Best Jay Jensen & Joey Smith Podcasts (2024)

1
Bonus Episode: One Last Talk 1:07:53

2+ y ago1:07:53

1:07:53

This is it, the true finale. Jay and Joey discuss how much music they listened to, how their tastes changed, how they listen to music differently, songs that got stuck in their heads, a whole bunch of favorites, and who the Kevin Bacons of the podcast were while reflecting on this achievement. Find the final playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/…

1
Episode 50 - The Grand Finale* 1:13:23

2+ y ago1:13:23

1:13:23

The guys will be putting out a bonus episode in a few weeks, but this episode wraps up the albums in Jay's collection! They're talking about :deep breath: coins, what they'll do with their new free time, whether what they did was impressive or not, a very unique listening experience for Joey on album thanks to an assist from Jay, their experiences …

1
Episode 49 - Turn of the decade: Albums from 1979, 1980, and 1981 1:11:33

2+ y ago1:11:33

1:11:33

On today's penultimate episode, Jay and Joey start things off by chatting about the importance of a good lotion routine, roadtripping with a baby, and their order of listening ritual. Then... they talk about a very surprising tour combo, Jay does a phenomenal Fred Durst impersonation, Joey rants about whitewashing reggae, and they ponder what kind …

1
Episode 48 - Male Solo Artists 1:06:59

2+ y ago1:06:59

1:06:59

This week the duo is looking at male solo artists by starting off with talking about being choosier about the shows they attend and getting really heavy early in the episode. Once they get to the albums, they look at an artist who heavily influenced the roots of heavy metal, riff on knockoff Mountain Dew, discuss Hulk Hogan being a bass player and …

1
Episode 47 - Artists & Songs that have Appeared in Films 1:10:49

2+ y ago1:10:49

1:10:49

Jay and Joey are headed to the cinema this week as they discuss artists and song that have appeared in films. Some highlights this week involve talking to strangers, bangers on the Paul Blart soundtrack, soundtracks for films they haven't seen, one of the most bizarre albums they have listened to, tater tot appreciation, an album Jay ended up throw…

1
Episode 46 - Country 1:00:45

2+ y ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Today Jay and Joey are heading out to the countryside of Jay's collection, where Joey finds himself in a very comfortable spot for the most part. The fellas discuss one of the oldest albums in Jay's collection, an absolute steal in Joey's collection, and an album Jay had no idea he owned until about a week ago before diving into rodeo life, getting…

1
Episode 45 - Greatest Hits Vol. III 1:07:04

2+ y ago1:07:04

1:07:04

Today the guys are rounding out the rest of the greatest hits albums in Jay's collection. To kick things off, they contemplate what babies are doing while in the womb before revisiting some old favorites. We also find out the boys are bad at surfing, hear about a couple of albums that are mostly covers but are 100% better than the originals, and le…

1
Episode 44 - Albums purchased at the For Your Ears Only Record Sale 54:41

2+ y ago54:41

54:41

Jay has mentioned the For Your Ears Only Record Sale, so it only made sense to finally have an episode focusing on that event. The guys are talking about what the sale is and what it benefits, Minoan civilization and ancient history, video game soundtracks, a really bad album, dancing, house party music, and Jay's $2 surprises. Albums this week are…

1
Episode 43 - Albums from 1975 (and Jay's a Dad!) 1:04:01

2+ y ago1:04:01

1:04:01

This show has it all, starting with Jay being a dad! Jay and Joey are talking tricking versus treating, 1975 being a wild year, Acadian history, which game show they would be on, liking but not loving Fleetwood Mac, and singing songs in their range. This week's albums are: The Band - Northern Lights, Southern Cross Chicago - Chicago VIII Fleetwood …

1
Episode 42 - Albums that were Recorded in London 1:09:01

2+ y ago1:09:01

1:09:01

This week Jay and Joey are jetting over to jolly old England to discuss albums that were recorded in London, and it's Jay's birthday! The guys are discussing baking at higher altitudes, eating raw cookie dough, the treasures of Canada, their favorite Beatles album, Mick Jagger showing up in someone's studio to sing, stolen Wings demos, metal legend…

1
Episode 41 - Albums Joey also Owns 1:08:51

2+ y ago1:08:51

1:08:51

This week is a pretty unique week, as the fellas are listen to albums that both Jay and Joey own. Joey gets the full, immersive experience Jay has had for almost year, and he learns empathy for what Jay goes through on a weekly basis. This week's episode features two very different tales of learning about Tom Rush, buying the same album twice, a de…

1
Episode 40 - All About Van Halen 1:12:11

3y ago1:12:11

1:12:11

This episode ends in zero, so it's all about one band. This time that band is Van Halen! Jay and Joey are talking searching for songs they don't the names of, the secret sauce to Van Halen, Michael Anthony appreciation, Jay's failed attempt at rigging out some pedals, and what Jay's tour bus would be like. And there are lots of voice instruments fr…

1
Episode 39 - Second Albums 58:32

3y ago58:32

58:32

Spurred by a conversation from the previous episode, the fellas are talking about second albums on the latest episode. Also, Jay and Joey are discussing songs from the podcast that have gotten stuck in their heads, eating fruit from a neighbor's tree, a band that almost fought a bunch of truckers, a bunch of albums that surprised them, a roadside a…

1
Episode 38 - Artists Late in their Careers 1:00:29

3y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Some things age like fine wine, and some things age like vinegar filtered through a dirty sock. This week Jay and Joey are talking about albums that were released later in an artist's career. On this week's episode, we find out Jay bought an album this year, being tempted by colored vinyl, the porno shop that doubles as a record store makes a retur…

1
Episode 37 - Self-titled Debuts 1:08:42

3y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

The fellas start off hot and only warm up from there. They're talking food delivery preferences, the flimsiest album in Jay's collection, the lost art of artists hanging out in studios and randomly appearing on albums, a debut album from a band that had only been around for six months, the pipe organ business, a very dark song written by a 12-year-…

1
Episode 36 - Directives 1:03:39

3y ago1:03:39

1:03:39

Jay and Joey are reporting from Command Central this week with their directives themed episode. They get things rolling by talking about pulpy orange juice, grocery stores, Maury, and the Colorado Sound before getting to some Weird Al appreciation, product placement, Hot Tub Time Machine, and learning what a mono recording means. There are conversa…

1
Episode 35 - Greatest Hits, Vol. II 1:10:01

3y ago1:10:01

1:10:01

The fellas are going through another batch of greatest hits this week. They're talking cereal mascots, loads of fun facts, Joey seeing Jay's albums everywhere, one of the best photos of all time, paying a little more for magic, revisiting movies you liked growing up, Jay's doppelganger dancing to Steely Dan, and nu metal's greatest hits. Albums thi…

1
Episode 34 - Concept Albums 1:11:58

3y ago1:11:58

1:11:58

How have Jay and Joey made it this long without talking about concept albums yet? Who knows?! But that's the plan for today's episode. They also deliver the best opening song to date, wax poetic about Denny's, hear a surprising ska tune, listen to a Pink Floyd album Joey actually likes, reaffirm their appreciation of Limp Bizkit, dive into an album…

1
Episode 33 - Food & Beverage 58:04

3y ago58:04

58:04

Today's episode is full of tasty treats and delish morsels from the music world, and this episode is piping hot! The fellas discuss buying albums from thrift stores, loving an artist even more a second time around, scatting, irrationally disliking things, getting to know a ridiculously good album beyond the hit single, Christian rock group Petra, b…

1
Episode 32 - Artists on the Cover 1:03:24

3y ago1:03:24

1:03:24

This week Jay and Joey are listening to albums where the artist appears on the cover. Is the theme a copout? Yes, but they still have a lot of fun as they discuss 1-900 numbers and commemorative coins, Jay's interesting prank call technique, learning things through music, a huge album (and a massive album), and see podcast themes intertwined throug…

1
Episode 31 - Deja Vu 1:00:15

3y ago1:00:15

1:00:15

It's deja vu all over again for Jay and Joey as they listen to artists previously discussed on the show. In addition to revisiting previously discussed bands, they also remember bonus tracks fondly, discuss a very unsettling album cover, and see Jerry Garcia make another brief appearance while Joey gets his mind blown while talking about the first …

1
Episode 30 - All About the Sword 54:53

3y ago54:53

54:53

An episode that ends in a zero can only mean one thing - it's all about one artist! This week the dudes are talking about 8, yes, 8! albums from the Sword! From Knight's Edge catalogs to LARPing to great storytelling and songwriting to hated jukebox choices to the feel-good hit of the summer to a deep dive on disc golf, the guys don't disappoint. A…

1
Episode 29 - Third Albums 54:36

3y ago54:36

54:36

Jay and Joey are talking third albums from bands on today's episode. Joey records partially from a hotel bathroom before finding a better spot, Jay discusses his first experience with Catan, and then the two talk about drastic band changes, an incredible feat of engineering, have a quick Rush aside, come up with a great idea for an ICP inspired cov…

1
Episode 28 - Singer/Songwriters 1:00:57

3y ago1:00:57

1:00:57

Always swapping things up and changing genres at a breakneck pace, the boys are talking about singer/songwriters this week. The opener is a bit contemplative, but the guys are still having fun while talking about the greatest saxophonist name ever, albums appearing out of the blue, an unbelievably well-produced live album, Jay's album listening rit…

1
Episode 27 - Punk/Post-Punk 58:57

3y ago58:57

58:57

Punk rock comes from the heart, and that's something Jay and Joey have a lot of. This week the guys talk about not putting a price on living, Aldi, the aesthetics and rhythm of punk rock, a serendipitous use of a vulgarity, maturity in punk music, cheating at cards, selling albums from your basement, albums that are still prescient, fudging the bou…

1
Episode 26 - Names that Jay Liked 55:50

3y ago55:50

55:50

Today's episode is centered around bands that Jay decided to check out because he really liked their name. They start things off with a little AMSR before diving in on discussing the film Moon, their first full cover album, Jay dropping serious money on a spectacular rare speed metal album, stories about getting lost in albums while forgetting to t…

1
Episode 25 - Greatest Hits, Vol. I 59:10

3y ago59:10

59:10

No, not our greatest hits! The greatest hits of ten different artists! That's right, the guys are zipping through ten greatest hits albums this week. They've got mouth trumpets, Jay shares an awesome story about a high school band performance at the Cotton Bowl, there's scatting, the fellas discuss Shel Silverstein's brilliance, they share memories…

1
Episode 24 - Religion 59:12

3y ago59:12

59:12

Join Jay and Joey this week as the guys discuss everyone's favorite casual dinner conversation starter - religion! They're talking metal scenes around the world, a new song of the summer, surprise Brits, their shortest discussion on an album to date, chatting with merch guys in the restroom, rediscovering their favorite Led Zeppelin album, a demo t…

1
Episode 23 - Health 1:06:23

3y ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Health check time. Jay and Joey sing a Blink-182 inspired tune, discuss the BBC's hilarious banning of a song, the joy of house parties, vibe to some flugelhorn, and the two chat about Greek mythology. Joey shares a story of how one artist almost got him fired from his first job, and Jay coins a new term that should be on one band's Wikipedia page …

1
Episode 22 - Nighttime 1:02:14

3y ago1:02:14

1:02:14

If there are two things Jay and Joey love, they are the nighttime and loving to boogie. This episode finds our fearless duo having a lot more fun than they originally anticipated as they discuss songs that partially split up bands, inescapable hooks, the USA Network show Silk Stalkings, an all-time classic album, and indie rock from the 2000's all …

1
Episode 21 - Unfamiliar Words 1:10:54

3y ago1:10:54

1:10:54

Today Jay and Joey discuss wrestling in a Burger King parking lot, coming to terms with potentially being Grateful Dead fans, American love for conspiracy theories, if Jay should go into producing rap music, some incredibly hot organ solos, a Steely Dan showdown, the importance of a rhythm section, and making up new words all while Jay unveils the …

1
Episode 20 - All About Mastodon 1:02:49

3y ago1:02:49

1:02:49

The fellas are rounding off the episode numbers again, which means one thing - focusing on one band the entire episode. Join the guys as the fall in love with Mastodon all over again! This week's discussion includes: Mastodon - Remission Mastodon - Leviathan Mastodon - Crack the Skye Mastodon - The Hunter Mastodon - Emperor of Sand Find the playlis…

1
Episode 19 - Water 59:24

3y ago59:24

59:24

Once the mic issues get worked out around the 8.5 minute mark, the fellas really start rockin' and rollin'. This episode shows love to yodeling and flutes, talks about how one record's format disrupted Jay's coziness, discusses Joey listening to his first Bruce Springsteen album ever, has an album that made both of their jaws drop, gives a singing …

1
Episode 18 - Transportation 59:41

3y ago59:41

59:41

You know what Jay and Joey love? Transportation! Feeling a little stir crazy after the past year? Explore the world through Jay's record collection! Jay and Joey talk about the events of turning 18, how Rick James songs are still too relevant in 2021, Jay owning a mystery album that is also a clean version of the album, Jay's former life on the roa…

1
Episode 17 - Albums from 1971 1:00:59

3y ago1:00:59

1:00:59

This episode is a special gold star episode as the fellas look at albums celebrating their golden anniversary. The golden boys are talking road trips, maritime cannibalism, good prog, audiences not knowing the words to songs, coming around to Cat Stevens, Pushing Daisies, and Tupac. This episode features discussions on: Mountain - Nantucket Sleighr…

1
Episode 16 - Colors/Colours 56:42

3y ago56:42

56:42

It's our Sweet Sixteen this week! The dudes are focusing on colors (or colours, if you insist) as the theme for the week. Jay has a great rant about how Kansas is more than The Wizard of Oz, Joey gets tormented by his neighbor's lawnmowing, and both rock out extra hard to some real colorful tunes. From recording songs outdoors to snacking in the gr…

1
Episode 15 - The New Wave of British Heavy Metal 1:18:06

3y ago1:18:06

1:18:06

Get your cardboard and 2x4 air guitars ready! This is the first (and maybe only) mega-episode. Why? Because the albums and discussion this week were too good to edit down! Jay and Joey discuss 6! (6! 6!) iconic and massively influential albums from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement of the late 70s and early 80s. From how the guys got int…

1
Episode 14 - Animals 57:04

3y ago57:04

57:04

You know 'em, you love 'em. No, not Jay and Joey - animals! On today's animal themed episode, the fellas discuss artists and albums that contain animal themes, WCW tag team intro music, the "best" flavors of Gatorade, final tracks that are absolutely weak, and the most successful #1 single in Norwegian history. And be sure to stick around as Jay be…

1
Episode 13 - Classical Music 55:07

3y ago55:07

55:07

Although Joey used the wrong mic to record, we're still really thrilled to unleash this on the world. Neither of the guys are remotely qualified to discuss classical music, and that made this episode a blast to record! This episode finds the fellas pondering whether classical composers were international rock stars, Joey learning what a theorbo is,…

1
Episode 12 - Albums Neither of Us Had Heard Before 54:53

3y ago54:53

54:53

Today Jay and Joey take on the Herculean task of listening to six albums neither of them knew anything about. We learn that Jay's dad and uncle are record pushers, discuss US policies in Central America during the 1980s, ponder what happened to great regional rock bands, the greatness of Light in the Attic Records, share tales of hunting down some …

1
Episode 11 - Some of the Best Selling Albums of All-Time 57:33

3y ago57:33

57:33

Jay and Joey take a look at some of the best selling albums of all-time. You know know 'em, you love 'em (or you don't). But either way, the guys have opinions. The conversation has lots of twists and turns, and this is their first episode where they talk about SIX albums! From talking about the biggest concerts they've seen to Jay being sold a war…

1
Episode 5 - A Special Valentine's Day Episode 44:40

3y ago44:40

44:40

Stung by Cupid's arrow? Sharing drinks with friends over Zoom? Eating leftovers in the dark? No matter how you're spending Valentine's Day, Jay and Joey have you covered as they play it very fast and loose with the concept today. We find out Jay shouldn't seek employment as a greeting card writer, Joey has lots of rants, and the guys wish Rob Thoma…

1
Episode 10 - All About Rush 57:51

3y ago57:51

57:51

We are celebrating hitting double digits by going through all of Jay's Rush albums. This episode has a little bit of everything for everyone - from steerable telescopes to Jay's Rush journey to Joey having a Rush epiphany to Tolkien getting a lot of play in the 1970s to dogs to embracing your inner nerd to baseball to skydiving. And don't miss out …

1
Episode 9 - Great Women in Music 46:37

3y ago46:37

46:37

To celebrate Women's History Month, Jay and Joey dive into some stone cold classics in Jay's record collection. Joey talks about his first exposure to International Women's Day while living in Vietnam, Jay discusses which badass woman from history he would like to hear a concept album about, and the duo crisscross a variety of genres, talk about al…

1
Episode 8 - Album Art Designed by Hipgnosis 43:19

3y ago43:19

43:19

Today Jay and Joey take a look at albums where the covers were designed by legendary cover artists Hipgnosis. The guys talk about a song that is more than likely literally about catching a cold, Isaac Asimov and other pieces of literature, Sylvester Stallone's Cobra, toned bottoms from the 1970s, Pink Floyd making the right creative decision for an…

1
Episode 7 - Numbers 47:24

3y ago47:24

47:24

Semi-professional numerologists Jay and Joey study numbers through Jay's record collection this week. The fellas weigh in on the Van Hagar v. Van Halen debate, talk about buying records in the basement of a sex shop, ponder whether Chicago qualifies as a ska band or not, sit in awe of Leo Kottke's brilliance, release their first Easter egg, and sho…

1
Episode 6 - Magic 42:54

3y ago42:54

42:54

The Abracadabros dive into albums that are simply magical today. Jay talks about getting one of the best Christmas gifts ever, Joey makes a bold Black Sabbath declaration, and together they discuss, "Is magic just all mirrors?" This episode features discussions on: Witch - Witch Omen - The Curse Uriah Heep - Demons and Wizards Black Sabbath - Maste…

1
Episode 4 - Places We Have Lived 43:45

3y ago43:45

43:45

Have you ever moved to LA after drunkenly signing a contract on a napkin? Been hit in the face with a Bible while at a Stryper concert? Met a talking seal? Well, if not, Jay & Joey have you covered! On today's episode, the guys revisit the places they have lived through Jay's record collection. This episode features discussions on: Kansas - Kansas …

1
Episode 3 - Things Jay Bought Because He Liked the Album Art 47:54

3y ago47:54

47:54

In this episode, unknowns abound. From mysterious holes in South Dakota to buying albums based on the cover art to rating things on a scale of 7, Jay and Joey weren't really sure what to expect. This episode centers around listening to albums Jay purchased because he liked the album art. Come along for this wild ride as the fellas ponder life as fu…

1
Episode 2 - Rounding Out Jay's Ten Favorite Albums 45:31

3y ago45:31

45:31

In this episode Jay and Joey get into dealing with the legacies of complicated artists and battles with nostalgia all while Jay makes the difficult choice of which band to join during the 'Didn't See That Coming' segment. And they talk about maybe the coolest Rolling Stones lyric of all-time. This week's albums include: The Cars - The Cars Warren Z…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Jay Jensen & Joey Smith Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide