Know Your Writes!

So it's Halloween, and you feel like listening to Know Your Writes! On a very spooky edition of KYW, Robb and Colton exhume their leather uniforms and dive into Dead Kennedy's "Halloween". Other topics include:
- our hosts catch up after a long hiatus
- Memories of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 
- Colton breaks the song rating system 

When I was a young man, Robb and Colton told me it was time for Know Your Writes! Please enjoy a re-post of a KNY classic deep dive into My Chemical Romance's full discography, complete with a nicely unhinged foreword from our hosts. 

Colton? Yes, Robb? Is the water warm enough? Yes, Robb. Shall we begin? Yes, Robb. Then it must be time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton gather to talk about a little thing called Prince's 1984 masterwork Purple Rain. Other topics include: 
- more Fantasy Football mania
- Robb's journey with the film Purple Rain 
- Colton's fuzzy memory of the 2007 Super Bowl

Email us at [email protected]

Devils roll the dice, angels listen to Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton bring summer to a close by sparring over Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer". Other topics include: 
- revisiting Streetlight Manifesto
- Colton's rant on "poptimism"
- Robb and Colton fix the bridge to "Cruel Summer" 

Something New: "Enormous" by Streetlight Manifesto

To download: podcast episode. Never listened to. So it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton beg everything and get lost at the race track as they wade into Bad Book's self-titled debut album. Our hosts will dissect each track by the group composed of pod stalwarts Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra. Other topics include:
- Colton dream-writes a song for Ben Gibbard 
- our hosts prepare for the misery and joy of fantasy football
- Did Robb and Colton see Bad Books in concert together?

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack Flash hit subscribe 'cause it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, our hosts pack up the Chevy and discuss Don McLean's 1971 opus "American Pie". Other topics include:
- Robb "accepts" the definition of a song 
- Colton's dislike for vocal jazz
- our hosts pay their taxes
- and more! 

"Something New" Segment: "A Different Kind" by Rakim

"Tick-tick-tock, ticky-ticky-tock, ticky-ticky-tock" goes the clock and I sit and I watch the hours go until it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton re-apply their foundations as they wade into Mother Mother's debut album Touch Up. Other topics include: 
- our hosts San Francisco shenanigans
- Robb's response to the Colton/Kacy episode
- what even is a song? 
 

On a bed of nails she makes me wait until it's time for Know Your Writes! Robb is out on vacation, meaning Colton is joined by a very special guest: his wife Kacy! Together, this couple breaks down the iconic "With or Without You" by the legendary U2. Other topics include:
- The Newlywed Game: Know Your Writes edition
- Kacy and Colton's In-N-Out saga
- Colton learning to hate T.I. and Bruce Springsteen

Mother, tell your children not to hear our words unless it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, our hosts bang heads, get taken out, and shown the world as they explore Danzig's 1988 classic "Mother". Other topics include:
- Lord of the Rings memories 
- A ColtroRobbus recap
- Preparation for Robb's pilgrimage to the Bay Area 
- And more! 

"Something New" Segment: "Punching at Flowers" by Death Cab for Cutie

Is she perverted like me? Would she tell you it's time for Know Your Writes?! This week, our hosts dive head over feet into Alanis Morissette's 1995 masterpiece Jagged Little Pill. Other topics include: 
- Colton's imaginary list of "Best Bassists of All Time"
- ColtraRobbus: NBA Finals Edition
- addressing the Dave Coulier/Jagged Little Pill references

But your picture on my wall, it reminds me that it's time for Know Your Writes! On another Song Spotlight episode, Robb and Colton bleach their hair and jottle down some thoughts on Eminem's 2000 classic, "Stan". Other topics include:
- Colton brags about owning thick books
- A reappraisal of the cultural response to The Marshall Mathers LP 
- Did Stan really expect Eminem to page him? 

New Music Segment: "Third Side of the Moon" by Modest Mouse

Money, so they say, is the root of all evil today, but if you ask for a rise, it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton breathe deep and take their time with Pink Floyd's 1973 masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon. Other topics include: 
- discovering the second best-selling album of all time
- a long talk about the New York Times' "30 Greatest Living American Songwriters" list
- the dangers and rewards of passing tracks 

Okay, so you’re a songwriting podcaster? It must be time for Know Your Writes! On another Song Spotlight episode, Robb and Colton lace up their boots and talk about Shania Twain’s 1997 classic “That Don’t Impress Me Much”. Other topics include:

-Colton listens to the wrong Shania Twain song
-A re-evaluation of podcast mascot Weezer
-A survey of 1990s country radio

New Music Segment: “Shine Again“ by Weezer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak4TQy2ChfI

Yeah, it's over, and you can bet by mid-October it'll still be time for Know Your Writes! Our hosts are back to business as usual and ready to tip their bartenders and give their (pink) roses to hardcore stalwarts Glassjaw. Listen as Robb and Colton dive into the the band's 2002 opus Worship and Tribute. Other topics include: 
- a long overdue Sports Talk! 
- Daryl Palumbo and dadaism
- Colton throwing shade at a ton of 2000s screamo bands for no reason! (that was a good one, Bob)

Know. Your Writes is. Re-posting. Their Tool episode. Robb still hates Fear Inoculum. Colton likes it though. Please enjoy! 

We are two podcasters, and this is Know Your Writes! Due to technical and scheduling difficulties, Robb and Colton are re-posting some of their favorite early episodes with brand new forewords and remastered audio. First up is a redux of our hosts' deeep dive into The Decemberists! 

Say, if you get a feeling then won′t you come closer? Because it's time for Know Your Writes! For this week's Song Spotlight, Robb and Colton take down the walls and dive into D'Angelo's 2000 masterpiece "Untitled (How Does It Feel)". Other topics include:

- DeFault American's Write-A-Record Challenge experience
- the complicated legacy of the "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" music video
- time signature madness 

New Music Segment: "Beadie" by Sleuce 
https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/tracks/sluice-beadie-community-belonging-time-stood-still

DeFault American's new record: https://defaultamerican.bandcamp.com/album/montauk

I'll be your Emmylou, and I'll be your June if you'll be my Robb and my Colton too because it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, our hosts discuss The Lion's Roar by Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit. Listen to Robb and Colton debate the merits of this 2012 release, from its pristine vocal harmonies to its (according to one host, at least) questionable lyric choices. Other topics include:
- fighting the Monday blues  
- Colton's official remark on Kid Rock 
- our hosts conspiracy theories regarding "King of the World"  

I've been first and last; look at how it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton get lost, tossed, and rolled into Neil Young's 1972 classic "Old Man". Other topics include: 
- discussing the new Arctic Monkeys single 
- confirming how many years are in a decade
- Colton trash talks the opening verse to "Lose Yourself"

New Music Segment: "Opening Night," The Arctic Monkeys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR1rgLFnGOE

Can we take the next 1 hour, 52 minutes, and 40 seconds, and talk about The Format? Good, because it's time for Know Your Writes! In our first official "album spotlight" episode of the new year, our hosts dive into Dog Problems, the 2006 release from Arizona's The Format. Other topics include:
- coming to terms with the podcast's new release schedule
- a sad history of our hosts tortured food metaphors
- marveling at the staying power of Three Day's Grace and All Time Low

Please, could you stop the noise? Because it's time for Know Your Writes! On the first episode of 2026, Robb and Colton break out the Gucci and the pig skin as they dive into Radiohead's 1997 opus "Paranoid Android". Other topics include:
- Colton rants about hop water 
- Robb and Colton's Christmas vinyl record haul
- the return of the New Music segment! 

New Music Segment: Dogpark, "75$72" 
https://www.youtube.com/@dogparkband

Hooooowdy ho! It's time for Know Your Writes! Christmas isn't over 'til we say it's over, and...well, it's over. But to close it out, Robb and Colton chat about the South Park Christmas Classic that is "Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics". Other topics include:
- Robb and Colton's South Park memories
- New Year's resolutions for the podcast 
- a visit from a very special guest!

Merry Christmas! 

Wash the black from your fingertips and mount those bridge rails because it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton begin their Christmas celebration with their first annual Christmas Song Gift Exchange. Our hosts give each the gift of music with deep dives into Murder By Death's "That Crown Don't Make You a Prince" and The Mountain Goats' "Damn These Vampires". Other topics include:

- A live capture of Colton's tragic fantasy football defeat
- how our hosts get into the holiday spirit 
- bands with "gimmick" instruments 

Bands mentioned in th...

Can I get a g*ddamn episode description? To start this g*ddamn podcast episode? Tonight, it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton send their discography episodes into the sunset with a gigantic deep dive into six albums from the pride of Omaha: Bright Eyes. From Fevers and Mirrors (2000) to the under-appreciated The People's Key (2011), our hosts explore what makes Conor Oberst one of our greatest living lyricists. Other topics include:

- the current state of the "album"
- the lost beauty of the CD
- Robb and Colton hash out a figh...

Time is a valuable thing, but so is Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton try hard to explain Linkin Park's "In the End". Does it even matter? Before they get there, our hosts bask in the glory that is another Dodger's World Series championship (it's a music podcast, we promise). Other topics include:
- our hosts very different postseason baseball viewing habits
- can a band have a DJ and still be good? 
- what set Linkin Park apart from other nu-metal bands?

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Papa Roach
...

What's this?! Why, it's Know Your Writes! And what better time than two days after Halloween to talk about The Nightmare Before Christmas!...even though our host's believe it is Halloween. Follow Robb and Colton as they explore this blended holiday classic to see why its creepy and morose soundtrack is still so celebrated. Other topics include: 
- Robb and Colton's Halloween candy habits 
- A series of tragic music losses 
- Sports Talk! Part Infinity 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Limp Bizkit (RIP Sam Rivers) 
- Korn 
- Papa Roach 
- Ki...

I was working in the lab late one night when suddenly... it was time for Know Your Writes! On part one of our two-episode Halloween special, Robb and Colton discuss Bobby Picket and Lenny Capizzi's graveyard smash, "Monster Mash". Other topics include:
- Robb's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Sunday 
- Colton's love for the Terrifier series 
- what makes a good Halloween song? 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Ryan Adams
- Phoebe Bridgers
- 3 
- Weird Al 

It's all cool, you know, 'cus we're like, podcasters and this is Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton get awkward and dive into the discography of Memphis's Be Your Own Pet. From their self-titled debut to the recent Mommy, our hosts will explore the highs and the lows of this energetic and still potent quartet. Other topics include:
- embracing the weirdness of recording on a Tuesday night
- unpacking the awkward trash talk between Robb and Colton's mom
- the mystery of Colton and Robb's lost album 

Bands mentioned in this episode: 

Is this the real life? Or is it time for Know Your Writes!? For this week's Song Spotlight, Robb and Colton welcome back friend of the pod Max Sabate to dive into Queen's operatic masterpiece "Bohemian Rhapsody". Other topics include: 

- why don't any of our hosts attend live shows anymore?
- Colton's takes on trail mix ingredients 
- the horrendous attempts to cover "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Led Zeppelin 
- Black Sabbath 
- Benson Boone
- Puscifier 
- Tool 
- System of Down

Satan's comin' 'round the bend and people runnin' 'cause they're scared... it must be time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton take on the unholy excellence that is the first four albums by metal legends Black Sabbath. Other topics include:
- Robb rails against Colton's cell phone habits
- A "come to Jesus" moment regarding our discography episodes
- How much noodling is too much noodling? 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Led Zeppelin 
- The Hives 
- The Yeah Yeah Yeah's 
- Rage Against the Machine 
- Aven...

I'm dyin' for some action because it's time for Know Your Writes! In this Song Spotlight, Robb and Colton take on the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, and his 1984 hit "Dancing in the Dark". They'll unpack the lyrical minimalism and musical maximalism that make this song special. 

Other topics include:

- Colton's new track "Drag" from the now released The Kaki Tree 

- Robb's notes from the "Dancing in the Dark" Courtney Cox cameo

- a visit from friend Max Sabate for the first Know Your Writes August Madness Song Bracket

Ba...

Now there is no sound if we all live underground--and now it's time for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton are joined by the Blamfather himself, Leo Cardona (DJ Brute)! Leo takes our hosts on a funk odyssey as they explore four albums from acid jazz greats Jamiroquai. Other topics include:

- Robb's golf adventure
- memories of Lancaster, circa 2005
- Colton's take on Center Stage 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Daft Punk 
- Robin Thicke
- Lil Dicky
- The Mars Volta (not actually mentioned but Co...

I guess you'd say what could make me feel this way? Another episode of Know Your Writes! On another edition of Song Spotlight, our hosts explore the majesty that is "My Girl," a Motown classic written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White and performed by The Temptations. Other topics include:

- how Colton used to wake up Robb 
- the complexities of breaking down songwriting credit
- the made-up-sounding names that played on "My Girl" 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- The Supremes
- Smokey Robinson 
- Marvin Gaye 

We're only a podcast, but we never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never...knew it was time for Know Your Writes! This episode finds Robb and Colton diving into the discography of indie greats Rilo Kiley. Our hosts will discuss the quartet's four LPs to see if they're a hit. Other topics include:

- following up on Coltrarobbus predictions 

- Colton rants about the new Haim album

-  Robb brings on a very special guest during the third segment! 


Bands mentioned in this episode:

- Death Cab for...

We're only a podcast, but we never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never...knew it was time for Know Your Writes! This episode finds Robb and Colton diving into the discography of indie greats Rilo Kiley. Our hosts will discuss the quartet's four LPs to see if they're a hit. Other topics include:

- following up on Coltrarobbus predictions 
- Colton rants about the new Haim album
-  Robb brings on a very special guest during the third segment! 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Death Cab for Cutie
- Brig...

Two friends. Two microphones. One luke-warm advertisement concept. On this special episode of Know Your Writes, follow Robb and Colton's many, many attempts to record a commercial--followed by the actual, final product. Enjoy! (regular scheduled programming will re-commence next episode) 

Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise, and turn on another episode of Know Your Writes! For this week's Song Spotlight, Robb and Colton break their silence on Fleetwood Mac's 1977 hit, "The Chain". Other topics include: 
- Robb's Fleetwood Mac conspiracy theory
- Just a touch of Sports Talk (NBA Finals Addition)
- A history lesson on the 'New' Fleetwood Mac

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- The White Stripes
- No Doubt
- Queen
- The Beths

It has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime; what better place than this podcast, and what better time than now for Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton do what they told ya and dive into Rage Against the Machine. They'll discuss the radical quartet's entire discography to see how this legendary group balances songwriting with politics. Other topics include:
- Robb's NBA draft conspiracy 
- Constructing the perfect Nu Metal band 
- Debating RATM's Nu Metal legacy 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- At the Drive-In 
- Limp Bizkit 
...

It's Friday afternoon, meaning it's time for Know Your Writes! In this edition of Song Spotlight, Robb and Colton sway through the fairyland of love to talk about "Tuesday Afternoon" by The Moody Blues. Our hosts unpack what makes this haunting track so effective even today. Other topics include: 

- A sad Sports Talk! segment 
- Colton's never-finished song about Clayton Kershaw 
- A discussion on the White Stripes' Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction 

Bands mentioned in this episode: 
- The White Stripes
- The Beach Boys 
- OutKast 
- Th...

The end is near! And so is another episode of Know Your Writes! This week, Robb and Colton talk about the lyrical genius that is Phoebe Bridgers. Our hosts dive into the Pasadena-born songwriter's two solo LPs as well as her side projects (boygenius and the Better Oblivion Community Center). Other topics include:
- Coltrarobbus musings on the NBA playoffs
- The wonder of double-tracking vocals 
- Colton's take on the Crosby/Bridgers beef 

Bands mentioned in this episode:
- Bright Eyes 
- Conor Oberst 
- Lucy Dacus 
- Julian Baker 
- H...