Episode 685: The Top 80 Albums of 1994 - Part 7 [#20-11]

·1 hr 34 min·5 clips

Joey explodes about his threshold for abuse, comparing himself to a race car in the red, before the music countdown begins.

The episode is part seven of an eight-part retrospective counting down the top 80 albums of 1994, focusing on positions 20 to 11. Host Joey begins with a raw, profane monologue about reaching his threshold, then transitions to promoting legal music purchases. He introduces the top 20 segment, noting the previous episode's technical difficulties. At number 20, Soul Coughing's debut 'Ruby Vroom' is highlighted, with excitement over their recent reunion announcement on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Bad Religion's 'Stranger Than Fiction' ranks 19, discussed alongside Brett Gurewitz's departure from touring to focus on Epitaph Records. Prong's 'Cleansing' comes in at 18, produced by Terry Date. Sugar's 'File Under Easy Listening' is number 17, with host praise for Bob Mould. Demolition 23's self-titled album, featuring Michael Monroe and produced by Little Steven, ranks 16, noting its delayed US release. Baby Chaos's debut 'Safe Sex, Designer Drugs, and the Death of Rock and Roll' is number 15, discovered by the host while bored at a CD store. Blur's 'Parklife' is number 14, described as a seminal British album. Nine Inch Nails' 'The Downward Spiral' ranks 13, with details on its recording in the Sharon Tate house and recommendation for a full listen in the dark. Infectious Grooves' 'Groove Family Psycho' is number 12, noted for a more serious tone and drummer Brooks Wackerman. Megadeth's 'Youthanasia' closes at number 11, with the host preferring it over 'Countdown to Extinction' and mentioning Megadeth's pioneering website. The episode ends with a preview of the top 10 and promotional plugs.

As heard by us

A 1994 countdown stop that treats "The Scum Lives On" as a bitter, affectionate detour through Michael Monroe's catalog.

Rock Strikes Ten uses this stretch of its 1994 countdown to linger on Demolition 23's "The Scum Lives On," and the host presents Michael Monroe's darker, more political side as a clear change of pace.

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Why you'd press play

A countdown stop where Michael Monroe goes political and the shout-outs keep coming.

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