Rose-Colored Headphones

This is another one of those episodes where Michael struggles to get into the album, and Ralph has to take the wheel. What is it about the Red Hot Chili Peppers that Michael doesn’t get? Seriously, what crawled up that guy’s butt? First Lil’ Wayne and now this. It’s like he hates fun or something, that Scrooge. Don’t worry, listener; empathy and open-mindedness will win in the end. (In this episode anyway. Not sure about real life.) Remember in the Bob Dylan episode when we promised our podcast wouldn’t be weird anymore? How are we doing with that? Later, Ralph shares a mysterious 78 RPM record that will change the way you think about RHCP and, possibly, the laws of time and space. Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/ And on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social Or send us an email: [email protected] Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG).

Dee Snider drops by to talk about Christmas music, his time as a choir boy, and the making of a yuletide metal classic on our first annual Holiday Spectacular! Yeah, we do holiday specials now, like Doctor Who! And don't worry, listener; we ask him about that book and he's got news about it.  Also in this episode, Michael is visited by ghosts and he and Ralph grapple with complicated feelings about the holidays and uncertainty about the future. But mostly they talk about Twisted Sister. Happy Holidays, everyone! (Even you, Derek.)  This episode is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend Rim Headley.  Rose-Colored Headphones will return in 2025 with the rest of season two.  Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/ And on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rchpodcast.bsky.social Or send us an email: [email protected] Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG).

Aaron Carnes drops by to educate Ralph and Michael about the wide world of Ska. Why is “Third Wave Ska” a misleading term? Where do the Bosstones fit into the larger story of the genre? Plus more listener mail from Michael’s arch-nemesis Derek. Ugh. Later, Ralph is joined by drummer Elwood Bond as he brings a Bosstones anthem back to the roots of ska.    Be sure to check out the new expanded edition of Aaron’s fantastic book In Defense of Ska. It makes a great gift for ska-enthusiasts and an even better gift for ska-haters.    Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/ Or send us an email: [email protected]   Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks (@elaineprints on IG)

Ralph and Michael dive into the Christian-Rock equivalent of Thriller and weigh DC Talk’s evangelical credentials against DC Talk’s counter-cultural inclinations. To whom is this album speaking? What is being said? Is it more than a collection of 1990s pastiche with religious lyrics? Maybe this album isn’t what you remember. (Well, it probably is in a lot of ways, but there’s more to it than that.) Also, is there a DC Talk group-chat where these guys argue about politics? (We will not find an answer to that question, but if you were once a member of DC Talk, drop us a line and let us know.) Later, we take a call from a listener in distress, Ralph converts “Just Between You and Me” into a delightful slab of reggae, and he and Michael turn that delightful slab of reggae into some spacey dub.  Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosecoloredheadphones/ Or send us an email: [email protected] Our visual art was created by Elaine Banks.