Double albums are naturally a very high-risk, high-reward venture for a musical artist. It can be an opportunity to wow listeners with your songwriting variety and conceptual prowess, or turn them away with a self-indulgent epic that simply could have been trimmed down to a single LP. Despite the risk, double albums are a medium that some of the best artists in history have chosen to tackle, and the successes end up being some of the most memorable moments in music. In this podcast, Jake and Tom talk through their top ten double albums, what makes a double album successful, and how we define them.

See the full list here: http://www.velocitiesinmusic.com/lists/favorite-double-albums/

The Smiths were one of the defining alternative rock bands of the 1980s. Over a span of only four years they left an indelible mark on music that still hasn't been matched in terms of wit, identity, and songwriting craft. In this podcast we'll take you through the highs and lows of The Smiths' discography and legacy.

October 2015 was full of terrific new releases, but also a few disappointments. In this album wrap-up, we discuss:

Guy Garvey - Courting the Squall

Beach Slang - The Things We Do To Find People Like Us

Evil Blizzard - Everybody Come to Church

Vhol - Deeper Than Sky

Shining - International Blackjazz Society

Fuzz - II

Killing Joke - Pylon

The Game - The Documentary 2.5

EL VY - Return to the Moon

Beach House - Thank Your Lucky Stars

Joanna Newsom - Divers

Patty Griffin - Servant of Love

Josh Ritter - Sermon on the Rocks

Son Little - Son Little

!!! - As If

Borns - Dopamine

Majical Cloudz - Are You Alone?

Dan Friel - Life

Luke Haines - British Nuclear Bunkers

Neon Indian - Vega Intl. Night School

Deerhunter - Fading Frontier

Coheed and Cambria - The Color Before the Sun

Israel Nash - Silver Season

John Grant - Grey Tickles, Black Pressure

Editors - In Dream

Wavves - V

Mercury Rev - The Light In You

Shopping - Why Choose

Hey Colossus - Radio Static High

Kylesa - Exhausting Fire

Blitzen Trapper - All Across This Land

Deafheaven - New Bermuda

The musical world is full of larger-than-life personalities. Some are politically minded, some are egotistical, and some are just rude. In today's culture, where artist's are given a platform not only for their music to be heard, but also for their thoughts and opinions to have a far reach, these non-musical factors can play a big part of the way we hear their music. In this podcast, we discuss the overall impact of this phenomenon and discuss high-profile examples such as Kanye West, John Lennon, and Miley Cyrus.

Thirty-five years after vocalist Ian Curtis's untimely death, Joy Division continues to inspire artists in the post-punk and rock genres. With only two masterful LPs created in two short years, they stand as a testament to the fact that music doesn't need exuberant personalities and prolonged careers to make a significant impact. In this artist deep-dive, Jake and Tom go through Joy Division's history, discography, and influence on the last four decades of music.

Despite his tragically short musical career, Nick Drake remains one of the most influential albeit underrated figures in acoustic and folk music. In this artist deep-dive, we walk through Nick's discography, discuss his character and how it affected his music, and the impact he's had since he passed away over forty years ago.

Let's talk about how to get into new music, and how technology has changed that process. This includes word of mouth, music clubs, radio, magazines and other publications, best-of lists, blogs, streaming sites, and a fun game you can play with your friends called Music League.

Jake and Tom go through Modest Mouse's discography, discussing high points, low points, style, and general impact on modern music.

Jake and Tom give their thoughts on some albums that came out in September 2015. Albums include:

Bring Me the Horizon - That's the Spirit
CHVRCHES - Every Open Eye
Julia Holter - Have You In My Wilderness
Kurt Vile - B'lieve I'm Goin' Down
Youth Lagoon - Savage Hills Ballroom
Battles - La Di Da Di
David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock
FIDLAR - Too
Widowspeak - All Yours
The Dear Hunter - Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise
Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon
Ryan Adams - 1989
Metric - Pagans In Vegas
Iron Maiden - Book of Souls
Idjut Boys - Versions
Slayer - Repentless
Disclosure - Caracal
The Wonder Years - No Closer to Heaven
New Order - Music Complete
Big Grams - Big Grams (EP)
Mac Miller - GO:OD AM
Motion City Soundtrack - Panic Stations
Blackalicious - Imani, Vol. 1
The Dead Weather - Dodge and Burn
Silversun Pickups - Better Nature

Jake and Tom discuss the different factors that can make or break a concert experience. What are some of the best concerts you've been to, and more importantly, why?

Jake and Tom talk about why, in the age of music streaming and downloads, people have begun buying records. Is it an issue of sound quality, is it nostalgia, or both?

Rock Legends.  These guys redefined rock and roll in the late 1960's and 1970's.  In this artist deep-dive, Jake and Tom from Velocities in Music break down the history, style, influence, and most importantly, the discography of Led Zeppelin.  

What qualifications does a person need to review music? Does a person need experience to give there opinions on an album or artist?  Velocities in Music dives deep into this question as they reflect on their experiences reviewing albums and the feedback they received. 

Jake and Tom discuss what they've been up to over the last year, why they stopped posting album reviews, and their plans for the future.