This used to be so good. And does this latest season explain anything to anyone other than Rob? This was my ‘90s and ‘00s too! Maybe make a podcast of indie ‘00s music for those “Aficionados”, and a more mainstream ‘00s podcast for the rest of us. It doesn’t have to be super complicated or surreal to explain the time.

Pleeeeease fix the sound mixing. Signed literally everyone.

I am BEGGING The Ringer and the producers here to recognize that most people are still listening to this as an audio podcast and to put some effort back into the sound mixing as such. Rob’s microphone/sound mix is now ridiculously quiet and cutaways to commercials or YouTube content then blow out my eardrums.

There has been a major sound quality issue the last several episodes (maybe since they started back from the break) where the music clips sound terrible and muted. Most of the fun of this podcast is listening to a long winded explanation of what we are going to hear, and then actually hearing the clip. It is borderline unlistenable now because of the quality of the music clips, which is a shame because this had been one of my favorite podcasts. Hopefully it gets fixed soon but I’m kind of shocked they have published multiple episodes sounding like this.

Host Rob Harvilla loves music of all kinds. That much is obvious. However, I’m not always convinced he actually *likes* the music he discusses, and his honesty on this makes all the difference. He always attests to; every podcast seems to contain the word “important” half a dozen times. When he does like a song, the discussion is deep, intelligent, and fulfilling. But Rob also seems to carry a profound sense of guilt all the time, as if he doesn’t feel worthy to speak on such august songs- or, because he thinks they’ll make good episode titles, rather than good episodes. When that happens, you get 45 minutes of discussion of bands he actually likes and can, in the last ten minutes, link to the song the episode is ostensibly about. Toss in a cursory interview with a colleague who also likes 2000s-era indie rock from NYC, and bam! It’s over. Much of this is very good. But when it’s guilty, it’s bad. And Rob seems more guilty than ever in his latest episodes.

I’m a long-time listener and I LOVE this pod; however, since they changed to video-also format, the sound quality is terrible. I have to turn the volume all the way up (car, AirPods, doesn’t matter) just to hear Rob - the pod sounds like he recorded too far from the mic - and then the commercials are stupid loud. Anyways, love the pod, but the sound could use a fix.

Love this show. Big fan!

I listen to podcasts daily…for hours every day, for years. I have never been compelled to write a review until now. This podcast is just fantastic. Host Rob Harvilla makes 90+ minutes flash by in a blink of an eye with his story telling and incredible lengthy meandering intros, and I use the word “meandering” in the most positive and appreciable way. I love this podcast. I love the episodes where I’ve never heard of the song or the artist. I love the episodes where I’m a fan of the song and the artist. I just love it. Highly recommend and thank you to Rob for his time and thoroughness with each and every episode.

Rob is so good. His writing on the podcast is super-sharp, both on an analytical level and on a line-level alacrity. Highly intelligent, insightful, clever, and often hilarious. Ron has invented a particular style of music commentary that no one else alive can do half as well. And he finds a distinct hook and controlling idea for over 150 different song episode and counting. Definitely the overall best music podcast I’ve ever heard. (Although, I hope Rob will forgive me for pointing out that there is no key change in “Born to Run.”)

Music history meets self deprecating witticism by way of a poignant exploration of how popular culture, and in particular popular music, are a through line that connects so many who came of age in these decades (80s, 90s and 2000s). No notes, I’ll listen to every episode as long as Rob keeps making them.

You know he’s terrified to do the Kanye West episode and yet it is inevitable

My evidence for 60 Songs… being the best music podcast: 1. Episode length used to be deal breaker for me. That was before I discovered ‘60 songs…’. Rob can take all the time he needs. I’ll be here. 2. I’ve listened to maybe one hundred episodes in the past ten weeks. 3. Rob has made me feel feelings for the likes of Toby Keith and Celine Dion. 4. You know how I know Rob’s not a real music critic? It’s because he’s a god-level self deprecator. Deal with it!

That’s a Mitch Hedberg reference from an episode of this show, sort of. You know what I mean. Anyhow, I absolutely adore this podcast. I don’t really listen to learn about the song/artist, but to hear Rob tell a winding story that nobody can predict where it’s going to go, and it’s just perfect. Rob please make many more episodes!

It’s hard to balance humor, educational, and entertaining. This podcast does it to perfection! Love the series. Informative, interesting , and a perfect length. Would love a similar series on the 80s and other decades.

Usually doesn't have country songs back-to-back.

How can Rob be such a brilliant prose poet, and such a trash interviewer? I listen rapt, often laughing aloud to the part where he reads the essay. Then I grit my teeth through the interview, if I don't skip it altogether. He's always hammering the interviewee with yes/no questions, like a teacher fishing for specific answers. There's often nothing easy to riff on, and you can hear them struggling. Just ask open-ended questions! Like, google "good interview questions" and copy the format. The essays are so good I'll keep listening regardless, but the interviews could be so much better!

This guy is the king of not getting to the point, ever. He’s funny, kinda, but if you’ve come here to learn something useful about music you’re better off somewhere else. Peace and love.

You must continue. Forever. Thank you.

Rob always finds something insightful to say about the songs he talks about.

I’ve lost count how many episodes I’ve listened to. I’d like Rob to narrate my book when it goes on audible, if I ever write a book. Genuinely, I think he’s one of the funniest podcasters out there, which is such a pleasant surprise because that’s not what brought me here in the first place. I honestly had no idea what to expect. I love the way he “recalls” things he’s said throughout the episode or on other episodes. It’s genius. He has true comedic talent. He also clearly just loves music. It’s so nice hearing his perspective and show appreciation for things I never thought of - especially for episodes regarding my favorite bands.

It’s one of those creative works that is so good that you will find yourself wanting to tell all of your friends about listening to Michelle Branch and flooring it in the Home Depot parking lot (or some other beautiful reflection from whatever episode you’re listening to). Absolutely brilliant! Thank you to Rob and the team!

I was listening to Rob discuss crying all night to Moby whilst seeing a review call him ‘arrogant’, and the dissonance led me here to review. Every week seeing how Rob finds his way into the material is a wonderful discovery. An experience that always energizes me, and I don’t, with all love, even like TMBG. With much less love, Is he going to like Creed?

Just wow, I don’t know how the algorithm didn’t deposit this podcast before me earlier, but I have been devouring this pod since finding it 2 weeks ago. If you were alive in the 90s, if you enjoy Beavis and Butthead and Wayne’s World References, if you like any kind of music at all, I would recommend this pod. I don’t skip any episodes, not even if I don’t remember (or think I don’t remember) the song, even if I don’t like the band. The production quality rules (ugh the tape player sounds), it’s all at once funny, smart, touching (the Whitney episode made me cry), and just a working definition of nostalgia for me. I find myself reliving specific memories of these songs that have long dropped out of my core memories, and I’m creating 90s playlists like a crazy person now. Not to mention I’ve never heard somebody describe what it feels like listening to Bjork like Rob Harvilla before, and it’s healing for my soul. Anyway, human feelings, blah blah blah, I love this show. I’m back to share my feelings about 60 Songs that Explain the 90s: the 2000s episode Feel Good Inc. What an absolutely just stellar episode for a myriad reasons, but I’ll just pick a few. One is Brak, iykyk. Another is that I’ve listened to so many (all) episodes at this point, I literally heard in my head, in Rob’s voice, “and we danced” before he said it, and then he said it. I don’t know, that’s just a transcendental experience. I could also listen to Rob (and Yasy, too, babe) go on about Oasis forever and ever. I was disappointed that when Saturday morning, cartoon commercials were mentioned that none were actually played, including the ABC commercial bumpers (🎼“After these messages, we’ll be right back”)but that’s gotta be a licensing thing so I’ll accept it. Thanks for the memories!

I recently discovered this podcast when I needed a break from the current political climate which was intruding into my other podcasts and making them too stressful. It’s a delightful distraction from heavier matters. I love the wide range of music covered with such enthusiasm. It’s also witty. I often laugh out loud while listening. Highly recommended!

I was a huge fan in the beginning but I find that you can easily tire of Rob’s arrogance. I think many of us listen because we just love music and the decades of our youth but he really is a lot with which you must deal. Also the schedule by which they release episodes show total disdain for fans. Sometimes a week, sometimes several months. Find another show.

Very enjoyable. Can I have your thoughts on Primus and Morphine next!

My absolute favorite podcast. I love that it’s still going with the 2000’s.

l've never had so much love for someone's writing prose. Rob is hilarious, a brilliant story teller, and extremely thoughtful/intelligent with his takes. He understands music and music history and is able to make connections between them in ways that are both clever and educational. I Cannot say enough positive about the guy. He is criminally underrated, and this podcast is just delightful

Can an entire decade be explained in a mere 60 songs? According to this delightfully meandering podcast series from the Ringer, no. Five stars

As a Columbus resident and big AIC fan - obsessed with your opening monologue for the “Would” episode. I was hooked after that. Smart, funny, well researched and thoughtful.

Rob is one of my favorite monologists — deeply personal, heartfelt, and knowledgable. The king of idiosyncratic self-deprecation. It’s a voice that you find yourself mimicking without being aware that you’re doing so (or maybe that’s just me). Rob gives the gift of music appreciation in a way that feels like a lesson about life and everything worthwhile in it. Shoot, I’m mimicking Rob again. Thank you for this show, Rob. Okay enough now…HIT IT!

Love the podcast! Takes me back to my childhood!!! Keep up the good work!!

Hands-down, my favorite podcast. If I need to forget about the dumpster fire of this planet that is currently going on, I turn to Rob. Thank you

Rob… yours the best!!! I appreciate all that you are and all that you do! This show is so fantastic! My salvation from “ the storms”. Thank you thank you May this show reign supreme for a long time .. you are a pro and thank you for being so super ( dryly ) funny

Why did you do this to us Rob. (Go Blue Jackets)

This show is a work of art that perfectly captures what it means to care about music.

I eagerly await every new episode - even for songs I don’t like BECAUSE of Rob. I have not enjoyed most of the interviews at the end of each episode, sadly. I’ve gotten to the point that I just skip them now.

If you’re willing to forgive how many times he says “earnest” and “ostensibly”, this is the best podcast going. Funny, thoughtful, and maybe a bit rude at how much it reminds me that I’m kinda old now. I’m glad I can know I’m old while laughing and learning more about the music I didn’t appreciate enough in the moment.

Rob is a True Champion… but these intros need to somehow be connected to the song. It’s almost like two podcasts, and the first isn’t always good. Second is always good (about the song)

Seriously, give this guy a medal. The monologues are some of the best writing anywhere. It's thoughtful, sad, clever, joyful, and regularly very funny. It's a weekly joy to listen.

Used to love this podcast even tho it always felt a little grandiose with the host. Deep dives into every detail of his teenager years etc. it’s like yeah dude we all have these memories lol. Now the episodes are 90 MINUTES long??? Ummm editing?

C’mon, kids - let’s go skinny dipping in the musical maelstrom that was the 90s and 2000s (DO NOT SAYS “AUGHTS”!) This show delivers the goods. Rob takes us on a guided tour of that times than manages to be fun and philosophical all at once. Do a bong rip and let’s go!

I need to know if Rob released the Jimmy Eat World episode this week on purpose, or if it was serendipitous… actually, I don’t need to know. Exactly what I needed this week, Rob. Thank you. And thank you, Jimmy.

Thank you for making this show, which is a nice little treat for me every week.

Harvilla evokes all the emotions connected to love of music. He is endearing, a best buddy/little bro who has a knack for rambling and reminiscing. Thank you, Mr. Harville, for taking me on this journey back to my formative years, and for marrying this to the journey into adulthood with “It’s good to be king.”

My all time favorite podcast is back and solid as ever! Woohoo! If you like your music podcasts to include rabbit holes, nostalgia with honest reflection and the a ridiculous ability to connect anything to everything, this is the one for you.

I like the content. Host is full of himself and has some annoying quirks: takes weird pauses btwn words during his monologue like he’s doing a poetry reading, laughs at inappropriate moments during the interviews, talks about himself in a faux-self-deprecating way. But he’s smart and knows his music. Interview guests are always great.

The rambling and the resetting and the childlike, repetitive rhetorical structure… topped off with the confident reuse of the same superlatives. Deeply strange writing for an adult human.

The host of this show tells you more about his life and his whatever and in the process explains nothing. I’m currently an hour and ten minutes into the Mr. Brightside episode and the song has been discussed for maybe ten minutes that time if I’m being charitable. A great concept for a show ruined by a godawful host.

You can skip the first 30-40 minutes of each episode and not miss anything. He opens up with what he thinks is a joke, but it’s not funny. He then proceeds to repeat the same joke for the next 10-15 minutes. It doesn’t get funnier with repetition. He then rambles about his youth like Grandpa Simpson, where he keeps talking, without making a point. But once he starts talking about the actual song, he brings up some good insight.