“You can taste the dishonestyIt’s all over your breath…”These are the initiatory lyrics with which Beyonce begins her 2016 album, “Lemonade.” An album that takes the listener on a mixed genre journey of betrayal and self-reflection, exploring t

S3 Ep.1 Queensrÿche "Operation: mindcrime"

Dec 20th, 2023 1h 38m

“I remember now…”It is this thought that opens and catapults us into the mind and memories of Nikki, a young man contending with drug addiction and his dissatisfaction with the unscrupulous social and political climate of his time. In his anger

S2 Ep.8 - Reflections and the Future

Sep 17th, 2023 57m 56s

Season 2 has been an eclectic mixture of concept albums! In keeping with the form of season 1, episode 8 is again a time for contemplation. And so in this episode, Rob and Joël reflect on the inspiration and insights that have come from their m

S2 Ep.7 - Tyler, the Creator "IGOR"

Aug 12th, 2023 1h 49m

What does one do with unrequited love? Get angry, get even, or get depressed? How about learn from Tyler, the Creator and create!In this episode, Rob and Joël discuss Tyler, the Creator's 2019 concept album "IGOR."The conversation explores Tyle

S2 Ep.6 - King's X "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska"

Jul 15th, 2023 1h 40m

The late 80's were a uniquely rich period for hard rock in the United States. There were strong existing scenes on both coasts and many regional hotspots where the bands were incubating and developing in small groups and pockets. But no one cou

S2 Ep.5 - Miles Davis "Bitches Brew"

Jun 16th, 2023 1h 29m

Released in 1970, Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew" would become a unique album in the jazz canon, not only for its improvisational explorations, but also for the timbral and textural doors it opened in instrumentation and in the use of studio as ins

S2 Ep.4 - Deltron 3030 "Deltron 3030"

Mar 18th, 2023 1h 34m

"It's the year 3030..."A dystopian future where galactic corporate entities sustain a strangle hold on the universe, and "Deltron-Zero" emerges to save humanity and music from this 31st century New World Order by winning The Galactic Rhyme Fede

S2 Ep.3 - Iron Maiden "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son"

Jan 23rd, 2023 1h 38m

"Seven deadly sins, Seven ways to win, Seven holy paths to hell, And your trip begins..." are the first lyrical moments of Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son," and how potent these words were in setting the tone for Rob and Joël's conv

Bonus Vignette: "Is Iron Maiden's Powerslave a Concept Album?"

Jan 23rd, 2023 16m 11s

"Is Iron Maiden's Powerslave a concept album?" It is this question that Rob and Joël discuss in their first Vignette.Recorded during the same sessions that captured our S2Ep.3 and Aftercast discussions about Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son of a Seve

S2 Ep.2 - Frank Sinatra "In the Wee Small Hours"

Dec 10th, 2022 1h 45m

In this episode, Rob and Joël discuss "The Voice," Frank Sinatra, and his 1955 album, "In the Wee Small Hours."Arguably the first concept album, this was the first of its kind with its innovative format and its introspective tone on love and he

S2 Ep.1 - Kate Bush "Hounds of Love"

Oct 31st, 2022 1h 39m

Sonic Ventures' season two premiere episode is a rich dive into Kate Bush's 1985 album "Hounds of Love."Conceived as two suites, Rob and Joël explore the album's expository and cinematic structure, along with Kate Bush's extensive vocal palette

S2 Ep.1b - "Hounds of Love" Aftercast

Oct 30th, 2022 1h 33m

Rob and Joël go further into their listening experiences of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love," and come out with what they call an "Aftercast." An Aftercast is a recorded continuation after the conclusion of a regular podcast conversation. In these

Ep.8 - Reflections and the Future

Jul 3rd, 2022 40m 5s

Rob and Joël reflect on the completion of the first season of Sonic Ventures, discussing their respective processes, some of the most memorable moments and their future plans for the podcast.

Ep.7 - Rush "2112"

Jun 8th, 2022 1h 40m

Rush's "2112" has been heralded by many as one of their most compelling and significant albums. Rob and Joël take a close look at the title track, discussing the implications of its concepts and the band's powerful performance.

Ep.6 - The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"

Mar 30th, 2022 1h 33m

Rob and Joël discuss The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," a profoundly influential album for the pop/rock genre.

Ep.5 - John Coltrane "A Love Supreme"

Feb 9th, 2022 1h 44m

In this fifth episode, Rob and Joël discuss John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme," exploring the music and symbolism of this highly influential album for jazz and beyond.

Ep.4 - The Mothers of Invention "Freak Out!"

Dec 22nd, 2021 1h 37m

Listen to Rob and Joël delve into what many consider to be rock's first concept album, The Mothers of Invention's "Freak Out!"

Ep.3 - Rock Opera

Nov 15th, 2021 2h 10m

In this episode, Robert and Joël discuss the term Rock Opera with its stylistic and historical implications for the concept album format.

Ep.1 - What is a concept album?

Nov 15th, 2021 2h 5m

In this episode, Robert and Joël begin their conversational journey as they discuss what is a concept album and their motivations for creating this podcast.