Beatable. Even Oasis thought 'Be Here Now' was a bit crap. Noel said the album is the sound of making a record on coke. Everything you do seems brilliant, but then you sober up.

'Paint A Vulgar Picture' is the main culprit on that record. Just meanders. 'Death At One's Elbow.' 'Death Of A Disco Dancer.' Not terrible, but not up to their usual standards.

Another distinctive thing about their sound: the vocals were always treated as just another instrument. They're not pushed to the front of the mix.

It's all worth checking out. Even episodes featuring guests I didn't like as much had great Ben/Laura or Ben/Dr. Katz story lines.

I'm one of those people who can eat whatever I want, and I just get really fat.

Love all those bands (to varying degrees). However, and this brings me back to the Beatles, I can think of songs that I skip, or that drag down an otherwise perfect album in a stretch of excellent albums. Of course, that's just my opinion, this is all subjective, you know the drill. The Smiths in particular are a…

Oh shit, you're right. Looks like I'm not counting 'Percy' either. Though I do like 'Arthur' a lot (it opens with one of my all-time favorite Kinks songs, 'Victoria'), I don't rate it on the same level as the others. Can we say I excluded that and 'Percy' deliberately because they're both soundtracks? Or at least…

Aaagh!

Now I have to watch the whole episode again. In my Viking helmet.

Yes. Something Else, Village Green, Lola Vs., Muswell Hillbillies. Nice call.

I think I'm falling hard for Dr. Katz…

Isn't 'Meaty' a collection of singles? I could be wrong. It's one of my favorites of theirs, but I didn't include it because of that detail.

I like the Who a lot too, but I feel like 'Who's Next' is the only record of theirs that is flat-out perfect front to back. Love their singles mostly- 'Substitute,' 'The Kids Are Alright,' etc.

No you couldn't. And I say that with the utmost respect of Southern Rock (and the country, blues, and rock 'n' roll that made sweet, sticky love to create it), and with a heartfelt loathing of Collective Soul.

They aren't my favorite band ever. But they were great. And starting with Beggar's Banquet, they had a run of four almost perfect albums, ending with Exile. I can't think of another band off the top of my head that made four records of consistent excellence. And yes, I'm including the Beatles, whom I love.
EDIT: Four…

Agreed. Sometimes it's too far a reach and I can't buy it. In both articles, I felt like I was reading someone's 'look at my controversial thesis!' piece. There wasn't anything of weight to back up the assertions. I disagree with pretty much all of Chuck Klosterman's musical opinions (he's just wrong!), but he always…

I'm not ripping the Stones, but reading that Southern rock article reminded me of an old issue of Alternative Press that credited Bob Dylan with Industrial. Why? He plugged in a guitar.

That record begs to be shat on.

Mitch Hedberg. Marc Maron. Sarah Silverman. That promising upstart Ray Romano. And hell yes, Louis CK. I'd forgotten how many of my favorite therapy bits from 'Dr. Katz' were his.

It's shocking how many people- H. Jon Benjamin fans especially- have never heard of it. Spread the Gospel!