60 Songs That Explain the '90s

Before he vows to leave her alone, Rob breaks down the cataclysmic career of a pop star who did it for the love of the game and the disgust of the fame. Britney Spears had the power to shift culture with a single VMAs performance, yet her music reflected a desperation to control her own personal life. Despite the public’s continuous mistreatment of Britney, she selflessly gifted us one of the most iconic bangers of our time: “Toxic.” Afterwards, Rob speaks with music journalist Jeff Weiss to talk about the unfinished evolution of Britney’s career, the difference in today’s celebrity culture, and creation of his book, ‘Waiting for Britney Spears,’ in the time of the Free Britney movement. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Jeff Weiss Producers: Justin Sayle and Olivia Crerie Additional Video Editing: Kevin Pooler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 cover songs in an attempt to replicate the original (or just sing it more loudly), Rob explains how Jeff Buckley covered the song and made it new. Later, Rob is joined by documentary filmmaker Amy J. Berg to discuss her new project ‘It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley.’ She describes the intimate moments of Buckley’s mother she captured, how Buckley’s father affected his relationship with success and music, and the difficulties of what to do with an artist’s unfinished discography posthumously. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Amy J. Berg Producers: Justin Sayles, Chris Sutton, and Olivia Crerie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Virginia brothers The Clipse and their massive 2002 hit ‘Grindin’’, arguably the Neptunes finest production moment. Later, Rob is joined by Ringer alum Shea Serrano to explain why Malice and Pusha T’s elegant street poetry transcends the simple ‘coke rap’ designation critics have hastily assigned to their legacy. Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Shea SerranoProducers: Chris Sutton, Olivia Crerie, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Rob shines a light on the many ways singer-songwriters have utilized the concept of the word ‘home’ to convey where the heart and the human spirit truly reside. These musings serve as a springboard for a thorough analysis of country superstar Miranda Lambert’s hit song from 2010 ‘The House That Built Me’, and the defiantly authentic discography that preceded it. He’s then joined by friend and culture writer Elamin Abdelmahmoud from CBC’s ‘The Commotion’ podcast to expound further on Lambert’s infectious Texas charm. Host: Rob HarvillaGuest: Elamin AbdelmahmoudProducer: Chris Sutton, Olivia Crerie, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why would the best ever want to stop being the best? Rob tries to figure this out in this week's episode covering Outkast. He proves that Big Boi and André 3000 will always be better together by comparing the tag team effort in their hit song, “Ms. Jackson,” and their split album ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’. Later, he is joined by ‘Last Song Standing’ hosts, Cole Cuchna and Charles Holmes, to discuss how Outkast has aged for newer rap listeners and to share their favorite Outkast album in their self-proclaimed old age. Host: Rob Harvilla Guests: Charles Holmes and Cole Cuchna Producers: Olivia Crerie, Chris Sutton, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob contemplates the art of making an ironic cover song sincere as he enters the dark realm of the 2000s hit TV show, ‘American Idol’. He follows the inevitable success of Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, who proves with her impossible-to-sing hit song, “Since U Been Gone,” that she is more than just a pop princess. Later, he is joined by ‘Breakaway’ tour-goer and Clarkson connoisseur Jodi Walker to discuss Clarkson's vocal capabilities and what her discography did for 2000s TV culture. Host: Rob Harvilla Guest: Jodi Walker Producers: Chris Sutton, Olivia Crerie, and Justin Sayles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices