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The Ledge #543: Power Pop, Pt. 1 (The Past)

The Ledge #543: Power Pop, Pt. 1 (The Past)

On a fairly regular basis I’m asked what type of music I most enjoy. It’s a pretty tough question to answer, to be honest. The standard answer I hear in return is “I love all kinds of music”, which to me is code for “I only like what’s popular”. Sorry, but having a playlist on Spotify that includes both Drake, Meghan Trainor, and Luke Bryan isn’t the proof of versatility most of these poeple believe it is. So what is the genre or sub-genre that is closest to my heart? “Punk” is a little too confining, and honestly there is a lot of shitty music under that moniker. “Alternative” doesn’t mean the same today as it did 30 years ago since maintstream rock radio has co-opted it. “Garage rock” is indeed getting closer but still doesn’t feel right. I think deep in my heart the term power pop, or at least my version of the term, best describes my music taste. I was, after all, born the day The Beatles recorded their first single, and the first two rock and roll albums I owned just out of my toddler phase was the first Monkees record and the A Hard Day’s Night soundtrack.  My […]

The Ledge #473: This and That

The Ledge #473: This and That

A few weeks ago, I experimented with a show that didn’t really have a theme. It consisted of nothing but songs and/or albums I had been listening to around the house. Apparently plenty of listeners enjoyed this show, as I received a number of encouraging messages, so I guess it’s now sort of a “non-theme” that I’m going to try to do at least once a month. So that’s what you’re experiencing on this week’s show. These are all records I’ve been playing around the house the last couple of weeks. Included are excerpts from two giant box sets of important works by John Lennon and The Who that came out just last week. There’s an attempt to prove a theory that Gang of Four influenced Credit In Heaven, the third album of the Suburbs. There’s a few records I pulled out of the archives for the first time in years, along with some great new finds at the used store. And there’s also a set of two great new releases that came out today! Brad Marino’s latest, Looking For Trouble, is every bit as great as expected, and fellow Rum Bar Records artist The Nuclears put out a smoking […]

The Ledge #438: Power Pop

The Ledge #438: Power Pop

What is power pop? According to the dictionary, it’s “a style of pop music characterized by a strong melody line, heavy use of guitars, and simple rhythm”. Yeah, that works. I prefer to just call it “revved up pop music”.

Live Ledge #219: Thank You Friends

Live Ledge #219: Thank You Friends

A post-Thanksgiving episode celebrating just a few of the artists I’m thankful to have in my life.

Live Ledge #213: Number Ten

Live Ledge #213: Number Ten

Continuing the series of shows devoted to track numbers, tonight’s show is nothing but the tenth tune off favorite old and new releases.

Live Ledge #210: By The Numbers, Part 1

Live Ledge #210: By The Numbers, Part 1

To celebrate a birthday, Hudson starts a two-part series where he plays one song from every year he’s lived.

Live Ledge #190: Three In a Row

Live Ledge #190: Three In a Row

Nothing but classic albums with three classic songs in a row.

Live Ledge #174: Matthew Ryan

Live Ledge #174: Matthew Ryan

Singer/songwriter Matthew Ryan chats about his brand new album, Boxers.

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

Live Ledge #137: Alphabet Rock

An alphabetical trip through some of Hudson’s favorite bands.

Rural Ledge-ucation #98: Record Store Day

The 3rd annual Record Store Day show includes not only some of the great music released yesterday but commentary on some of the issues that should be addressed.

Rural Ledge-ucation #89: Bitter Tears

Rural Ledge-ucation #89: Bitter Tears

A companion piece to Friday’s “lonely” episode, this morning is nothing but “bitter” tunes.

Live Ledge #80: Life Story (Pt. 1)

With a big day coming up this week, host Scott Hudson has selected one song per year that he has been alive. Sunday’s Rural Ledge-ucation will conclude the series.

Live Ledge #77: The Kinks

In response to NBC’s idiotic decision to not air Ray Davies at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies, tonight’s show is nothing but tunes by The Kinks!

The Ledge #89: High On Stress

Minneapolis roots-rockers High On Stress are interviewed and they also picked this week’s tunes!

Rural Ledge-ucation #48: Alex Chilton

We commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the death of Alex Chilton with a collection of covers and rarities.

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