Album vs Album

An Oral History of FM.era with des hume

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Thom Kolb, Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy, des hume) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Lucas and Cail visit des hume for an immersive conversation about this upbeat, introspective record.

Bruce Springsteen, Live in Vancouver!

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 06:43:55 +0000

Lucas and Cail were live in attendance at Bruce Springsteen's final show of his world tour in Vancouver, BC! They share tasty treats, heroes/zeroes, and praise the power of the Boss and E Street Band.

Springsteen turned 75 in September 2024.
The set was three hours and 20 minutes. The 31-song set was the longest of his tour with the 17-member E Street Band!

Photo by Harry Zimmerman

Bruce Springsteen - Greetings from Asbury Park vs The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 8 Feb 2024 09:15:00 +0000

Lucas and Cail tackle one of their all-time heroes, pitting his first two records for Columbia against each other.

Constantines - Shine A Light vs Tournament of Hearts (feat. Dave Laird)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Dave Laird, Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:51:25 +0000

The boys are joined by Dave Laird (Concavity Show) to discuss the greatest(!!) Canadian band of all-time. If you don't know the Cons, no better time than today to get on-board, buster! There's room in the pool for everybody.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago vs Bon Iver

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Chris Kelly, Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 08:15:00 +0000

Chris Kelly (Kelly&Kelly) joins us to discuss the first two Bon Iver records, exceptional tasty treats, and secrets hidden in the songs. Put on your parka and join us in the cathedral of Justin Vernon's mind. Find out what "Holocene" means!

Links:

Kelly & Kelly website

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People vs Hug of Thunder (feat. Alex Wyder)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Alex Wyder, Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 2 Jun 2022 08:15:00 +0000

We dive into records linked across space and time. Alex Wyder joins us to talk about his love for BSS and the life of a music manager. Cause = AvA.

blink-182 - Enema of the State vs blink-182 (feat. Sara Judy)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Sara Judy, Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 08:15:00 +0000

Dr. Sara Judy (PhD in U.S. poetry & religion) joins AvA to dive into the inner workings of blink-182.

Leon Bridges - Coming Home vs Good Thing

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:15:00 +0000

The boys debate the value of nostalgia-acts, and where Leon Bridges is (or isn't) taking his sound. Hot takes! Laughs! Come on in, the water is warm.

The Killers - Imploding the Mirage vs Pressure Machine

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 09:15:00 +0000

The Killers drifted off into the Las Vegas Strip for a while, but they roared back with two unique records. Join us on the brightside.

Dreaming of a White Christmas: Bing Crosby vs Kenny G

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:58:51 +0000

Can the king of smooth jazz and America’s ‘Old Groaner’ help Cail find his holiday spirit?

Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher vs Stranger In the Alps

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 22:54:41 +0000

It's our last "Versus" episode of the year, and who better to end it all with than Phoebe Bridgers?

Links:

Top Two for 2021

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:15:00 +0000

Lucas and Cail each share their top two records for 2021.

Cail

Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Nick Schofield - Glass Gallery

Lucas

The Felice Brothers - From Dreams To Dust
Arlo Parks - Collapsed In Sunbeams

Links:

Songs To Make You Happy

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 09:05:00 +0000

The boys are back with eight songs to make you happy. Smiles guaranteed or your joy back.

Songs To Make You Happy: A Spotify Playlist

Tracklist:

1. Wild World - des hume

2. There's No One Crying over Me Either - American Wrestlers

3. basking in the glow - Oso Oso

4. Miracles - Benny Sings

5. A - Restorations

6. Stray Dog And The Chocolate Shake - Grandaddy

7. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight - James Taylor

8. Katchi - Nick Waterhouse & Leon Bridges

Cover art by Frank Sinatra!

Björk - Homogenic vs Vespertine (feat. des hume) - Part 2

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, cail judy, des hume) — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 08:05:00 +0000

Part two of our Björk convo with des hume is here. We swan-dive into Vespertine, a sexy-swirl of a record. Tune-in for the nuance and stay for the hot takes at the end.

Links

Björk - Homogenic vs Vespertine (feat. des hume) - Part 1

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, des hume, lucas lawrence) — Thu, 7 Oct 2021 05:04:26 +0000

We discuss two magnificent Björk albums with "garbage-pop princess" des hume. In today's episode, we discuss Homogenic!

Links:

Sufjan Stevens - Michigan vs Illinois (feat. That Was The Worst Podcast Ever!)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (justin bills, lucas lawrence, jordan klassen, cail judy) — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:05:00 +0000

The full title of today's episode is styled "That Was The Worst Podcast Ever! vs Album vs Album: A Sufjan Stevens Crossover Episode about Illinois vs Michigan" — enjoy!

Links:

Check out all the other fine episodes of That Was The Worst Podcast Ever!

"The podcast crossover event of the decade!" —Justin Bills

Is Pop Music Getting Better?

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy, Matthew Walko) — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 17:06:09 +0000

The boys share a nine-song playlist of the hottest bops with returning guest Matthew Walko. Get ready to smile.

Links:

"Is Pop Music Getting Better?" — A Spotify playlist

*Note: We recorded this before DaBaby made his unfortunate remarks, which is why we don't mention it when talking about "Levitating."

Oasis - WTSMG? vs Don't Believe the Truth (feat. Jordan Eshpeter) Part 2

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, jordan eshpeter, cail judy) — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 12:15:00 +0000

There's just not enough 'Don't Believe the Truth' content out there. We remedy that with part two of our Oasis discussion. Join Jordan, Cail and Lucas for a second dip into the Gallagher pool.

Links:

Oasis: B Here Now — A b-sides playlist curated by Jordan Eshpeter

Oasis - (What's the Story) Morning Glory? vs Don't Believe the Truth (feat. Jordan Eshpeter) Part 1

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (jordan eshpeter, lucas lawrence, cail judy) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:15:00 +0000

It's a big one! The top Gallagher expert we know joins us to dive deep into Oasis, how they were signed to Creation Records and what the best song on their second album is. What IS the story? Tune in to find out.

Links:

Underrated Gems

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 06:44:14 +0000

The boys are back with a new playlist of songs that deserve more listens. 8 pure gems!

Listen to the tunes here --> AvA: Underrated Gems (A Spotify Playlist)

Tracklist:

1. Golden Frames - Shannon Shaw

2. Vapour Trail Boogie - Dada Plan

3. Living Room, NYC - Laura Stevenson

4. Dark Lights, Shine Loud - Gabriel Bruce

5. In Light of Us - Honey Harper

6. Mr. Similar - The Passenger

7. Seventy Times Seven - Peace Chord

8. When You Sleep - Japancakes

Links:

*Correction: Dada Plan's first record came out in 2014, not 2004. : )

The Weakerthans - Left and Leaving vs Reunion Tour (feat. Mason Judy) - Part 2

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, mason judy, lucas lawrence) — Thu, 27 May 2021 11:15:00 +0000

We play a Winnipeg trivia game, delve deep into Reunion Tour and hear one of the most elegant responses to the Virtute the cat saga committed to tape. Which album will be crowned the Wheat King?

The Weakerthans - Left and Leaving vs Reunion Tour (feat. Mason Judy) - Part 1

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, mason judy, cail judy) — Thu, 20 May 2021 11:15:00 +0000

The boys are joined by Mason Judy (psychotherapist, writer) and get deep into The Weakerthan's much-beloved second album. How did they become Mason's favorite band? Is John K. Samson actually Winnipeg's poet laureate? What will their Heros be? Tune in to find out.

Part Two is out next week.

Links:

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning vs Cassadaga (feat. Julia Kochuk) - Part Two

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (julia kochuk, cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Wed, 5 May 2021 16:08:57 +0000

It's part two of our convo with Julia— we get into the nitty-gritty of 2007's Cassadaga, the band's highest-charting album in the US upon its release. Where will the "Four Winds" take us? Tune in to find out.

Links

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning vs Cassadaga (feat. Julia Kochuk) - Part One

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, julia kochuk, cail judy) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:15:00 +0000

Today could be the "First Day of My Life" or maybe, your life. Writer and producer Julia Kochuk joins us to talk about how Bright Eyes hits harder and in different ways in the here and now. Join us for part one of this fun, dynamic convo where emotions are a-okay.

Links

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (feat. Tatenda Musewe)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Tatenda Musewe, Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 07:40:23 +0000

Lucas and Cail are joined by Tatenda Musewe (musician/cool pal) to discuss the debut studio album by Black Star. Two legendary emcees, rollerblading, an inside look at NYC...what more could you want?

Links:

Arcade Fire - Funeral vs Neon Bible (feat. Cole Friesen)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, cole friesen, lucas lawrence) — Thu, 1 Apr 2021 11:15:00 +0000

The titans of indie-rock...and good Canadians to boot, eh? Lucas and Cail are joined by musician Cole Friesen to dissect and battle the first two Arcade Fire records. Which one will "Win" in the end?

Links

Cole's music profile

Fucked Up - Glass Boys vs Dose Your Dreams (feat. Carson Mills)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (carson mills, cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 11:15:00 +0000

Lucas and Cail are joined by Carson Mills (music writer behind Vikings & Beekeepers) to discuss Fucked Up, the most "restless and progressive" hardcore band in North America. Are you a Glass Boy or do you Dose Your Dreams?

Links:

Vikings & Beekeepers - Carson's long-running music blog
Up Toppers - Musical Gluttony From Two Hangry Listeners

Black Mountain vs Pink Mountaintops (feat. Curtis Collier)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, cail judy, curtis collier) — Thu, 4 Mar 2021 17:31:36 +0000

The boys discuss the debut releases from two important Vancouver bands. One is a psychedelic barn-burner—the other, a jangly, Lou Reed-inspired tour de force, loaded with sex. It's a great discussion with special guest Curtis Collier (writer, teacher, and book critic) bringing insights and laughs.

Links:

Fred Flintstone Rocks Out

Black Mountain: Don't Run Our Hearts Around (video)

Pink Mountaintops: Tourist In Your Town (video)

Songs To Make You Cry

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, cail judy) — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

The boys are back with eight songs to make you cry. Sadness guaranteed or your tears back.

Songs To Make You Cry: A Spotify Playlist

Tracklist:

1. Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens

2. Into My Arms - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

3. If We Were Strangers - Northcote

4. Guess I'm Doing Fine - Beck

5. Your Life In France - Ceremony

6. Something - Julien Baker

7. Mother - John Lennon

8. Tryin' To Get To Heaven - David Bowie

Arctic Monkeys - AM vs Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 4 Feb 2021 11:15:00 +0000

If you're a fan of these Sheffield sweethearts, this is a must-listen AvA episode. Buckle-up, this one is a four out of five.

Links

Weezer - Blue vs Pinkerton (feat. Dillon Adams)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, dillon adams, cail judy) — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 11:15:00 +0000

It's the battle royale you've been waiting for. Lucas and Cail are joined by longtime friend and musician Dillon Adams to discuss Weezer's most beloved records. You know 'em, you have an opinion—let's get into it, shall we?

Weezer - SNL w/Matt Damon

It's Sleepy Time

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 7 Jan 2021 12:15:00 +0000

Sweet dreams, everybody. Cail and Lucas talk through a ten-song playlist made to help you get a good night’s sleep (or just chill). Check the show notes for the playlist.

It's Sleepy Time: A Playlist (Spotify)

It's Sleepy Time: A Playlist (Apple Music)

*Note: Mary Lattimore's record "Silver Ladders" was produced by Slowdive’s Neil Halstead, not Brian Eno.

Tracklisting

Lay Your Head Down - Keren Ann
Rainwater Coffee - Teen Daze
Window - The Album Leaf
Hello from the Edge of the Earth - Mary Lattimore
1/1 - Brian Eno
Against the Sky - Harold Budd, Brian Eno
Appendix B - Holy Hum
Theme From Antarctica - Vangelis
8 AM - Neighborhood Libraries
Re: Stacks - Bon Iver

Pat Kelly vs Toots and the Maytals (feat. Corey Poluk) - Part Two

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, corey poluk, lucas lawrence) — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 09:08:03 +0000

We're back with part two of our conversation with Corey Poluk, talking Toots and the Maytals and all things reggae. Dive back in, you never stop learning at AvA, baby.

Links:

Toots & The Maytals Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toots_and_the_Maytals

We Shall Overcome Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Shall_Overcome

Leslie Kong Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leslie_Kong

Prophecy of A Wailer

http://thewailingwailers.free.fr/TheprophecyofaWailer.html

Toots Prison Number

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20181014/music-diaries-5446-was-toots-prison-number

Video Links

The Specials - Monkey Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCpmJHFMNRI

Pete Seegar - We Shall Overcome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnPVP23rzo

Guy Carowan - We Shall Overcome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7gfyPKAT_c

Civil Rights March Recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH01RAIv4j0

Zilphia Horton - We Will Overcome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tFvhg3fSoc

Odetta - No More Auction Block For Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfbpsmbxE2c

The Maytals - The Harder They Come Scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErQ2UB44k-o&t=18s

The Ethiopians - Train To Skaville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5fJQ9DYL0k

The Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X77YpLnmr24

All I Want For Christmas Is You, Charlie Brown

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 13:15:00 +0000

Mariah Carey, the Queen of Christmas, goes head-to-head with everyone's favorite blockhead, Charlie Brown. Lucas and Cail bring you a face-off you can deck the halls with.

Christmas Playlists:

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, one and all!

Pat Kelly vs Toots and the Maytals (feat. Corey Poluk) - Part One

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, cail judy, corey poluk) — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:15:00 +0000

Cail and Lucas get down to the riddim with Vancouver's own Corey Poluk (aka Young Royal), famed reggae-and-soul DJ. Take a trip through the history of Jamaican music with Pat Kelly leading the way, with stops at Skaville, Sad-Town and the Astoria.

HAIM - Women in Music Pt. III

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (lucas lawrence, cail judy) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 12:15:00 +0000

Congratulations to HAIM, who were nominated this week for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance in the 2021 Grammy Awards. Do we have great timing or what?

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (feat. Mack Gordon)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (mack gordon, lucas lawrence, cail judy) — Thu, 5 Nov 2020 13:15:00 +0000

The boys are not trying to break your heart, but they will entertain you. Lucas and Cail are joined by Mack Gordon from Theatre In the Dark for a deep-dive into this seminal record from one of Chicago's finest.

Links

Grab tickets for "War of the Worlds" until November 21st.

King Krule - 6 Feet Beneath the Moon vs Man Alive!

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:15:00 +0000

"Well same old Bobby, same old beat, TEN episodes and that's a feeeeeEEEat, well easy come and easy gooooooo..."

Cail talks about the debut album from South London's favorite son King Krule, and how it impacted his life. Lucas brings the sizzle with Man Alive!—the newest record.

Come join us for a (pub) crawl through the streets of London.

Taylor Swift "Folklore" vs Fleet Foxes "Shore"

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to AvA Lite, a snack-sized version of our regular episodes. Lucas and Cail debate which folk festival lover had the better "quarantune" release — T. Swift or Robin Pecknold?

Radiohead - Kid A vs Amnesiac (feat. Jordan Klassen)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (jordan klassen, cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:15:05 +0000

It's here — our first "versus" episode. The expectation-bucking Kid A goes head-to-head with Amnesiac, guided by the shining light that is Jordan Klassen.

Check out Jordan's music videos here.
Listen to "Tell Me What To Do" on your preferred streaming service.

Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour (feat. Matthew Walko)

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence, Matthew Walko) — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:15:01 +0000

Are you alright with a slow burn? Kacey Musgraves sure is, and so are we. The boys have their first guest, longtime friend/music aficionado Matthew Walko come by to discuss Golden Hour, the bonafide country-pop slam dunk from Nashville's favorite daughter.

Big shout-out to Matt for our new theme song and segment intros!!

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:00:18 +0000

Lucas and Cail catch-up (in-person at long last!) for an in-depth look at the biggest album of the 1960s. Cail springs a surprise on Lucas, Lucas talks about the highs of being a lead singer/songwriter and they debut a new segment, "Tasty Treats."

The Postal Service - Give Up

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 16:08:08 +0000

There's a good chance you listened to "Give Up" back in 2003. It was everywhere, from the beaches of Orange County to the dorm rooms of British Columbia. Lucas and Cail discuss their feelings on this seminal indie-pop record, the story of how they first became friends and why you shouldn't date Ben Gibbard.

Spotify playlist of Heroes and Notable Mentions

Run the Jewels - RTJ3

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:00:03 +0000

POW! Lucas and Cail join the RTJ revolution. Join us for a discussion of American hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, which consists of rappers El-P and Killer Mike. They scorch the earth with their third record, calling for blood and looking for hope. Listen to Lucas and Cail poorly recite their favorite lyrics.

Note: This episode was recorded on March 31, 2020, before the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of the police. AvA supports Black Lives Matter and RTJ is the protest music of our current times.

Links:

Pitchfork review of RTJ3 we reference.
Our barber's Instagram.
Spotify playlist of "Hero Songs" and notable tracks.
Killer Mike's Emotional Speech at Atlanta Mayor's Press Conference
Donate to the Hogan's Alley Society, which advocates for Black Vancouverites who have endured the legacies of urban renewal and their erasure from the official historical narrative.

The Velvet Underground - Loaded

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Cail Judy, Lucas Lawrence) — Thu, 2 Jul 2020 17:24:40 +0000

Lucas and Cail take a trip back to 1970 when Loaded, the fourth studio album by The Velvet Underground, is released. Find out if it's "loaded with hits" as Atlantic Records said, and hear their shock in learning just how much Doug Yule contributed to this record.

We made a Spotify playlist for you here. Give it a follow.

White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-by-Day by Richie Unterberger is a key book we reference throughout the episode. Very in-depth, check it out if you're a VU fan.

Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (cail judy, lucas lawrence) — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 06:04:36 +0000

Lucas and Cail do a swan-dive into the world of emo in 2003, all centered around this legendary record from Taking Back Sunday. Come revel in the angst of a thousand teenagers.

John Mayer - Heavier Things

j.cailjudy@gmail.com (Lucas Lawrence, Cail Judy) — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 17:04:00 +0000

In their first episode, Lucas and Cail talk about John Mayer's second record, the communal soundtrack of 2003. John, what's up with those pants?!