logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2022
1h 5m

“Killing In The Name”—Rage Against The M...

The Ringer
About this episode
Rob explores the history of Los Angeles rock band Rage Against the Machine and their debut single, “Killing in the Name.” By calling out police brutality and political corruption, the furious four-piece became one of the most rebellious bands of the 1990s and brought socialist and revolutionary ideas to the mainstream. This episode was originally produced as ... Show More
Up next
Dec 3
“Hallelujah” — Jeff Buckley
Today, Rob returns with a gift in time for the holidays, breaking down what many would call the voice of an angel. He takes us back to the ’90s, when one of the most covered songs on the planet was merely a forgotten, horny track from Leonard Cohen’s catalog. While many artists c ... Show More
1h 42m
Aug 2025
“A-Punk” — Vampire Weekend
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
1h 36m
Aug 2025
"Grindin’"— The Clipse
This week, Rob explores the biblical complexities of brotherhood throughout popular song, and uses those musical examples to highlight this eternal dichotomy: Some days when you aren’t Abel, there is always Cain. This sentiment rings glaringly true as he dissects the career of Vi ... Show More
1h 24m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Public Enemy: Revolution, Scandal, and a Message Louder than a Bomb
Public Enemy were revolutionaries – both in their message and their music. In the 1980s and 1990s, they elevated hip-hop to an art form. They did this with Chuck D's booming voice, Flavor Flav's comic levity, and the auditory assault of the Bomb Squad's production. But with that ... Show More
39m 54s
Sep 2020
Introducing: Blood on the Tracks an iHeartRadio Original
Phil Spector: Murderer. Musical genius. His story is told from the perspective of those who knew him best, his famous so-called friends. Blood On The Tracks is part true crime, part historical fiction, part spoken word lo-fi beat noir brought to you by Jake Brennan, the host of t ... Show More
3m 56s
Nov 2020
From "YMCA" to "Fortunate Son," Inside The Trump Era's Weird Musical Battles
Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield join host Brian Hiatt to discuss cultural battles over music over the last four years, plus the best and worst protest songs, the future of music under Biden, and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
42m 55s
Feb 2016
Kanye West; Courtney Barnett; Plus: A Lonely Defense of the Compact Disc
A deep dive into Kanye West’s pained, fragmented new album “The Life of Pablo” with Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield, Brittany Spanos, Simon Vozick-Levinson and Nathan Brackett. Plus: Aussie rocker Courtney Barnett makes ramen cool; and, in our first debate, writer David Browne moun ... Show More
38m 12s
Aug 2020
Rapper's Delight: Inside the Song That Ignited Hip Hop
Join Steve for the incredible inside story behind the song that launched hip hop on its course towards world domination. It's a tale tainted by scandal: accusations of organized crime, plagiarism and betrayal. And it's told by the artists who lived it: early South Bronx innovator ... Show More
1h 6m
Apr 2019
XXXTentacion: Mellow Beats and Ultra Violence
XXXTentacion was one of Generation Z’s most talented hip hop stars but his ascent was marked by violence and drama; beatdowns, beefs (what’s up, Drake?) and abuse. XXXTentacion’s music quickly rose from Soundcloud to the top of the charts due in part to the relative loneliness an ... Show More
43m 16s
May 2024
S12E9 - Rhinestone Cowboy by Madvillain
Our analysis of MF DOOM and Madlib's Madvillainy concludes with its final cut "Rhinestone Cowboy." However, this is not the last episode of the season. Next week, we begin our survey of MM...FOOD. Support Dissect by leaving a review or sharing this episode on social media. It rea ... Show More
35m 26s
Aug 2023
Olivia Rodrigo’s Good Ideas
Everyone seems to be getting Olivia Rodrigo wrong. She's one of the few pop stars who has made it big in the current era of fragmented music streaming, but so much of the narrative has been about whose songs she's stealing from, whether it be Taylor Swift, Elvis Costello or Param ... Show More
31m 35s
Sep 2023
DAYS like NIGHTS 304 - B2B With Patrice Bäumel @ Woodstock, Netherlands, Part 2
Recorded live at DAYS like NIGHTS at Woodstock ’69 on Sunday July 30th in Bloemendaal, The Netherlands Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrice.baumel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrice_baumel Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/patrice-baumel Facebook: https://www.fac ... Show More
1 h