Crack The Record
Do albums still matter in the playlist era? Ben and Nick think so.
On Crack The Record, they break apart classic and not-so-classic albums and build them into unique playlists by discussing what works and what doesn’t work with each tracklist. There’s song analysis, background context, petty disagreements, and mostly great music.
Hosts Ben and Nick have decades of experience in the music and entertainment industries. They’ve also been friends since middle school and spent thousands of hours discussing music. Most importantly for Crack The Record, they still care about albums and think that you should too.
Episodes
9 episodes
Oasis - Be Here Now
Just days before the huge Oasis reunion tour was announced, Ben and Nick got together to crack Be Here Now on the 27th anniversary of the album's release. Why shouldn't you write rock and roll records in shorts? Are they siding with Liam or Noe...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:17:23
Taylor Swift - 1989
What do you get the pop star that has everything to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her biggest album? Ben and Nick are going to crack that record - Taylor Swift's 1989. How does the album fit into her career arc? Are there any Swifties on th...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:25:56
Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile
Ben and Nick crack The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails to celebrate the album's 25th anniversary. Is this a concept album? Is Nick a Trent Reznor rap apologist? How was the elaborate recording process of this double album tied to the era? Will Ben s...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:26:51
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
A double album is getting cut in half as Ben and Nick crack In Your Honor by Foo Fighters. Everyone knows Dave Grohl, but who is Dave G. Rohl? Does the split of electric and acoustic songs work for this album? What wild accusations will Nick ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:16:05
The Darkness - Permission to Land
Celebrating the rock music of the 70s and 80s, Ben and Nick crack the 2003 album Permission to Land by the Darkness. Does Nick bum Ben out with a story about the recording of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"? Are there other bands as unique t...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:16:26
Bush - Sixteen Stone
Ben and Nick head back to 1994 to crack Bush's hit debut album Sixteen Stone. Is the album grunge or post-grunge? Did the band really have any influences other than Nirvana? Would a record label even release Nick's version? Will Ben vote for hi...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:23:47
Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Looking at another 20th anniversary release, Ben and Nick crack Modest Mouse's commercial breakthrough Good News For People Who Love Bad News. Where does the band rank amongst their peers? Why does Nick think this is a perfect album? Do they di...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:24:43
The Killers - Hot Fuss
Ben and Nick are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hot Fuss by the Killers. It's a great debut, but is the album too front loaded? Why does Nick think that it's not front loaded enough? What are the odds they agree on any part of the track or...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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1:06:48
Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
For the first episode, Ben and Nick look back 30 years to crack Ill Communication by the Beastie Boys. How important is the Sabotage video to human history? Does Ben really think this is the worst Beastie Boys album? Will Nick ruin the first ep...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:21:32