Ranking Rock Bands' Best and Worst Songs with Bill Wyman
Summary
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot discuss Bill Wyman’s new book, which ranks every song by classic rock artists like the Beatles, Nirvana, and Pink Floyd. The trio debates specific rankings, such as the worst Beatles track and the merits of Led Zeppelin, while reflecting on their shared history in Chicago music journalism. They also explore the purpose of critical lists in the algorithmic age, arguing that they force critics to take definitive stances and preserve the value of independent music criticism.
Topics discussed
Intro, Patreon, and Goose Island Beer sponsorship
Introducing Bill Wyman and his new book 'Rock and Roll Lists'
Nostalgia for 90s alt-rock and the dynamic with Bill Wyman
The obsessive process of ranking every song by major bands
Lists as long-form criticism and the 'listical' format
Ranking Beatles songs: 'Good Day Sunshine' and 'Martha My Dear'
The utility of best-of lists and taking a critical stand
Pink Floyd: Comparing them to Spinal Tap and the 4 distinct eras
Led Zeppelin: The 'Peak Flo' era and ranking lousiness
Led Zeppelin: John Bonham's performance vs. songwriting
Sponsorship: Quince wardrobe staples
Critiquing BuzzFeed-style listicles vs. thoughtful criticism
Why ranking works for some bands (Eagles) but not others (REM)
The Eagles: Media feuds, Rolling Stone, and sexism
The ethics of criticism: Critics shouldn't get the last word
Nirvana: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and the In Utero debate
Nirvana: The underground rejection and cultural phenomenon
Modern favorites: Boy Genius, Taylor Swift, and avoiding Springsteen
Michael Jackson and the irrelevance of the Rock Hall of Fame
Bob Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks' as a perfect record
The impact of Rolling Stone and early music criticism
Why criticism matters in the age of algorithms and popism
Outro, listener call-to-action, and next week's preview
Credits and Erie Home roofing sponsorship
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