Best Southern Rock Explosion Podcasts (2025)

1
50th Anniversary: Blood on the Tracks: How Dylan Birthed Bootleg Culture 28:56

4M ago28:56

28:56

Bob Dylan’s iconic 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks was released on January 20th, 1975. To celebrate the landmark record’s 50th anniversary, we’ve dug into the archives all the way back to 2018 to re-release the very first season of The Opus! Hosted by journalist and author Paula Mejía, The Opus: Blood on the Tracks explores the legacy of both…

1
50th Anniversary: Blood on the Tracks: Evaluating Dylan's Cinematic Legacy 32:48

4M ago32:48

32:48

Bob Dylan’s iconic 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks was released on January 20th, 1975. To celebrate the landmark record’s 50th anniversary, we’ve dug into the archives all the way back to 2018 to re-release the very first season of The Opus! Hosted by journalist and author Paula Mejía, The Opus: Blood on the Tracks explores the legacy of both…

1
50th Anniversary: Blood on the Tracks: Beth Orton and Kevin Morby on Dylan's Songwriting Process 22:43

4M ago22:43

22:43

Bob Dylan’s iconic 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks was released on January 20th, 1975. To celebrate the landmark record’s 50th anniversary, we’ve dug into the archives all the way back to 2018 to re-release the very first season of The Opus! Hosted by journalist and author Paula Mejía, The Opus: Blood on the Tracks explores the legacy of both…

1
50th Anniversary: Blood on the Tracks: Canonizing Bob Dylan's Human Opus 29:54

4M ago29:54

29:54

Bob Dylan’s iconic 15th studio album Blood on the Tracks was released on January 20th, 1975. To celebrate the landmark record’s 50th anniversary, we’ve dug into the archives all the way back to 2018 to re-release the very first season of The Opus! Hosted by journalist and author Paula Mejía, The Opus: Blood on the Tracks explores the legacy of both…

1
Hip-Hop 50: Cypress Hill’s Weed Rap Changed Cannabis Culture 17:54

2y ago17:54

17:54

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. Next up we revisit Cyrus Hills self-title record — a landmark of West Coast hip-hop that pioneered the “weed rap” movement. What’s more, Cypress Hill’s own B-Real, Sen Dog, and D…

1
Hip-Hop 50: Cypress Hill Revolutionized Hip-Hop via Hard Rock and Latin Funk 21:35

2y ago21:35

21:35

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. Next up we revisit Cyrus Hills self-title record — a landmark of West Coast hip-hop that pioneered the “weed rap” movement. What’s more, Cypress Hill’s own B-Real, Sen Dog, and D…

1
Hip-Hop 50: Cypress Hill’s Chemistry Made for Explosive Hip-Hop 18:43

2y ago18:43

18:43

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. Next up we revisit Cyrus Hills self-title record — a landmark of West Coast hip-hop that pioneered the “weed rap” movement. What’s more, Cypress Hill’s own B-Real, Sen Dog, and D…

1
Hip-Hop 50: Cypress Hill - Southern California Was a Cultural Powder Keg 17:18

2y ago17:18

17:18

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. Next up we revisit Cyrus Hills self-title record — a landmark of West Coast hip-hop that pioneered the “weed rap” movement. What’s more, Cypress Hill’s own B-Real, Sen Dog, and D…

1
Hip-Hop 50: The Score - Fugees In the Lab 26:16

2y ago26:16

26:16

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. First up, we revisit Fugees’ classic The Score, which comes in at number 15 on Consequence’s list of the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time. You can see the full list on Cons…

1
Hip-Hop 50: The Score - Fugees In Haiti 21:13

2y ago21:13

21:13

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. First up, we revisit Fugees’ classic The Score, which comes in at number 15 on Consequence’s list of the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time. You can see the full list on Cons…

1
Hip-Hop 50: The Score - Fugees In the Basement 21:35

2y ago21:35

21:35

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. First up, we revisit Fugees’ classic The Score, which comes in at number 15 on Consequence’s list of the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time. You can see the full list on Cons…

1
Hip-Hop 50: The Score - Fugees at the Crossroads 24:47

2y ago24:47

24:47

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re opening up The Opus podcast archives to re-release seasons focused on some of history's most legendary rap albums. First up, we revisit Fugees’ classic The Score, which comes in at number 15 on Consequence’s list of the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time. You can see the full list on Cons…

1
The Legacy of Billy's The Stranger Lives on at Madison Square Garden 21:58

2+ y ago21:58

21:58

While Billy Joel’s last studio album was released on August 10th, 1993, it was The Stranger that catapulted him to the iconic, internationally renowned venue he is happy to call home: Madison Square Garden. He first played there in 1978 and has since played there a record-shattering 133 times. Playing MSG is an accomplishment for any artist, but Jo…

1
Billy Joel's The Stranger Plays Like a Greatest Hits Album: The Opus 23:54

2+ y ago23:54

23:54

Many classic albums have their share of hits, but Billy Joel’s The Stranger is simply full of them. How did this happen in just about three weeks? The truth is none of the songs' paths overlapped and truths are often stranger than fiction. On Episode 3 of The Opus: The Stranger, we explore each of these classic tunes to discover what made them such…

1
Billy Joel and Producer Phil Ramone Captured Collaborative Magic on The Stranger 20:43

2+ y ago20:43

20:43

The Stranger wasn't only Billy Joel’s critical breakthrough, but it was the start of a decade-long creative partnership with producer Phil Ramone. Together, the two created some of the most lasting songs in music, and it all began with those first sessions in the summer of 1977. Joel had a specific vision for what would be his fifth studio album, a…

1
Billy Joel Reintroduced Himself to the World with The Stranger 29:44

2+ y ago29:44

29:44

The Stranger was Billy Joel's fifth album, but in some ways, it felt like his debut because it’s the album that catapulted him to superstardom. Before its release, he’d had a radio hit with "Piano Man," but his genius was hampered by a string of overly slick producers who didn’t connect with his musical vision. But all that started to change leadin…

1
The Opus: Billy Joel's The Stranger is Coming Soon 0:54

2+ y ago0:54

0:54

The Opus returns this holiday season with a true gift for music fans. Season 19 of the hit music history podcast from Consequence Podcast Network and Sony Legacy is set to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the album that made Billy Joel a world renowned star: The Stranger. The new season premieres on Thursday, December 22nd, with new episodes of th…

1
The Legacy of Alice in Chains' Dirt Spans Generations 21:36

2+ y ago21:36

21:36

To close out this season of The Opus podcast, we explore how all the reasons Alice in Chains’ Dirt is considered such a classic album -- its place in the '90s Seattle scene, unique sonics, deeply personal lyrics. -- have folded into a lasting legacy for this iconic collection that continues to impact music to this day. As the ‘90s grunge bubble bur…

1
Alice in Chains’ Dirt Is a Work of Dark, Personal Lyrical Genius: The Opus 21:21

2+ y ago21:21

21:21

This season on The Opus: Alice in Chains' Dirt, we've looked at how the band went against the grain of the Seattle scene and how they set themselves apart with their unique compositional approach. Now we peel back perhaps the most powerful layer of, Dirt: its dark, personal lyricism. Alice in Chains’ Layne Stayley and Jerry Cantrell packed Dirt wit…

1
How Alice in Chains' Sonic Alchemy Led to the Unique Sounds of Dirt: The Opus 20:03

2+ y ago20:03

20:03

When you think of the Seattle Sound, certain sonic hallmarks likely come to mind. As we explore in Episode 2 of The Opus: Dirt, however, Alice in Chains occupied a unique space in this musical landscape. The band didn't ease its fans into the sound of Dirt. The opening notes of "Them Bones" jolt you directly into an aggressive energy and there’s ba…

1
Alice in Chains' Dirt Was a Venn Diagram of Grunge, Metal, and Hard Rock: The Opus 25:48

2+ y ago25:48

25:48

Alice in Chains are seen as one of the bands that helped define the hard rock era that arose from early-1990s Seattle. But at a time when the entire music industry was laser focused on the rise of grunge music, Alice in Chains sat both at the epicenter of the global movement and on its periphery. Although Dirt emerged as the Seattle sound began to …

1
The Opus: Alice in Chains' Dirt is Coming Soon 0:49

2+ y ago0:49

0:49

The Opus podcast is rising out of the Dirt for a new season centered on the legacy of Alice in Chains’ sophomore album. Presented by the Consequence Podcast Network and Sony, the hit music history series is back to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the genre-changing classic. Launching on October 6th, Season 18 of The Opus travels back to 1992, a t…

1
The Real Riot Behind Sly and the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin On 21:38

3y ago21:38

21:38

The title of There's a Riot Goin On is a reference to an actual riot that broke out during a Sly and the Family Stone concert that never happened. On July 27th, 1970, Sly and his band were set to play a first-of-its-kind concert at the Petrillo Bandshell in Chicago's Grant Park. Before the Family Stone had even arrived, however, an unknown group ca…

1
Sly and the Family Stone Really Was a Family Affair 19:56

3y ago19:56

19:56

Sly and the Family Stone did more than just write "Family Affair" -- they lived it. On Episode 3 of The Opus: There's a Riot Goin On, we dive into the family dynamics of the band and similar relationships throughout music history. There were actually four Stone relatives in the Family Stone: siblings Sly, vocalist/guitarist Freddie, vocalist/pianis…

1
A Message About The Opus: Sly and the Family Stone 0:41

3+ y ago0:41

0:41

Record scratch! We've loved diving into the story of Sly and the Family Stone's There's a Riot Goin On, but some production delays have us cryin' just like a baby. We'll return with Episode 3 on February 24th, followed by the 4th and final episode on March 3rd. We apologize for the hold up, appreciate your patience, and thank you for letting us tal…

1
There's a Riot Goin On: Sly and the Family Stone's Musical Riot Still Rages Through Decades of Sampling 15:53

3+ y ago15:53

15:53

As Season 17 Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus, continues, we're exploring how the legacy of Sly and the Family Stone’s masterpiece There’s a Riot Goin On can still be heard today. Sly and the Family Stone are one of the most covered and sampled artists in all of soul music. Everyone from Jurassic 5 to Janet Jackson, *NSYNC to members…

1
There's a Riot Goin On: Sly and the Family Stone Kicked Off a Funk Riot in 1971 18:47

3+ y ago18:47

18:47

The Opus is back, kicking off Season 17 of the Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s music history podcast by exploring how Sly and the Family Stone’s iconic There’s a Riot Goin On was at the vanguard of a soul revolution. Released in 1971, the album ushered in a more mature sound for soul music. It served as the link between the late-'60s psyched…

1
Ten: The Final Show of Pearl Jam's First Tour Heralded Future Stardom 24:41

3+ y ago24:41

24:41

Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament once stated that "essentially Ten was just an excuse to tour." The band clearly just wanted some material to play on the road, as their first tour kicked off just after they'd completed mixing sessions for their debut album; the record wasn't even released yet. The tour -- PJ's only with drummer Matt Chamberlain -- was …

1
The Best Songs on Pearl Jam's Ten Aren't the Singles 31:54

4y ago31:54

31:54

Ten yielded (no pun intended, Pearl Jam fans) three enduring hit singles: "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy." But here on Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus, we focus on the legacy of the entire album -- and the real meat of Ten is on the non-single tracks. The band has opened shows with the record's final track, "Release," ever since …

1
Ten: Jeff Ament's Art Helped Define Pearl Jam 19:36

4y ago19:36

19:36

While Season 16 of the Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus focuses on the unparalleled musical legacy Ten, it's important to note of Pearl Jam has been defined as much by their visuals as their sound. On Episode 2, we explore how bassist Jeff Ament not only contributed to the band's sonics, but their imagery as well. Subscribe now so yo…

1
Ten: Pearl Jam Is Alive Because of an Unlikely Series of Events 28:51

4y ago28:51

28:51

The series of events that had to happen to have Ten even exist is wild. Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard were in Green River, but they broke up. Then, they were in a pysch-garage band called Mother Love Bone, whose singer, Andrew Wood, died right before their first album was released. The two of them, and a couple of members of Soundgarden put out a tr…

1
Cypress Hill’s Weed Rap Changed Cannabis Culture 17:54

4y ago17:54

17:54

Season 15 of Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus comes to its conclusion on a high point as we explore how Cypress Hill put weed rap on the map. Within a few months of its release, the impact of Cypress Hill and the subject matter of some of the raps therein was apparent. Other rappers started writing songs that expanded more on the glo…

1
Cypress Hill Revolutionized Hip-Hop via Hard Rock and Latin Funk 21:35

4y ago21:35

21:35

On the previous episode of Consequence Podcast Network and Sony's The Opus Season 15, we explored the chemistry between the voices of Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Sen Dog. In Episode 3, we look at the unique alchemy of their beats. The place where rock and metal meet has always been a part of Cypress Hill's sonic and cultural identity. Sen Dog's first…

1
Cypress Hill’s Chemistry Made for Explosive Hip-Hop 18:43

4y ago18:43

18:43

Consequence Podcast Network and Sony’s The Opus Season 15 continues as we explore the unparalleled chemistry between Cypress Hill’s B-Real and Sen Dog. B-Real’s high-pitched, nasal rap style played off the boom of Sen Dog’s authoritative baritone for a sound unlike anyone else. In Episode 2 of The Opus: Cypress Hill, the two rappers discuss finding…

1
Cypress Hill: Southern California Was a Cultural Powder Keg 17:18

4y ago17:18

17:18

Season 15 of The Opus, presented by the Consequence Podcast Network and Sony, travels back to the Southern California in which Cypress Hill’s sound exploded onto the scene. The sonic sense of urgency in the hip-hop group's self-titled debut album was a time-and-place thing -- a product of late '80s/early '90s Los Angeles that was swept up in the te…

1
Just As I Am: Bill Withers’ Songs and Booker T. Jones’ Mind Were a Match Made in Soul Heaven 27:33

4y ago27:33

27:33

The production on Just As I Am is just as tight as you’d expect an album made with Booker T Jones to be. Bill Withers may have been a rookie singer/songwriter, but the plates on this album were definitely not. In this episode, we speak to folks who help Withers discover and perfect his signature sound. We also discuss the album’s sonic legacy with …

1
Just As I Am Episode 3: Bill Withers' Just as I Am Was Populist Soul for Complicated Times 22:51

4y ago22:51

22:51

Amir “Questlove” Thompson, in Rolling Stone in 2015, called Bill Withers the “last African-American Everyman … the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.” Withers’ Just As I Am was once referred to as “middlebrow soul.” That is to say, it was easily accessible at a time when music was becoming increasingly complex. In this episode,…

1
Just As I Am Episode 2: Bill Withers Remains a Voice of Protest 20:36

4y ago20:36

20:36

In September of 1972, after having been nominated for three Grammys and winning one, Bill Withers spoke with The New York Times, and declared that the whole music thing was simply a phase for him. In 1985, Bill Withers, walked away from the music industry, deciding to not record or re-sign to a record label. He wanted to return to his “regular guy”…

1
Just as I Am: Bill Withers Went from Blue-Collar Everyman to Soul Legend 22:16

4y ago22:16

22:16

Season 14 of The Opus focuses on Bill Withers' landmark debut album, Just as I Am. In episode one, host Jill Hopkins and special guests Jon Batiste, José James, Aloe Blacc, and Phil Cook discuss how a blue-collar everyman became a soul music legend. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…

1
The Score: Fugees In the Lab 26:16

4y ago26:16

26:16

So much of hip-hop is built on the notion of creating something from something. Call it covering, call it borrowing, call it sampling, but don't call it unoriginal. For decades, samples have helped musicians turn some of greatest hits into even greater hits. Fugees are no exception to this. They built upon this legacy, The samples and covers includ…

1
The Score: Fugees In Haiti 21:13

4y ago21:13

21:13

The Fugees were culturally unique in myriad ways. They were a trio comprised of one American-born Black woman and yet also two Haitian immigrants, who both took pride in their heritage. Naturally, this pride was weaved into the fabric of 1996's The Score, and the album's success meant that they were able to champion Haitian music in both America an…

1
The Score: Fugees In the Basement 21:35

4y ago21:35

21:35

Instead of returning to the studio with outside producers, the Fugees took their $150k advance from Ruffhouse Records and ventured off to … the basement. Specifically, the Booga Basement in East Orange, NJ, where Wyclef Jean’s uncle and his cousin Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis lived. Booga, along with The Dungeon in Atlanta (where OutKast cut their debut…

1
The Score: Fugees at the Crossroads 24:47

4y ago24:47

24:47

In the Season 13 premiere, we’ll find out what it took for a group in its own artistic and personal transition to find their place at the top of the charts and on the Grammy stage as the biggest hip-hop act of 1996. Hip-hop had considerably changed from when the Fugees started recording their first album in 1992 to just three years later when they …

1
Pearl: Janis Joplin, The Feminist Icon 27:10

4+ y ago27:10

27:10

The movement was called “Women’s Liberation”, and it pushed the needle of social change more rapidly than mainstream America was ready for in the late '60s and early '70s. The shift was palpable: The need for empowering feminist heroines prompted many Americans to look towards artists, athletes, and entertainers when politics came up short. Janis J…

1
Pearl: The Last Days of Janis Joplin 22:19

4+ y ago22:19

22:19

In many ways, Pearl was a wake for Janis Joplin, a celebration of the singer-songwriter, whose poetry and energy connected with fans, critics, and the general public alike. In hindsight, though, it also felt like the end of an era -- a fiery footnote to the '60s. But what led to that moment? In this episode, host Jill Hopkins will look at the time …

1
Pearl: The Janis Joplin We Never Knew 32:13

4+ y ago32:13

32:13

Janis Joplin left it all on stage. Janis Joplin brought it all to the studio. Janis Joplin put it all on tape. With that exposed vulnerability, however, comes the illusion that the general public actually knew her. That's simply not the case. In this episode, host Jill Hopkins speaks to the late icon's two siblings Laura and Michael Joplin, who shi…

1
Pearl: Janis Joplin Never Stopped Singing 26:49

4+ y ago26:49

26:49

In the Season 12 premiere, we hop a train heading back to the Summer of 1970, when Joplin and the Full Tilt Boogie Band led the historic Festival Express across Canada. It's a strange and wonderful journey that ends with Joplin's magnum opus. Join host Jill Hopkins as she walks from one carriage to another, learning about the making of the band tha…

1
Abraxas: The Beats Beyond Santana 24:21

4+ y ago24:21

24:21

Give the drummer some! Over the years, countless session players have shaped the spirit and sound of Santana -- but especially the beats. Many stuck around, but others went on to carve out their own careers, the likes of which are among the most varied and vast in the industry. For the fourth and final episode of Abraxas, The Opus takes a rhythmic …

1
Abraxas: Charting the Influence of Santana 46:21

4+ y ago46:21

46:21

As we've already learned this season, the members of Santana all came in with their own eclectic perspectives. From the traditional to the avant garde, they dropped a witch’s cauldron of diverse sonic experimentation. For the third episode, The Opus wants to talk about the power of influence. Not only on the members of Santana, but how they've sinc…

1
Abraxas: The Band Behind Santana 55:43

4+ y ago55:43

55:43

For the second episode of Season 11, The Opus is curious to know the stories behind the liner notes to Abraxas. Sure, Carlos Santana was the face and name of the band, but he wasn’t the voice and he didn’t make up the totality of their signature sound. Of course, a good bandleader knows it’s not always about them, and Santana was no exception to th…

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