter's return to form, how a band can incorporate old sounds into new music, and a qu...
Oct. 12, 2020
E24 10 Years and Counting: Multi-Instrumentalists and the Numbers Game
In this episode, The Itch explores the new 10 Years album Violent Allies , touching on how bands can improve over time, the role of instrumental tracks in rock, and how sometimes one man can do it all. And since we love count...
Oct. 5, 2020
E23 Top 20 Rock Albums of 2019 (Part 2)
The Itch is back to wrap up our trip to 2019, when the world felt a little less crazy. In this episode, we'll count down our 10 favorite albums of the year. We've got pop punkers, nu metal vets, and even a bit of the blues. B...
Sept. 28, 2020
E22 Top 20 Rock Albums of 2019 (Part 1)
In this two-part episode, The Itch revisits our top rock albums from 2019. From veterans to up-and-comers, prog metal to reggae rock, and brooding angst to goofball weirdness, albums 20 through 11 should have something for ev...
Sept. 21, 2020
E21 Can't Fight the Seether: Finding Inspiration in Anger
In this episode, The Itch discusses Seether 's new album Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum . Along the way, the conversation touches on big vs small concert venues, greatest hits albums, and an all-important question: who can cover T...
Sept. 14, 2020
E20 Rock Like a Pirate: Alestorm and the Arrrt of Commitment
In this episode, The Itch prepares for Talk Like a Pirate Day by inviting an old friend to discuss Alestorm 's latest release , Curse of the Crystal Coconut ! Along the way, we discover other pirate metal bands, concoct a sur...
Sept. 7, 2020
E19 Rock 'n' Rasslin': Code Orange and the Best Wrestling Theme Songs
In this episode, two-thirds of The Itch discuss Underneath , the breakout album from Code Orange , and take a trip through wrestling history to identify some of its the most memorable rock theme songs! And since it's only 67%...
Aug. 31, 2020
E18 Going for Broke: The Growth and Graduation of (Hed) P.E.
In this episode, The Itch discusses the ups and downs in the career of G-punkers (Hed) P.E. , from their breakthrough album Broke to their new (and final?) release, Class of 2020 . Join us to decipher the meanings behind thei...
Aug. 24, 2020
E17 Kingdom Come: Bush, Good Production, and the Ghost in the Machine
In this episode, The Itch reviews Bush 's new album The Kingdom . Along the way they focus on the role of production in molding an album, and how not all of Gavin Rossdale's guest appearances were good ideas! Plus, Dan's disd...
Aug. 10, 2020
E15 Regeneration X: Static-X and the Rebirth of Evil Disco
In this episode, The Itch reviews Project Regeneration, Vol. 1 , the new album from a reincarnated (or possibly reanimated?) Static-X . Along the way they discuss the complicated nature of band harmony, a slew of exciting upc...
Aug. 3, 2020
E14 HU's the Boss: The Gereg, Guest Stars, and the Language of Music
In this episode, The Itch reviews the new deluxe edition of The HU 's debut album The Gereg . Along the way they touch on communicating through language barriers, choosing good collaborators, and how quarantine and Mulan don'...
July 27, 2020
E13 Only in Darkness: Stitched Up Heart and 2020's Top Rock Releases
In this episode, The Itch checks in on some of 2020's top rock releases to date and reviews Stitched Up Heart 's album Darkness . As a bonus, enjoy this adorable supergroup photo of The Itch with Stitched Up Heart (aka Itched...
July 20, 2020
E12 Making Amends: The Light and Legacy of Chester Bennington
It's been three years since the world lost Chester Bennington . In this episode, The Itch reflects on his legacy, new music from his former bandmates Grey Daze and Mike Shinoda , and the future of Linkin Park . Check out this...
June 15, 2020
E7 Father of All: Green Day, Fatherhood, and Art vs the Artist
In the Father's Day episode, the guys discuss: How our fathers influenced our musical taste One of the Itch’s fondest memories Dan’s experience with the BMG Music Service Green Day 's Father of All... Barfing rainbow unicorns...
June 8, 2020
E6 Declaration Against the Machine: Red and Artists Against Injustice
This week, a Rock Matters episode gets its very own permanent Spotify playlist ! In this episode, the guys discuss: The value of a good group text grandson , Tony Baker and how to use a platform to speak against injustice Tom...