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

Nov 3, 2025
1996 - February: Sublime “Sublime”
Nov 3, 2025
Nov 3, 2025
37 min
Lynch riffs on the Third studio album by Sublime “Sublime” from February 1996 (What I Got / April 29, 1992 / Doin' Time / Santeria).
STAFF PICKS: “Aeroplane” by Red Hot Chili Peppers — Rob.
“Fear of Falling” by The Badlees— Bruce. "
“In the Meantime” by Spacehog — Wayne.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd (from the motion picture “Happy Gilmore”).
Nov 3, 2025
37 min

Oct 27, 2025

Oct 20, 2025
1999 - March: Collective Soul “Dosage”
Oct 20, 2025
Oct 20, 2025
34 min
Rob riffs on the fourth studio album by Collective Soul “Dosage” from March 1999 (Tremble for My Beloved / Heavy / Slow / Run).
STAFF PICKS: “You Get What You Give” by New Radicals — Lynch
“Praise You” by Fatboy Slim— Bruce
Why I'm Here” by Oleander — Wayne
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Main Title/Trinity Infinity” (from the motion picture "The Matrix").
**(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.)
Oct 20, 2025
34 min

Oct 13, 2025
Oct 13, 2025
36 min
Bruce riffs on the second solo studio album by Mark Knopfler “Sailing to Philadelphia” from October 2000 (What It Is / Silvertown Blues / Do America / Sailing to Philadelphia).
STAFF PICKS:
"Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” by Nine Days — Lynch.
“Hangin Around” by Counting Crows — Rob.
"Beautiful Day” by U2 — Wayne.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
“Frolic” by Luciano Michelini (from the TV Series "Curb Your Enthusiasm").
Oct 13, 2025
36 min

Oct 6, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
34 min
Lynch riffs on the third studio album by the Gin Blossoms, “Congratulations I'm Sorry,” which had its first single release in January 1996 (Follow You Down / As Long As It Matters / Day Job / Til I Hear It from You).
STAFF PICKS:
“Breakfast At Tiffany's” by Deep Blue Something — Bruce.
“Santa Monica” by Everclear — Wayne.
"Miss Sarajevo” by Passengers (aka U2) — Rob.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: "Beach Sequence" by Passengers
**(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.)
Oct 6, 2025
34 min

Sep 29, 2025
Sep 29, 2025
30 min
Wayne riffs on the fourth studio album by Bowling for Soup, Drunk Enough to Dance, from August 2002 (I Don't Wanna Rock / Girl All the Bad Guys Want / Running from Your Dad / Emily).
STAFF PICKS:
“Without Me” by Eminem — Bruce
“No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age — Rob
"Downfall” by Trust Company — Lynch
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: "Feuer Frei!" by Rammstein (from the motion picture "XXX").
**(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.)
Sep 29, 2025
30 min

Sep 22, 2025
1998 - March: Van Halen “Van Halen 3”
Sep 22, 2025
Sep 22, 2025
41 min
Rob riffs on the 11th studio album from Van Halen “Van Halen III” from March of 1998 (Without You / Fire in the Hole / One I Want / From Afar). STAFF PICKS: “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba — Wayne. "The Way” by Fastball — Lynch. “Brick” by Ben Folds Five — Bruce. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Uninvited” by Alanis Morissette (from the motion picture "City of Angels").
Sep 22, 2025
41 min

Sep 15, 2025
2001 - July: Cake “Comfort Eagle”
Sep 15, 2025
Sep 15, 2025
28 min
Bruce riffs on the fourth studio album from Cake “Comfort Eagle” from July 2001 (Love You Madly / Comfort Eagle / Long Line of Cars / Short Skirt/Long Jacket).
STAFF PICKS: "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” by Train — Rob. “Bodies” by Drowning Pool— Wayne. "Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm — Lynch.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “Acro Arena (Instrumental)” by Cake.
Sep 15, 2025
28 min

Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025
30 min
Lynch riffs on the debut studio album from Matchbox 20 “Yourself or Someone Like You” on the charts in November of 1996 (3AM / Push / Real World / Long Day). STAFF PICKS: “Big Chair” by Reacharound — Wayne. “Rewind” by Better than Ezra — Rob. "When You Love a Woman” by Journey— Clint Barrett. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “Space Jam” by Quad City DJ's (from the motion picture "Space Jam").
**(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.)
Sep 8, 2025
30 min

Sep 1, 2025
2003 - September: Jet "Get Born"
Sep 1, 2025
Sep 1, 2025
29 min
Wayne riffs on the debut studio album by Jet, Get Born, released in September 2003 (Rollover DJ /Are You Gonna Be My Girl / Get Me Outta Here / Cold Hard Bitch).
STAFF PICKS: Weak and Powerless by A Perfect Circle — Lynch. In Da Club by 50 Cent — (Fan of the Show )Clint Barrett. One Big Holiday by My Morning Jacket — Rob.
INSTRUMENTAL/ENTERTAINMENT/LAUGH TRACK: Main theme from the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Disclaimer: What the Riff?!? is a music commentary and review podcast that highlights 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.
Sep 1, 2025
29 min

Aug 25, 2025
2000-March: Disturbed “The Sickness”
Aug 25, 2025
Aug 25, 2025
31 min
Friend of the show, Greg Lyon riffs on the debut album by Disturbed, “The Sickness” from March 2000 (The Sickness / Voices / The Game / Stupify). STAFF PICKS: "Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit — Wayne. “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down — Rob. "Everything You Want” by Vertical Horizon — Lynch. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: “The Final Destination Suite” from the motion picture "Final Destination". **(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.)
Aug 25, 2025
31 min

Aug 20, 2025
Aug 20, 2025
42 min
Bruce riffs on the second studio album from Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory? on the charts in November 1995 (Champagne Supernova / Wonderwall / Morning Glory / Don't Look Back in Anger). STAFF PICKS: "Name” by Goo Goo Dolls — Wayne. “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette— Lynch. "See You On the Other Side” by Ozzy Osbourne — Rob. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “The Memory of Trees” by Enya.
**(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.)
Aug 20, 2025
42 min

Aug 11, 2025
2004 - September: R.E.M. “Around the Sun”
Aug 11, 2025
Aug 11, 2025
30 min
Rob riffs on the 13th studio album from R.E.M. “Around the Sun” from September of 2004 (Leaving New York / Wanderlust / Aftermath / Around the Sun). STAFF PICKS: “1985” by Bowling for Soup — Bruce. "Float On” by Modest Mouse— Lynch. “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney — Wayne. COMEDY TRACK: “Goofy Goober Rock” by SpongeBob SquarePants.
Aug 11, 2025
30 min

Aug 4, 2025
Aug 4, 2025
32 min
Lynch riffs on the third studio album from the Smashing Pumpkins, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” from October 1995 (1979 / Bullet with Butterfly Wings / Zero / Tonight, Tonight).
STAFF PICKS: “Downtown” by Neil Young — Rob. “Lump” by The Presidents of the United States of America — Wayne. “Hard as a Rock” by AC/DC — Gregg.
L/E/I TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Strange Days".
Aug 4, 2025
32 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.






