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A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on May 15, 2019 at 10:24am PDT

John Darnielle has been writing and recording songs as The Mountain Goats since 1991. He’s released 17 studio albums, and also written two books of fiction.

In April 2019, the Mountain Goats released the album In League with Dragons, and in this episode, John Darnielle breaks down a song from it, called “Cadaver Sniffing Dog.” We’ll hear his original demo, and then, hear how the song evolved at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, with the help of John’s band, some incredible session musicians, and producer Owen Pallett.

You can buy or stream “Cadaver Sniffing Dog” here.

Also, check out the podcast “I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats,” hosted by John Darnielle and Joseph Fink!

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

footnotes
Minimoog Synth
Farm Pedals
Robert Bailey – Backup Vocals

 

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A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on May 1, 2019 at 10:05am PDT

The Cranberries formed in Limerick, Ireland in 1989. Singer Dolores O’Riordan joined a year later, and the group went on to become one of the defining bands on the ‘90s, eventually selling over 40 million records worldwide.

In January 2018, while the band was working on their eighth album, Dolores O’Riordan  passed away unexpectedly. Later that year, remaining members Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan, and Fergal Lawler  announced that they would end the band, and that this would be their final album. It’s called In The End.

It was released in April 2019, and in this episode, guitarist and songwriter Noel Hogan breaks down a song from it called “All Over Now.” You’ll hear how Hogan and O’Riordan first started the song, and how the remaining members worked to finish it without her.

You can buy or stream “All Over Now” here.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

footnotes
“Linger” – The Cranberries
“Pictures of You” – The Cure
Stephen Street – producer

 

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A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on Apr 17, 2019 at 10:02am PDT

Panda Bear is musician Noah Lennox. He’s a founding member of the experimental, genre-defying band Animal Collective, and as a solo artists, he’s released six solo albums.

In February 2019, Panda Bear released the album Buoys, and in this episode, he and his co-producer Rusty Santos break down the opening song, “Dolphin.” You’ll hear the original demo, and how they drew inspiration from music from all over the world.

You can buy or stream “Dolphin” here.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

footnotes
“Tezeta” – Mulatu Astatke
Sung Tongs – Animal Collective
“Papi Dame Lo Que Quiero” – Lizz
Digitakt drum sampler
Galaga