The Early November came out of nowhere in 2001, and after a strong debut in The Room's Too Cold, frontman Ace Enders got ambitious. Their sophomore record, The Mother, The Mechanic, And The Path, is a three-disc concept album that pushed every boundary. It's the longest album we've ever reviewed and scored, clocking in at 2 hours and 12 minutes, with more than 45 tracks that tell the story of a broken family and a boy who's afraid to follow in his father's footsteps... and make his father's mistakes. It's all told in their quintessential 2006 emo-punk sound, over the course of hits like Decoration, Hair, and 1,000 Times A Day. Whether it's a big hit or a big miss, you can't deny it's a big swing for this new band.

We'll talk about the band's debut in the rock scene and their acoustic re-workings of their early songs that help develop their softer side. The Mixtaper introduces us to a record-breaking Conga and a new adrenaline sport, as well as the art of van-flipping. We do have a Mixtober tie to break in Fact Or Spin, after all! Then we'll work our way through the album disc by disc by disc, sharing our favorite moments, our impressions of the story, and more. Which disc will reign supreme? Will Connor be able to overlook integrated dialogue on The Path, a section that feels more like an audio drama than an album? If there's A Bigger Meaning to this record we'll Figure It Out this week!

What did YOU think about this self-indulgent album? Does the unique storytelling structure justify the immense length? Which of the three discs was your favorite? Reach out and let us know in the comments or on social media, and be sure to follow for more!

Got questions about being Reckless And Relentless? We do, and we're Asking Alexandria about their 2011 album. (Not literally asking, but we'll review and rank it just the same!) After guitarist Ben Bruce "Ship-Of-Theseused" his band from South Africa to London, they started making waves with vocalist Danny Worsnop and a metalcore sound that ruffled feathers and explored the human condition. On Reckless & Relentless, tracks like Someone Somewhere, Another Bottle Down, and Morte Et Dabo tackle themes of addiction, loss, and love in a gritty, dark way based in realism.

We'll trace the band's journey and maturation from album to album! This record is on the precipice of the band's commercial success, but they continue to push the envelope in its wake. Then the Mixtaper has some hot new facts that bring the roof down as he introduces us to Metal Elvis and some DEVOTED fans. Then, two wolves inside Connor go to war as we balance intense screaming with intricate instrumentals.. and then he does something that's a podcast-first. See how this record stacks up as we close out Mixtober!

Which Asking Alexandria tracks leave you Breathless? Need a little extra Closure? Reach out on social media and follow or rate wherever you're listening for more!

SPIN IT BACKTRACKS: ASKING ALEXANDRIA

Black Sabbath has us Paranoid as we review their sophomore album this week! After Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and company literally invented the genre of heavy metal with their debut they knew they needed to push the envelope to further define and refine their style with the next release. With just three days of studio time and hits like War Pigs and Iron Man in their arsenal, find out if Paranoid ranks among the greats... or if it gets an Electric Funeral.

James & Connor explore the record's origins as Walpurgis, talk about the Prince Of Darkness' life and legacy, and dive into the recording techniques used to make Paranoid stand out-- from floaty flutes to metal fan blades. Connor the Concept King tries to imagine the Iron Man story woven into the MCU, and The Mixtaper is bringing us facts of the band's unbelievable antics (emphasis on the ANT). We'll talk about mysterious aerosol poisons, exploding fish, and Michael Bolton's branching career path during Fact Or Spin. Can Black Sabbath make this a Mixtober to remember? 

We've got one more Mixtober week in store, so make sure to subscribe and follow for more! This album has the band's highest concentration of hits... but is it Black Sabbath's best? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on socials!

Will The Real Slim Shady please stand up? Mixtober continues as we score and rank The Marshall Mathers LP, the third record by legendary Detroit hip-hop artist Eminem! His shocking, horror film-esque lyrics exploded onto the scene with his Slim Shady LP, and this time around (as the title suggests) he gives us a peek behind the persona with a personal glimpse into sudden fame and public backlash about his music. The record produced hits like the iconic Real Slim Shady, The Way I Am, and of course one of Em's all-time greats in Stan!

We'll talk about the Rap Olympics that launched Eminem's career, explore his meaningful relationship with Dr. Dre that led to the album's distinct sonic profile, and learn about villains on the M&Ms wiki as we break down this record. Connor's already claimed Eminem as a favorite rapper... but will his score reflect that? The Mixtaper is pulling no punches with facts about an insulting feud, a taste of how Eminem vents his frustration, and a home sold off one piece at a time. Will this album scare us away, or will this Criminal-ly catchy wordplay keep us Under The Influence?

Follow us for more Mixtober-y albums all month long! Let us know your favorite Eminem facts in the comments or on socials, and give us a like if you learned something (about the rapper OR about the little dragee lentil candies)!

HAPPY MIXTOBER! Connor is out of town so once again the Mixtaper is taking over for his annual Halloween Thirteen playlist, with 13 songs guaranteed to get you into the spirit of the season! But there's a twist: too many holidays each year go underappreciated (and under-soundtracked), so this time around our resident dastard has decided to share some Halloween Hits with other holidays throughout the year. James will have 60 seconds to solve his clues and figure out which special day will be rocking these songs. You definitely already celebrate some of these holidays and definitely haven't heard of the rest. It's Another Another spooky special in the way only The Mixtaper can, so celebrate Mixtober all month long with us as we kick it off this week!

No alarms and No Surprises! This week we're revisiting Radiohead for the Year Of Redemption! Connor tore into the experimental nature of Kid A on Episode 53, so we're turning back the clock to another definitive, revolutionary Radiohead record: OK Computer. We'll learn the story behind this iconic album (from transportation anxiety to haunted mansions), which features some of their greatest hits like Paranoid Android and Let Down! The Mixtaper plays the role of Karma Police with Fact Or Spin rounds about sleepy fans, puppet publicity, and bullying. Can this song-shaped non-concept album get Lucky and increase Connor's score, or is Radiohead a band doomed to the bottom of his rankings?

Get ready to Rocket on a satellite of love with Def Leppard's 1987 hit record Hysteria! James & Connor discuss the band's challenges to grow an international fanbase through their first three albums of "lust, blood, and rock" music with a sleek, polished glam metal edge. We'll talk about the car accident that changed Thunder God Rick Allen's life and transformed Hysteria into a legendary album. With major staples like Animal, Pour Some Sugar On Me, and Love Bites, this was Def Leppard's attempt to make an all-hits record. Did they succeed? The Mixtaper enlightens us on undercover roadies, confectionery cleanup, and unique tour habits! Tune in to see if Joe Elliot and crew can earn our Love And Affection... we know you get so Excitable! 

How do you cage an elephant? One bar at a time! There Ain't No Rest For The Wicked this week as we take on the self-titled debut from Cage The Elephant! This unpolished garage rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky experiments with loud guitars, louder drums, and mile-a-minute soapbox lyrics that offer a candid look at life in 2009. We'll talk about their Foo Friends, stolen pockets, and more as James takes on the Danny DeVito-sized Mixtaper! (And yes, we do learn plenty of elephant facts along the way.) Will the band get some Free Love from us, or will this record go In One Ear and right out the other?

We were drowning and now we're Swimming in the depths of Mac Miller's introspective 2018 record, the final album he'd release in his lifetime. We'll talk about the Pittsburgh native's EZ Mac days and his evolution from frat lyrics to his now-signature deeply personal jazz rap. Swimming features hits like What's The Use and Self Care that see Mac navigate addiction, complicated relationships, and the road to healing. The Mixtaper will teach us about several Larries, big hot dogs, and a petty zoo. Miller's impact and legacy will be an inspiration in music for ages to come.. how will we score this unique record? Brace yourself, because we'll never run out of Jet Fuel! 

Wop-Bop-A-Loo-Wop-A-Wop-Bam-Boom! This week we're Slippin' And Slidin' into the world of Little Richard Penniman! Raised on Gospel music in his dad's church, the War Hawk soon took to the stage to play "the Devil's music," complete with rollicking piano, screaming vocals, and boundless energy. His 1957 debut Here's Little Richard exploded onto the scene with hits like Tutti Frutti and Long Tall Sally that defined early rock 'n' roll and changed the nature of music forever. We'll cover his career, his conversion from rock star to preacher, and more as we Rip It Up with this record! The Mixtaper has facts about Grammy anachronisms, pompadour problems, and 29 weddings (give or take). So if you're Ready, Teddy.. rock and roll! 

We Got Her Back! The Year Of Redemption continues with Olivia Rodrigo's sophomore album GUTS. After our Year Two episode about Sour (Episode 54) James & Connor discovered they weren't in her primary audience demographic... but her maturing perspective and a new, punkier voice might elevate our opinions! Can the Ballads Of A Homeschooled Girl win us over? Hits like Vampire, Lacy, and Bad Idea Right took over the pop music conversation in 2023, and her 95-show world tour was the highest-grossing for an artist born in this millennium. The Mixtaper will shoehorn in facts about ethical bathtubs, international crime, and a circus censure as we try to figure out if GUTS is a true redemption or a sophomore slump. Maybe we'll know when we're 70.

Doechii the Don, Doechii the Dean, Doechii Supreme has us caught in a Death Roll this week with her Grammy-winning mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal! TikTok turned Jaylah Hickmon from an aspiring choral singer into an overnight rap sensation. On her sophomore record the Swamp Princess blends styles and genres into a biting, analog hip-hop sound that tackles everything from mental health to relationships. The Mixtaper has a slew of swamp facts about homemade shoes, alligator activism (#StayWokezilla), and amphibious musicals. Can we handle the Boom Bap, rappity rap rap, or are we just in Denial? You'll just have to fall back and Wait... or Slide right into this episode!

It's the last stop on our road to The Highwaymen with Waylon Jennings! He's an icon of Outlaw Country, and his 1973 record Honky Tonk Heroes combines his diverse musical influences and Billy Joe Shaver's modern cowboy songwriting into a consistent, ramblin' experience. From his humble DJ beginnings to his near brush with the Day The Music Died, we'll uncover how Waylon (not Wayland) became a staple of the Nashville country scene. We'll talk about hits like Black Rose and We Had It All, reminisce about Five & Dimes, and more. The Mixtaper will teach us about an indoor motorcycle, a Big Bird mishap, and a high-stakes Presidential(ish) Mix-Up. Enjoy the album and the episode, and remember.. if it was here, it ain't here no more!

We're on the Edge Of Glory this week with pop superstar Lady Gaga! After her glam burlesque beginnings and earth-shaking debut, Gaga released her so-called "freedom album" Born This Way. She refines the pillars of her signature sound while seamlessly blending influences across a surprising range of genres. From the religious undertones (and overtones) of Judas to the social commentary in Government Hooker and Americano to empowerment anthems like the title track and Hair, Lady Gaga brings a strong voice in a way that most artists just don't. The Mixtaper shares how she got grounded by NASA, dazzles us with fast-fired fashion, and bops with cyborg bugs! Not only is this our 200th album ranked, this episode also includes some other surprise history-making Spin It moments! We've waited long enough... so get ready to Marry The Night with us! 

Quiet On Set.. we're going Guerilla this week with Juno, the debut LP by Remi Wolf! James' birthday pick comes with a unique tale of discovery and a lot more chaos than he's used to. Find out why this album had him hooked instantly! Can Connor keep up? We'll talk about Remi's Olympic career, American Idol run, and her dog-centric style. The Mixtaper teaches us about improv and questionable Monster Mac, and the lyrics on this record take us everywhere from Chuck E. Cheese to bolo ties to churning techniques. Every listen reveals new sonic elements to this record, so whether you're a Sexy Villain or you're looking for ways to pull the weeds, suck the venom, this episode has a surprise in store!

Ol' Blue Eyes is crooning his way onto the podcast this week! We're reclining by the fireside, tie loose, scotch in hand, and listening as Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely. It's Connor's first crack at the Year Of Redemption; James scored Sinatra's Watertown years ago (and he was pretty harsh). Will this ballad-laden, melancholy album raise the stakes and earn the Chairman Of The Board a better score? We'll talk about his rise, demise, and resurgence, get lost in Sinatramania, and evaluate his salary as his career cemented itself as the stuff of legends. The Mixtaper squares off against Connor once more with facts about too much cheesecake, a high-profile kidnapping, and a string of infamous karaoke killings you have to hear to believe! Give me one for my baby and one score for the road... 

Welcome to the Year Of Redemption! Throughout the year we'll revisit artists we've covered in the past who have received lower scores than we expected and see how their other work compares. Up first is The Beach Boys! After Pet Sounds (Episode 29) failed to meet Connor's expectations, James decided to step a little farther back in time with The Beach Boys Today! It was a pivotal moment of growth for the band and for Brian Wilson as they expanded past the teen surf pop of their early days. One half is full of peppy coming-of-age pop tunes, while the other features heart-aching ballads. The Mixtaper has new facts about Brian Wilson's 8-ton sandbox, a crappy dinner, and a legendary surf duel. Get ready for the band's signature harmonies, inspired instrumentation, and ask yourself... Do You Wanna Dance?

The Year Of Discovery comes to a close this week! We're exploring Discovery, the sophomore album from Daft Punk, the iconic robotic French duo that changed the trajectory of electronica as we know it. Their sample-heavy style breathed new life into funk and disco, and hits like Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger and One More Time took the world by storm. From their explosive origins to the record's companion anime Interstella 5555, James & Connor will fall in Digital Love with this one. We'll play Fact Or Spin about trucks, the precursors to their iconic helmets, and NASA's Deep Space Network.. and The Mixtaper has a special surprise that's 100 episodes in the making! Something's in the air, so come celebrate the conclusion of our FOURTH year of ranking records with us!!

Today we'll answer the age-old question.. WHO IS MEAT LOAF?! From the moment he was born, Marvin Aday lived an unbelievable life. We dive into the lore that led to the ninth-bestselling album in the world, Bat Out Of Hell! Inspired by Jim Steinman's Peter Pan metal musical, this theatrical metal record features major and inexplicable hits like Paradise By The Dashboard Light and Heaven Can Wait. The Mixtaper is teaching us about his name's various origins, his fresh rubber ducky collection, and a fishy marriage proposal. Can this record hold up to the hype? Will our scores reflect its absurd sales statistics? Will we ever truly know Meat Loaf? The Year Of Discovery continues with this special episode!

Bunny Is A Rider, and she probably listens to Desire, I Want To Turn Into You by Caroline Polachek! This atmospheric, artsy pop record showcases her voice and musicality as she uses familiar instruments and sounds in new ways. James discovered her on tour with the Queen Dua Lipa but Connor is just hearing of her now. We'll explore her past ventures in haunted house music, draw targets around our arrows, and subjectively compare drawings of angels. The Mixtaper's Fact Or Spin includes terrorists, a dramatic escape from the mafia, and a shocking horse tale. Everything is Pretty In Possible and we've got Billions of things to say about this album.. Hope you like her, you ain't leaving!

We've got an Uncontrollable Urge to de-evolve this week with DEVO, the satirical concept band from Akron, Ohio! Their 1978 debut Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are DEVO! is full of social commentary, wacky lyrics, and disorienting music inspired by classic films, anti-evolution propaganda, and even NORAD. We'll talk about the tragedy that inspired the band, the origin of Booji Boy, and the shocking success of Whip It! The Mixtaper is putting his right hand to work with facts about DEV2.0, and Seamus the roof-racked dog! If you're gettin' Sloppy, don't Shrivel-Up! Learn the truth about de-evolution in this one-of-a-kind episode about a one-of-a-kind band of Jocko Homos!

Do you Believe in life after love? We do! And so does Cher, one of pop music's legends. We'll trace her path to superstardom through every Ch-era. We'll talk about her time with Sonny, a handful of TV shows, her endless comebacks, and her eruption into the world of dance pop with her 22nd studio album Believe! It features hits like the title track, Strong Enough, and Love Is The Groove (same songs, different fonts). It's an album that literally altered the course of music. The Mixtaper will teach us about aliens, motorcycle crashes, and a nose-breaking shoe cannon! Then we're playing a new game-- Cher Bingo-- about the Queen Of Almost! Find out what happened to her YL and don't be selfish... Cher this episode with a friend! 

This week we're lost in love and Washed Up Together with Knox Hamilton's debut record The Heights! This Little Rock-based alt pop band picked up thrift store instruments, named themselves after a rockin' yearbook photo, and took the radio by storm with their hit Work It Out! And Rightfully So... we'll talk about the band's mission to keep the good vibes flowing with every track on this two-in-one album. The Mixtaper is taking us on a berry hunt full of onstage weddings, questionable tattoos, and punny pranks in Fact Or Spin. How will this unique album hold up in the Year Of Discovery? Find out now!

It's a marvelous night for a podcast, and this week we're heading Into The Mystic with Van Morrison's 1970 record Moondance! After an accidental first record, a hit single in Brown Eyed Girl, and a commercial flop in Astral Weeks, Moondance was Morrison's last-ditch comeback effort to avoid starvation. It ended up becoming a classic soft rock album and a hit with hippies, featuring classic-caliber songs like Crazy Love and a full horn section! We'll explore little Ivan's Irish upbringing, learn about Them, and figure out why he uses so many syllables. The Mixtaper is on a mission to bully* Van Moron... remember to always read your contracts and pay your parking meters. 

We've got it bad, got it bad, got it bad... We're hot for Van Halen! Their sixth studio album 1984 (their final with David Lee Roth) took the band in a bold new direction that blended their signature glam rock edge with sleek synthesizers to produce all-time hits like Panama, I'll Wait, and of course the iconic Jump! We explore Eddie Van Halen's revolutionary guitar skills, find a sneaky music video urine stain, and even dabble in the post-1984 Sammy Hagar years. The Mixtaper is drilling James in another round of Fact Or Spin with facts about fishy tour managers, certified EMTs, and a good ol' guitar string feast! Go ahead and Jump headfirst into the 200s with us!