What the Riff Next Gen
Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were gaining momentum during this Millennium Y2K Period. We encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from Apple Music, Spotify or your other favorite music service. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! In addition to “Next Gen” you can search our ORIGINAL “What the Riff?!?” episodes (1-373) covering 1965 - 1995. We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriff on Facebook.
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights classic rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.
Every episode of “WHAT THE RIFF NEXT GEN” brings a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1995 and 2005. Four Classic Rock fans discuss the artist and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 3 additional “staff picks” of other artists that were also on the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear Classic Rock bands that were still producing new work, as well as some newer Alternative and Grunge bands that were gaining momentum during this Millennium Y2K Period. We encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from Apple Music, Spotify or your other favorite music service. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! In addition to “Next Gen” you can search our ORIGINAL “What the Riff?!?” episodes (1-373) covering 1965 - 1995. We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriff on Facebook.
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights classic rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.
Episodes

Feb 9, 2026
428 2002 - May: Rush “Vapor Trails”
Feb 9, 2026
Feb 9, 2026
35 min
Bruce riffs on the seventeenth studio album by Rush, Vapor Trails from May 2002 (One Little Victory / Ghost Rider / Vapor Trail / Earthshine).
STAFF PICKS:
Clap Your Hands by They Might Be Giants — Wayne
We Are All Made of Stars by Moby — Rob
By The Way by the Red Hot Chili Peppers — Lynch
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the motion picture Spider Man.
Feb 9, 2026
35 min

Feb 2, 2026
427 2002 - January: Creed “Weathered”
Feb 2, 2026
Feb 2, 2026
36 min
Lynch riffs on the third studio album from Creed entitled Weathered from January 2002 (My Sacrifice / One Last Breath / Bullets / Freedom Fighter).
STAFF PICKS:
Dreamer by Ozzy Osbourne — Rob
Standing Still by Jewel — Bruce
You Don't Bring Me Flowers by Neil Diamond & Barbara Streisand — Wayne
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Half Light by tomanandy & Low (from the motion picture “The Mothman Prophesies”).
Feb 2, 2026
36 min

Jan 26, 2026
Jan 26, 2026
30 min
Wayne riffs on the sole studio album by Page and Plant, “Walking into Clarksdale,” from June 1998 (Shining the Light / Most High / Please Read the Letter / Whiskey from the Glass).
STAFF PICKS:
One Week by the Barenaked Ladies — Lynch
Lucky Man by The Verve — Bruce.
My Own Worst Enemy by Lit — Rob.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from "Sex and the City."
Jan 26, 2026
30 min

Jan 19, 2026
425 1998 - December: Metallica “Reload”
Jan 19, 2026
Jan 19, 2026
30 min
Lynch riffs on the seventh studio album from Metallica, Reload from December 1997 (Better Than You / The Memory Remains / Fuel).
STAFF PICKS:
Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry — Rob
Sex & Candy by Marcy Playground — Wayne
Walkin' On the Sun by Smash Mouth — Bruce.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Street Life by Randy Crawford (from the motion picture "Jackie Brown").
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Jan 19, 2026
30 min

Jan 12, 2026
1998 - November: David Gray “White Ladder”
Jan 12, 2026
Jan 12, 2026
31 min
Bruce riffs on the fourth studio album by David Gray, "White Ladder,” from November 1998 (Please Forgive Me / Sail Away / My Oh My / Babylon).
STAFF PICKS:
Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger — Wayne
Turn the Page by Metallica — Rob
Dragula by Rob Zombie — Greg
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the television series Animaniacs.
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Jan 12, 2026
31 min

Jan 5, 2026
Jan 5, 2026
31 min
Rob riffs on the fourth studio album by the Foo Fighters, One by One, from October 2002 (Times Like These / Overdrive / Low / All My Life).
STAFF PICKS:
The Middle by Jimmy Eat World — Wayne
Get Over It by OK Go — Bruce
Prayer by Disturbed — Greg
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Main theme from the motion picture "Red Dragon".
**(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Jan 5, 2026
31 min

Dec 29, 2025
1997 - January: 311 “311”
Dec 29, 2025
Dec 29, 2025
27 min
Lynch riffs on the third studio album from 311, eponymously entitled 311 from January 1997 (All Mixed Up / Misdirected Hostility / Don't Stay Home / Down).
STAFF PICKS:
The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe — Rob.
The Distance by Cake — Wayne.
Van Halen by Nerf Herder — Bruce.
NOVELTY TRACK:
Enter Sandman by Pat Boone.
Dec 29, 2025
27 min

Dec 22, 2025
2000 - December: Kiss “Kiss Symphony:Alive IV”
Dec 22, 2025
Dec 22, 2025
38 min
Wayne riffs on the fourth album in the Alive series by Kiss, Kiss Symphony: Alive IV, from December 2000 (Lick It Up / Calling Dr. Love / Love Gun / Detroit Rock City).
STAFF PICKS:
“Are You There” by Oleander — Lynch.
“If You're Gone” by Matchbox Twenty — Rob.
"Hanging By a Moment” by Lifehouse — Bruce.
"Hemorrhage (In My Hands) - Fuel - Julie Doran.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "He Carves the Roast Beast" (from the motion picture "How the Grinch Stole Christmas").
Dec 22, 2025
38 min

Dec 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
39 min
Guest Host Julie Doran riffs on the third studio album by Alanis Morissette, Jagged Little Pill from June 1995 (You Oughta Know / Ironic / Hand in My Pocket / Head Over Feet).
STAFF PICKS:
“Lightning Crashes” by Live — Rob.
“Tomorrow” by Silverchair — Lynch.
“Mockingbird Girl” by Magnificent Bastards - Wayne.
“No More ‘I Love You's’” by Annie Lennox — Bruce.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” by U2 (from the motion picture “Batman Forever”).
Dec 15, 2025
39 min

Dec 8, 2025
Christmas Songs that Rock VIII
Dec 8, 2025
Dec 8, 2025
47 min
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
What The Riff?!? hopes you enjoy our EIGHTH ANNUAL Christmas Rabbit Hole Episode in which we riff on the Christmas standards, classics, covers, and originals that make Christmas Rock!
This year, we’re covering:
Little Drummer Boy - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
Jingle Bell Rock - Daryl Hall & John Oates.
I Believe In Stanta Claus - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton.
Please Daddy (Don't Get Drunk this Christmas) - John Denver.
Last Christmas - Wham!
White Christmas - Chicago.
O Holy Night - Michael McDonald.
Christmas at Ground Zero - "Wierd Al" Yankovic.
Grown Up Christmas List - Amy Grant.
Please Come Home for Christmas -Cheap Trick.
Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton.
Redneck Christmas - Ray Stevens.
All I Want for Christmas is You
- Mariah Carey.
And we close out with a very special Christmas song by Lynch’s band, “Cherubic Trash Panda” - exclusively from What the Riff?!? records!
Dec 8, 2025
47 min

Dec 1, 2025
2001 - December: No Doubt “Rock Steady”
Dec 1, 2025
Dec 1, 2025
29 min
Rob riffs on the fifth studio album by No Doubt, “Rock Steady,” from December 2001 (Intro / Hella Good / Hey Baby / Platinum Blonde Life / Making Out).
STAFF PICKS:“Blurry” by Puddle of Mudd — Lynch. “In Too Deep” by Sum 41 — Bruce.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:“A Kaleidoscope of Mathematics” (from the motion picture "A Beautiful Mind").
Dec 1, 2025
29 min

Nov 24, 2025
2002 - September: Porcupine Tree “In Absentia”
Nov 24, 2025
Nov 24, 2025
39 min
Bruce riffs on the seventh studio album by Porcupine Tree, “In Absentia,” from September 2002 (Wedding Nails / Trains / The Sound of Muzak / Blackest Eyes).
STAFF PICKS: “Anger Rising” by Jerry Cantrell — Rob. “Fine Again” by Seether — Lynch. “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne — Bruce.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Ballad of Serenity” (from the television series Firefly).
Nov 24, 2025
39 min

Nov 17, 2025
1998 - August: Kid Rock “Devil Without a Cause”
Nov 17, 2025
Nov 17, 2025
34 min
Wayne riffs on the fourth studio album by Kid Rock, "Devil Without a Cause,” from August 1998 (Bawitdaba / I Am the Bullgod / Somebody's Gotta Feel This / Cowboy).
STAFF PICKS:
“Closing Time” by Semisonic — Bruce.
“Blue on Black” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd — Rob.
"Inside Out” by Eve 6 — Lynch.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“It's Not Over” by Mark Isham (from the motion picture "Blade").
Nov 17, 2025
34 min

Nov 10, 2025
2002 - December: Audioslave “Audioslave”
Nov 10, 2025
Nov 10, 2025
36 min
Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from Audioslave, eponymously entitled “Audioslave”from December 2002 (Cochise / Like a Stone / I am the Highway / Show Me How to Live).
STAFF PICKS: "
“Weathered” by Creed — Bruce. “
“Bullitproof” by Pacifier — Wayne.
“When I'm Gone” by 3 Doors Down — Rob.
ENTERTAINMENT/LAUGH TRACK:
“Evenstar” (from the motion picture "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers").
Nov 10, 2025
36 min
PLEASE NOTE
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights classic and alternative rock music through historical context, personal insights, and artist appreciation. We do not claim ownership of the songs featured, which remain the property of the original artists and rights holders. All music is used under the Fair Use doctrine for purposes of criticism, commentary, and education. We encourage our listeners to support the artists by purchasing and streaming their music legally.






